Labor & Employment Law

Layoff Plans Begin for 2,000 N.Y. State Employees?and More Bargaining News

By Belinda Boyce

New York Gov. David Paterson began implementing his plan to lay off 2,000 state workers, 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.

NEGOTIATIONS
Multiple, State of New York: New York Gov. David Paterson last week began implementing his plan to lay off 2,000 state workers before the end of the year, and unions are vowing to launch a court challenge. Last year, the administration signed a memorandum of understanding vowing no layoffs before Dec. 31, 2010.

USW, Century Aluminum: In Hawesville, Ky., members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9423 rejected a four-year contract with Century Aluminum. Earlier this year, the 500 workers rejected a previous offer and authorized a strike.

IAM, Pratt & Whitney: As contract talks between Pratt & Whitney and the Machinists (IAM) got under way in Connecticut last week, the company took aim at language that prevented it from moving work out of the state last year. On Wednesday, IAM members took a preliminary strike vote, authorizing leaders to call a strike vote when the current contract expires Dec. 5 and releasing funds from the national to use in case of a strike.

AFA-CWA, AirTran Airways: The Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) last week filed a mediation request with the National Mediation Board (NMB), after talks broke down with AirTran Airways. AFA-CWA says it was approached by AirTran to expedite talks following the September announcement of its acquisition by Southwest Airlines, although management showed little interest in addressing the issues raised in AFA-CWA’s proposal.

IAM, Continental Airlines: Flight attendants at Continental Airlines rejected a 26-month agreement that fell short of fully restoring cuts agreed to in their last round of bargaining. The 9,300 flight attendants are members of IAM.

SETTLEMENTS
BCTGM, New Bakery: After an 18-month battle for justice, the members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 57 ratified a new four-year contract with New Bakery in Zanesville, Ohio. The 150 workers bake the buns used at Wendy’s restaurants and stood up to attempts by the company to gut their contract.

UAW, JCIM: UAW members ratified a new five-year contract with auto parts supplier JCIM, LLC. The deal covers 2,400 workers across Michigan, as well as in McCalla, Ala., and Kendallville, Ind.

MNA-NNU, Caritas Christi Health Care: Nurses at four Caritas Christi Health Care hospitals in Massachusetts yesterday ratified a five-year contract that increases wages and provides a defined benefit pension plan. The deal covers 1,700 members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association-NNU (MNA-NNU).

UAW, General Dynamics Land Systems: UAW members at General Dynamics Land Systems ratified a five-year contract last weekend. The deal covers 1,500 workers and 3,000 retirees in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

WORK STOPPAGES
AFM, Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Musicians and management of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra met separately with community leaders over the weekend, but the two sides have no plans to meet with each other. Today marks the start of the fifth week that members of the Detroit Federation of Musicians/AFM have been on strike.

AFT, Bethel Park School District: The Bethel Park Federation of Teachers/AFT and the school district resumed negotiations last week, as 391 teachers continued their strike. The Pennsylvania Department of Education said the strike must end by Dec. 5 to comply with state law requiring 180 days of instruction by June 15.

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 November 01, 2010 (boomark / email).