What is the name of your state? California
I am in a union that is currently in arbitration ragarding pay/ pension issues with 7-UP/ RC Cola. We came to an agreement several years ago regarding pay increases/ pension benefits, etc that would be included in our new contract. The company decided to not pay the agreed upon raises a couple years ago, the union protested and we are now at arbitration (for 2 years now). The company never seems to pay our pension plan on time, usually being 2 months late in payments, almost getting that plan cancelled multiple times. Now the straw that broke the camels back. I got a notice today that my medical benefits have been cancelled for non-payment effective Dec 1st, 2004 (today is Dec 20th). According to my contract, my benefits would be completely covered @ 100% because I was grandfathered in due to hire date. I assume that the company figured that they can screw us because, what are we going to do? Go to arbitration again? I was wondering if:
1) There was any legal action that can take asides from arbitration?
2) Can we strike as a union even though we have a no-strike clause, because they are in breach of contract over pay and now benefits too?
3) If we do strike and they fire us, can we have a class-action wrongful termination lawsuit?
I am in a union that is currently in arbitration ragarding pay/ pension issues with 7-UP/ RC Cola. We came to an agreement several years ago regarding pay increases/ pension benefits, etc that would be included in our new contract. The company decided to not pay the agreed upon raises a couple years ago, the union protested and we are now at arbitration (for 2 years now). The company never seems to pay our pension plan on time, usually being 2 months late in payments, almost getting that plan cancelled multiple times. Now the straw that broke the camels back. I got a notice today that my medical benefits have been cancelled for non-payment effective Dec 1st, 2004 (today is Dec 20th). According to my contract, my benefits would be completely covered @ 100% because I was grandfathered in due to hire date. I assume that the company figured that they can screw us because, what are we going to do? Go to arbitration again? I was wondering if:
1) There was any legal action that can take asides from arbitration?
2) Can we strike as a union even though we have a no-strike clause, because they are in breach of contract over pay and now benefits too?
3) If we do strike and they fire us, can we have a class-action wrongful termination lawsuit?