IUE-CWA Extends Current Delphi Contract

TROY, Mich., Nov. 15, 2003 -- After failing to reach agreement on a new contract, IUE-CWA and Delphi agreed to extend the current national and local agreements, which were scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, November 15.

"It was apparent that we could not reach agreement at this time," said James D. Clark, who as chairman of the union's Automotive Conference Board serves as IUE-CWA's chief negotiator. "We believe an extension of our national and local agreements is in our members' best interests."

The biggest hurdles in the attempt to nail down a new agreement centered on jobs and job security. In a survey of the membership before the start of talks, job security was the members' No. 1 concern.

"The loss of members' jobs is simply unacceptable," said Clark. "Our members have made many financial sacrifices over the years in exchange for secure jobs. As we continue to negotiate, I hope Delphi will be ready to bargain an agreement that meets our members' needs."

In accordance with IUE-CWA's Division Rules, the decision to extend the national and local agreements was made by IUE-CWA President Edward Fire, in consultation with Clark and District 7 officers Mike Bindas and Denny Thomas, who helped lead the negotiations.

"With the only alternative being a strike that could cost our members the loss of their income and hurt the American auto industry, extending the contract is the sensible thing to do," Fire said.

Under the terms of the extension agreement, either party can terminate the contract on three days' notice, Clark said.

"IUE-CWA remains committed to reaching a fair, equitable agreement for its members," he stated. "We will continue to bargain in good faith and do everything in our power to settle with Delphi."

IUE-CWA represents 10,000 members at eight Delphi plants in Moraine, Kettering and Warren, Ohio, Gadsden, Ala., Clinton and Brookhaven, Miss., Anaheim, Calif., and New Brunswick, N.J.