The United Auto Workers made steep concessions on wages and benefits.
Now, in what has become a test case in American labor relations, Caterpillar is trying to pioneer new territory, seeking steep concessions from its workers even when business is booming.
But Frank Hurt, the president of the bakery workers' union with 5,600 members at Hostess, repeatedly said he would not entertain such steep concessions, saying they would drag down wages and benefits throughout the industry, without guaranteeing Hostess's survival.
Tim O'Brien, president of Machinists Lodge Local Lodge 851, with about 700 members on strike, said the local's bargaining committee would urge members to vote against the deal on the grounds that it contained steep concessions even when Caterpillar was making record profits.
Last March, the Teamsters helped push out Hostess's former chief executive after the board proposed tripling his salary even as he was demanding steep concessions from the workers.
The former CEO flew the coop in late April, after failing to disclose that American had funded his supplemental pension plan even while he sought steep concessions from union workers.
In addition, the United Automobile Workers union in the United States has agreed to steeper concessions than the Canadian union, making United States labor costs less expensive.
In addition, the United Automobile Workers union in the United States has agreed to steeper concessions than the Canadian union, making United States labor costs cheaper.
Indeed, GM, under pressure from its bondholders, reportedly wants the UAW to make even steeper concessions on funding retiree health care.
The fans pay steep ticket and concession prices -- and hundreds of them traveled down here yesterday wearing expensive Yankee shirts -- but they realize they are being led down the path toward extra cable fees and ultimately toward pay-per-view of every game.
