Summaries

Online Fliers

• #1: We're Overdue for Substantial Wage Increases!

• #2: Time to Sweeten GE Cola

• #3: GE's Bad Medicine

• #4: More Pension "Gold" for the Golden Years

#5: GE's "Competition" - Imagination at Work

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More Information

• UE has represented thousands of General Electric employees under a UE-GE national contract since 1938.

• We are one of only two unions holding a national agreement with GE.

• There are 13 unions representing GE members which have joined together in the Coordinated Bargaining Committee (CBC) of GE unions.

• Visit the CBC Website — www.geworkersunited.org

Non-Union GE Workers:

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Read This!

Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Pension Issues Dominate
Wednesday's Bargaining

NEW YORK, June 11 —  Day #2 of the final week of GE National Negotiations found union members still hung over from the effects of GE’s giant medical cost-shifting screwdriver, delivered the day before. Though no one was about to imbibe this witch’s brew of regressive proposals, it still left a bad taste in the mouths of the UE Committee. Accordingly, though today was scheduled to be devoted exclusively to pensions, the Union began the morning session with responses to some of GE’s proposals from the previous day. The Union reiterated its opposition to the proposed massive contribution increases as well as concentrating some return fire on GE for its assault on retirees.

The Union did indicate acceptance of a couple of GE’s positive proposals from the previous day in the areas of dental benefits and the lifetime benefit maximum. UE also offered a counterproposal to GE’s modest offer to improve the Medical Care Plan for Pensioners (MCPP) which supplements Medicare. However, the name chosen by the Erie-based group GE pensioners, the Retirees Association of General Electric Employees, or R.A.G.E., has unfortunately never seemed more appropriate.

The Union and the Company then proceeded to the day’s main item of business, namely the Pension Plan. In a surprise, two of GE’s proposals went far beyond the Company’s usual lowball approach to bargaining over this vital benefit. GE’s offer on the guaranteed minimum tables was considerably better than usual. In addition, the Company offered a substantial raise in the earnings threshold before requiring the mandatory 3% contribution. While no one was confusing GE with a corporate Dr. Jekyl - particularly after their Hyde-like performance on Tuesday - these offers went beyond what one would normally expect, particularly with four days still to go after this one. Unfortunately, GE reverted to form with respect to other pension matters. Nothing whatsoever was forthcoming on early retirement, or disability retirees, and GE continues to turn a deaf ear to the rising crescendo of demands from across the country for a pension increase for GE retirees.

On the brighter side, GE also offered a career earnings pension update and a small increase in the early retirement supplement, though no increase was to be found in the current $350 Special Supplement. GE did propose to renew this benefit for the next contract term.

In the afternoon, following a Union caucus, the UE responded to GE’s proposals by making counteroffers in a number of areas. The UE committee also reiterated to GE that a number of union proposals on pension improvements which had not been addressed were still "on the table." The Committee did drop a few proposals with the idea of concentrating on the most vital areas of concern.

Members Deliver Support
For Bargaining Committee

Concern for a good contract was uppermost in the minds of UE Local 332 members in Ft. Edward, New York, who conducted a successful round of informational picketing between shifts. First and second shift workers were joined by some UE retirees for a little "walking around" time in front of GE’s capacitor plant. UE-GE members around the country were also in motion, with activities planned all week in support of the UE Negotiating Committee. In Erie, Pennsylvania, the UE Local 506 and 618 "band" has been diligently practicing now for the better part of two weeks with a late week concert on the near horizon.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Union bargainers are awaiting GE proposals tomorrow on wages and job and income security, among other topics. By day’s end, we will have all of GE’s initial offer for a new contract. For better or worse, stay tuned.

At the UE table today were; Pat Rafferty and Frank Fusco, Local 506; Bill DiSantis, Local 618; Pat Wojtowicz, Local 731; Ed Baran, Local 751; Bob Brown and Dave Dennison, Local 332; Marco Coeur and Bill Wossum, Local 1010; UE General President John Hovis, and Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey. UE was joined today by Bob Roberts, IBEW; Rudy Gomez, UAW; Mike Barrow, Flint Glass Workers Union; and Vinnie Vines, IUE-CWA Conference Board staff. UE International Representative Chris Townsend represented UE at the IUE-CWA table.