USA Union Workers Vote to Strike
6/08/01 IMPORTANT NOTICE
The negotiating committee announced today at 5:00 p.m. that there will be a re-vote on the contract proposal due to changes in the offer negotiated today.
The strike has been postponed until workers can consider these changes.
On Saturday, June 09, at 10:00 a.m. there will be a meeting at Kiwanis Island, on Merritt Island to hear and discuss the changes. Then there will be a vote to accept (ratify) or reject.
On Saturday, June 2, in a meeting at Kiwanis Island on Merritt Island, Fl, USA workers listened to the companies last, best, and final offer. There was a clear lack, on the companies part, to negotiate a fair contract offer. Workers were very disappointed in the lack of interest by the company to make a reasonable offer.
With an overwhelming vote to strike (90% support), USA workers sent a clear message to the company that they will not stand for anything less than a fair contract.
USA was informed by registered letter as well as by phone today, that Union workers will strike the company effective Sunday, June 10, 2001 beginning 12:00 Midnight.
NOTE: The date has changed to Friday, June 8, 2001, at 12:00 Midnight.
UPDATE 6/07/01
The IAM & USA will re-open negotiations on Friday, June 8 at 9:00. In an effort to prevent a strike the IAM & USA are working diligently to break this impasse, HOWEVER if no progress is made it is our intention to set-up picket lines at 0001 Saturday, June 9
IAM's Goal: Bargaining not Strikes
UPDATE 6/06/01
The following is a list of the issues that workers have with the company's offer.
1) The MIN. MAX. pay progression system.
- Under this system workers would take 12 to 13 years to reach the maximum pay rate for there labor grade. Example: If an employee is hired at the minimum pay in pay-grade-5 ($13.03 min. to a max. $19.82 - at the end of the 3 yr. contract) he/she would receive $.60 per.hr. pay increase per year. At this rate – if there were no changes in the pay scale i.e. newly negotiated contract changes – it would take him/her 12 yrs. to max. out. What workers want is a quicker progression to the top of the pay rate.
2) Medical insurance.
- The company refuses to clearly define the medical insurance package. They say that there will be an alternative to the current CIGNA by 2003, yet no more information is provided to the workers. They stated in a last minute letter (not included in the Last, Best, and Final contract proposal), that there could be as much as a 50% increase in cost to the workers over the course of the contract. What the workers want is a clearly defined description of cost and coverage of the medical insurance package. Not a blank check for the company.
3) Retirement.
- The company refused to offer workers a retirement plan that would pay $35.00 more in retirement benefits than USA's plan offers even though it would not cost the company any more. The IAM retirement plan would provide significantly higher benefits to workers than the one offered by USA at the same cost to the company. What the workers want is the IAM Retirement Package.
4) Safety and Performance Bonus (EIP)
- The Employee Incentive Program rewards workers for working safely and maintaining a high level of performance. This program makes it possible for workers to be rewarded with a bonus up to $1500 at the end of the year for meeting safety and performance goals. The company removed union workers from sharing in this program. This program is independent of standard funding and receives its funding from NASA. What the workers want is to continue to share in the rewards the program offers for maintaining a high standard of safety and performance at USA.
The union is prepared to meet with the company at any time to discuss their counter proposal.
UPDATE 6/05/01
There is a change in the date of the strike. The strike will begin Friday, June 8. 2001, 12:00 Midnight, instead of Sunday. This was confirmed between the company and the union today at 3:00 p.m.
There is great concern about the upcoming Shuttle vehicle move to the launch pad scheduled for Monday, June 11. USA is not changing these plans even though the qualified workers that do this operation are on strike. There will be a considerable reduction in the workforce directly connected to Shuttle workflow and launch operations.
The Shuttle is classified a national treasure. Is USA taking an unreasonable risk with workers safety and the Shuttle?`
