Those interested in running for this position must come to the union hall to place their name or the name of a qualified member during the first (3) regularly scheduled working days, January 2^nd, 3^rd and 6^th during normal business hours 7AM - 4PM.

Members in good standing nominating themselves will sign an acceptance form and will be given a questionnaire that must be returned no later than two (2) scheduled working days from end of nominating period. Those nominating other members will be given acceptance/rejection forms along with a questionnaire and will be responsible to give this material to the proposed candidate.

Members in good standing nominating members other than themselves will be issued an acceptance/rejection form along with a questionnaire and will be responsible for transferring such materials to the proposed candidate to be received at the Union Hall an accordance with the above guidelines.

Any member who has been a steward or an alternate steward for at least one (1) year can run for this position as long as he/she is permanently working in the division.

Divisional Chief Steward elections will be held on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020.

Nominations must be in no later than 4PM January 6^th. Acceptance forms and questionnaires must be returned to the Union Hall no later than 4PM January 8^th.

When: November 25, 2019, 9:00AM and December 9, 2019, 9:00 AM

Where: UE Local 506, 3923 Main Street

The Union has scheduled benefits meetings with Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Rapid Response for November 25, 2019, at 9 AM and December 9, 2019 at 9 AM. Pennsylvania CareerLink, PA Unemployment and other agencies will provide Benefits Rights Interviews (BRI’s) for trade benefits and very important information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Benefit Rights Interviews (BRI’s) will are required to be eligible for Trade Benefits. Members who missed the November 11^th, meeting are encouraged to attend the November 25^th, meeting. Spouses are welcome to attend these meetings.

As Wabtec initiates permanent layoffs, we will do our best to communicate with you and ensure every member affected receives the benefits that they are entitled to.  The disappointing news that Wabtec is moving forward with permanent layoffs, is coupled with a troubling decision to not continue temporary lack of works in this situation.

We continue to urge the Company to consider each employee as they issue layoffs.  This approach has served affected families in the past, as well as labor/management relations.  Here are some of the obstacles we are facing:

• These layoffs are permanent, as opposed to temporary.
• Many of the affected employees may not be eligible for unemployment compensation which could impact their TRA entitlement
• We have been working with the State to identify those individuals based on service in affected jobs, but because the company has not provided the State with 2019 second-quarter earnings, our efforts have been rendered useless. Without these reports, it's impossible to verify and prepare for those who will be laid off and not eligible for unemployment compensation benefits. 
• The Union has raised these concerns with the company repeatedly, and continue to urge them to take employees and their families into consideration before they are impacted.

In the meantime, the Union has scheduled a benefits session with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Rapid Response meeting for November 18, 2019, at 9 am. Pennsylvania CareerLink, PA Unemployment and other agencies will provide benefits rights interviews, information on trade benefits and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Representatives will provide members with information about all benefits available to them. Benefit Rights Interviews (BRI’s) will be conducted during this meeting and are required to be eligible for Trade benefits. 

As the union has been communicating for the past three months, potential layoffs have become a reality. Yesterday, UE Local 506 was provided notice of a permanent lack of work by Wabtec Union Relations. The Local is working with the Wabtec to identify potential opportunities to mitigate the impact on members. In addition to encouraging the company to filter work in from other facilities, the union has suggested Wabtec “ask from the top and force from the bottom.” This would allow higher service members to voluntarily take a layoff in lieu of lower service members being forced. Volunteers would be afforded contractual IEA lump sum payment and protected benefits with the understanding that they would forgo recall rights. Participants would also be eligible for their 2020, 3% annual and 10% one-time 401k contributions. This option would also qualify volunteers for UC benefits and TAA.  The company has stated that the expense of IEA benefits for higher service employees are the greatest concern. The Union will continue to encourage the business to consider both options+.     

The Union is also meeting with NWPA Rapid Response this afternoon to prepare for the event. Our goal will be to ensure any member impacted will be afforded all benefits available.

Considering the circumstances, the Members Involvement Meetings scheduled for October 23, 2019 will be postponed until a later date. We will communicate when the meeting will take place when we determine the appropriate time to reschedule.

The following list displays the estimated impact by classification provided by the company on October 21, 2019.

CONTACT Scott Slawson 814-899-3108

(June 12, 2019) ERIE, PA—The members of UE Locals 506 and 618 ratified the first four-year contract agreement with their new employer, Wabtec. The ratification comes on the back of 128 days of negotiations. This contract reaches an agreement on terms of employment, including pay, benefits, hours, leave, and health and safety policies. 

“The UE workers building Wabtec locomotives are the best in the world,” said Scott Slawson, UE Local 506 President. “The grit and discipline of this workforce has been on display throughout this difficult process, but there is no doubt that these workers will prove their worth with their new employer as they have for generations.

“From day one of this process, our members have been committed to protecting a healthy and safe work environment, while supporting our families and local economy—this agreement sets a course that will provide Wabtec an opportunity to grow and succeed in Erie County.”

About UE Local 506

"UE" is the abbreviation for United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, a democratic national union representing workers in a wide variety of sectors. UE Local 506, which represents 1,700 hourly workers at the Wabtec plant in Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania, is a rank-and-file-union whose members set the policies of the union and make all of the decisions of importance in a democratic and collective manner.  UE Local 506 has represented GE workers since 1937. To learn more about UE Local 506 visit www.uelocal506.com.

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