Caterpillar's smoking ban riles union, which files complaint with the National Labor Relations Board

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat-caterpillar-uaw-smoking-may31,0,6785109.story

Associated Press
May 31, 2008

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The United Auto Workers union has filed an unfair-labor-practice complaint against Caterpillar Inc. because of its decision to ban smoking on all of its U.S. properties beginning Sunday.

The union claims the ban goes against guarantees in the Peoria-based manufacturing giant's contract with the UAW, adding that whether workers can smoke should be subjected to collective bargaining.

The dispute over smoking, which the union says has been a contractual privilege for 60 years, has Caterpillar officials worried about a possible strike. However, union bargaining chairman Bill Scott says the UAW is not encouraging any work stoppage over the issue. He noted the union and Caterpillar have a "no strike, no lockout" clause in their contract.

Caterpillar labor relations manager Dan Day said in a statement that the company "cares about the health of its employees and wants to ensure that everyone who works on or visits Caterpillar property has access to the healthiest and safest work environment possible."


FULL story at link.

[fed-up]

1. does Caterpillar prohibit sales of it's machinery to government subsidized Tobacco Farms? nt

[Vanje]

2. Smoking caterpillar