Folks,
The Executive Council of UE Local 506 and 618. representing more than 1,400 Wabtec workers poised to strike in Erie, has released an in-depth copy of Wabtec’s “Last, Best, and Final Offer”. UE leaders have stated that they have not reached a tentative agreement with WABTEC< but are instead letting the members read it and decide internally.
The UE, legendary for its union democracy, has told members that it will first allow for a rank-and-file debate before making any decision on whether to reach any sort of tentative agreement. This approach stands in contrast to more top-down business unions that don’t allow members to read contract details before their leaders make a recommendation on whether to vote for it or not.
Wabtec has dug in stubbornly and not agreed yet to a contract that fully restores the “Right to Strike” over grievances. (See our in-depth piece about how companies have limited grievances nationwide and pushing unions at nearly twice the rate as five years ago into costly arbitrations in places like Wabtec in Erie)
Full details of the contract can be viewed here. Payday will update more in the newsletter later today as we learn it, but readers looking for up-to-date news would be wise to check out the UE Local 506 websites, which have been openly posting full contract details as members debate what to do.
Donate to Help Us Continue 1,400 UE Members at Wabtec Fighting for “Right-to-Strike” over Grievances.
