Comment on Union authorizes strike at Rockwell Collins

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1362, voted Wednesday to authorize a strike against Rockwell Collins.The union members voted for the strike authorization by 84 percent.On July 18 Arbitrator Robert Grey upheld a grievance filed by the IBEW that stated Rockwell had violated its union contract by outsourcing custodial work for its Cedar Rapids facilities.At the time, the avionics company said the outsourcing was necessary to cut costs.The company acknowledged two dozen custodial employees had been laid off as a result of the outsourcing.“Maintaining or increasing the company’s competitiveness,” Grey wrote in his July decision, “is undisputedly a valid business priority.