After Hoffa fires up strikers, company warns of move (Sikorsky in Connecticut)

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | Friday, March 10, 2006 | ANUSHA SHRIVASTAVA

[CT-Freeper]

If Sikorsky moves too much production out-of-state, could be bad news for the Stratford area. Luckily, UTC still has many other companies operating in Connecticut (Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sunstrand, Otis Elevator, Carrier, etc..)

[Past Your Eyes]

"that would mean doubling health care contributions in the first year of a three-year deal beginning in 2007, and another 15 percent increase over the next two years."

And how much of their health care is Sikorsky paying for right now while they're on strike? I have never yet seen a strike that made me think that the strikers deserved my sympathy and this one is no exception.

[TXBSAFH]

Move to TX, we would love to have you.

[CT-Freeper]

I remember seeing somewhere that the 50% increase would bring their weekly payments up to $12-15 per week, or something like that. I'll have to see if I can find where I read that.

[Young Werther]

Yeah! Once Mayor Miller drives Sothwest Airlines to Phoenix there should be plenty of hanger space at Love field.

[TXBSAFH]

I was thinking around Kelly AFB in San Antonio.

[G.Mason]

Well one thing is certain.

Between UAE and campaigning 24/7/365, the Congress critters don't have time to pass any law stating that Sikorsky must give the workers free health care and mandate that the CEO takes a 52 million cut in pay.

At least I don't think they have the time.

[Dick Vomer]

Move to TX, we would love to have you

nah... the strikers can stay in Connecticut. move the company to Texas. The union workers will bring their suck on the nipple mentality of Big Government collectivist anti-business lifestyle to Texas. They should move to ......... New York or stay up as far north as possible.

[Khurkris]

Thi is stupid. TC is not Sikorsky. UR|TC owns Sikorsky, but Sikorsy is its own division.

These people are screwing themseleves out of a very good and historical job.

Stupid-a** union dummies.

[Ladysmith]

So far, nearly 40 workers have crossed the picket lines to return to work. Rocco Calo, secretary treasurer of Local 1150, urged the workers to stay together because, "You cannot be replaced, your jobs cannot be outsourced."

[sgtbono2002]

They are gonna strike themselves right out of work. Then blame it on the Company.

Mexicans are waiting for their first Sikorsky plant.

[joe fonebone]

"They should move to ......... New York or stay up as far north as possible. "
No thank you........we already got enough of these @ssholes up here.....

[BallyBill]

This is about health care for everyone

Are people being denied health care? I doubt it, people just don't want to pay for it.

[CT-Freeper]

That's exactly it. Union members don't want to have to pay the same thing that salaried employees pay for the same health care.

If you belong to a union, you deserve special privileges, don't ya know.

[robowombat]

"Our CEO made a lot of money off our blood and tears," said Mike Wojnarski, 49, a repair mechanic.

Mr. Wojnarski please tell us what blood and tears you shed in enduring the vast hardships of being an maintenance mechanic in a state of the art overhaul facility in the one of the most intensely regulated and pro-labor states in the nation. People in the trades union movement that make absurd statements such as this sounding like they have stepped straight out of the pages of Upton Sinclair only make both the union and unfortunately the blue collar worker look absurd.

Coming from a pretty strong trade union background I have to say these people sound like they are nuts. They are acting like paid extras for some management directed movie entitled 'Outsourcing and Moving On'.

[Psalm 73]

Sikorsky will not move the plant - just more and more work.
Union workers used to do most of the field work (retro-fits and mods) both here and at various bases - we rarely use them any more because they make too much money and too many of them are lazy.

We did a very large modification for special ops. Black Hawks (here in the plant) right after 9-11 and were amazed at how little work the union guys were doing- man it was like pulling teeth - and the Army saw that, too. Not good for business.

Now we have contractors do all of that work off site - they work their butts off and are grateful to be getting the work.
Word is they will eventually just lay off the whole union then bring back the workers they want back.

[Jack of all Trades]

Re your bolded quote, that's exactly what the striking workers said at one of the former divisions of the company I now work for. They thought there was no way the company could or would move right up until the day the riggers showed up and started trucking out the equipment.

[Ben Ficklin]

"I was thinking around Kelly AFB in San Antonio."

It would be in Grand Prairie where they have facilities now that they are already expanding. Plus, there is a large labor pool associated with Bell Helicopter available.

[CGASMIA68]

This reminds me of Mary Hartman Mary Hartman with hubby Tom making some un-godley amount for screwing in a over head dome light bulb....
These people are fools(sheeple)with the economy as poor as it is in Ct they are screwing them selves big time..Once Igor leaves he aint comming back and they will be going from big bucks to no bucks...

[CDHart]

"Move to TX, we would love to have you."

So would Missouri.

Carolyn