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USW, Gamesa Announce Ratification Of First Contract
For Immediate Release June 07, 2007
Pittsburgh - New USW members at Gamesa in Ebensburg, Pa. and Fairless Hills, Pa. have voted to approve their first contract by an 80 percent vote in favor.
The ground-breaking three year agreement lays the foundation for a strong USW-Gamesa partnership, as well as significant pay raises, bonuses, and benefit improvements.
“This agreement is a great example of how we can have good jobs and a clean environment,” remarked USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “To think that we can only have one or the other is a false choice. We can, and must, have both.”
Gerard added, “Gamesa’s wind turbines will not only provide clean, renewable energy, but will also move us further down the road to energy independence and toward securing our environment for our kids.”
“Gamesa is the only major wind turbine manufacturer that produces its blades, nacelles and towers in the United States,” according to Tom Conway, USW international vice president. “Our union is proud to partner with Gamesa to further grow their domestic manufacturing base and promote wind energy as a source of clean, renewable energy and good jobs.”
Michael Peck, Gamesa North American spokesperson, added “We feel this is a ground-breaking partnership in which we will be working closely together towards common goals.”
In addition to its new partnership with Gamesa, the USW has been a founding member of two other important alliances advocating for good jobs and a clean environment: the Blue Green Alliance, founded with the Sierra Club, and the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor, environmental, business, and social justice organizations.
Gamesa’s investment in creating manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania was made possible by tax incentives and the adoption of a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for the state urged by Governor Rendell, Environmental Secretary Kathleen McGinty, Pennsylvania’s State Legislature, the Apollo Alliance, and the USW.
The USW has 850,000 members across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, including 600 new members at Gamesa in Pennsylvania.
Contact: Rob Witherell, 412-562-4333
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