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One Day to Go;
'Canyon-Size'
Gap Remains
NEW YORK, June 14 The next to last day of bargaining for a new UE-GE National Contract has come and gone.
And, appropriately enough, UE Bargaining Committee members on Flag Day remained steadfast and unflagging in their
efforts to secure a measure of justice from the money-laden General Electric Company.
The day saw GE make some moves in the right direction, but the gap that remains between the two sides is better
described as a canyon. Despite a partial pullback of some of the worst features of their proposal on medical
contributions, GEs current offer would still see stratospheric increases in the employees tab for insurance. GE did
sensibly trim their sails somewhat by withdrawing a proposal to sock post-65 retirees for monthly contributions to their
prescription plan. But large co-pay increases are planned for those who retire next year and beyond. With respect to
drugs, GE is seeking to spread the same havoc as they did last January with HCP co-pay increases to those both in the
regular CMB plan, and to future retirees.
GE has also disabused anyone of the notion that perhaps they would make up for their medical insurance onslaught by
granting substantial wage increases. The Company did up the ante on their wage proposal, but in microscopic amounts.
With little time left, they are still way short on this issue too, though they did offer a welcomed skilled adjustment.
The other big issue that saw some movement today was the SERO "window." GE raised the amount of window slots,
but still maintained caps on participation. UE bargainers are attempting to push the window as high as possible for some
badly needed fresh air for older workers who yearn to experience life after GE.
The last of the big issues - pensions - is similarly a long way from resolution. After a promising opening pension
gambit on Tuesday, the Company has shown relatively little movement on this issue since then. One thing is for sure;
with a bulging pension fund featuring total assets in the neighborhood of $37 billion, GE can certainly shake the money
tree for substantially higher pensions. What theyll do tomorrow on this is anyones guess.
There were also a number of contract language and minor benefits issues that were cleaned up on Saturday. While these
included a number of useful items, GE proposed nothing that would cause them to part with much cash. The GE vault needs
to be cracked open much wider on Sunday if there is to be a peaceful settlement. UE members, as well as members of the
other CBC unions across the country, are to be commended for their solid support of Union negotiators. It has again
reminded us all that unity and solidarity among the rank-and-file membership can make even mighty GE take notice. Thats
a lesson worth remembering whatever tomorrow brings. Stay tuned!
Representing the Union today at the negotiating table were; Bob Brown and Dave Dennison, Local 332; Bill DiSantis,
Local 618; Pat Wojtowicz, Local 731; Ed Baran, Local 751; Marco Coeur and Bill Wossum, Local 1010; Frank Fusco and Pat
Rafferty, Local 506; UE General President John Hovis, and Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey. Also joining the UE
table were Bob Roberts, IBEW; Rudy Gonzalez, UAW; and Mike Barrow, Flint Glass Workers Union. International
Representative Chris Townsend represented UE at the IUE-CWA table.
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