UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis yesterday with more than a thousand union members announced a “major escalation” in the ongoing labor dispute at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The marine drafters, a highly skilled workforce responsible for designing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, have voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The decision underlines growing frustration with the defense contractor, which has reported massive profits even as the workers behind a foundation of the nation’s nuclear deterrence fight for a contract that delivers on their priorities: fair pay, retirement security for all, and dignity on the job.
“These workers aren’t just drafting blueprints, they’re designing the backbone of our national defense. This isn’t just any job ,it’s mission-critical work, funded by the American taxpayer. And yet, while General Dynamics pockets billions in government contracts, the very people doing this essential work are being left behind. That’s not just unfair, it’s outrageous. The company has a choice. They can get back to the table and get serious about our demands. Or they can keep messing around. The choice is theirs. And the clock is ticking,” said UAW President Shawn Fain.
UAW members at Electric Boat are fighting to win cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) so their pay keeps up with inflation, affordable healthcare, and the restoration of pensions, which were taken from workers hired after 2010.
“Despite raking in over $13 billion in profits over the past three years, General Dynamics is pushing for 52% to 161% increases in weekly medical insurance costs. The company reaps the benefits of massive, years-long contracts to replenish the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet — a project that highlights the critical nature of the work done by Electric Boat employees,” the UAW said. “The company has refused to bargain with good faith, hiring well-known anti-union firm Morgan Lewis. Their intimidation tactics have resulted in unfair labor practice (ULP) charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).”
JoAnna McClenathan, a UAW member and Councillor (sic) at MDA Local 571, ended her remarks by calling on her fellow coworkers to act in the coming weeks. “If we don’t fight now—if we don’t pressure the company for something better—this company will continue to cut until there is nothing left for us or the next generation of workers,” said McClenathan. “We need to stand together today so we don’t fall further behind tomorrow.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
UAW Members OK Strike at General Dynamics Electric Boat
UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis yesterday with more than a thousand union members announced a “major escalation” in the ongoing labor dispute at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The marine drafters, a highly skilled workforce responsible for designing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, have voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The decision underlines growing frustration with the defense contractor, which has reported massive profits even as the workers behind a foundation of the nation’s nuclear deterrence fight for a contract that delivers on their priorities: fair pay, retirement security for all, and dignity on the job.
“These workers aren’t just drafting blueprints, they’re designing the backbone of our national defense. This isn’t just any job ,it’s mission-critical work, funded by the American taxpayer. And yet, while General Dynamics pockets billions in government contracts, the very people doing this essential work are being left behind. That’s not just unfair, it’s outrageous. The company has a choice. They can get back to the table and get serious about our demands. Or they can keep messing around. The choice is theirs. And the clock is ticking,” said UAW President Shawn Fain.
UAW members at Electric Boat are fighting to win cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) so their pay keeps up with inflation, affordable healthcare, and the restoration of pensions, which were taken from workers hired after 2010.
“Despite raking in over $13 billion in profits over the past three years, General Dynamics is pushing for 52% to 161% increases in weekly medical insurance costs. The company reaps the benefits of massive, years-long contracts to replenish the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet — a project that highlights the critical nature of the work done by Electric Boat employees,” the UAW said. “The company has refused to bargain with good faith, hiring well-known anti-union firm Morgan Lewis. Their intimidation tactics have resulted in unfair labor practice (ULP) charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).”
JoAnna McClenathan, a UAW member and Councillor (sic) at MDA Local 571, ended her remarks by calling on her fellow coworkers to act in the coming weeks. “If we don’t fight now—if we don’t pressure the company for something better—this company will continue to cut until there is nothing left for us or the next generation of workers,” said McClenathan. “We need to stand together today so we don’t fall further behind tomorrow.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.