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:

Work for GE in
a non-union location?
Read This!

Thursday, June 12, 2003

Clock Ticking;
New Contract Seems
'A Long Way Off'

NEW YORK, June 12 —  General Electric today finished presenting their initial offer for a new National Agreement. But based on what union members have seen so far, a new contract would seem to be a long way off even though the old one expires in just three more days.

Today actually began on a positive note with the Company proposing worthwhile increases to both weekly Short Term Disability benefits, as well as the Individual Development Program (IDP). GE followed that with a proposed Savings Plan changes of no great import to most GE workers. For example, GE wants to raise the maximum savings rate from 17% to 30% of pay. But other than those UE members who are very lucky at powerball, it’s doubtful if any of us will be taking advantage of this "opportunity."

GE finally put a wage offer on the table to complete the morning session. Given the meager amounts the Company proposed, all we can say is that no one need worry about moving into a higher tax bracket. GE did propose a modest improvement in our cost of living formula (COLA), but overall did little to quench  GE workers’ thirst for the substantial pay increases that this incredibly wealthy corporation can easily afford.

In the afternoon, GE made some proposals in the area of job and income security which, in typical GE fashion, contained no security and no jobs, but rather had to do with the renewal of some benefits associated with job loss. Accordingly, GE offered to renew SERO, SERO 30, the Plant Closing Pension Option (PCPO), and the Special Supplement Benefit Option (SSBO). However, this alphabet soup of benefits only comes into play as a result of GE’s specialty, job loss events. Though renewing these benefits is important, it represents nothing new.

There were some proposed language changes to Article 23 of the Contract, which were, at best, a mixed bag. Some proposed improvements in job loss notice provisions were offset by GE’s desire to actually reduce the time of advance notice of plant closings in certain cases (involving very small facilities.) There was some extension of the time jobs saved through the Jobs Preservation process would be guaranteed to be retained. However, the proposed changes in this and other areas of Article 23, fell well short of the Union’s demands.

The day’s much anticipated denouement consisted of GE’s offer to reopen the SERO "window." Unfortunately, the Company barely cracked it open a few inches above the sill. GE’s proposal would retain a "cap" on window retirements, and because GE is proposing a 4-year contract, it works out that the number of window slots offered is less than in 2000, not more, when averaged over the contract term. Naturally, Union bargainers were emphatic that the amount of SERO "window" retirements would have to be upped considerably.

If little fresh air could be found flowing through GE’s window, the atmosphere of the bargaining in general leaves a lot to be desired. GE’s horrendous insurance cost-shifting proposals remain very much on the minds not only of UE bargainers, but GE workers across the country. There can be little doubt that this issue presents a formidable roadblock which must be overcome if there is to be a settlement come June 15th.

Beyond this, GE remains a long way from meeting the needs of union members on wages, and job and income security, among other issues. Not surprisingly, buttons, shirts, and assorted union paraphernalia are in much evidence in GE shops around the country.

In Ontario, California, UE Local 1010 members took advantage of their lunch break to stage a successful demonstration outside the plant gates in support of their UE Committee. Other locals are preparing picket rosters just in case, while Local 506 and 618 members in Erie, Pennsylvania, are preparing to make tomorrow, Friday the 13th, a memorable and "good" Friday. The Union Committee is hoping for the same in mid-town Manhattan.

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