Machinists in St. Louis Authorize Strike, and More Bargaining News

by May Silverstein, Jan 12, 2009

Members of the Machinists (IAM) in St. Louis authorized a strike after rejecting a contract over the weekend—and more news here from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

WORK STOPPAGES AND ACTIONS
IAM, GKN Aerospace: Workers at GKN Aerospace in the suburban St. Louis area, represented by Machinists (IAM) District 837, authorized a strike, which allows union officials to give the company a seven-day notice for a strike. The authorization vote received 99 percent approval after workers rejected the company’s contract terms. Members want a sweetener for workers who could retire immediately but have seen their pension take a hit in the economy. Also at issue is the company’s proposal for nontraditional workweeks.

IAM, Vought Aircraft Industries: The IAM released a statement that condemns Vought Aircraft Industries for plans to hire permanent replacement workers at its Nashville, Tenn., facility, where 1,000 workers are currently on strike. The workforce at Vought voted Sept. 27 to reject a company offer that would eliminate the existing pension plan for employees with fewer than 16 years seniority and replace it with an inferior 401(k) savings plan.

NEGOTIATIONS
TWU, American Airlines: Members of the Transport Workers (TWU) at American Airlines, including service clerks, stock clerks, ground school instructors and simulator technicians, have been assigned a mediator to help in ongoing collective bargaining talks.

SAG, Basic Cable: According to a recent report, the Screen Actors (SAG) delayed bargaining on its basic cable pact. The contract expired Dec. 19.

TWU, New York City Transit: The agreement covering New York City transit workers, represented by TWU Local 100, is set to expire Jan. 15. Parties do not yet have a tentative agreement and plan to go to binding arbitration.

AFSCME, Illinois Prison Systems: Some 350 health care workers at 27 Illinois prisons, represented by AFSCME, are pushing for a wage increase similar to a 4 percent boost the union recently inked with a different prison health care contractor.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only. As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.

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