SCHENECTADY - General Electric Co.'s second-largest union has reached a deal on a new contract with the company, avoiding a potential strike of 1,250 workers in Ohio and Wisconsin.þþThe deal was reached Wednesday between GE and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM, as well as IBEW, which represents 125 GE workers.þþIAM had threatened to strike on Aug. 12 if a deal with GE wasn't reached.þþÿThe solidarity of our membership at General Electric made these key improvements possible,ÿ IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. said in a statement. ÿOur negotiating committee worked tirelessly to secure a tentative agreement that reflects the importance of our members' role in making GE the company it is today. The voices of our membership have been heard in every step of this process.ÿþþWorkers with IAM as well as with the IUE-CWA, which represents hundreds of workers at GE's Schenectady steam turbine and generator plant, had previously rejected GE's contract offer. GE went back to the negotiating table with both unions on Sunday. The IUE-CWA membership is voting Aug. 13 to ratify the deal, which was re-worked after the deal was rejected last month by the IUE-CWA. GE made some financial improvements to the contract that leaders of the two unions demanded.þþGE has 6,600 unionized workers represented by 11 different unions, although the IUE-CWA and the IAM are the largest, representing at least 5,800 workers.þþThe two largest union locals in the IUE-CWA that represent GE workers are located in Schenectady and in Lynn, Mass., historically the two oldest GE manufacturing sites in the country.þþGE reached a deal with the IUE-CWA on Monday night after two days of talks in Nashville, Tenn. The IAM talks, which included IBEW reps, took place in Louisville, Ky. over four days.þþÿAfter working with the IAM and IBEW negotiating committees, we have reached a tentative contract agreement on a four-year package with their full endorsement and recommendation,ÿ GE said in a statement Wednesday. ÿWe believe that the tentative agreement represents GE's strongest possible position on an already highly competitive wage and benefits package that is among the very best in the industry.ÿ
Source: Timesunion.com
