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Thousands Show Solidarity as GE Talks Open
Bargaining with General Electric opened May 19 in New York City, with IUE-CWA and CWA leaders-fired up by a massive rally two days earlier-putting their members' message across the table: The 14,000 IUE-CWA members employed by GE will stand together for a fair contract.
The principal issues in these negotiations are quality jobs, health care, retirement security and organizing rights, IUE-CWA President Ed Fire noted.
In his opening statement at the table, Fire quickly got to the point about what could make or break any potential deal:
"If General Electric continues to insist that IUE-CWA members accept the massive concessions in health care cost shifting GE has talked about, our members are prepared and will strike," Fire said. "Forcing our active and retired members to absorb 30 percent of the cost of health care is pie in the sky. That won't happen. Not without Armageddon."
Fire was joined by CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen as the talks kicked off.
Overall, unions represent about 26,000 workers at GE. The unions, including IUE-CWA and the United Electrical Workers, share information through the 14-member Coordinated Bargaining Committee, chaired by Fire. IUE-CWA represents 14,000 workers in 23 states, working in GE's appliance, lighting, power systems, aircraft engine, industrial systems, silicones and transportation businesses. The current contract expires on June 15.
The UE, whose contract expires on the same date, represents about 4,000 workers. Both unions held massive rallies on May 17 in support of bargaining.
Pointing to GE's record profits in 2002-over $15 billion-$900 million more than in 2001-Fire and IUE-CWA/GE Conference Board Chairman Art Smith called for substantial improvements in the pension plan, a comprehensive job security program, improvements in insurance benefits and good wage increases.
"Our members have made it emphatically clear, the 2003 bargaining issue they care most about is pensions," Fire stressed. He called for pension increases for current future retirees.
Fire and Executive Vice President Cohen stressed the importance of collective bargaining and organizing rights in the 2003 contract.
The IUE-CWA president called for "the right to join the union, free of fear, threats, retaliation, intimidation, and scare tactics," as he took GE to task for union-busting tactics during a 2001 IUE-CWA organizing drive at GE-owned Johnson Technology in Muskegon, Mich., which led to the union's loss of a representation election and the formation of a WAGE, Working at GE, committee by workers there who want a union.
He proposed that the company reinstate and make whole two workers fired at Johnson Technology for their organizing efforts. The NLRB has issued charges against the company in both cases.
About 2,000 IUE-CWA members from 19 GE locations turned out for the rally and dialog with Fire, Cohen, Smith and IUE-CWA District 7 President Mike Bindas on May 17, hosted by IUE-CWA Local 83761 at its union hall near GE's Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky.
Another 2,000 UE members turned out for a rally hosted by Locals 506 and 618 that same day in Erie, Pa., home of GE's locomotive plant.
The principal issues in these negotiations are quality jobs, health care, retirement security and organizing rights, IUE-CWA President Ed Fire noted.
In his opening statement at the table, Fire quickly got to the point about what could make or break any potential deal:
"If General Electric continues to insist that IUE-CWA members accept the massive concessions in health care cost shifting GE has talked about, our members are prepared and will strike," Fire said. "Forcing our active and retired members to absorb 30 percent of the cost of health care is pie in the sky. That won't happen. Not without Armageddon."
Fire was joined by CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen as the talks kicked off.
Overall, unions represent about 26,000 workers at GE. The unions, including IUE-CWA and the United Electrical Workers, share information through the 14-member Coordinated Bargaining Committee, chaired by Fire. IUE-CWA represents 14,000 workers in 23 states, working in GE's appliance, lighting, power systems, aircraft engine, industrial systems, silicones and transportation businesses. The current contract expires on June 15.
The UE, whose contract expires on the same date, represents about 4,000 workers. Both unions held massive rallies on May 17 in support of bargaining.
Pointing to GE's record profits in 2002-over $15 billion-$900 million more than in 2001-Fire and IUE-CWA/GE Conference Board Chairman Art Smith called for substantial improvements in the pension plan, a comprehensive job security program, improvements in insurance benefits and good wage increases.
"Our members have made it emphatically clear, the 2003 bargaining issue they care most about is pensions," Fire stressed. He called for pension increases for current future retirees.
Fire and Executive Vice President Cohen stressed the importance of collective bargaining and organizing rights in the 2003 contract.
The IUE-CWA president called for "the right to join the union, free of fear, threats, retaliation, intimidation, and scare tactics," as he took GE to task for union-busting tactics during a 2001 IUE-CWA organizing drive at GE-owned Johnson Technology in Muskegon, Mich., which led to the union's loss of a representation election and the formation of a WAGE, Working at GE, committee by workers there who want a union.
He proposed that the company reinstate and make whole two workers fired at Johnson Technology for their organizing efforts. The NLRB has issued charges against the company in both cases.
About 2,000 IUE-CWA members from 19 GE locations turned out for the rally and dialog with Fire, Cohen, Smith and IUE-CWA District 7 President Mike Bindas on May 17, hosted by IUE-CWA Local 83761 at its union hall near GE's Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky.
Another 2,000 UE members turned out for a rally hosted by Locals 506 and 618 that same day in Erie, Pa., home of GE's locomotive plant.