General Electric Employees Approve New Contract Calling for Agency Shop

A three-year contract covering 55,000 General Electric workers nationwide was approved Tuesday by more than 70% of the rank-and-file members, officials said.

Of the 31,724 votes cast by 11 p.m. Tuesday, 22,574--or 71%--were in favor, said Jerry Borstel, a spokesman for the International Union of Electronic, Salaried and Machine Workers.

William Bywater, president of the union, said a key element in the new contract was establishment of an agency shop, which would bolster the union in the face of declining membership. In an agency shop, all employees covered by the contract must join the union or pay a fee equivalent to annual dues.

The contract also calls for an immediate cash payment of 3% of workers’ expected earnings for the next 12 months and raises of 3% for each of the remaining two years of the contract.