GE contract garners 90 percent support in Lynn

LYNN – International Union of Electrical Workers and Communications Workers of America Local 201, which represents workers in the Lynn GE plants, voted overwhelmingly to accept a new contract that may result in more jobs for the city, according to union officials.Wage, health insurance and pension proposals outlined in a prior contract agreement between negotiators for General Electric and the firm?s union workers were endorsed by the union delegate committee. The union brought forth concerns about health insurance costs, needed pension improvements, wage and increased retiree pensions.According to IUE 201 business agent Ric Casilli, the IUE-CWA Election Committee released unofficial results from the secret ballot voting of Local 201 GE members Tuesday night on the new tentative agreement between the IUE-CWA and General Electric.The “unofficial” results were: 90 percent of voters accepted, and 10 percent of voters rejected.Casilli said 1,018 people voted to accept the contract and 115 voted against – a record number.?That might be the highest acceptance we ever had,” Casilli said Tuesday night.Casilli said he believes the union membership made a wise, pragmatic decision.?In particular, it will benefit younger members,” Casilli said. “It will offer a good retirement package and allow middle aged members, who are of eligible age to retire.”Although official numbers nationwide weren?t in Tuesday night, Casilli said the agreement vote is likely to pass.?What I?m hearing so far is that they?ll be accepting the national contract,” Casilli said.According to the national union?s website, “this morning in New York, the IUE-CWA local delegates met to review the tentative agreement. They unanimously voted to support the tentative agreement and take it back to their locals for a final membership vote.”Local 201 President Peter Capano said there was an 80 percent voter turnout of Local 201 GE members who are eligible to vote.Capano also said he was pleased with the turnout.He said it shows that people want more work in Lynn. GE lost hundreds of jobs within the last few years, and Capano says he hopes to restore them.?I thought it would pass, but the vote shows that people want work in Lynn,” Capano said. “I am hoping the vote will provide more jobs in Lynn.”As for numbers, he would like to see hundreds, but said that?s up to GE.Capano said the union represents working families in Lynn and on the North Shore. Like Casilli, Capano said the nation will most likely follow suit.?Early indications say that most of the country will be voting for the contract,” Capano said. “I can say there are enough votes to ratify the contract nationwide.”Casilli called the contract acceptable and said it will allow a chance to bring work into the plant in a competitive way and satisfy union members who are in the wage and medical pension period.The “unofficial” vote of Local 201 has been called into the IUE-CWA Conference Board National Office. The Local 201 Election Committee will meet today to review the votes for accuracy and then issue official voting results later today. Those results will then be delivered to the National Conference Board Office.