LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Heading into bargaining on key parts of a new master contract, union leaders at GE Appliance Park asked hourly workers to vote to authorize a strike Monday and received overwhelming support — better than 99%.
Hundreds of workers wheeled through the IUE-CWA Local 83761 union hall's parking lot at 5153 Poplar Level Road Monday afternoon after the first shift let out, calling out "yes" or "no" votes from passenger cars, trucks and SUV's. One woman in a red Mitsubishi yelled, "Hell, yes!" as she drove by workers checking employee badges.
A strike authorization doesn't mean a walkout is imminent, but it often provides leverage to a union looking to press for improved wage and benefits packages.
The current contract between roughly 3,800 workers and the appliance maker expires on Sunday, but if no deal is sealed, workers and the company can agree to have the workforce continue under terms of the prior contract.
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The four-year pact actually expired in June, but the parties agreed to a three-month extension because the coronavirus pandemic delayed discussions, company spokeswoman Julie Wood said.
After General Electric sold its appliances division to China-based Haier Group for $5.6 billion in June 2016, the new owners and the union needed to sign a new agreement. The first proposal backed by union leadership was rejected, forcing the parties back to the bargaining table.
The sides eventually reached terms in late 2016, but many workers have been dissatisfied with the level of wages and benefits, said the union's president, Dean "Dino" Driskell.
Neither side would say what salary offer, benefits or retirement terms have been discussed. But Driskell said with entry-level wages at about $14 an hour, a majority of hourly employees think the package isn't adequate.
A pension is no longer offered. Instead, workers receive a 401(k) match, but "if you're making $14 an hour, there's not a lot to match," he said.
The union has posted several videos on its Facebook page over the past two months featuring employees calling on executives of the North American subsidiary to provide wage increases, a better health insurance plan, increased overtime pay and other incentives.
The company wants to reach a fair contract with workers and to ensure both sides have "long-term success," Wood said.
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GE Appliances has thrived during the coronavirus pandemic, with a surge in orders for new appliances as customers upgrade homes and other properties. But the managers over the manufacturing complex also were criticized by workers early in the outbreak for seemingly brushing off the health risks faced by employees.
The park remained open throughout much of the coronavirus pandemic, when automakers and other manufacturers were forced to close for several weeks to stem the spread of COVID-19. At one point in March, union members organized a caravan in the Appliance Park parking lot to show that workers would not compromise their health for the benefit of the company.
The union filed a grievance against Haier and GE Appliances in late March, and workers were eventually offered a $2 pay raise during April for those who remained on the clock. Workers also were given the option to take a leave of absence and go on unemployment if their health or that of family members was at risk.
Still, a few workers who cast votes in favor of authorizing a strike said the company can do better. "Do I feel like I need a raise? Yes, I do," said west Louisville resident Jerome Ingram, 59.
GE Appliances keeps modernizing, but it also needs to upgrade its paychecks, Ingram said. "I like my job. I just want what's coming to me."
The same was mentioned by Sean Burnett, 25, a replacement operator on the dishwasher line who's worked at GE 18 months. The Lyndon resident said, "A raise and better benefits would be good."
Lucas Aulbach can be reached at laulbach@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4649 or on Twitter @LucasAulbach. Grace Schneider can be reached at gschneider@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4082 or on Twitter @gesinfk.
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