Union Solidly Rejects Three-Year Contract

Local 218 of The United Auto Workers, the union representing manufacturing workers at Bell Helicopter in Hurst, Texas, rejected the company's last, best offer for a three-year contract and went on strike at midnight Sunday.

The union had two major problems with the contract, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. One was a higher percentage of health care premiums to be paid by the workers, and the other was outsourcing janitorial jobs currently done by union members.

In a statement e-mail to the paper, Bell spokesman Tom Dolney said the company is "extremely disappointed" that the Union had voted down the contract. "We bargained in good faith and presented a fair and equitable contract to the union that was extremely beneficial to its members," Dolney said. "Bell and UAW Local 218 have a history dating back to the early 1950s of cooperation and mutual respect, and the company is determined to keep the negotiations process continuing until a satisfactory solution is reached."

The union represents workers employed at Bell's Tarrent County, Texas manufacturing plants near Fort Worth, where parts and assemblies for civilian helicopters, as well as the V-22 Osprey and H-1 military helicopters are made. The company also has facilities in Amarillo, Texas and Mirabel, Canada, which are not covered by the contract.

The Star Telegram reports that a cover letter attached to the offer showed a pay increase of over 18 percent over the life of the three-year deal, but union members were most upset over the loss of 44 union janitorial jobs. Bell says those employees would have been absorbed into mostly higher-paying positions, but union members said it would be very difficult to "vote someone out of a job. Our fear is, where will that stop."

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com, www.uaw218.com