Letter Posted On Company Website Confirms Move

The UAW Local 218 strike against Bell Helicopter is entering its 4th week, and with both sides apparently far apart, the company started Monday hiring replacement workers to keep its production lines moving.

In a letter on the company website, Bell Helicopter CEO David Millman tells employees that negotiating teams are still working to reach agreement, but that the company was instituting its "Strike Contingency Plan" in an effort to continue operations.

In the letter, Millman writes: "(W)e have a business to run and we're doing that by implementing and executing our strike contingency plans to continue to meet our customer requirements. I'm proud to say that the 1,000 non-covered and covered Bell employees who are filling in are doing a great job.

Since the strike we have reduced delinquencies on past due military products by five percent. We have made improvements in all manufacturing areas and are implementing many actions our employees have previously suggested with great results. We have had zero recordable injuries and we continue to deliver critical components and aircraft on-time to our customers - keeping our promises!

We want a contract that benefits everyone and we believe the company's last, best, and final offer provided that. When our employees do return they will return to a new Bell - more efficient, more competitive and more accountable. This is the only way to secure all our futures.

Unfortunately I don't know when the strike will end, so beginning July 6 we will begin to bring in temporary replacement workers to help us fill the void of our striking workforce. This was not an easy decision, but it is necessary. As I've said before, we must do whatever it takes to meet our customer requirements, especially to support our warfighters, and right now I have to exercise this option to make sure we deliver on our promises."

A letter from UAW 218 Bargaining Executive Tom Wells, posted in the Union's website, paints a different picture. "As we are about to enter the fourth week of our strike against Bell Helicopter, I am sitting in my office reading the latest e-mails the membership has sent me. Most are supportive. I know some of the membership is worried. I understand these are trying times for all of us. Take heart. The membership stands strong. If you are having doubts or concerns come down to the Union Hall and talk to your union brothers and sisters.

The Company is claiming that they are doing fine without us which is (deleted). I’ve got reports on how chaotic it is in the facilities…scrapped parts…wrecked machines…long working hours for supervisors AND loss of income from sales.

I saw Bell’s full page ad in the Sunday Star Telegram and I do echo the Company’s praise for our military. At least we agree on that point. I apologize to them for being in the middle of Bell’s stubborn example of negotiation.

Again I say to Bell, we are available to bargain. I ask the membership to stay the course."

FMI: www.bellhelicoper.com, www.uaw218.com