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A Growing Party with Big Plans ...
Labor Party Says:
Just Health Care!
More than 1,400 delegates attended the Labor Party's First Constitutional
Convention in Pittsburgh. A number of critical issues were decided, including the Labor
Party's electoral policy and the major issue-based campaigns that will become the focus of
the party's work. Delegates also agreed to ambitious targets for "growing the Labor
Party," launched the "Just Health Care" campaign, rallied and had some fun,
too. (12/98)
Labor Party
Convention Summaries
For more general coverage, here are the daily
summaries produced at the convention and distributed to the delegates. (12/98)
UE Solidarity Decisive
in OEM Negotiations
The attorney for OEM began negotiations with
amalgamated UE Local 683 by threatening workers in the plastics industry shop with a
dramatically worsened future: A 24-hour-a-day, holiday-free work environment, with 12- and
16-hour shifts, and $1 an hour reduction in the starting wage. That’s not how the new
contract ratified Nov. 23 reads, however ... (12/98)
Locke Local
Prevails in 44-Day Strike
United around demands for economic justice
and company respect for their union, the 175 members of UE Local 120 are back on the job
at Locke Insulators Inc. in Baltimore after their 44-day strike secured an acceptable
contract ... (12/98)
Erie Locals Back Unity Rally
The report that the American Knights of the
Ku Klux Klan planned a rally on the steps of the Erie County Courthouse brought a swift
and sure response from the community and the UE locals in Pennsylvania’s
third-largest city. UE members had a leading role in the successful "Unity in Our
Community" rally that drew some 1,500 area residents ... meanwhile, General Electric claimed 'poverty'
in its refusal to help defray the costs of the community event ... (12/98)
Stepan Workers
Make Gains in New Contract
Stepan workers, members of amalgamated UE
Local 1421, have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year agreement. Every worker signed a
petition in support of the negotiating committee and wore UE buttons and daily sticker
messages as an expression of unity ... (12/98)
Metco Workers Eliminate
Insurance Contributions
Metco Manufacturing workers have more cash
this holiday season, thanks to a UE contract that eliminates all employee contributions
towards medical insurance premiums ... (12/98)
District 10
Determined to Build Union
An upbeat, spirited UE District 10 Council
meeting here Oct. 16-17 left delegates more determined than ever to strengthen their
locals and build the union throughout the union’s West Coast region. (12/98)
Local 1094 Executive Board
PHOTO: The UE Local 1094 executive board
pauses for a moment for a photo ... (12/98)
Locals Ratify Salaries
Unique in governing the salaries of officers
and staff by constitutional amendments subject to membership vote, UE locals have ratified
the salaries set by delegates to the union's convention in August ... (12/98)
Transforming Policy Into Action
The new UE Policy book containing all 32
resolutions and reports adopted by the 63rd Convention, is now available. Especially
important are the resolutions emphasized by the convention's Policy Action Committee ...
(12/98)
'Outsider' In Again
PHOTO: The outsider is still in the House:
Vermont’s independent member of Congress, Bernie Sanders, won election to a fifth
term in office by capturing a commanding 63 percent of the vote. UE Vermont locals
contributed time and votes to the campaign ... (12/98)
UE Wins 112-65 at JPE Finishing
"We needed a union," writes new UE Local 798
member Lori Lovejoy in telling why she and her co-workers voted for UE to overcome
favoritism, ill-treatment and seven-day weeks on mandatory overtime, often "for three
or four months at a time." A crucial part of the organizing drive
was the work done by UE
rank and file volunteers, who shared their own experiences about belonging to
a member-run union ... (11/98)
Glastic Workers Vote to Join UE
Glastic Corp. workers voted 58-51 on October 30 to
join UE. From the beginning workers based the campaign on their demand for respect on the
job and safer working conditions. Once again, UE rank and file volunteers were crucial in
assisting in the organizing drive, helping Glastic employees overcome a legacy of
workplace abuse ... (11/98)
Second Iowa College Staff Goes UE
UE's rapidly expanding ranks in the Hawkeye State grew
by more than 100 workers on Oct. 15 when support staff employees of Western Iowa Technical
Community College voted to join UE. WIT workers overcame anti-union tactics traditionally
used by private-sector companies in deciding on UE representation ... (11/98)
Choosing UE as Easy as A-B-C
For the reading and writing teachers who work for the
Literacy Project, deciding to be represented by UE was as easy as a-b-c — even though
their employer put up initial resistance. The 15 teachers decided their minds were made up
and voted unanimously for union representation on Oct. 23 ... (11/98)
Labor Party Convention Summaries
More than 1,400 delegates attended the Labor
Party's First Constitutional Convention, marking the milestone with enthusiasm and a
determination to build a real political voice for working people. We'll have our own UE
News coverage of the event in December ... (11/98)
Ohio Supreme Court Backs Union
The right of public employees in Ohio to
strike and picket is strengthened by last month’s refusal by the Ohio Supreme Court
to hear an appeal of a decision earlier this year in favor of UE. Public employees are no
longer required to give notice of their intent to strike or picket. ""We
consider this a victory for all working people, and for free speech."," said UE
Local 791,UTW Pres. Sherri Nelson ... (11/98)
Contracts Continue
Company-Paid Insurance at ABB
With their new contracts, members of UE
Locals 625 and 626 remain the only workers in the ABB chain who do not contribute to the
cost of their health insurance. Management tried unsuccessfully to bring these UE members
into conformity ... (11/98)
LSC Rates Up, Classifications
Down, In Pact With Local 623
Their new UE contract gives LSC workers in
Plum simplified classifications and rate progression. These members of amalgamated UE
Local 623 ratified their contract with the automatic screw machine company on Oct. 1. ...
(11/98)
Local 623 Helps Secure
Workers' Comp Award
Vincent Trangle worked for LSC for nearly 40
years. When he became sick and disabled because of his job, his employer’s insurance
company did not want to know about it. Trangle faced medical bills totaling more than
$110,000 without assistance or income. Fortunately for Trangle, he was a member of UE
Local 623 ... (11/98)
Mexican Workers
Tell of Safety Hazards
UE News International: In Canada, three workers from the Itapsa factory in Mexico City,
fired for their union-organizing activities, testify about safety and health risks at
their former workplace. The U.S.-owned plant was recently purchased by the Ohio-based Dana
Corporation from Connecticut-based Echlin. The UE-initiated Dana Workers’ Alliance
— a coalition of 11 unions from all three NAFTA countries which represent Dana
workers — brought a complaint originally against Echlin and the Mexican government
under the labor side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (11/98)
UE Members Return from Mexico
Committed to UE-FAT Alliance
UE News International: The visit to an Otis Elevator plant in Mexico was an eye-opening
experience for Rich Drylie, a mechanic employed by metal salvage company in Erie, Pa. who
traveled to Mexico in June along with Local 791 Pres. Sherri Nelson and Al Harhay of Local
1111 as part of the worker-to-worker exchange program sponsored by UE and Mexico’s
Authentic Labor Front (FAT). The living and working conditions enjoyed by the
FAT-represented Otis workers were contrasted with the raw poverty Drylie encountered on
Mexican streets ... (11/98)
Mutual Discovery as Mexicans
Tour Mid-America
UE News International: This was not the usual tour of America’s heartland. Two rank-and-file
leaders of Mexico’s Authentic Labor Front (FAT) took in a metal fabricating plant, a
human billboard, university classrooms, a picket line and union meetings in a visit to UE
District 11 ... (11/98)
District 11 Takes on the
Issues, Here and Abroad
The District 11 Council meeting, on Oct.
17-18 took on issues close to home, on the national scene, and even continents away. ...
(11/98)
District 6 Thanks Smith,
Celebrates Struggles
Delegates to the District Six Council meeting
in Erie on Oct. 24-25 chose a new district president ... heard reports of hard-won
settlements ... discussed the November elections and participated in a workshop held in
conjunction with the Local 506 Stewards’ Conference ... (11/98)
District 1 Hears Report
from Locke Picket Line
Delegates to the District One Council meeting
heard reports from the Locke Insulators picket line; heard (and acted on) a call to
organize, discussed political action, participated in a UE Education Dept. workshop and
elected new officers during their October meeting ... (11/98)
Local 924 Retirees
At the ninth annual UE Local 924
retirees’ luncheon, some 230 retirees and guests heard reports on the Labor
Party and the union’s campaign to protect Social Security ... (11/98)
Marchers Demand Beloit Stay Open
Hundreds of UE Local 212 members and supporters march
four and a half miles from the Beloit-Jones plant in Dalton, Mass. to Park Square to give
muscle to their demand that Harnischfeger Inc. delay plans to close the plant and work
with the union and elected officials to keep the plant open.
The announced closing has resulted from 'A
Sorry Tale of Greed, from Indonesia to Wall Street' ... (10/98)
Iowa School Employees
Union Affiliates
The 65 school employees in this Mississippi River community in southeastern Iowa
became the latest to come under the protection of UE when members of Keokuk Educational Office Personnel
(KEOP) voted
to affiliate with UE on Sept. 29. The school districts secretaries,
receptionists, bookkeepers and teachers associates have successfully maintained their
independent union for more than two decades. Union leaders ... have been reading of UE success in winning
contracts for other school district employees elsewhere in the state. ...
(10/98)
Local 120 Fights Locke's Givebacks
[Strike Settled November 13th]. Members of UE Local 120 have been on the
picket line since October 1st, fighting concession demands by NGK/Locke Insulators,
Incorporated — and for the respect they've earned on the job ... (10/98)
Local 893 Readies for Bargaining
With State; Endorses Candidates
For Governor, Senate
After carefully considering the records of the two candidates for governor,
delegates to the annual meting of UE Local 893-Iowa United Professionals endorsed Tom
Vilsack, a Democratic state senator ... (10/98)
UE Calls for Action on
Echlin's Rights Abuses
Testifying in Ottawa, UE Genl. Sec.-Treas. Bob Clark calls on the Canadian
government to condemn the actions of Mexico’s labor authorities and Connecticut-based
Echlin Inc. for their abuse of workers’ rights. ... (10/98)
UE Opposes 'Cooperation'
Structure Between
AFL-CIO and Big Business
UE Genl. Pres. John Hovis and GE Conference Board Sec. Stephen
Tormey have sent a letter to UE locals in the General Electric chain opposing plans to
establish a new structure of collaboration between the AFL-CIO and major corporations,
including GE. As reported in the October issue of the Labor Notes newsletter ...
(10/98)
Labor Scores Win with
House Rejection of Fast Track
In a victory for workers, the House of Representatives decisively rejected
"Fast Track" legislation on Sept. 25 by a 243-180 margin. The legislation would
have renewed President Clinton’s authority to negotiate trade agreements that could
not be amended by Congress. ... (10/98)
Local 777 Gains in First
Contract Since UE Affiliation
Workers at Cleveland Twist Drill have ratified their first contract as
members of UE Local 777-ICTU, following the affiliation of their independent union two
years ago. Most important, the members reversed a trend of concessions in recent years ...
(10/98)
Contract with Town
Contains Longevity Pay
In negotiations earlier this year, Montague, Mass. insisted that there would
never be longevity pay for municipal workers employed in the town’s Department of
Public Works and waste-water treatment plant. These members of amalgamated UE Local 274
proved the boss wrong, using the same principles of unity and aggressive action the union
uses in the private sector. ... (10/98)
Frustration Fuels
Rally at McQuay Plant Gate
Frustration with management arrogance led UE Local 123 to rally outside
McQuay International on July 8. The rally by some 150 UE members and supporters seems to
have had an immediate effect. Two out of three pending arbitration cases were successfully
resolved. ... (10/98)
Local 155 Reaches Agreement
With Competitive Media
Members of amalgamated UE Local 155 employed by Competitive Media Reporting
ratified a new three-year contract on July 31 in a 52-27 vote. The contract, which took
effect Aug. 1, brings wage increases in several areas ... (10/98)
Early Settlement Reached
With Keogels and Sons
Early negotiations between amalgamated UE Local 264 and Charles Koegels and
Sons reached an early agreement on Aug. 13. Union members ratified a contract that raises
wages by 26 cents an hour effective Sept. 19. ... (10/98)
Local 111 Honors Kern
A 'fine unionist' who helped an independent union find UE has retired ...
but not before being honored by his co-workers, members of UE-ICW Local 111 ...
(10/98)
Labor Day Snapshots
PHOTOS: Snapshots from UE locals participating in two Labor Day parades ...
(10/98)
UE Gears Up for
Labor Party Convention
The Labor Party’s First Constitutional Convention will takes place at
the Pittsburgh Convention Center from Friday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15. The National
union will be the host for the convention, while more than 100 rank-and-file delegates
will represent UE ... (10/98)
63rd UE National Convention
Delegates to the 63rd UE National Convention in Pittsburgh had reason to
celebrate — another year of growth, a strike victory and collective bargaining gains,
good news from the union's international solidarity work, development of the Labor Party
and well-considered plans for more of the same. Convention
Coverage: Union Organizing Confronts
Terroristic Bosses • Celebration of Organizing
Victories • Demand Safe Workplaces! •
Stop Plant Closings! • Build the Labor Party • Delegates Take Stand Against Racism • Shorten the Work Week • International Solidarity • Nabisco Boycott Backed Convention
Speakers: Union Organizing: We've Only Just Begun Union Organizing: We've Only Just Begun (Kate
Bronfenbrenner) • Nurses' Union Leader:
Sick System is Ready for Reform (Kit Costello, CNA) • Labor Party is Key to Rebuilding Our Nation's Union
Movement (Tony Mazzocchi, LP) • Working
People Can Change Politics (Libby Davies, NP/MP Canada) • New Official Brings Labor Law's Benefits to Mexico
City's Workers (Manuel Fuentes, Mexico City) • Globalization Requires Unions to Cooperate Across
Borders (Ken Zinn, ICEM) (09/98)
U.S. Government Backs Labor Alliance
in Complaint on Mexican Unionbusting
Upholding a complaint filed by UE and the Echlin Workers’
Alliance, the United States government finds that the management at an Echlin auto-parts
plant in Mexico allowed thugs from a government-controlled union to disrupt a vote for an
independent union last September. ... (08/98)
Unionbuster Abandons Attack
On UE Convention Speaker
One of the nation’s most notorious labor law violators has
abandoned its legal assault on a respected labor researcher. Beverly Enterprises decided
against appealing a judge’s dismissal of its suit against Dr. Kate Bronfenbrenner of
Cornell University ... (08/98)
Contract at Newell,
Long Strike Ends
A long, hot summer is over for members of UE Local 611, who struck
at Newell Porcelain over wage and seniority issues on Mother's Day. There's a new contract
... (08/98)
Local Unions at Ohio
College Vote to Merge
Working opposite sides of the same street — literally —
UE Locals 767 and 796 have decided to merge into one union local. The new amalgamated
local will retain the number 767. ... (08/98)
World of Work New Roundup
Special from Jeff Apter in Paris
the leader of the Indonesia's main
independent union body has been released from prison and the union legalized following
the fall of dictator Suharto; German unions amalgamate; support grows for the
35-hour workweek in Europe ... and more ... (08/98)
Local Helps Save Steeltech
Before Bargaining
In Milwaukee, UE Local 1172 members have won a 7% wage increase,
but not before rallying support and helping save the company ... (07/98)
UE Approach Shakes Up
Talks at Quad Cities
Quad City Die Casting workers shook up their employer to gain the
first significant benefit improvements in more than a decade — by mobilizing for
their first contract as members of UE Local 1174 ... (07/98)
First UE Contract at Hawkeye
Community College
Hawkeye Community College support staff who joined UE in December
have gained their first union contract. The college employees who are UE Local 855 will
enjoy a number of wage and benefit improvements ... (07/98)
This Foundry Got Hotter
During Negotiations
The Kennedy Valve foundry was hotter than usual as the 90 members
of UE Local 329 signaled their opposition to institution of a continuous shift operation
scheme. Local 329 members ratified a new four-year contract on June 27. ... (07/98)
Polco Workers Fight to Defend
Union, For Second Contract
At Polco Metal Finishing in Milwaukee, a company attempt to destroy
Local 1196 has failed; workers have won their second UE contract ... (07/98)
UE Contract Comes to Storm
Lake Schools (Finally!)
The custodial staff of the Storm Lake Community School District are
finally working under their first union contract ... (07/98)
District 7: 'A Great
Union with a Big Job"
Delegates attending the District Seven Council meeting here June
27-28 conducted wide-ranging discussions about union education, organizing, political
action and arbitration ... (07/98)
District 11 Meeting Largest
In Recent Memory
At the largest District 11 Council meeting in recent memory,
delegates gathered here on June 20-21 to celebrated several first contracts and reaffirmed
their mission to build the union across the Midwest. ... (07/98)
New Local 791 Local Officers
PHOTO: The members of UE Local 791-UTW on the Ohio Turnpike have
elected their new local leaders ... (07/98)
New Local 777 Local Officers
PHOTO: There are new local officers at Cleveland Twist Drill ...
(07/98)
Labor Party Considers
Electoral Strategy
The Labor Party will take up the issue of running electoral
candidates at its upcoming constitutional convention ... (07/98)
UE Locals Focus on
GE's Insurance 'Vision'
General Electric's "vision" of health-care cost shifting
was one of several issues at a meeting of the UE-GE Conference board ... (06/98)
Ontario GE Workers
Share in Back-Pay Award
112 UE-GE members in Ontario, California divide a back-pay award of
nearly a quarter-million dollars ... (6/98)
Union Wins Reinstatement
For Worker Injured on the Job
At Kraco, in Compton, California, a 20 year veteran worker is back
at work after bring injured on the job — then terminated ... (06/98)
Local 121 Reaches 'Historic'
Contract at Clendenin
Local 121 reached a new and historic five-year contract on May 28
with Clendenin Brothers Inc./C-S Metals Service Inc ... (06/98)
Local 622 Approves
PAKCO Settlement
A new four year contract negotiated by UE Local 622 with Norton
PAKCO Industrial Ceramics raises wages and provides for a number of improvements ...
(06/98)
Local 417 Members Reject
Givebacks, Gain Improved Contract
Local 417 members faced down unionbusting demands by Groov-Pin and
emerged from negotiations with what is regarded as the best contract in years ... (06/98)
Avdel Workers Make 1998
The Year for Improvements
The members of amalgamated UE Local 417 employed by Avdel Cherry
Textron decided at a membership meeting in February that 1998 would be the year to get
what they deserved in contract negotiations ... (06/98)
Local 645 Members
Fight for Contract
UE Local 645 members continue to fight for a fair contract at
Precise Technology in North Versailles, Pa. (06/98)
District One Stresses
Shop-Floor Leadership
The union’s local leaders should recognize their
responsibility to recruit and develop new leadership from the shop floor, said District
One Pres. Connie Spinozzi ... (06/98)
Richest One Percent
Win Rat-Race
PHOTO: The richest one-percent win again — but this time it's
UE Local 896-COGS which helped organize the (rat) race to make a point (06/98)
UE-FAT Reception
PHOTO: Texas unionsist host a reception for the national
leaderships of UE and Mexico's FAT in Juarez ... (06/98)
Arts Challenge Against Racism
PHOTO: UE Cartoonist Gary Huck serves as judge in the Pittsburgh
Arts Challenge Against Racism ... (06/98)
Court Strikes Down
Ohio Picketing Law
In a lawsuit filed by UE, an Ohio court returns free speech rights
to union members who find it necessary to picket public officials ... (05/98)
Strike Averted with
Reid Plastics Contract
Solidarity pays off as a strike is averted at Reid Plastics where
UE Local 690 members have ended six months of working without a contract ... (05/98)
Urbandale Schools Staff
Win First Contract
Support staff workers at the Urbandale Community School District
took to heart the motto "never give up" to win their first UE contract. (05/98)
Perry School Staff
Realize Contract Goals
Perry Schools support staff, members of UE Local 895, have ratified
yet another groundbreaking contract, with victories in nearly all of their bargaining
goals ... (05/98)
Fight All Night for
First Glenwood Contract
It took many meetings and a marathon 15-hour session, many trips
for snacks to the local convenience store and a state-appointed mediator, but the new UE
members employed by the Glenwood Community School District won their first contract on
April 25 ... (05/98)
Greenfield Cafeteria
Workers Gain With Pact
The members of amalgamated UE Local 274 employed in the Greenfield
Schools cafeteria ratified a new two-year agreement on May 6. Wage increases of 3 percent
each year ... (05/98)
Water Treatment
Workers Ratify New Contract
Erseco workers in Erving, Mass., members of amalgamated UE Local
269, approved a three-year contract calling for wage increases of $1 ... (05/98)
Gag Rule Rally at UVM
PHOTO: UE members at the University of Vermont rally to oppose
their employer's demand for a "gag-rule" during negotiations ... (05/98)
District 6 Fired Up With
Organizing, Labor Party
The atmosphere was electric at the District Six Council meeting
here May 9, with highly-charged reports on organizing and building the Labor Party ...
(05/98)
GE Unions Meet in Pittsburgh
PHOTO: The Coordinated Bargaining Committee (CBC) of General
Electric Unions meets in Pittsburgh (05/98)
New Local 259 Officers
PHOTO: There are new officers in Local 259 at Atlas Copco in
Holyoke, Mass. ... (05/98)
New Officers at Local 279
PHOTO: There are newly-elected officers of Local 279 at the Atwood
& Morrill Co. in Salem, Mass. ... (05/98)
Raising Hell
On Capitol Hill
The 1998 UE Political Action Conference
In more than 60 meetings with members of Congress or
their aides, UE members met with a full range of reactions: friendship, interest and
support; confusion and indecisiveness; bland lack of commitment; polite lack of support
... and outright hostility. (04/98)
Assaults on Free Speech
 The current
political attempts to limit unions’ political action is an attack on free
speech. So are these employer lawsuits: the boss demands confidential
interviews with victims of unionbusting; an employer group wants to force activists to 'name
names and organizational affiliations' ... are we facing a return to the days
when honest union members were jailed for exercising their Constitutional rights? (04/98)
Worker-to-Worker Contact
Organizes Recycling Plant
"The members build this union!" Worker-to-worker contact
results in UE representation for workers at Hurwitz Scrap Co., in Buffalo, NY (members of
new UE Local 616) ... (04/98)
Iowa School District Learns
To Live (and Bargain) with UE
'One last meeting' avoids fact-finding and arbitration for UE Local
893/IUP members in Iowa's Adel-DeSoto-Minburn (ADM) School District, leading to a new,
second contract ... (04/98)
Second Agreement with
Western Dubuque Schools
Members of UE Local 893/IUP employed by the Western Dubuque School
District have ratified their second contract ... The two-year contract includes wage
increases that will average 4.3 percent ... (04/98)
Harco Labs Workers Reach Pact
Six months overdue, but with impressive gains in economic and
language areas, members of UE Local 299 employed by Harco Laboratories have ratified a new
three year contract ... (04/98)
Fired Husband, Wife Offered
Reinstatement at Moderne Glass
A husband and wife, verbally abused by management and fired during
a UE organizing drive, have won offers of reinstatement under a settlement reached with
the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Moderne Glass Company also promises to 'refrain
from illegal conduct' regarding organizing ... (04/98)
Springfield Police Contract
Arrested by Bungling Board
A Springfield, Vermont selectman tells demonstrating police
(members of UE Local 218) he won't talk to "a mob" — after the town
suddenly declines to accept a tentative police contract from their own negotiator. Police
are still waiting for the selectmen to obey the law. (04/98)
Local 221 Realizes
Goals in CVOEO Contract
A 'nightmarish' start leads to some groundbreaking improvements as
members of UE Local 221 ratify a new three-year contract at the Champlain Office of
Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) in northwestern Vermont ... (04/98)
Good Result, Rough
Negotiations with Carboline
The result was "a pretty good contract," Local 764 Pres. David
Chambliss tells the UE NEWS ... but the negotiations were not easy ... (03/98)
Local 243 Defends
Family-Supporting Wages
A new multinational owner aims for big concessions, but members of
UE Local 243 resoundingly reaffirm their right to a decent standard of living at Sargent
Lock ... (03/98)
Local 766 Negotiates,
Despite Closing Threat
Despite negotiating under the threat of a plant closing, there's a
new no-concessions contract for UE Local 766 members at Ametek/Westchester Plastics ...
(03/98)
Local 274, Wesco Reach
Agreement on New Contract
Amalgamated UE Local 274 members employed by Wesco have ratified a
new three-year agreement with the manufacturer of capacitors for the electrical parts
industry. The bargaining committee and membership fought off company giveback demands ...
(03/98)
A Wrong Righted in Cleveland
A UE member at Cleveland Twist Drill/Greenfield Industries in
Solon, Ohio, unjustly fired in January 1997, is offered reinstatement and full back-pay
... (03/98)
District 2 Welcomes
University of Vermont Workers
New UE members at the University of Vermont tell District 2 Council
Delegates on-the-job improvements are quite noticeable ... (03/98)
District 11 Gears Up for Organizing
As members of newly-charted UE-Iowa locals proudly display their
union charters, District 11 gears up for organizing
Acme Pays Back Wages
As Workers Fight for First Contract
As the decade-old struggle of Chicago's Acme Die Casting workers to
gain a first contract took on a national and even international dimension, the company
agrees to pay back wages totaling $800,000 to 120 present and former employees... (03/98)
Preparation at Local 770
PHOTO: UE Local 770 leaders gather to prepare for negotiations at
Henrick Suspension ... (03/98)
New Officers at Local 714
PHOTO: New Officers are elected at UE Local 714 at G&C Foundry
(03/98)
Labor Faces Free Speech Threat
The labor movement dodges a poison dart as the U.S. Senate blocks
consideration of a bill aimed at curtailing unions’ free speech rights (but the
"paycheck protection" issue hasn't gone away) ... (03/98)
Study Finds Privatization
Is Not Cost Effective
Privatization is simply not a cost-effective way to provide public
services ... (03/98)
General Electric Among
Top 10 Spenders in Washington
General Electric is among the top ten heavy spenders in Washington
according to the Associated Press
Local 697 Wins First Contract
Ratification of a first UE contract by Local 697 members, employees
of the office furniture manufacturer Flex-Y-Plan in Fairview, brings to a conclusion a
long and difficult eleven-month challenge to rank-and-file unionism ... (02/98)
Biggest-Ever Iowa
Political Action Day
UE members tell state legislators to stop privatizing jobs and
attacking public sector collective bargaining rights. Delegates also urge an investigation
into Iowa's private managed-care provider following the death of a 13-year-old. (02/98)
Local 1421 Reaches
Agreement With Kraco
Kraco workers, members of amalgamated UE Local 1421, reached
agreement with the Compton manufacturer of car stereos on Feb. 6 — after first voting
overwhelmingly to reject a settlement because of proposed wage levels. In the end, workers
convinced Kraco to agreed to the best wage package in some years ... (02/98)
Local 123 Rally Gets Results
Local 123 members in Staunton, Virginia took to the streets to get
management moving on outstanding worker complaints — and it worked. Discussions were
underway within 72 hours of the Local's spirit-lifting rally. (02/98)
University of Vermont
Workers Vote UE
After more than a year of struggles — both in the workplace and before
the state labor board — more than 300 service and maintenance employees at the
University of Vermont in Burlington have voted for UE representation. Tom Stout, a
maintenance specialist at UVM, said he was glad to organize into UE because "now we
have a voice in our future." (01/98)
Hawkeye Community College
Workers Vote UE
For years, the 120 clerical, custodial and other support workers at Hawkeye
Community College were forced to put up with arbitrary changes in their schedules and job
duties, no real seniority and a "grievance procedure" with no time limits for
management and no guarantee of an impartial hearing. All that changed on Dec. 9 when
workers voted 71-18 to be represented by their own union, UE Local 855. (01/98)
Local 1014 Defends
Contract, Repulses 4th Shift
In a heated contract battle with General Cable Corp., UE Local 1014 has
pulled together to defeat a national, company-wide plan to implement continuous operations
— at the expense of its workers family lives and paychecks. (01/98)
Echlin Agrees to
Probe of Mexican Election
U.S.-based multinational Echlin, Inc., under pressure from union members and
activists, has agreed to meet with an alliance of workers from Mexico, Canada, and the
United States. The issue: charges that the company used armed thugs to thwart a union
drive in Mexico. Echlin also says it will consider a "Code of Conduct" drafted
by the alliance. (01/98)
GEB Hears Reports of
Active, Growing Union
Organizing ... contracts ... struggles ... membership involvement ...
education ... the Labor Party ... and UE's role in international solidarity were all hot
topics during January's meeting of the UE General Executive Board (GEB). (01/98)
Artist, Former UE Organizer
Ralph Fasanella Dies
Ralph Fasanella, an artist and former UE organizer has died, leaving a
rich legacy of working class art and imagery. (01/98)
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