Express Scripts workers reject company's last and final contract offer, set up fight back fund

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seiu.org/2010/11/express-scripts-workers-reject-companys-last-and-final-sets-up-fight-back-fund.php

1:43 PM Eastern - November 30, 2010

By Richard Negri

Express Scripts, Inc. workers overwhelmingly rejected its company's last and final offer by 87% after months of tenuous negotiations between the company and our union.

The members, many of whom have 10-plus years on the job, helped build ESI into the powerhouse pharmacy benefits manager it is today. Now the company, which brought in over $850 million in profit so far this year, demanded a concession package from the employees valued at $8.8 million. The workers came up with the counter offer of $8 million in concessions, and the company outright refused.

The conundrum here is that these dedicated ESI workers love their professions, have been awarded for their productivity and precision on the job, and they are all very proud that they built this company up to the point where it is now.
Ray Teachery


Ray Teachey, Data Entry Tech Street Road facility

When the workers voted down the company's offer, those united and courageous
87-percent voting stated that the unaffordable healthcare, inadequate job protections and pay cuts the company is forcing on them is just not acceptable. "We love our jobs, but we're not volunteers. We need to be able to provide for our families," said Raymond Teachey.

ESI's offer also didn't reinstate the 3 workers the company suspended without pay for fighting to save their jobs and talking to ESI clients about their situation.

The workers want the company to come back to the table and negotiate a contract that provides real job security and keeps family health care affordable. But they're also preparing for the worst.

These united members need all the help they can get. They need resources to keep up the fight to keep their good union jobs. They need your help by making a donation to their FIGHT BACK FUND: https://hcpa.seiu.org/page/contribute/ESIFightBackFund



Fighting to save jobs and win justice for workers is always difficult. ESI seems intent on destroying good jobs, and now it seems they are also dedicated to breaking the union. What we learned from Republic Windows and Hartmarx is that, together we can win.

Show your Solidarity Online

With the power of the Internet, we can join the fight. After you make a donation to the Fight Back Fund, there are online petitions, Facebook pages to like, Twitter feeds to follow, and letter writing campaigns to ESI CEO George Paz.

If we stand united we can continue to fight this good fight ... until victory is ours.