Skip to main content
News

NOKIA BARGAINING REPORT #40

October 26, 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Company and the Union met today. We are still very far apart on a number of critical issues. It is apparent that we will not reach an Agreement by midnight on Saturday, October 27, 2018, nor did we reach an agreement to extend the contract again. What this means is that we will be working without a contract. Working without a contract means MOST of the provisions of the previous contract are still in effect and the Company can’t change wages, benefits and working conditions. It is called status quo, and it is protected under the National Labor Relations Act. Please continue to file a grievance if there is a contract violation. Unfair Labor Practice charges can be filed if, for instance, the Company makes changes in working conditions, among other things, without bargaining with the Union.

While this is not the outcome that we would have preferred, the Bargaining Team feels strongly that to acquiesce to the Company’s proposals would do a disservice to our Members, Retirees and the customers. More than ever, we are committed to our quest for a fair and equitable contract for all.

The Union passed a counter proposal to the Company’s proposal on Post Retirement, Healthcare, Dental and Group Life Insurance contingent on the Parties reaching an overall Agreement. This proposal would extend Retiree Healthcare, Dental and Group life Insurance through 2025; 2025 is the current expiration date of the IRS Section 420 transfer rules governing the use of excess pension assets for the use of paying for Retiree healthcare.

Due to the amount of data still outstanding and the additional data requests that were passed this week, the Company and the Union will not be meeting next week. Bargaining will resume the week of November 5th.

Please continue to mobilize. It is extremely important that the CEO of Nokia, Nokia’s Bargaining Chair, Nokia’s customers and your Legislators know that eliminating good Union jobs and putting Retiree’s benefits at risk is BAD BUSINESS.

Continue using this link to send an online letter to Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri and Nokia Bargaining Chair Steve Muscat, telling them to save American jobs and bargain in good faith!

If you would like to write a letter and send it via the USPS their addresses are:

Steve Muscat / Senior Director Americas HR-Labor Relations / Nokia of America Corporation / 600 Mountain Avenue, Room 6C-419 / Murray Hill, NJ 07974

Rajeev Suri / President and Chief Executive Officer / Nokia / Karaporti 3 / Espoo, Finland 02610

 

One Day Longer, One Day Stronger! An Injury To One Is An Injury to All! United We Stand!

Your Bargaining Team,

Mary Jo Reilly

Steve Amato

Luis Benitez