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Demand that PA State Politicians Stand up for Health Care!
Tinius-Olsen Workers testing machine workers have been locked out of work since February 13th. This lock-out, already the longest in Pennsylvania's history, has already caused immeasurable damage to the workers and their families economic health and the surrounding townships of Willow Grove and Horsham, PA. Unless you act now...the workers may face further harm.
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Subject: Speak Up for Tinius-Olsen workers!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to demand your immediate intervention in a situation which has persisted for much too long- The lockout at Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company in Horsham. Employees there have been locked-out of work since February 13th. The lockout was triggered by the employees refusal to accept a company demand for massive cuts in health care benefits. Under the company's proposed plan, employees with dependent health coverage would have seen their contributions to the health plan rise by as much as an additional $106 per week in the first year of the proposed contract, which amounts to an effective pay cut for most employees. Projected increases in employee healthcare contributions for the second and third years of the proposed contract would be even greater.
Tinius Olsen is not a company in financial distress. Indeed, in the year leading up to the expiration of the contract, customer orders were plentiful and employees were on overtime for over a year. The company's scheme is simply a way to increase profits for management at the expense of their workers.
Since negotiations began, Tinius Olsen's negotiating team has refused to countenance union counteroffers or make counterproposals of their own on the healthcare issue, instead stubbornly refusing to budge from their original proposal on healthcare. We are urgently requesting your immediate intervention in this matter to encourage fair bargaining and a swift end to the lockout.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
May 26, 2006
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Tinius Olsen Machine Testing Co. is a small, specialty machine manufacturing company on the Willowgrove Naval Air Base in Horsham, Pennsylvania. This privately held company is an exclusive manufacturing company that builds custom testing machines for military and commercial application. This highly profitable company counts large auto, military and industrial companies/agencies among its customers. This is a company that doesn’t have to worry about outside investors squeezing it for higher profits, foreign competition or fear for future business slow downs.
Despite this companies financial success and security, the company leaders have made clear that they are tired of sharing the wealth. On February 13, 2006 Tinius-Olsen locked-out all of the unionized workers. For more than 16 weeks, the longest worker lock-out in Pennsylvania history, Tinius-Olsen owners have made one offer to there workers: “take up to 325% increase in your health care costs or don’t come to work.”
When workers asked to negotiate health care, they found themselves lock-out of their jobs. Since February, the members of United Electrical workers Local 155 have been at the plant gates standing up for their jobs, benefits and right to get a fair deal. After months in the cold, rain and now summer heat, picketing without a health care or a paycheck for their families, these workers can no longer stand alone!
ACT NOW And Demand the US Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz Intervene for these working families!
Join us in protesting this 16 week injustice!
June 5– Fax Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz demanding that they speak up for Tinius Olsen workers (UE Local 155) health care from www.phillyjwj.org or http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/schwartz
June 12- Fax Tinius-Olsen and tell them that the workers do not stand alone from www.phillyjwj.org or http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/tiniusolsen
June 14, 1 pm– Solidarity Picket at the gates of Tinius-Olsen, 1065 Easton Road (Rte 611), Horsham, PA 19090
Contact Fabricio at 215.732.8318 to join our caravan and picket.
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