JOB ISSUES UNRESOLVED
Board to Set Up Informational Pickets
On Wednesday night as third-shift workers enter the Plant and continuing on at the beginning of first and second shifts on Thursday, the Local 506 Executive Board will be manning informational pickets to highlight the number one issue facing all members –
The continuing flight of our jobs. A docket number has not been activated for this protest, therefore you should report to work. However, once in the Plant, we ask that you carry the message to your boss that the Union will not tolerate the loss of jobs simply to enhance corporate profits. You will be notified of any further actions.Setting the Record Straight on HCP
An article in the October 26, 2002 Erie Times-News created some confusion. Here are the facts concerning our Local’s positions on two important matters.
On Friday, October 25, 2002 the IUE/CWA – GE Conference Board voted to authorize a strike if the Company doesn’t back off plans to increase health-care costs for workers and retirees. The IUE also voted to support Locals 201 (Lynn, MA), 301 (Schenectady, NY) and Local 506 in their struggle to save jobs and to resolve other local issues.Regarding the Health Care Preferred increases, our own UE-GE Conference Board affiliates have met and are also poised to take actions against GE if the matter isn’t resolved. In September, Local 506 Members gave the Officers the authority to join the fight by doing anything up to and including a strike if necessary.
Like our brothers and sisters in the IUE, we believe we must draw the line to stop further health care cost shifting but right now our immediate concern is over the most recent layoff announcement. GE is set for another round of layoffs in November, primarily indirect workers. Efforts to save these jobs and to stem the loss of more jobs are on the front burner. Unless GE decides to resolve our grievances, the informational pickets will only be the first action we’ll take.
Printed by UE Local 506 Tuesday, October 29, 2002