IUE-CWA Reaches Tentative Agreement with Part Maker

4-Year Pact Hinged on Gains in Job Security

TROY, Mich., Nov. 16 -- After days of intensive negotiations that went late into the night, IUE-CWA reached a tentative four-year contract with Delphi Corporation covering the union's 10,000 members at the auto parts manufacturer.

The proposed contract was reached after both sides agreed to extend the current contract to allow for bargaining past yesterday's 11:59 p.m. deadline without IUE-CWA having to strike.

"IUE-CWA members have won a great new contract," said James D. Clark, who as chairman of the union's Automotive Conference Board leads the national negotiations. "In this tough economy, our members now have the opportunity for the greater job and income security they deserve for their efforts to make our plants productive."

The tentative agreement, which is subject to membership ratification, would cover all IUE-CWA plants under a plant closing moratorium. Delphi committed to working with the union to attempt to locate a new product in Delphi's Anaheim, Calif., battery plant, which is being severely challenged due to a serious decline in the battery business.

In addition, members covered by non-traditional wage and benefit agreements would become eligible for full job security coverage after reaching five years' seniority, a year earlier than they do now. The provision will extend immediate job security to an additional 1,000 IUE-CWA members and another 500 will reach the five-year mark in the next few months.

As part of the agreement, Delphi said it would communicate to its suppliers its respect for IUE-CWA and the benefits of an organized workforce. The company also pledged to consider endorsing the Kennedy-Miller Employee Free Choice Act that would reform federal labor law by requiring card check elections and employer neutrality in organizing campaigns.

"I commend the company for having the courage in today's anti-worker environment to acknowledge the significant contributions union workers make," said IUE-CWA President Edward Fire. "We have set the stage for what I hope will be growth both for IUE-CWA and Delphi."

Delphi also promised to join with the union in fighting for national health care coverage. Earlier this year, General Electric agreed to do likewise as part of its national contract with IUE-CWA.

IUE-CWA members will receive a $3,000 signing bonus as well as improvements in pension and health care coverage and contract language.

"With the economic slump and fierce foreign competition in the automotive market, this round of negotiations was especially difficult," said Clark. "Our negotiating committee did remarkable work to obtain the gains in the tentative agreement. They each deserve congratulations on a job well done. The final recognition will come with the membership's vote."

As part of ongoing negotiations for a national contract with General Motors, the union expects to secure a significant commitment to new business for IUE-CWA Delphi plants. That contract expires November 17.

"This contract fully meets the needs of our members," said IUE-CWA District 7 President Mike Bindas. "IUE-CWA has made tremendous strides in winning meaningful provisions to keep good manufacturing jobs in this country."

The tentative agreement will now go out for ratification. Voting should be completed by November 24.

The pact covers IUE-CWA members in Moraine, Kettering and Warren, Ohio, Gadsden, Ala., Clinton and Brookhaven, Miss., Anaheim, Calif., and New Brunswick, N.J.