Local 625 Adds Unit,
New Members
GREENSBURG, Pa.
A persistent UE Local 625 negotiating committee, backed by the
union contract with the ABB Power Circuit Breaker division, resulted in eight
new union members.
ABBs ILS division services various types of circuit
breakers made by various other firms. Previously, the company argued that ILS
represented a totally separate entity and refused UEs demand that the
contract be expanded to ILS. The union insisted that under the terms of Local
625-ABB contract, only UE members can work on breakers within a 25-mile radius
of the Greensburg plant.
As the nature of the work changed, the company became amenable
to the unions interpretation.
New Work in Bargaining Unit
The company recognized the concerns of the Local 625 committee
as how to best expand the bargaining unit. On Oct. 4, the parties signed an
agreement which brings eight new members into the union and new work into the
bargaining unit. The ILS employees will come in at the bottom of the seniority
list but their service dates will be recognized for purposes of contractual
benefits.
Immediately following the signing of the agreement, Bob
Slosarik, an ILS worker, was elected to the Local 625 executive board. The
following day, five bids went up for the production shop and two for the
service area.
The committee consisted of Pres. Ray Prinkey, Vice
Pres. Jim Genard, Chief Steward Merle Crossland and Fin. Sec. Mark
Shaffer. They were assisted by UE Intl. Rep. Marion Washington.
UE News - 12/99
