Your Comments

I am an airframe engineer who volunteered to work on the floor. Yes, we found a lot of issues with solumina and with the work orders, but we are correcting them. There is no better way to correct problems, then to experience them first hand. I have to give credit to the union guys who were able to get the job done with information we gave them.

When/If the union gets back in, I hope that they will help setup a program to get MEs, planners, and designers working on the floor with the shop guys to continue this experience. I think that will help the shop guys get better drawings and work instructions and the engineers will actually have the real world experience to do a better job the first time around.

Does this sound feasable?

(Oh when you are drilling holes on the aircraft, follow the work orders in place, we had a hell of a time patching all the extra holes you guys drilled in M7).

no charge for the extra holes buddy
they find that on water test or in the hanger

hope the company fires everone soon. that would give me just the motivation i need to move out of this state.

I just visited 1150’s Web site and noted the following:

“Discussion of the company's weekend letter asking members to call them and come back to work resulted in a demand by the membership to call the company during the meeting. The call was made on speaker phone and the members left a message for the company: a long resounding "BOO".�

Time to grow up. Did you feel better saying BOO into the phone? Did you accomplish anything? How is the $232 holding out? Your dues payment is due next week!

SAC was waiting for the 15th to see what happened at the meeting. Looks like the replacements will be marching in!

In the meantime… do you have enough firewood? It’s getting colder! Did you have to get a permit for a fire – or is that a special fire barrel?

I am a salaried worker and just received my raise in the paycheck I got today. It’s only 3.5 percent but it just about covers what you make in a week walking in circles. I’m not complaining… I’m glad I have a job and very proud of how I do it.

I heard there could be salary lay-offs in the future following this strike; any truth to that?

I agree that ME's and mech's should work side by side to get all the problems worked out....

But since this strike has happened...there will be a lot of hate brewed up, and it might take a year or so before everyone cools down. What productivity you guys on the inside can get done, you better be happy with it. When the teamsters get back, they will tear everything apart, and look for anything that they can, to find their known problems, so they can point fingers and they can feel like they were needed. The longer this drags out, the more hate for another group will fester. And the more wasted time to put everything back together to get to the same spot that the aircraft are currently.

And also, there will be further safety problems springing up if this strike lasts too long. The union guys will try anything they can, to get the scabs fired. A simple point a freind said to me... he mentioned he would cross the line, but there will be a day, that someone will go back over his work, and possibly cut something, like a wire bundle, and point it out to someone else, and claim it was him, the "scab" that did it. The scab gets fired, the wire bundle will take more man hours and parts to replace, and the security and safety of the aircraft will be tainted. A tool can be lifted from another scabs toolbox, and a lost tool report will be filed towards that aircraft. Point is, the longer this strike lasts, the more tempers will flare, it will be an all out war between salary and hourly, union and scabs, and management and workers trying to absorb more OT to recover the hours they already lost for this long of a time frame.

It will be a long time before we all work together again as....one. From the blade shop to paint cell, the sheet metal shop to the production hanger, from the company to the customer...we all need to work together to get a safe aircraft from a basic carbon based ply of fabric to a fully built smooth operational helicopter...that the customer can fly into war and to depend on it for their lives, or for another customer to take 19 people to an oil platform so they can get to their work....well...thats it...we all need to work, and we all need to work together.

Work.....

We do need to work together.

The scabs need to work to help get them thru their current situation, they only crossed because they either had loved ones that needs medical attention, or they are already behind in their financial abilities. The salary guys are working, but it's not doing the work that they need to be doing, granted, they don't have anyone to boss around, so they have to do our work, and we want to work, but we're not happy with a damn contract that the company offers us, so we strike. But now, I'm sure the company would want us back, so they can have some sort of a secure feeling that the job, that has been going on with the safe record for so long, that we do on the aircraft that we DO deliver.

The company will be hireing a lot of people anyways to help with the ramp up of all the aircraft that they already had in line to be purchased by certain organizations, so the new guys that have came to fill in, are getting some hands on experiance, but they would get better training if their peers were training them, instead of their new bosses. I can go on all night like this, but I won't....so....

Think....

I feel very sorry for you all. It seems you have been within SAC's walls so long you have lost sight of the real world.

In the real world good paying jobs, with benefits, are hard to find.

In the real world people have to share the cost of their benefits.

In the real world there are hundreds if not thousnads of people waiting to get the jobs you union folks are so casually walking away from.

I feel sorry for you all because your going to learn what the real world is about the hard way.

In the real world of tomorrow there will not be union workers in building aircraft SAC.

I feel very sorry for you all.

ONE O SIX THOUSAND: I agree we could keep the same workforce that we have in the present.Were making our deliveries on time with unprecedented quality to boot!

Wow...who'd of thought...another anonymous post.....

The time's of the poster on this board is under the phraze that they posted. Just an FYI...

And...

A. I would never do anything to damage an aircraft, because...
a.1 I will eventually fly in them, and
a.2 I have freinds and the customers flying in them.

B. This strike is also "dealing with people's lives"
b.1 Just wasteing our time blogging on this post.
b.2 Not making any money.
b.3 Not getting any work done for the company.
b.4 Turning everyone against each other.
b.5 Missing doctors appointments.
b.6 The check book is starving, and turning red.
b.7 ....and this list can get as long as it wants..

C. And Rocco.

c.1 He is in charge, I didn't vot him ther..but others did.
c.2 I feel that he might be trying, but so far no results.
c.3 He's now had over 7 months to get something done, and all he has is a damn strike to show for it.

Enough said???

Think.....

hrmmm

Well as much as I feel that people have the right to strike for better benefits I think your UNION Officials are the one doing the most to screw over the workers.

Remember your UNION employees stil get paid their wages, their benefits etc... while you are all walking the line.

Ask these questions;
1) What did the Union do to prepare for this strike?
2) What kind of warning did the Union give you in regards to a forecast of what the future contracts talks would be like, so membership could prepare themselves?
3) What did the union do to at least maintain your health insurance while on strike when how many of your union brothers/familes are fighting life threating illnesses?

If your union leadership really cared and where professional they would have prepared better. Your leadership could have arranged for alternate insurance or have a been keeping a policy in fouce in a stand by mode to cover you.

I wonder what everyone will say one who can not afford the full boat price of med care drops dead because they had to discontinue meds or treatments. Hell what they give you in strike pay would not even cover a Drs. office visit. Ever have to pay cash for a test or other med care? If the gross bill is say $10,000 insurance only pays about half thath anyway as they get a discount of about 50% that you or I as a cash customer don't get.

I am sorry your med package offered under your new contract is about the same as the real world for people making half your pay wage.

If the UTC insurnace isn't good enough why not have your local see about pulling out of UTC's plan and enroll everyone into the nation Teamester plan and YOU as a member can have a bigger say on how much your weekly contribution is and what is covered and not. The union only has to bargain the cost at contract time.

I ahve a friedn who works at UTC about to loose his home as he was in dire straights when this strike hit. He had a major medical condition this summer lost over 3 months work. Plus his medical bill are our of this world, just his RX alone would be about $1300 a month out of pocket.

What is he going to do, the union will not help. Loose his house and maybe his life over this issue? What is his wife, who can't work do where is his 2 kids to live?

I support my friend decision to cross the line. Family first then union then company.

You have a fantasic pay rate, better to budget better and tough it out till times are better. Think about the people who make half of what you make and make it and have been paying what you would be paying under the current offer?

sorry about those multiple posts...it appeared that my comp was on the fritz...

I heard about the crank phone call and thought it was childish, immature and certainly not something one should do to their employer, with whom they are supposed to be negotiating a way to return to work. How do you expect the company to take you seriously when you act in this manner? But then I started thinking about the longer term consequences of this action. If this crank call was left on someone's voice mail, as previously reported on this blog, then you guys just screwed yourselves with regard to the unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB. All Sikorsky has to do is play that message back for the NLRB. It's hard to bargain in good faith with a bunch of juvenile imbeciles who would rather make crank calls than seriously discuss the issues.

What you refuse to understand is that you WILL NOT win this medical plan fight. Beth Amato announsed yesterday that this second offer you rejected has been pulled off the table and each successive offer will only get worse. Try this two or three more times and you may see NO rat bonus, NO increases to pension/401(k) plans, the same 80/20 health plan plus a decrease in your hourly rate to make up for the financial hit the company took due to this strike.

Does it really sound like they are desperate to get you back?!

LONG ARTICLE AND FROM 2004, BUT ONE THAT I THINK COULD OPEN SOME EYES. PLEASE READ ON. LINK PROVIDED BELOW.

Communism… Alive and Well?

Written by JB Williams

©2004-07-02

Despite the fall of the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall, Communism is alive and well in the most unlikely places. It’s thriving in the hearts and minds of blind Party loyalists today. Most of them are unaware that blind Party loyalty is the core design of Communism. It’s the means by which people are driven to look past truth, common sense and personal thought, and walk the line of collective thought.

While the media and consequently most Americans, focus their attention on the war against terrorists, (better described as a war on jihad), the doctrine of Marx springs forth from the deeply rooted and fertile ground of anti-Americanism.

I have written on this topic many times, but in this case, I want to bring to your attention some very disturbing trends in America, even more disturbing evidence, and the linkage between true communists and their unsuspecting bedfellows in the Democratic Party.

You first need to understand the basic history and ideology behind communism. In short, it is the union philosophy, collective bargaining practices applied to everyday life, instead of just at the workplace. The idea that all men have the same economic worth, regardless of individual ambition, work habits, contribution, or choices, a Right to the same results, regardless of the differences in their efforts.

These ideas incorporate all inclusive social engineering, whereby all ideas, lifestyles, moral or immoral behaviors have equal merit, equal status, and all doctrines of individualism are set aside in favor of a supposed collective interest.

Like in the workplace, this concept requires a central power for collection and distribution of resources. A power to determine what is fair for all, collect the resources necessary to provide that equality, and distribute it accordingly. In the case of Communism, that central power is the government.

Anyone who has ever worked in a union job can tell you, the result of this form of equality is the unlimited reduction in productivity and resources. People with low ambition and poor work habits are elevated to equal status with those who carry the lion’s share of the load. More productive and ambitious individuals are lowered to equal status of those less productive. Inevitably, the desire for good work habits and personal ambition are eliminated, since unequal efforts will only achieve equal results.

This is the real cause for the fall of communism around the globe. No communist country has ever been able to feed itself long term, ultimately collapsing under the weight of its own lack of productivity which always results in a lack of resources.

This is the reason America was designed to be a society which protects the Rights of the individual over the collective group or groups. (Voting blocks)

But there is a strong movement in America today to replace our forefathers design with a collective bargaining system in which the central federal government collects an increasing amount of private resources, grabs responsibility of deciding everyone’s worth, and provides the government sanctioned benefits demanded by the people, (like heath care).

This my friends is collective bargaining, union mentality, socialism at first, and communism in the end. As you have already seen, the public demand for government services never ends, once it begins. Already, the government controls approximately 43.8% of America’s wealth, and it isn’t enough, they continue to outspend that.

True socialists/communists understand this, so do many politicians who promote these ideas under the guise of Democracy and equality. However, many unsuspecting bedfellows are unaware of what they are supporting. They focus on immediate needs (often with good intentions), and shortcut fix’s of allowing government to solve individual challenges, without considering the long term implications.

Some of the politicians who promote these ideas know exactly what they are promoting, and some are simply unsuspecting bedfellows themselves, pandering to the electorate for votes by the best means available. Either way, they are selling America out for personal power.

It’s important that the American people understand what they are supporting. This link Marxism Headlines & Archives provides an eye opening look into the communist movement in America today, and their connection to the DNC.

This link to Peoples Weekly World , and this one to Communist Party USA , and this one to International Socialist Review , and this one to Liberals-Vs-US.Us will provide the supporting evidence that this movement is in America, it’s well organized, and it is working in concert with the DNC, MoveOn.org, the Kerry campaign and others to unseat a President that threatens everything they believe in. This is the “Anyone but Bush� movement�.

The tactics used to promote communism and socialism have changed dramatically since the days of Stalin. America’s military superpower provided a formidable resistance to the spread of communism around the globe, so new tactics were required.

Today their tactics are more subtle, and in many ways more devious, as they fly (for the most part) below anyone’s radar. Their methods have been adjusted to win the hearts and minds of the people, who would then demand an ever increasing socialist government responsible for caring for its people’s daily needs.

You can clearly align the platform of today’s Democratic Party with that of either the communist or socialist agenda, but most people have never looked and compared. Many of the grassroots workers in the DNC are from the socialist and communist party’s. They realize that you would never knowingly vote for their candidate, so they adopt the next best thing, the DNC candidate, and they push the DNC further and further to the left.

Communists predicted long ago that they would achieve success in America without ever firing a shot. This is what they meant, and they are well on their way to that success.

The upcoming election is about more than the economy, the war on terror, Halliburton, Health Care, or jobs. America is divided right down the middle, 50/50. Half fights to preserve Americanism, free enterprise, individual liberty, and a Right to make what we choose of our own lives and our country. The other half has fallen victim to the drumbeat of “Anyone but Bush�.

This phrase, though used by many democrats across the country, was coined by the communist movement, as in, (though we can’t get a candidate of the communist party elected, “anyone but Bush� would be a step in the right direction).

The American people need to understand that our nations division is no accident. It was systematically designed, diligently deployed, as a means of eliminating individuals and creating voting blocks instead. Voting blocks that could be manipulated into casting certain votes for narrow reasoning, groups pitted against one another, in order to cause single issue voting, an electorate that could be swayed by policy promises geared towards the ideals of the voting blocks.

The system has been brilliantly employed. So much so, that today, we are more divided and fragmented than ever before in history. No amount of evidence seems to sway people’s opinions either. It’s almost a Jim Jones style grip that this ideology has on people. Most search only for facts that support what they choose to believe.

It’s easy enough to document the agenda of a George Soros, (who is attempting to buy the Whitehouse for John Kerry), and his hatred for America’s world power. It’s easy enough to debunk the rantings and misleading statements of a Michael Moore or a liberal media. But blind Party loyalists won’t hear the message, despite a mountain of evidence. Even conservatives now find themselves cornered into pandering in order to just slow the tide.

This presents the largest threat to America, more so than all the world terrorists combined. Party loyalists need to realize that loyalty to country, honor, truth and American principles are of greater value. Partisans need to understand that it does not matter who gets the credit, as long as the right thing gets accomplished. Who gets the blame won’t matter either, if we don’t turn this trend around. We need to face the fact that our forefathers had it right and that we are about to relive the mistakes of centuries past.

As the saying goes, you have to watch what you wish for, because it might come true!

Brothers/ we have been screwed over by our union officals. We pay them to prepare and watch out for our well being.

What did they think this contract was going to be a cake walk like we have so much power? Especially when they do not prepare, plan or even inform us properly?

We have a dam good pay rate and even with increases in the health plan there are at least 100 people for each one of us, out there who would work for half the pay rate for the offered benefits! So the company could new hire 2 people for everyone of use and absorb the cost of training them, and before the next contract period recouped any productivity and training costs for the new hires.

Plus they would get a pat on the back from gov't officals that they created 3,500 new jobs by doubling the work force. Trust me you think any politician is not going grab any glory no matter what happens?

Read ina earlier part of the blog about strike pay for everyone including UNION HALL officals and employees when on strike.

GOOD IDEA!!!!

It is as though it is the late 1930's we see war coming but what did we do? Nothing untilll the last minute. Our Union treated us worse than FDR and the gov't did then. At the very least FDR started teh country to a war footing in '39 and '40, our union officials waited until Pearl Harbor was bombed and we will be like Wainright on Cooregidor.

We the Battling Bastards of Stratford,
No Papa, no Mama, Uncle Jimmy.

Think about we shall be like the lost souls of Pearl Harbor we lost about the same number dead there as we are now. (3500) All due to no preperation, piss poor planning and wrong assumptions.

I am going back to work, I have bills to pay.
Screw the Union until we can get better people running it. And if the Union screws me over as they have done to memebers (1996) in the past be prepared for legal action I have my own special strike fund set aside.

Anyone who feels the way anon 6:32 says (s)he does should have spoken up yesterday at the meeting. This blog is wonderful for sharing info, feelings, insights, news, etc., but expressing your dissatisfaction here is pointless. If you don't let your leaders know how you feel, either by telling them point blank or by calling for their removal, then you have no right to complain about the kind of treatment you are getting from them. If you're in an abusive relationship, then get out, but if you don't get out, then don't come crying to the rest of us the next time you get knocked around.

I dont understand why people listen to the comments in here and taking them seriuosly. There are kids and people writing in this blog fucking with you on all topics. They are fueliing the imaginary fued everyone now thinks exists between a salary worker vs an hourly worker. Its a damn shame. When I read there are college kids getting grades and getting paid to mess with peoples lives and beliefs in a place where it was set up to add information for them in a time of need is just f'd up. Strikers will be on strike until SAC tweaks the health benefits, period. I think if they offered these guys 10% raises they would still turn it down. Its principle now with the union heads. And the blind will follow the blind regardless if they like or not.

Watching how union members continue to be lead around by the noses by their false god, "the union," has given me a new understanding of how cults work. The way cults get their members to perform mass suicides, that's the same method this union is using to get its members to perform mass financial suicide. And the sad thing is that union members, like cult members, can't be spoken to. You can't give them advice, guide them to make better choices, provide them with information or help them to think for themselves. The union mentality is so deeply ingrained in them that they cannot see what is coming and refuse to believe anything that has not been spoken by their leadership. They are totally blind to reality and cannot accept that they may be wrong.

When this situation first developed and the first contract was voted down, I just thought they were stupid or had over-inflated opinions of themselves. Now I see them as they truly are... brainwashed zombies. If our politicians in this state and the entire country care anything about the working class, they will remove unionism from this country altogether and teach the working class how to think and succeed on their own merit.

The union cant except the new proposal because it did not address any benefit modifications. period!

Union members also remind one of drug addicts. Ever heard the expression you can't argue with a drunk? Same thing. When suffering from the effects of their drug of choice, in this case it would be unionism, they are unreachable.

Dude, they are basically told whats best for them, and theres no in between

Remember Eric Clapton's song, COCAINE?

If you wanna hang out you’ve got to take her out; UNION.
If you wanna get down, down on the ground; UNION.
She don’t lie, she don’t lie, she don’t lie; UNION.

If you got bad news, you wanna kick them blues; UNION.
When your day is done and you wanna run; UNION.
She don’t lie, she don’t lie, she don’t lie; UNION.

If your thing is gone and you wanna ride on; UNION.
Don’t forget this fact, you can’t get it back; UNION.
She don’t lie, she don’t lie, she don’t lie; UNION.

She don’t lie, she don’t lie, she don’t lie; UNION.

I was at yesterdays meeting and would have loved to have spoken. But yes i'm a women and when you have a men yelling and screaming like excon's you get scared. I read in the paper today that we voted on the new offer from sikorsky that is a big fat lie! Rocco voted for us we were not asked! I would love to cross. But i fear these union members with no brains.

Sad, the bullies you see in the meetings and on the picket line are all just a bunch of cowardly sissies one-on-one. If everyone who is afraid to speak up would just write a letter to Rocco and stick it in the mail, maybe you all could get somewhere. There's a website, www.nrtw.org for the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, where you can go for free help if you feel that you have been unfairly treated by your union or if you fear retaliation for crossing the picket line. I would urge Sad and everyone in her shoes to contact this organization. They may be able to help you. No one can help you if you are not willing to help yourselves, though.

I've been an engineer at SA for over 30 years and have nothing but respect for the hourly men and women that assemble these marvelous aircraft. I really think your union has done you a huge disservice. Picking the medical plan as the sticking point for contract ratification was a mistake. Just about everyone working for UTC has the 80/20 plan. P&W had to take the medical. Do you really think the corporation is going to give in to 3600 workers when they employ 200,000?

The issue that you should have fought for was job security. Can't you see the jobs slowly being off-loaded as more and more aircraft assemblies are built out of house? This strike is just the insentive the company needs to off-load the entire aircraft assembly line to someone else that wants to work hard for a good wage. And don't think there aren't workers at Kaman or elsewhere that can't do your jobs.

I don't have any hard feelings for the strikers, but you've got to see that this is a battle that you can't win.

I believe with all my heart that yesterdays meeting was overtaken by the loud, foul mouthed union minority, who have completely intimidated those with a different opinion about this strike, the contract and returning to work.

But don't beat yourselves up over not speaking...I am salary and am not sure I would have put myself in that position either.

But actions speak louder than words...you can still send your leeter of resignation into the union and come back to your job.

I have spoken to many of my hourly friends and they want to come back to work but are truly afraid. One of these days the fear of losing their job will be greater than any consequences they believe will befall them if they cross the might Teamster Strike Line...

Use your head though...company is not sitting around pining for your return...then are planning and planning and planning....

The whole strike philosphy is outdated and trite. It seems that the Union has lost their focus on what they are fighting for. If it's one issue, stick with the one issue. Avoid attacking George David and the salary workers. If you want David's money, get a better job or buy stock in the company. Pick a battle you have a better chance of winning. Biting off more than you can chew just makes you look like a fool.

It's honorable for the union members to stick together and fight for what they believe it, but when they loose focus, they will loose the battle. The union workers should be working side by side with the salary workers to make a better Sikorsky Aircraft so that way everybody wins. Remember the old addage "a house divided can not stand"? If the company can not compete in the GLOBAL market place, no one will have job -- hourly or salary -- no one.

Make a better Sikorsky by working WITH the company, not against it.

I get that some people may be afraid of retaliation from the union if they speak up. But what are you more afraid of, someone calling you an ugly name or losing your job, your financial standing, security for your family? At what point do you start standing up for what you TRULY believe instead of what you've been DICTATED to believe? If there is one person out there who would like to see this union go, then print out a petition to have Rocco, et al dethroned. Surely, that one person knows another person, and that other person knows another person, and so on and so on and so on. Before you know it, there will be enough of you who have had enough willing to sign a petition to remove this local from representing you. You can lay down and let yourselves be run over by the Teamsters or you can fight for your jobs and your dignity. We can help provide the resources, but ultimately YOU have to do the work to make it happen. Prove you are NOT lazy, circulate the petition and kick this union out!

PETITION FOR DECERTIFICATION (RD) --
REMOVAL OF REPRESENTATIVE

The undersigned employees of _______________________ (employer name) do not want to be represented by _____________________ (union name).

Should the undersigned employees constitute 30% or more, but less than 50%, of the bargaining unit represented by ___________________ (union name), the undersigned employees hereby petition the National Labor Relations Board to hold a decertification election to determine whether the majority of employees also no longer wish to be represented by this union.

In addition, should the undersigned employees constitute 50% or more of the bargaining unit represented by ___________________ (union name), the undersigned employees hereby request that __________________ (employer name) immediately withdraw recognition from this union, as it does not enjoy the support of a majority of employees in the bargaining unit.

_______________________ _______________________ ____________
Name (Print) Signature Date
_______________________ _______________________ ____________
Name (Print) Signature Date
_______________________ _______________________ ____________
Name (Print) Signature Date
_______________________ _______________________ ____________
Name (Print) Signature Date
_______________________ _______________________ ____________
Name (Print) Signature Date

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These signatures should be collected when the employees are on non-work time, and in non-work areas! You must fill in the names of the union and employer in the blank spaces above before you collect signatures. There should be no employer help, and employer resources should not be used.

All I can say is that they're getting exactly what they deserve. Too much greed made them vote down the first offer, too much pride made them vote down the second offer. Will there be a third offer? And which of the seven deadly sins will they be willing to commit in rejecting the third offer?

I still cannot believe the update on the union site - calling and leaving a "Boooooo" message to SAC. Union members pay $50 a week for that kind of representation. Get some grownups to negotiate.

It wasn't booooo we yelled in the phone. It was BULSH** that we yelled in the phone. Get it right!

From the union site - update - I got it right!

"The call was made on speaker phone and the members left a message for the company: a long resounding "BOO".

First off my husband is on strike and they did not get to vote on this last offer Rocco rejected it without them!!! Second when I heard they called SIK and said BOO I was embarrassed for my husband and all the other hourly employees, that is ignorant and I myself would not want to be lead by an ASS like Rocco!! Third the fight was supposedly over insurance but Rocco has already stated that he would except the 80/20 so why the hell are we still on strike!!Better question how does it feel to have wasted the last 26 days and counting for him to just eat the 80/20 you were supposedly fighting over!! This needs an END!!

"Sikorsky also said that, starting this week, it would accelerate plans to move work out of the state. The company has not specified where that work would go or whether the relocation would result in permanent job losses when the labor dispute is settled."

The future couldn't be any clearer.

Oh, I think the end is very near, indeed. Sikorsky is already making it happen, the only thing left for them to do is issue a press release naming the site of the new plant(s). I would bet they hold off until the next meeting of shareholders, but after that it will be a fait accompli.

Again I told you all to voice your opinion at the meeting. I heard no one talk negatively about ROCCO.
The papers are reporting that we voted no to this second proposal, which in fact we did not.
ROCCO made that decision for us before asking us.
I ask about layoffs and was told that with the amount of work there that we should not worry about it.
Well ROCCO there are many that are worried about many things.
HEY CAN I CALL YOU UP FOR A DONATION TO PAY MY MORTGAGE?

Regarding the call made to HR from the Union Meeting of Wed. 3-15...

These are the facts...

At the request of several members who had received letters in the mail from HR instructing them to call, and advising them to cross the picket line, a conference call was placed to ask some legitimate questions. Numerous members had brought the letter to the meeting with them.

The "Booing" transpired after the call was received by an answering machine. The call was placed in a serious attempt to answer member’s questions about the correspondence from HR.

The call was not placed as a "crank".

I was present and witnessed the call as described above.

12:16 - Your entry was probably a very factual description of what life would be like inside if the strikers are allowed back in with the union. I hope that SIK is smart enough to see that. That's why none of you who won't resign from the union should be allowed back in. The attitudes would be totally non-productive and harmful to everyone there. The union has showed more childish behavior than any of us could have imagined (slandering women, throwing nails, name calling, threats, crank calls, etc.)but it hasn't been dangerous. Now with promises to sabotage workers and machines, that's too much. I hope SIK is monitoring this site and understands that the Teamsters will get even one way or another, if they are allowed back in. New permanent hires need to come in asap.

Move the plant!!!!!!!!!

Remember, folks. This is an ENTERTAINMENT site only. The blog is overrun with uninvolved "commenters" that thrive on those who are unable to see this site for what it is - an open forum that lets ALL in.
There are hourly posting as Salary, Salary posting as hourly, people who have nothing to do with either SAC or the Union or Stratford, people who love to see their words on the web, and so on.
Take what you need and leave the rest. This site is for those moments when you can't find anything good in the National Enquirer....
All the best to the Union members, Salary folks (I miss the ones I know), and all who are affected by this situation. Last, but foremost in my heart is my wife who has stood beside me without reserve in what is for many of us a very difficult time. Thank you for reminding me that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that's important.

You salary guys are behaving like the Union slugs! Wasting company time and screwing off...much like Bob Garbian and Ted Harvey

Boeing's Strike: Go Figure

The shutdown is costing much more than it would to meet the machinists' demands

In the days before Boeing Co.'s (BA ) 18,300 machinists walked off the job on Sept. 2, management thought it had a smart strategy for avoiding a strike. True, the aerospace giant wasn't ready to jack up its traditional defined-benefit pension plan nearly as much as the International Association of Machinists (IAM) was demanding. But Boeing had an alternative: Offer as much as $9,000 in cash bonuses, including a generous new match to the 401(k) that IAM members get along with their pension. Managers hoped the juicy stack of cash would tempt the roughly 4,000 mostly younger workers who had been recalled recently as orders picked up. If so, that would have sufficed to bring about a repeat of 2002, when the IAM failed to muster the two-thirds majority needed to sanction a strike.

Instead, Boeing's effort misfired badly. The machinists rejected the company's offer by 86%. Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Alan R. Mulally, who's running the show while new Boeing CEO W. James McNerney Jr. learns the ropes, denies that the company attempted to divide the union membership. Still, what's puzzling is why he hasn't yet found a face-saving way to end the standoff. A close reading of management's offer suggests that it could meet the IAM's key pension demands for just $90 million more over the three-year life of a new labor contract. Since that comes to less than 1% of the nearly $4 billion the company will spend on the IAM's total wage-and-benefit expense over that period, it's difficult to see what Boeing hopes to gain by a lengthy showdown. That's particularly true in light of analysts' estimates that Boeing will rack up more than $90 million in costs each month that the walkout drags on.

FAT ORDER BOOK
What worries Wall Street is the long history of bad blood between Boeing and its unions. In 1995 the company endured a 69-day strike that poisoned morale for years. This contributed to a series of painful production snafus over the next few years that cost the company $2.5 billion -- a profitless stretch that lasted right through what then was the biggest boom in commercial aviation. Today demand is once more rising for jetliners, raising concerns that Boeing will again let labor animosities get in the way of boom times. "The money makes no material difference to either side -- there is no reason for this strike to be happening," says Richard Aboulafia, an analyst at aerospace consultant Teal Group.

While Boeing's initial strategy seemed promising enough, Mulally and Boeing Human Resources Vice-President Jerry Calhoun clearly underestimated the machinists' desire for traditional pensions. Indeed, two-thirds of IAM members are nearing retirement and weren't tempted by the short-term cash offer. Instead, older workers are looking for a big boost to the pension plan that currently pays them $60 a month per year of service -- about $1,800 a month for a 30-year veteran. Boeing offered to bump that up to $66 by 2008, but the IAM is looking for $80 -- or $70 at the least, union insiders say. Older workers, says IAM District 751 President Mark Blondin, feel they deserve a richer retirement as payment for helping Boeing rebound from the worst slump in commercial airplane history. They also know that the Chicago company is sitting on more than $5 billion in cash and has earned more than $1.1 billion in profit in the first half of this year.

The question now is, if the strike is costing more than a compromise would, why doesn't Boeing just settle? True, no industrial company wants to saddle itself with even higher fixed pension costs these days, given the pain that General Motors Corp. and others are going through with their troubled union retirement plans. But in Boeing's case, the extra dollars it would take to satisfy its aging IAM workforce amount to a pittance.

Okay, I will give you the benefit of the doubt that the phone call was not placed as a "crank call," but are you expecting the company, the mediator, the NLRB, etc. to give you that same benefit of the doubt?! If a message was left with nothing but a bunch of booing in the background, how do you think it makes you look? Will anyone really believe that it wasn't a crank call? Maybe, I don't know. I just think that, regardless of the intention, the call did more harm than good. More union grandstanding that, I suppose, was to keep you riled up, but really just further damaged your image.

Anon 8:56 - then why does the 1150 Union online site say different. Is that how the Union communicates with their members? They Lie?

To Workingstiff... yep, NOW you've got it! ;°)

Get back to work salary people

6:49 - right on the $$ !!

Noone said anything at that meeting because anyone that had a differing opinion was chastizes ,insulted and threatened the shame is those same people are honoring the strike and were treated that way wanting information

What meeting were you at (time)?

to annonymous at 8:55 AM:
I was there and if you really were you would know that you CAN contact Union Hall/Rocco with your concern /situation and can expect help. Tsk Tsk.
Oh, and did YOU talk about YOUR concerns at the meeting? If you did not wish to openly voice your concerns did you approach any of the board? I know you did not because they were there and more than available. I know. I did talk to them and received rational and intellligent responses.
Geez.....
You're apparently a fake and a coward.

I have a suggestion for Sikorsky Management which would provide an illuminating perspective of just how dedicated the Salary workforce actually is.

Make a call to CSC and ask for a report of how many hits are going out from your server to http://cbs.sportsline.com in order to watch the streaming videos of March Madness.

Then, terminate all of those "diligent" contingency workers who are watching basketball on company time!

It's really too bad the way some of the "bad actors" within the union are railroading some of the others. It is not wrong to want to resolve this issue, go back to work and put back together everything that has been broken as the result of this so-called labor dispute. (I still don't know what you are disputing. Changing your health care plan is not an unfair labor practice.) I hate unions. I think they are destructive to their members and to employers and this is a prime example of what a bad union can do to good people and a good company. Someone needs to grab hold of the reigns and really take charge of this situation. Rocco is not leading you, he is MISLEADING you.

Anon 9:10 Good Idea

As an ex-Sikorsky A/C employee, I for one am glad that I no longer have to be in contact with the thugs would are the Large Big Mouthed Members Of 1150. They are the minority of the membership. They try to intimidate when they are in a group, but never as one. If they are confronted as one ,they call for a union steward. They knew I couldn't be intimidated by their high school actions. That only pissed them off more. People go back to work while you still can. The union big mouths will not retaliate against a large group. Go back before that choice does not exist. You must remember SAC makes up only a small fraction of the UTC Corp.

http://www.nrtw.org/

9:07 - what does that tell you about your "brotherhood"? Follow or be knocked down. that should be the motto! Congrats to those of you who now know the truth and have gotten out and kept your jobs.

Again..."The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for the good to do nothing!" I pray the rest of you find your character and courage. Its worth being able to look in the mirror at the end of the day and have some self-respect. If you don't resign, you really do get what you've chosen. Good luck

Sad, the bullies you see in the meetings and on the picket line are all just a bunch of cowardly sissies one-on-one. If everyone who is afraid to speak up would just write a letter to Rocco and stick it in the mail, maybe you all could get somewhere. There's a website, www.nrtw.org for the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, where you can go for free help if you feel that you have been unfairly treated by your union or if you fear retaliation for crossing the picket line. I would urge Sad and everyone in her shoes to contact this organization. They may be able to help you. No one can help you if you are not willing to help yourselves, though!

Posted: Wedesday, March 15, 10:14am

Yesterday, the Connecticut Department of Labor Office of Program Policy denied unemployment benefits to striking Sikorsky workers.

Hearings on the unemployment claims began two weeks ago.

In a letter to the company, the labor department stated that its decision was based solely on records and documents submitted by Sikorsky because...

"despite repeated efforts to secure a statement from the Teamsters Local 1150, the Union did not return telephone and electronic messages during the week following the scheduled hearing."

Are you people so stupid that you think the only ones posting anti-union comments here are salaried people wasting company time? There are plenty of us out here that totally disagree with this horrible situation and blame union members' greed for what could potentially be a serious blow to the economy of the entire state of Connecticut.

We are taxpayers who do not want to pay police OT or to support you all when you end up on welfare. We are parents who do not want to have to pay extra for our children to each lunch so that yours can eat free. We are retirees, spouses, family members, friends, neighbors, members of the community, veterans, active duty military members, ex-Sikorsky employees and future Sikorsky employees. Some of us have a stake in the outcome of this situation, some of us are just observers of humanity, some of us are news junkies and probably many of us are just here for the entertainment. So what? If someone makes a valid point or expresses an honest opinion, does it really matter who they are or why they are posting? Or are you too insecure to let people who disagree with you share your right to free speech?

If you want to continue making incorrect assumptions about who is posting comments on this blog or anywhere else, that is fine. Sometimes you are probably right, sometimes you are definitely wrong. But here's the thing... you don't really know, do you? You may be discarding an actual FACT because your union has told you to believe it is "company propaganda." Well, what about the propaganda your union leadership is spewing? Keep a scoreboard, all of you, and make sure you put tally marks for each confirmed lie told to you by both the company and your union. When this is all over with, we will just see who really lied to whom.

Here is a legitmate question.... I admit I'm new to all this stuff and I have read a lot about "right to work states". First, what is a right to work state? Is it a state where unions are now allowed? or a state where even if there is a union, you don't have to belong and they don't bargain for you?
And most importantly, how would CT go about becoming a right to work state? Does anyone have a factual answer?

Visit www.nrtw.org for answers to your questions about right-to-work states. They do have unions, but they do not have forced unionism. Right-to-work states have something known as "free choice."

For CT to become a right-to-work state, a right-to-work law would have to be passed. With the Democrats in power, this won't happen.

Thanks for the info.!

Okay, if we are dead in the water on the 80/20 thing, lets go forward, we lost this fight, and lets get something somewheres else. I am at the meeting yesterday, and just wondering to myself, "Rocco keeps saying about waiting to hear back from the company, and I'm thinking to myself, why wait, go pound on their door you idiot", why wait, so we can lose more than we have already? It does no good to voice your opinion, cuz Goz did, and maybe he wasnt understood correctly, but he got "the look", and that was the end to that. Rocco keeps saying about,"alittle longer", well how much longer is longer to him, before more people NEED to cross the line? Or Rocco said,"I wont hang ya out to dry, lose the house, etc", but everyone has a different limit, I heard a few guys saying they were hurtin big time already, so lets get another offer to these people soon! On the flip side, I do hear Roccos point about an insulting offer, which it was, but do any of you actually think the offer was gonna be better? And Rocco, after being out of work 4 weeks, do you think the company is going to "reward" us for stying out, like we are gonna get a much better offer? Lets get real here folks, the offer wasnt all that bad, the insurance was the thing we struck on, but we lost, face it, and lets get something of reason to vote on and get back to work, before we dont have a job. I heard Sam Ranno say yesterday, "I wont go back, I lost $4000.00, its not worth me going back in", well good for Sam. Sam also is 64-65 years old, no kids, wife works, and a disabled vet(which I admire his service), but he does not have a clue what the younger people are facing. Then on the other side, the younger workers think the ones with 20 years plus time are all set, they are wrong too. I have 25 years, started when I was 18, have some college, company bought by the way, and just cuz I have all those years, I am far from set!So lets all look in the mirror, take a deep breath, and lets get back to work, and another thing, I have been laid of twice, so I know whats on the outside, and from what I see from the people I work with, not many of you,and not to knock you people, but you would not surbive onthe outside, seriously! Bottom line, we make great money, decent benefits, and I dont care about the silence at yesterdays meeting, all I have spoken with want to get back to work, they are not worried about the extra cost of insurance, thats what happens when you are out for 4 weeks, reality sets in, and you know whats the rigth thing to do. Also, I have spoken to many salary friends, and no, not much is getting done, but why give the company more fuel to outsource more work, when we see it has been on going for 10 years, lets stop it, bargain for more job security, and keep the factory rite here in Ct....thank you, now lets see the responses, this was a sensible post, but i can take it, so lets see! P.S. to the salary people, I have nothing against you workers, we both need each other, no matter what the idoits on here say..union brothers and sisters, no matter what I say, or hear, trusst I shall never cross the line neither, as I voted against the 1st contract, and have an oath to live by...

I guess come the next election time, we'll have to make sure the Democrats aren't in power. That's how salary and everyone should unite!

Nice touch as we drove in the gates this morning - a guy holding a dead rat by the tail! What a bunch of ill behaved children.

And in response to Anonymous at 9:10 - considering CSC is being screamed at every day when they drive in - don't you think they would laugh in the face of any request!

I truly believe that if a Republican or Independent ran on the next election with part of his platform being to convert CT to a right-to-work state, he would win hands down. People are sick of paying twice as much for everything as in right-to-work states. Why is everything so expensive? Because unions force employers to pay artificially inflated wages, which then inflates the cost of everything for the rest of us.

As a blue collar worker in Stratford I want you to know the Mrs. John Q. Public does NOT speak for us all. I have watched all of this and though I do not like the expense I believe that the middle class is slowly being squashed by companies making huge profits and not taking care of their own workers' concerns as they slide down the financial ladder. When times are thin then everyone should hurt. When times are good then all should prosper. Remember there was a time when one (blue collar)worker in the household could buy a house and a car and get by. That level of financial accomplishment is no longer the norm. Times change. They become what we make them either by action or inaction. Do what you have to do - you have my support.

9:34 that was a good post. Too bad you're not one of the union leadership. You're talking to people who can't do a thing here. You need to organize those of you who feel the same way, and if you can't speak out in public, you need to write letters or start petitions or do something to take back your power. That, or your only other choices are resign and cross and keep on taking it until you lose more than you can ever get back.

9:38 - was that one of their "brothers" who tried to think for himself?

Thank you, 9:41, for helping me to make my point. No, I don't speak for everyone. No one speaks for everyone. We all have opinions and we all have a right to express them. We don't have to agree. My point was not that the anti-union folks are right and the union folks are wrong, just that everyone has the right to express their opinion and that, if someone makes a valid point, it doesn't matter which "side" they are on.

Everyone should write to the clowns who took advantage of the photo ops in jackets and let them know they'll pay come election time. I myself have voted for some of them and I will never vote for them again. I don't care who is running. How dare they take a stand with the union of one of the largest employers in this area and probably give SIK more ammo to move? VOTE REPUBLICAN!! make RIGHT TO WORK STATE a issue inthe next election.

Well, I agree with Mrs. John Q. Public and I wish everyone on this board did. If someone posts a good argument for or against something, shouldn't we overlook their identity and/or anonymity and evaluate their remark based on content alone?

The sun is hot... that's a fact. That is a true statement. Does it matter if a salaried person, a union person or some Joe Blow off the street made that statement? Does it change the fact that the sun, indeed, is hot? Nope, not a bit.

If more people opened their minds and really listened to others, wouldn't this world be a much better place? You can't negotiate a settlement to this strike if you are not willing to listen to the other side, whether you are company management or union leadership.

Correct, John Q. And what the union needs to HEAR is that the company is SAYING you will not get any other health plan. It's 80/20, take it or leave it.

There have been some posting for the salaried side on here that have been just as rude and offensive as some posting for the union, but there have also been some factual posts about what is happening on the inside. It would be suicide to ignore what is really happening. At least check it out personally before you discard the notion that the company cannot survive without you.

Jeez, anon at 9:41, if you don't believe in freedom of speech and the ability to make decisions based upon actual facts, which is all Mrs. John Q. Public was endorsing, maybe you should pack your blue collar into a nice little suitcase and head for Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm sure you won't find a pesky little thing like freedom of speech there.

How much longer do you think it will be before Sikorsky stops wasting its advertising budget on adds trying to get you freaks back and starts advertising for jobs in another state?

READ THE NEWSPAPER, FOR GOD'S SAKE! DOES IT GET ANY MORE CLEAR THAN THIS?!

"Sikorsky also said that, starting this week, it would accelerate plans to move work out of the state. The company has not specified where that work would go or whether the relocation would result in permanent job losses when the labor dispute is settled."

I did not vote to strike but yet I support my union by staying out. The problem that I am having after the latest offer is; why doesn't Rocco allow the membership to vote on any new contract offer presented? If the members vote to go back to work then at least we all walk in together. If they do not accept the offer and vote to stay out, that will send a stronger message to the company than that of the opinion of 1 member of our union leadership.

Again, the union is sitting around with its fingers in its ears, its eyes closed, singing "la la la la la - i can't hear you!!"

WELL I SAID WAIT TIL WEDNESDAYS MEETING. LETS SEE HOW MANY CROSS THE PICKET LINE NOW.
ROCCO IS PLAYING GAMES WITH ALL OF YOU.
SOMEONE YESTERDAY ASK "WILL EVERYONE HAVE THEIR JOBS BACK WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER?" I BELIEVE THE ANSWER WAS YES.
WILL THERE BE ANY LAYOFFS AS A RESULT OF THIS STRIKE?
AGAIN THE ANSWER WAS THERE IS PLENTY OF WORK AND A LOT OF OVERTIME.
THEY WERE BEHIND SCHEDULE BEFORE WE WERE ON STRIKE, THEY WILL STILL BE BEHIND WHEN WE GET BACK.
I SAID NUMEROUS TIMES ON THIS POST TO VOICE YOUR OPINIONS AND ROCCO GAVE EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. DID EVERYONE ASK THEIR QUESTION?
THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS. NOOOO
SO SUCK IT UP. CALL THE UNION HALL AND ASK FOR A DONATION TO PAY YOUR BILLS. EVERYONE WAS TOLD HOW MUCH MONEY WAS DONATED TO THE UNION TO HELP US OUT. NOW TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY BEFORE YOU CROSS THE LINE.

if you don't acknowledge the reality of a situation, does that make it less real?

I see that many union people cant, or wont speak for themselves, and I saw that first hand at the meeting yesterday. I have been in the union 25 years myself, and have never used them, needed them twice, was never helped. I bet I could get more negotiations and headway made than the slate we have representing us, but as a Democratic society, union and all, I, and we have to stand by our leadership, which is not to say we have to agree with them. I just hope this gets resolved soon, as anything we have gained is lost already, and if you cant see that, then thats pretty sad. We all have opinions, ideas, etc, so why are all against each other, salary vs hourly, union vs non-union, thsi does nothing but drive a deeper wedge between sides, and then you have nothing to go on, just hatred. We have to step up to the plate here, maybe w etook our best swing, maybe time to get past our effort, as I say, its better to live to fight another day, than to be dead, then you have nothing!

Keystone Opens New State-of-the-Art Facilityvia PRNewswire

COATESVILLE, Penn., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- KeystoneHelicopter, a leader in the rotorcraft industry for more than 50 years, is preparing to move into the newest addition to The Heliplex(TM).

Keystone recently received its certificate of occupancy from Sadsbury Township, for the second phase of the The Heliplex. "It is so exciting to finally open the doors of this beautiful facility to our employees and our customers," said Bob Ferrucci, Vice President of Quality and Project Manager for expansion of the Heliplex. Nearly 250 employees occupy the existing 55,000 square feet. The new building is adding more than 75,000 square feet of hangar, office and shop space. The remaining 250 employees who currently occupy the West Chester, Penn., facility will move to the newly expanded facility in Coatesville over the next year.

"We designed the facility from the customers' perspective, investing heavily in new shop capabilities and making sure the layouts would be more conducive to efficient, timely work flows. Our ISO-9000 initiatives and Kaizen innovations have helped along the way. We have room on this new site to grow in place literally for decades to come," said Dave Ford, President of Keystone Helicopter.

Keystone Helicopter will break ground in late spring for the next phase of expansion that includes a 30,000-square-foot building that will house three new state-of-the-art paint booths.

About Keystone Helicopter

Keystone Helicopter is a full-service maintenance and completion center anchored by the Heliplex, a new, state-of-the-art technical services depot in Coatesville, Penn. Keystone is a factory-authorized service center for Bell, Eurocopter, MD Helicopter, Rolls Royce, Turbomeca, Pratt & Whitney, and Sikorsky products. Keystone was acquired by Sikorsky Aircraft in 2005.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky Aircraft is asubsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), based in Hartford, Conn. UTC provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services tothe aerospace and building systems industries.

SOURCE Keystone Helicopter

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Aircraft Maintenance Technology" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.

10:05 - "I and we have to stand by our leadership"
That's the thinking that keeps them in power and in control over you. If the people you pay to represent you and not representing what you think, then they need to be removed from power. To stand by and blindly follow them is what got you here to begin with. You have to control your own life. I can't imagine any circumstances where I would sit by and watch people who don't represent how I feel flush away my future and my family's future.

10:08 - not sure of your point.... was it that you think that SIK will be moving to the new digs?

Yes, there ARE plenty of jobs waiting. They are just not awaiting you in CT. There IS a backlog of work that needs to get done. It just will not be completed in Stratford. There will be a necessity for overtime, but YOU will not be the ones putting in those extra hours.

Sikorsky has said it verbally to Rocco and, through him, to all of you that they are moving jobs out of state. They have issued a press release making the same statement. It has been reported in the press that many operations will be leaving Connecticut. What more do you need? Do you need Jeff Pino and Tom Hutton to don tutus and lay it out for you in interpretive dance? (I admit, I wouldn't mind seeing that, myself.)

Maybe they should try sending you all letters in Braille, since you are all obviously BLIND.

10:10 , true to a point, as I have doubts and questions myself about whats going on. All I said is, I voted with my union, and I as a member, and those who are members have to stand behind them, just like I voted for Bush, I shall stand behind him all the way, even if I disagree with some of his policies. I myself, could NEVR look at myself with respect, knowing I decided to strike then crossed over the line, going back on what I stood for, thats all.Maybe that is hard to understand to some, but to me, a mans word is what makes the man, I hope you understand?

everyone that went to the meeting knows that the Union has money put aside from the other Locals to help members when in need so If you need meds for you or your loved ones there is help at the ahll all you have to do is call and stop listening to the fools that are tring to split us up.We are stronger then the company wants us to think. Screw the jerks.

The Keystone expansion is just that... a Keystone expansion. Part of Sikorsky, yes, but growing and expanding in and of itself. The Sik relocation will not be to another forced union state. Think further south. The closest right-to-work state is Virginia, which means closer proximity to DC, the Pentagon and the military contracts. If I had to pick a state where Sik would move, I would bet on either VA or NC. Lots of bases in NC, too, and it's still on the east coast.

I was at the union meeting. There was no intimidation present. If you lack the backbone to ask what you feel is an important question, THE FOOL IS YOU. The question was asked about HEALTH CARE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS; a.k.a. HSA or H.S.A. The company wants no part of it .WHY? Probably because the first time the heard about them was from the union in negotiations. There is a way out of this. It is not going to be had by Sikorsky offering subsequently less each time they meet with the union. I assure you it is no longer about money, as we will never replace the wages we lost. It is now about what you stand for. It's now personal. Don’t think that the rank & file salary is happy. Sure the ones that are making $90 -100k or more a year are happy. Not so with the lower level workers. They are living vicariously through us, knowing that Our Fight Is Their Fight.

Now to the people who speak of that dirty word sab*****. I have faith in all that they appreciate just what it is that we are building, & it will not happen. If you are stupid enough to do something like this I suggest first seek a new line of work. Second, you need to read your employee manual. I don’t have the manual, but as I recall there was a passage in there about the dirty little S word. I believe it ended with PUNISHABLE BY DEATH IN TIME OF WAR. These things are not toasters, & your 16-year-old son or daughter may fly in it tomorrow. Lets end that line of talk now!

10:15 - Even though I disagree with you, I can respect your conviction and the way you present yourself. Not the nonsense usually found here. Good luck

A legit question here - If there are funds available to help suffering strikers, are they a loan that will have to be paid back at the end? Do they come with interest?

If the company really wanted to end this strike all they need to do is sweeten the pot just enough to allow Rocco to authorize a re-vote. The membership would vote to accept and we would be back to work tomorrow. Maybe they don't want us back yet!

Again, to all you know it alls, jobs have been being outsourced for 10 years now, where were all of you when it started? I never heard a word then, but now, since we go on strike, we, the union are to blame for this? I just dont get you people, always quick to point the finger, but never know what you are really talking about, just what the press lets you know.Do any of you even know why alot of the jobs are going, probably not. Well for one, Sikorsky has been trying to eliminate environmental hazards for one, off load some of those jobs to other places, one to keep fines down here, and also enables them to have more floor space here. Also, the more les afforable jobs to keep here, the more people they can hire to do work once the new contracts kick in, cuz if you dont know, Sikorsky has a record total of contracts on the near horizon. So this was just a small insight to when you say jobs are going out, at least you know why!

Unfortunately, there have been instances of sabotage that have been caught. Problems in paint are one. Not exactly a safety issue, but definitely a monetary issue. Those were videotaped, by the way. And I got it firsthand from someone who works in AFO that there have, indeed, been lots of extra holes found in some of the aircraft. Those are being investigated. Vigorously. Those are just two examples that I was told about by my friend who works for Sikorsky. He said it was the "tip of the iceberg." So those of you who participated in sabotage prior to striking, you won't have to worry about losing your house, how you're going to pay for food, etc. You'll have a nice roof over your head, plenty to eat and lots of security at Leavenworth.

To REALISTIC who wrote: "If the company really wanted to end this strike all they need to do is sweeten the pot just enough to allow Rocco to authorize a re-vote. The membership would vote to accept and we would be back to work tomorrow. Maybe they don't want us back yet!"

They DID sweeten the pot by adding an extra $500 to the rat bonus, paying the bonus in such a way that you would get the larger chunk of it when the 80/20 goes into effect and also structuring the annual increases to help prevent the "sticker shock" of the new plan. How much sweeter do you need it to get?

BETTER SAID THAN HOW I HAD PUT IT 10:15 THANKS.
LETS STAY TOGETHER EVERYONE.
WE MAY NOT GET WHAT WE WANT. BUT COME ON SIKORSKY. DON'T INSULT YOUR WORKERS THE WAY YOU HAVE.
IF I MAY ADD ONE MORE THING.
ROCCO WHY DID YOU NOT POST YOUR PROPOSAL IN THE PAPER OR AT THE LEAST PRESENT IT TO YOU MEMBERS PRIOR TO TAKING APON YOURSELF TO REJECT SIKORSKY'S.
SIKORSKY POSTED THEIR PROPOSAL IN THE PAPER ALTHOUGH IT WAS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE COUNTER OFFERED THEIRS AND SAID TO DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH THE PERSCRIPTION PORTION AND COMPANY MATCH.

10:17 - I think taking it personally will be a big mistake in the long run. Once people start taking stands based on pride, your judgment is clouded and that's when the noses start getting chopped off to spite the faces!

Business is business and cool heads usually prevail. While some salary people may lose their cool here, the company is remaining calm and doesn't answer to them. The union, however, takes its direction (supposedly) from the membership, so there is no place for pride in business decisions.

If you think the company's offer is insulting and their treatment of you is bad, then why not get yourself another job?!

All UTC would have to do is lets say for example, take the 3rd year of the contract, suspned the rate increase for the insurance, keep it at the 2nd year rate, and we would accept it. Or, increase the 3rd year, and make it a 4 year contract, either way, its a good faith proposal. show the union members some respect at least. There are a number of other things the company can do to offset the insurance, and its probaly pretty easy to do, I think this goes beyond negotiating? Back to friends of mine inside, I have to lend some credence to the theory that this strike is an engineered plan by both the company, and the union. Sikorsky can catch up on their parts shortage, learn the SAP system, which is costing ALOT of money, and in the end, the company looks good, and the union will look good. Anybody remember the union lawyers speech,"6 days, weeks, months, I dont think it willbe 6 days, nor 6 months," so does the 6 week comment sound good to you? ya never know the whole truth whats going on..

It would be nice if the union web site posted just all factual information regarding the strike instead of making the "wall of shame" a priority.

To 10:17 - bravato - heard the same from other union members of other factories that are not here anymore. Every person has different financial responsibilities - every person has to make a decision for themselves. Bravato gets you nowhere - thinking does.

anon 10:26....yes the company did add $500, but in reality, we will get shortchanged $500, as the first offer was to be matched 50%($2000=$3000), with this new offer, there was no match, so it was actually a $500 loss! Another was the pension calculator, originally it was to be a 20 cents an hour increase, second offer was 10 cents an hour, another loss. I have said all along, I want to go back to work, and the original offer to me was okay, but when they slap you in the face with a lesser offer, thats just plain greed, and the execs thinking we are all stupid, dont ya think?

If that were the priority, wouldn't it be up to date. It's not that difficult to take the names off the resignation letters.

The thing is you should not expect the company to be watching out for you personally, because their job is to watch out for stockholders. But the union is another story. Their only job is to watch out for you and you pay them well to do so. They aren't doing it and should be replaced.

I for one am fed up with the "wall of shame", I hate that word scab too, and I am an 1150 memeber for a long tme! Instead of focusing on the line crossers, which I dont care for myself, I want to see something on the projector that says I have a contract to vote on, which helps us union members out! Enough of this show the bad side of things to negate what the lack of what were doing is, this is the typical Sikorsky way, dont elevate yourself, bring the other guy down, and I for one want to see progress, not promises!

exactly right 10:39, I couldn't agree more

10:35 - The union chose to strike. It was your exercised free will. The company has lost time, which is of the upmost importance to them. They may be losing some $ if contracts are withdrawn. They certainly has lost good PR and their reputation is suffering.

Who should pay for that? The company? NO. The contract offers will continue to get worse as you cause more damage to them.

If a child misbehaves, you don't reward that behavior. You have damaged the company image and that can't be rewarded. If they did, the union would take more advantage in the future and strikes would be more commonplace. If a company as the resorces (and UTC does) they have to win at all costs. The union leadership should have known all of this before. Its not like the old days, when a union could drive a small company out of business and held leverage over them. Now companies just outsource or move all together. Global Economy.

Heres a question I have asked about 1,000 times, and I do know the answer, but here goes....why when we were negotiating a contract, never ever is a member not affiliated with the E borad ever asked to sit in? We are all paying members, they always pass leaflets around asking input, then why cant we see for ourselves, maybe a few at a time sitting in during these talks?

The ratification meeting as well as yesterdays meeting were just pep rallies of negativity. Stop bashing people and get to work resolving the strike. Let the vote of the members decide!

Another question, a for thinking for ourselves, is there anywhere written, we as members of this union cant proceed with an offer, alegitimate offer, and present it to corporate, and see what their reponse is? Just asking here, any idea is worthwhile st this point, maybe UTC would deal more openly and fair with another side of this bargaining unit, and get us back to work..

To follw up on my idea above, we could get a lawyer for ourselves someone who would know all the legal ramifications you would need to know?

No, they don't think you are stupid. They know that the worse the deal they offer, the more likely it is you will stay out. They don't want you back. Can't you see that?

The union always seems to put alot of energy to use defending the low lifes of the union while the good people get nothing out of membership. Put some of that energy to work on ending this strike.

right-to-work state= screw worker

why does it not seem real gayboy, cuz you dont have your little friend saround today to keep up the stupid crap, go back to school already....gay boy, name does fit huh

Rocco keeps aying he wont hang us out to dry, but at what point do we hit that point, as I hear from some they are ready to cros the line, money is low. And to Rocco, Id sit and wacth you in a speedo, as long as you are at UTC headquarters or wherever to hammer out a deal! When do we as members ay enough is enough, corporate is playing hard ball, offers are getting worse and worse, lets all cross the line? In my opinion, lets get back soon, and go in together as the E borad keeps preaching, and keep our jobs, cuz a union as a whole that can accept defeat, is much prouder than a splintered, battered one with many that will make the "wall of shame".

know

Get to work fast Rocco and get us another offer to vote on, otherwise the wall of shame is bound to grow by leaps and bounds very soon. Our families come first!

gayboy will stop lying

I just dont know why Rocco is sitting back and waiting for an offer instead of being proactive and keep sending offer after offer to the mediator? If I was in charge, Id be at the mediators ear every 5 minutes, getting something done. How much of an ass kicking do we have to sit back and take? And no, I will NEVER cross the line, but I have just as much right as anyone to stand up and be counted as to my opinions.

lets face it, Health care is a government issue not a corporate one. Give us something else positive to vote on and we will be back

10:46 - I believe as long as you are members of a collective bargaining unit, the company cannot and will not deal with you directly. Those who have resigned could negotiate their positions for themselves, like salary, under normal circumstances, but I'm sure the company just had them come back under the old contract and wouldn't negotiate individually.

I wish people will stop spelling lose as loose. When you talk about losing something, you spell it as L-O-S-E not L-O-O-S-E!

Rocco, put the vote back into the hands of the members. Let us decide our own fate.

Here it is to all union faithfuls that think the union is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I havent crossed yet but I am suffering and on the verge because unlike most of you I have a brain of my own. I have worked other places before and I know for a fact and realize this benefit package is not that bad. Maybe to the people who have worked in the same place for 30 years it seems bad but guess what truth be told its a great deal. We will lose this strike if we wait any longer. Rocco is covering up for something that we are not being informed of. Just think back to the meeting when he said he realizes that the 80/20 thing is not going to go away so he is trying to balloon up the package. The very next question asked to Rocco was then why are we still on strike since Sikorsky's offer has increase in certain areas. His answer was Health care. I thought he was over that? Guess not! He has had 7 months to reach a better deal to make us happy. Guess what? Still at step one. There is something going on behind the scenes with Sikorsky and the Union. Think about it? The company knows they have a ton of dead what over paid lazy employees working here. Cant be denied although its not everyone but a significant number. What better way to get rid of these people. Let the union strike. The company will win this battle. This is not unfair labor practice. No judge will rule it that way. Not when we are comparable to every other company. This is economical on our behave and that is looked at as greed. Lets get over ourselves and make our true families happy. The union will go on with or without you but can you say the same for ourselves. Our lifes will not be the same without this job. Take if from me I am young but very experienced in major corporations and the common low paying jobs that are out there these days. Oh by the way they dont offer health care either. Do some research with all your spare time and use your brains. We all have them people. Also my personal view on all the people calling everyone scabs or losers or assholes get over it. Lets be adults but I guess thats hard for the union reps to be since crank calling is their way of resolving the issue. How embarrasing! I have not seen that behavior since the 7th grade on a friday night. Lets go back before its to late and the union destroys everyones jobs. There is truth behind all of this if been here before.

Just do something with the 3rd year of the contract, hold the rate increase to the 2nd year rate(stays the same for 6 weeks), and negotiate off the lower level. Or, take the 3rd year, hold that rate, and make a 4 year pact. From what I hear, EVERYONE would vote to accept that, thats how easy this can be done, I dont think UTC would think of that as a bad offer? All else was okay with the offer, but either keep the original 2000 dollar with 50% match, or take the 2500 dollar no match, buit get it up front, not over 2 years, and get the pension calculator upped maybe to 55?yr, hows that, sounds good to me?

The wall of shame ( I don't agree with) does not show hourly people that were NOT union members.
Also, one of the people who crossed the line has already been fired. That's how they will love you if you cross now.

Legit question here -
I understand that many of you have union pride and say you won't cross the picket line. Is that under the assumption that the strike will end and eventually you will get to go back to your jobs? I'm not being sarcastic. I'm just curious. You can't last without income for too long. Is your plan to seek other employment then? or collect welfare? How can you keep your homes if "you'll never cross"? I would be so scared at this point. I know I couldn't go a month without a paycheck. And even if you have some savings, that was prob. put away for retirement or college tuition for your kids or medical or whatever... and it all seems more worthwhile than this.

I'd be interested in sincere responses. At what point would you cross? There has to be a point at which the reality of your financial situation takes over.

The person that has been fired is probably an idiot. Do you know his or her name? There is a person that crossed who has been fired 3 times and the union got them their job back. Now do you see my point. The union is protecting idiots not the hard workers. That person should have been terminated years ago and working at dutchess.

Fed up, I hear you, and I have 25 years at Sikorsky, and apprecite my job too. I am not old, 43 years old, have some college, and have the same feeling you do about working other places. I have been laid off twice, and worked at some places that many of our co-workers would work 2 hours and quit! I want to get back to work, but wont cross a line, and yes I did hear that when Rocco alluded the loss on health care, then 2 mins later he said this is over health care, believe me, hes not fooling anyone anymore, and had better get us back to work, before he has no say in it!

roco is going to philly to talk with a senator or some big wig who works in getting sik contracts i don't know what this will do but he leaves tomarrow

11:12 - That shows the new attitude in SIK. If its true that it was the nail thrower, he obviously wasn't a quality person that would be an asset to the team. Maybe they found out what he had done. Maybe he was a deadbeat. Regardless of whether you go back to work now or later. They now want hard workers who are team players. If you go back with the old attitude it won't "fly". Perfect case in point.

There's an old saying with teachers...."you have to shoot one kid the first day of school to keep the others in line." SIK means business. Pay attention.

i think the 1st contract was fair the 2nd contract was a slap in the face.

man you sure can type lol

Didnt you hear rocco at the meeting? Government cant help in this dispute. Came straight from his mouth. Dont waste our time Rocco get us back to work

the guy that was fired should have been fired many times before but the union protected him. that is why the company is in the mess it is in. the union always protects the bad people. no one is held accountable for their actions anymore. if they screw up they come back with lost pay.

we will be back to work in less than 2 weeks

11:20 - When you were offered a fair contract and turned it down and then literally spit at and called names to your bosses, did you honestly expect a BETTER contract? You're lucky they are offering anything at all... and they will get progressively worse.

Not me next week is all the union gets. We are going to get the same contract that was just offered whether is this week or two weeks from now lets break this useless union and stand up for ourselves