Contract talks continue nearly 2 months into strike at Pennsylvania locomotive plant
Contract negotiations between the country’s largest locomotive manufacturer and its striking unions are continuing in Erie, Pennsylvania, nearly two months after some 1,400 workers walked off the job
ERIE, Pa. — Contract negotiations between the country's largest locomotive manufacturer and its striking union workers continued in Erie on Thursday, nearly two months after some 1,400 people walked off the job.
The session followed comments by Erie County Executive Brenton Davis to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that expressed concerns the dispute could result in an end to manufacturing at Wabtec's facility.
Scott Slawson, president of Local 506 of the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, said a potential plant closure was not discussed during talks Thursday he described as productive.
“We actually made some positive progress today,” Slawson said. “Both sides left knowing we had some homework to do and we're going to be meeting again next week.”
Wabtec spokesperson Tim Bader declined to comment on Davis' remarks but said in a statement that the Erie plant “has been a laggard in terms of cost and efficiency for years, as compared to other Wabtec sites and suppliers.” He said Wabtec has proposed $41 million in wage improvements and wants changes in the contract's right-to-strike terms.
“In this current climate, the company is being forced to consider difficult decisions to continue supporting its customers and deliver on its commitments,” Bader said.
Slawson said sticking points during contract talks have been how the company has responded to union grievances, wages for new hires and health care costs. The strike began June 22.
The company says it does not want to alter a wage system for new hires it says “is
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