NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Jan. 23, IUE/CWA Local 81408, the optical workers union that represents associates at Davis Vision's Newtown Square eyeglass manufacturing facility, went on strike. This move has not been endorsed by the international union (IUE/CWA). Although 115 employees are covered under the bargaining unit contract, 32 have continued to work.
According to company officials, each day, additional employees have crossed the picket line and returned to work. Importantly, pre-strike production and quality levels have not been impacted since the walkout began.
"Together with the management team, these dedicated employees continue to provide the service expected by our clients who depend on us for their eyeglasses," said Davis Vision President Steve Holden. "We are fortunate to have the full capacity of our HVHC lab system available to ensure our production and quality standards are maintained and our current and future orders are filled. The processing of orders has been seamless and our members have not been affected by the strike."
Holden also noted that more employees are realizing their union leadership has not fully disclosed the details of the Davis Vision proposed new contract, including the value of the wages, benefits and employment opportunities provided by the company. For example, under the expired contract, employees at the Newtown Square lab earned on average just under $1,700 in total bi-weekly earnings, including incentives.
The proposed contract, which the union has turned down, increases employee earning potential to more than $1,800 on average bi-weekly including an incentive of $9.50 per hour if goals are met.
Also in the proposed contract, Davis Vision has increased the weight of the "quality" component of daily goals at the lab, providing more balance in its employee incentive offering.
During the strike, Davis Vision has maintained employee health care coverage on the same terms as provided to active employees. "We believe this is a novel approach," Holden said. "Most companies terminate their contribution toward health insurance for strikers, but we recognize that such coverage is critical protection for our employees."
"Our hope is that union leadership will re-visit and accept the key elements of the proposed contract to ensure the lab associates currently employed have positions that will help the company continue the high quality standards required to maintain a strong and growing business presence in southeastern Pennsylvania," Holden said.
SOURCE Davis Vision
