UAW officials need time to check numbers with a Detroit office.
By MICHELLE STARR
Monday, June 30, 2003
York International and members of the United Auto Workers Local 1872 agreed Sunday to extend contract negotiations for one month. Union members needed more time because the company provided figures about items such as health care, pensions and retirement that needed to be confirmed with UAW’s Detroit actuary office, said Paul Dietz, union president.
The workers’ contract, set to expire today, has been under negotiation for months as union leaders tried to save about 250 jobs slated to move to Texas and Mexico with the large chiller line.
In May, the union rejected a proposal that would save 86 jobs. Since then, the company announced 127 job cuts. Sunday’s talks had no effect on those layoffs.
As it stands, 85 of those 127 people will lose their jobs July 8, said company spokeswoman Helen Marsteller. The remaining 42 will stay for another month.
Brad Schnell’s job is slated to leave, but Schnell said he’s unsure of what’s going to happen. He’s putting his faith in union talks and has decided that if he’s booted after 32 years he will find a new job after earning his Commercial Driver’s License.
This round of talks is more serious, Schnell said.
“Do we think they owe us something because we built that place? Well, yeah we do,” Schnell said.
John Breen, an employee for 33 years, is more concerned about his retirement.
Though his position is not expected to be cut, he sees the end near.
“They jerk you around,” Breen said. “The company’s trying to get things as cheap as they can before they shut down.”
Dietz said emotions ran high as members with eight to 30-plus years of experience spoke during the meeting at West York Area High School.
“The membership has been under the hammer for losing work for the last several years. It’s hard,” Dietz said. “We’re looking at 560 people and their families. That’s important.”
