January 2002 UE 506 News

2001 YEAR IN REVIEW.

In 2001, Local 506 Members were not only deeply moved by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center but we also had to deal with the tragic loss of one of our brothers who had died in a Plant accident. As could be expected from Local 506 Members, the sorrow and sympathy felt and expressed was universal and the support for the families has been overwhelming.

Our major objectives in 2001 were established in January when GE announced they were going to layoff 200 GETS employees. This was to become the first of four such notices that would test our organization’s ability to protect jobs.

Looking back, the Local proved to be up for the challenge, as is evident by the relatively few members on permanent lack of work. Out of about 200 potential hourly LOWs, we ended the year with 16 members unable to be placed.

The Local minimized the impact of layoffs by utilizing the Jobs Preservation Committee and the Stewards’ Council. With their help, the Officers and E-Board aggressively went to work bringing back capacity- driven farmouts, identifying and filling openings in understaffed areas, scrutinizing trades and tool room work to limit outsourcing and we secured replacements for jobs left vacant by upgrades and retirements. In a couple of instances, Chief Divisional Stewards were also able to bring new work into their divisions.

Although the measures listed protected some members, they weren't nearly enough to save everyone holding a layoff slip. To prevent other impending LOWs, our primary task shifted to Special Early Retirement Options (SEROs). The Local played a big role in moving the SERO process along by helping eligible candidates understand their retirement benefits.

In conjunction with the January 2001 layoff announcement, the Company also gave notice of their intent to transfer a portion of the warehouse work. The transfer would affect, we were told, over 25 workers in Building 63. During the mandated 45-day period of negotiations, there was some give and take and at one point 7 of the layoffs were suspended. By the end of negotiations we were able to retain 6 of the jobs. The Union continues to monitor the workflow in 63 and discussions with the Company are ongoing.

A rank and file task force studied the UE National Union finances in 2001. Inflation, a poor climate for organizing and diminishing revenues from assets gave the committee cause to make a recommendation for a series of per-capita increases along with a number of other streamlining measures. UE District Six financial matters were also reviewed and a dues increase was also found necessary. Despite lost revenues, inflation and a series of previous per-capita increase to the National, the Local dues have only been raised once in the past 6 years, and that was just recently to cover the latest National increase.

Local 506General Elections were conducted in April and the Local saw a change in the office of president and in one of the E-Board at Large positions. A new trustee was elected and seated also and, through attrition, we later saw a past board member reseated as Chief Steward of Bldg. 2.

An election committee began meeting in December. The task before these veteran tellers is to review all existing election policies and practices, then make recommendations to establish a full written procedure.

The building committee undertook and completed two major projects last year. Three heating and cooling units were replaced and all of the exterior masonry repairs were performed. The compressor for the cooler also had to be replaced.

Planned future upgrades to our Hall will include new exterior doors and frames and a wheelchair access pad from the L.P.A.C. parking lot to our back door.

LOCAL 506 ACTIVE IN MANY 2001 EVENTS

Our Local maintained a high profile throughout the year, with membership involvement in a wide variety of activities and events.

On the political front, in March, the Local sent rank and file delegates to the UE Washington D.C. Lobby Days where they met with area representatives to explain the Local’s position on key legislation like Fast Track and FTAA. One month later, two members of the Local's Legislative Action Committee traveled to Quebec to protest at the World Trade Organization's meetings. Local 506 was represented in one other international event in December when three E-Board members traveled to Mexico as part of a multi-union delegation to meet with members of the Authentic Workers Union (FAT) of Mexico.

The Local's retirees' organization, R.A.G.E., staged a Plant Gate rally in April. Local 506 Stewards marched out of the Plant carrying signs supporting the retirees' fight for increased pensions and annual cost of living increases. R.A.G.E. also sent a delegation to the Annual GE Stockholders meeting in Atlanta to press their points.

The Local supported other area unions in 2001. Local 506 representatives walked picket lines and members contributed to a plant gate collection for the striking Lutheran Home workers. Local 506 stewards participated in plant gate rallies for the Northeast TEMCO and Fairview Flex-Y-Plant workers.

On organizing, our Local helped establish a Regional Organizing Committee (ROC) in the Erie area. Members of Local 506 are working with UE Organizers visiting the homes of workers of non-union shops to explain the benefits of belonging to the UE.

To promote unity within our Local and community, our union's unity committee continued to be involved in matters regarding discrimination and worker against worker problems. The Local maintained representation on the board of the Citizens Against Racism in Erie (CARE) and continued to be one of the primary sponsors of the annual "Amerimasala Days" to celebrates the ethnic diversity of our community.

Last but not least, the Local 506 Sports Committee continued to provide plenty of activities during the year, including the Bowling and Golf Tournament, the Saint Pat's and Turkey Volleyball Tournaments and their big fundraiser for the patients at the VA Hospital, the VA 5K Walk/Run.

2002 STILL UNCERTAIN

Company employment projections weren't available at the time the LOCAL 506 NEWS went to press, but from all indications, we can expect a slow year and therefore some disruptions. We will continue to meet those challenges using the resources and programs that were effective last year.

Although we anticipate dedicating a lot of our time to the issue of "JOBS" this year, our Local will have to be involved in a number of other activities as well.

Jack Welch retired last year but don't think the 2003 UE-GE National Contract Negotiations will be any easier, in fact they may be more difficult. We will have to gear up for negotiations this year to secure a decent Contract next year.

We must also continue to be politically active this year. Now that "Fast Track" has passed the Congress, the Free Trade Act of the Americas will be on the legislative front burner in the months to come and we'll have to be ready to take it on.

This year, we are asking all Local 506 Members to make a commitment to help organize the unorganized and support UE Locals in the Erie area. There are strong forces trying to beat down our Union and we'll only overcome those forces by working to build the Union throughout Erie County.

In closing, we face a difficult year but as in other difficult years, our Local will prove to be resilient. We're confident that UE Policies and Principals will be advanced and that our Local will continue to be true rank and file model for all other Unions. Have a Happy and Progressive New Year.

PA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS INCREASE

Claimants entitled to the maximum PA State Unemployment Benefit who open up a new claim after January 7, 2002 will see that their benefit has gone up. It's important to know the new figures so that no one jeopardizes their eligibility for a UC and IEA waiting week. The new compensation amounts are as follows:

Weekly Benefit Amount $442.00 (was $430.00)
Benefit for Spouse 5.00 (no increase)
Maximum for Children 3.00 (no increase)
Total Maximum Weekly Benefit $450.00 (was $438)

*MAXIMUM EARNINGS ALLOWED FOR A PA STATE UC WAITING WEEK

To qualify for a UC waiting week you must earn less than the figure derived from adding 40% on top of your benefit. If you are entitled to the maximum UC benefit, the most you can make for a waiting week would be determined as follows:

Weekly Benefit Amount $442.00
40% of benefit amount (430 x 40%) 176.00
$618.00|
To qualify for a waiting week, claimants eligible for the maximum UC Benefit, must earn less than * $618.00

ODDS AND ENDS

* New Income Extension Aid (IEA) forms are now available. The new forms should help laid off members who have their UC checks direct deposited and those members who have child support taken out.

If your UC check is direct deposited, you will need to submit a copy of the Notice of Determination you received along with every IEA form.
Workers without UC direct deposit still have to submit a copy of each UC check or Notice of Determination with each application.
To avoid double payments, laid off workers who have support taken out of their GE checks will have to fax a copy of their support withholding notice along with the new IEA form. The fax number is (863) 647-0160 of dial com. 8-622-0160.

* Taking computerized Unemployment Compensation claims to a new level, in addition to being able to open your UC claim, you can now file for continuing weeks by using the internet. Instead of filing your claim by calling the "PAT" line, you can do so by logging on to www.dli.state.pa.us/uc but only if you didn’t have earnings during the time you were off (and that includes Holiday and vacation pay.)

* Interested in a computer? After purchasing three newer computers for the Hall, some members inquired about buying the old equipment. Quite frankly, these 486-model computers are outdated and have seen better days. Since they aren’t worth much, we decided to put a price of $50.00 on each computer/monitor set. Interested members should submit their names to the Hall. If there are more than three parties, we’ll draw names out of a hat.

LOOK FOR YOUR 2002-2003 MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Local 506 Membership Cards were mailed out this month. When you receive your card, please put it in your wallet immediately and discard your old card. Having the current card will save a lot of time and confusion when voting in elections and on the Contract

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