Organizing Update, Electrical Union News, IUE-CWA Local 201
Sept 20, 2005
WAGE members at GE Somersworth ask management to recall eligible employees instead of hiring temps
By Rand Wilson, Local 201 Organizing Director
GE in Somersworth, NH is now hiring as many as 17 people to meet demand for its new I-210 Meter. Management decided to fill these positions with temps. Meanwhile, there are laid off workers with as many as 15 to 24 years of service who are on GE's recall list.
In Lynn, those positions would be filled by workers eligible for recall under the terms of our agreement with GE. But at Somersworth, GE workers aren't covered by a contract.
Instead, the company gives employees' a "handbook" with provisions that are very similar to the national union agreement. The big difference is that workers have no way to make the company follow the handbook's policy. The handbook even has a disclaimer that says, "GE reserves the right to change, correct, modify or revoke this handbook or any of its terms, at any time."
Over the years, Somersworth GE workers have tried to form unions several times. Each time they were frustrated because of aggressive interference by management in their efforts to build the majority support needed to win an NLRB election.
That's why Somersworth employees are using a different approach. Since 2002, they have united in WAGE (Workers at GE) to build unity in the plant and pressure management to make on-the-job improvements.
On September 7, WAGE members passed out a leaflet in the plant calling attention to the injustice of hiring temps while long-time employees are on the recall eligibility list.
According to WAGE member Jack Quinn, the leaflet provoked a strong reaction from management. He said that "all the bosses disappeared for several hours behind closed doors, while workers were happy to see the unfairness exposed. Now we're hoping management changes its mind and fills those jobs from the recall list."
Lynn and Somersworth have a strong historical connection. The meter work in Somersworth was originally done here in Lynn. According to the GE handbook, "Labor trouble in Lynn was a primary driver for the move to Somersworth." It moved half of its business to Somersworth in 1945 and a lot more in 1952. By 1961, all phases of the work were transferred from Lynn.
Local 201 members who are interested in supporting the Somersworth WAGE Committee or who would like a copy of the Somersworth leaflet, should contact me at rwilson@local201iuecwa.org or call (781) 598-2760, Ext 25.
WAGE members at GE Somersworth ask management to recall eligible employees instead of hiring temps
By Rand Wilson, Local 201 Organizing Director
GE in Somersworth, NH is now hiring as many as 17 people to meet demand for its new I-210 Meter. Management decided to fill these positions with temps. Meanwhile, there are laid off workers with as many as 15 to 24 years of service who are on GE's recall list.
In Lynn, those positions would be filled by workers eligible for recall under the terms of our agreement with GE. But at Somersworth, GE workers aren't covered by a contract.
Instead, the company gives employees' a "handbook" with provisions that are very similar to the national union agreement. The big difference is that workers have no way to make the company follow the handbook's policy. The handbook even has a disclaimer that says, "GE reserves the right to change, correct, modify or revoke this handbook or any of its terms, at any time."
Over the years, Somersworth GE workers have tried to form unions several times. Each time they were frustrated because of aggressive interference by management in their efforts to build the majority support needed to win an NLRB election.
That's why Somersworth employees are using a different approach. Since 2002, they have united in WAGE (Workers at GE) to build unity in the plant and pressure management to make on-the-job improvements.
On September 7, WAGE members passed out a leaflet in the plant calling attention to the injustice of hiring temps while long-time employees are on the recall eligibility list.
According to WAGE member Jack Quinn, the leaflet provoked a strong reaction from management. He said that "all the bosses disappeared for several hours behind closed doors, while workers were happy to see the unfairness exposed. Now we're hoping management changes its mind and fills those jobs from the recall list."
Lynn and Somersworth have a strong historical connection. The meter work in Somersworth was originally done here in Lynn. According to the GE handbook, "Labor trouble in Lynn was a primary driver for the move to Somersworth." It moved half of its business to Somersworth in 1945 and a lot more in 1952. By 1961, all phases of the work were transferred from Lynn.
Local 201 members who are interested in supporting the Somersworth WAGE Committee or who would like a copy of the Somersworth leaflet, should contact me at rwilson@local201iuecwa.org or call (781) 598-2760, Ext 25.
posted by Rand Wilson at 2:45 PM
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