(Source: LaborNotes.org, February 19, 2016)
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Union members have become used to a certain pattern: threats of plant closings and layoffs, followed by a vote to reopen the contract and make concessions to “save jobs.”
In the railroad shops of the CSX corporation, this pattern has been broken.
Last fall CSX made an offer to its machinists and pipefitters — backed by their unions, the Machinists (IAM) and SMART. The tentative agreement would merge the two crafts into a single job, “Master Mechanic.” For instance, the master mechanic would install both power assemblies (previously machinists’ work) and radiators (previously pipefitters’ work).
Management painted the concessionary deal in glowing terms. But in December, workers in both crafts bucked the threat and overwhelmingly voted no.
Full story: LaborNotes.org