L-651 members need your help
UPDATE Westinghouse and Local 651 (Somerville, Massachusetts) signed a new 3-year contract Sunday, June 4, ending the lockout that began May 21. Lodge members stood firmly together in the face of the company’s unwarranted action and received an exceptional show of solidarity and support from the Newington community, political allies, other Boilermaker lodges, the International and unions from the broader labor community.
Westinghouse locks out 172 members of L-651. IBB creates a fund to help members.
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CO. locked out 172 members of Local 651 at its Newington, New Hampshire facility May 21, claiming the company and union have reached a collective bargaining impasse, even though just five negotiating meetings and a single mediation session (during which the company walked out) have been held. During contract negotiations, Westinghouse sought to strip severance provisions, cut defined benefits and drastically reduce health insurance benefits for the workers.
Duane Egan, L-651 Westinghouse chief steward, said members lost their health insurance the day they were locked out. “We have some members with health issues, and a lot of younger members with small children,” said Egan. “Going without a paycheck is incredibly hard, but going without health insurance is catastrophic for a lot of our members.”
Industrial Sector Executive Director Tyler Brown said that L-651 members are in the process of applying for unemployment benefits from the State of New Hampshire, “but even if benefits are awarded, it will be a small fraction of what our members were making working inside the facility.”
Hear the radio interview about the Westinghouse lock out with ISO-ED Tyler Brown on Workers Independent News radio.
