Negotiations resumed Sunday morning between union workers at Erie GE and Wabtec, with both sides agreeing to bring in a federal mediator to assist.

On the eve of the new company taking over GE's Transportation Division in a spin-off merger deal, the Erie unions and the new owner are still in talks, trying to reach mutually agreeable terms on a contract for 1,700 employees at the Lawrence Park plant, most of them represented by UE 506, and a handful represented by UE 618.

Wabtec, headquartered in the Pittsburgh suburb of Wilmerding says it's a company that provides innovative solutions to freight rail, passenger transit and industrial customers. Their history of innovation dates back a century and a half to George Westinghouse’s invention of the air brake.

Erie GE Transportation has a long history of its own.  Workers have been building locomotives and other products at the GE plant for well over 100 years.

On Saturday the union rank and file packed the Harborcreek Social Hall for two information sessions with their leadership on the status of the negotiations.

Then they voted, authorizing their leadership to call a strike if the talks don't produce results.

UE Local 506 President Scott Slawson said the union fully understands the gravity of taking a strike authorization vote. 

He thinks the two sides need more time to talk, because of the complexity of the issues.  "Both parties realized here a few days ago that given the complexity and scale of this site that it just wasn't going to happen so we tried to bargain an interim agreement and an interim agreement should just give us the things we have today as far as the safeties and and securities, and then both sides get a chance to look through those and get to know each other and negotiate something different, uh but there's too much at risk right now for us to not take this action if necessary," Slawson said.

Wabtec officials issued a statement Saturday calling the strike authorization "counter-productive to our discussions to reach an agreement that positions the site for greater flexibility and potential growth."  They added, "We are interested in putting the Erie plant on a more competitive footing with certain proposed work rules similar to the terms at our UE-represented plant in Wilmerding."

Both sides made it very clear they wanted to keep talking.  So far they have not issued statements to Erie News Now on whether Sunday's conversations at the bargaining table have brought the company and union any closer to an interim or lasting agreement.

The union did issue this statement on its website:

Dear Erie labor and community leader, On February 25th Wabtec is scheduled to take over the GE Transportation Erie facility. We have been in negotiations with the company for over a month. The proposals the company still has on the table will destroy wages, benefits, and working conditions that have taken Erie workers and their local unions, UE Local 506 and UE Local 618, over 80 years to develop. Wages and benefits which helps to provide our community with a solid tax base and decent living standards and millions of dollars in profits to GE. Wabtec is attempting to destroy these living standards and put even more profits it in the pockets of the executives and shareholders. We build some of the finest most durable locomotives in the world. Wabtec’s destruction of Erie wages and conditions have absolutely nothing to do with making the locomotive facility more successful. In fact, based on the history of huge concessions forced on workers by corporations and the gutting of standards in our communities across this nation, their actions will do just the opposite. We will not let that happen and ask for your solidarity and support. If there is a strike, we ask that you not cross our picket lines and withhold any support to the company for their operations. We, also, ask that you call or email Raymond T. Betler, Wabtec’s CEO at 888-264-0011 or rbetler@wabtec,com and tell them they should agree to a fair and equitable contract for Erie workers. Also, please stop by the picket line and offer your support and solidarity to our members. To see the latest developments, go to UE Local 506 Facebook page. Thank you for your time and your support. Together we can build a better Erie. In Solidarity, UE Local 506 UE Local 618.

Sources say the union members could "punch in" to become new Wabtec employees Monday and walk off the job the same day, if the two sides don't come to terms, or the bargaining teams could keep talking.