Honeywell union waiting on unemployment decision

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA — Members of United Auto Workers Local 9 should know by Aug. 15 if they qualify for unemployment benefits during the lockout at the Honeywell Aerospace plant in South Bend.

Honeywell locked out more than 300 UAW members on May 9 at the factory after the union rejected the company's new five-year contract offer. The plant — which makes airplane brakes and wheels — has continued running with salaried employees and temporary workers.

Despite being off their jobs for almost three months, the workers haven't been able to receive unemployment benefits because the Indiana Department of Workforce Development classifies every case involving a labor dispute as "under review" before disbursing benefits.

The union had a DWD hearing with an administrative law judge on Monday, and a UAW representative said the judge is expected to make a decision by Aug. 15.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/business/honeywell-union-waiting-on-unemployment-decision/article_b46803c0-5b0e-11e6-b804-abc185761066.html

Cross-posted in Omaha Steve's Labor Group,