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BOSTON, March 24, 2022 – The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, sent a letter to Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger, requesting his assistance in the ongoing negotiations between Cummins Inc. and Machinists Union Lodge 447.
WATCH: As Long As It Takes: IAM Members at Cummins Enter Sixth Week of Strike
Thirty members of Machinists Union Local Lodge 447 at Cummins have been on strike for six weeks at locations in Dedham, Mass., Scarborough, Maine, and Concord, N.H. The strike began on Saturday, Feb. 12. Cummins wants to put into place inconsistent and subjective pay-for-performance policies instead of guaranteed wage language, which has been negotiated since the contract’s inception.
“We are concerned that recent proposals during negotiations by the company may jeopardize the workforce here in Massachusetts,” reads the letter. “This includes concerns that Cummins’ management is insisting on a contract with inconsistent and subjective pay for performance policies. We implore you to carefully consider the value, institutional knowledge, and dedication of these employees and to negotiate in good faith with Machinists Union Local Lodge 447 in the coming days.”
“IAM Local 447 would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation for supporting us in this fight,” said IAM District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mike Vartabedian. “Our members are taking a stand to improve life for their families. This letter from our esteemed elected officials will give our members a boost on the picket lines.”
View One Day Longer, One Day Stronger video of the rally here.
“The IAM looks forward to working with the Massachusetts congressional delegation to get our members back to the table to get a fair contract,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “Our members at Cummins provide an essential service for their communities, and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”
The workers at Cummins service generators in nursing homes, keep emergency vehicles running, and support frontline workers. Asking for a fair and equitable contract that falls in line with current economic conditions is what they deserve.
