Your Comments

I just heard that the hearing is postponed until next week and that Rocco is MIA. Apparently, he's on vacation... on a CRUISE!

The answer to your question is obvious: the younger people are not on the line because it is in their best interest to accept the contract. The younger people are less apt to have health expenses to worry about, or at least health bills that are as high as the older people. They are more concerned with the very generous raise (3.5%, far outpacing inflation) they would receive, and the prospect of an extra $2,000 in their pocket for doing absolutely nothing but voting to ratify.

The younger people have no idea what health benefits will look like when they actually start to use more of them - they'll remain healthy for at least the next few union contract votes. So, they might as well take the money and run, leaving their jobs intact and not jeopardizing the company that pays them well already.

Twenty-five hourly workers have resigned their union memberships and will be crossing the line to start their new salaried jobs tomorrow. Guess it's not a lockout!

where is your proof of this ?

WOW. That is a major loophole. In doing so I would hope that the same deserters would never come back to the rank and file. Kinda smells vaguely like desperation by the company. Where will the company stash these lowlifes once the real workers strut into town?

Cracker -

Not everyone comes to work to make friends. These "lowlifes" are probabably the ones most financially effected by the strike and have more important priorities in life than their loyalty to the union - like bringing food and money home to their family.

Maybe not desperation so much as stirring the pot, I would opine. Or perhaps just the first step towards deunionizing completely.

"I would hope that the same deserters would never come back to the rank and file."

they won't have to....ill bet sikorsky deunionizes.

Frankly, I would consider the LOWLIFE to be the one who fails to support his family for a lost cause. The brave INDIVIDUALS who are putting their families' welfare first are the real heroes in this.

Cracker - good name, by the way, very representative of you, I'm sure - will only be strutting to the unemployment line, to job interviews, to the welfare office, etc. I would bet the farm that THAT one will never work for Sikorsky again. You know the type... you can smell them a mile away and trust me, it isn't sweat from all the backbreaking labor they do. And the loosely veiled threats in his post will only further the image of Teamsters as thugs.

Sikorsky rejects new negotiations with striking Teamsters
By John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer | March 2, 2006

Sikorsky Aircraft officials said Thursday they see no basis to resume negotiations with striking Teamsters, raising the possibility of a prolonged strike at the helicopter maker.

"The union's apparent unwillingness to accept the company's health care plan design is discouraging, and provides no basis for resuming negotiations," the company wrote in a letter to union officials obtained by The Associated Press. "If the union's position changes with regard to this fundamental issue, please let me know."

A lengthy strike could pose a problem for the U.S. military, especially in getting vital spare parts such as rotor blades for it's Sikorsky helicopters, said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute think tank. About 3,600 workers have been on strike since Feb. 20, the company's first in Connecticut since 1963.

"A prolonged shut down of spare parts production potentially endangers Army readiness," Thompson said. "There's no way Sikorsky can maintain a high rate of production without the Teamsters on the line."

Defense officials said they were carefully monitoring the strike, and the company said it is in regular communications with the military to make sure it devotes resources to their priorities.

Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn., still has about 6,000 salaried employees on the job. The company has implemented a contingency plan, but officials have acknowledged it is not operating at full production.

"There is a huge demand for spare parts that only Sikorsky can meet," Thompson said. "Without the Teamsters, the company can't maintain a coherent production schedule."

Rising health care costs are at the center of the strike.

Sikorsky has proposed doubling the union members' health care contributions in the first year of a three year deal and hiking them another 15 percent over the next two years, union officials said.

Under the expired contract, the workers paid about $26 per week for family coverage, both sides said.

George David, chairman of Sikorsky's parent company, United Technologies Corp., told analysts Tuesday that the company will "stand firm" on the issue because workers throughout UTC's other divisions have agreed to the same kind of health care cost-sharing.

The two sides met Monday for a general discussion, but did not engage in negotiations.

Rocco Calo, the union's secretary treasurer, said he was surprised by the company's stance.

"On Monday we made it very clear we were willing to negotiate," Calo said. "We have never said we're at impasse. Obviously it's upsetting. I think it's nothing more than a ploy to crush (strikers') spirits."

The union is planning additional rallies and is drawing support from other unions around the country, Calo said.

"Our services are needed. They're going to have to come back to the table and sit down and negotiate with us," Calo said.

The striking workers make about $65,000 annually with overtime and were offered a $2,000 ratification bonus, 3.5 percent annual pay raises and pension improvements, company officials said. The company agreed to delay implementing the health care changes until next year, according to the letter.

The union wants money allocated for bonuses and incentives in the rejected contract to offset health care costs instead.

United Technologies earned $3.07 billion last year, up from $2.67 billion in 2004.

Well for one thing I am younger and I don't even have 90 days.
I walk the the line at gate #2 from 6am-10am I am in group #2. As far as I am concerned this really sucks, the Union can't seem to get anything straight if you ask me. The didn't even have my name on the Picket list also the 11 other guys I started with, and when I asked when I should picket, they said go down whenever you can. They also said it was on the "honor system" for the first week and the following week we will sign people in. Well that didn't happen either so know one nows who is really on the line but I still do my time and the other younger guys that started with me also do there time.

Also let me add this, after the vote meeting I over heard a conversation from some older big shot Teamster "Well I am going to load the bike into the truck and head for Florida"
So how does that sound to us younger folks?
We all want to go back to work!!!!!!

Stay strong! Stay out! Keep fighting the good fight! They'll cave, they have to, they can't make it without us!

hey cracker.

if any of your brothers or sisters had a different belief than you - would you consider them lowlifes? geez... be more open minded...respect people who are individuals and arent being led off the cliff like a bunch of buffalo. no wonder they are "cutting ties" with their "family"... you guys have your fingers in your ears yelling "we're not listening!" like a bunch of stubborn kids. its exhausting.

Once again those 25 workers are just the begining. Plus they will be driving right through the gate in front of the strikers. This tells me that they are not afraid.

This will be the new way of SAC life. Union workers standing around doing nothing will be reported to supervisors. Union workers so lazy their feet drag across the ground will be reported to supervisors. Union workers milking the job for OT will be reported to supervisors. Union workers taking extra breaks will be reported to supervisors. Do you get the picture? Remember the real workers don't need the union to protect them. This also includes union members who come to work everyday and give the company a good days work. If you think you are the majority, you are delusional. After the real SAC workers figure out what a screwing they have been taking from the loafers, they are the ones who are going to be pissed. They will not be stashed, they will be standing right in front of you. Remember they had the balls to drive right by you for what they believed in. Hope to be 26th.

What was today's meeting about? Is Rocco really on vacation? Company says there's nothing to negotiate, unless we back down on health care. How long is this going to last? Or do we have to wait until the 15th to find out?

I would love to be #27, but they know where I live. Or so I've been reminded.

Also let me add this, after the vote meeting I over heard a conversation from some older big shot Teamster "Well I am going to load the bike into the truck and head for Florida"

Did he look like Rocco, I heard he's MIA.

- Inside the Factory -

MAC UPDATE

We are making excellent progress on first-quarter aircraft. The lead U.S. Army BLACK HAWKS are in paint and hangar operations. An MH-60R is complete through paint and is in the hangar. All lead aircraft on the line are staffed and being worked safely and aggressively. FOD audits, safety inspections, OSHA reviews, and Management Audits have been conducted, all with excellent results.

WCS/SPARES UPDATE

More than 1,000 spares shipments have occurred since the beginning of the strike. WCS Employees received required EH&S and PIV training yesterday. WCS Spares has received DCMA approval to ship all Military shipments from an offload vendor location.

O&R UPDATE

The Shelton O&R team completed Main Gear Box assembly work for an H-53E. The assembly was then sent to Stratford for tests. Following successful completion of these tests, the assembly was returned to Shelton where final assembly was completed and the part was painted. Weather permitting, it will be packaged in its shipping container before the end of the week.

PRECISION OPS UPDATE

We are demonstrating that Lean Cells really work. In fact, our Cuff Cell had a record month in February. Recognizing the benefits of getting into Lean Cells, we are using this opportunity to implement several more Lean Cells. Work has started on implementing the Hub and Carrier Cells. In addition, we are relocating the spindle assembly area to be connected with the rest of the Spindle Value Stream. Not only will with this fully connect the Spindle Value Stream, it will also free up space for about an 80-person office space.

WEST PALM BEACH UPDATE

UH-60Ms work is progressing and an MH-60S has completing the first portion of its flight load survey. Another MH-60S is starting its 7/14 day inspection in preparation for ground runs on Friday.

I would love to be #28 but they also know where I live and let me know before I left. And also told me that any who crosses the picket line, they will make our lives "living hell" when they return.

"THEY" won't be returning, so I wouldn't worry. Last update I got was that they now have over 200 former union members. Memberships have been resigned and they will be reporting for work over the next couple of weeks. Guess the union isn't as strong as they'd like to believe they are. Comments?

all of a sudden gkn is delivering 5 skins a day to the tail rotor cell ? how are the spars doing ? any mrb ? sure things are running smoothly ! i know the truth and so do you ! without us there to make it happen , it "aint" !

and for dead wood , who hired them ? i'll tell you who , i supervisors who could'nt determine a persons skills in 90 days , thats 3 months ! wow!!!! would you keep that supervisor on board ?

Strike money won’t be in till Saturday??? Then we can’t get the checks till Monday???? What is up with that? I was told by the union, as everyone else, we would be receiving checks weekly. Monday they will owe us 2 checks!!! Now the SOB's want union dues. Between taxes and dues, if we clear $125 we will be lucky! They said that they will not be drawing any pay because there will be no dues coming in. Guess Rocco needs to make a house payment. So with the leadership drawing full pay, what is their incentive to fight for us? They can pay for their heat and food. They cannot even pay me my $232 benefit on time. This will hurt the strikers. Rocco better get his act together or everyone will cross the line as a non union employee and he will be out of a job and a union!!!!!!!!

If this is true that some so called brothers and sisters going back as a yellow badge when WE DO GO back we will know who THESE brothers and sisters are. I WANT TO KNOW DID YOU SIGN A CONTRACT if so what will happen when its up, will they let you go back to the hourly rank and file. Maybe they will tell you thanks for your service but we DON"T NEED you anymore that your ex-brothers and sisters back to work. We will see all I have to say is I wish you the best.

The company will be wishing you the best.You guys don't get, the union got you guys to take a head shot. You'll be lucky to have a job.

Another reason younger workers might not be supporting the strike is that they are more apt to have pressing financial obligations that are inflexible - high mortgages, diapers, formula. These workers are also more likely to have experienced the reality of the job market, namely lower wages and higher medical insurance rates. They know SAC is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and are waiting for their chance to get back in.

If i am #26 it is because I made a CHOICE. there is nothing saying that I "HAVE TO BE" a union member. There were agency people before the strike and there will be agency people afterwards. It is our freedom of choice to do so. gee...that means I won't get to vote for new "leaders" or a new contract in a few years.
well my vote didn't count for anything this time. who's to say it would next time ???
I want my job, I want my insurance. I don't want to be on strike.
Just because I choose to think differently then you, well so be it. If you make my life a "living hell" when you come back, well so be it too. You weren't my friend before and you still won't be after.
I won't be happy seeing you all as I go in....it was not an easy decision, but it was one that I truly felt that I had to make.

get rid of the union stop messing around stand up for your rights. called a scab because you don't want to follow their foolishness. let's start a new brotherhood of people who want to work and believe in sac.

sickitall i hear you and support you will be right beside you

should be for sickofitall sorry

- Inside the Factory -

Do you think it says inside for a reason. What happens in vegas stays in vegas.

It's funny reading "anonymous" the pro union guy above. "when WE DO GO back we will know who THESE brothers and sisters are" an obvious Lazy Ass that needs a union to protect a job that he would have been fired from anywhere else in the country! Wake up, stop dreaming,,,you're not the teamsters of 30-40 years ago! You DONT scare anyone - the majority of people are laughing at you when they drive by. Also your strike isn't even news worthy anymore outside of the local area. We don't need all of you back anyway, the 1/4 of you that actually take pride in their work and give an honest effort will be all that's needed. They can work in the core competencies that stay inhouse, the rest of the work is in the process of being outsourced anyway. You guys just don't get it!

This editorial is from today's Stratford Star (local newspaper). This pretty much sums up the total lack of support the union has received from the public. I'll bet the CT Post, NH Register and Htfd Courant have editors with the same ideas but won't publish them for fear of losing a few subscriptions.

For peace of mind

Out on the Sikorsky picket line last week on day five of the strike, while waiting for Sen. Christopher Dodd to arrive, I asked Attorney General Richard Blumenthal what he would say to the other 3.5 million Connecticut residents who pay more than Sikorsky's employees do for health insurance and get worse coverage.

That's what Sikorsky's Teamsters Local 1150 workers are on strike for, health insurance.

The helicopter company offered a three-year contract with three consecutive 3.5 percent wage increases, a $2,000 signing bonus, and pension improvements. However, the pro­posed contract also included higher employee contributions and lower benefits for health insurance.

Teamster leader Rocco Calo said the union offered to shift money from the wage increases to keep the same health benefits that workers have now, but company management said no, so the union walked out. Now North Main Street is a traffic nightmare.

I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1980. That's what North Main Street is like now in front of Sikorsky: a parade of cars and trucks, crowds of people shouting, police cars with lights flashing at every corner. Standing by the curb at the picket line, I half expected passing motorists to throw beads.

What wrinkles my brow is that my health insurance is picayune compared with what the Teamsters have. (Picayune comes from picaioun, a small Spanish coin).

In one of Barbra Streisand's early movies, her motorbike is stolen, and then she finds out her insurance won't cover it. "Why am I paying for insurance?" she asks. The insurance agent replies, "For peace of mind." That's like my health insurance.

And I'm considerably better off than 45 million Americans who have no health insurance at all.

I've talked to many people in the past week who are having a hard time sympathizing with the Teamsters, who are battling for benefits that the rest of us lost when the mastodons went extinct.

So I thought I had asked Blumenthal a pertinent question. I was an impertinent interviewer, however, asking such a question with Calo standing right there and other Teamsters circled around.

Blumenthal said the Teamsters are fighting for all those other people who are losing their health benefits, although the Sikorsky workers are "not going to solve the health care crisis in America," he added.

Nobody said an attorney general had to make sense while surrounded by Teamsters.

I asked Calo the same question. This is part of collective bargaining, he said. The Teamsters just want to maintain their benefit package, and "they're willing to give up wages" to do it.

Dodd arrived in a shiny, black SUV. He was wearing a black Teamsters Local 1150 jacket with his name stitched on it. "You deserve these benefits," he said, and the Teamsters cheered.

"Ask anybody about health care costs," Dodd told reporters. "They're going through the ceiling." (He meant the costs, not the people.)

So I asked, what's the matter with the nation's health care insurance, Senator? Who's pushing the cost through the roof?

"There are a lot of things causing the rise in health care costs," said Dodd. He patted my arm and said, "You're doing a great job," and moved on without further comment.

Yeah, a lot of things are to blame. Doctors and nurses make mistakes. Lawyers wait like vultures to file malpractice suits. Malpractice insurance is very expensive. Health insurance companies' administrative costs average more than $1,000 per policy per year. Drug companies charge us for their advertising budgets. And so on.

No wonder Dodd didn't answer. It would take a book.

It's the best in the world if you're rich, or a U.S. senator. But nowadays there are even people whose net worth is more than $1 million, yet they can't even get the kind of basic health insurance that used to be common 20 years ago.

Life expectancy in the United States is 77.1 years, as opposed to 79.4 years in Canada (according to About.com), even though 15 percent of the national income goes into health care.

When my daughter was born in 1986, our insurance picked up every cent of the bills except for $96, which we had to pay for a private hospital room for four days. Fuggedaboutit.

Time doesn't flow backwards, and neither does health insurance. You'll never see those basic benefit packages again.

Sikorsky's Teamsters know that. That's why they want to keep living in the past, because once they are in the 21st Century there'll be no going back.

As for the rest of us, we'll have to settle for peace of mind

I saw Rocco at Bradley this AM. All dressed up in aloha attire. Wonder where he was going? He said something about he heard second hand that it was cold on the picket lines. Wonder what he meant?

Let me see. They want to get paid just for showing up. The company owes them these benefits because they made record profits. They insult women who have to go to work. Then they get protected because some supervisor is picking on them for doing nothing. So where do they get the motivation to find out where we live and make our lives a living hell? I am so scared, aren't you? Seems to me that they are so violent and angry to protect their country club life style.

PS:While I was writting this post. I got the call. I think I'm #26. See you sometime next week.

I am a new younger employee and I have to say I feel I have been totaly missrepresented, My reason for not walking on the pickett line is I am embarrassed at the actions of some of my co workers, I never thought I would see grown adults acting so childish,
I started wakling the line last week and even tho I did not agree with the
so called 'reasons' to strike,
I showed up at my designated time and gate, At the time I believed that I was doing my part to support my co workers and my union who in my mind were also looking out for my best intrests,
Like I said at the time, because now seeing how this is transpiring. I have to say that I/we are getting screwed,
I could really not care less about the cost of a healthcare increase of 30 dollars a week, Probably like 10 for me being single. I had to pay much more for worse coverage at my last job and so does everyone else I know. I do not even use it and in the entire time I have had it since I started working out of school I have used it only for 3 checkups so I can really say I am paying for everyone else allready,

And now I have to place my job and livelyhood on the alter of helthcare (reform)???
'Like that will happen'
Well I say BS to that. I am sick of this stupidity, If all of you want to be martyrs that is fine with me, Just don't expect to see me filing for unemployment with you,
Some noble cause.
I realize that I/we have a very good job and I do not want to loose it over something I don't even care about, And how is losing all of these thousands of dollars helping any of us?
Lets pay for 10 years of increased premiums before we give in, Great Logic....
Yea' That will show UTC,(OUR EMPLOYER)
Yea that is in our best intrests.....
The company is not budging on there position, And they never have, What does that tell you?
We are all going to go back to a very diffrent enviornment, The company wants to move some stuff elsewhere right,

If we all go back that is, and who will be sacrificed first?? All of us young new hires,
are gone (union rules) we have less seionority.

So maybe that is one reason you don't see allot of us out there, We are new and realize how good we had it at Sikorsky and how expensive this crap really is. And add to that we realize we are your buffer against losing your jobs,
Would all of you been so gung ho to strike if you were in our positions?
Thanks..

So I thank all of the lemmings who voted to strike and have a few weeks vacation
(heard that allot) and to the union who in my opionion incited this strike by misleading the members and questionable voting practices,
(just in case)?
Those ballots were a joke!
I think we are being used in something much bigger than we all know.
Count me in as number 26!

I can't help myself, I have to chime in here.
I'm not a union worker but I do work for a UTC division and know the business after 15 years.
Did UTC LEAN itself into a backlog of work? Yes
Is all this Kaisen and ACE being shoved down our throats ridiculous? Yes (While I do think they both have merits, if management on local levels don't support it, why should I). I don't agree with everything this corporation does by any means but I have to agree, their standpoint on this healthcare issue is what's best for the company.
What I don't understand is the teamsters support of this strike or union at all. The real need for a union hasn't existed for a long time. All a union does these days is protect people who don't want to work, prevent hard workers from climbing the ladder because some lazy bum has more seniority than he does and take money from all of you in the form of dues only to not win the "good fight" for you. This fight has already been lost, you will be paying more for your insurance whether it's working at Sikorsky or somewhere else. The 3.5% annual raises you all are willing to accept that the union has fought for isn't good, you can get 3.5% raises without the union. In fact, those of you who are hard workers could possibly get better on merit without a union.
You can all tell me I'm nuts or I don't understand, hell, I don't understand. I say forget this "brotherhood" crap. Take care of your families, go back to work. I would venture a guess that your union dues alone would probably be more than your insurance deductions.

I don't want to ramble, I know I already have.
Someone just tell me this. What has the union really done for any of you? Besides take your money, that is? Anything that's really worth all this nonsense? The two weeks pay you already lost would have paid for the insurance rates they want to charge you for the entire year already. Wake up guys, the union isn't worth it.

If I were a union member, the most troubling part for me would be the strategy the Union leaders opted for. Putting all your eggs in one basket (healthcare) was a terrible tactical mistake. Even if that was the big concern, you should have left some wiggle room so both sides could compromise somewhere along the way. Any deal that impacts items other than healthcare now would bruise too many union leader egos.

Why in the world would UTC make an exception for a division that makes up only 5% of the bottom line? Folks I hate to tell you, but it would be no sweat for a company the size of UTC to just write us off as a loss - wouldn't affect anything on their end.

This strike only serves to hurt the Sikorky community.

How long can you folks put up with being led to the slaughter. Lets see:

1. 3500 Teamsters think they are going to buck 220,000 UTC health insurance policies. Noble, buut stupid.

2. Your strike pay is already a week late,as if the strike was a surprise to the mafia run local 1150?

3. Oh by the way, in order to get your check, you'll need to fork over $58 dollars to Rocco and his lacky Harvey. Lovely...

4. You picked the wrong battle homeboys.

If Sikorsky is so bad, hop on the Harley and head down to Philly. Boeing could use you.

If the oxycontin crew could get re-instated, and the Teamsters nationaly could have more indicted leaders in jail than former Connecticut politicians, stand proud. You guys have alot to be proud of!!!!

Has Rocco returned from the cruise yet?

before I get flamed over spelling, I meant "Sikorsky"

I think everyone needs to call the union hall and request a revote on the contract offer we had. Voting with a little privacy. Now that everyone should have learned a little bit about how the medical plan works we should see if there is a difference.

Otherwise call your HR rep and they will give you the information you need to come back.

Best of all, Rocco you thick headed mother fer, arrainge for the 3600 employees to work under the old contract until a new one can be agreed upon. There is a stipulation that if agreed between the union and company we could work for 1 year under the old contract. Lets get something going here. I am all done sitting around waiting to go back to work and will cross the line if I have to.

Rocco, stick your $58 up your fat A**!!!!

Something should be said for the fact you guys have hung all your hopes on a guy name Rocco?

What's his last name?
Bagohdonuts?

LETTING GO

Open your arms young child
Feel the warmth of thy own tears.
As I caress your naked bosom
Let Love wash away all your fears

Much will be said in silence
For the power of stillness is great.
Much will be said in Love
For its power to overcome hate

Many will be the days
When our Love will seem confusing.
May your heart be always open
For I will never be refusing.

We have this world my dear
To show us what is fake.
Life is our great teacher,
May Love be our great escape.

Harry Bolman 1986/87

Time to leave the Union behind. Get back to work and start getting along again.

If someone has not received a call from HR asking if they are interested into coming back to work just give them a call. Any employee is eligible to go back to work if willing to cross the line. Good luck to all and lets put a stop to Rocco before all of us do not have a job to return to. Either way the work will eventually get done without us. I have worked there long enough in many different areas and it is not rocket science. Remember it only takes one person that knows each area to train replacement workers. With 6000 and many that came from the floor there is a good posibility they will eventually get up to speed. The instructions and blueprints may not be right but there is always another aircraft or part to look at to figure it out. Everyone is replaceable.

Just to prove how much Rocco does not know, open to page #48 of the contract. Now read section 9.16. The vacation pay for this year is not covered in the contract. How is he filing unfair labor charges against the company for withholding vacation pay when the last year covered in the contract is 2005. I am not a college graduate and do not know much about labor laws other than the research I have recently done and it seems I know more about labor laws than Rocco. The only shot he has with unfair labor practices is not negotiating on medical benefits which is a long shot.

If he doesn't get an unfair labor practice charge to stick it will be an economic strike instead of an unfair labor practice strike. The difference between the two is during an economic strike is the employees can be replaced permanently. Every hourly employee better think hard about what you want to do, this is you jobs and family welfare at stake here. How many of you are going to stand proud and tell your spouses that you dont have a job anymore because Rocco told you net to.

In no way I am trying to tell anybody to work or not I just want to make it known how we are being led by someone that obviously has no idea what he is doing. Maybe he needs our $58 each to get a labor attorney to tell him whats going on. Read the contract section and read the 1150 website about the charges filed with the NLRB.

Good night and good luck.

This company must be great to work for with the kind of friendly people that chat between themselves in these blogs here. Makes me really wonder if it's worth even working there anymore with such great careing human beings, That talk alot of crap hideing behind a screen. You really learn the facts here? This is not reality. At least I hope not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

M.L. I have to agree with you. But anyone with a computer, union or not, sikorsky or some jerk, can post their opinion or what they want others to believe. One of the many anonymous have said it right "Educate yourself, don't believe the hype!!" Blessings to all. (The Wife)

Gee... After reading these posts, I'd better call HR and beg for my job back!!! I'll swing by Union Hall and tell the executive board to disregard my oath. Then I can walk through/over my friends and co-workers of twenty five years with my head held high in the thought that I have no integrity or honor, but I'll get PAID next week!!!

Yes, I am being sarcastic.

Don't let yourself be coerced or intimidated, only to be USED as bargaining chip for the company. If the propaganda posted hear makes you nervous, share your thoughts with other members. Get the straight FACTS. Believe half of what you see at the plant and NONE of what you hear second hand or read in this blog.

Strike pay checks will be distributed on Mon. or Tues. for this week. Your dues are not due until the end of March, but get them in by the third week so that there is no interruption in your strike pay checks. Jimmy Hoffa and Teamsters from surrounding areas will be on hand for a rally at the Stratford Plant at 12:00 Noon on Thursday March, 9.

Stay the course Teamsters. BEST WISHES!

HOLY CRAP!! What a clown show this has become! Pay attention, already:

Healthcare is a benefit given to employees. UTC is attempting to align the package offered to its employees. Sikorsky's hourly union has had the luck of being the last of the UTC employee segments to have their previously generous benefits reduced to meet everyone else's.

STRIKE FOR UNFAIR PRACTICES?!?! Sounds to me like the union are elistists and UTC is bringing them back to earth.

I dare those Teamster-jacket-wearing politicians to come back now. You won't see them pandering to the union again...they are all afraid of George David.

Word is that the salaried contingency employees are afraid... after being lined up like they were at boot camp and being told what WILL be accomplished by them OR ELSE, by S.F. Yeah, they treat you like gold!!!

TEAMster - that's amazing. The union will do anything it has to try to maintain control over someone who tries to think for themselves or look out for their best interest. You accuse people wo are going back to work of walking over friends and co-workers in one place and then "brothers" are threatening that if the guilt doesn't work, their lives will be made hell or worse. Gang tactics. Mob tactics. Teamster tactics.
Wake up strikers... its only a team and you're only "friends and brothers" if you follow orders and keep your mouths and brains shut.

I really ned my job back..Im starting to hurt financially...now the union wants 58.00 a month..thats just plain nuts...

IF the HR was to call me tomorow..I would go back in a heart beat..I need my job..i love workin for sikorsky and its the best job i ever had...

People who voted against the contract have really no idea what it is in the outside job world like i do....

Yeah Lineman, you're right... SF did gather everyone together ...to tell them what a great job they are doing and how much it is appreciated. And then there's the free lunches and snacks for everyone. What a terrible thing to do to the workforce. And all that teamwork and smiling is getting tiresome. Riiighht!!You have no idea what is going on inside while you're huddled around a barrel.

At about 10:30 this morning, a supervisor that I know was contacted by one of his hourly employees and asked about coming back to work. The supervisor contacted HR. He was told that 60 Hourly employees had called HR and requested information about how to return to work. That was before 10:30 this morning. Where you guys are getting the number 25 is beyond me, but it sounds like another case of union retoric getting the numbers all wrong. Like how much money do they need to have in the bank in order to pay you your strike benefits.
If the number of Hourly employees that actually felt strongly enough to make the phone call to HR was 60 that early this morning, it's probably much higher by now. While 60 is a small percentage of 3,500, if the comments that I've been reading on this web page are any indication, I think you've got a problem. If even the 1,500 who either voted to accept the contract or didn't vote were to return to work, Sikorsky will be back to pre strike production rates in no time. That would be a great time for UTC to cut their costs even more by permanently ridding themselves of the other 2,000 union members, AND the union, all in one fell swoop, and hire replacement workers who will start at much lower wages than those who have been getting regular increases for the past 20 or 30 years. That would be a huge win-win situation for UTC and Sikorsky, from a shareholder's point of view because lower cost means higher profits.
Steve Finger told us yesterday that he may have to ask salary employees to keep working the line and backshops for 6 weeks or more, and that the contingency plan will be put into play a step at a time. That tells me that Sikorsky and UTC are prepared to stand firm and do whatever it takes to do it - if that means hiring new workers to replace those on the picket line, I don't think they much care - while it might have an effect in the short term, the long term cost savings would more than make up for it - do the math - take the hourly raes that were published in the newspapers and look at the difference between the lowest wage and the highest - even if the company could lower the hourly rate of 10% of the 3,500 union members at top wage to that of the lowest wage, calculate the savings, from their point of view - and that's without even figuring in the savings in health care costs because you know those returning to work, and any replacement workers are going to have to settle for the healthcare package offered in the contract - get out a calculator and do the numbers -

All the company has to do is find a way to do it - that's real easy - offer any hourly employee who calls HR a chance to come back, sans their union membership, under the terms currently offered not only in the contract, but to the 6,000 of us that are salary, and the union has nothing to take to the labor board - who do you think knows more about labor law - UTC, with all it's corporate lawyers, or Rocco?
I'd say UTC and Sikorsky know exactly how to do it, and it's called a contingency plan, that has probably been used, tweaked, and re-used, at every UTC division that's already done this - what at least 4 times - let's see - Pratt, Hamilton, Carrier, Otis - and worked! And now it's being implemented at Sikorsky.

Think about it - has Rocco got any experience? How about UTC - do you think they do? They've been through this, more than once, it's what they get paid to do, and they've got at least 4 t-shirts.

If I had not gone salary several years ago, and were still a member of 1150, I'd be real worried if I was going to find myself unemployed real soon, with a boarded up building that used to be called Union Hall up for auction. I'd wonder if I was going to find myself driving by Sikorsky and watching all those people who showed up for the job fair driving into their well paying jobs at Sikorsky while I tried to find Rocco to get the money he owed me so that maybe I could buy a couple of boxes of maccaroni to feed my hungry family.
Think about it - is it worth losing your job over? When you tell people that you work at Sikorsky, how often do you hear that they wish they worked there because that's a really good job. How many times have you just smiled to yourself and tried not to make the person saying that feel bad. Do you even know how much you make per hour, or does it keep going up so often that you can't even remember what your hourly rate is? Since you've been working at SA, have you ever been turned down for any credit that you've ever applied for? Ever had to wonder whether you would be able to pay for your kids' needs or educations? Ever had to worry about anything financial? Have any idea what minimum wage is, or ever worked piecework? Or how much the hours you currently work would fetch you at that rate, or at any other company in the area that might have enough work to hire you? And would you be required to work M-F with holidays off to spend with your families, or would your work schedule be much different? For those who have been with SA for decades - do you even know how to do anything else or have any skills that would be sought after by anyone else?

My sincere best wishes to Larry Zunski, an outstanding transmission/rotorhead mechanic who worked his ass of to get an engineering degree.

Larry possesses mechanical aptitude, education and had a great rapport with his many friends on the shop floor.

Apparently another of his attributes is common sense. He left Sikorsky to join Bell at a 30% pay increase a few weeks ago after he was passed over for a raise one too many times.

You made the right move Lar'

That does sound like an intelligent choice. But "hmmmm" who posted above is getting free snacks and balogna snadwiches from the cafeteria!

I do now, and always have, respected my co-workers in the hourly workforce. That being said I feel very sorry for them now. Sikorsky can't back down on the health insurance issue. UTC won't let them; it wouldn't be fair to the other hourly employees in other UTC divisions around the country.

Many of you are employees of extensive experience and I think that you were regarded with great respect. One of the ways that the company demonstrated that respect was by providing you with pay, benefits and work conditions that were superior to virtually any others in the local area.

That is what was, what is now?

You have demonstrated that you don’t understand how good you had it, now you will have to learn.

You have developed skills, but most are not highly unique ones. I have personally received calls from two friends wondering if SAC is hiring replacement workers. SF said yesterday that they aren’t, NOT YET.

I don’t want to have to get to know a bunch of new people. Remember why you first started working at Sikorsky,

Was it to join a union? [I didn’t think so]

Was it to earn a good paycheck?

Was it to get good benefits?

Was it to take care of your families?

Only you can answer those questions

After more than twenty years I still get that thrill of pride when hear about one of our helicopters saving a life or performing a rescue.

Our customers won’t do without our helicopters or spare parts. We will continue to build and deliver them, it may be harder, for a while, without you but its not impossible and it’s getting easier every day.

Sorry for rambling

Oneofsixthousand

The sound off question in todays New HavRegister was "should Sikorsky workers pay more for their healthcare?" You can be sure that they will print all the negative comments, as they are anti union. Anyway, my comment is this, "I'll pay more when the city, state and federal workers along with Dodd, DeLauro, Shays, and Lieberman pay more. They get everything for next to nothing with OUR money in the way of property taxes, state income taxes and federal taxes. The Stratford police department pays $18.26 weekly for their family coverage, with $10 office visit co-pays. Call your local cities and towns like I did and find out what city workers are paying. Yes, they're dedicated lovely hard working people, but we cannot afford them anymore, not when we have to pay so much for our own and most of theirs; and let's not even start to discuss state workers; they don't even have to pay for their $88 medicare premium, we pay for that also. I think its time that these DISCRIMINATORY practices are stopped. Your tax dollars are being given to other people to get things that you cannot afford for yourselves. As far as the politicians are concerned, I agree with the letter writer in the New Haven Register; they should all go back to Washington, they don't pay for their healthcare and God only knows what they'll get in retirement, and they come to Sikorsky and want to march with the strikers, I have no use for any of them, Democrats or Republicans, because they could do something about this healthcare crisis if they wanted to, but they are too busy taking bribes (Oh, I'm sorry, I mean campaign contributions) from the insurance companies and the drug companies, they are all ruthless opportunists. I just wish the hourly and salary workers would unite and realize that we will all eventually go down together because corporate America wants to get rid of ALL OF US. The private sector is going fast, all the jobs are being outsourced. However, the biggest joke will be on the public sector (city,state & federal workers) because after everyone loses their jobs and middle class lifestyle, where will the money come from to pay our property taxes? When we take jobs at Walmart, Costco, McDonalds, or as home health aides, we certainly won't be paying much state income taxes, so I don't know how the state will be able to continue paying the workers and retirees their benefits. The other day I read in the paper that the teachers union wants a constitutional amendment to Connecticuts constitution to guarantee them their pension (something else we'll have to pay for if its passed) Will our pension be there when we retire? Speaking of retirement, we get a handshake, a 401K, and our pension if its still there unless Sikorsky figures out a way to take that away too. Call your cities and towns where you live and find out what others get when they retire (compliments of you). You will be mighty surprised. My hope is that God will intervene soon and stop all the Corporate Greed that is destroying our great country. LONG LIVE THE MIDDLE CLASS...........

hey guys by the way...how many gears they scrap in the gear room so far? And if the did happen to get any right at all can ya give me a #.....don't forget..scouts honor...your farther and farther behind by the day and you damn well know it..<3 that little bonus good bye

Yea, anon 12.26, I will send the union the bill for my rent, and my car insurance and my other 6 bills that will not be paid next month,
Yes this strike is helping me so much I am fighting the good fight, RA,RA,RA!!! Pathetic....

I am a new employee and honestly I am really not looking forward to crossing the line,
But I will and not because I am a scab and have no loyalty to who? Oh wait a minute to the people who treated me like a 'p.o.s' when I started and gave me just enough instruction to be able to do it wrong so they could fix it. (infront of the supervisor) I guess I was a new hire and I was working too fast for the union shop,or they were worried about us newbies sucking up thier overtime. Whatever it was we were treated like crap! and god forbid you try to do too much work, That made us the enemy I guess. All I wanted to do was be good at my job and when I started I assumed I would be given proper training and be treated with respect, But insted we were treated like unwanted stray dogs.
I guess we were not good enough to be lazy yet!

Oh after awhile people started talking to us and giving us some good instruction but how can I call someone brother who tried to sabotage my presence since day one? I am not saying everyone was this way but it seemed the one's who were were the one's who had to do the training,
Job security? I don't know, it was like we were pledging a fraternity or something. (union)???

And now we are all in this together, Right,
Be Strong Yea, I almost laugh when I read these posts.
It is like what Germany in the 30's must have been, A population ruled by a small group of fanatics(rocco & cronies) who drive them right into the abyss, and everyone goes right along chanting and believing they are right. (Do you really think we are going to start a healthcare revolution in this country?)
Emotion is not a good way to vote!!

How many people would kill to have our jobs?
We need to think for ourselves and for what is in our own best intrests, you know the union is not.
First you have to admit that to yourselves,
I know it is hard to believe that but do the research for yourselves and see why we are on strike, Why we have lost thousands of dollars,
and possibly our jobs, Why could we not keep working on the existing contract while negotiatians continued?
(Oh that would have been a third box on the ballot.)And what a joke that vote was anyway.
Another display of union control.
Do you really think we were thoroughly informed on the contract and on the consequences of a economic strike!!(thats what this is)
I feel used and abused by this whole situation,
We are all losers in this one sadly, and unless these union heads come to thier senses they would be content to starve us all. They are still getting paid. What incentive do they have? It is like a big party for them, with publicity for the union on top of it all.

Well not me, I have been out in the real world (where you actually had to work to get paid) and I know how good this job is and I will gladly give 8 hours work for 8 hours pay.
And I would gladly give another 20 bucks a week for my DAMN healthcare.

So it is for my selfrespect I go back.
I do not want to be used as a pawn.

And hopefully all those who look to make my life a living hell when they come back will not have jobs to come back too.
That would be what should happen. And if there is any justice in the world that's what will happen.

Then they can find a job where they actually had to produce results and I wish I could see that when it happens.

So everyone who feels used and values thier jobs call HR and pull the rugs right out from under these slugs.

Local 1150 Right off the cliff,,,

The flaw with the original topic, "where are the younger workers?" is that most of the new hires work evenings. Therefore, they picket the later hours. I picket from 2 to 6 and see many new hires/ youngins doin the walk.
AJ

I think the hard headed union members should pay for my bills coming up! Wake up and smell the coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!! You think that 4 other companies couldn't stop UTC and YOU honestly think Rocco and 1150 will? Your absolutely ignorant! I'm stuck between union and corporate! It didn't matter what I voted, It took unlevel headed mongers who think because your you are going to change society and the way big business runs in this world!!! I called HR and my name is in there to be called back. Oh stand together so we can become broke together. REALLY BRILLIANT!!!!!

Seems like in just a matter of hours this blog went from a "GO TEAMSTERS" forum to a "GO COMPANY" forum. It seems as though the tide is turning. Are that many of you really ready to resign your memberships and go back to work as salaried? You know, you can get rid of your leadership and still remain in the union. You can all for an election to replace Rocco. Has anyone thought about attacking this problem in that way? Instead of jumping ship, why not just elect a new captain?

With the number last night being over 200 hourlies resigning their union memberships and coming back to work next week, one can only wonder how much longer it will be before the union is booted out of Sikorsky entirely. If you have to make a decision between staying union and jobless or resigning and going back as salaried, what will YOU do?

Sikorsky officials hopeful strike will end soon, even without a new contract in place

Friday, March 3, 2006

BY ANUSHA SHRIVASTAVA

Copyright © 2006 Republican-American

Expressing disappointment over a disagreement on health care costs, Sikorsky Aircraft officials said they see no reason to resume negotiations with striking union workers.

Instead, they say, they expect the nearly 3,600 workers to reconsider their decision to strike.

"We have been contacted by hourly employees who have expressed a desire to return to work," said Bud Grebey, a spokesman for Sikorsky, adding the company would not specify how many employees had contacted them.

"We see no basis for resuming negotiations. We are operating under a contingency plan implemented after the union decided to strike," Grebey said.

Thursday was the strike's 11th day.

Grebey said Sikorsky sent a letter to the union on Thursday describing it's unwillingness to accept the company's health care plan as "discouraging."

Despite the intransigence on both sides, one industry analyst still thought a compromise could be reached.

"I don't think this will be a prolonged strike," said Paul Nisbet, a researcher with aerospace firm JSA Research in Newport, R.I.

Pointing out that the company still has 6,000 nonunion employees who are not on strike, Nisbet said the union should recognize that Sikorsky will probably not negotiate on the health care issue.

Sounds to me like Rocco had better get his fat @$$ back to town and start rallying the troops. What a bunch of sissies you are... backing down before you even made two weeks.

TO A.J

I'll concede that point to an extent. The 1st shift has plenty of young people in the shop though and I see a handful on the picket line.
Thanks
JG

Something is really wrong here. The general opinion is that you are going to lose your jobs! If all other UTC companies already did this, don't you think maybe your Teamster leaders led you to slaughter? Why didn't other companies strike when this offer was made to them? What did the Teamsters do to you? Did Rocco really go on vacation? This is not the 1920's when unions really made a difference. And what about comments being made to concerned strikers "we know where you live" and they will make their lives a living hell! It looks like they already did! This is really heart wrenching to see, in this day and age that so many can be led this way. Clearly it looks like you have a union that is out for themselves, people going on vacation, still wanting the $58.00 and then threats! Oh lord I can't believe this is happening in 2006! I hope you all know what you're doing. There are so many people out of work,your positions can be filled! If it comes to that, people will be trained to do your jobs. God help you because the union isn't! I am following the blog not an employee and really on the outside looking in. Good luck to all of you!

not backing down just seeing the reality of it all
the majority made a poor choice and you want all of us to pay for it. there was no brotherhood when i started they took my money but treated me like a scab from day one guess i have nothing to loose.

Well we will see what goes on monday morning about all this stuff about being asked to come back. I will be at gate #2 at 4:30a.m. just to see who some of these people are. Not that I really care but just to see if all this is true. Because I think it takes more than a phone call and you go in. There has to be some kind of legal document you have to sign. And like they say in the armed services, don't sign up or volunteer for anything. It is no different at SIK. I think I can wait before jumping to conclusions. Remember the point man always gets killed first.

Let's not panic. Stop and think. Could it be that the company is spreading these rumors of some of us going back so that they can scare us all into going back on their terms? Come on! It is only week two. We started this fight, let's finish it. Don't let rumors scare you. We can make this happen if we stick together, but if we let them break us apart, then we have nothing.

People!! You are standing out in the cold watching your jobs being outsourced!
Consider the hard line from S/A, it is so obvious they are playing you while they expedite their offload efforts.
I see it happening inside, better get back to work before it's all gone.
You think there will be an machine parts waiting to be cut when you get back? No! It's all going out and you know it never comes back!
Get back to work!

George David makes 5 mil./year and is responsible for how many seperate companies and how many hundred thousand employees, Rocco makes how much (haven't seen that posted anywhere) and is responsible for 3600 people. Do the math, who earns more for the responsibility each holds?

"don't sign up or volunteer for anything" Now that's union talk!

This was cut from a post by:
enlightened1 at March 3, 2006 04:56 AM

"How many people would kill to have our jobs?
We need...�

Your question should have been, How many people WILL BE KILLED BEFORE WE have our jobs BACK?

That is an answer I do not have, in 1996 it was 4. You may recall good old Irwin. While he was killing off inspection, KAYDON burned.

Sikorsky's senior stable of MBAs suffers from a lack of healthy fear that aviation presents on a continuing basis. Aviation doesn't suffer fools lightly. Aviation doesn't care if you’re an hourly or salary employee. If you mess up it will be reported on the obituary page. The sad part is that the name on the obituary page is usually not the person who created the situation that leads to a disaster. That's how it went down in May of 1996!

One of good old Irwin’s fellow VP’s, (the last of a breed that came up through the ranks & knew how an aircraft was built referred to him as, “Irwin, you ??? bastard!
As I am not an anti-Semite I will let you fill in the blank. I’ll give you a hint, 3 letter word, first letter follows I in the alphabet, last letter is a W.

This was cut from a post by:
enlightened1 at March 3, 2006 04:56 AM
http://forum.connpost.com/picketline/archive/2006/03/generation_gap.html#comments

"How many people would kill to have our jobs?
We need...�

Your question should have been, How many people WILL BE KILLED BEFORE WE have our jobs BACK?

That is an answer I do not have, in 1996 it was 4. You may recall good old Irwin. While he was killing off inspection, KAYDON burned.

Sikorsky's senior stable of MBAs suffers from a lack of healthy fear that aviation presents on a continuing basis. Aviation doesn't suffer fools lightly. Aviation doesn't care if you’re an hourly or salary employee. If you mess up it will be reported on the obituary page. The sad part is that the name on the obituary page is usually not the person who created the situation that leads to a disaster. That's how it went down in May of 1996!

One of good old Irwin’s fellow VP’s, (the last of a breed that came up through the ranks & knew how an aircraft was built referred to him as, “Irwin, you ??? bastard!
As I am not an anti-Semite I will let you fill in the blank. I’ll give you a hint, 3 letter word, first letter follows I in the alphabet, last letter is a W.

This is a perfect example of the stupidity that has lead us to this point.

((Sounds to me like Rocco had better get his fat @$$ back to town and start rallying the troops. What a bunch of sissies you are... backing down before you even made two weeks.))

So this is like a game to you??
What amount of time and money should we loose before you are satisfied we are not sissies???

What an ignorant thing to say!

I feel dumber from just being exposed to your stupidity.

Unfortunately letting people like this have a choice in our contract vote led us to this point.

Union drawback #1 you are a prisioner of the group and I am not letting my future be decided by people who act like a bunch of 5 year olds.

Lets scream and whine,They HAVE to give us what we want, Do you really believe that????

Hopefully everyone who reads this can see the truth and sends these useless people out to the pawn shops to try to make thier rent payment,
I will be there with my paycheck to buy back what I had to give up,

F*** them, Atleast everyone who voted for ratification go back to work and they will not have a leg to stand on!!!

Never had a union before and never want one again!

we are all done at sikorsky things will never be the same again i just hope I have a job when this BS is over see ya on the line

To Enlightened1:
I bet they sent you to the tool crib to get them a gallon or two of "downwash" or was it 50 ft of "flightline"
Yeah, you were a threat to them being new and a go-getter, you had to be put in your proper place.
Can't rise with so many dragging you down.
I hope for good things for you and yours.

to the union members;
Like a chain,your only as strong as your weakest link

Looks like someone already taken our jobs!

Title: Helicopter Personnel
Location: Strafford, CONNECTICUT
Company: Reliance Aerotech Services
Click here to Apply or find out more.
Description: Reliance Aerotech Services is seeking highly qualified Helicopter Specialist in the following skill areas for a short term fill-in contract in Strafford CT.
Aircraft Painters A&P Mechanics Precision assemblers / flight safety parts Machine part assemblers Electrical aircraft installers Electrical assemblers(Avionics) Sheet metal workers Composite workers Machinists Aircraft Inspectors

Applicants must have three or more year's experience in their respective skill discipline. Rotor wing experience required and military aircraft maintenance experience is a plus.

This is a short term contract starting ASAP.

Pay package will be $30.00 per hour straight, $45.00 per hour overtime. Per-diem will range from $50.00 per day for local employees and up to $150.00 per day for out of state employees.

Work schedules will be 40 hours straight time and 15 hours overtime per week.

Contact the Recruiter at (615) 627-0742, email resume to resumes@relianceaerotech.com, or fax to (615)627-0743. EOE
Job Updated: 2/27/2006

Looks like they are looking for some temp replacements. Too bad no one will be able to keep the job when the strike is over.

Suppose this strike is deemed by the courts to be an ECONOMIC strike vs what the teamsters are calling an UNFAIR LABOR strike?

The reasons this has been called unfair labor don't add up. You can ask for a new car as a signing bonus and because they don't entertain your request does not constitute unfair labor. Your request to be the only UTC with a different health plan is about that dumb.

So, back to the ECONOMIC strike, in that situation the replacement workers are not teminated if and when this strike ends. They remain permanent workers.

Are you people really kidding me? Waiting outside the gate at 4:30 AM Monday morning to see if the rumors are true that hourlies are coming back to work? They are already back here at work!!!!!! And FYI, SAC is not calling them to see if they will return, they are calling SAC begging to be allowed to return to work!! To all of my hourly friends: it will be difficult for SAC to do this without you, but they are trying. Right now, it's even odds. Come back to work now before another airframe and another 200 jobs go out of the gate to another place.

I have a great idea on how you can settle this issue simply put your union dues toward your medical. Sounds like a plan to me. Oh yeah now that you all have had time to hopefully look at the contract SIK first offered and understand it maybe you should reconcider where you put your money. Aren't you tired of being hoodwinked by 1150. You must concede you have been mislead by them.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. The point man in this case doesn't get killed first.....(Anon at 7:20AM). He will get paid first. Remember that while you still wait, 2 weeks into this, for your first union check (with dues taken out).

Hey I don't know about you but $70 bucks a week sounds wonderful to me right now. You see I just got off the phone with Cobra have to pay $1359.00 a month to hopefully keep my family somewhat secure and hopefully healthly when were all out in the cold because of the mounting bills that keep coming in. Oh yeah but if you are healthly don't worry according to the union you don't have to cover everyone at the same time. Are they kidding. According to them if you have no health issues just ride it out and pray nothing happens. Well if thats what they think then please explain to me why are we striking. Just had to ask.

First of all, dropping out of the union will not give you us our union dues to use towards our benefits as some of these "don't know anything" Anonymous bloggers keep stating. It would only free up a couple of dollars, because we would still have to pay the "Agency" fees.
Also, if you think you are going to be replaced with permanent workers, think again. Read the following. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/resources/govdocs/eos/eo12954.html
There are those of you who say that we already lost because of lost wages for two weeks without work? Please, do the math. The increase for the first year, plus the 15% added to that for the second year, plus the 15% added to that for the third year, for the average worker and a spouse comes to $4726.80 over the time spand of the three year contract. If you have a family, then it's way more. You would have to be out more than 2 weeks to lose that, and that only will be the case if you don't actually have to use your medical. Then the out of pocket expenses start kicking in. That's when you will wake up to the realization of what the premiums, co-pay and deductibles are all about. And what about the next contrtact? Keep adding the 15% annual increase, and eventually, you will need a second job to pay for your health care. We are a work force with an average age of 48.5. If you haven't had to use your medical yet, you probably will soon, at that age. I know people already, that wish to remain anonymous, that have prescriptions costing $1,400 a month, not counting doctor's visits and other treatments. This 80/20 plan will cost them thousands a year on top of the increased premiums. I could see us paying these costs, if we worked for some small time outfit, but we work for the second largest corporation in the state, second only to the state itself. And a company that boasts quarterly profits every quarter. A company that says it will double it's business in just a couple of years.
I believe that everyone that works at Sikorsky Aircraft had a part in making all that money for the company, but I have to believe that it wasn't the pencil pushers and key-boarders that built the products that made the company what it is today. Sure, they had a part in it, but it was the hourly workers that put in the time and sweat to produce the products we make. They deserve something for their efforts. And they work for a company that can afford it. People that don't make what Sikorsky workers make are quick to say, "You shouldn't gripe, look at what you make." That's true, but compared to other workers in our field, we are at the bottom of the pay scale. Someone pointed out that Boeing went back to work without a pay raise. They're absolutely right. What they failed to mention was the fact that Boeing workers average age is 49. Half a year older than the average age of the Sikorsky Worker. Boeing hourly workers average annual pay is now $59,000. Sikorsky hourly workers average annual pay is only $46,000. (We're talking straight time here. Not every department in Sikorsky works overtime all the time and the whole company is not made up of top labor grade 3s and 4s.) Boeing got a 17% increase in their retirement plan. They now get $70 a month times each year of service for thier retirement. Ours right now is only $50. That means after 35 years of service, Boeing workers will have the privilege of retiring with $700 a month more than the average Sikorsky worker. Boeing was given the same Health care as their old contract, with absolutely no increases in their premiums. Oh, and that part about Boeing not getting a rate increase? Sikorsky workers got offered 3.5% a year. At that rate, with the average pay, the average worker would be making about $1.68 an hour more, only by the third year of the contract. Boeing workers got $11,000, yes, you read that right, eleven thousand dollars for a signing bonus. Lets look at this. There are 52 weeks in a year, and 40 work hours a week. That's 2080 work hours a year. Times 3 years, that's 6240 hours. Divide $11,000 by 6240 hours, and that equals a raise of $1.76 an hour for the entire time of the contract from day one to the end of the three years. I'll take that over a 3.5% increase any day of the week. Let Sikorsky throw that contract in front of me, and I'll sign it in a heart beat. I have 26 years with the company, and about 10 left to work, and even by then, I won't be making that kind of money. What people that don't work here don't understand is that you can't take things out of context. Everything has to be understood in realitive terms. By the way, those facts can be found here. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=1171955&business=true&business=true By the way, I voted FOR the contract, but I will back my Union Brothers and Sisters through this to the end. This is what Unions are all about.

I thought of something that may help out a lot of striking brothers and sisters out there. If you have a spouse that is working, you can probably have them put you on their company's health plan for the time being. What ever it will cost you has to be better than paying COBRA $1800 a month. I hope this will help some of you who hadn't thought about that, to get through this hard time.

Isn't this statement a little self-centered "Longtime Skyworker"

I believe that everyone that works at Sikorsky Aircraft had a part in making all that money for the company, but I have to believe that it wasn't the pencil pushers and key-boarders that built the products that made the company what it is today. Sure, they had a part in it, but it was the hourly workers that put in the time and sweat to produce the products we make. They deserve something for their efforts. And they work for a company that can afford it.

Think about it. When you come to work everyday the first thing you do is step foot on a piece of land a pencil pusher procurred.
You walk into a building that an engineer designed and some pencil pusher procurred, right after you identify yourself in a machine that a keyboarder invented. Then you get your first cup coffee from a machine that was also thought up by some keyboarder and purchased by some pencil pusher. Then you proceed to talk about putting together an aircraft that was again designed by yet another keyboarder using parts also designed by some keyboarder and again procurred by another pencil pusher using equipment procurred by another pencil pusher. Wow And you talk about time and sweat. You haven't even started your day yet.

Engineering wins contracts. Manufacturing keeps contracts (or loses them if this lame-brained strike continues). Simple as that.

Maybe you should get a job at Boeing.

last man standing remember the alamo

A real look from the inside:

A lot of salaried people are very disgusted at the picketers for being blamed for showing up to work . As only one example, we are being verbally insulted with phrases like “scab� when this phrase does not apply to us at all. We are salaried workers who take pride in doing our jobs (not someone else’s job). We don’t belong to any union. It represents absolute stupidity and ignorance on behalf of some of the union rank and file to use this name calling. This rhetoric has died down some in the last few days, perhaps because some strikers are starting to realize that we must support families just like they need to. Any consideration for your cause will not happen with this type of treatment.

I have has enjoyed my job with Sikorsky for many years and have been involved in program management. I love my old job. Reality is that with this strike all are losers including management, salaried and mostly (the strikers). Jobs are currently being outsourced. This means that jobs will never come back. It is becoming just too damn expensive to do business in Connecticut. Also, dealing with the Sikorsky union is simply bad for business. One thing is absolutely true: PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO DO YOUR JOBS. Overtime for some is the only benefit. The first week was ok but it really totally sucks now. It is very common to overhear people say how they hate doing work assigned to them. However, they will not dare say how they “really� feel around management because it will imply their disloyalty.

The work is getting done very slowly and painfully. During the day, people go back and forth from their new jobs to their old jobs. There are those who make excuses that they have deadlines to meet in the old job requirements just to get OUT of the shop as long as they can. WE HATE DOING YOUR JOBS. Stress and decreasing morale is starting to be felt by many since they must be on top of two jobs at once. Some managers (the ones that feel that they can make a difference in this awful situation) get very upset and gossip constantly that some are intentionally trying to avoid hourly work. They feel this is unfair to them. These dedicated managers want people to spend the same time in the shop as they do. Most managers quietly sneak away back to their office office as long as they can get away with it!

I can tell you that there are many aspects of shop work that require an extremely high degree of knowledge and experience. Many union and salaried people who do these jobs have many years of valuable experience. Unfortunately, many salaried are being forced to do the low skilled jobs since that is all they can do at this point in time. Sikorsky simply will not be able to meet demand from their customers. We are already behind and no production has actually begun in our area. We have only shipped those products which are nearly or almost completed this past few weeks. Low sales means lower business in the future.

My feeling are that the union should have carefully considered the consequences of a strike. Unfortunately, union members have the most to lose in all of this. Everyone is impacted.

Please Feel free to respond to my comments.

I am glad someone in this blog mentioned that I am being truthful in my comments because I am. I am afraid of a demoralized workforce that will cause good people to leave. We must stop this salaried vs hourly crap. We need many of the union workers because of the important skills that many of them have to continue the business at this critical time. We need the salaried because there are very dedicated people (managers included) willing to work even without overtime because they mistakenly believe all the work can be done before the ship sinks. However you all feel, these salaried are at least right to be optimistic and loyal! Let's all face reality. The strike causes harm! We all will suffer!! Believe me Sikorsky will lose if the union doesn't return to work because the work required in contracts cannot be done. Competitors will eventually take the business that will be lost!! A very bleak future.
At this point, (given this terrible situation) the only real option for all is for the parties to get back to the table. Sadly to say, that is the only solution at this point.

This is great, I have read this whole post and I know why we are on strike,
Being a new employee I can look at this in a way allot of the old timers might not be able to. Just bear with me, then you can call me whatever you like.

Reason #1 A bunch of Arrogant, Self Important, Lazy, Deluded, people (children) who feel they deserve the moon. Well these people are (slowly) coming down to reality, Ok you have enough saved up for 6 months good for you, I didn't have enough for 6 days,
The union covered your ass for 20 years and you are loyal because they have done good by you, Well being in the union screwed me so I have no loyalty to that bunch of so called brothers and sisters who are destroying my life!
I will (if I still have a job) drop my membership of this train wreck of a union (if it still exists) (hope not) and work my ass off when I get back all of the lazy union slugs will be angry at me but but I don't give a sh*t. Never had a union before and and Never want one again.
I could not care less about paying another 20 bucks a week on health care. I never use it and in reality I am paying for everyone else all ready, So now they want me to starve so they can pay less....Sorry not me!!!!!

This strike is going to give the company whatever excuse it ever needed to move jobs else were, Oh and who will be the first ones let go when we go back? Us new hires,
So I am striking for and with the same people who are making me loose my job, if not now then in the near future so they can continue to live in the dream world of Sikorsky of the old days????? Kiss my ASS.

So I almost hope the union does get dissolved so all of the dead wood is let go and the people who actually want to do work are kept.
That is my best chance for staying at SIK.
I am not saying all of the old timers are the deadwood but we all know who is....

Reason#2 Everyone followed the mob, I felt like I was in the compound at Waco,
And Calo and Koresh sound a little similar....Remember what happened to them???
How does it feel to be a Lemming????, I thought that contract was great and I voted to accept and everyone I saw there was angry over the health care package but when I asked they could not answer any of my questions because they didn't understand it themselves. and all I heard was strike, strike strike,,,,,,,
THAT is a great way to decide every ones future!
So you all made my bed and I have to lay in it...THANKS ALLOT.....

And I hear the union says you should have saved up some strike money,
Well I just started less than 6 months ago and I had just enough money to pay off my outstanding bills and living expenses up to this point.
I don't have the kind of cash reserve that some of your members who have made all of those great paychecks for decades.
So F*** YOU!!!!!! And you can shove that 58 bucks up your ass MF!

With friends like these I need NO enemies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In response to everyone cares.I agree with you 1000 percent.the union workers at sik are nothing but spoiled little children.I work for a company in the private sector and have to deal with rising health care costs like everyone else in this ****hole of a state.Now i read the story in todays ct post that the govenor will not pick up the cost for police at sik,and now the town wants to cut back services and raise my taxes because of you scumbags.i haven't had a raise in the last 6 yrs.i seem to rember avco workers pulling the same S***.the company finally said F*** YOU and moved to arizona.when this happens to you F***S don't cry on the tv to me call your union rep he lost your job for you.Hopefully sik is looking to do this soon.I and alot of the people i know would take your job at the drop of a F***ing hat,with the bennies and pay you recieve now.SO F*** YOU SCUMAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In response to everyone cares.I agree with you 1000 percent.the union workers at sik are nothing but spoiled little children.I work for a company in the private sector and have to deal with rising health care costs like everyone else in this ****hole of a state.Now i read the story in todays ct post that the govenor will not pick up the cost for police at sik,and now the town wants to cut back services and raise my taxes because of you scumbags.i haven't had a raise in the last 6 yrs.i seem to rember avco workers pulling the same S***.the company finally said F*** YOU and moved to arizona.when this happens to you F***S don't cry on the tv to me call your union rep he lost your job for you.Hopefully sik is looking to do this soon.I and alot of the people i know would take your job at the drop of a F***ing hat,with the bennies and pay you recieve now.SO F*** YOU SCUMAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to babs you have not had a raise in 6 years because you are a loser we at sikorsky are winners you could not do are jobs we are one and proud workers we will stand together when you become a worker like us maybe your little job at walmart will pay off I do not think you know very many people who will take our jobs sikorsky would not hire a loser like you good luck in your low paying job

Best of the text i read about a problem.

Your article is prety nice. It's a pity that i didn't see it more later.

Asaspal. Memrano tu es besta. Amigo.

Here is a short letter I wrote to TDU and other reform groups. Thought maybe it might be of interest to you also.

"Why is TDU not hitting Hoffa where it really counts? It is a statistical fact that the majority of union rank and file members oppose America's involvement in Iraq.

Every Teamster in America needs to know that James P. Hoffa, the General President of the Teamsters Union, is a board member of the organization, "Committee for the Liberation of Iraq". This is the organization which was largely responsible for our involvement in Iraq.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Committee_for_the_Liberation_of_Iraq

The CLI has lied to congress about Iraq's WMD and has lobbied congress for the Billions of dollars already squandered in Iraq. Not to mention the 2600 American lives lost and the uncountable Iraq civilian deaths.

The next time you or a neighbor lose a son or daughter in Iraq, don't forget to thank Hoffa and the CLI. Don't like the high cost Gas due to the Iraq war? Be sure to thank Hoffa and the CLI. The next time you see a dead Iraq child cradled in it's weeping mother's arms on the 10:00 news, thank Hoffa.

Just think for one moment, what would be the outcome if Hoffa cared as much for the Teamsters Union as he does for getting us involved in the Iraq war? Why does he not lobby congress for better working conditions for American workers with the same zeal he used to get us involved in this unholy, illegal, war in Iraq?

No more Hoffa!"

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Has your union sold you on the idea of being partners with the company? Is your union looking the other way when contract violations are done by the company? Does your union still orient it's members as to what is expected of them as union members or do they leave this job to management? Over the years, has the difference between management and union become a bit blured in your work area?

Yea, welcome to the new era of Union Corruption, Highlighted by "partnerships" with management. If there is no more hard fast line between management and labor in your work area and your union tries to convence you, that labor and management are all one big happy family, It's time to look at who is wearing the pants in this "family". Management does, and everyone knows it. Partnerships only serve management.

It's going to get worse, alot worse. Your going to find your union representative who used to spend time talking to you guys, spending more and more time in the company office. Eventually, when the company fires one of you, your representative will no longer ask any of you "what happened"? He'll be in the front office asking management. Soon, Your local will stop giving orientation meetings to new hires. They will grant this duty to management. More and more your going to find, any upset, difficulty, or problem, you have with management, you will also have with your union. Because more and more they will become one of the same.

Forget about going on strike to better your working conditions, your Union leaders will on their knees with their begging bowls, begging management for some small bone to hand you and a couple of lies to keep you going. Fighting for your rights and benefits and everything else that made our unions the most respected on the planet, your Union leaders no longer have the stomach for. Soon you may find out your union is nothing more than a service agent to the company.

Welcome to the poison that's killing our unions. A union that has lost the will to fight, is a union that is dying. That simple! Don't believe me? take a look at the history of unions. Every benefit, every right, we got was through struggle. We had to fight for. Some even paid for it with their lives.

The spineless, coward, corrupt, Union leaders who pour this poison are not harmed by it's consequences, it doesn't cramp their style at all. Ever see one of them take a pay cut? Ever see any of them with salaries and benefits anywhere in the ball park to yours? Yea, "these are tough times" they say. How in the hell would they know? Only the rank and file are paying for this treason, and cowardness that leadership created.

Ever since the beginning of unionism. Management has waged war on it. It has schemed, and plotted it's overthrow. There is no longer a need for a company to hire union busters anymore to break up unions. Your union leaders are doing such a marvelous job of doing it themselves.

Management has won the labor war, without even firing a shot. Your Union leaders gave it to them right under your noses.

Unless drastic changes are made, there will not be a much of a union in 25 years

Flo