1,700 locomotive workers went on strike at the GE-Wabtec plant in Pennsylvania

Union representatives of United Electrical and Wabtec (WBC) failed to conclude a short-term agreement which would have maintained the working conditions negotiated with GE (GE), former owner of the factory.

Wabtec has advocated a number of important changes, including the introduction of mandatory overtime, arbitrary hours, wage reductions of up to 38% for recalled and new workers, and the right to pay. to use temporary workers, according to the union.

"The factory has been very profitable under the existing contract with GE," said Tuesday at CNN Business, Jonathan Kissam, director of communications for the EU. "We do not really understand why Wabtec demands such concessions."

Kissam said that there were a lot of factory workers whose parents worked at the factory, which makes locomotives.

"They do not want to sell their own children by accepting lower wages for new employees," he said.

Wabtec defends "exceptional" salaries

Wabtec, formerly known as Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies, pointed out that its offer would preserve the salaries of current employees at $ 35 at the hour.

"It's an outstanding salary range for this region," said Deia Campanelli, spokesperson for Wabtec.

She added that Wabtec only asked for "reasonable" overtime when it was necessary to meet the customer's commitment.

Overtime and lower wages for new employees reflect Wabtec's desire to make the plant more competitive internationally.

"We need to put the Erie factory in a successful position," Campanelli said.

Sanders slap Wabtec

Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday in a statement that he was "proud to stand by alongside" 1,700 Wabtec workers who are fighting for "decent" wages and working conditions.

"The American people are fed up with American companies and their wealthy CEOs who are scamming working families in this country," said Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate.

Noting that Wabtec has received nearly 50 federal government contracts over the past two years, Sanders said, "The word must be passed: any business that does business with the federal government must treat its workers with respect."

Mr. Campanelli from Wabtec stated that the company treated its employees with "the utmost respect and provided them with a generous rate of pay that went beyond the usual practices in this region".

Workers feel "little respected"

GE declined to comment on the strike. GE CEO, Larry Culp, said he is pleased with the closing of the Wabtec agreement on Monday as "another important landmark" that would be positive for all parties.

It is unclear how much money will go on strike at Wabtec and GE each day.

Wabtec said it has put in place "emergency plans to ensure business continuity".

Kissam, the union's director of communications, said the factory would not be able to execute locomotive orders because of the strike. He said the non-union assembly plant, located in Fort Worth, Texas, had experienced difficulties due to lack of skilled labor.

"At first, our members were rather optimistic about the fallout," said Kissam. "They did not have much confidence in GE's current leadership."

But now, factory workers "feel pretty disrespectful" by Wabtec, he said.