UE News Updates

Local 506 today issued another update to its members on what are, so far, very frustrating negotiations with GE in Erie over the company's job transfer plans. (Click the link below to see the local's bulletin.) The headline is "UE Local 506 Deeply Upset With GE's Bargaining Position." The bulletin also announces that UE has filed an unfair labor practice charge (ULP) with the NLRB against GE for failing to meet its legal bargaining obligations.

Local 243's bargaining committee reached agreement on March 20 for a new three-year agreement with Sargent Manufacturing, and the members ratified it later the same day. The settlement came six days after the expiration date of the old contract, at the end of a long, tough fight over the company's effort to eliminate the existing healthcare plan, and replace it with two inferior plans. Through the determination of Local 243's members and leadership, they retained their health plan. The local also won wage increases and other improvements.

UE Local 1008 was organized in early 2008, over fierce employer opposition, and it took a tough six-month struggle (including a short strike) to win their first contract. Since then the young local has undergone a change of employers and second negotiations. The local's 400 members are now employed by FedConsulting Inc., the federal contractor that operates the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Centers in Laguna Niguel; St. Albans, Vermont; and Chicago, all of which are now represented by UE.

When UE Local 766 members started negotiations for a new contract in December, they faced an employer that seemed determined to take away much of what they'd fought for over many years. But the members were even more determined not to go backwards, and their unity brought about a positive outcome.