OPEIU Local 320 to Demonstrate on January 17 Against Boilermakers National Funds' Proposed Subcontracting of Kansas City Union Jobs

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO Local 320 will hold a demonstration against the Boilermakers National Funds' proposed decision to subcontract union jobs to an outside company, particularly considering that three of the four bidders are non-union.  The Local 320 Save-Our-Jobs demonstration will be held on January 17, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

The Boilermakers National Funds' trustees will meet on January 17 to make a final decision on the proposal to subcontract the processing of union health insurance claims to a non-union company.  Local 320 represents approximately 120 employees who process Health and Welfare, Pension and Annuity Claims for the Boilermakers National Funds in their Kansas City, Kansas office and face layoffs if this proposal is implemented.

"OPEIU is shocked and appalled that a labor union with such a rich history in the struggle to preserve jobs for union members would ever consider such a thing," said OPEIU International President Michael Goodwin.  "All of us in the labor movement are in the social justice business.  Unfortunately, Trustees, which includes employers, look at the Administration of the funds solely from a capitalistic point of view – with saving money always their top priority."

OPEIU is asking the Union trustees on the Board to step up and say no to this proposal, and realize there are other considerations besides money.  "These funds are negotiated by the Union as part of an economic package of benefits that members of the Boilermakers Union receive," said Goodwin.  "I am sure they would be as appalled as we are to learn that monies diverted from their economic package, which they work so hard for, are being placed into the hands of a Board of Trustees that cares more about money than they do about people.  We're asking the trustees to come up with a different solution."

ABOUT OPEIU

Office and Professional Employees International Union represents more than 108,000 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The union represents employees  in credit unions, hospitals and medical clinics, insurance, higher education, shipping, transportation, utilities, hotels, administrative offices and more.

Professional organizations and Guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes physicians, registered nurses, pharmacists, chiropractors, appraisers, podiatrists, clinical social workers, hypnotists, teachers and helicopter pilots.

Excellent photo opportunity.

SOURCE Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO (OPEIU)