21 Quotes by Rocco Calo

We spoke. I wouldn't really consider it getting back to the table. We both came away with a to-do list, and hopefully we can get together sometime this week.

We've said from the start that this is about securing affordable health care benefits for these workers. The changes the company made in the recent proposal still do not address our members' greatest concern -- health care. The $1,000 increase in the signing bonus was not the only addition in the company's proposal; there were several items that would severely hurt the members of this union. We have made a counter proposal and are awaiting a response from the company.

We've said for weeks now that we are ready, willing and able to meet Sikorsky at the negotiating table and work out a fair contract that gets our people back to work and lets them maintain affordable health care benefits. What I do want is for both sides to fully understand the wide-ranging effects this situation is having on individuals, families, communities and the state as a whole.

Sikorsky officials erroneously believe that negotiations mean we must accept their inferior and unacceptable contract offer. What is missing from the company's position is the normal give and take that occurs during good-faith bargaining.

Negotiators were prepared to discuss that issue today, but Sikorsky would rather play games than engage in good-faith bargaining that would get people back to work.

We can't get anywhere unless we're talking, so it's a first step. I think at this point both sides are interested in getting back to work.

We will return to our jobs with our heads held high.

The outpouring of support from other unions and from local and state officials has been overwhelming. Sikorsky Teamsters know that they are not alone in this difficult fight, and we are standing strong.

Why do the rich get richer while regular working Americans can't even hold on to their basic health care benefits? The race to the bottom for the middle class must stop now.