Your Comments

It is certainly true that the union does not or cannot get the job done in helping out its members. Sometimes it takes a long time to thread their way through the Sikorsky bureaucracy. Other times, they meet with outright intransigence on the part of management. It is certain that they try. Since the people trying to get these things done for the union do so in a collateral duty as stewards, in addition to their regular work, it can take a lot longer than if full time people were handling the matters, as the company can.

In many cases, the contract rules, and the company makes as full a use of it as the union does. Where the company fails is when they have a real issue with an employee and fail to do sufficient homework to ensure their own success.

Who want's to walk the unemployment line with me?????? Because if we stay out that's the place we will be. After the march15th meeting if nothing is said that sounds like this strike will come to a end. I will end it by crossing. And so will alot of fellow teamsters.

The way I see it, and I do not work there, but Rocco is in a spot.
If he goes back to the company with concession on healthcare, he will be thrown out of office...as the strike will be for not...
If the company moves or outsources the operation, he can say he held his ground and fought hard...maybe getting a new job with another union. Either way, he is losing this current job....one with a OK ending, the other a disgrace

THREE WEEKS! What has happened? What has been accomplished?
I have tried to honestly looks at the whole picture. I have tried understanding the many points of view. Maybe I can't be so objective from where I sit.
You have to hurt and be concerned for the people with the special medical problems that are doing without what they need mostly. Their medical care.
I have crossed the picket line daily with no remorse at all. I have a job to do and I will do it.
Today I had to go to an outlying plant and the frustration of the strikers is very apparent. The attempted instigation and insults were laughable at best. I played hockey and as a visiting team the home fans have the best insults I have ever heard. Nothing the Teamsters can say will even get my attention for long, and will never raise a care or concern.
Things are happening, none for the good of the teamsters I fear. I have friends out there and I care dearly for them. We are friends first and labor disbutes can never change that.

To sad @3:21pm
I will be there crossing the line with you if nothing happens at this meeting,
the union had there BIG SHOW now do something for us. LET'S GO BACK TO WORK!!!!!!!!

The whole thing about a strike is the waiting game. Who's gonna cave? Both sides are entrenched behind their stone walls. Both know that whoever DOES cave will be out on their ears. If the company caves, they can blame it on Finger, or find a scapegoat in the lower management ranks (Tom Hutton? Beth Amato?). If the union caves, the entire leadership will be canned at the next election.

We have a Federal mediator here, or so we've heard. Now is the time for him (or her) to step it up and come up with an idea that saves face for both sides.

If the union doesn't step it up, than there Stone Wall is going to come down piece by piece and it will be done by the fellow union members who need there jobs and are sick of the waiting game.

First of all...GOZ...Lets get a few things straight for all of the misinformed "brothers" and "sisters" out there. Your jobs are in jeopardy. Everyone is replaceable. I am in here, HERE meaning SIKORSKY BLADE SHOP and I am watching them train new people on OUR jobs. And don't anyone say that you need to be highly skilled to work here either. I washed CARS before I built Blackhawk blades. Second of all, why arent ALL who abandoned the union ship and are back in work not on this RAT SCAB list? I'm not on it. A few others aren't. Could this be because the oh-so-powerful teamsters don't want their brainwashed picketers to realize that slowly everyone is coming back to work? Sikorsky is NOT going to bow down to a few thousand spoiled-as-it-is workers. Why do you think that no one is giving Sikorsky workers any pity. I'll tell you why: It's because people working across Connecticut for the most part are making less money than a Sikorsky worker, and paying more for their benefits. Some rally yesterday too. About 3500 striking members of 1150 and only 1200 of them show up, and thats being MORE than generous. Now thats what I call a success. Keep marching boys. A striking teamster is like a little kid in "Toys'r'Us" holding their breath and stomping their feet. I gladly drive in to work every morning in the beast of a Jeep I drive. Everyone knows its me. Why am I not on the list? If anyone else wants more facts, and not union b.s., heres my email...talk to you soon.
AJGIARRATANO@SIKORSKY.COM

Its time for the real workers of Sikorsky,s to step up to the plate now,no more bullshit, we have stood in the back ground long enough and you know who you are,we must get to that meeting on the 15th and let the union reps know we are demanding a revote and we will monitor the counting or they will be receiving our letters of resignation on the 16th....

Looks like the members of Local 1150 are learning how it feels to play hard ball without a cup...!

Al-I could care less about the list but don't think the company doesn't have access to your e-mail.

JG

I cant believe the Local 1150 Union site says that the work is not getting done and that it will not be shipped out of state. Don't listen to the lies. Well union brothers I packed up some stuff today and more tomorrow. When nobody from the union is here to see it how can they tell you its a lie??

I have been reading this blog every day since the strike began and I have been quiet the whole time.

I see this as a lose-lose situation for everyone involved. The brothers and sisters of the 1150 did what they had to do and stood up for something they believed in, UTC has a healthcare policy that they cannot or will not break. I see that neither side is going to back down.

I am just an outside observed here. I am not in the union, not do I work for Sikorsky Aircraft. I am not a resident of Stratford, or even of Earth for that matter.

This disagreement is just a microcosm of the issues that you all face. I have no choice but to order the destruction of the Earth by March 17th if nothing is done to correct these problems.

Good luck brothers and sisters!

Ive been retired for over 14 years. I ve also paid my share of health care since. I presently pay over $250.00 a month on my retirement income. You people have to come to terms with todays economics. Does anyone care about the financial squeeze Stratford is incurring with Police overtime. Were thinking about closing schools because of the cash flow.

So is everyone just going to sit back and let health insurance do what it's going to do, and you're just going to pay whatever you're going to pay? Jump off the bridge with your tail between your legs? To me, this union is fighting for something that could draw the attention of everyone and make a change in our economy that we all need, all over this country. Why not let the union do this argument for us all? Salary, union, Stratford resident, police offer, Joe Schmoe just checking out the blog, I mean don't we all want better health care at an affordable price? I know I do. Come on, people. This union could possibly break through. Show your support. It may benefit all of us no matter who we are.

Great response Al..don't worry the company is proud of you and so are the 1000 salary workers making and delivering product.. we need a few more like you, young guys willing to work and get the job done not the "do nothings" who yell at us as we enter and exit the plant. The country is at war and we need to supply spare parts and replacement aircraft. We have the day off Saturday so you picketers may as well sleep in, but we willbe back monday to do your job, why not join us?

I don't think there's a person on this planet with a brain in his or her head that doesn't want cheaper health insurance. But there's a smart way to fight and this just isn't it. One of the first rules of combat is to know your enemy. Does Teamsters Local 1150 know its enemy? I don't think so. Otherwise, they would have been lobbying in DC a long time ago. The national health care crisis didn't just begin on Feb. 20th. It's been a growing problem for many years. Face it, Teamsters, you are not fighting the good fight, you are not doing this for the good of the nation. You are doing it for yourselves, for your own personal greed and to massage your massive egos. Don't try to make this into some big effort to save the entire country from the rising costs of health care. You don't care about anyone except your greedy selves. If you really cared about reducing the cost of health care in this nation, you would have marched on DC and you would have done it long before your own personal health care bubbles got burst with this new contract negotiation. No, you are only demonstrating to get what YOU want. You don't give a rat's ass about anyone else. If you did, you would never have brought this hardship on the good people of Stratford, our military or the company that has taken such good care of you over the years. Shame, shame on you!

Repeat blogs? No new original material. That's the working of a monkey, I think. Bananas may be in order again.

But as far as the Teamsters knowing who the enemy is, trust me, we know. It's you monkeys sitting there at your desks at work putting the same old garbage on these blogs. Again, I must say to you, time to have another banana.

You have the day off because they don't what to pay you overtime. Al all I can say is thanks and to bad they will lay you off when we come back together. This will be settled one way or the other Also there will be no get together for a 1/2 hour after lunch with your buddy's in the BLADE SHOP. I will see to that, then you will be outside looking in. And there will be nothing your buddy's father will be able to do about it. See you in the shop soon, and by the way that jeep ain't s**t tough guy go dye your again. This is from the guy's with 20 or better. All your kid sh*t will stop. We are trying to do this for you guy's future cause what do you think your going to have without the union at all. NOTHING BUT A LOWER PAYING JOB WITH MORE EXPENCE OR NO BENNIES AT ALL. Think about it know and remember this 20 yrs. from now when your paying my social security. Thanks. S.M.

Actually, I don't work for Sikorsky and never did. I don't work at all, in fact. I retired a very long time ago. But thanks for responding to my post personally.

Union Dues

$56 x 12 months = $672

$672 x 3,600 members = 2,419,200

Yes that's millions!!

Oh here'e another one, in the last ten years Sikorsky workers paid their union a quarter of a
Billion Dollars.

Mmmm.

James Hoffa, 2 hour rally =

1.2 million per hour..

Mmmmmmmm.

Waving the flags and selling the strike as a national health care cause is just an attempt at clever marketing for sympathy. While you're at it, why not lump in municipal taxes that are going up faster than your CBA raises ? That has to get your goat too...

Washington is not going to fix health care. In Europe, socialists have done what you want, at taxes rates that would make your head do a 360 on your spinal column. Sweden - tax rate is something like 68%...And their economies are flat on their a$$es, going nowhere. You really want that ? You want to pay for every deadbeat who won't take care of themselves ? No thanks, myself.

New Orleans didn't even own FOUR boats of its own ( they had 3 ), half a million residents, busses and no plan to get the drivers to the busses. The LA Governor, who had access to state aircraft, didn't get off her rump to go down , take charge, & find out what the heck was going on and then cry for help when the state couldn't take care of its own. But just like often suggested, find someone else ( the federal gov't ) to blame for things in life not always being fair to you.

I'm sure neither party can get out of its own way.
They buy votes by making adding programs, making the gov't ever bigger, and intrusive in your life.
Better ask yourself what dream world you want to live in.
No, reality isn't always pretty.

In the meantime, you're making a wreck out of the local area. Congratulations.

Thanks, we appreciate the offer, but I don't see how anything as serious as a labor dispute could be settled by anyone named JODI.

I retired from sik after putting in 41 yrs. I walked the line in 1960 for three mos. june-sept.the company is putting out the same old propaganda.When I was called back to work the aircraft I was working on when I walked out was in the same condition as when I left. Hang in there.

The union is lying to you boys and girls. And when they aren't lying to you they just aren't telling you the facts. I went back on Tuesday, made the list on Wednesday. The list hasn't changed since. There are more and more people crossing every day. And NO you don't go back at $14 an hour. You go back with full pay and all your benefits back to Feb 20th. Anything you have paid out of your pockets will be reimbursed.
Please come back before you can't anymore. Pick up a Wall Street Journal and see the three pages of jobs being offered by Sikorsky. Stop being lied to and stop being stupid. Come back to work. Don't jump off the Sikorsky bridge.

I'll tell all of you an interesting fact that I find to be ironic. The reality is that supervision has about as much respect for the hourly workers who break the picket line as the union members. They have demonstrated their lack of loyalty and integrity. They are thought to be weak and easily intimidated. Sure... it's "Welcome back!" to their face, but you would be amazed at the comments made behind their backs. I have witnessed it several times.

Okay, since the feeling seems to be that hourly laborers can't stand their salaried superiors and think they are just a waste of human tissue, how about if all you hourly people just pack up and go someplace else to work? I think that would solve everyone's problem. The company obviously doesn't need you, or they would've caved on the health plan. You obviously don't need the company, since you all turned down what is still a good health plan and made financial arrangements to never go back to work. Since hourly employees think every non-Teamster is a waste of a good paycheck and since the company is able to get along just fine without you, then why should the two sides EVER return to the bargaining table? Why prolong the agony? Go get other jobs, the company will go get another home and new employees and everyone will be happy. There... problem solved!

I just don't think I have the energy to repeat myself on this one... IT IS NO LONGER THE SIXTIES! Hello, and welcome to 2006!

By the way....everyone said no thanks to the day off....we are working Sat & Sun. And the strike has a better chance at being settled by somebody named Jodi then it does being settled by someone named Rocco............

Extremely good point! I stand corrected! LOL

I just don't think I have the energy to repeat myself on this one... IT IS NO LONGER THE SIXTIES! Hello, and welcome to 2006! ------------------------------------------------------------

Pithiest , no-spin post I've seen yet.

It breaks my heart to see all this that is going on. I have not been able to get my thoughts straight since this ordeal started. I have had to make a decision that i thought i would never have to make and it is as follows; when i get home if i do not get any encouraging words from anyone i will be resigning from the union on March 17th and returning to work on that following monday. i put my name on this email because i want evryone to know what i am about to do. I will not hide under the anonymous name. I hope that everyone can understand.

God help us all
Annie

It's utterly amazing!!! You teamsters are losing an amazing amount of faith by the day. God....what will you do when this strike is 2 or 3 months old????

THIS IS WHO YOU PISSANTS ARE UP AGAINST.

"It employs about 220,000 people -- two-thirds of them outside the United States -- in divisions that manufacture such varied goods as air conditioners, helicopters, elevators and jet engines.

It has about 4,000 offices and plants in more than 60 countries and does business in approximately 180 nations around the globe. The company reported revenue of $42.7 billion in 2005."

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/10/1448018.htm

"When the strike is two or three months old" you'll still be reading the same negative posts from fictional hourly workers who are supposedly returning to work. Realistically 200-300 may have actually crossed the line by then.

I just read Rocco's statement about the rally yesterday. I was very intrigued by the part about Sikorsky not shipping parts out of state and the difficulty of finding out of state vendors. If he would have been out picketing today, he could have watched as half of the 92 tooling left. As far as finding vendors who will do the jobs correctly; we have already found them and are slowly getting them online. It usually takes 1-2 years to vendors online to manufacture complicated airframe parts and our vendors are doing it in half that time.

600+ hourly jobs eliminated and counting. Hope everyone votes to come back on the 15th or to replace Rocco or else the union will not be returning.

PS. You should read the national labor law, you don’t have the protections you think that you do.

Bob

Pithiest? No spin? Hmm. What a thought. I think perhaps Bill O'Rielly might like to get in on this one. Wonder whose side he'd be on? Teamsters, let's go to Bill.

Way to go Annie.....see you soon

Dear BKA, After working for 26 years, I finally know who my employer is thanks to you. My deepest gratitude for "enlightening" me.

Oneeye: Most appreciate your input. Keep it coming. We know that these monkeys are behind the desk doing 99.9 percent of the blogging, making it look good.

Posted by: Anonymous on March 10, 2006 05:54 PM

Go ahead. If you watch his program, you'll get no sympathy. Might even call you "pinheads" for blowing up your jobs and wrecking the town of Stratford.

It is so fun baiting you losers!

We are REAL people.....Not salary bloggers. Face the facts.

Nope. O'Reilly is pro military, anti greed. We know he'd take one look at that Blackhawk pilot who stood tall at the rally and be all sobbing with love over the Teamsters. He loves going after the big guns. We know he don't want no bloviating monkeys.

"It's utterly amazing!!! You teamsters are losing an amazing amount of faith by the day. God....what will you do when this strike is 2 or 3 months old???? "

Today another member of my labor union and I drove down from Glastonbury to walk the line at the West Haven plant. There were 15-25 walking at a time and more standing by. Each person was in great spirits and by all accounts were more dedicated than when the strike began. If this upbeat attitude exists at the smallest of the Sikorsky facilities, do you think the picketers are any less spirited at the larger plants? The outpouring of support from people driving by was impressive as well. Numerous people stopped by to drop off food and drink and a majority waved or honked. All those walking were proud to say that they hadn't had a single hourly worker cross lines to return to work, though their numbers are small at that facility. What I learned today was that these people truly believed in their cause and appeared willing to go the distance. This is no hype, no mularkey, just honest observations from what I experienced today.

Did you hear the revelation yesterday that FOUR
salary employees are assigned to monitor this blog and post pro-company propaganda. I would say it's unbelievable, but it's not!

Anti-greed ? Depends on who you think is greedy, and who is out of step. Tell you this, he's no lover of big government or socialist Europe.

Great post Gary! The atmosphere is the same at the Stratford plant. I had picket duty from 10-2 today. Everyone is sticking together and riding high. Great rally yesterday... spring weather today... great attitude by the members! THAT IS THE HONEST-TO-GOD TRUTH. I am confident that all the negative posts are originating inside the plant from Human Resources. Have a GREAT weekend Gary!

AND MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT GARY!!! Stop by the Stratford plant if you're in the area.

I have seen/heard a lot in the press lately about how the Teamsters were so willing to negotiate that they offered to give up their rat bonus and annual increases just to keep the old health plan.

Now, I want to see a show of hands and no cheating... how many of you really believe that they would have ratified a contract under which they kept the old health plan, but didn't receive a rat bonus or annual increases?

Yep, just what I thought. The Teamsters are just talking out of their asses.

UPDATE THE SCAB LIST ROCCO.....I DARE YOU.

Oh, hell no! If the company had given them a choice between the new plan with a bonus and increases or the old plan without a bonus or increases we'd still be in the exact same situation we're in right now. They want to have their cake and eat it, too. And that, ladies and gents, is the very definition of failing to bargain in good faith. The Teamsters believe that bargaining in good faith means giving them whatever they want. Is there no end to their greed?!

Talking out of their asses? Well, that explains the bad breath...

Ratcco looked like he was on drugs on TV....
Maybe he should have stayed hiding under that rock with his crack pipe.

"Did you hear the revelation yesterday that FOUR
salary employees are assigned to monitor this blog and post pro-company propaganda."

Yeah, like they really have the time to waste, get real. Paranoia will destroy ya.

"I am confident that all the negative posts are originating inside the plant from Human Resources."

Yep, you keep thinking that. They're far too busy processing workers who want to come back, plus temporaries.

Meanwhile, we your neighbors are wondering which schools they're gonna have to close thanks to you guys.

Can't raise my hand. HockeyFan is absolutely right. If the company had come to the table with either offer, both would have been voted down. It just doesn't matter to them at all... they WANT, they DEMAND, they DESERVE. Never once have I heard WE EARNED and that's because they didn't. I don't know if the company planned on this health care thing being such a polarizing issue, but it sure has worked to their favor. The Teamsters look like spoiled children at best, a bunch of mindless thugs at worst. The company just looks like yet another business besieged with unreasonable union demands. More and more companies in this situation are closing up shop rather than continue being blackmailed by a bunch of mediocre hourly laborers. And I'm sorry, but no, you do not deserve the same pay and benefits as salaried people. Your jobs, your skills, your education, your background and your abilities are vastly different. You are already getting more than you're earning, you certainly don't deserve any more for doing less.

Fatal-crash probe starts with license issue
By Rochelle E.B. Gilken

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Friday, March 10, 2006

The pickup truck driver who allegedly ran a red light, killing a popular middle school principal, is being detained as an undocumented immigrant while investigators try to determine whether he had a valid driver's license.

Cesar Mejia, 30, is in the Krome Detention Center near Miami for entering the country without documentation from Mexico, said U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Steve McDonald. Mejia was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 with Georgia license plates on the Beeline Highway when he crossed paths with Margaret "Peggy" Campbell's small white Subaru at Pratt Whitney Roadabout 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The four passengers with Mejia are also being detained as undocumented immigrants. They will all face deportation hearings, but Mejia's hearing will likely be postponed if he is charged criminally.

"We've asked them not to send him back before we get a chance to do our work," said Palm Beach County sheriff's Sgt. John Churchill.

Crash investigators have not yet cited Mejia nor would they confirm or deny a report that striking picketers at the nearby Sikorsky Aircraft facility may have distracted Mejia. It could take a week or more to determine whether the Mexico driver's license he carried is valid, Churchill said.

"It's really really hard to find out if things are valid in any foreign country except Canada," Churchill said. "It's another country. They have a big diplomatic procedure."

Churchill said that it is rare for the driver in a serious wreck to have a license from another country. Often, among undocumented immigrants, the driver has no license at all, Churchill said.

"If the crash is their fault and they don't have a driver's license, it's a criminal case. Under Florida law, if it's valid, then he can actually legally drive here," Churchill said. However, even with a valid license, he could still be cited for causing the fatal crash.

Churchill said the sheriff's office put a request through the International Criminal Police Organization — Interpol — to verify the license. He said it often takes a week or more to get a response.

While the crash investigation continues, grief counselors remained at Western Pines Middle School, where Campbell had been the principal since the school opened in 1997. She had worked for the school district since 1967.

The family will hold a memorial service for Campbell at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. John's Church in Lake Park, said her son, Jason Campbell. The family asks that memorial donations be made in her name to any educational charity or to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Campbell was a former patient of the clinic and a fund-raiser for the foundation, Campbell said.

There is only ONE question to ask at that meeting on the 15th. Is this local going to present a plan to the company that accepts the Health Care package?? If they don't then kiss your job good-by or go back to work on Monday. The company is NOT going to budge on the package, it's time to work a deal that works around that package. Believe it or not we hourly have had it pretty cheap and aesy as far as health care payments are concerned. I don't like it either but it's time to accept reality and get back to work

sorry, im not buying that post oneeye... you worked on the line for 41 years, i dont think you are reading blogs. if u ask me, oneeye is the same Anon that posted at 5:58.

Also, I don't think the company is hiring guns to type on here, why else would they say, come to the table, we're waiting for an offer THAT INCLUDES 80/20.

IT is what it is, believe it or not.

Agree with sorry above. The company has, other than publishing a few information releases, stayed pretty quiet. Not anywhere near the number if inflammatory remarks the union has made. They don't need to duke this out on a blog or in the media. They have stated their position and they are acting in accordance with their strike plan. Plain and simple. Come back under their offer or don't, it's your call and they don't really care one way or the other. The company will be fine. Can you all, as individuals, say the same?

Everyone needs to stick it up Rocco's ass and return to work. He misled everyone and it is time to give him what he deserves.

working 7-5 monday through friday and 7-12 on saturday guaranteed doesn't sound too bad right now.

Talking to a union plumber today he asked what happens to your union pension now that you are on strike? I responded that we dont have a union pension, no benefits at all. That is the reason he said they pay into their own union pension plan. I was wondering what in actuallity does 1150 give us for our monthly dues. I know they negotiate a contract for us ??. but besides the grievence procedure, and I know first hand how that works, what do they do for how many millions we pay them each year. Wednesday stand up and be heard.

Not only that, but if they've been collecting dues for all this time and haven't gone on strike for forty years, then why only pay out two hundred bucks in strike pay? I mean, they've collected in the BILLIONS. Where is that money now that we need it?

It is called corruption that takes the millions we give them. It doesn't take a college education to figure that out.

Don't forget Rocco makes about 100k a year and each of the executive board are mostly above 80k a year.

Did anyone hear that a guy this morning jumped off sikorsky bridge?

Probably close to 3/4 of a mil. a year for the E-board salary.

Please tell me it was Rocco or Harvey?

Can anyone verify that?
I was given a name but I wont post it until I know it happened.

Nothing on WTNH website so far but I am going to have to guess a rumor. So what is the name?

State police guy I know told me

Who jumped?

Shortly after 6:00AM someone jumped off the bridge. Stratford FD rescued the person, sent to Bpt Hospital. I hope it wasn't someone connected to SAC. With the fatal accident in West Palm and now this.... well now it's more than the money -- the cost of the strike is at least measured in one death and let's hope not another.

Oh, well. At least maybe the price of houses in the area will go down a little.

It was reported on channel 12 news. Hopefully it WAS Rocco..................

did he have insureance?

LMAO......Yeah, he had his insurance alright.

His fat ass would never survive. It would be better if the two infamous Local 1150 cheerlearders would jump. I thought I was going to vomit when I saw those two on the news. Anyone else feel sick?

He had insurance....he pays 80 and the company pays 20.....

I've had fantasies about being with two sisters but you couldn't pay me enough to do those two. Tinking about it makes me want to jump off the bridge.

Well, there's always highly skilled, precision Glynis.

Highly skilled at what, eating donuts?

And swallowing................

I know those two, they don't do crap when they are in work anyway, now they can get a job cheerleading or babysitting

Big as her mouth is, I doubt seriously that... nah, won't go there. Even I have my limits with regard to jokes in poor taste.

Posting a picture of Glynis on the CT Post website is in bad taste.

To all salary sikorsky employes, THANK YOU for the warm welcome on my 1st day back. JObs are going guys there not lying. Come back soon.....

If you think the pic in the post was in bad taste, I just about puked up my breakfast when I saw her on the news this morning.

Anything posted online about the jumper yet?

Please get back to work before there is nothing to get back to. You are skilled workers, but the work is leaving. This is no BS. Don't be so foolish to think that no one else can build this product. Cars are being built in Kentucky & South Carolina, not Detroit. Don't think for a minute Helo's can't be built in TX, FL, AL, or PA. Your jobs are at stake here. The product is going elsewhere right now. Wake up before it's to late!

Zigol is gone thats a fact all the tanks are removed...

Get off the internet, butthead, I'm trying to call you.

You people never stood you for anything, not even yourself.

Just a humble suggestion... Company and Union sit down on Monday and TALK. Find some common ground to start... work around the CIGNA plan since it is obviously going to be
non-negotiable... maybe make a few compromises to offset the weekly contribution. It would certainly be a start and of benefit to all concerned. Enjoy the weekend.

Saturday MARCH 11th Delta 88 band at Snookers in Ansonia Connecticut. Blog party 9:30 come out from behind the computer.

Did anyone hear that a guy this morning jumped off sikorsky bridge? I think it was Mikey R.
Its better then being pushed.

Dosen't anyone get it yet ,,,The union only wants the teamsters owned insurance co...

I’m Standing tall, but looking stupid after watching Channel 8 News and ABC World New Tonight. Just in case my brothers and sisters on the line did get it, our jobs are leaving. See attached link:
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=4614819
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=1710697

Just in case you didn’t read it, “The 243,000 jobs created in February�…but not manufacturing jobs. This means I’m letting my job (which everyone in the US wants) go out of state because the union wants to games with my livelihood. If this a joke, then why is Gov. Jodi Rell saying she wants both sides to talk, and is apparently ready to have her office mediate the talks? I don’t blame Senator Joe Lieberman for being pist for all the he had done for us. I had enough and going to join the 200 plus who already crossed over…thanks for telling me only a hand full crossed…I need say, no more.

200 is not 3600

And 3000 isn't 5000 to 10000, either. Pity you couldn't even get your whole union to show up for the big, bad rally.

union members the two ugly sister's that are speaking for everyone on the new's. They are the two dumbest union members. they need the union because they do nothing! i know i work with them. to all the salary they mock. I would never help them again. they say they are engerineeing back bone. oh! please they are so stupid. and they gave birth! there kids will probably be stupid union members too. Go back to work

I wonder if Rocco is having a Soprano's party on Sunday, with the free HBO this weekend. Just remember to bring your union dues. I'll bring the macaroni and gravy.

Those that cross over the line before the 15th are foolish.
Show up at the Union meeting this Wednesday and let your voices be heard.
We are the Union not Rocco. He just represents us. Tell him what we want and that is to go back to work now. Do the 20/80. This insurance plan was not as bad as we were told. Was there going to be insurance with Connecticare.
Here is an example for a
Cigna Insurance plan. OURS WAS SIMULAR
Health Reimbursement Arrangement = $250 with employee only coverage. $500 with other coverage tiers
Annual Deductible $500 per person/ $1000 family max
Annual OUT-OF-POCKET Max(includes deductible) $1500per person/$3000 family max
Lifetime Max $2,000,000
Per-existing Condition Limitation - none
Prevenative Care
*Periodic Health Exam;Well-Woman exams - No charge
Mammogram - No charge
*Pap smear(lab charges)- no charge(one every 12 mths
*Well Child care- no charge
*Routine Immunizations/injections-charge
Vision/hearing screening - not covered
*Smoking Cessation No charge

Physician Services
*Office Visits 10%

Maternity Care
*delivery 10%

ATTENTION SALARY DIRTBAGS
We will eventually take OUR factory back, regardless of for how long.
How are the op sheets? Are you working to blueprint? Wait could the blueprint be wrong?
No cracks in any of the airframe is there? You DO know where to look don't you, cause you are sooooo smart!
Did the op sheets give you ALL the ATPs? You do know if you did em all cause you're all sooo smart!
Is the rigging right? Hate to have something in backwards during flight! Just look in the book! Hope the book is with em at 1000ft But you all know that cause you are all sooo smart
All you salary creeps will be hiding your faces once again like the wannabe corporate scum you are. Enjoy it while you can, WE WILL BE BACK and I agree, things are gonna be alot different......... for EVERYONE including ALL you big smart salary dirtbags.
Have fun.......Hope you don't KILL anyone!.....
But that wouldn't bother you, cause you guys proved how smart you are and fixed us and that's all that matters!!!!

Just a little post from your friendly little telephone guy. (at&t) Local 1298 and the CT. union of Telephone workers support you guys 110%.
Don't give up and don't get yourselves down in the dumps.I attended the rally and have been reading this blog to the point where I am sick to my stomach. I finally had to post something to make myself feel better. First of all these people who leave negative and nasty blogs need to get a life. Go back and visit that pedefial web site we all know you look at everyday.
Second remember that nothing worth fighting for comes easy.
I was thinking though,(i don't know if this is being done? just trying to help!) have you guys thought about mobile picketing? Take this fight on the road and follow these people to their homes. Especially the CEO- Picket in front of their houses, follow them to the grocery store, picket in front of their families, WHAT EVER IT TAKES!!!
I used to work for SIK and got laid off in 1995
I have been in unions my entire life and would never give it up Why? because of how every one stands together, it is another family.
To all the people who talk about the taxes that stratford residents have to pay TO BAD!!!!!
Suck it up - the town residents have been living off the backs of every SIK worker for decades. BU or not it doesn't matter. Let me ask you I know that SIK is the biggest taxpayer in that city. How many services does SIK really get for their money? They have their own fire dept.,own police/security dept., take away their own garbage, do not use the school system, so what do they get for that money? Use some of it now to pay for the overtime needed! Oh what's that don't have any money? Why, because of past administrations. thats why.
Don't like it THEN MOVE! just like you are telling every one here to just suck it up and take the health care cuts.
Next everyone who is complaining about the health care system and how much they pay. I don't care if you pay more and make less. Don't like it THEN MOVE to Canada where they have socialized medicine plans. We as the little people did not make the health care this way. This was created by corporate america so let them fix it. Everybody is allready pressed from every direction. Have you seen the price of groceries lately? How about the price of putting your kids through college? Gas?car insurance?taxes?car repairs?house repairs?utilities?
Who says $20 buck an hour is a lot of money these days I dare you to post your name. 20 bucks an hour That will maybe just get you by these days. Again, another problem created by corporate america NOT UNIONS!!!!!!!! for all of you who are anti union That's fine I can't tell you what to be but don't judge you obviously do not know or care to know. And if I have to explain you wouldn't understand anyway!
Keep up the fight!!
There are a lot of people pulling for you even though this blog does not show it.
UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL !!!!!!!!!!!!

Get a life.

Maybe Rocco should have got someone from Cigna to explain this plan. I think Rocco fed us a lot of shit.

As for the salary people. When the hourly jobs go, so will yours so keep laughing.

HANG IN THERE GOV. RELL IS GETTING FED UP WITH IT SHE DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIKORSKY JOBS IN CT GIVE IT TILL THE END OF APRIL!

April, What are you smoking???? Most union members with go bust by the end of March.....Wake up! We have family's.

Why doesn't Rocco give us half the dues we pay to cover the insurance?

THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD STOP SITTING AROUND THE HOUSE AND GET A PART TIME JOB! WE CAN AND WILL WIN THIS SUCK IT UP!

If it was YOUR factory, why did you ABANDON your post! Now who's the dirtbag.

The people who think we can win this! Are just dumb. there is nothing more to say. Go back to work before you have to work at burger king!

I'll give it till the 15th. I want to hear if he will offer a plan that will accept the 80/20 since the Co. ain't going to budge and get us a way to pay for. Other than paying the .31 did he ever offer another way oround this? Sometimes the shortest distance isn't a straight line

Being an employee of UTC I must first say that UTC has been good to me, better than most companies. I work, and they pay me. They own me nothing. I owe them nothing, other than a hard day's work for a day's pay.

I am worried that the move by the union will cause Sikorsky to move the entire or most of the operation out of Ct. Other divisions will also lose work.

The union has hurt their own. The union has hurt the fine citizens of many cities. The union has hurt Sikorsky.

The purpose of the union, as all businesses, is to make money. They make this money by collecting dues from their members. They provide limited services, and in this case a major dis-service.

Good luck guys, but I think this is a lost battle and many other will lose with you.

I am worried. Our jobs are leaving and we walk in circles. There is only one issue on the table and there will be a clear winner and loser. Neither the union or Sikorsky will ever admit defeat! We will be walking these lines 10 years from now, while others do our jobs.

Maybe you will be walking the line, I'm walking IN

I've been reading the posts for several days. As an outside observer with no vested interest in this affair, it seems to me that the Company will get their way even if this strike lasts for months. There is not much the strikers can do to change the reality. Game over.

THANK YOU BRIAN J.,

You should be commended for your attitude in a time when everyone seems to have the "every man for himself" mentality. Take the majority of these negative posts with a grain of salt. Most of it is propaganda. The vast majority of Local 1150 members have the same ideals as you. We are weathering the storm just fine, contrary to what Sikorsky and their cohorts would like you to believe. Your support and encouraging words are greatly appreciated. I hope you will stop down to the picket line if you are in the neighborhood. We would all be honored to meet you! Have a great weekend!

I think it is absolutley sad that it has come down to this. My dad is returning hopefully monday and friend of 20 some odd years. He is ready to stand up for himself and refuses to let his job be sent out of state. But in a way i dont blame sikorsky think of it.....why pay someone $17-$27 when you can go anywhere else and pay 50% less for the same "skilled" employee?! I think better smarten up and do whats "right" when i say that i mean.....GET BACK TO WORK AND SAVE YOUR JOBS!!!

As a salary employee, you can take this information as you see fit (trash by HR or real). The latest rumor from the L4 level was purchasing was given the green light to issue PR’s for “hands off� parts made in operations. Once PO’s are issued, parts remain out-source until EXCO gives OK for return.

This is the way I see it. Keep sending work out until we reach an agreement with the union. If no agreement is reach, we will be ready to meet our customer needs. Deal with officials based on business plan and prior comments. Reconfigure remaining workforce accordingly.

Absolutely correct, Chrissie. Each day out equals more jobs permanently lost. The workers at many other area plants which are never in operation in other locales were equally arrogant about their inability to be replaced by workers elsewhere. Many can be found wondering how they lost such sight of reality while they man cash registers at Wal Mart or its ilk.

Decades ago, no one won in a strike. In this case, given the cost of operating in Ct, should the strike linger long enough to cause the next action (replacements, moving), clearly, UTC would have won. And they are the only possible winners.

Felt compelled to mention this...

I just wrote my mortage check. Sure feels nice to know it's going to be covered by my PAY CHECK from SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT. MMmmm nice and waaarrrm feeling. MMmmmmonnnney. PAAAAYYY CHECKKKKK.

Oh, you don't have one of those? Oh, that's right, you're "Standing Tall".

Enjoy poverty, morons.

Forgot to mention,

Please tell your WPB "brothers" to keep an eye out for the S-92 leaving on the trailer. Off to be worked on by WORKERS willing to WORK for a fair wage.

Watch it go by. Just like your future.

Join the real world Teamsters. The last, best and final offer is on the table. The days of strokin' it all day while being overpaid are over.

Just to let you know, the Naugatuck Library is no longer adding names to "Edible Wild Plants of Southern Connecticut" checkout waiting list.

Oh crap. Looks like yo fat wife's gonna have to live off them Chun-Key thighs for a while.

It's just a matter of time before the 1150.org website lists this in the "Striker Support" section.

www.freegan.info

An hourly employee crossed the line, and he's got something to say. Remind you...he crossed, and about another 4-5 people that we know crossed, and their names are not on that lame wall of shame...so there are way more people that has crossed than we are led to believe. Plus, he said that due to the strike, Sik has the right to reduce the amount of aircraft to meet the quota for the month...they only need 2 aircraft..and guess what...they are already in the production hanger. He got re-instated at his normal pay, and now gets 10 hours a day, and the chance to work the week-ends. Also, the plan to actually hire 150 more replacement workers...and they hope to keep them. As in...not get rid of them when the strikes come back. Because, they have no intentions to bring everyone back. We lost..and yes..I'm still an hourly union striker, but, I've known this guy long enought to believe what he say's. Production is just pumping right along, and most of the stuff that people are saying here about us losing our jobs...are true.

A few other people from my work section and shift, has kept in constant contact, and about 10 more of us are ready to cross if we don't hear the truth from an union representative. One guy already got us the union paper to to resign, and he's got plenty of copies. We have decided to stick it out as long as we could, but as I have said before, our union leaders had the last7 months to fight for the contract, and hasn't got the company to change anything. Why, because they won't. The company has their own lawyers that are hired just for this crap, and the union just has no real leg to stand on. They couldn't do it in 6-7 months, so how do you think they are going to do it in another week, 2 weeks, or next month. UTC is just not going to give in to 3000 people on strike. Notice how the news was always reporting from the begining the full number of the members in the union...was 3600+...now they only report 3500...and the list on the wall has not been updated at all...

Because...Our union leaders know that if we saw all the names of the smart ones...then more will follow. And the union will vanish into dust. I came from an aeronautical university, and I worked in the real world, and also served in the military, and as soon as I had my A&P licence, and my resume online...Sik found me and hired me as fast as they could. And heres a shocker for all the old lazy guys....If Sik wants someone, they will get them...if they don't want you....then they will find a way to get rid of you. And right now this is their perfect chance to get rid of everyone they don't want, and ask back the ones they do like. It is a bussiness afterall...not a damn Mom & Pop's Shoppe.

My mortgage is killing me, I can't even afford the gas to get down to the damn union hall to get the stipend check(which is a joke), and let alone walk the line with fellow workers. Hard time, cold and long winter, and bills just keep dipping into the red. If I can't get a real answer from a real union representative on how many has actually crossed and what is our contingancy plan if the company wants to drag this out, then my other co-workers and I will cross.

\\\\\\\\\Blaaaa haaaa haaaa haaaa

freegan.info waaaa haaa haaa

Rod, you always were good for a laugh.

Not, much more....

but a laugh (Mostly after you left the room)

blaaaa haaa haaaaaa haaaa

Dear AnAnonymousHourly at 10:11,

Explain to me how you are destitute after 3 weeks. You've only had to make one mortgage payment since the strike began! You have no savings? You have no credit? You have no ability to work elsewhere? And you really expect readers to believe that you don't even have gas money to drive down and pick up your check at Union Hall? You're breaking my heart.

You're either a liar with a hidden agenda or the most financially irresponsible individual I've ever come across.

1150, end this now!! UTC is not going to cave. They will move forward while you all walk around in circles. THEY DON"T CARE ABOUT YOUR STRIKE!!!! Plans are in place to move on WITHOUT you. It has already started. Only you can end this now. I like Sikorsky and want them to stay here in CT. You are forcing the best employer in CT to move elsewhere while you bitch about .31 cents. WAKE UP AND SAVE YOUR JOBS!!!!!!!!

AT last count from what I can see on the production line about 150 or so former union has crossed. That puts it at roughly 5%- not the 1% Rocco and company would have you believe. Of course Rocco doesnt dare tell the truth- if he did 1150 would go away and so would his chances of moving up the Teamster's corporate ladder (Hoffa doesnt like losers).

ALso- they have really gone to town converting a number of areas over to lean. The spindle/cuff area has been drastically changed enough that they have room for an 80 person office. The L4s say they only need about 30% of the people who used to work there now. The newest area are the paint cells- they are being stripped out with 3 new cells going in (also lean with the rumor being only 50% of the former workforce is now needed).

WIth everyone gone management has vastly accelerated the lean concept. Other areas are also targeted. The ventual hope I have heard is Sik will only need about 50% of the former hourly workforce.

As for the question on ops-sheets- those of us working the line have discovered enormous time wasting and inefficient processes especially in the ops sheets. They, and the other processes, are undergoing major overhauls. Time and material studies are also being done. If/when you all come back management will be activating many provisions of your contracts they have not so far re: oversight of work and so on.

loner,loner,loner,loner,loner. SAD

How many of you will wait until the 15th to get answers from Rocco. Believe me I.. just can't wait. This dick got everyone against one another and he had the balls to stand up in front of you union brothers and sisters and blow smoke up your asses.
Rocco kept repeating what he had said at the meetings. "we can't lose. That is bullshit. I'm not going to lose my home just because he recommended not to except this contract. If you all call the hall and ask to speak to him. They say he is not there.
We were used by the union reps as Guinea pigs in a fight for better health care.
Voice your opinions at the 15th meeting and don't be fooled by this ass.

well, you are almost correct. it's GOING, GOING, GOING........GONE!!!!!!

You people sound more desprate every day.
When i come back to work you will be kissing my a**. Just like old times. POS

10:55 YOU ARE A coward!

well, what I do have to explain is I don't make as much as the 25+ year lazy bums. Only been with the company for a few years, just got on my feet after buying a house last year, and the refinance killed me...the friggen closing costs in CT are a rip-off. Plus with this long winter, heating is not cheap, for an old house that needs a lot of work. So I can't afford a lot of things, and I sometimes just barely scrimp by, from paycheck to paycheck.

11:01 come down the hall we can HELP you get through this.

To reaffirm Bob Snippets comment. I talked to a day striker on the line today. She said that as Rocco was telling the strikers their jobs are not being outsourced, a truck drove out with 2 S92 stands. I have known this striker for a while and would not question her motives. After the meeting on the fifteenth I will be returning to sikorsky. They pay me not the union. As for the rest, wake up soon, would hate to see coworkers go bye bye.

For those who say that they will be crossing the line. Well just do it. I'll collect my $232 check from the union and have the satisfaction of telling Rocco on the 15th that he is just a overpaid bullshitter.
He just wanted a photo op with Hoffa.
The jobs won't be going anywhere permanently. Just go back after the 15th.
I hope the state police is at the hall on the 15th cause I don't think the town of Stratford can handle the crowd. Oh the fire marshall might want to check out how many people are in the building. There goes more of the taxpayers money.
Hey if the jobs are going out of state, where are your state representatives that fought so hard to keep the jobs here.

Ya gotta love Mayor Jim Miron. Sikorsky is the largest taxpayer in his town and he's constantly on the tube bitching about paying his police officers overtime for working the first strike in 40 years. Maybe if he didn't take the Sikorsky revenues for granted and squander the money on other programs and services his budget wouldn't be so tight. Exactly what services does Sikorsky get in return for their money? NADA! Maybe Mayor Miron should accept responsibility for the town’s financial difficulty instead of frantically looking for someone else to pick up his tab!

If the jobs go out of state, it isn't the fault nor the problem of the state reps. And it isn't totally the unions. The members had the ability to think for themselves, to view the results of other recent job actions, etc. before they voted.

Now they must live with the results of their votes. They can opt for a revote, but, truthfully, UTC hasn't indicated a willingness to live with the terms of the offer the union declined.

The Union has nothing to do with outsourcing. It was started long before the strike and will continue long after the strike. Also, it affects both hourly and salary alike.

"Staying competitive in the global marketplace" translated is "Paying as little as possible for labor". Look at S76 & S92!

By the way... The illustrious salaried workforce is also considered a labor expense by the company.

We're all in the same boat. It's just a matter of who goes out with a roar and who goes out with a whimper!

The salaried workforce offer competitive skills which would be scooped up in the marketplace given the fact that they are not above market rates nearly as much as the union members are. So they may lose a small percentage of their salary with their next job, but most Teamsters are looking at wages of half or less than their present pay.

I love the answers to come to the hall we can help you.

Not everyone was in a good financial position even before the strike. I have yet to make my mortgage payment from March 1st and the company wont work with me, probably because of my 4 year old bankruptcy. I have missed my IRS payment for back taxes which is over 10k and will probably only grow after the next tax return. Car payment is just a little over a month late.

I was just starting to get myself where I needed to be financially before the strike and am totally f'ed now. Plus need 2 surgerys and am in severe pain ever day.

How is anyone going to help me? No one can I have accepted that and will do what I must for the well being for my family.

S-92 work stands?

Since ya all have nothing better to do, take a drive down to Coatsville PA, and look at the S-92 PRODUCTION LINE there. Yes, contract labor, BUILDING S-92s. All they need to do is expand the facility to the number of aircraft required.

To think "you'll win" or "They Need Us Back" is just stupid.

Wages at an individuals next job would obviously be based on what marketable skills they have to offer. I'd be willing to bet that anyone in Engineering could make MORE at another job. I have researched what other jobs in my particular trade are paying and a fair "guesstimate" would be that I would start at 15%-20% less than my current hourly rate to start.

I have to stop and wonder what the Union told its members to convince them to strike?

Everyone forget about Pratt?
Same insurance deal, yes they struck.
Ummm, 6 weeks I recall, and then what?
So if that strike was 6 weeks, what would make anyone believe that a strike at Sikorsky would last for anything less??
Did anyone expect the company to halt production?

I feel for the hourly families who were not prepared for what seems is going to be a substantial period of no income.

You don't see Sikorsky in any hurry to resume contract talks right?
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Wait till the people return to Shelton, they will be in awe to see the new layout on the floor, the new tables and benches and re-alignment of the work cells. It almost seems the company planned on a strike and now has the time to implement change with little or no impact. Plus, look at all the payroll they are saving.

I'm not going to tell any hourly worker what they should or shouldn't do.
You have to make up your own minds and live with your choices.

I really hope you guys made the right choice for the right reason.

Whoops, I meant my former hourly rate! My CURRENT hourly rate is $0.00! LOL

Happy Friday All

"11:01 come down the hall we can HELP you get through this."

I don't want to get thru this crap...I just want my job back!!! I want the bills paid, and food on the table, gas in the house and car, the mortgage, property tax, water bill, and all the other bills to be covered so I won't have to work like crazy over the spring and summer and end up like a friggen zombie sucking up OT to get by....if we do get back before the end of April or June...screw the long haul...living in CT sucks the bank and wallet dry if out for a few days.

The majority of the votes to strike were the same majority of the employees that have over 20+ years...the new guys(the ones hired from 2002-present) are the ones that wanted to ratify, except for the few older guys that are also in a pinch due to loved ones in need of medical attention or other financial problems. They wanted any medical package, because they use it, and they need it! Family first, and yourself first...if you have the means to sustain a month vacation...good fo you...a lot of us can't. Most of us are trying to hold out, but bills and obligations come first.

6 days, 6 weeks, 6 months.....hell, 20 days is too long...and the longer were out, the more money we ARE NOT MAKING!!! The stories are true on what they are saying...the jobs are going bye bye...and I don't want my new (to me) house to go bye bye either. Rocco has had 6+ months to work on this contract, and he hasn't done it yet...I highly doubt it will happen tommorrow....like the company is going to beg for everyone to come back ASAP. This is real world, if the company gets the 21 days, and they somehow pull out of their sleeve that this is not an unfair labor strike, and it is infact just an economical dispute...then they will hire and keep the replacement workers that thy have hired...and they can train them just as they trained you.

IF by thursday of next week....it will be way past the 21 days, and all the union employee's will be thrown out on the street if the UTC lawywers can somehow pull the economical strike out of their ass. The have the assets to hire the best litigaters in the country, or they already have them.... If that happens, then all the laidback loafers will wake up, and see they have no chance to get back in...and then it all apon the great rehireing process...if Sik is going to be nice enough to do it. All I want to know is...do the little guys caught in the middle have a chance...and before that 21 day deadline, me and the other guys I mentioned want to have a chance to get back in before the doors slam in our face.

I was never good at typing...so screw off if your going to correct my typo's

To get in you must call HR and arrainge it. Pretty much they will have you send your resignation letter to the union by certified mail then call them back and set up the day for you to come back in. It will take a couple days after sending your letter but you really should contact HR before anything else to make sure they want you back and to let them know you seriously want to come back.

Good luck and I'll see you on the inside I hope.

P.S. Don't hold your breath for an accurate list of members that have crossed. There must be many considering there are quite a few I know that are working 12hrs a day and not on the list. HR must be busy because it took two days for me to get a call back from them after already speaking with them. They had one guy call back because the HR manager is busy processing others.

Sadly, Too many SIK workers and residents in Stratford are going to be crushed by this strike. It will take some several years to recover.

I have 26 years and I voted to ratify. However, I accept the outcome and respect the position of the majority. I work another job, collect my strike pay and meet my obligations. No one said a strike would be easy. But, it's not the end of the world either. Life goes on.

Rocco is really trying to pull an unfair labor practice charge that is going to stick out of their ass. I wouldn't be suprised to see them lose that one.

Two of the charges are a real joke:

Withholding vacation pay - Vacation pay for 06 was not covered in the last contract. Look through it for dates for vacation checks and you will see that one is no good.

Termination in the Cobra letter - that is a standard letter that must be sent by law. The company also sent a letter explaining that essentially covering their own asses.

Refusing to bargain in good faith - Don't think so there either. The company offered a lot to us and wanted us to take the 80/20 insurance and even changed the implemention date to help prepare for the change.

I honestly feel it will be an economic strike in the end. I hope it isn't because there are a lot of friends too thick headed to go back that I don't want to lose their jobs.

Only time will tell but I am not a lawyer and UTC would be able to afford a much better one than I or the union ever could. They are not negotiating because they have the upper hand and they are going to get rid of the union in the end even if it takes replacing all the hourly employees.

How about a little food for thought? Based on human nature, do you think an employee who was about to abandon his friends and co-workers to beg HR for his job back and cross a picket line would be posting it for the entire state to see?

I find it hard to believe. And, there have been over a thousand such posts in this blog!

Any other theories???

Thanks for the info Anonymous on March 10, 2006 11:54 PM

But the buddy that is on the inside, said he talked to our upper management, and he said to just get him those docs and they would push the paperwork thru for us, and we would be back to work the next day.

Your welcome, Ananonhourly, as long as you are getting good info its all good. The only thing is you have to resign from the union before going to work or they can legally fine you for each day you work.

The curiosity has gotten the best of me!!! I'm going to call for some inside information tomorrow and post back exactly how many hourly employees are clocked in. It's easy enough to determine who's being truthful here. I will post back tomorrow evening at 6:00PM under the same name. Good night all.

to: Anonymous on March 11, 2006 12:20 AM

When a job is a job, money is money, bills are bills...

Real freinds will cross the line together...screw the IBT. We work together, have worked together, and we kinda hope that we will work together when this crap is past the u-bend in the shi**er. Granted, our numbers are about 5-10, but we are locked away in a seperate area, same shift, same priorities...family first, self first, job first, then if there is time...the rest of the union brothers...but we never see them, except in a blue moon when the timeclock screws up, or a check is slightly off. But before the strike, we got along together as a team, we produced as a team, the company met its quota's, and the upper management actually told us thank you to our face. Our managers did so much for use, that we felt like a big family...and we were.

I still can't understand why the salery and hourly has such hate for each other...we had no hate, our prime objective was to do the job at hand, the managers helped as much as they could to support us...and we got the job done. I guess other areas of the factory has issues...I guess I got lucky to be with a great set of guys, co-workers and managers.

I didn't beg HR for my job back. I have been called multiple times. I don't consider it abandoning my friends and co-workers. I consider it doing what is MOST important to me which is taking care of my family.

Now think about that. You going to put your co-workers in front of your spouse and children?

If so, please do yourself a favor and go try to figure out why your co-worker is more important than your family. I would really like to know.

Time study, HR probably wont give you an exact number of how many came back. I got the answer that quite a bit came back and more expected.

Also...something to ponder.....

This late of night, past these hours...would this be a good time for the HR PR guys to be posting in a blog...no...

right now the only guys I see posting at this hour is the hourly that are worried about their futures....

A lot of people seem to think the outsourcing, restructuring of the shop floor, etc etc is all BS. A few questioned how Sik could move so fast.

Well over 6 months ago Rocco told Sik that the health care package was no good and they would strike over it. The month long plus telegraphing of the union strike was also tactical stupidity- you know- all the guys wearing their strike committee shirts openly on the floor is sort of a dead give away. So Sik has had a good 6 months to plan this out with a 30+ day warning to accelerate planning.

In my area they called in all of the former hourly who were now salary to give them their work assignments 2 WEEKS before you all struck. Many were re-certified during this time so that when the union struck they could field almost 400 people immediately on the lines.

The first Monday of the strike they had certification classes up and running for stamping, riveting, PIV, EH&S, etc- they have been running these training classes continuously since the strike began. Multiple classes going on all day, etc

WIthin the first week the salary people had finished up 60M #7 and 3 other birds- the union delivered 3 aircraft in the first 3 weeks of Feb. Salary delivered 4 in less then a week- all signed off by DCMA and the FAA.

They were challenged to get 8 out the door for March- they almost have 5 done. They are averaging a full aircraft of spares about every 2 - 3 days. My understanding is a lot of the parts backlog is cleared. O&R packed and shipped everything for Feb on time and by March 3 had 1/3 of the March parts deliveries almost accomplished.

On top of all of this are the massive restructuring of the floor, acceleration of lean cells, etc. Plus all the packing up of S-92 stands, jigs and tooling which is being shipped off to Keystone in PA. You really think those are coming back?

To everyone who says that our state leaders wont let work leave- I have to laugh. This isnt some Communist state controlled business where the commissar says what can and cannot happen- CT is not exactly business friendly (especially to manufacturing).

Rocco's folly has not only hurt you all, but also very likely the state and surrounding towns as manufacturing of Sik birds are going to cheaper places. There goes a massive chunk of tax base.

"Yesterday's rally was a huge success in terms of the turn out"

Oh please. Saying that there were 1500 people there is being kind, and that is knowing that there are 3600 members belonging to this local union, with who knows how many additional teamsters bussed in from other states. And the wall of shame is at the exact same 36 number that it was three days ago. look for this on Monday- Dont even listen to the opinion that I am giving, or let yourself be swayed by me in any way. If you are on the pickett line, just count the hourlys that you PERSONALLY know driving in to work. if it is less that 36, the union may be telling the truth. if it is more than 36, well, there is the other alternative, and the number may be much higher since those are only the workers you know perxonally...

"CONTINUE TO BE STRONG AND UNITED AND WE WILL WIN!"

What exactly is the winning condition for this strike? Everyone already knows that United Technologies Corporation, of which Sikorsky contributes less that 5% of their total operating profit, is not going to give a health plan that is different from that given to all of the hundreds of thousands of other employees, to the sikorsky shop workers, who think they deserve something far superior just because they are a bunch of swell guys. what about the salaried and hourly workers in the companies who make up the other 95% of the money UTC is making? They were able to accept their contracts without the presence of a giant inflatable rat on route 110. You think you have clout because you are under the impression that you can bring some moderately large company to its knees. In reality, the united technologies CORPORATION can simply say that Sikorsky is being a pain in the *ss, so lets write them off, sell them to someone who is willing to deal with them, and continue making money on Pratt, Carrier & Otis, we didnt need their 5% contribution anyway. Hate to break it to anyone who had grand delusions about the importance of sikorsky to the corporation, but read the latest 2005 annual report on the UTC website. It will show you how much Sikorsky actually contributes to UTC, who btw is responsible for the health plan, and not sikorsky who you choose to pickett for some reason. All of the health plan decisions for sikorsky are being made 50 miles north in Hartford. get a clue.

So what will be the winning conditions for the strike at this point? negative 4 weeks pay, the same health plan they offered you in the beginning, and perhaps if you're lucky, a free t-shirt that says "rocco told me not to ratify the latest contract and all I got was this lousy t-shirt".

Yes, stick together with your Jimmy Hoffa led "brothers" while your families continue to suffer. The benefit of the last strike of the Pratt & Whitney workers, a MUCH more important company to UTC is certainly questionable, as there really ended uo being no benefit. But oh yes, listen to the rhetoric on the 1150 website- the catchwords like "stand strong", "your union brothers" and "corporate lies". yes, what the union feeds you is the only thing that matter at this point. common sense is irrelevent now, why even bother using your brain.

meanwhile, I personally have under my leadership, a group of people that beleives the earth is flat. Thats it boys, cover your ears and keep telling yourselves that the earth is flat. Don't listen to those naysayers who say otherwise. we'll show them all...

It has taken me quite a while to plod through this blog, the photos from the lines, and the audio slideshow, and finally thought I would start making a few comments and asking a few questions. My comment/question for this time has to do with:
http://www.teamsters1150.org/wall_of_shame.htm
The "Wall of Shame"?? Are you kidding me? The first time I read about it, I thought - no way, no present day organization would feel it necessary to belittle people that had decided striking was not for them, that they wanted or needed to go back to work.
What possible value does this list hold, other than as a coersion tactic to try to keep people in the rank and file, especially considering the other posts I would read... the ones that said the rest of the union now knows who they are and will, once they come back "make their lives a living hell".
Instead of this list, with graphics in the background of rats, and the line "The following are the names of people who have abandoned their fellow members and refuse to stand tall with the membership of Local 1150." right there in black and white, why don't you list instead those among you, or among anyone, willing to pay all the bills these people are trying to pay. That way they may not feel the desire/need to cross your lines. I read numerous times about how horrible these people are, but not one person saying "here, take my money to support yourself".
What if they voted to ratify the contract? Are they supposed to "stand tall" with you, use up all their resources for your cause?
Why don't they have the right to NOT stand tall with you if they disagree, WITHOUT the attempted coersion, and without the threats?
I read about how the 1150 is standing up for the little guy. What if the little guy wants to stand up for him or herself and go back to work. What right do you have to demand your right to do what you feel is right... strike, yet try to coerce others to do something they don't feel the desire to do?
It reeks of hypocrisy to me.
I dare you to take the high road and ask your leaders to remove that from the website and the picket lines. Until then, you have most certainly lost a lot of people's support, and even worse, their respect for you...

Gang mentality sucks, but by the looks of it their gang just got a lot smaller. For most of you thi is the end of the line. next comes the unemployment line. So adios you lowlife, low rent, Jerry Springer trailor trash A--WHOLES.

Comments of Me at 3;04

Your comments are right on the mark. I noticed that the IBT shows the flag during their rallies to link their actions to some patriotic movement like they are fighting for democracy and/or freedom. Why should a guy or gal who needs to support their families be allowed to make individual choices to return to work without the threat of bodily harm or having their tires slashed? Has the Union movement in the U.S. become that desperate to resort to intimidation and threats? I know that the response will be that violence and thereats are not condoned etc... but the "wall of shame" - this is both juvenile and dangerous.

Anyone who is on the fence about wether to cross the line or not might want to make sure they read the article below from todays ConnPost and make up thier minds if this strike is worth it. It's over for me I cross next week.

Sikorsky eyes replacement workers
But no date finalized for permanent hires
ROB VARNON rvarnon@ctpost.com

Sikorsky Aircraft has threatened to drop the atomic bomb of labor relations — hiring permanent replacements for striking workers — generating outrage among workers and disappointment among politicians.

Bud Grebey, a Sikorsky spokesman, said permanent replacements are part of the company's contingency plan for a protracted strike, which enters its 20th day today.

"We have set no deadline for hiring replacement workers," Grebey said. "What we want is for our workers to come back to work."

During the first week of the strike, which began Feb. 20, the company had some salaried workers staff positions on the floor of Sikorsky's plants in Stratford, Bridgeport, Shelton, West Haven and West Palm Beach, Fla., after the 3,600 members of Teamsters Local 1150 began picketing.

The Teamsters rejected the company's contract offer primarily because it would have increased members' insurance payments, even tripling them by the third year. On the second week of the strike, Sikorsky began to advertise for temporary workers and in the third week, it was shipping parts for assembly elsewhere.

Grebey said some of the work is being done outside Connecticut. Harvey Jackson, Local 1150 president, called Grebey's remarks "irresponsible."

When asked if he thought Sikorsky and its parent company, United Technologies Corp., is attempting to break the union, Jackson said in any situation like this you have to consider that as a possibility.

"That's certainly something we don't take lightly," Jackson said, adding the company is telling workers who want to cross the line that they must drop their union membership.

While much has been made of how much Teamsters are losing by being on strike, Sikorsky's actions also cost money.

The National Association of Manufacturers said Friday that it would cost a company money to change the flow of production and outsource work, especially in an industry that already has a lot of work.

However, NAM noted that smaller and mid-sized factories could probably accommodate the extra work by adding a shift. It's unclear if Sikorsky's plan costs more than the amount the company is saving on pay and benefit costs while the Teamsters are out.

While many politicians concentrated on Sikorsky's decision to hire temporary workers and outsource production to other factories, the threat of permanent replacement caught the attention of one labor relations' expert.

John Cotter, assistant regional director of the Hartford office of the National Labor Relations Board, said hiring permanent replacements is "the atomic bomb of labor relations."

A company has the right to hire replacements, Cotter said, but if it is found that the company violated fair labor standards, it could be forced to hire back or at least pay back wages for all those affected. He

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said hiring replacements is not the same as terminating employees.

Local 1150 filed charges against Sikorsky charging it with unfair labor practices during the first week of the strike that are still being investigated, but Cotter said an investigation alone would not stop the company from hiring permanent replacements.

Cotter said large companies rarely use permanent hires in the face of a strike because the union members would continue to picket outside the company's gates, generating problems and bad publicity.

Teamsters on strike called to express their doubts that Sikorsky could actually farm out their jobs. They said many workers have more than two decades of experience building helicopters at Sikorsky, and that can't be learned from a book or class on machining.

"These are custom built machines," one striker said.

Reaction from some of the state's biggest names in politics was predictable, since all had been calling on Sikorsky to return to the bargaining table.

Connecticut Sens. Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, both Democrats, with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, expressed their disappointment in Sikorsky's plans to ship work out of state and renewed their joint calls for the company to return to the bargaining table.

Sikorsky spokesmen have said in previous interviews that they bargained for two months, and until the union provides an alternative to the contract that includes the health plan the company wants, there's no reason to reopen negotiations.

Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, said Sikorsky's actions "is close to a declaration of war against the union and is very unsettling."

Gov. M. Jodi Rell asked the two sides to try to find common ground and come to the table, even offering her own for their use. "I do not want temporary workers. I do not want replacement workers. I do not want work going of state," Rell said. "What I do want is for both sides to fully understand the wide-ranging effects this situation is having on individuals, families, communities and the state as a whole."

Strikers have said they hope the federal government steps in soon, but that doesn't appear likely.

A spokesman for the U.S. Army, one of Sikorsky's biggest customers, said Friday, in response to questions regarding the strike, "The Army has complete confidence that Sikorsky Aircraft will meet all contract obligations and continue to maintain superior quality controls at all levels of production."

I just came through the gate to work 3/111/06 and someone from the union is out there with his