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12 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 01/2003
The 20-million-member International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' (ICEM) expressed its full support today for two of its U.S. affiliated unions, the International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) and the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE). The two unions are engaged in a two-day strike that began yesterday at several General Electric Co. facilities in the United States.
Some 18,000 IUE-CWA and UE members are picketing 48 GE operations in 23 states across the U.S. in the first national strike at GE in 30 years. "The ICEM stands in complete solidarity with our affiliates on strike at GE and will do whatever we can to assist them," said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. "General Electric's attempt to shift health care costs onto its American employees and retirees at a time when it earned $14.1 billion in profits in 2001 and a projected $16 billion in profits in 2002 is unconscionable," Higgs wrote in a protest letter to GE Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt. "Shifting health care costs on those least able to afford them is not an answer to the health care crisis in the United States." Higgs urged Immelt "to find an alternative way, through the collective bargaining process, to contend with this issue and to negotiate a fair and just agreement with the unions representing your U.S. workforce."
Higgs also expressed his condolences to IUE-CWA President Edward Fire concerning the killing of Kjeston ''Michelle'' Rodgers, an IUE-CWA striker, on the picket line by a police car yesterday morning in Louisville, Ky. "This is a horrible tragedy," said Higgs, "Our sympathies and deepest condolences go out to the family, co-workers and fellow union members of our fallen union sister." Fourteen unions in the U.S. are members of the Coordinated Bargaining Committee of GE Unions, including the ICEM affiliates IUE-CWA, UE, United Steelworkers of America, PACE International Union, American Flint Glass Workers, and United Auto Workers.
ICEM Affiliate's CWA/IUE Press Release:
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
1/15/2003 For More Information:
Jeff Miller or Candice Johnson
CWA Communications, 202-434-1168
CWA Mourns Kjeston Michelle Rodgers, GE Striker Killed on Picket Line
Washington, D.C. -- CWA is standing strong with the family, friends and co-workers of Kjeston Michelle Rodgers, a member of IUE-CWA Local 83761 who was killed as she walked the picket line outside the General Electric Co. plant in Louisville, Ky.
CWA President Morton Bahr expressed the sadness felt by CWA members as they learned of Rodgers' death.
"This tragic loss is so difficult to bear, and our hearts go out to Michelle's daughters and loved ones. CWA will be there to help them through this difficult time and in the future," he said.
Edward Fire, president of IUE-CWA, said the union was working with the local and Rodgers' family, as the entire IUE-CWA family shared in the sorrow of the tragic event.
CWA is assessing the family's needs and has established a fund for contributions to help daughters Amanda, 19, Olivia, 13 and Holly, 11.
The fund is: IUE-CWA fbo Rodgers Children Benefit Funds. Checks can be sent to CWA, 501 3rd Street., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, attention Janine Brown.
IUE-CWA Local 83761 is holding a private memorial service at the union hall today as co-workers try to come to terms with the tragedy. Rodgers was a dedicated union member who was struck by a police car while picketing at about 5 a.m. on the first day of the strike over GE's health care cost shifting.
Letter from ICEM Fred Higgs to General Electric:
January 15, 2003
Mr. Jeffrey R. Immelt
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
General Electric Company
3135 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06431
USA
Dear Mr. Immelt:
On behalf of the 20 million members of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), I am writing to express my support for our affiliated unions, the International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) and the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE), in their strike yesterday and today at General Electric facilities in the United States, and for the entire Coordinated Bargaining Committee of GE Unions, many other members of which are also ICEM affiliates, in its upcoming collective bargaining negotiations with GE later this year.
General Electric’s attempt to shift health care costs onto its American employees and retirees at a time when it earned $14.1 billion in profits in 2001 and a projected $16 billion in profits in 2002 is unconscionable. Shifting health care costs on those least able to afford is not an answer to the health care crisis in the United States. I urge you to find an alternative way, through the collective bargaining process, to contend with this issue and to negotiate a fair and just agreement with the unions representing your U.S. workforce. The tragic killing of one of the IUE-CWA’s members on the picket line in Louisville, Kentucky yesterday should serve to refocus everyone’s attention on the need for a just and equitable settlement for all of your employees.
Please be advised that a number of ICEM affiliates around the world represent GE employees and we will be advising them of the situation in the United States and of your response to this correspondence.
Sincerely,
Fred Higgs
General Secretary
cc: Mr. Edward Fire
Mr. John Hovis
Mr. Leo Gerard
Mr. Boyd Young
Mr. Tim Tuttle
Mr. Ron Gettelfinger