Local 506 today issue a news update on bargaining sessions with GE over the company's plans to move work out of Erie. You can download the complete bulletin at the link below.
The union update begins:
"After 15 bargaining sessions with the Company about its proposal to transfer 950 union jobs, GE made its first proposal to UE yesterday. In its proposal, GE left no stone unturned and proposed what can only be termed as a “wish list” of attacks against our wage and cost-of-living increases and piecework system. In addition to going after wage increases, GE has demanded that the union agree to mandatory overtime, a new round of code consolidation, and restrictions on job bidding and movement. GE has also demanded a two-tier 'competitive wage,' even though it admits that they will not achieve any cost savings, because no new hiring is expected."
The bulletin goes on to announce that the union bargaining committee will be meeting over the next few days with the full Local 506 executive board to develop a response to the company's proposals. Talks with the company are scheduled to continue next week.
