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Erie Forward
Bargaining Update: May 25
After a month of bargaining, the UE has presented all of its non-economic proposals as well as its first complete economic proposal. The Company is studying the UE’s proposals and will respond when negotiations resume after the holiday weekend.
One Wabtec, One Future
Today, Erie is an important part of Wabtec's Global Operations footprint and has a key role to play in the company's long term success. More productive, more efficient, more competitive: we can build upon the progress that's been made and keep moving Erie forward.
CONTEXT ON CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
As new contract negotiations progress, a few points of discussion have been raised, and we want you to have all the relevant information. The Erie Times-News recently published a story previewing the talks, but there’s more that we’d like employees to know
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THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS IS WORKING
Wabtec to honor arbitrator's decision because the grievance process doesn’t just work when the company wins.
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IN ERIE, A LOT RIDES ON OUR SUCCESS
When we thrive, so does Erie. Together we all play an important role in contributing to the growth and vitality of the region.
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WIN OR GO HOME: WE NEED TO SHARPEN OUR COMPETITIVE EDGE
How do we make Erie the most competitive plant in Wabtec, so that when it comes time for the company to decide where to source an order it chooses Erie?
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WRITING ERIE'S FUTURE TOGETHER
Read about Erie’s vitality, which is rooted in the skill and versatility of our talented workforce
Infographics
Did you know?
Working at Wabtec Is a Smart Investment
Our competitive wage plan is a positive step for employees in the short and long term — and good for the company. Our starting competitive wage for new hires is already higher than the market median and Caterpillar’s grade one wage for workers — even after their recent raise.
Showing Up Where it Matters
Members of Wabtec leadership have received criticism for not being present in all the contract negotiation meetings. The company has had legal representation present in these early meetings that have been short and less substantive, waiting to bring in company leadership when more impactful discussions develop.
Resolving Our Issues Together
Resolving grievances is inherently a difficult task — since it’s an attempt to find a solution to a disagreement. We’ve worked hard to create a grievance process that’s good for everyone. The good news is, it’s working.
Dependability in Today's Market
Wabtec has a long legacy in rail thanks to our ability to reliably deliver for the customer on time with high quality. We’re still committed to showing dependability in the way we always have, but one of the demands of the industry today is to deliver a wider array of technologies to meet our customer’s changing needs.
Hiring is on the Rise for Wabtec Erie
With Wabtec’s global success and the strength of the Erie facility, the company is investing directly into the community. Prior to Wabtec’s acquisition of GE Transportation, the plant was losing steam, with significant layoffs over several years. Now, Wabtec and Erie are succeeding and growing together.
Bigger than Employment
It’s easy to focus on how Wabtec directly supports its own employees with compensation and benefits, but the company also sustains the whole community in broader ways that indirectly benefit employees. Wabtec’s involvement in the Erie economy makes it a better place to live.
Collective Bargaining Updates
Contract Negotiations
Bargaining Update: May 25
After a month of bargaining, the UE has presented all of its non-economic proposals as well as its first complete economic proposal. The Company is studying the UE’s proposals and will respond when negotiations resume after the holiday weekend
Bargaining Update: May 24
Today’s negotiations focused on economics. Wabtec made a presentation on employee benefits and responded to the UE’s proposal on severance. While the UE did not provide new proposals, they informed the Company that the union would provide a complete proposal on wages, benefits and other economic items at the meeting tomorrow.
Bargaining Update: May 23
Negotiations continued today as Wabtec and the UE exchanged proposals on several non-economic provisions and reached additional tentative agreements. To date, the parties have reached over 20 tentative agreements on non-economic issues. The Company is still waiting on a full economic proposal from the UE.
Bargaining Update: May 19
Productive negotiations continued today. The parties exchanged proposals and reached some tentative agreements as they narrowed in on specific issues. Negotiations will resume on Tuesday, May 23.
Bargaining Update: May 17
Wabtec had another productive day in negotiations with the UE today. Both parties exchanged non-economic proposals, and tentative agreements were reached on a number of issues. As of today, the parties have reached tentative agreements on 16 different non-economic proposals. At the end of the meeting, the Union presented its first economic proposals, seeking increases in severance payments, supplemental unemployment benefits, and safety shoe reimbursements. Negotiations will continue on Friday, as the UE bargaining team is unavailable tomorrow due to a membership meeting.
Bargaining Update: May 15
Negotiations continued in a 30-minute meeting today, with the company providing a complete, 15-page response to all open issues. The UE did not present any new information and no agreements were reached.
Bargaining Update: May 5
After seven days of negotiation meetings, progress towards finalizing a new agreement continues to be slow. UE Locals 506 and 618 have not yet provided Wabtec all of their non-economic proposals and have not responded to the company’s April 27 proposal on wages and benefits. Negotiations will resume on May 15.
Bargaining Update: May 2
Wabtec and the UE are continuing discussions this week. Check back here for important updates and information, which we'll post as things develop.
Bargaining Update: April 28
Wabtec and the UE had a productive start to negotiations, with both parties showing interest in having a better relationship and more open communication. See below for links to the initial proposals from the company and the union that were introduced in the initial stages of bargaining.
Latest News and Updates
Keep up with what's happening in Erie and other relevant news around the company.
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Wabtec-Union Negotiations Set to Begin; Both Sides Hopeful About Talks
Wabtec, Erie's largest industrial employer, and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, head to the bargaining table Thursday with the hope that history won't repeat itself.
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Driven to Win:
Uniting for Wabtec's Success
Gina Trombley, Executive VP, Sales and Marketing and CCO – Americas, discusses what it means for Wabtec to be competitive in the market, which takes us all working together as One Wabtec.
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Wabtec Bids for Kids Event Raising Funds for Children's Charities
Wabtec employees and managers gathered at the Bayfront Convention Center, and other company executives at the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh to bid on all sorts of donated auction prizes and packages.
Our new Vision, Mission, and Values
Data Security Incident Update
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Read about success stories from locomotive operations across the company and the teams and and individuals behind them.