*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

8/29/2017

Erie, PA — UE Local 506, representing workers at the General Electric plant in Erie, denounces in the strongest possible terms recent comments from the Erie Chamber of Commerce supporting the introduction of so-called “Right to Work (for less)” legislation in Erie County.

“If the Chamber of Commerce truly cares about the economic prosperity of Erie County, they should be joining with UE Locals 506 and 618 to demand that GE preserve good jobs in Erie, not floating divisive proposals that would only serve to lower wages and weaken workers’ ability to bargain for quality jobs,” said Local 506 President Scott Slawson.

“Right to Work” states consistently have lower wages, higher unemployment, and less economic growth, as research by the Economic Policy Institute and others have shown.

A recent economic study commissioned by Local 506 found that GE’s proposed job cuts would result in a loss of over 1400 jobs and half a billion dollars to the local economy in 2018. The study can be found on Local 506’s website, uelocal506.com [1].

“GE’s consistent betrayal of the Erie community is the real threat to prosperity, and the Chamber of Commerce should be focused on supporting UE members and the community in fighting to keep good jobs in Erie instead of trying to divide working people,” said Slawson.

For more information, contact Local 506 President Scott Slawson, (814) 899-3108

The most recent EPI report on “Right to Work” states can be found at http://www.epi.org/publication/right-to-work-states-have-lower-wages/ [2]