IUE-CWA Set to Bargain at GE

With job security, health benefits and pensions all under attack, IUE-CWA locals have been gearing up since March for bargaining with General Electric, scheduled to begin in New York City on May 21.

"Many of us have forgotten how the benefits we enjoy today were won, said Bob Santamoor, IUE-CWA GE Conference Board chairman. Most of us did not have to strike, walk picket lines, and lose our house or struggle through financial difficulties for these benefits. That may not be the case this time," he told local officers, urging locals to be prepared for a tough fight.

GE makes aircraft engines, locomotives, appliances, medical imaging equipment and other products. Despite revenues of $164 billion last year, GE already has announced cuts in retiree health care and other benefits for non-represented new hires. Santamoor said he expects company demands to include:

• Elimination of early retirement opportunities.
• Increased cost-sharing on prescription drugs. 
• Higher medical co-pays.
• Elimination of post-65 medical benefits.
• Elimination of pension and retiree medical benefits for new hires.

Locals have been informing their members about the issues through presentations and newsletters and are planning for mobilization activities.

IUE-CWA President Jim Clark has been meeting with locals and members of the IUE-CWA bargaining team. Clark, who will be at the bargaining table for the first time this year, brings new determination to the talks and pledged, "We will have a successful contract." Clark's experience includes heading national negotiations at General Motors, Visteon, DMAX, Delphi and Valeo when he was chairman of the IUE-CWA Automotive Conference Board. CWA President Larry Cohen will join Clark at the opening of negotiations.

IUE-CWA will bargain on behalf of about 10,000 workers in various GE industries nationwide, while the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE) will bargain for another 4,000. GE also will bargain local contracts with the Machinists, IBEW, Auto Workers, USW and other unions. All belong to the 13-union Coordinated Bargaining Committee, formed in 1966 to share information and strategies.

In all, 23,000 workers will bargain with GE, making it one of the largest rounds of bargaining this year. The talks are likely to set the bar for bargaining with other manufacturers, particularly on health care and pension issues. IUE-CWA's current contract expires June 17.