The International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America announced yesterday that it has scheduled a two-day walkout at General Electric plants for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week in response to the company's decision a week ago to increase the amount workers' have to pay for their medical insurance. The company's decision will cost the over 14,000 IUE-CWA members at G.E. between $200 and $400 a year, and---coming at a time when the company recorded profits of $14.1 billion in 2001---was seen by the union as an issue it had to take a stand on. If the union goes through with its plans to make use of a unique provision in its contract with G.E. allowing for strikes over increases in health care charges made before the contract's expiration, it will be the first nationwide strike at G.E. since 1969.
See "Union at G.E. Plans Strike on Health Fee", STEVEN GREENHOUSE, The New York Times, January 7, 2003