Thursday, September 16, 2010
Great Meetings This Week! The Very AMERICAN Process - Joining Together As One - Is Underway!
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.
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Once again Sam and Local 363 inspire us all to work hard and to make sure we do this right and fair for everybody. I can't wait for the company to realize that going with the IBEW, Sam and 363 was the absolute best thing that could have happened to our plant. Our morale was crap and everybody was WORRIED SICK ABOUT LOSING EVERYTHING WE HAVE. Now we have HOPE and actually want to bust our asses for ABINBEV. That is a complete turnaround St. Louis. Why don't YOU GUYS IN MANAGEMENT look at what has happened here and take the high road? Call on us NOW to work this all out for all of our good.
ReplyDeleteOnce that works, if you have any brains you will ASK Sam to organize Windsor and Mira Loma FOR YOU.
It's time, it's time.
Just got back from the meeting today. It was a good turn out. I was happy with the number of volunteers and the new team spirit. A team spirit that I thought the front office destroyed. For those of you that could not make it, the word from Sam is to continue to run the shit out of the plant. Make as many cans as possible. We picked really great people to represent us on C/D crews. There was a guy from Ball there who spoke highly of Sam and the IBEW.
ReplyDeleteAlot of information on what to expect next. The biggest thing I took away from the meeting was that we make the contract not the IBEW. So now that we have a voice, its important to be heard. Any ideas or thoughts please post them as a blog or share them with your reps. on each crew. Even if you voted NO, you need to get involved.
As far as the new guy that came from Ball...................................!!!!!!!
got some! we got some!
ReplyDeleteSix - one - and - change tonight.
ReplyDeletePlus thirteen off the sorter.
Keep up the good work folks!
Lets make this plant SING!
Pull your load.
Don't take advantage of your co-workers.
We CAN do it!
Managers, time to jump on board, we want you to!
Help us to make this the best plant in MCC!
Let me see if I have this right... We have technical and mechanical experienced college grads that work with us on the floor instead they focus in on someone with a checkered past. Please tell me I'm having a very bad dream. We kicked butt last night! Lets continue to saturate the marketplace with quality cans.
ReplyDeletemanagement look into this rich bailey dude before he gets to be a superintendant. He has a very bad past at ball metal. Don't hurt our plant with this guy, make him come clean
ReplyDeleteGreat meeting yesterday by all who attended. Some good people chosen to lead us and represent us through good and bad times. We have the fresh start and Sam and the guys at the union hall are so committed to making this first contract work and represent all. I am pretty excited about all of this and looking forward to working hard and making this plant be the best it can be. Morale is so much higher now I hope mgmt. sees this and notices this also. We as mgmt and workers can move mountains together and make this plant not only the best in the system but the best can plant in the world. We have the base now lets start building our home. WE CAN!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteProud to be local 363. Everyone just a quick note lets all start wearing our t shirts and putting our stickers on stuff to show we are UNION PROUD! We are now union we have stewards and negotiaters in place lets start showing our colors. GO GO GO 363.
ReplyDeleteI dont know what the big fear was about having a union.I hope Dan and Tony realize that we are going to make this plant hum.We have proving that since the vote. Pure fact and cant be denied.
ReplyDeleteWho's afraid of the big bad wolf, big bad wolf, big bad wolf...?
ReplyDeleteIf they are so narrow minded as to promote someone like that to a supervisory position, not a manager guys, to lead the crew (any crew for that matter but especially d-crew) and expect the team concept to work smoothly then I say that nothing has changed in their mindset and approach.
Teambuilding is dead and has been for a long time. Only thing missing is an admission from them.
Can anyone list one thing that was done in the last three years that would qualify as focused for teambuilding? Just one thing, event, speach... anything at all that was a positive teambuilding experience? You can leave out the steak event...
I hope that someone can because I can't.
Any thoughts Lehman?
So now we may be facing an appointed leader of a crew (25% of the plant) that will start out in a hole as far as teamwork with the people he is to lead. All this in spite of knowing what the general feeling is. I could understand that if there was something to compensate for that, some attribute he has, some accomplishment, some potential, anything... So far I do not see how he will motivate and lead (not by example I hope) a crew to it's best performance possible.
We know that leaders are not appointed for their popularity but being able to function in a team environment is a crucial factor and has been in selecting them.
I hope I get a response from a manager on the teambuilding question. Managers only and not supervision please.
Only teambuilding going on is IBEW 363 right now.
Instead of Rich Bailey, ABI should hire Sam. I keep hearing this guys name. What is his story? What did he do at Ball? Why did Ball get rid of him if he is God's gift? Remember what happened the last time they made a supervisor out of a general tech?!?!?!?
ReplyDeleteOutstanding job A/B crews.
I think he was a marine.
ReplyDeleteSam wouldn't want that job, he has a more important one to organize and lead our effort to get a contract.
ReplyDeleteSam is not a canmaker and doesn't want to be one.
Sam is a maker of canmakers and is loving it.
Sam stay the course. Your job is more important.
We're with you.
Feelin' proud to be 363! Great meeting, great to have a get together with the brothers and sisters afterward. Keep it positive and focused, we know what 'We Can' do!
ReplyDeletesam is it o.k to let the hudon valley know about mcc inbev and RICH BAILEY?
ReplyDeleteBottom line is the issue with appointing a new supervisor is in the bait and switch of the qualifications.
ReplyDeleteThings are really going great with everybody. You guys are doing a fantastic job of making cans and putting up the BIG numbers.
That's what it is all about! We need to be the best - not just verbally but physically!
I received more calls today from "former fence sitters" and formerly nervous "no" votes.
They are now realizing the union is for the PEOPLE.
The crowd is seeing that we are really ALL in the same boat and EVERYONE INVOLVED is looking out for EVERYONE INVOLVED.
It's like everyone is waking up and realizing we are really each others mirror image. Taking care of me means taking care of you and vice versa.
Perfect! Keep it growing and keep it going!
Questioning or venting about the selection process is a legitimate issue to vent about. It helps management know that the people do have eyes and ears and most of all - a good memory.
ReplyDeleteNo more personal barbs though. We are bigger than that.
Rolling like a freight train. We have some weight behind us now..
ReplyDeleteWe have current and former team leaders who have worked hard and put up with all the BS that comes out of the front office. They could not be considered for superintendant in the past because they had no degree. Now it appears that the company is going to break their own rule and promote this new guy with a questionable past. What a slap in the face this is to the people who have given years of excellent service keeping the place running in top form. Hey Dan and Dave, some of these people were the most anti-union team members in the plant. This is how you repay them? I'm glad I voted YES.
ReplyDeleteWell even the possibility of this shows me exactly whats going on here. They are not promoting him becasue of his ability or credentials.
ReplyDeleteThey have lost credibility with me, I was a heavy no vote, and I called Sam and talked to him for a half an hour today.
I should have gone to the meetings and done this sooner.
I know who is for me now. I'm backing my new union, screw this bullshit.
Ok management youve been notified. If Rich bailey gets a supervisors role then the company is liable for the law suits to come. You have been notified that he is incapable of perfoming the duties of superintendant.You are responsible for your actions and that of those you hire.Trust me he cant do the job.Why do you think Ball cut him loose.Dan be smart,dontmake this dirtbag management.Youll be sorry if you do.
ReplyDeleteSam it blows my mind to watch the team spirit
ReplyDeletethat is going on, people are helping each other
we are running good and we feel better we thank you for that. Have a good weekend enjoy your family you deserve it.
WE AS A TEAM REALLY DON'T NEED TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH WHOM THEY HIRE OR HOW THEY HIRE ANYMORE. ALL WE NEED TO DO IS DO OUR JOB LIKE WE HAVE BEEN AND AT AN EXCEPTIONAL LEVEL LATELY.
ReplyDeleteWE WILL HAVE RULES AND A CONTRACT IN PLACE LET THEM HIRE WHO EVER THEY WANT TO. IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THEY HAVEN'T LOOKED IN THE MIRROR YET TO SEE WHAT REALLY WENT WRONG. INSTEAD THEY STILL TRY TO HIRE PEOPLE WHO MODEL AND ACT SOME WHAT LIKE THEM SELVES. HOW SAD THAT IS!
SMART PEOPLE TRY TO LEARN FROM THERE MISTAKES!
EGOTISTICAL ONES KEEP MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES.
SO WE JUST NEED TO KEEP WORRYING ABOUT OURSELVES KEEP LEARNING FROM OUR MISTAKES, LIKE WE JUST DID. KEEP MOVING FORWARD TOWARDS A BETTER CONTRACT AND A BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT.
MAYBE IN DUE TIME AS WE KEEP UP OUR PROFESSIONALISM SOME OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL FOLLOW SUIT.
IF THEY DO HIRE SOME ONE WITH OUT A DEGREE --
WELL THAT IS JUST PART OF THE REASONS MOST OF US WANTED A WRITTEN CONTRACT!!!
ENOUGH OF THE LIES AND DECEIT TRYING TO LINE UP THERE STOOL PIGENS AND PUT THEM IN THE RIGHT POSITIONS TO GAIN MORE POWER OVER THE PEOPLE OR WHAT EVERY THE REASONS THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE POLICIES AT WILL .
JUST LIKE SAM HAS BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG.
WITH A CONTRACT THESE THINGS WON'T HAPPEN ANY MORE.
SAM YOU DID A GREAT JOB INDEED , BUT I HAVE TO SAY ALSO. SO DID DAN AND DAVE THESE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE MOVES THAT THEY HAVE MADE I THINK REALLY MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN BECOMING A UNION.
BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THEY ARE ALSO PROVING SAM WAS RIGHT ALL ALONE.
SAM WAS 100% RIGHT THE WHOLE TIME !!!!
THANK YOU AGAIN SAM!!!
SO LONG STORY SHORT. LET US JUST KEEP WORRYING ABOUT US!!
THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO DO.
MAKE MANY GOOD CANS HAVE FUN AND MAKE A VERY FAIR CONTRACT THAT WE CAN ALL FOLLOW NOW.
NOT JUST US TOO FOLLOW BUT EVERYONE TO FOLLOW!
BE HONEST HARD WORKING AND TRUE TO YOUR SELF AND YOU WILL NEVER LOSE!!!!!!!!! NEVER!!!!!
YOU CAN NOT BEAT THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOT EVEN THE DEVIL! THAT IS WHY HE LIES!!!!
THE TRUTH IS ALL YOU NEED
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!
I can see the "company" policy changing shortly to accomadate Bailey, who does not have a degree!!! Sounds like discrimination again.
ReplyDeleteWELL HERE GOES. I WAS A NO VOTE! BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST AND TRUE.
ReplyDeleteIT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SENSE I HAVE ENJOYED GOING TO WORK, BUT LATELY IT HAS BEEN A DIFFERENT WORLD!
7-8 MONTHS AGO IF SOMEONE TOLD ME I WOULD BE UP AT 4.30 TYPING ON A BLOG ABOUT HOW NICE WORK IS I WOULD HAVE LAUGHED THEM AWAY. BUT WOW!!
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THE POWER A GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING THEY PUT THERE (COLLECTIVE) MINDS TO.
i JUST WONDER WHY IT COULDN'T HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS.
BUT NOW IT CAN I GUESS. WE AND THAT MEANS ME AS WELL WILL START TO HELP IN CHANGING MINDSET.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE MADE THIS HAPPEN.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
AND NO IT'S NOT ROAST!