NLRB Backs Local 359 in Complaint Against Momentive for Wage Cuts

Statement of Local 359 President Dominick Patrignani

Waterford, N.Y.

"With word that the National Labor Relations Board has found that substantially all significant components of IUE-CWA Local 359's charges against Momentive have merit, our members have been vindicated.

"I thank my Executive Board members, the IUE-CWA GE & Aerospace Conference Board for their leadership, the IUE-CWA Legal dept. and staff for their brilliance as well as the firm is Kennedy, Jennik & Murray, P.C. We also cannot thank enough the Local 359 members for their solidarity. We must also thank the Capital District Labor Federations in Troy and Albany for their support.

"Though significant, this victory is the first step in what could be a long process of getting a final order from the NLRB.  In the meanwhile, Local 359 members continue to suffer from the Company's drastic pay cut and other changes.

"I call on Momentive to do the right thing and restore members' wages to their previous levels, restore the status quo and make workers whole for their losses."

BACKGROUND: The case arose in early 2009 when Momentive made wholesale changes in terms mid-term in existing labor and other agreements without consent of the IUE-CWA or of the Local.  These changes substantially reduced pay and working conditions of the Union members at the Company's plant in Waterford, New York.  The Union filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board Regional Office in Albany, alleging numerous violations of the National Labor Relations Act. Over the last year the Board has conducted substantial investigation and analysis, resulting in the decision to issue the complaint. Once the NLRB issues a formal complaint, it will be released as a public document, and the Union will issue a more definitive statement and make a spokesperson available for comment and explanation.