RESOLUTION NO. 220978

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Sponsor: Councilmember Kevin O'Neill

Supporting IBEW Local #1464 Workers.

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WHEREAS, GE Transportation now WABTEC (Westinghouse Air Brakes) has approximately 120 workers at the plant; and

WHEREAS, workers take used traction motors and rebuild them, then sell them to various railroads at a much lower cost than new motors; and

WHEREAS, the company actually classifies the workers as Remanufacturing Technicians but use assembly worker salaries as negotiation comparisons. Work is not the same, they are motor overhaulers; and

WHEREAS, WABTEC submitted one contract offer in negotiations, which membership rejected by over 95%. The company refused to negotiate after that; and

WHEREAS, currently they have a two-tier pay schedule. The first tier was put in place in 2008 and it pays $22.57. The second tier which was put in place in 2016, pays $19.51. The union is trying to get rid of that two-tier system where workers doing the same work have different pay scales of over $3.00 per hour; and

WHEREAS, during the pandemic workers continued to show up and keep the business open, yet when the company received American Rescue monies they chose not to share with the workforce; and

WHEREAS, safety issues have been a concern for workers. Recently a disgruntled worker brought a gun to work and threatened one of the stewards. The Company has brought in 5 van loads of scabs to replace workers on strike. Many are from out of town, out of the south of course and are being paid over $30 per hour and per diem; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby support IBEW Local #1464 workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Michael Spore with the recognition by the Mayor and Cou...

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