GE union workers to vote June 29 on proposed contract

By JIM MARTIN, Erie Times-News jim.martin@timesnews.com


General Electric Co. officials said they had to control costs.
Union leaders said they wanted to improve the standard of living for 15,200 GE workers nationwide, including 3,300 at GE Transportation in Lawrence Park Township. And they insisted they wouldn't sell out retirees or future employees in the process.
Both sides were claiming victory Monday after reaching a tentative four-year labor agreement Sunday in New York City.
Members of four different unions have until June 30 to ratify that agreement. Locally, members of Local 506 of the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers will vote June 29 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Iroquois High School.
They will vote on a contract that would put a $5,000 signing check in each member's pocket.
The proposed agreement also provides for pay hikes of 2.25 to 3 percent in the final three years of the contract. And the deal includes additional vacation, sick and personal days.
But workers weren't the only ones to gain ground.
Union negotiators agreed to concessions that address some of the company's .....READ MORE