Union workers in Erie ratify four-year labor deal with Wabtec
More than 1,700 locomotive plant workers in Erie voted to ratify a four-year contract with Wabtec Corp. after a monthslong labor dispute, the union and the Wilmerding-based manufacturer announced late Wednesday.
In February, the workers — represented by Locals 506 and 608 of the the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America — walked off the job less than 24 hours after Wabtec acquired the plant from GE Transportation. Wabtec had sought to impose working conditions, including a two-tier wage system and mandatory overtime, that the union considered concessions.
The nine-day strike grabbed national headlines and drew support from Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Labor experts have said the union’s strike forced the company to compromise on the twotier system, which pays new hires less than existing employees. The contract, approved in a day of voting in Erie, calls for new hires to be paid less but be put on a 10-year path to make the same wage of existing employees.
“The UE workers building Wabtec locomotives are the best in the world,” said Scott Slawson, UE Local 506 President, in a statement. “The grit and discipline of this workforce has been on display throughout this difficult process, but there is no doubt that these workers will prove their worth with their new employer as they have for generations. In a statement, Wabtec said the contract is “a tribute to the engagement and determination by the negotiating teams to reach a resolution that satisfies the interests of both parties.”
“The contract provides good paying jobs and benefits, while taking a step to make the plant more competitive,” the company stated.