UE NEWS Updates

Pages

UE's Armando Robles Joins Wisconsin Capitol Occupation, Featured on Michael Moore's Website

February 28, 2011

An article on Michael Moore's website reports on one participant in the worker occupation of the Wisconsin state capitol. Armando Robles, president of UE Local 1110 in Chicago and one of the leaders of the worker occupation of Republic Windows and Doors in December 2008, was in Madison, Wisconsin over the weekend -- participating in an even bigger worker occupation, that of the Wisconsin capitol building.

GE Union Coalition Meets to Prepare for Tough Bargaining

January 18, 2011
Evandale, OH

General Electric workers are anticipating difficult national negotiations with the company this spring, so national and local union leaders gathered on January 8 for an expanded meeting of the Coordinated Bargaining Committee of GE Unions (CBC). Delegates assessed the strength of the two sides, analyzed expected company attacks on benefits, and discussed tactics for mobilizing union members to fight back.

Haskon Workers Win Improved Severance Offer

January 17, 2011
Taunton, MA
On Sunday, January 16 the corporate owner of the Haskon plant, Esterline Technologies significantly improved its offer of severance benefits to Local 204 members affected by closing of the plant. The executive board Local 204 met on Monday, January 17 and voted to call off the planned January 19 protest at the auction, and to recommend to the membership acceptance of Esterline’s severance offer. Union members are meeting to vote on the offer on Friday, January 21.

Holyoke Machine Workers Win Big Pension Increase

December 14, 2010

Holyoke, MA

After several months of negotiations, UE Local 264 members at Holyoke Machine Company won their key demand. As a result, the defined benefit pension plan is maintained and the benefits will be improved in each year of their new five-year contract by $1  per month per year of service. This will increase  the pension multiplier from $22 to $25 by the final year of the contract. The average age of the membership is 55, and many workers are close to retiring.

Union Wins Raises, Other Improvements In California Stepan Contract

December 14, 2010
Anaheim, CA

A new three-year contract for Local 1421 members at the Stepan Company includes annual raises of 3 percent and other improvements, as a result of the activism of workers in the shop.

The hourly shift differentials were increased by 15 cents, to $1.15 for the evening shift and $1.25 for the midnight shift. The premium for workers on swing shifts was increased from $2.50 to $2.75.

Tree Island Workers Win Wage, Other Improvements in New Contract

December 14, 2010
Pomona, CA

Local 1421 members at Tree Island Wire (formerly Industrial Alloys) put up a strong fight during negotiations, and now have a new three-year contract that includes wage increases and other improvements. But they took a hit on their health insurance. Their plant makes building materials primarily for housing construction – an industry that has been in a severe slump for the past three years.

Pages

Subscribe!

If you like what you read, please consider subscribing to the UE NEWS — for as little as $5/year you can support great labor journalism and receive the print edition of the UE NEWS four times per year.

You can also sign up to receive monthly UE NEWS Bulletins via email, or follow UE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.