Fort Wayne, Ind. (WANE) — Union workers are pushing back on what they call “excessive demands” made by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) as the clock ticks on time for contract negotiation.
“They are demanding more than previous negotiation groups and are not very flexible in what they are wanting to negotiate,” said Vernon Beck, Vice President of the United Steelworkers USW Local 12775. “…they want to force us into mandatory overtime, but at the same time, cut us an hour so we can work through the day.”
On Sunday, USW Locals 12775 and 13769 rallied across Indiana, including La Porte and Crown Point, and along Clinton Street in downtown Fort Wayne. They held signs that read “Fair Contract Now.” Beck said contract negotiations between the unions and NIPSCO have been ongoing for eight weeks. He said the company is making “excessive demands” at the expense of 17,000 union employees, for which they are unwilling to budge.
Among the proposals in ongoing negotiations, according to Beck, NIPSCO is trying to:
- Force mandatory overtime
- Cut hours workers can work during the day
- Cut pay
- Cut sick leave policy
- Cut a contract outline used to protect NIPSCO union jobs
- Move jobs to Ohio
- Limit contact between employees and union representatives
NIPSCO is also trying to negotiate its ability to bring in more contractors, according to Beck, which would take jobs away from the union…