| Dominion workers are still trying to negotiate a new contract, preventing what many predict could be the company's first strike, ever.
The major issue is the company wanting to cut employee health benefits.
"This is a serious cut for our workers and their families," said local president Charlie Rittenhouse.
Rittenhouse says it is disgusting to watch Dominion's corporate executives extend huge salaries and benefits to themselves and "hack on the workers."
Dominion CEO Thomas Capps makes about $8 million annually, and last year cashed in $17,652,882 in stock, according to "Insider Trading."
"Those kind of salaries and management benefits are common," Rittenhouse said.
In an effort to break the apparent gridlock between Dominion and the United
Gas Workers Local 69-II, UWUA, AFL-CIO, a federal mediator placed a proposal
regarding medical coverage on the table.
Within
25 minutes the Union contacted the mediator and said as far as they were
concerned it was a "go".
The company's negotiating team, after four-and-one-half-hours, notified the mediator
and the union, that it was not acceptable to
them.
"Truly disappointing," said Rittenhouse. "The
mediator's proposal got the Union where it needed to go, addressed the
company's concerns for and would of saved Dominion around
1.7 million dollars.
"Here we are trying to save them money and they're
saying, NO, while at the same time they're trying to squeeze more money out
of West Virginians in the form of a Dominion Hope rate increase," said Rittenhouse.
"What does
it take to please these people", he asked. The parties have been at the
negotiating table since February.
Dominion maintains that if the union does not ratify an agreement by April
27th, a signing bonus will disappear from their offer.
The union's
leadership, as well as the membership, has made it clear to Dominion that
they are not interested in a signing bonus but want the money used to
offset benefit costs. Dominion refuses to consider the concept.
The parties
are tentatively scheduled to meet at the negotiating table next on May 5.
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