The saga between FreightCar America Inc. and its local unionized former employees likely has come to an end.
Members of the United Steelworkers who worked at the idled Franklin Borough mill voted overwhelmingly, 194-54, on Thursday to accept a proposed global settlement. The accord will bring to a close a variety of issues, including litigation regarding pensions, contract matters and outstanding grievances.
The deal must be approved by a judge before the settlement orders can be made effective.
“Most of the guys just wanted to get on with their lives,” said Dennis Conahan, president of the local union.
“If they didn’t want to build rail cars in Johnstown, shame on them. We were willing to do the work, but they weren’t willing to pay the rate. We’re ready to get on with our lives.”
The settlement award differs for employees based upon years of service to the company, placing them in one of five benefits groups.
All employees will receive their pension.
Over two-thirds of the more than 300 workers will receive a special pension that will kick in at some point during the next
18 months; the remainder will receive their standard vested pension.
Most workers will receive health-care benefits. All will receive either a settlement bonus payment of $2,000 to $5,000 or their negotiated severance pay.
It’s little consolation to a work force that traced its roots to the Bethlehem Steel rail car building operations founded in the early 20th century.
FreightCar America, once Johnstown America, is now a public company with annual revenues exceeding $800 million.
“It’s kind of a shame,” Conahan said. “We made lots of millionaires out of there.
“That place was making money. Just to walk away from it doesn’t make sense.
“It’s heartbreaking for the city. It was in business for over 100 years and there aren’t a
lot of businesses that can say that.”
Local News
Employees OK FreightCar deal
- Local News
-
-
Johnstown man charged with giving fatal Methadone dose to girlfriend
A Johnstown area man has been charged in the death of his girlfriend, who died in August from an illicit drug that he allegedly gave to her while she was a patient at Indiana Regional Medical Center.
-
Somerset County teacher accused of using insulting names
School board members and administrators say they’re still investigating whether a teacher called her eighth- and ninth-grade algebra students names like “retard,” “idiot” and “moron.”
-
Seward tax preparer set to plead in federal court
A Westmoreland County tax preparer is scheduled to plead guilty or no contest to charges that he filed fraudulent income tax returns for his customers and asked some of them to lie to Internal Revenue Service investigators.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Police probing financial irregularities at Indiana County parish
State police say they’re investigating financial “irregularities” at a Catholic parish with five worship sites in Indiana County, after the local diocese reported the problems to police.
-
Video: Young bear, wolf play together
It’s like something out of a children's book: A bear cub meets a wolf cub and they become the best of friends. Even though they are different species and ferocious predators, the unlikely couple stays pals for life.
-
Two Cambria district judge offices to be cut
Two of Cambria County’s 10 magisterial districts could be eliminated as President Judge Timothy Creany looks at realigning boundaries to cut costs while taking into consideration caseloads of the district judges and population changes.
-
Westmont couple inseparable, even in death
People who knew James and Marjorie Landis of Westmont said the two were nearly always together.
-
Company buys valuables from people ready to unload
Jan Hagerich’s buffalo nickel was “healthy” – which was unhealthy for her finances.
-
Special Olympics return to region
More than 300 athletes eager to show off their skills, along with 135 coaches, will be coming to the region to take part in the 2012 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Johnstown man charged with giving fatal Methadone dose to girlfriend
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
