They want us to have the same plan that they crammed down the white collar workers' throats.
Why do the rich get even richer, while regular working Americans can't even hold onto their basic health care benefits? The head of United Technologies raked in $13.4 million in total compensation and cashed out $83.6 million in stock options -- and he wants to ax health care for the 3,600 Teamsters on strike at Sikorsky. The race to the bottom for the middle class must stop now.
We were surprised that Sikorsky was a no-show after the company's non- stop rhetoric about wanting to negotiate. The empty chairs show Sikorsky's true motive -- to try to break the resolve of striking Teamsters. And that's a lost cause because Teamsters don't back down.
What people made the decision on was the medical package.
The outpouring of support from other unions and from local and state officials has been overwhelming. Sikorsky Teamsters know that they are not alone in this difficult fight, and we are standing strong.
Why do the rich get richer while regular working Americans can't even hold on to their basic health care benefits? The race to the bottom for the middle class must stop now.
There's nothing going on with them.
Negotiators were prepared to discuss that issue today, but Sikorsky would rather play games than engage in good-faith bargaining that would get people back to work.
We've said for weeks now that we are ready, willing and able to meet Sikorsky at the negotiating table and work out a fair contract that gets our people back to work and lets them maintain affordable health care benefits. What I do want is for both sides to fully understand the wide-ranging effects this situation is having on individuals, families, communities and the state as a whole.
What people made the decision on was the medical package. This company came to us six months ago with that and we told them that the membership was not going to accept it.
We spoke. I wouldn't really consider it getting back to the table. We both came away with a to-do list, and hopefully we can get together sometime this week.
We can't get anywhere unless we're talking, so it's a first step. I think at this point both sides are interested in getting back to work.
The Teamsters stood together in solidarity not just for ourselves and our families, but on behalf of all working Americans who find themselves slipping away from the middle class and the American dream. We will return to our jobs with our heads held high, knowing that our courageous actions against the power of big business in this country will ultimately make a difference.
I'm over here at the Trumbull Marriott - all by myself. Today's just another example of them not acting in good faith.
Teamsters from all over the country will attend. We are hoping to bring to light our issues and urge the company to come back to the table.
Sikorsky officials erroneously believe that negotiations mean we must accept their inferior and unacceptable contract offer. What is missing from the company's position is the normal give and take that occurs during good-faith bargaining.
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