EVENDALE, Ohio — More than 600 members of United Auto Workers Local 647 went on strike Aug. 28 against GE Aerospace here and across the Ohio River in Erlanger, Kentucky. Workers at the Evendale plant assemble engines used in marine and industrial applications. The Erlanger facility is a parts warehouse.
On a visit to the union hall and one of the several picket lines surrounding the GE plant on Labor Day, this Militant correspondent found strikers in high spirits, determined to win. They have received solidarity from UAW members in other locals, other unionists and even pizza delivery drivers. Most crucially, members of the International Association of Machinists, who also work in the plant and have just settled their own contract, are honoring the picket lines. Production is shut down.
The major issue is health insurance costs, which have increased 36% since 2021. Other issues include job security and time off.
“Our members aren’t asking to be millionaires,” UAW Local 647 President Brian Strunk told the media. “We are simply demanding things that every worker deserves: decent health care and a secure future. We are going to stand together as a united membership until we win what we are owed.”
The company’s proposal includes an 18% increase in workers contributions for health care costs and a 12% wage increase over three years.
“We’re not going to take concessions, we’ve said that all along,” Donald Luknis, who has worked at GE Aerospace for 31 years, told WLWT News 5. “When they asked us for concessions, we gave it to them. When they were hurting for money, we gave it to them. We said, ‘Well, when you make money, we’ll square up.’ But now they’ve reneged on everything they’ve ever said with us. And we’re done.” The union members voted to authorize the strike by 84%.
GE Aerospace is a Fortune 500 company based in Evendale that makes and services engines for commercial and military aircraft. It has more than 130 manufacturing and service facilities and employs 53,000 workers worldwide. Last year the company reported a $6.7 billion profit.