Union awaiting word on telecom plant, possibly moving the 500 jobs overseas

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/09/union_awaiting_word_on_telecom_plant/

Union awaiting word on telecom plant

By Kathy McCabe | September 9, 2007

A plan by union workers to keep the Alcatel-Lucent telecom plant on the Haverhill/North Andover line from closing is being reviewed by officials at the company's New Jersey headquarters, a spokeswoman said.

"We will be evaluating it very carefully," said Mary Ward, a spokeswoman for Alcatel-Lucent, based in Murray Hill, N.J. "We have made no decision about that facility."

She declined to comment on the proposal submitted last month by the Communication Workers of America, Local 1365, and Gary Nilsson, the union president, could not be reached for comment. In a statement, Nilsson did not provide details, but called the plan a "significant proposal that would save the company millions and still maintain an operational facility in North Andover."

The union represents 500 hourly workers at the plant, which manufactures transmission equipment to send voice, video, and other data over fiber optic lines. The workers earn from $18 to $27 per hour, according to the union.

Alcatel-Lucent notified the union this summer that it is considering closing the plant, and possibly moving the jobs overseas.

The company cited excess capacity at its other plants.

FULL story at link.