Great Meetings This Week - We're Ready To Start Negotiating!

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.

Two last thoughts:

United We Stand and

You Reap What You Sow.

So let's get goin' and let's get sowin'.