Written to provide ACCURATE INFORMATION to employees of the Newburgh Can Plant WHO VOTED IN IBEW LOCAL 363 and who only ask for the protection of a written contract with their employer.
Thank you to everybody for your emails, phone calls and suggestions. It is really nice to hear from those who took a while to see that the UNION is here for the workers. When those who once hesitated, now come on board, it shows that what the IBEW has said from the beginning makes perfect sense:
You are better off IN THE UNION with a collective voice, coupled with the ability to sit at the table with your employer, express your concerns and bargain for fair changes in your working conditions.
In fact, the heavy snow storm this week brought back memories of the confusion that prevails when a State of Emergency is declared. Do we go in or stay home? Will I get in trouble?? Will I get written up?
That storm enlightened some people to the fact that there is a way RIGHT NOW to get that issue resolved and it is at the negotiation table. From what we heard, there are some pretty bad horror stories in regard to driving during state of emergencies and then getting occurrences to boot.
So which side are you on?
If you are on the workers side - then you are on the IBEW side.
IBEW Local 363 would like to wish everyone - hourlies, management, yes votes, no votes a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! We hope we are able to help you have a better 2011 and beyond!
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww! 85,000 hits on a site made for 164 people! That's not too bad! Somebody is interested in this subject of the rights of American Workers to bargain for a contract for sure!
.....and an interesting subject it is. We are having some really GREAT discussions at the negotiating table. When you spend time on a subject you find that there are many facets of that subject that need to be considered.
Your Reps are doing a GREAT JOB at all of the above! They are also representing the ATTITUDE and the COMPASSION and the DEDICATION that ALL OF YOU HAVE.
The company reps from St. Louis will surely be bringing back a positive report on what kind of people are employed in the Newburgh Plant. They see that you have class, are very intelligent and you are deeply concerned about your job and your families.
That says it all.
The IBEW Local 363 is very proud to represent a group of working people like all of you. This is what makes our job - helping good people- worth doing .
We made some pretty good progress in our meetings this week. Every issue is painfully disected and discussed over and over during the process. Your interests are being met every day we meet.
Stay Strong, Stay Solid.............support your reps.
Negotiations begin again Monday December 13, 2010 at 10 am. and end on Friday December 17, 2010. This week we will revisit the subjects we discussed during the first week but in greater depth. We expect to make some progress this week.
People probably wonder how the negotiatons go throughout the week and how it feels to do the negotiating from inside of the room. I'm sure everyone has their own idea of what it looks like in there.
If you watched the video above you have your answer. That is the same feeling you would get in the negotiating room. You are at your best and ready for anything coming from any direction.
Looking forward to working with your crew reps and stewards this week. You have a great bunch of people discussing your issues!
Stay strong, stay solid give your reps the support they need!
What a week! We started Monday morning and went straight through to Friday - about 9 hours each day. You can ALL be REAL PROUD of the people that you sent to that table. I believe that the ABINBEV reps see that we have sensible, knowledgeable and fair minded people representing you. Bargaining has been very polite, upfront, candid.
We have discussed many issues already but there is much more work to do.
Some of the subjects discussed so far have been disciplinary procedures, warnings, warning system, write ups, life of write ups and how you challenge a write up, grievance procedure, holidays, vacations, overtime, lunch and break periods, hours, supervisors, safety, tools, medical leaves absence, military leave of absence, return to work rules, company doctors, hours of work, vacations, shutdowns, medical emergencies and attendance policies.
Other discussions were about policies concerning days off, occurrences and what counts as one and procedures that are not clear.
Many times this week it was said at the table that it was a shame that EVERYONE can't be at the table and see the process work. It is truly an amazing thing to be a part of and observe. It works best with all people contributing and discussing their thoughts and the feelings of their co-workers about the subjects at hand.
That is exactly what is happening - you are extremely well represented!
Now we go home and study too. We have one week off and then we start up again for another week straight. We will be revisiting most if not all of these subjects. Every time they make it to the table they are further refined.
So we are moving forward and this negotiation has our full attention. Talk to your reps - keep telling them what is on your mind.
To the few who still resist the effort to give the workers a fair contract - some even within our own ranks - I say this New York Style: fagedaboudit!
The outcome of any contract is so much better than continuing to have no say. Everyone knows that if you are AGAINST that then you are against workers as a whole. We believe most people are not against themselves, their co-workers or their own interests.
Negotiations for a new contract will start tomorrow! This is what everything has been about since the beginning - getting a written contract. We are all on the same page, the same playbook, the same team. We are there for the workers, the people, the paycheck earners.
We are beginning our negotiations with a great attitude.
An attitude that will spill across the table. An attitude that will show the company that we are open minded and fair - but by no means stupid or pushovers.
We have been meeting and planning for months now and WE ARE READY. We want what is best for all of the people working at the plant.
It is time for ALL of the workers at the plant to become one and support your union and your reps. There are no other sides anymore.
The only side for a worker to be on now is the side of the worker. To do anything else would be self defeating and non-productive.
Thank you to all of the many people emailing, calling and pledging their support - it has been great to hear from you all!
We will keep the membership updated as we progress to the degree that we can discuss the issues at hand. You may be asked direct questions on here for your opinion - please give those opinions freely.
Get ready, hold on tight, stay solid, stay strong, support your reps and support yourself.
80,000 hits on this site! That is amazing. Every one of those hits and words written on this site had to do with you - the can makers at Newburgh MCC. 80,000 hits watching what the workers at a plant in Newburgh would decide to do when faced with a choice to have a voice or not.
Very soon, we will go to the negotiating table for every one of those workers - to help them have a voice and a contract for their time and their labor.
The people at that negotiating table will be the same people who make the cans.
The best news of all is that those people respect their employer and their job, in addition to themselves. Now they will find out who else really feels the same way they do.
During the campaign, we had meetings on both sides and both the union and the company representatives claimed to have your best interest at heart. We both claimed we truly cared about your future and we both said that we would do everything we could to make it a great future.
Next week we both go to the negotiating table. IBEW Local 363 is going to that negotiating table with fairness and your benefit in mind.
If the company comes to the negotiating table with the same mindset, it will be the start of a great relationship and you will all gain from that relationship. Let's look forward to that happening!
Stay strong, stay solid and support yourselves. Become part of the movement.
Bargaining starts on November 29th! We already know what side you are on and we are right there with you!We are on the side of the worker! The person who puts in all of those hours for that hourly paycheck.
Every worker at the plant should be on that same page by now even if they are non-committal on the surface. If there is anyone not on that page for any reason, you my friend, are working against your own interest. I know you are ALL wayyyyyyyyyyyyy smarter than that though!
Support your reps, stewards and alternates. They are really doing a great job and putting in a lot of time for everyones benefit. We are going to do something great here. Be part of it!
Thank you to all of the reps who came to meet this week, extremely tired after their 12 hour shifts and on their days off!Your co-workers do appreciate what you do! Not everyone can do what you do.
Let me touch on a few important things that most know but some have not grasped yet.
The reps were told that they cannot get into detail about what we have discussed or planned for our negotiations. It seems that some still don't see the logic to that - allow me to explain.
First - we are discussing the issues you all gave us to discuss - in detail. That is where it all started - with the peoples thoughts and concerns.
In general and without going into detail, here for all to read is SOME of what we have discussed:
Hours of work, vacations, sick days, holidays, overtime, forced overtime, wages, health plan, pension calculations, seniority, layoffs and hiring, classifications, duties, time keeping, attendence policies, bereavement, jury duty, inclement weather, state of emergencies, production, team leaders, supervisors, promotions, temporary vacancies, safety, disciplinary procedures, grievance issues and methods, scheduling, drug testing, tool lists, disability, workers compensation, company doctors, responsibility, production, plant holiday closings, call in, emergency work, breaks, lunch, Kronos, favortism and equality just to name a few items.
The time for more detailed discussion is when you meet with me at our meetings. That is why we have them and make sure they are held on off days for every crew.
I do not want any rep speaking IN DETAIL about our meetings or negotiation plans for a couple of reasons: I don't want to get the rumor mill started in the wrong direction and I do not want to telegraph our negotiation plans or strategies at any time by the public airing of such.
Unless you would like to hand all of that on a silver platter to the management negotiating team I think you can grasp why. Makes some sense, doesn't it?
That is why we have the meetings and answer every question asked there - at the union hall - where we can discuss a subject and not have any chance of something being twisted or misunderstood.
We will have meetings now a little less frequently with the whole unit but we WILL have them. I strongly suggest that everyone attend the meetings when they are scheduled and have your voice heard.
Even though your feet may hurt or your wife may nag, it is YOUR welfare and YOUR livelihood that is being discussed. My feet would have to be amputated to allow anyone to discuss these issues without me present - but that is just me. We know there are many people who are very content just waiting to see what happens and that is fine and acceptable and your choice - you are in good hands with your reps. They are really looking out for everyones benefit.
We will be meeting with the company during the week of November 29 and the week of December 13. We will keep you posted on this site as to what is going on.
We may post a specific subject that is being discussed in bargaining and ask you to discuss it right here to get a feel for your opinion. You DO have a part to play in these negotiations and you will be asked to contribute and give your opinion, that's been an open invitation from the very beginning.
We are scheduling a General meeting for all of the crews ( on two different days) so all of the people can get a chance to talk and ask questions. We will be discussing issues that are on your mind and ours. We will also be answering your concerns and questions about bargaining. Your Reps have worked very hard and they have much more work to do. Come together with us on these days as we prepare to move forward united as one for the good of all!
The meetings will be held at the IBEW Local 363 Building in Harriman:
We are moving forward as planned and as we discussed at our meetings. I would like to thank the many people who have been putting much time into helping to develop what will become a written contract.
I cannot stress enough that IBEW Local 363 is a union that wants the company to be profitable and we want them to have product to ship, when they need it. We are a cooperative organization that can respect management and look out for the interest of our people at the same time.
That is a winning combination. One we can ALL surely agree upon as desirable.
Your Reps are working hard studying what we have, what we want, what we need, what the company needs, what the company wants. Soon we will meet with the company to begin negotiations. We have had many suggestions and most were the same as the committees so we have good representation of the issues here.
Thank you to everyone who gave in suggestions in person, by phone, by email or through your reps.
As we move closer to bargaining, we will keep you informed of what is going on through the blog.
We will be having a meeting of ALL MCC workers on all crews shortly to give an overview of where we are going and to discuss some topics that are important to all of us. THE MEETING DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THIS SITE SOON. Have some questions? Come to the meeting and get an answer - the right answer.
The reps will not be discussing bargaining on the floor or answering questions about bargaining.
The fact is that would undermine our position. You WILL be informed of all progress and all attitudes - good and bad, company proposals, certain bargaining issues on the blog or at a meeting should we need to meet on a subject. You can comment as issues are posted there.
You are all together now. To the few left who don't understand the concept of joining together - You can fight about car racing, the Yankees, the Jets or whatever - but you CAN"T fight about standing up for what is fair for you and your fellow workers. It does not make sense to fight against your own welfare.
Nobody HERE is the enemy. And neither is the company - if they are fair.
If you have a suggestion you can still pass it through to the reps. We will always look at everything we get.
You guys are doing great. Keep up the good work and the good attitudes. Be heard here and support the concept of working together and the need for a fair written contract.
LOOK ON HERE SOON FOR THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE NEXT MEETING OF ALL MCC WORKERS ON ALL SHIFTS.
The spirit of the people at MCC Newburgh is high! The morale of the workers at the plant is high! The production of cans by those workers is high! Everything is right where it should be!
There is much work being done right now - everyday - by your reps behind the scenes in preparation of contract negotiations.
You have made great choices and selected reps who truly look out for their fellow workers. The people you selected are fair, experienced and level headed. These are the people you want at the table representing you.
We will be meeting again this week and will probably log another 16 hours in going over details of what should be included in your contract. The company would be proud to hear the logical discussions and fair sense of play for both workers and management that is spoken and displayed in that room.
I have received calls again this week from all over the country about you.More people are getting more interested in your story.
I am predicting that MCC Newburgh will be a story that can be told all over the country about when the people band together and organize, they can accomplish great things! About how the union and the company can get along and how the people can produce more product when they are worry free at their job.
After this week we will be contacting the company to arrange dates to begin negotiations. Pay close attention to your reps and to this site for information.
Play your part and let your feelings be known right here. Let the people in the plant, across the country and THE WORLD know what your concerns are.
Let them see and read that we are together. USE THIS AVENUE TO COMMUNICATE YOUR THOUGHTS.
WE ARE A UNION PLANT - AN IBEW 363 PLANT. WE WILL ALWAYS WORK HARD, DISPLAY A GOOD ATTITUDE AND WE WILL DEMONSTRATE OUR SOLIDARITY FROM NOW ON.
All we want is a fair written contract - nothing more.
We had a great meeting on Friday. It should have been on film because it is exactly what should have happened - much discussion, some debate, more discussion and then the result of it all.
This company is VERY LUCKY to have the people they have working for them. I BELIEVE THEY KNOW THAT. Just look at what it takes to get hired here. They don't just hire any person off the street here. They hire only quality and qualified people. They have created an ENTIRE plant full of ALL GOOD PEOPLE. That is an EXCELLENT BUSINESS STRATEGY.
The people are still the same now. In fact, they are BETTER. Now they have a VOICE. They can use that voice for the betterment of the worker AND the company. They are part of the IBEW Local 363 now. That was actually a great move for them and the company. Done the right and fair way, which is what we pride ourselves in, the people are protected by a written contract and the company has LESS EMPLOYEE ISSUES because everybody knows the rules.
The only thing left to do is go to work and make cans after that.
We are headed in that direction and we are moving forward. We are looking for a partnership - between management and the workers - the same one you guys always had with the company but with a REAL CONTRACT.
Fridays meetings were positive, enlightening and productive.
There is a new partnership in Newburgh now. It is the members of the IBEW Local 363 and ABINBEV. We are going to be the new driving force in the can industry. We are going to set the bar. We are going to set the standards.
We want two things here - production and a contract.
After that we cannot be stopped. Now some in management might fear that second subject but have no fear - we are level headed people.
Let's talk about your health care experience. There is a lot of concern about the plan we have now - why? Which plan was the best? Which plan gave you the best coverage? Why is the plan you have now not cutting it? Are there enough doctors? What plan would you like better? Is this plan now good for you? What are your costs? How do you feel about the company announcing they want to increase your contribution to 35% of the premium? Is that too low? Do you want to pay more maybe?
What about a sick day or two? What about earning them throughout the year? Must be awful when you are on your back on a scheduled work day and you miss a days pay. I know they said that you should get sick on your off days but can you REALLY do that? Do you think that having a sick day or two to use wisely during the year is a good or bad idea?
What about breaks and lunch periods: How can the way it is set up be improved? What do we want to see changed? Is there a way to actually leave the property at lunch? Twelve hours at work everyday is a long time to be in "lockdown". ( Even prisoners get an hour a day out of their cells )
We are collecting the thoughts and ideas of the people to bring in to negotiations. These are a couple that have come up. What's your take on them?
What is it that you would change first? What is the most important issue to you?
Isn't it exciting that after all of these years you are ACTUALLY BEING ASKED WHAT YOU THINK?
Having a VOICE and being able to express your concerns at your place of work is an overwhelming and totally different experience isn't it?
Stay solid, stay strong and we will move forward and show the company that ALL of this will be WELL WORTH THE PAYOFF for them too.
Management from here to St. Louis reads this blog everyday - let's let them in on what the peoples concerns are.
There are so many issues that are and can be covered under a contract. Vacation rules, times, length, sick days, health coverage, different carriers, better coverage, lower payments, retirement plans, pension plans, hours, work weeks, shifts, wages, breaks, promotions, promotion rule, leave of absence, swaps, discipline procedure, attendance policies, inclement weather, seniority, discharge for cause, holidays, holiday pay, overtime, disability coverage,severance pay, death in family, life insurance, jury duty, safety, time clocks, time keeping, lunch breaks, day of rest, emergencies, gain sharing, calculation of gain sharing, bonuses, cost of living raises, wage increases etc.
What are your ideas? How will your ideas help production? How will your idea make this a better place to work? What subject did I not list here that you think should be addressed?
Here is an open forum - How do we - together with the company - make this place the best there is and make the people at MCC Newburgh want to make cans at a pace never seen before?
IBEW Local 363 is! And so are the people in MCC Newburgh! The people who work in this plant are good people and they are focused on doing what is right. We have already taken major steps in this journey for a contract.
There has been - for the first time ever - discussions between multiple employees about what is good and not good at the plant - from THEIR perspective. There have been open "general" discussions and solutions rendered already.
There have been choices made and opportunities taken. There have been compromises and agreements between people in crews about how to proceed. There have been people chosen to step up for the crew. There is an agreement to maintain PRODUCTION as our NUMBER ONE ISSUE.
There has been an interest peak in other workers. There is trust being formed. There is legitimacy being born. There is a good attitude toward getting a contract and toward the company itself.
There is dignity coming back and pride in ourselves and our work. We are moving forward and picking up supporters along the way.
We are now concentrating MORE on making cans and production and LESS ON WORRY.
We will succeed because we are united and we are determined. We ARE THE "WORKING MAN". We are just people working to make a living who want to not worry all day about what we have and don't have or what will be taken away.........
Absolutely amazing! When I told you all that the WORLD was watching - that was not just fancy words or hopes - IT IS A FACT!
Look at all of the different countries and locations on this earth who are following YOU AND OUR SITUATION very closely.
I WOULD BET that there are a lot of Budweiser drinkers IN THAT BIG WORLD OUT THERE who are and will be sympathetic to our cause. I WOULD BET MANY, MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE WOULD SUPPORT US IF WE LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Let's let the thoughts and the concerns of the people be heard - RIGHT HERE - We want people to know the BACKGROUND OF THIS ISSUE.
We are just working people who want the PROTECTION of a WRITTEN CONTRACT.
We are not pigs. We do not want to hurt the company or even their PROFIT MARGIN.
We just want to stop worrying about OURS AND OUR WELL BEING.
PLEASE CONTINUE to follow us and support us - let us know you are there.
We may be just average people and seem small compared to the corporation but we are BIG when it comes to our knowledge and skill in RUNNING THIS PLANT.
We WILL take the high road and be diligent in our efforts WHILE WE CONTINUE TO BREAK RECORDS FOR MAKING CANS IN OUR PLANT.
WE NEED AND ASK EVERYONE OUT THERE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We are just working people with families who just want a chance to work hard and be treated fairly - that is NOT too much for us to ask.
I thought some fireworks and the Star Spangled banner would be fitting for the two days and night that we really all came together as one. We are exercising our RIGHT as Americans to ORGANIZE for our own mutual aid and protection.
This has been a unique and special campaign from the start and it continues to be. We all agree that our employer and our managers are NOT our enemy.
In fact, we want to do the best job for them everyday we come to work. We want our company to make money and to be profitable. We are committing to working toward that goal for as long as we are employed there.
We just want to be involved in making the decisions can affect our ability to support and enjoy our families.
We don't want to WORRY ANYMORE. We want TO KNOW what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. That can ONLY HAPPEN with A CONTRACT.
....and we will not ask for an unreasonable contract. We just want to be treated with fairness and dignity. The same way we treat our company in our work ethic everyday.
Our journey has begun and so has the hard work. We are ALREADY HARD AT IT FOR EVERYONE IN THE PLANT! Any workers who have ideas or concerns that they want brought forward in contract talks - get them to your crew reps. If for some reason you did not make the meetings - You can find out who they are very easily - just ask around.
REMEMBER - Be proud to be American, be proud to be IBEW Local 363 and be proud that you had the courage to take advantage of being a worker in a free country and banding together to help each other by joining A UNION.
Thank you to all of the people today who helped shape what will be our base for discussions, preparation and planning for how to best serve the needs of the workers at MCC Newburgh. We have already begun to move forward. We have the same ideas and mindset and that is to FIRST make our plant the most productive machine Abinbev has in the world.
Quite frankly, companies pay thousands of dollars for this same service that the IBEW Local 363 is providing - MOTIVATE PEOPLE AND INCREASE OUR PRODUCTION.
And it is not costing the company a dime!
To the management of ABINBEV, Why waste money and spend negative energy if we all really want the same thing anyway?
Think about that for a second. That is a fact - both management and workers want the same thing. The workers want to do everything they can to be profitable and productive - just like their managers want them to be.
What the workers don't want is WORRY.
WORRY about what is going to happen........and when....maybe without warning.
Can reasonable people see that the people involved here are not asking for anything unreasonable? I would have to say yes.
The people want what is good for the company and they want the company to feel the same about them. Isn't that a possibility? See you other crews on Thursday.
There are only more great things coming FOR US and FROM US in MCC Newburgh.
The IBEW Local 363 plan at MCC Newburgh is to FIRST increase production. We have a goal to PROVE that unionizing with the IBEW is a POSITIVE MOVE for both the workers and the company!
....and we are doing just that! We had a GREAT week hitting 5.8 MILLION CANS PRODUCED PER SHIFT and even tickled the 6 MILLION CAN MARK MULTIPLE TIMES THIS WEEK!
THE WORKERS ARE HAPPY - INSTEAD OF WORRIED......AND IT IS SHOWING UP IN PRODUCTION!
Production has been consistently above the budget of 5.7 million cans per shift! The people have become empowered and believe that they are now working for their benefit as well as the company. We know that when we hit the production numbers that the corporate office wants - they will deal with us fairly at the bargaining table.
Things look good and even spoilage is down! Another issue very important to the company! Are you listening St. Louis?? Are you watching what is happening??
This coming week we are meeting to develop our negotiating team and who will be the shop stewards on each crew.
Our people and our union have a very good attitude toward what the goal is here - to make the company profitable and to help the workers keep and improve on what they have.
No one is hoping to "break the bank" here by any stretch of the imagination.
IBEW Local 363 wants to reach out to the corporate office and offer to meet and discuss just what our plan is. I am sure that if that happened - we would ALL - both employees and management - find that we have a common goal and much common ground and that we have the chance to truly make Newburgh an example of cooperation to the ENTIRE COUNTRY.
This past week at the 2010 IBEW Membership Development Conference, I was asked to speak briefly on camera about YOU and the MCC Newburgh plant in a portion of a national IBEW video concerning organizing. People nationwide know who you are! This is and will continue to be even more of a positive story. A shining example of how to form a great partnership between management and IBEW labor.
WE PLAN ON MAKING IT ALL POSITIVE NEWS TOO.
You can see the clip at: www.ibew.org click on the video titles, "2010 Membership Development Conference" (It takes a minute to load so be patient)
There will be more national publicity about the Newburgh workers and their organizing victory coming in the NEAR future.
Come be a part of an important step in our journey this coming week........... I and your fellow workers are waiting for you!
The next meetings for the IBEW Local 363 MCC Newburgh members will be held on two separate days - Tuesday September 14 and Thursday September 16 in Harriman.
The purpose of these meetings will be to select who each crew believes should be the Shop Steward/Alternate and the Negotiator/Alternate. It is possible that a person can be both the negotator and the Shop Steward or they can be different people. That is up to each Crew.
Here are the times for the meetings and which Crew each meeting is for:
A/B Crew come to Harriman on Tuesday September 14 at 1PM. C/D Crew come to Harriman on Thursday September 16 at 1PM. Maintenance Crew come on Thursday September 16 at 5:30PM. Machinists will cast a vote in each Crew they work under and should come on the same night that their two crews come.
Here are some things that everyone should know BEFORE putting their name in for any of these jobs:
Shop Steward/Alternate - need to be available any day and any time for phone calls from Local 363 and your co-workers, this includes nights, weekends, days off and holidays. You need to be available on short notice for meetings that will most likely be in Harriman. You need to treat everyone fairly - even management. You will need to follow the lead of Local 363 at all times. YOU need to know that you can be removed by the Business Manager at any time. Basically, when you become Shop Steward you are agreeing to devote any and all time it takes - without question - to move the people business forward. Shop Steward/Alternates will also devote whatever time neccessary to read, study, learn and digest whatever contract materials, laws or proposals that are brought to your attention for as long as you hold that position. You need a level head and understanding manner about you. YOU ALSO NEED TO BE A ROLE MODEL TO ALL OTHER MEMBERS AT AND AWAY FROM WORK.
Negotiator/Alternate- need to be available any day and any time for phone calls from Local 363 and your co-workers, this includes nights, weekends, days off and holidays. You need to be available on short notice for MANY meetings that will most likely be in Harriman. You need to treat everyone fairly - even management. You will need to follow the lead of Local 363 at all times. YOU need to know that you can be removed by the Business Manager at any time. Basically, when you become a negotiating committee member you are agreeing to devote any and all time it takes - without question - to move the people business forward. Negotiator/Alternates will also devote whatever time neccessary to read, study, learn and digest whatever contract materials or proposals that are brought to the table for as long as the process takes. You need a level head and understanding manner about you. YOU ALSO NEED TO BE A ROLE MODEL TO ALL OTHER MEMBERS AT AND AWAY FROM WORK.
You probably noticed that both descriptions are very similiar. They both pertain to representing the interests of EVERYONE in our union. It is a HUGE responsibility. It is not a job to take for the "title". It is a lot of hard work and time away from your family.
We have many good people in our group who may not have the time to devote to put their name in for these positions but who will still be available to help. We need to know who you are too! Everyone can help and be part of this and everyone is welcome to be part of it.
Happy Labor Day EVERYONE! This is a very special Labor Day for all of us. For some of the workers in the MCC Newburgh plant this is their first Labor Day working as a union worker.
There is a NEW PRIDE in MCC Newburgh, in our work and in ourselves. You can see it on the faces of the people when they come together to meet.
Many people that have come before you also found themselves in the same situation - they either could stand together or lose what they had. They had to have the courage to stand up for themselves just like you did. YOU are part of that HISTORY now!
BE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE UNION BECAUSE THE UNION IS YOU. THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE IBEW SO GREAT!
Suprisingly to some, the union has made the production of cans the first and most important issue. That needs to be the backbone and base of our plan. High Production.
We have a mission to improve our already high status within the company and really become the number one plant in North America and to get our contract. Two issues that go good together. Two issues that belong together......and two issues that will become a reality!
Some workers have been in a union before but have already told us that they feel the IBEW and Local 363 are something different. Our plan is to include the people in the process of forming their union and negotiating their contract. THEY will be at the table to bargain directly with the company along with Local 363.
We are moving forward and are getting ready to form the basic structure of our bargaining unit and our negotiating committee.
Let's enjoy our election victory and enjoy our First Labor Day as one.
Tuesday we will explain what our stewards and our negotiating committee can expect to be doing and what those positions will require of the people in them. Everyone who is interested in any of these positions shoud pay attention to the article here Tuesday explaining the details.
Enjoy your Labor Day and BE PROUD THAT YOU ARE ALL UNION MEMBERS of the IBEW LOCAL 363!
Wow! It was better than I thought! Thanks for the great turnout and I hope everyone got the message. We are going to make this plant the #1 plant ABINBEV has. The people are ready to make management shine and even Carlos Brito smile.
We covered a lot of ground tonight and we are ALL on the same page! We have a JOB TO DO! Our first mission is THE PRODUCTION OF CANS - we need to establish ourselves as a hot commodity. It is YOU - the people - who will do that. You will prove that being in the IBEW was and is a POSITIVE MOVE for all involved.
WE WILL MAKE THE NEWBURGH PLANT MORE PROFITABLE THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN! We are happy now and as happy workers we will definitely make more cans! WE HAVE A FUTURE TO BE HAPPY ABOUT!
That is the IBEW WAY! WE FEEL PRODUCTION IS OUR LIFEBLOOD.
We value our jobs, our employer and ourselves. We will not come into this new relationship with the company as union members and allow bad attitudes to prevail.
We are taking the high road. We do have something to prove. We know we can get along with management and the company and they will work with us if we prove we are sincere in our work and our desire to come up with a fair contract.
We are taking the first steps at making this the great relationship we all know it can be.
We want to change the perception that some in management have in regard to us and our new union status. We are the same dedicated people. We want to be an example of how things can work for everyone.
Your turn C & D Crew! See you tomorrow night 6:30 PM at the union building in Harriman.
Tonight is the first meeting of the IBEW Local 363 MCC Newburgh workers! Look at how far we have come in the last 6 months! Tonight we eat, celebrate, talk, laugh, plan, discuss, learn, teach, share, bond, prepare, breathe, reflect and look forward.
Spread the word. Come and be part of the union and the process of getting ready to negotiate and feel how good it feels to have your input count. Everyone is welcome to come but no one is forced to come! THESE ARE NOT CAPTIVE AUDIENCE MEETINGS! The union is for everyone and will run like that no matter who is there or not there. If you cannot come - don't worry - we have your back!
I'll see everybody who can come in Harriman tonight! Let's get it started!
In case you may have heard differently, have no fear........... - THE ELECTION WAS CERTIFIED ON SATURDAY NIGHT WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF THE COUNT.
It says: "The undersigned agent of the Regional Director certifies that the results of the tabulation of ballots cast in the election held in the above case, and concluded on the date indicated above, were as follows........A majority of the valid votes counted plus challenged ballots has been cast for IBEW Local Union 363.
The certification is signed by the Board Agent, the company attorney and IBEW Local 363.
If for some reason you can't come to the meeting that was listed for your crew or group - you are welcome to come to whatever meeting you can. The only issue I will have is I might have too much food one night and not enough another but I think I have it covered.
See you guys Thursday and Friday. That is when we will REALLY begin to build our union!
Ain't no mountain high enough to keep us from moving ahead!
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE and welcome to the IBEW LOCAL 363! Come one, come all.
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW IBEW LOCAL 363 MEMBERS FROM MCC NEWBURGH will be held on Thursday September 2 and Friday September 3 - 6:30PM EACH NIGHT - in the IBEW Local 363 UNION building at 67 Commerce Drive South, Harriman, NY 10926. Maintenance Crews day will be at 5:30PM on Thursday September 2.
MAINT CREW COME ON THE 2ND AT 5:30PM A/B CREW COME ON THE 2ND AT 6:30PM C/D CREW COME ON THE 3RD AT 6:30PM
The UNION building is exactly 20 minutes from the Newburgh toll booths on the NYS THRUWAY.Take NYS Thruway to Exit 16 Harriman - after toll booth take first right and get in the left lane - make a left and drive to the fifth traffic light and make a left onto Commerce Drive South (see AMSCAM building on corner) Follow Commerce Drive South all the way to the back we are the last building on the left side. That is YOUR NEW BUILDING.
We will have food catered and after celebrating our victory we will begin our process of preparing to negotiate. In addition to helping you all organize and spending what seems like 15 hours a day including weekends on the Blog since June - I have also been working on putting together a template contract that is made up of what benefits and conditions you have now and while also leaving room for what we might want to add. It is far from being complete and is for discussion and starting purposes only.
I WANT TO COLLECT EVERY MEMBERS HOME EMAIL ADDRESS. I HAVE FOUND IT IS A GREAT WAY TO OPEN UP COMMUNICATION EVEN FURTHER THAN JUST RELYING ON MEETINGS ETC. IT IS 24 HOUR COMMUNICATION.
CONGRATULATIONS! WE WILL SEE ALL OF YOU NEW IBEW LOCAL 363 MEMBERS ON EITHER THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND OR FRIDAY THE 3RD AT 6:30PM IN HARRIMAN!
The election is now complete AND THE VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED:
Voting Yes 79 Voting No 66
The people have spoken and a MAJORITY VOTED to have IBEW Local 363 represent them in collective bargaining at MCC Newburgh! Congratulations to EVERYONE!
Wow! What a time this has been! We have achieved our first important goal - to ORGANIZE.That is like taking the first breath. Now we come together AT OUR TABLE FIRST to discuss our issues............
BUT FIRST WE CELEBRATE.....WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Welcome to IBEW Local 363!
Enjoy THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP ALL WORKERS IN THIS PLANT! Enjoy knowing that you now have a voice - a collective and strong voice!
Victory Party Dates to be announced within 48 hours.
( COMMENTS BELOW THE VIDEOS )
Hope you like this:
Welcome EVERYBODY to the IBEW and welcome to Local 363!
WE ARE AS CLOSE AS WE CAN EVER BE RIGHT NOW. IT IS ALL UP TO THE PEOPLE NOW.
I believe that the majority of the people understand what is at stake and how much better it will be to work under a contract.
We will see very soon. After the election is over, IBEW Lcoal 363 will begin to cultivate the union. We will show you how to work together and how to negotiate.
Let's hope that the majority of your coworkers heard our message.
Well, the first half of the voting is all done - we are halfway there! At this time, no one knows how many yes ballots there are or how many no ballots there are. I have been at the beginning and the end of every voting session starting at 4:30 AM just as I will be tomorrow.
Now the next two shifts will have their turn to vote and have their say in regard to this election.
Get used to voting - in the union the people vote on everything we do.
I have a message for all of you who have not voted yet:
At this point, you will decide if Local 363 is chosen in this election.That is good news! We have MUCH SUPPORT on your crews!
You will decide if you and your coworkers will have a say, a union or a contract. You will decide if any negotiations about anything EVER happen at MCC.
You will decide if you and your coworkers can lose pay and benefits with no chance to discuss the subject if they remain at-will employees and have no way to get a contract.
You will also decide if IBEW Local 363 is certified as the representative and if you and your coworkers can have a seat at the table to discuss ALL ISSUES THAT COME UP NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
The 'Vote NO" alternative is equal to the surrender of everything you AND YOUR FAMILY have without question at ANY TIME.That is an unacceptable choice for any person who is depending on finishing their career at MCC. Way too much risk. Why would anyone choose to have no voice in regard to their job or career?
Now is the TIME to reach down deep within yourself - for yourself - and everyone else who did vote yes. Together you will have a better chance to keep what you have and even improve on what you have!
Find the Eye Of The Tiger In You for yourself and the rest of your coworkers.
Push this through and become part of the solution!
Remember this IS NOT AB ANYMORE no matter what they try to tell you! Protect yourself with a unon and a contract with the IBEW.
STAY SOLID, STAY STRONG AND VOTE YES SATURDAY AUGUST 28 FOR IBEW LOCAL 363!
Up and atom! 4AM heading to my new building at Stewart to MCC to make sure the Labor Board sets everything up right. Can't stay - not allowed. I have NO OBSERVER NAMED FROM THE WORKERS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO EXPOSE ANYONE.
So ask yourself - who is it that REALLY CARES about the PEOPLE?? The IBEW THAT"S WHO!
Here we are! This is the day everybody! The start of your new beginnning! The one with a voice and a seat at the table.
Tony is Gone - THE LIES HAVE BEEN TOLD- HOW STRONG ARE YOU? I THINK REAL STRONG!
STAY IBEW STRONG! BECOME AN IBEW MEMEBR AND NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM WALKING AROUND THE PLANT SCARING EVERYBODY INDIVIDUALLY SO THAT YOU CANNOT SCARE THEM COLLECTIVELY - AS ONE!
VOTE YES FOR IBEW LOCAL 363 - YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! ( Please read the post below for my take on Tony and his last visits. Thank you )
......somebody better put you back into your place.....
Thanks for all of your calls and emails. I am trying to answer all of you and keep up on here too. I will answer everybody that contacts me - promise. Stay TIGHT EVERYBODY - WE HAVE A DECISIVE MAJORITY.
To the few who are second guessing themselves........
Don't be fooled you guys.........TONY IS NOT BEING TRUTHFUL(What a surprise from these guys.)
Tony is making his rounds and I have a problem with what he is saying to you. He is threatening you with the SAME EXACT WEAPON HE HAS BEEN BEATING YOU WITH AS A NON-UNION WORKER AND NOW HE CLAIMS THAT WEAPON CAN ONLY HIT YOU IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF IBEW 363.
That's Bull Tony. You already sliced THE PEOPLE and FROM NOW ON we want to NEGOTIATE.
He purposely paints you all a blurry picture, so let me clear it up a little.
First Let's talk about what Tony DOES NOT AND CANNOT SAY:
"WITH NO UNION YOU WON'T LOSE ANYTHING EVER AGAIN."
"WITH NO UNION YOUR HEALTH BENEFIT CONTRIBUTION WILL BE LOWERED OR STAY THE SAME."
"WITH NO UNION WE PROMISE NOT TO COMPARE YOUR WAGES TO JACKSONVILLE."
"WITH NO UNION WE WILL NOT MAKE CHANGES THAT WILL COST YOU ANY MORE MONEY."
"WITH NO UNION OR CONTRACT YOU HAVE MORE RIGHTS."
"WITHOUT THE UNION YOU WILL GET RAISES."
"WITHOUT THE UNION I WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THIS MUCH ATTENTION TO YOUR NEEDS."
Tony cannot make those statements because they ARE NOT TRUE!
THE TRUTH IS THAT THEY ARE PLANNING to ATTACK WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE - AND WITH IBEW LOCAL 363 THERE AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE - Tony won't have the CAKEWALK that he WILL have IF he can keep you without a contract.
It's really very simple. Enslaved people have jobs but have no rights. How much do you really want to have in common with that? I would have to say PROBABLY NOTHING, WOULDN'T YOU?
TONY WANTS YOU TO VOTE "NO" FOR HIM - NOT YOU:
Don't forget there is a REWARD FOR TONY if he keeps you NON UNION.
Maybe Tony gets a cool Million.......must be WORTH A HECK OF A LOT! HUH GUYS?
VOTE NO and YOU will INSTANTLY become insignificant once again - right where you shouldn't be - to allow Tony, Brito or anybody else to reach into your pocket and TAKE WHAT THEY WANT - ANYTIME. AND YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT.
...VOTE NO AND YOU WILL ALSO HAVE NOTHING standing in the way of THEM tripling your health coverage contribution or DROPPING YOUR WAGES. THAT IS WHEN YOU WILL BE IN TROUBLE. When you have no say in any of it. THAT IS WHEN YOU CAN FEAR TONY!
LET'S CHANGE THAT TOGETHER. Let's stand together and make sure THAT FROM NOW ON we get what we should and that we are not to be kept like their children and fed like their pet birds.
DON'T FORGET AB IS GONE EVERYBODY. PROTECT YOURSELF! DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR FUTURE.
Tony says that you can get less if you vote the union in.
Why is that Tony? YOU ALWAYS seem to leave that part out, why? Tell us all Tony - Who will it BE to propose lower or freezing wages?
Not the IBEW Tony. We only propose what the people want.I can assure YOU Tony that THEY will never PROPOSE to make less money.
SO THAT ONLY LEAVES - YOU TONY - AS THE CAUSE OF ANY WORKER MAKING ANYTHING LESS IF THAT EVER HAPPENS. THAT'S ALL ON YOU - UNION OR NON-UNION - THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM YOUR OWN SWEET LIPS.
The difference FOLKS is that with the IBEW the people get to come to that table and bargain how EVERYTHING will effect them. AND Tony doesn't LIKE THAT.
TOO BAD THIS TIME TONY, TOO BAD. WE WILL MAKE IT WORK. YOU AND I.
What is Tony REALLY afraid of?? It's us Tony, it's your canners baby. We the people. The people whose hands you just shook all day today whispering sweet nothing in our ears.
IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE for you to double as the one who warns us of potential pain and TO ALSO BE THE CAUSE OF THAT PAIN.
That is ridiculous logic Tony. The true reason is that you are ONLY THREATENING THE PEOPLE.
EITHER THAT OR YOU THINK THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT EDUCATED ENOUGH TO REALIZE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SAYING MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.
Well, you are in for a shock because they are educated and they are smart. They want a seat at that table and they are going to get it. They understand fully what is at stake and THEY KNOW THAT a future with no contract is a DEATH SENTENCE.
STAY TIGHT GUYS, DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY ANYBODY, DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES, THEY WANT YOU TO THROW AWAY YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN SOME POWER AND SOME STRENGTH....
VOTE YES FOR IBEW LOCAL 363 FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND GET THAT SEAT AND THAT VOICE!
The people are UNITED Tony - did you get that feeling during your visits?....SURE YOU DIDN'T.
Nice touch too Dan, Tony and the rest of you - using drug tests to scare the people.We will still have drug testing in the contract - don't get me wrong.
The difference will be that after the contract is signed you won't be able to fabricate the "random" part anymore.I'm taking that tool you have available to harrass people who don't do drugs but do things you don't like - like call in the union.
You ALSO lost votes AGAIN WITH BAD TIMING WITH THAT STUPID MOVE JUST BEFORE THE ELECTION. Are you really trying to lose? You can't possibly be this inept - can you??
Hey Brito - you hirin? I can blow all these guys away AND STILL TREAT THE PEOPLE GOOD. I'LL EVEN WORK FOR $250,000 so I'll save the company money and do a better job. YOU CAN PROBABLY GET RID OF A COUPLE OF THE LITLE UNDERLINGS WHO JUST HANG AROUND SMOKING CIGARETTES ALL DAY TOO! Another cost savings!! More bonus money!!
OF COURSE YOU KNOW - I WOULD WANT A CONTRACT OR I WOULDN'T COME - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU OFFERED - WHY? - BECAUSE WITHOUT A CONTRACT YOU CAN CHANGE OR TAKE EVERYTHING AWAY - AT ANYTIME!
I'M NOT STUPID YA' KNOW.
Which manager is GETTING FIRED? We are taking bets.
Stay Strong, Stay Solid, Stay United and you guys will be part of IBEW Local 363 on SATURDAY NIGHT - August 28th.
STAY UNITED AND YOU WILL WIN. THE PEOPLE WILL BE THE WINNERS HERE - NOT THE COMPANY OR THE UNION. THIS IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR VOICE - NOT THEIR VOICE OR MY VOICE - BUT YOURS! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHANCE YOU HAVE TO GET THAT VOICE.
REMEMBER, THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF GETTING AND NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT IS FREE - YOU PAY NOTHING.
AND AFTER WE GET ONE - YOU REAP ALL OF THE BENEFITS!
VOTE YES IBEW LOCAL 363
United, United, United We Stand - United We Stand One And All!
Yes - and the PEOPLE CAN SEE CLEARLY now too - thanks to the IBEW!
Now that everything bad has been said by the company about the union and every issue they raised has been shown to be UNTRUE and more often - irrelevant - it is time for the peoples decision to be made.
This Friday and Saturday the GREAT MAJORITY OF MCC NEWBURGH will speak with one voice for the FIRST TIME! The people will choose to have the IBEW Local 363 represent them in collective bargaining with the new company ABINBEV.
We are just as excited as you are to help YOU put some structure in your workplace that is fair to both you and the company. WE ARE NOT ANTI-COMPANY AND THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE ANTI-UNION. This isn't about the union or the company - this is about YOU.
I believe that I have answered every question I have been asked truthfully and without delay. I answered every call from every person - even those who said they were against the union. Some of them even changed their mind.
You still have Tony making his rounds trying to convince you to be against yourselves AND YOUR COWORKERS.
How sad to have to promote that, Tony.
I am so glad that my job is to promote the concept of you working together and standing together to make things better for all. I like that so much. My kids know their father helps working people. That makes me proud.
I couldn't go home and look my kids in the face if my job was to trick people into being weakened and defenseless. Telling them that I am looking out for them like a father figure and at the same time knowingly keeping them from self advancement.
You're not feeding birds worms Tony. These are people, real people with families THAT THEY NEED TO PROTECT! People with brains and a lot of intelligence who have decided that they WANT A VOICE AT WORK.
IBEW Local 363 is providing those people that voice.
Don't be afraid of that Tony. It's just us -the people you talked to all day today - the ones you told how much you cared.
You're boxed in now pal......how do you go hardass three days from now? Remember Tony - even your smooth charm cannot replace a written contract.
The good news is that THE PEOPLE CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW!
.
VOTE YES FOR IBEW LOCAL 363 ON FRIDAY AUGUST 27 AND SATURDAY AUGUST 28 GIVE YOURSELVES A SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH TONY - INSTEAD OF JUST WAITING OUTSIDE.
Tony is coming back. Can you hang on? Don't let him make you feel guilty for protecting YOUR FAMILY BY GETTING A WRITTEN CONTRACT.
IT'S NOT AB ANYMORE.
You do not know what you can expect from ABINBEV but you DO KNOW that you are better off bargaining about it all together. No matter WHAT Tony says - you NEED that contract. How come he has a contract but he doesn't want you to have one? Is he better than you guys now? Who does he think he is?
TAPE RECORDERS ON CHILDREN - DON'T FORGET TO CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES AND KEEP THOSE TAPES COMING!
Word has it Tony is coming back for one final push.Dan told us that Tony will be making his rounds on the floor THIS WEEK talking to every individual he can -explaining why it is better to work with no contract.
Ranjive will explain that as CHILDREN we need our PARENTS to make our decisons for us. We don't need any written contract or any union. Our PARENTS are our voice.
Ranjive also said that everything goes through him. IF THAT IS TRUE AND I DON'T DOUBT IT - it must have been Tony who decided to increase your health benefit contribution because he knew - as your father figure - what was best for you. HE KNEW THAT you would appreciate your health coverage more if you paid more. TONY DECIDED TO DO THAT FOR YOU - HE DECIDES WHAT HAPPENS.
Real nice Ranjive, real nice.
Tony will approach all of you and explain that all you need to do is trust him.Well, I have a question Tony - why can't we still trust you after we choose to join IBEW Local 363? We are NOT going to change - we will STILL be those HARDWORKING and LOYAL to the company workers - even with OUR union.
It seems that it is YOU Tony - who is hinting that YOU will be different somehow - YOU will change - and not be the same old Tony. How come? Why is that? You threatened us by stating that you made all decisions - nobody gets anything without you. What was the hint there?
If you were really our friend and really concerned about us this would not change anything. We have done NOTHING WRONG - why the attitude? Have we come to the table asking for outrageous demands? No. Have we stopped production? No. In fact, if anything OUR UNION HAS ASKED US TO WORK HARDER DURING THESE LAST MONTHS!!!!!
WE WANT TO SEE YOU FLY HERE AFTER THE ELECTION AND MAKE YOUR ROUNDS. LET'S SEE YOU COME BACK, MAN UP AND MAKE THIS STATEMENT.......
"Let's all get together and make this happen so it benefits everybody. Let's form a real partnership that we can be proud of and others can use as a shining example of how labor and management can really work together"
....anything else is just handjive man.
HEY EVERYBODY! STAY STRONG STAY SOLID, TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, LET ME DO THE WORK, LISTEN AND BE POLITE, AND JUST VOTE YES FOR IBEW LOCAL 363 ON THIS FRIDAY AND THIS SATURDAY - GET A VOICE AND A SEAT AT THE DECISION MAKING TABLE....
Which side are you on? Do you know yet? Still on the fence? Can't be. Deep down you must have made your mind up. There are probably no fence sitters anymore - everyone now has a side to support in this. Don't forget - The most IMPORTANT one of those sides is your own.
I TRUST that the large MAJORITY OF PEOPLE will VOTE YES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CO-WORKERS. I BELIEVE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE RISK OF WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT IN THIS CORPORATE WORLD WE ALL WORK WITHIN. YOU NEED TO VOTE YES IN ORDER TO HAVE PARTICIPATION AND PROTECTION.
Your fellow workers - who are on your side - came to the IBEW Local 363 and asked us to help them orgainize. They said they just wanted to PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES AND GET A WRITTEN CONTRACT.
None of that has changed since that day. Those are still the goals here.
Then on July 11 the workers at the Newburgh Can Plant came to the IBEW Local 363 Building to ask questions and get the answers they need to move forward. There were honest discussions about what options were available to all of you as you continue your new working life with the new company - ABInbev.
We answered any question that anyone wanted to ask. At least two people who came were openly not supporters - and they were welcomed and given plenty of time to hold the floor. We thanked them for coming even though they didn't seem to want a union and we made them feel welcome and free to ask their questions.
IT HAS BEEN OBVIOUS FOR ALMOST TWO SOLID MONTHS NOW that the workers at the plant have seen that coming together as a SOLID GROUP is the best alternative to protect everyones future in Newburgh.
Want a little proof of the strength in your numbers? Look at all the people FLYING IN AND OUT and the money being spent REACTING TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING AS A GROUP. What else could ANYONE of you have done INDIVIDUALLY TO GET TONY AND KEN to fly here?
If this was a question about your benefits or how your pension is doing I don't think they would put your little concern on the top of the "ta do" pile, AND FLY OVER AND SPEND $85,000 EDUCATING YOU - do YOU ?
This is an effort to get some stability, to have a voice at work and to have the rules that we are going to work under ON PAPER - IN CONTRACT FORM. A contract that has to be negotiated and agreed to by both parties in order for it to change.
THERE ARE MANY UNKNOWNS AHEAD - YOU ALL NEED THE PROTECTION OF A CONTRACT AND THIS IS HOW YOU GET ONE - YOU JOIN A UNION. To some people that is a scary thought. They have heard stories or had a bad experience. I can only answer for IBEW Local 363 - and there will always be an answer.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT WITH IBEW LOCAL 363. WE ARE LOCAL PEOPLE TOO AND WE LIVE HERE TOO. IBEW LOCAL 363 HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THIS AREA FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS ALREADY!
Having a seat and a voice at the table trumps every bad thought, fear or question about the "union" when you compare it TO WHAT THE COMPANY CAN AND WILL DO to all of you WITHOUT THAT CONTRACT.
That NO CONTRACT SCENARIO has NO LIMITS when it comes to WHAT YOU CAN LOSE - and not just this year - BUT FOREVER.
Please be assured, IBEW Local 363 wants the workers at Inbev AB to make their own decision as to whether they want a contract and a union or if they don't. We are not after you to make money, collect dues or to fool you into anything. We are one of the most agressive, active and professional unions in the entire Hudson Valley and we reacted to a request from your fellow employees to come in and HELP you.
We do it because that is what we do.
We believe that the VAST MAJORITY OF YOU KNOW THAT IBEW Local 363 is the best choice for the future of all the workers at the Newburgh plant.
STAY STRONG, STAY SOLID, LISTEN AND BE POLITE, TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, EXPECT ONE ON ONES WITH TONY BEFORE THE WEEK IS OUT, THAT'S TEXTBOOK ANTI-UNION 101. TELL TONY WHAT HE WANTS TO HEAR TOO. ITS OK, LET IT FLY - IT WILL RELIEVE THE TENSION TO JUST TELL HIM YOU DONT WANT THE UNION - THEN HE CAN MOVE ON.
JUST REMEMBER - A CONTRACT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU ANYTHING ELSE IS WRONG ADVICE.
DO NOT BE FOOLED INTO BEING AGAINST YOURSELVES. STAY STRONG!
No more dancing and mocking the people Warren. You are another reason why the people called in IBEW Local 363 and I just wanted Tony and Brito to know that your dance is one of the highest rated insults discussed among the people. Dan is a close second with his mono-tone, death inducing speeches.
But the highest rated insult of all came from Ranjive Bhalla - he explains that the people don't need the union because he and the other management royalty are like the PARENTS and the hard workers who sweat and make the cans are the CHILDREN.
That was worth - conservatively 25 votes swinging for IBEW Local 363.
Has anyone seen Ken the Negotiator? Judging by my phone calls , emails and the hits and comments on this blog he should be out in the parking lot doing wind sprints.
STAY STRONG, STAY SOLID, LITEN AND BE POLITE, YOU HAVE ONE WEEK LEFT, TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR AND JUST VOTE YES FOR IBEW LOCAL 363 ON AUGUST 27/28!
You guys are the REAL DEAL. You are very smart and intelligent people and we will work well together. People talk about the union. The union this and the union that. But really the union is the people in it.
Your unit of ABINBEV WORKERS of IBEW Local 363 is YOUR PART of IBEW Local 363. That is the really great part. Your contract is YOUR contract and you guys are "the union" in the purest sense of the word. Yes, your IBEW representatives will do the negotiating and grievances and bargaining etc, but the YOUR PART OF THE UNION is YOURS.
YOU GUYS WILL DECIDE WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. YOU GUYS STEER YOUR OWN SHIP IN THE DIRECTION THAT IS BEST FOR EVERYBODY!
That is what this is all about - a strong collective voice.
IBEW Local 363 PROVIDES THE AVENUE FOR THAT COLLECTIVE VOICE TO FINALLY BE HEARD.
FACT IS, YOU GUYS ARE ALREADY STRONGER THAN YOU WERE NON-UNION.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE SMART THING..
We don't want the world just a little fairplay.
DON'T LET ANYBODY try to convince you that bargaining together is worse than not bargaining at all. YOU KNOW that makes no sense.
NO I WON'T BACK DOWN - GONNA STAND MY GROUND
STAY STRONG, STAY SOLID, LISTEN AND BE POLITE, TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR AND JUST VOTE FOR IBEW LOCAL 363 ON AUGUST 27/28 AND GAIN A VOICE AT THE TABLE FOR EVERYBODY!
WHOOOOOO ARE YOU? WHO WHO WHO WHO TONY WHO ARE YOUUUUU?
Are you really our friend or are you really not? Why Tony? Why would you send out mixed messages? Why are the people telling me you are THREATENING THEM? Let's not do that. You are too big a man Tony - you do not need to react like that.
First you come off as everyones friend and everything was ok UNTIL you thought you were losing ground and then.....THE TANTRUM.... I control! I am king! You are nothing ! I am mad! I am upset! I want it all! I will hardass! I will punish you!
Tsssk, Tsssk Tony - thats not professional.
Dues Tony? We aren't here for dues. We weren't even in sight until your RECENTLY SCREWED employees called us for help. Bonus money? Tony thats your world - a $100K reward for HURTING PEOPLE. Nice.
Tony, you said that you decide who gets what.....IF THAT IS SO.....DO WE BLAME YOU NOW OR LATER FOR THE INCREASED EMPLOYEE HEALTH COST AND THE 401K?? Must be but then again - what the heck is the truth with you guys anymore??? Lately, it's been hard to keep track.
What about Ranjive calling you the "children" and they the management are the "parents". That's the end for me - that shows the REAL ATTITUDE TOWARD YOU ADULT WORKERS THEY LOOK AT YOU AS CHILDREN! NO WONDER THEY ARE TRYING TO "STEER YOUR THINKING" NOW.
Listen, I don't know about you but I have kids at home and I had one set of parents and NONE of them are named Ranjive, Dan, Dave, Tony, Brito or even Ken.
That comment was very TELLING and insulting and most likely put the icing on the union cake.
YOU GUYS NEED TO COME OUT HUGE AGAINST THAT KIND OF THINKING AND VOTE YESSSSSSS TO BRING IN IBEW 363 NEXT WEEK.
I am going to risk it and assume - you know what happens when you do that - I am going to assume that NO or at least VERY FEW PEOPLE look at Tony as their Daddy.
Tony, I don't know why you don't call me. Take the high road. I said things - you said things - we all said things......just call me and lets get on the same page.....
.....for the peoples sake. The people you love. Let's do it for them. Come on - two big men like us putting it all aside for the good of the innocent workers. Sounds like a plan. No hardassing needed.
The people want that Tony - give it to them. You can be the hero - I will let you have ALL OF THE CREDIT. I don't do this for credit and I don't do this for dues - I do it for them.
Your turn - Tony - turn this around. In the meantime guys -
STAY SOLID, STAY STRONG, BE POLITE, LOISTEN AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR AND JUST VOTE YES ON AUGUST 27 / 28 FOR IBEW LOCAL 363....
..........NEVERMIND WHAT YOUR "PARENTS" THINK.....lol
Interested in our story so far? Want to catch up or see how it developed?
Scroll down to the "Archives" section on the lower right side of this screen. Click on 2010. Click on June 2010 and you can start reading from day one. We hope that you follow us and support us in our efforts to get a written contract.
Who said that?
"If I went to work in a factory, the first thing that I would do is join a union."
THINK ABOUT THIS - All this money and energy to fight their OWN WORKERS! Shameful!
Still not answered by Dan, Ken or Tony:
Why did Ken LIE right away?
What's the 5 year non union plan?
Why is no written contract better for me?
What does the future hold for us in Newburgh?
Will we lose any money staying non union?
Will we lose any benefits staying non union?
Is it true they want to increase our health contributions by 2011?
Can we expect the same "concern" from Dan and Ken when we vote YES for IBEW Local 363?
Where was Tony's concern when your health costs went up and they screwed you on your 401k?
What did Dan do for you when you complained about Warrens victory dance when they took your break time away?
Why did Dan say the company could have recognized the union but it's the COMPANYS RIGHT to have an election? They don't vote! It's not THEIR RIGHT - It's OURS!
Do you realize that these captive meetings work just like the "time share" condo people do it - they try to wear you down so you do what THEY want you to do?
REALIZE that every time you guys sit in one of those meetings they are paying $25,000 per month to brainwash you. OOP add $20k for Ken now.
Do you realize that IBEW Local 363 will instill CONFIDENCE and STABILITY in the workforce?
Get ready for a union plant in Newburgh.
Get ready for a voice.
Get ready for a contract.
Get ready for IBEW Local 363.
Vote August 27 and August 28 for IBEW Local 363 and have a say in what happens in Newburgh.
IBEW Local 363 is made up of thousands of members across New York State in many different branches and occupations. Construction Electricians, Data Technicians, Telephone and Dish installers, call-centers, utility companies, water supply companies, LED /Lighting Manufacturers, sign installers, metal container corporations Ball Metal, Anheuser Busch, Town highway departments and water/sewer departments,West Point Federal employees
