NYSUT members and retirees support the Honeywell picket line in May.
On May 9, Honeywell locked out 41 workers from the UAW Local 1508 in Green Island, NY and another 351 workers in South Bend, IN after the union and management could not find agreement on contract negotiations. The most distasteful aspects of the Honeywell proposed contract included very high increase to both deductibles and co-pays on health insurance, no supplemental employment insurance, elimination of personal days, elimination of pensions, no cost of living increases, elimination of seniority provisions, changes in overtime provisions, elimination of work designations, and changes to other work rules. After workers paid the cost of the proposed health insurance, they were looking at a salary reduction to $14 an hour.
The company has also turned to nonunion, untrained "scab" workers who threaten the quality of the aircraft brake linings and other products that are created in the plant. Honeywell has been a highly profitable company, yet they choose to give a very high compensation for their CEO ($34.5 million in 2015), while decreasing the benefits and salaries of their employees.
The union hopes to get back to the negotiating table with Honeywell in January, but they continue to picket during times when scab workers come in at 6-7:30 am, and again when they leave the plant, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Help is needed with walking the picket line at 3 Tibbits Avenue, Troy (Green Island) during those hours. The Troy Central Labor Council sponsors assistance on Monday nights, and the Albany County Central Federation of Labor has chosen to support on Thursday nights.
The locked out workers are also in need of financial assistance. Donations will be used to purchase food from the Regional Food Bank and add it to a food pantry for the members and their families. Checks can be made out to UAW 1508, and sent to UAW 1508, PO Box 1508, Green Island, NY 12183.
The strike was resolved in March 2017.