Скачать или смотреть UE Local 506 Members March for Right to Strike

Hundreds of members of UE Local 506 marched “down the avenue” inside Wabtec’s Erie, PA facility on Friday, May 5 to make it clear to the company that they are willing to fight for the right to strike.

“There is no accountability at all for this company,” Ryan Mudger, Chief Steward of Building 12, told the crowd. “And this is why today, the right to strike is going on the table, because we need that back. It’s the only way we can hold this company accountable for their actions.”

In 2019, after Wabtec purchased their plant from General Electric, the local agreed to give up their right to strike over grievances in order to secure a first contract. Since that contract went into effect, Wabtec has refused to settle grievances, pushing an unprecedented number to arbitration, refusing to implement arbitrators’ awards, and in one case suing the union in federal court to block an arbitrator’s decision.

Local 506 and its sister Local 618 are currently in negotiations with Wabtec for a second collective bargaining agreement. Their contract expires on June 9.