Hundreds of United Auto Workers are currently on strike at GE Aerospace facilities in Evendale and Erlanger, as they’ve been since the negotiations over their contract broke down. Following the contract expiration last Wednesday night, approximately 647 employees have taken to the picket line to demand changes to health care costs, job security, and additional time off. Strikes are a tried tactic when talks hit a wall, and there’s no indication yet of when these workers will put down their picket signs.
Demands from the UAW include more affordable health care and clearer job positions. With GE reportedly bringing in significant profits and engaging in stock buybacks, employees are questioning why such a profitable company is asking them to pay more. Bill Reynolds told FOX19, “For my family of three, I’m paying anywhere from 10 to 12 thousand dollars a year for my health insurance. and with GE raking in record profits, $16 billion in stock buybacks, and they still want us to pay more for health insurance, and it’s getting to the point where it’s so unaffordable, like we have to do something, we have to say enough is enough.”
Despite the discontent, GE Aerospace has presented its side, offering what amounts to an 18% increase in health care premiums over the next three years. The company is standing by this proposal, assuring that continued operations with high safety and quality measures are the priority, having initiated a detailed contingency plan. They assert, through a statement shared with WLWT, that they remain engaged in good faith negotiations, with the aim of swiftly reaching a resolution…