Separately, UE Communications Director, Jonathan Kissam told CNN via e-mail, “The plant has been highly profitable under the existing GE contract. It’s really not clear to us why Wabtec is demanding such steep concessions.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders supports striking union workers
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders expressed his support for the striking union workers in Pennsylvania.
In a tweet, Sanders said he is “proud to stand with the locomotive manufacturing workers” who are fighting for “decent wages and working conditions.”
Additionally, the Vermont senator stressed, “Americans are sick and tired of corporate America and their wealthy CEOs ripping off working families.”
In a letter to Wabtec CEO Raymond Betler on Friday, Sanders noted that the company is profitable. He said, “Let’s be clear, Wabtec is not a poor company. It is not going broke. Through the first three quarters of last year, Wabtec made a $256 million profit and had enough money to give you a $3.5 million compensation package.”
Wabtec defends demand for “reasonable” overtime
Meanwhile, Dea Campanelli, the spokesperson for Wabtec explained that the company is offering to maintain the existing $35 per hour wage for current employees.
