In These Times: Is the Federal Government Helping to Bust Unions?

[marmar]

from In These Times:



Is the Federal Government Helping to Bust Unions?
Defense contractor Honeywell pushed concessions onto striking workers—and unions say Washington supported the company behind the scenes.

BY Mike Elk


For the third time in three years, defense contractor Honeywell International Inc. is deploying union-busting tactics in a government-affiliated workplace—and a federal agency is failing to stop the corporation’s behavior. This raises questions about whether Honeywell, a top contributor to the Democratic Party in the 2010 midterm election cycle, is wielding political influence to successfully weaken unions.

In 2009, Honeywell threatened to bring in federal troops to replace Honeywell contractors threatening to strike at a military facility in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2010, the company brought in scab replacement workers to operate a uranium facility in Metropolis, Ill. (The federal government later ruled that Honeywell cheated on qualification tests so that it could replace striking United Steelworkers union members.)

Now, union workers on strike at a plant in Kansas City, Mo., allege that the Department of Energy (DOE) is abdicating its responsibility under federal law by allowing Honeywell to engage in illegal bargaining while the company attempts to force a concessionary contract on an International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union local. On October 10, 840 Honeywell workers—members of IAM Local Lodge 778 and contractors at a federal facility that produces components for nuclear weapons —went on strike, alleging that Honeywell had bargained in bad faith.

Local 778 Grand Lodge Representative Steve Nickel claims that Honeywell illegally bargained in bad faith by attempting to force the union to either accept concessionary contracts or go out on strike. Nickel claims that Honeywell informed them via express mail letter of their refusal to accept the union’s proposal before the bargaining period had expired at the end of October 7, and then prepared for a strike. He says the company engaged in take-it-or-leave-it bargaining when it refused to negotiate further. (Honeywell declined to comment for this story, but an ad the company ran in the Kansas City Star on November 8 read, “Honeywell has provided a last, best and final offer” and “continues to bargain in good faith.” ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/12322/whats_the_matter_with_kansas_city

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Dept of Ed is... that's for sure. n/t

[Octafish]

2. The Haitiization of America

Soon, the 1-percent will own 99-percent of everything. And they'll be happy.

Oh, the 99-percdent will have to take it, because they can't afford the gunslingers.

[sarcasmo]

4. They are close and it's the reason OWS will never die.

[Starry Messenger]

3. When haven't they?