Members Watch Union Negotiations
UAW Local 848
members are closely watching union negotiations. The Vought contract comes up
in 2004. They recently saw the Machinists Union (IAM) at Lockheed in Ft Worth
go through a strike because management tried to pass the high cost of insurance
on to the employees and retirees. Reports from other unions indicate that
health care is a major issue all across America.
UAW Local 218 at
Bell Helicopter in Euless is currently in negotiations. Their salaried workers
in UAW Local 317 usually settle their contract soon after Local 218 finishes.
UAW Local 218 President Gary Livingston,
who is also President of Texas State CAP, addressed UAW retirees at the Local
276 hall on May 7. He had to rush, though, because he is helping negotiate a
new contract with Bell Helicopter.