Your Comments

Weather or not you support the Union, I find it hard to imagine that there should be a question on paying for health benifits. The new added cost for the plan starting in 2007, not in 2006 is roughly .56 cents per hour from an individual that makes $18-$25 per hour. After that the cost goes up .10 per hour for the remaining two years. That is a small price to pay for the well being of your family or yourself in these times. I will tell you I have had handicapped children since 1983 and have not taken a hand out from anyone, I made sure I was responsible to pay for the coverage, regardless...
So instead of going out wasting the $27.00 on something foolish weekly, pretend you are helping yourself or your family.
You should make your Union workers be square with all of you and tell you the real reason they wanted to strike. Truth goes a long way....

If the injury you sustain is work related, that is worker's compensation. I can only imagine the cost of worker's compensation to a company like Sikorsky with a workforce that does manual labor.

True, direct work related injuries are covered by comp. I know, because I've been there. The problem is in the hidden injury or the minor one that doesn't blow up until you are off hours. Unless it actually happens on company property, you have a hell of a time proving that the injury is work related, even though it is. This especially applies to chemical exposure. As SIK has so accurately noted, the company HAS come a long way in cleaning things up, but there was significant exposure prior to this. Either you pay through the nose for coverage through the plan (especially as proposed ) or you file suit and hope the award covers the costs that you paid getting coverage, or your beneficiary collects the award after you have passed on due to the injury/exposure. Is it any wonder we want to keep our coverage as it is? I remember back in the 80's when we had 80/20 coverage. My then wife was hospitalized in long term care. The bill was astronomical, even after stop - loss.

One of the posters on one of the previous day's blog made a good point, too. If we are going to have the same medical as the salaried work force, how about offering us the same pension plan. I think that if that was offered, we would ratify in a New York Minute.

I don't think there is any question about respect, although anyone reading this blog probably wouldn't agree. Of course most of the hourly workers deserve respect, as do most of the salaried workers. You have your screwballs here and there on both sides, but that's not the point. I agree, it is soooo not about who is better than whom using how each side is paid as the measuring stick. The big issue is health care, but the issue is bigger than the 1150 strike. This is a huge problem for everyone in this country. Unfortunately, it is not going to be resolved at this level. My personal opinion is that the real fight needs to be waged by both management and the union against the health care industry and our government. I think the wrong people are fighting here. UTC made a business decision that is best for the company. The union made a decision they feel is best for them. The salaried folks are just along for the ride and don't really have a stake in this fight. But instead of wasting everyone's time, money and energy on a Teamsters vs. UTC fight, why not go back to work building the aircraft and put your union dues to work fighting the real enemy. To me, that is the only sensical solution, especially in light of the fact that UTC is simply not going to budge on this one. It's not my battle to wage or surrender, thank God, but I don't think anyone in the community is immune to at least a little of the fallout from this.

I am an hourly employee and Teamster. After the 3 day/4 day work week was removed from the proposed contract, I voted to ratify. I reasoned that a couple of hours of overtime would cover my additional weekly healthcare contribution. We all realize how quickly healthcare costs are increasing.

My concern, after researching the CIGNA plan, is that it offers a lower standard of service and care than the Connecticare plan I am currently enrolled in. Up to now, we have had the option of choosing from several different HMOs each year. I have been advised by my insurance professional, my doctor, my pharmacist and employees currently covered by CIGNA that it is a sub-standard and overpriced plan in which UTC has a direct financial interest. As a result, the company we work for will ultimately dictate the level of medical care we receive. We have all watched the Sikorsky Medical Dept. at the Stratford plant become a “loss prevention� department! I was also disappointed in the noticeable lack of participating physicians.

I would be happy to contribute $72.00/week (or more) if I wasn't being forced into a healthcare plan that I have no confidence in. For me it is not an issue of paying more, but the product I will receive. Many of the Teamsters are preparing to go onto their spouses’ healthcare plans instead of being railroaded into CIGNA.

I just wanted to share my opinion. Best wishes to all... hourly AND salary! I hope the current situation is resolved amicably.

Personally, I think it is a great plan. Anything preventative - mammograms, well visits, immunizations, pap smears, etc. - are all covered at 100%. All you have to pay for is the twenty bucks to see the doctor. And I haven't found anyone I wanted to be treated by who wasn't on the list, so I can't really complain about that. Everyone will have their own opinion as to weather or not it is a good plan, but one thing that is fact is that this is the only plan being offered.

thank you local yokel . that sums it up! more money for less coverage ! i'll gladly pay more for GOOD ins. we all understand rising healthcare costs , but that should'nt mean we get crappy coverage !

Can someone who has had a serious illness, such as cancer, and used the CIGNA plan comment on your experience? I ask this in all seriousness, so please your own experiences only.

Deserve a little respect? Are you serious?

You guys get respect...to the tune of $65,000 a year. Few other people without a formal university education or some discernable talent that is not easily trained can say the same thing. You deserve the respect you already get.

Think of what other people deserve: the American people DESERVE to have their military's technology delivered on schedule during a time of national crisis; the company DESERVES the support of its employees, which it already overcompensates, when it is trying to succeed in an ultra-competitve environment; the individual taxpayers of Connecticut DESERVE to not have their tax bills jacked up because a greedy union drove a unit of one of the largest companies (and corporate taxpayers) out of the state.

Now, now, Disgusted! They do deserve some respect. Do you have any idea how hard it is to crawl out of a helicopter after a long, hard day of sleeping in it?

JG wrote: "Y'all are losing sight of the real problem here. It is not about salary versus hourly. Anyone even close to level-headed knows that the majority of the "white collars" have no choice in the matter. Show up for work or be fired. Forget about vacation, too"

Unfortunately, salary vs. hourly comparisons on this blog was inevitable. I'm surprised that it took as long as it did to truly heat up. Especially when you have individuals who's sole intent is to stoke the flames. People too often take the bait and the truly informative/interesting comments are lost in a pile of crap. Both sides have their fair share of individuals who's sole intent is to do the least amount of work possible.

When it comes down to it, in a corporation the size of UTC, were all just numbers. The very top level execs don't give a damn about what we've (hourly & salary) have sacrificed (personally & physically) over the course of time. The idea of Sikorsky/UTC being a family, mentioned in the press and within this blog, is just pure spin.

As far as the health insurance is concerned, I'm salary, so (obviously) I'm familiar with CIGNA (I actually had it at another company as well). It is what it is...it's certainly not the best nor is it the worst. Is it worth the money, well, in this day and age no health insurance is worth the money. For what it's worth, I do know, I've been here for 8 years and I'm still paying less now than at my last employer. No point to be made either way, just one person's perspective.

Just curious if there are any conditions under which you WOULD agree to the health plan? Or you are committed to staying out until the health plan changes, even if it NEVER changes? Are you committed to saying goodbye to your Sikorsky jobs forever? (Not being sarcastic, hostile or smart alec, I just wonder how far the union is willing to carry this.)

Just for the record, Steve Finger has outsourced many of the key components we need to build our product. I work in the blackhawk tail rotor cell. We union members helped management build this cell , however , I would estimate that @ 75% of the suggestions we made were disreguarded because they did not fit into the company wide lean manufacturing/ACE initiative . We used to build tail rotors in a small room with around 10 or less employees. We delivered more blades on time with one shift and less people than we do now. Now we have more than 3 times the employees with 3 shifts and have a very hard time making any committments to our customers(the army and navy)becuase we can't get the parts we need to build our blades . I dare anyone of you reporters or salaried employees(who by the way , I hold no grudge with you because I know you need this job just like me ! )to ask Steve Finger what the problem is w/ GKN , the company who is supposed to supply us with 5 skins a day and does not even come close to that. Or , if you like , ask him about NY fastener and why we can't get the nuts and bolts we need to assemble fairings to these tail rotors ! Or maybe ask him about those ships we did'nt deliver because our line had no parts either. We asked him about those ships and he basically said ........ get the point ? So if you want to know why our military can't get tail rotors , you know who to ask, Steve Finger!!!

I am willing to stay out until a contract is ratified by a majority of Teamsters Local 1150. I took an oath when I joined the union. My integrity is not for sale, even if that means finding new employment. If anyone finds me foolish for putting such an extreme value on my word, so be it.

In the event that a new contract containing the CIGNA healthcare Plan is ratified, which IS highly probable, my family will enroll in the Connecticare HMO available through my wifes' company.

Well
Now that George David has made it clear that this is not Sikorsky's choice, but UTC's why are you protesting in front of Sikorsky and not up in Hartford ?

The big boss said, "no negotiating benefits package". Do you thing Steve Finger will say "Now, now big guy, lets be nice and think this over " ?

Production is moving forward. Aircraft parts are being made. Aircraft are being built.

Prodcutivity is up. Hourly folks that have been calling to come back to work, are starting to show up and more and more folks are squeeking in.

I would be calling a Union meeting "right about now" if I where you.

Do you know where your Union leaders are ?

Intresting topic of the unknown.

Let's talk exposure to "fiber glass, graphite, sealant (caulk) and paint and fumes to name a few. It's materialistic, you see it(Opps, not the fumes. Sorry Professor), breath it and take it home with you on your clothes. Then your clothes are washed with the family clothes. Today my children somehow have minor breathing disorders. Doctor Bob say's it could be mold. OK. Are we safe? Your damn right we are. 100%? Well I know when I wipe my index finger on any structure or part of the aircraft pior to hangar delivery and see the glitters or grit next to light... Yes, it's improved over the years (in fairness, SIK/Safety, OSHA & Union have...) although since I don't wear contacts any longer; my eyes no longer itch or are red at the end of the shift. Thank you for those safety glasses. I dont smoke but funny how over the years my lungs hurt. No my spouse does not smoke either. That's life, its probably age. So we press on and let the big guys take care of those issues.

Then there are the unseen elements in the hanger as well as on the assembly line.

Laser alignment of structure members for sophisticated equipment that are installed on the aircraft

How about "Doplar or HF" radiation??? Sometimes the warning signs are not displayed visably on the aircraft when this is operating, and someone is under or next to the aircraft. I've already had my 2.3 kids, so today its no big deal. Cancer??? No.

What about the guys and gals on the flightline and being bombarded with the avionic/radar microwaves daily. I'm sure they're OK.

Oh yes many new and old black boxes on the newer & upgraded aircraft, emitting "Electro Magnetic Induction"... Didn't highpower lines cause cancer in.... Ah, OK, we're not working with these all day, your right.

This is only a few. Don't get me started. It's the job many hourly/salary employees accept. Yes Sikorsky, OSHA, Union has been working on these and many other safety issues... but the long lasting effects are still in the back of many minds. We move on and don't give it a second thought. There is a dedicated group of people (Safety)who will protect and educate us annually. They are the industries best. I believe it.

Driving by the SIK plant the other day with my son, the question was brought up about the yellow & white "Family" signs missing from the front gates??? Well I said, see those new signs that those people are....

All & all, this is a great company to work for, I really have enjoyed my time here, wish the "Christmas" (Opps is this word OK to say?) songs were still able to be heard over the now silent assembly floor PA system though. Yep, there were/are many hourly and salarly employees who have and still do work hard. I remember daily working with engineers solving complex problems, finalizing completed sofware glitches. We have a great working relationship with our customer as well. We all have done our best together as a team (family), to ensure a superior product. Today I just feel that part of the team is missing (due to corporate regimentation). Bummer. We as a family always shared on the floor, from janitor to pilot. Oh how the warm fuzzy feeling is eroding away. Desensitize "Feelings", next?
70/30 next contract? It is one of our options.

Seeing the product on TV or at the movie's really have given me a sense of "American" pride.

Thank you Igor for your dream, "Saving Lives". Today, I wonder if my SIK family will ever know the word share. Guess share now meens "Shares" as in "Profits", Not the profits of the "American" dream either.

Food for thought? Will upper management still call us family at the quarterly meetings or just "Interprise Associates"???

Chareston Heston played a great part in that movie "Siolent Green". HG Wells had a great retirement as well.... Professor is "siolent" spelled right?

God Bless "America", cause we need it...

As for the Cigna plan that we previously had wasn't much good either. I am going to give an example of an incident that happened to me a couple months ago.

I went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription and have filled the same scrpt every month for the previous 6 months or so. I normally had a $15 co-pay. This last time I go to get it filled and am told it would be a little over a hundred dollars unless I went with generic, which I have had a problem with in the past. I get a bad reaction with the generic and not the brand. I call up the number on the card and am told that UTC decided that that specific medication and strength only would not be covered. I would have to pay the difference between generic and brand. The person on the phone told me if I got a script for a higher or lower strength it would only cost $15.

That is my problem with having UTC involved in the healthcare other than paying for it. It feels like I get constantly screwed by Cigna, not because of Cigna but because of UTC's control they have over our medical care.

Anyone bitching is free to go elsewhere. As one of the thousands turned away because the line to apply was so freaking long, I'd be happy to have your job.

"Prodcutivity is up. Hourly folks that have been calling to come back to work, are starting to show up and more and more folks are squeeking in."

Ok, I'm on the inside and we're doing our best and that's all I'll say about that. Productivity isn't up (unless you're talking about from nothing being done) though we're doing ok. As to hourly being here, I haven't seen one of them and I've been through the plant because of my job. Spirits are pretty good, but a lot of us know many of you and are not happy with how things are going for you. There are some of us that would like to see you permanantly fired, too. Not me. I've learned a lot from you and know that much of why I'm where I am is because of your help. If I don't see you again "inside" I just want to say thanks.
The blog here is being manipulated for a reason. We don't all or even most hate the hourly folks, but some of my more elitist comrades think it's great fun and won't stop.
Nice piece in the paper, Teamsters. Good luck and God bless.
Insidemike

Whatever is or is not happening on the inside, you will not hear the absolute truth about it until this is completely resolved. If the company looks like it's doing too well without you, they are afraid you will get nervous and want to come back. If they look like they aren't doing so hot, well, then it could make customers nervous. The truth is that unless you are on the inside, you don't know the truth. Some areas are probably more up-to-speed than others, that is for sure. Non-critical operations are probably not functioning at the same calibre as critical functions. Probably the most truthful thing that can be said about what is happening on the inside is that everyone is working hard to meet and or exceed customer requirements and that contingency plans have been made for any possible outcome of this event. Good luck to all.

Oh, Susannah, don't you cry for me. I've gone to Alabama to keep working for Sikorsky!

WHAT IS A UNION:A WARRANTED RESPONSE - As of 2/20,there has been a wide range of interpretation through multiple channels of media regarding the "Sikorsky/Teamster 1150 Strike".Opinions are welcome and healthy because they provoke the thought process!However,there have been negative and (sometimes)cruel remarks directed at the Teamster Local 1150.These offensive comments (I believe) originate from individuals who do not grasp/choose not to - the concept of a "LABOR UNION" as well as the "Dynamics" of the "BARGAINING UNIT" during contract negotiations!SO,FOR THIS SELECT GROUP OF WHICH I SPEAK;PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS AND TRY TO FOLLOW ALONG! A LABOR UNION IS - a body of employees who volunteer to organize to ensure a "SAFE" working envirement & "A FAIR-MARKET EQUITABLE COMPENSATION" for their efforts during a contracted period of time in accordance with Fedral Labor Laws.This "UNION" has a group of elected officials headed by a "PRINCIPAL OFFICER".This is called an "EXECUTIVE BOARD".<Are you still with me?Pay attention here especially;cause this is important!! This governing body negotiates as a "BARGAINING UNIT" WITH THE "COMPANY/CORP." (usually represented by Human Resource personel and Attorneys).Eventually, a "CONTRACT"is agreed upon. The first of which is called a "CHARTER" FOR WHICH SERVES AS THE "FOUNDATION" OF ALL SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS! I have respect for all honest labor! WE MANUFACTURE HELICOPTERS PEOPLE! I hope this explanation is informative to you. Unfortunately,society sometimes enjoys disecting the vocation of others,as if they had the unmitigated knowledge,wisdom and righteousness to "INVALIDATE" their worth. I don't know why this is so: Maybe their unhappy with their own livelihood,or, Maybe THEIR JUST PLAIN STUPID;WHERE AS THEIR OPINIONS ARE INSIGNIFICANT!!! EMPLOYEE & TEAMSTER - 26 YRS.

Anon that was turned away from the long line, you need to get some family and friends in there so you dont wait in line to fill out an application.

A UNION IS NOT BORN:IT'S FORMED OUT OF NECESSITY!

We don't need any more Yankees down here. You all should get your priorities straight. It's just a damn job! Is work all there is to your lives. That's pretty sad.

The union picked a fight with a guy who is ready for the long haul. He got the work force together and stated that he is ready to stay the course for a long time ... 6, 8 10 weeks to say it exactly. Also, there was reference to when and if the union returned. Careful guys and gals, you might just get what you have asked for ...

Hey Junior,
Get your butt back to work. You always was a follower, yer just lucky we got you out of Jonestown before Reverend Jim gave you the Kool Aid. Teamsters, my arse!

Dad,
Gramps is right, besides we're almost out of peanut butter

I'd like to know where the strike fund checks have been delayed at. UP AT THE CASINO???

Good evening, all.
Thank you for the description of a UNION, JDM.
I would be interested in knowing your reaction to CEO David's position stated today in the news.
My own belief is that this is a man who knows that he has now nailed down an option that was previously perceived as up for debate. This man is all too well aware that if the Union receives anything besides the 80/20 plan now his career will take a hit and he will lose respect among his peers in the business world, despite the fact that UTC could well accommodate the retention of the current plan without any cost due to the willingness of the Union membership to pick up the addtional tab.
This leads us to speculation as to what can be negotiated from here. Perhaps some additional adjustment to the overall implementation tables along with a moderated insurance contribution table to alleviate some of the sticker shock from the 180% increase over 3 years.
And yes, it could well be that we are not inside again. No need to reiterate that thought. We all recognize that some of you will love that idea and that others will lament the event should it happen.

Step-n-a-half

Really Daddy,

Go back to work. I want to go to the OP Nail Salon and get the Teamsters logo airbrushed on my Lee Press on Nails.

I wish you guys well but have to tell you from my point of view, you would be better off dumping the union and taking your dues to put towards your health care. What I pay for health insurance is nearly 10 times what you pay for the same coverage, I'm not bitching just telling it like it is. Your not going to win this fight and if you can't win, then what good is the union to you? I've been through the plant on many occasions and seen a lot of people doing nothing, no complaining about where is the parts to do the job, just simply doing nothing. If they are willing to let you back in to do nothing, you should jump and dump. Jump at the second chance and dump the union that is.

Even if you're not in the union, you still have to pay dues. You just pay a few dolllars less each month than the members do.

I think a good way to resolve this strike would be to have George David and Rocco Calo sit down at a table with a couple of reams of paper and a dozen pens. They could then play tic-tac-toe until one of them wins seven games. The winner gets his way.

What's that you say? Nobody will get seven wins (let alone one)? It's a completely futile effort?

Now you know the outcome of the strike. No winner and lots of time wasted...GD wins by default.

BTW, interesting idea about sending some Teamsters up to the Gold Building. That's where the fight belongs. Hartford has a few insurance companies, too. Why crap in one's own sandbox when one can "fight the good fight" for real? Yeah, I didn't think so...

To the outsider looking in...

You clearly don't understand the system. The reason people (SOME) are not doing anything is because there are no parts... Get it It would be like going to the library and not reading because there are no books... It's called LEAN
LEAN is a great concept only if the rest of Sikorsky follows suit... A process can only work if all involved are LEAN'D out.

My Dear Teamster Brothers & Sisters, there is talk on the line regarding, Sikorsky human resources contacting our brothers & sisters to come back to work. I implore you to stand firm. Please do not go back without the benefit of a contract. Tell them you would love to come back, as soon as they get the contract issue resolved! If you go back you will have NO CHOICE in what your job is. This means that if they tell you to clean the lavatory, you have 2 choices, DO IT, or refuse & BE FIRED!

Like the lions, they will go for the most vulnerable first.

They are going to call the most recent hirers first. They will be calling you first as most of you are young & haven’t been around for 20 – 30 years to see THE STEADY EROSION OF BENEFITS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE. They are also going to imply that this will be a good opportunity for advancement, friends of yours are going to come back… Don’t buy it. Ask them, “Why are you telling me about Jo Blow? Do you think I incapable of thinking for myself? That I may base my decision on what some one else is going to do? They may hang out that tempting promise of a raise or a leadman / leadlady position. Don’t be taken in by these lies!

I assure you that this strike too shall end. Weather or not the union prevails, you are going to end up working alongside your former union brothers & sisters. I assure you, you will find a very uncomfortable atmosphere upon our returning to work. No one will physically harm you, but you will be shunned to the point that you will wish they had. I was not around for the strike of 1960. I did not come aboard until 1979. That was 19 years after the united autoworkers strike. I can still remember the fingers being pointed at the scabs. They would come to the tool crib and everyone at the counter would leave, all of the tool crib employees would suddenly have to go to the lavatory. You will never break bread in the cafeteria with anyone but other scabs. I have a brother who is in management, HE told me not to dare cross the line. What happens is right now they need you & everyone on the inside will be nice to you. Once we come back to work your position on the balance sheet go from the asset column & into the liability column. HR will be a sympathetic ear, but they will be powerless to help you out with the negative interpersonal relationship that will exist between you & your coworkers. There is no law that will require others to be nice to you. Your foreman, (whom used to be on our side of the line), will pay you lip service, but will be powerless to help you if he wanted to. Eventually you will become a pain in the ass to him, & you will become a sad, frustrated person caught in the neither world of scabbsville.

In closing, I have not voted to accept every contract offered over the years. When the votes were counted, & results to accept the contract as offered passed, I went to work the next day, as did all others who voted to reject previous contracts. With that in mind, over 70% voted to reject this contract, we need your support as UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL!

ROCK ON BROTHERS & SISTERS!

My Dear Teamster Brothers & Sisters, there is talk on the line regarding, Sikorsky human resources contacting our brothers & sisters to come back to work. I implore you to stand firm. Please do not go back without the benefit of a contract. Tell them you would love to come back, as soon as they get the contract issue resolved! If you go back you will have NO CHOICE in what your job is. This means that if they tell you to clean the lavatory, you have 2 choices, DO IT, or refuse & BE FIRED!

Like the lions, they will go for the most vulnerable first.

They are going to call the most recent hirers first. They will be calling you first as most of you are young & haven’t been around for 20 – 30 years to see THE STEADY EROSION OF BENEFITS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE. They are also going to imply that this will be a good opportunity for advancement, friends of yours are going to come back… Don’t buy it. Ask them, “Why are you telling me about Jo Blow? Do you think I incapable of thinking for myself? That I may base my decision on what some one else is going to do? They may hang out that tempting promise of a raise or a leadman / leadlady position. Don’t be taken in by these lies!

I assure you that this strike too shall end. Weather or not the union prevails, you are going to end up working alongside your former union brothers & sisters. I assure you, you will find a very uncomfortable atmosphere upon our returning to work. No one will physically harm you, but you will be shunned to the point that you will wish they had. I was not around for the strike of 1960. I did not come aboard until 1979. That was 19 years after the united autoworkers strike. I can still remember the fingers being pointed at the scabs. They would come to the tool crib and everyone at the counter would leave, all of the tool crib employees would suddenly have to go to the lavatory. You will never break bread in the cafeteria with anyone but other scabs. I have a brother who is in management, HE told me not to dare cross the line. What happens is right now they need you & everyone on the inside will be nice to you. Once we come back to work your position on the balance sheet go from the asset column & into the liability column. HR will be a sympathetic ear, but they will be powerless to help you out with the negative interpersonal relationship that will exist between you & your coworkers. There is no law that will require others to be nice to you. Your foreman, (whom used to be on our side of the line), will pay you lip service, but will be powerless to help you if he wanted to. Eventually you will become a pain in the ass to him, & you will become a sad, frustrated person caught in the neither world of scabbsville.

In closing, I have not voted to accept every contract offered over the years. When the votes were counted, & results to accept the contract as offered passed, I went to work the next day, as did all others who voted to reject previous contracts. With that in mind, over 70% voted to reject this contract, we need your support as UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL!

ROCK ON BROTHERS & SISTERS!

Paul Jackson, a UTC spokesman, confirmed Wednesday that David and all UTC executives have the same health care plan union members are fighting.

i have talked to some people that are inside and have spoken to some board union board members. my people inside tell me salary are not as productive as the HR propaganda is trying to put out there. people are only finishing off what was mostly done already. wait until they have to build it from step 1! he also says they hire industry attorneys and consultants to play the mind games/propoganda that the government would be envy off. HR will invite you back and threaten you with termination and it's all a to cause havoc and hatred. if you then take their offer and become a yellow badge, when the teamster go back to work, SIK will then offer you to mop the floors or be fired and the union can't help. it's only been 2 weeks teamsters. get a grip. we knew it would take at least this long, so stop panicking. Say NO!

What the board members tell me is that the company will try all it can to not pay us unemployment and stall for as long as it needs to get its agenda done without union consent. until then, they are taking their time negotiating. so the waiting game continues. he also mentions that for most people it is their first strike and understand they are scared. but he has gone thru this many times and everything is stereotypical and as expected. He garantees us that everyone will be back to work TOGETHER!

Just wanted to share a bit of news and positive spirits. Good luck to all and
Respect each other- hourly/salary

Maybe we should consider the flip side of this. Maybe the company is actually DOWNPLAYING what is happening on the inside. Maybe they really are doing well and don't want us to know, thinking that if we know they don't need us, we will vote to end the strike. Maybe they WANT us to strike so that they can get rid of us altogether. How long can we realistically hold out? One month? Two months? Three months? Longer, if need be? When we say we are in this for the long haul, well, how long of a haul are we really prepared for?

I'm asking because any future negotiations will fail if we don't accept this health plan and the more we fight it, the more we lose in lost wages. What if they come back to the table and say we can keep the old health plan, but that they are cutting our pay instead? Or what if we come back to layoffs? What if they permanently replace us with non-union labor? I think any hope of getting a ratification bonus is long gone. They will probably give it to the salaried people instead.

What if this strike isn't a matter of weeks, but of months? Can we hold out a year or more? Frankly, the picket line seems to have fewer and fewer people on it each day and this is only the second week. If this goes on through March, by April it could be down to one guy in a lawn chair. I want to stay committed, but I'm having a hard time. Simple arithmetic will tell you they have more financial staying power than we do. All they have to do is hire replacements. We can go out and buy ourselves new jobs.

right on Proud! everyone should know it is illegal for the company to have personal contact with teamsters members. they have to do everything through the leadership. don't believe their bluff.
UNITED we stand DEVIDED we fall!

Can someone provide me with a link to where it says company can't contact employees, except through union? Is this in the contract or is it a labor law thing? Anyone know?

THE CAMERAS ARE ROLLING!

Strikers who engage in serious misconduct in the course of a strike may be refused reinstatement to their former jobs. This applies to both economic strikers and unfair labor practice strikers. Serious misconduct has been held to include, among other things, violence and threats of violence. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a “sitdown� strike, when employees simply stay in the plant and refuse to work, thus depriving the owner of property, is not protected by the law. Examples of serious misconduct that could cause the employees involved to lose their right to reinstatement are:

Strikers physically blocking persons from entering or leaving a struck plant.
Strikers threatening violence against nonstriking employees.
Strikers attacking management representatives.

Hourly people are comming back to work.
Thats is a fact.
They are not many, but a few, but they are comming back.

Another fact. HR is calling back all hourly employees that have been calling Sikorsky asking to come back to work.

Yet another fact. Sikorsky intends to set a "Come back to work or be fired date". They are working the legal details on this.

This will make the issue a legal battle that can be tied up in courts for years. This exactly what most companies due under similar situations.

It allows them to eliminate the union threat. Re-hire those that want to stay. Get rid of those that do not want to stay.

Some people will say "No way, this is propaganda".

Please read about recent union / strike cases. This standard MO.

George David's comments yesterday should have sent off the alarm.

The Union is only as strong as its members, but in the case, people are begining to jump ship.

If you resign, what rights will you lose? You will not lose any rights under the collective bargaining agreement, for example, seniority. The union must represent you fairly in bargaining and grievance handling whether you are a member or not. You will lose any rights under the union's constitution which are available only to members, such as voting in union elections and on ratification of the collective bargaining agreement. You may also lose your right to continue in any union pension plans, but not pension plans funded partly or completely your employer under the collective bargaining agreement.

For what its worth yesterday I ran into an old childhood buddy who is a manager at Sikorsky. He said some areas are doing very well some are not. Machine shop is running full capacity, help was brought in from Pratt & Whitney and the cells are fully operatonal, cuffs and spindles are like we never left. Also tail rotor cell is up and running, he said it is loaded with personell this is one cell they concentrated on the most due to its importance and it is fully operatonal. I have known this guy since kindergarten he would not lie to me. He said help came from all UTC divisions they are in this for the long run.

Ya know what's happening inside here...
OUTSOURCING, permanent outsourcing. The longer this lasts the more that will go out. I pray this doesn't last too long as I do not want my hourly friends to loose their homes and have to tell their kids to come home from college because ya can't make a tuition payment. Good Luck guys, I fear you'll need it.

Ask why one Blackhawk has Caution tape around the whole ship with a sign do not enter. Do you think maybe that our replacements made a BIG BOO BOO????.

Maybe it's a morale booster for the salaried folks, as in DO NOT ENTER UNION.

I agree final assembley is the area that they will have the most problems.

AS I look thru some strike line photos, I noticed so many older employees with thier children that just got hired. If Sikorsky is such a bad company why do they get thier children jobs ?

As I look through some of the strike line photos or as I drive by the picket line, I see an alarming number of individuals who are overweight and/or smoking. Perhaps if these and other individuals took better care of themselves, the cost of health care in this country would not be so high!

If the union "brothers and sisters" listen to anonymous and don't go back to work, they get what they deserve. That's all I'm going to say about that. And its ironic that he tells you ask the company if they realize you can think for yourself. The fact that you are out there when you don't believe in it would answer that question. The union doesn't want you to think for yourself. They'd be out of business and then what would Rocco do? Take the opportunity to go back to work while you can. Big changes are planned and you may only get this opportunity once. That message sounded a little panicky. The old cronies can't afford for you to think for yourself and lose you from the picket line. They know that. They know they've dug themselves in too deep now to save face and that's more important to them than you and your future. The post is full of threats, which is how the union operates. If trying to brainwash and incite you doesn't work (which it did for a while) then they go to threats. Stop the cycle now or you will be a 25-er (if you're lucky) and be just as bitter as these guys because you never took control and made your own decisions and lived your best life. The union breeds mediocrity. They have to keep everyone on the same lower level in order to control. An independent informed thinker is their worst enemy. Good luck to you, but either way, do what's best for you, not someone with a questionable agenda.

As I read today's paper, I have to laugh and shake my head at one quote attributed to a Tony Fierro who said of George David, "Can he build a helicopter by himself?"

Well, here's the answer, Mr. Fierro: No, George David cannot build a helicopter by himself. Neither can you. Any of you. However, George David CAN hire permanent replacement workers who CAN build the aircraft and who WILL work on his terms. He can also move various functions out of the Stratford plant to other locations until there is nothing left for you to come back to.

But keep fighting the good fight, 1150. I'm sure you will be victorious in the end.

If the union wants to believe it has the upper hand in this situation, it's their funeral.

Tail rotor cell running at full capacity. Wow. I guess the walkout got rid of all the parts shortages, disconnections and overall cluster*&^%. Amazing. If it is true, which I doubt, maybe, just maybe they will clue the REAL workforce on the secrets to their success

Do you all realize that if the company offered to let you, even one of you, come back to work during this strike and you refuse, then it cannot be ruled a lockout? That means no unemployment check to sustain you. How long can you hold out without the unemployment? I hope it's forever, because you may never get your jobs back.

You may have the dubious intellectual talents of your union leadership protecting your backs, but the company has labor law experts, lawyers and a human resources staff all totally dediated to winning this battle. And why wouldn't they want you to collect unemployment? If you do get unemployment, then you will stay out longer... long enough for them to do what they really want to do, which is eliminate your jobs forever.

Dear skeptaholic44, the secret of their success might be that they actually WORK all day, not just show up to collect an over-inflated paycheck for doing absolutely nothing except whine, complain, sleep, eat and file unsubstantiated grievances.

I notice that a vast majority of the psy-ops posts on this page are anonymous. The people posting them do not have the courage to give any hint of their identity. They are monitoring this blog and doing their level best to sow as much hate and discontent as possible. I am familiar with this type, as I have participated in online forums before.

I want to thank InsideMike for his post. I hope he has not put himself in danger from upper management for telling the truth. There are many, many salaried employees that we have grown to count as friends, and respect highly. He is one such. The problem has always been the elitists that he so accurately described. These are the ones, over the years and decades, who have looked down on hourly workers as lower forms of life. It is far worse than the officer/enlisted divide in the military. In military aviation, at least, the officers maintained a good working relationship with their enlisteds, because they know it is not in their interest to alienate the people who maintain the aircraft they fly in. Here at Sikorsky, there is the same working relationship between the military and company pilots and those who assemble and maintain the aircraft. Unfortunately, there is another class of people in the salaried ranks who never experienced this phenomenon. They have no knowledge, despite working for an aviation firm, of the skill set it takes to build and maintain an aircraft. These are the people that seem to think that even the most precision job can be accomplished in half the time it takes. Many of us are FAA licensed aviation maintenance technicians. Acquiring these ratings require training and testing roughly equivalent to an associate's degree. With the addition of a few core liberal arts courses, many of us have used that training to get that degree. Many others of us have pursued and received degrees in other fields. The point here is that the hourly workforce is highly trained, highly educated, and knows exactly what the story is. They know what they're working on. They know that peoples' lives depend on the quality of their work. Their responsibility is fully comparable to the medical profession, though they do not receive nearly the compensation. The point here is for the elitists: We are not the knuckle-draggers you seem to think we are. We are your equals. You have talents that we don't have, and we have talents that you don't. Can you learn our jobs? Eventually. We could learn yours, too. We, each of us, salary or hourly, chose our careers. We, each of us, enjoy what we do. Please, spare us your condescension because you have some sort of executive title, no matter how junior.

To the others, those who we have come to know, respect, and call friends, Thank You. We value the relationships we have developed, and look forward to restoring them when we return. Unfortunately, that return will not take place until a new contract is negotiated that we can accept. Until that happens, friends, we wish you well and ask your best efforts to educate the elitists until we can return to do so, ourselves.

To the psy-ops artists monitoring this and other threads, we are on to you. We know what you are attempting. There are more than enough of us who can respond in a civil and professional manner to answer your every effort to divide us. We know you were assigned, or hired, to do that job, but we have the people to answer you. You can return to management and tell them your effectiveness is at an end.

Teamsters, please, please, please use some of the time you are off to brush up on your grammer and spelling skills. This page alone:
United we stand, DEVIDED...that's DIVIDED.
Personell? Operatonal? Loose (should be lose) Weather (should be whether) think the cold WEATHER is getting to you.

Lets face it folks, and stop beating around the bush.

Sikorsky Union guys, you are going to loose.
I am sorry. I really am.

You are being replaced by each day that goes buy.

More work is being outsourced.

And while you are out there, people are going through your stuff, your toolboxes and notes and desks.

Stay out there. You'll have a good story to tell your kids/grandkids. How you stuck it out there in the cold, rain and snow and in the end the Big Company stuck it to you.

Sikorsky offered you a good package. Good by todays standards across this state and country. Your leadership picked a fight that they could not win.

Its a shame, because your are out there in the cold, and in the end, you will still be out there in the cold, while someone else is doing your job with your tools.

Stay out there. You're doing a great job screaming at women driving into work. Your doing a great job out there, think the politician that visited you ACTUALLY care about your cause. None of those politicans would or will do a thing for you. UTC puts more cash an connections into their pockets than the Teamsters union do. Do you thing they would bite the hand that feeds them ? They got their 5 min media press and "see ya later ..!"

But you brothers and sisters. You stay out there. You're together, while flatbed after flatbed truck drives by with more of your work.

You stay out there saying "We are going to be make up for this loss time in overtime".

You stay out there, by your fires and tents.

Everyone is with you,.......right ?

Maybe not ....

Anonymous you will be in my prayers today. everyone please say a prayer for this idiot

REALITY CHECK

You are not entitled to a better health care plan than the thousands of other hard-working UTC employees. You are not entitled to pay less for it. You will not be offered any such opportunity. Ruck up and get over it.

If you feel that manufacturing aircraft is either too physically demanding or too dangerous, feel free to seek other employment. There are thousands of ambitious Connecticut residents who would like to have your job.

You do not have a monopoly on intestinal fortitude. Your salaried co-workers do not live in trembling, bed-wetting fear of their management.

Your salaried co-workers are trusted to work flex time. Impeding traffic cannot cause them to be “late�.

The daily shouting and theatrics directed at your salaried co-workers is having and will continue to have absolutely no positive effect on your situation. You are peeing in the ocean.

The residents of Stratford are paying a lot of money to clean up your traffic messes every day. You are shamelessly stealing from them.

The state of Connecticut will not pay you unemployment benefits. It ain’t gonna happen. Make other financial arrangements.

When (or if) you return to work, you will not find the same Sikorsky that you walked out of. The warm and comfortable world that you once lived in exists no more. The dinosaurs didn’t like it when the world turned cold, but it turned cold nevertheless.

What's the dif between posting as anonymous and posting using a handle that most people aren't going to connect to a real person? And who cares, anyway? Kudos to the people who are posting educational information and likewise to the people who are posting their opinions respectuflly, regardless of whether you use your name, a handle or choose to remain anonymous. I hope the loudmouths with only insults and nothing constructive to offer keep their posts to a minimum. I also hope the long-winded posters learn to make their statements more concisely. As for me, I've followed this blog since it's first day, but I think this is going to be my last visit. It's just the same old bitching and moaning day after day after day. Like the rest of the public, I'm just getting tired of hearing about it.

To hourly employees, good luck finding new jobs. To salaried employees, good luck with your relocation out-of-state. To the residents of Connecticut, good luck filling the void.

Yes, and anonymous when your healthcare is lowered by a few dollars you'll be the first one to say that You stood up for a Worthy cause... Right?

There's a pecking order in society and we here on this blog are the little people of the world but if the little people have a chance to make a difference in healthcare,Go For IT. We all know it has to be done by a group of people... unless your born into wealth.

I hear that EBay is selling educations real cheap!

I have just written my letter of resignation to the union with great sadness.Whether people went on here-say or just didn't get what 80/20 meant, I don't know.What I do know is that I can't put my family in harms way because people voted on something they knew nothing about.So when SAC calls me back I will be going.The misinformation and the misinformed have devistated this union.Think of it another way,if we stay out only three weeks and the union loses it will be like our payments tripled for the next 3yrs.

My Dear Teamster Brothers & Sisters, there is talk on the line regarding, Sikorsky human resources contacting our brothers & sisters to come back to work. I implore you to stand firm. Please do not go back without the benefit of a contract. Tell them you would love to come back, as soon as they get the contract issue resolved! If you go back you will have NO CHOICE in what your job is. This means that if they tell you to clean the lavatory, you have 2 choices, DO IT, or refuse & BE FIRED!

Like the lions, they will go for the most vulnerable first.

They are going to call the most recent hirers first. They will be calling you first as most of you are young & haven’t been around for 20 – 30 years to see THE STEADY EROSION OF BENEFITS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE. They are also going to imply that this will be a good opportunity for advancement, friends of yours are going to come back… Don’t buy it. Ask them, “Why are you telling me about Jo Blow? Do you think I incapable of thinking for myself? That I may base my decision on what some one else is going to do? They may hang out that tempting promise of a raise or a leadman / leadlady position. Don’t be taken in by these lies!

I assure you that this strike too shall end. Weather or not the union prevails, you are going to end up working alongside your former union brothers & sisters. I assure you, you will find a very uncomfortable atmosphere upon our returning to work. No one will physically harm you, but you will be shunned to the point that you will wish they had. I was not around for the strike of 1960. I did not come aboard until 1979. That was 19 years after the united autoworkers strike. I can still remember the fingers being pointed at the scabs. They would come to the tool crib and everyone at the counter would leave, all of the tool crib employees would suddenly have to go to the lavatory. You will never break bread in the cafeteria with anyone but other scabs. I have a brother who is in management, HE told me not to dare cross the line. What happens is right now they need you & everyone on the inside will be nice to you. Once we come back to work your position on the balance sheet go from the asset column & into the liability column. HR will be a sympathetic ear, but they will be powerless to help you out with the negative interpersonal relationship that will exist between you & your coworkers. There is no law that will require others to be nice to you. Your foreman, (whom used to be on our side of the line), will pay you lip service, but will be powerless to help you if he wanted to. Eventually you will become a pain in the ass to him, & you will become a sad, frustrated person caught in the neither world of scabbsville.

In closing, I have not voted to accept every contract offered over the years. When the votes were counted, & results to accept the contract as offered passed, I went to work the next day, as did all others who voted to reject previous contracts. With that in mind, over 70% voted to reject this contract, we need your support as UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL!

ROCK ON BROTHERS & SISTERS!

Posted by: Anonymous at March 2, 2006 12:04 AM

My Dear Teamster Brothers & Sisters, there is talk on the line regarding, Sikorsky human resources contacting our brothers & sisters to come back to work. I implore you to stand firm. Please do not go back without the benefit of a contract. Tell them you would love to come back, as soon as they get the contract issue resolved! If you go back you will have NO CHOICE in what your job is. This means that if they tell you to clean the lavatory, you have 2 choices, DO IT, or refuse & BE FIRED!

Like the lions, they will go for the most vulnerable first.

They are going to call the most recent hirers first. They will be calling you first as most of you are young & haven’t been around for 20 – 30 years to see THE STEADY EROSION OF BENEFITS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE. They are also going to imply that this will be a good opportunity for advancement, friends of yours are going to come back… Don’t buy it. Ask them, “Why are you telling me about Jo Blow? Do you think I incapable of thinking for myself? That I may base my decision on what some one else is going to do? They may hang out that tempting promise of a raise or a leadman / leadlady position. Don’t be taken in by these lies!

I assure you that this strike too shall end. Weather or not the union prevails, you are going to end up working alongside your former union brothers & sisters. I assure you, you will find a very uncomfortable atmosphere upon our returning to work. No one will physically harm you, but you will be shunned to the point that you will wish they had. I was not around for the strike of 1960. I did not come aboard until 1979. That was 19 years after the united autoworkers strike. I can still remember the fingers being pointed at the scabs. They would come to the tool crib and everyone at the counter would leave, all of the tool crib employees would suddenly have to go to the lavatory. You will never break bread in the cafeteria with anyone but other scabs. I have a brother who is in management, HE told me not to dare cross the line. What happens is right now they need you & everyone on the inside will be nice to you. Once we come back to work your position on the balance sheet go from the asset column & into the liability column. HR will be a sympathetic ear, but they will be powerless to help you out with the negative interpersonal relationship that will exist between you & your coworkers. There is no law that will require others to be nice to you. Your foreman, (whom used to be on our side of the line), will pay you lip service, but will be powerless to help you if he wanted to. Eventually you will become a pain in the ass to him, & you will become a sad, frustrated person caught in the neither world of scabbsville.

In closing, I have not voted to accept every contract offered over the years. When the votes were counted, & results to accept the contract as offered passed, I went to work the next day, as did all others who voted to reject previous contracts. With that in mind, over 70% voted to reject this contract, we need your support as UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL!

ROCK ON BROTHERS & SISTERS!

Could any member of 1150 please explain to me why when the company takes a stand on the healthcare issue, they ARE NOT bargaining in good faith, but when the union takes a stand on it, they ARE bargaining in good faith?

Taking a stand on a specific point does not necessarily equate to not bargaining in good faith. As long as the company was willing to come to the table at all, which it did, and agreed to some concessions, which it did, then how can you accuse them of an unfair labor practice?

Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it wrong, unfair or illegal. If you disagree, have you filed a complaint with the NLRB?

You may not have been fully informed of the contract you voted to strike for, but you now have options. Be informed ! This is from the NLRB website:

2) Decertification (RD)

This petition, which can be filed by an individual, seeks an election to determine whether the authority of a union to act as a bargaining representative of employees should continue. It must be supported by the signatures of 30 percent or more of the employees in the bargaining unit represented by the union. These signatures may be on separate cards or on a single piece of paper. Generally, this showing of interest contains a statement that the employees do not wish to be represented for collective-bargaining purposes by the existing labor organization. The showing of interest must be signed by each employee and each employee's signature must be dated.

My Dear Teamster Brothers & Sisters, there is talk on the line regarding, Sikorsky human resources contacting our brothers & sisters to come back to work. I implore you to stand firm. Please do not go back without the benefit of a contract. Tell them you would love to come back, as soon as they get the contract issue resolved! If you go back you will have NO CHOICE in what your job is. This means that if they tell you to clean the lavatory, you have 2 choices, DO IT, or refuse & BE FIRED!

Like the lions, they will go for the most vulnerable first.

They are going to call the most recent hirers first. They will be calling you first as most of you are young & haven’t been around for 20 – 30 years to see THE STEADY EROSION OF BENEFITS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE. They are also going to imply that this will be a good opportunity for advancement, friends of yours are going to come back… Don’t buy it. Ask them, “Why are you telling me about Jo Blow? Do you think I incapable of thinking for myself? That I may base my decision on what some one else is going to do? They may hang out that tempting promise of a raise or a leadman / leadlady position. Don’t be taken in by these lies!

I assure you that this strike too shall end. Weather or not the union prevails, you are going to end up working alongside your former union brothers & sisters. I assure you, you will find a very uncomfortable atmosphere upon our returning to work. No one will physically harm you, but you will be shunned to the point that you will wish they had. I was not around for the strike of 1960. I did not come aboard until 1979. That was 19 years after the united autoworkers strike. I can still remember the fingers being pointed at the scabs. They would come to the tool crib and everyone at the counter would leave, all of the tool crib employees would suddenly have to go to the lavatory. You will never break bread in the cafeteria with anyone but other scabs. I have a brother who is in management, HE told me not to dare cross the line. What happens is right now they need you & everyone on the inside will be nice to you. Once we come back to work your position on the balance sheet go from the asset column & into the liability column. HR will be a sympathetic ear, but they will be powerless to help you out with the negative interpersonal relationship that will exist between you & your coworkers. There is no law that will require others to be nice to you. Your foreman, (whom used to be on our side of the line), will pay you lip service, but will be powerless to help you if he wanted to. Eventually you will become a pain in the ass to him, & you will become a sad, frustrated person caught in the neither world of scabbsville.

In closing, I have not voted to accept every contract offered over the years. When the votes were counted, & results to accept the contract as offered passed, I went to work the next day, as did all others who voted to reject previous contracts. With that in mind, over 70% voted to reject this contract, we need your support as UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL!

ROCK ON BROTHERS & SISTERS!

Another anonymous psy-ops post. We have sufficient friends and other intelligence sources to know the truth, my friend. Your feeble attempts to sow hate and discontent will no longer work.

We now know the true source of the stone wall, thanks to George David spilling the beans. He can be as adamant as he wants. He still needs our skills and experience. If he wants to regain that, he will need something to save face. If we are to give him that face savings, he needs to give us something that will save face for us. He needs to give us a bigger wage increase so that we can afford the increased health care costs (something he knows nothing about at his income level) or maybe he can offer us the salary pension package, and so make us truly equal in that regard as well as health care. Or give us both. We would ratify in short order. Or he can realize his mistake and give us what we asked for. It is not as if we didn't offer to cover the costs. We offered GENEROUS concessions to cover those costs. Come back to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith. We do need each other, Mr. David, regardless of the spin of your psy-ops people. You need our skills and experience. We need your expertise in growing the company and the corporation. We are both losing in this situation. We are both here for the same thing, to make money. You are losing millions. You may not feel it, personally, but your stakeholders (customers, stockholders, other employees and the communities) can see it clearly. We are losing, too, of course, but we know we have far more support in the community than your psy-ops people try to spin. By George David spilling the beans, and as the world comes to know the financial interest that UTC has in CIGNA (a controlling interest, for those who did not know), you have only solidified the support of the real world around us.

I told you, psy-ops personnel. We can, and will answer you. You have failed. We have all the time and resources to answer you, any time and any place. We are on to your game. Go home, or work to a REAL solution to this issue. Your time and efforts would be far better spent that way than in feeble attempts to sow dissension that have anc will continue to fail.

TO THE MODERATOR OF THIS FORUM:

Is there anything you can do to eliminate duplicate posts?

Knighthawk... RELAX... you flatter yourself. Sikorsky has more important things to do than hire people to write on this blog. You aren't that important. And they already know when the union pulls the strings, that's when you'll move.

To the idiot who is wasting our time by cutting and pasting the same redundant post into this blog ad nauseum: posters offering alternative view points and educating those who wish to eject the union but are unsure how to go about it are welcome to post their comments here.

How about you go out and find some new material, we are tired of scrolling through the same old blog you keep posting.

Since the beginning of the Strike, Sikorsky has delivered four aircraft and three aircraft equivalent spares.

Great Job!

The post of the letter of resignation is not a fake. The reality is that HR is calling people back and they are resigning from the union and going back to work. No BS. And I'm not an employee of SAC or UTC.

WAY TO GO SIKORSKY! Congratulations on your achievements. You have the support of your community, with 3500 exceptions, of course.

Hey, look, your union updated it's website. THEY WANT MORE OF YOUR MONEY SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU JOBLESS AND HUNGRY!

IMPORTANT NOTICE - All members must stay current on their union dues in order to receive a strike benefit. It is best that all members bring a separate check, made out to Teamsters Local 1150, for $58 when picking up your first strike benefit check. This will pay you through the month of March.

I see that our recognition of the spin doctors' efforts has only spurred them to greater fury in their efforts to sow dissension. I'm sorry, folks, it won't work. Your attempts to make us think we are crumbling are refuted by the facts at every turn. Your elitist attitudes show through every time. We are fully your equals when it comes to knowledge, resources and persistence. We are not the knuckle - draggers and Neanderthals you attempt to portray us as. We are upstanding members of our communities, and you do yourself a major disservice as a company when you denigrate us. You denigrate yourself by doing this.

You have successfully killed your own efforts to make us think of the company as a family. As for "THINK SAFE, THINK FAMILY", that is exactly what we are doing here. We are seeking the best return on our investment of time, labor and risk of life so that our families will prosper. We seek adequate health care coverage that doesn't break OUR banks. For all that health care costs are costing the company and the corporation, it costs us FAR more, proportionately. We are both in this fight to maximize our returns on investment here. We invest far more, proportionately, in terms of our lives and treasure, than the company or corporation does. The company and corporation are losing the good will of the community at an increasing rate here.

It is almost laughable that the psy-ops types would attempt to paint us as greedy in the face of the record profits of the company and the corporation. It is also laughable in the face of the posted incomes of its top executives. Try again, fellows. You are at the "grasping at straws" stage now.

I'm salary, just to point that out once again.

I respect the people that are sticking to their union for loyalty. I also respect those union members who voted not to strike and now are contemplating crossing the line, if possible. Everyone has to do what is in their and their families best interest. You can't insult someone who HAS to work to pay for a sick family members healthcare. You also can't insult someone who truly beleives they are being offered an unfair contract. But, you CAN insult someone who does not have the facts and just strikes because they are part of the union and they are a follow the crowd type (and there are, but not a majority).

I respect those strikers who refrain from insulting us non-union workers, and carry their signs and march along. I hope you get your jobs back, with the same insurance as the rest of UTC, bonus or no bonus. I also hope that none of the good workers that have long seniority with the union and Sikorsky also do not lose their jobs. It is awefully hard to get worthy employment when you are reaching retirement years, especially if you have a family. Did you ever wonder why that is? Healthcare... no company wants to have to pay higher premiums for older workers, when younger workers are statistically healthier and carry less risk.

Of course we are that important, Wow, or the company would not be so desperate to get us back by whatever means possible short of giving in to our efforts.

Knighthawk... Knighthawk. It's like your spitting into the wind. You sound so desperate. It seems like a last ditch effort by the union to hold back the flood. Give it up while you can. The community doesn't support this. I'm not directly involved, but can see the writing on the wall. I urge you to read the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" All of you strikers. Someone on here suggested it and I read it. Very powerful message. It only takes about an hour and it could change your lives. What do you have to lose?

Any aircraft that may have been delivered are the ones we already had virtually completed. I know, from my own personal knowledge of what was in both hangars, what could be delivered. Those that were, were already accepted and ready to go with little additional effort.

You can keep us out in the snow with your intransigence, but you cannot snow us.

Sorry, Wow, I have to score that one a clean miss. When people have to resort to ad hominem attacks to refute a debater, that debater has lost.

Knighthawk - the phrase "short of giving in to our efforts" says it all.
Sure, if they can come to an amicable solution to this it would be in the best interest of everyone. That doesn't make them weak. It makes them smart. Smart enough to be willing to put aside egos to do what's best for everyone. The only non-negotiable point is the healthcare and they continue to stand by that. If you could get your union to put aside their egos and think of the members this might actually move forward. And please don't write back and say that its not an ego thing with the union. If it weren't you'd all still have your jobs while this was being negotiated without a contract in place. That's what would have been in your best interest. As someone else said the union called UTC's bluff, but they weren't bluffing. Its hard to go anywhere from there unless you change your viewpoint.
By the way, I am not being sarcastic or argumentative. I'm not involved personally, I'm just stating what so many others have. Its just the way I see it, so please don't take it personally. I really don't mean it that way. I feel for the people who will be ruined when thisis over... on both sides. God Bless

Desperate to get you back?! Oh, my God! OH, MY DYING ASS! Hello?! Anyone out there care to comment or is it even necessary?!

Knighthawk, you poor, poor fool. Please get over yourself before you lead the other poor misguided fools who follow your entries further down this path of destruction.

I don't work for Sikorsky and I don't really care one way or the other who "wins" this thing. I follow this blog for entertainment and, I must say, I have not been let down once. Desperate to get you back... indeed! I guess that's why Steve Finger keeps pushing his redial button, hoping against hope that Rocco will drag his fat ass back to the bargaining table so that Sikorsky can shower you with cash. Get a freaking grip already!

"The Proud Always Fall"
Hmmm, are you also a Proud American?
Seems to me that you could have used a better handle than that.
Try your real name.
Try saying THAT to a Marine! I'd love to watch.

I'd like to address the charges the union filed with the NLRB against Sikorsky with regard to the company's refusal to bargain over healthcare, the withholding of vacation pay and the inclusion of the phrase "due to your termination" in the COBRA notification letters.

1. The company didn't refuse to bargain, so I don't see them winning this one. The company did agree to postpone implementation for a year and they have never turned down an offer to go back to the negotiating table. Sorry, failed on that one.

2. Vacation was earned, taken and payable under the old contract. It expired, it doesn't exist anymore and you rejected the company's final offer of a new contract. The company is under no obligation to pay you for anything under an expired contract. That would be like suing your ex-wife for adultery when she starts dating someone after your divorce was finalized. Sorry, failed on that one, too.

3. Anyone with half a brain knows what COBRA is and that the "termination" in question was the termination of your insurance coverage. Another big failure.

Fortunately, these charges will give the company exactly what it wants... a prolonged labor dispute which will only further fuel their desire to relocate out of state. And that will be the biggest failure of all.

Knighthawk,

Can you quote or point us to the references that show UTC has a controlling interest in CIGNA? I've looked quickly and can't find supporting information.

Thanks.

Sikorsky went on strike because of a cover up. It all started back in October or November 2005 when "We" had to deliver the last of the 17 aircraft for the year. When December 29 came, we were still 10 Aircraft behind. Not to mention we were short parts. YES PEOPLE...SHORT PARTS!!! The company spokesman constantly says "Were 2 ships behind" and "We're doing good for the year" [expletive] ED!! You and I Both know this company was in trouble last year when the Military came down and told you..(The Management) that we had to stop screwing around with the commercial aircraft and focus on the H60's. And what did you do???? You continually played around with the "92" and started to make the H60's fall behind and now we are in trouble!! Now the company walks out because upper management doesn't wanna help with healthcare. This strike is only temporary. The people / management/ salary are inside catching up and fixing their screw ups from 2005. Fixing the "SAP" system, stocking the parts shelves, complaing to vendors that we need parts on time when our guys come back and so on. If and when the U.S. Government does come in here, you know damn well that they are gonna wonder why their aircraft aint ready. Because of the strike?? NO!!! This strike was [expletive]!! It was a company cover up to get caught up on the inside. Do you actually think that Sikorsky Aircraft wants all you guys outside??? NO!! They are constantly landing contract after contract. They need 150-200 aircraft BY December 2006!!! This strike put a hold on things for now...but it can only last so long. UTC and George and Steven can run their mouths now....but when time starts ticking, these men on the inside are gonna have to budge. Unless...George and Steven don't give a [expletive] and they want the contracts to get pulled. Maybe they like it when men in uniform come in and call the shots. Only time will tell. Peace people. I see ya everday when I leave at 5p.m. I just wish it would end soon. God be with ya'

Gotta love it when one's points draw ad hominem attacks. When a debater can no longer debate in a civil manner, that debater's credibility is irreparably lost.

As for a fair and equitable resolution to this, I posted a reasonable solution on this thread at 10:32 AM, if the readers would care to scroll up to that posting.

A person who continuously spews out the party line handed down to him by someone else is not engaged in debate, Knighthawk, he is engaged in the disbursement of propaganda. But that's what unions are at their core, corrupt propaganda machines.

Well done, Mr. Dalton. Thank you very much. You have told the gospel truth for all to see. It is a shame that our dirty laundry has to be aired to the world, but it seems that nothing less will do to show the community the true state of affairs. Even at that, I applaud the discretion that Mr. Dalton has used in his post. Thank you, sir, for stating the error of the company's ways as clearly as you have.

Dear Narcissus, I mean Knighthawk, does that line of BS your union is feeding you taste good? Ick.

First, thanks to Knighthawk and The Proud Always Fall for clear thoughts (however one feels about them) posted here, and to all others who make it worth slogging through the name calling and back biting to see a decent thought provoking post.
To those that suggest that one goes out and starts to gather names on a petition to oust the board I offer some considerations. Assuming one would do so (which I would not) what would be the appropriate weapon to carry as I am certain that I would need one. You see, though I am level headed I am not living with my head in the ground, but it would be should I be so ignorant as to think that I would survive such a rediculous attempt at undermining the efforts of hurting individuals trying to get their leaders both inside and outside to get together and resolve this. The names on that petition (assuming you could survive the effort) would live in a world of ****, to use a phrase I learned when serving our country in the military.
Call HR to tell them you want to go back to work and will do anything to do so? Well, you might have a job for a while. Assuming you can make it safely through the line without anyone knowing who you are or that you are inside you will have a paycheck. That is all that you will have, unfortunately. Salary will not respect you inwardly because you are a turncoat and will always be "one of them" (the hourly). Remember that you are not like an hourly employee that has applied for and been accepted for a salary position. You might justify your move as "the smart one looking out for my family" but the reality is that the fallout that is likely to occur might in fact be much worse than going without that paycheck. I'm not foolish enough to think that bad things don't happen to good individuals that were just trying to make a financial decision for their families. Frankly, those that cross the line will likely incur the wrath of the less than level headed that are outside the gates. Sure, the level headed will not look for or care to support such actions, but it would be insanity to think that the frustrated and prone to violence would not find your car, your home, your family, or you on the street, and I don't condone such actions either, but the fact is that these things happen frequently in such cases as we are discussing and all your efforts to ignore or minimize that are your desperation working on you because you are in an uncomfortable situation. But let's look further in to this. Your skills will be studied and dissected. You are now a lab rat and a resource to be used and discarded - you don't think that you will be a valuable resource after your limited input is recorded, do you? You are a Dixie cup in a throw away world.

One of my good friends from high school just got killed in Iraq, a marine, so don't try to push your patriotism on me. I'm tired of people hiding behind the flag. The flag can't think, so the people hiding under it should, instead of jumping on the patiot bandwagon. I pay my taxes, I don't cheat the IRS on what is theirs. I follow the laws and am not a burden on the social programs given to the needy.
I'm not putting the USA down either. My name only implies that if you look through history, every "Proud" nation has fallen. And if you haven't noticed through the news and economic climate, the USA has a very reasonable chance of falling unless we start helping our people before we help other countries. We have a lot of problems in our own neighborhoods.. bridgeport and hartford.

More flames. Gotta love it. The more they flame, the more they lose. We speak only of what we know, my friend. There is much spin going on, that is plain for all to see. The vast majority of it is coming from the company and its psy-ops people.

For the record, I voted to ratify the contract. I did not want this situation to develop. Since we who voted to ratify did not achieve a majority, we have a duty to stand with our fellow workers and work for a resolution that is acceptable to the majority of us.

I really don't understand why grudges have to be held so long. In this free country, why should someone have to be afraid of distruction to their home, car, or other personal property for speaking their mind. It makes me relieved to have never joined a union, and will help me steer clear of them the rest of my working career.

It is disgusting to me that people won't take a company's offer to go back to work if they need to pay bills because of fear. Fear from their "brotherhood" and what will be done to them when this strike is over. We don't live in Tripoli...live and let live. I also an disappointed in the people who say that insults, name calling, and obsenities being directed at people are just all part of the strike. It doesn't have to be, but people with no self control are using that "excuse" for their poor behavior. Name calling, insults and the like are only part of a strike if each individual makes a choice to start showing disregard for their fellow humans. What kind of example does that set for our children...it is ok to insult people you disagree with? It is ok to treat people with a differing opinion like dirt? It is ok to thumb your nose at people doing their job and going to work to pay their bills?

Now I know that most of the strikers and salaried people are treating each other with respect, but standing by and watching people shout insults and obsenities at people is almost as bad as shouting them yourself.

Plain Jane,
I agree that it is a terrible thought, but it IS reality. It is also reality that those few who would do that kind of thing are not exactly telling their Union brothers and sisters who they might be because they know that it is not condoned or endorsed and that they would pay a hefty price. I reiterate. It is reality.
As to standing by and watching others hurl insults I must say that I have not seen that happen at my post, but know that it has occurred at another one. When I was at that post temporarily I DID address those that did it, as did many other fellow Union members, so I do not fall into the "just watching others do it is as bad as doing it yourself" category. Neither do the many others that DO try to stop that kind of harassment.

Jane, you are right, and those who indulged in such actions have been counseled to refrain from such activities. I offer no excuses, but there is an explanation. We did not want to be in this situation. It angered us mightily that the company stonewalled the health care issue in the face of generous concessions on our part to pay for a continuance of the current package. It angered us to know that if we did not stand our ground now, the next contract would be worse. This resulted in our vote to strike. The salaried employees were, unfortunately, a convenient place to vent that wrath. Most of the people who received it did not deserve it, and we apologize to those who are not the elitists I have mentioned in my previous posts. It is my fervent desire to resolve this situation in such a way as to bring us back to the job of producing the best helicopters on earth. To do this will require movement on both sides. Face must be saved all around.

If the money was already in the contract, as the union claims, then why shouldn't union members do the rearranging on their end of the deal, take the offer and remain at work? Why should the impetus be put on the company to rearrange those numbers to make it work for the select few who were dissatisfied with the offer?

And really, this whole threat of violence thing is not only sophomoric, it's sad. Do you really want these individuals speaking for all of you and dictating the image that you ast Teamsters present to the world? As we know, more positive publicity always takes a backseat to negative publicity. If you don't agree with it, then stop complaining about it and extinguish it.

I truly can't believe it. I had to look for myself. The Union really is asking us to bring a check for our Union dues when we pick our strike checks. That is just plain rude. Not metion down right disgusting. Even they won't help help us. How can we expect help from our other creditors. Does anyone think that if I explain to the Union that I am on strike and totally broke they will give me an extension. I really need one.

Boy anonymous - you proved everyone's point. The union uses any means necessary to control the membership including threats, violence, coersion, etc. As was said before, an intelligent independent thinker is their worst nightmare. What would happen if they respected their membership as individuals? They would cease to exist.

To those who want to go back. You are stronger than you think. Band together, like the union, and do what's right for you. If they are willing to turn their backs on you so quickly and so completely to do bodily harm to you and ostracize you because you are standing up for what you believe, were they ever on your side? Maybe that's what it means to have your back. They feel they "have" you. They own you. Maybe that's why salaried don't look for unions. They'd rather look out for themselves, for real.

I should have known that you wouldn't get it in this one. No, we don't support violence or those that condone it. Period. That was one of my points along with the REALITY that this kind of thing does occur and it is NOT the Union manner of accomplishing goals. Also, there is NO offer to be accepted, get it? THERE IS NO OFFER TO BE ACCEPTED. The original offer went off the table when the membership by a majority declined to ratify. Both sides must meet to work out another offer. Period.
The "Rearranging" you speak of cannot be done for the .31 an hour on our end. If you take the company offer you either pay 180% more for much worse coverage or you opt out and the company presents you with about 600.00. The "select few" you speak of is a majority,just for clarification.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I just wanted to let you know that we MIGHT get your strike checks on Saturday. You can't pick them up until Monday, though. I know you were supposed to get them long before now. Sorry. Oh, and don't forget to bring me fifty-eight bucks so that I can continue to represent you in our valiant fight against the man. (Gotta pay my insurance premiums, too, ya know!)

Just to give you an update, they made me another offer and I flat out refused it. I know you don't want any stinking health insurance, so I didn't bother to ask you. I decided to file a bogus complaint at the NLRB instead. I thought that might raise the profile on our situation. Sure, it might delay things, but we can hold out forever if we have to, right? Go Teamsters!

In closing, I just want you to know that in a show of solidarity, I am forgoing my usual pay, just as you are. I am with you all the way in this, my brothers and sisters. I will be putting my usual pay into my wife's account instead.