The merger between GE Transportation and Wabtec is set to close in a week, and UE 506, the labor union representing most of the work force in Erie, is still bargaining with its next employer over contract terms.

Negotiating teams have scheduled talks this week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The union plans to update its members on where things stand in UE 506 membership meetings scheduled on Thursday.

After days of talking last week, UE local 506 reported "little progress," and said the gap was widening with Wabtec. Members of the union bargaining team are saying that Wabtec wants to rewrite all the language in their current contract, and they worry that will weaken protections for workers.

On the other hand, Wabtec officials tell Erie News Now that the terms they're offering would keep existing pay rates for all current workers and "position the plant for greater flexibility and potential growth."

Wabtec also says it has successfully negotiated contracts with other unions that will take effect when the merger closes.

UE 506 had asked Wabtec to keep terms of their current GE contract (set to expire at the end of June) until the two sides could agree on terms. Publicly Wabtec has been silent on that proposal.

Union stewards for UE 506 have been circulating strike contact sheets to the membership in case their information is needed.

For now, the 80-year-old union and the new company will continue to talk across the bargaining table.

Wabtec isn't the only company UE 506 is bargaining with.  They met last Friday for "effects bargaining" with GE Transportation. 

Effects bargaining is a provision in some union contracts that compels an employer to negotiate with the union over ways to minimize the impact of management decisions.