Labor & Employment Law

AFSCME Seeks to Block Furloughs of 9,000 Kentucky State Workers?and More Bargaining News

By Belinda Boyce

AFSCME is filing suit to block furloughs for 9,000 Kentucky state employees, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

WORK STOPPAGES & LEGAL ACTION
AFSCME, State of Kentucky: AFSCME Kentucky on Friday filed a lawsuit to block the furlough of state workers by Gov. Steve Beshear. Beshear plans to furlough state workers, including AFSCME’s 9,000 members, for six days this fiscal year.

ATU, Alameda County Transit: An Alameda County judge last week granted Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192’s request for an injunction, lifting the contract imposed on its members July 18 by the Alameda County Transit (AC Transit). The judge agreed with ATU that AC Transit should not have unilaterally imposed the cost-cutting measures.

NEGOTIATIONS
TWU, American Eagle: Transport Workers (TWU) has reached a tentative agreement with American Eagle for 2,145 fleet service workers. The four-year pact would increase longevity payments, provide a signing bonus and improve health care benefits for part-time workers.

Ironworkers, Associated General Contractors of St. Louis: In St. Louis, Ironworkers Local 396 reached a three-year deal with the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, representing 60 contractors. The 1,500 Ironworkers members will see an annual hourly increase of $1.50, but the agreement changes rules to allow fewer workers for some jobs.

SETTLEMENTS
UAW, Electric Boat Corp.: UAW Local 571 members in Groton, Conn., ratified a new six-year contract with submarine-maker Electric Boat Corp. The pact provides wage increases for nearly 2,000 workers but eliminates pension benefits for new hires.

USW, Essar Steel Algoma: Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2724 in Canada ratified a new four-year contract with Essar Steel Algoma. The contract provides at least a 3.5 percent increase over the term for 600 salaried workers.

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.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on August 09, 2010 (boomark / email).