DR Union: New Health Insurance Proposal
19 02 08 - 14:30
Health insurance was one of the main reasons why hundreds of workers went on strike last summer.
So far, three hundred of the more than four hundred workers who walked off the job have been called back to their jobs.
The others who are still waiting are now demonstrating outside the plant. But they're not picketing.
Labor laws prevent them from picketing and walking the streets, because there isn't a strike.
"All these years you work there and you still haven't been called back when there's younger people doing your work. It hurts," said union worker Stew Lowery.
"I myself have 17 years and I'm on the outside looking in. It's just not right," said union worker Jim Housel.
Now Union President Steve Coates has a new game plan. He's hoping a new health insurance proposal will move negotiations along and eventually mean a new contract.
"We've talked to one group out of Syracuse and it looks like it's a whole lot better plan than what the company has offered," said Union President Steve Coates.
In August, labor workers went on strike after contract talks went sour over health insurance.
Union officials said the company was offering a salary increase.
But health benefits would also go up, off-setting their raise.
Late last year, the company agreed to let some union members come back to work.
Some workers returned while negotiations continued.
But others haven't, having been replaced by permanent replacement workers during the strike.
At least one worker who hasn't been called back isn't sure if the new insurance proposal will make a difference.
"I'm not very hopeful. negotiations have been happening a couple of days each month and the company is dragging. I'm gonna be looking somewhere else if this doesn't work out to our advantage," said union worker Linda Hotaling.
The Union President says demonstrators will also be standing outside of the meeting place for negotiations next month.
Dresser Rand officials did not return calls to WETM 18 News for comment.