Sunday, January 30, 2011

People Working Together Can Make Positive Things Happen!



Working together will help the company and the workers to remain strong. We are working on a contract that will spell out what the rules and expectations are for both sides. We are putting our best intentions on the table on behalf of our co-workers.

Negotiations will start back up within the next couple of weeks. A subject that will be discussed during that time will be the grievance procedure and how that will work.

We believe we can clean up the process a bit and have a fair system in place that is an improvement for both parties.

Thank you to those who emailed their questions and those who just called in support.


Stay solid, stay strong.

55 comments:

  1. http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/briefingpapers_bp143/

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  2. Hope Owens reads this part of the blog. Seems like all he wants to do is work against us (D crew) and have us work against each other. He seems to want us to work ten times harder than needed. Jason next time you need something done why not ask your workers, we've only been doing it for twenty years. Why choose the moronic way of doing things and being unsafe? Repeat after me Jason "Working together will help the company and the workers to remain strong.....Working together will help the company and the workers to remain strong"!!!

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  3. 6:37 Thanks for the link. That was very informative.

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  4. In regards to Jason Owens.This man doesnt understand everything about can making as most of us dont. When Jason argues with you, he does this because of his insecurity. He tries to disrupt workers trying to work together because of insecurity also. Inside he lacks the knowledge and confidence so he tries to bring others down by debating their knowledge and efforts by creating doubt.Instead all he does is expose himself for the ensecure and incapable manager that he is. It is widely known amongst the other managers how dumb he really is.When he asks the employees about how things work and they tell him, watch his reaction. He doesnt get it.Everywhere he works he struggles.The company keeps putting him in different positions and he cannot excel anywhere.He cant help himself, so let him do what he wants to, everyone must document anything he tells you to do. Also inform someone of his instructions as you need a witness to help protect yourself because later on he will try to write you up He will have more grievances filed against him than any other manager. He also has been responsible for alot of write ups and terminations.Thats why we need a grievance proceedure.

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  5. Hopefully he can change the way he deals with people. We need to be kind and fair. Thats how we want to be treated.Thats how we need to treat him. Maybe we should learn how to help and work with salaried staff instead of being at odds with management. Management needs to accept us(the union)and move ahead with reaching our common goals instead of being bitter and sarcastic.Anyway give Jason another shot 8:01 it cant hurt.Im sure it can get better

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  6. I just want to you thank Jason all of your action is one of the reason most of the GT's voted YES for this UNION. In only 3 days you and you alone have changed our crew for the worse no one wants to work for you because of your shit personality. Why do you act like you know everything, the truth is you actualy know less than your wonderful team leader neither of you know a fucking thing about making cans. WE hope you will catch to clue,but we all know you are not able to turn yourself around. You talk of saftey yet the tell people to do unsafe work ,your own boss HOWDY the dancing fool told us we don't do any activities in the warehouse yet you have people scrapping in the warehouse. As for saftey you were also observed on the front end doing a trimmer audit the NO GLOVES ON proving you have not a clue.some day you will hurt yourself or one of us . So please take these 3 days off and GROW UP. please come back with a new outlook for a crew that before you got there was a wonderful place to work.Then again HOWDY the dancing fool probably wants you to put a wedge between us but I will tell you it will never work the can gods are looking down on us and one day you will get what is coming to you .

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  7. Jason Owens it really is ashame how you came to D-crew and in 3 days you turned it upside down you have all the team members looking over there shoulder instead of looking at there work its only a matter of time before we have a team member get hurt warren you made a big mistake by putting Jason on D-crew open your eyes and look at the numbers or are you to blind by looking at the new addition in beth's old office Dan k. I really think you need to step it up and take control of you plant cause the management staff you have running it sucks big time D-crew is a good crew now its shit you have a back end team leader that dosen"t know whats going on "not his fault" because your dream team pushed him into it I'm sorry but I used to like working in this plant now its just a job and I hate going there anymore I hope things change for the better or the future of this plant is looking very bad

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  8. I can't wait until they find an engineer dumb enoungh to take a job, where they have to engineer people not machines. Does imbev really think they will get qualified people to work at a job with no pension and no way to move up . They 'll only get someone who want to pad their resume' and then leave.Way to go Barry great thinking

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  9. Lets worry about ourselves and our issues, management will correct itself without us

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  10. here we go again.I'm sure dan and warren understand that managers we have left are not the cream of the crop.education is a great thing but if you have to deal with people the thing's you need is common sense and people skills.i really want to have MCC and 363 to succeed.[ but not at team members expense ]]. i have seen team members try to reason with JASON mainly WAlter to no avail.if we cannot use common sense then let management self implode.WE THE TEAM MEMBERS AND 363 HAVE A TASK. PRESERVE WHAT WE HAVE AND IMPROVE OURSELVES. WE , THE TEAM MEMBERS ARE CAPABLE OF RUNNING MCC NEWBURGH. /// DAN AND WARREN PLEASE TAKE NOTE LET US HAVE A SHOT I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO WORSE THAN WHAT WE HAVE. BE SAFE BE 363 BE UNION RESPECTFULLY

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  11. I have to respond to the recent posts about Jason owens. Be respectful and document anything that Jason tells you to do that would put you at risk, be it safety or quality. Inform your shop stewarts as they can be used as a witness. If you think that Jason is going to investigate something that think will result in discipline action, get your shop stewart to witness.Its the law. Go to http:/canmybossdothat.com.Protect yourself and document the event. It will protect you in the long run.

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  12. Good luck Dale. You did a great job in our plant and you were one of the only managers that understood us and wanted to work with us instead of against us. You will be missed.

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  13. Jason may be dumb and a incapable manager but Piatt is all that and more. Piatt is the kind of manager with his negative reinforcement treatment and aloof attitude, nobody wanted to give a 100% for him. His only saving grace was he would joke how incompetent Dan and Warren were (and then they promoted him - lol). We only had Ken for a short time on D crew but from my interaction with him he treated you with respect and would listen to what you had to say. This is what we need on on D crew, I wish he would have stayed!

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  14. get used to it, I hear jason is staying on D crew for good. Bad for d crew good for back end.

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  15. This site is about getting our contract.We don't need to grow a set. These blogs are posted as a reminder to management that they need to be repectful of US, as we are to them .As far as doing our job everyone does just that reguardless of what it is,every unsafe act Jason asked of us it was done.As i stated before it's called RESPECT in the work place that is needed and MCC management has none for the LOCAL 366.That needs to change for USto move forward

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  16. Ball Metal PLEAAASE take the canning over from this incompetent inbev! Busch;s please buy this company back they are killing the brand and the image! had anyone seen the previews to the Superbowl commercials? No wonder Levy left that wasn't his work.
    Good luck guys!
    St Louis

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  17. I have concerns about the safety of my IBEW union brothers and sisters. There is a major snow storm outside. Is the plant still open? How will my IBEW union brothers and sisters getting home tonight? Should my IBEW union brothers and sisters go to work tonight if the roads are closed? Lets all please be safe, including managers. U too superman.

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  18. If a state of emergency is declared for the area from your home to metal container, I wouldnt fisk my life to make a can. Find out from police or town hall if it was declared. Then it is on record. Its hard to discipline someone for following the directions of the authorities. Better yet ask Dan or Dave to pick you up on the way in.

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  19. risk instead of fisk sorry

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  20. No need for foul language on this site. No need to put down managers for their style of management. Please just post your concerns about the contract. Stay off this site unless you have something constructive to say. The contract is about the workers not the managers. Soon the IBEW will have a contract in place.

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  21. inappropiate language no reason to talk 2 or about each other in this manner. would you talk 2 each other face 2 face in this manner I DOUBT IT.PLEASE THIS IS ABOUT TEAM MEMBERS AND THEIR WANTS AND NEEDS. BE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL BUT ALSO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS. i hope you all get what you want and maintain self respect and the core values i think you all have. please BE SAFE BE COOL BE 363 BE UNION TALK TO REPS TALK 2 SAM RESPECTFULLY

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  22. I think some salaried personnel are on this site.Anger issues are rearing its ugly head.I agree we need to be articulate without using foul language.

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  23. Sam,
    I have been working at Metal Container for 11 years and worked hard at my job since day one. I cant believe that anyone I work with would want to take a pay cut or lose money or lose our pension .I understand that medical benefits are a hot topic in our society and the costs for them are always rising. Has the company told you anything about their views on anything yet. I know that the entire country has been dealing with a recession, but our cans have been selling, and I hear that we actually turned down pepsi business because we couldnt make enough for them. Will they tell you the truth on how we are doing at Newburgh, because they wont tell us anything anymore? Thank you for representing me and the rest our employees. My rep hasnt told me much lately because he said the next meeting isnt until Feb..

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  24. 2:23 pm - Thanks for your comment and question. We agree and are ALSO not in favor of losing money or pensions right along with you.

    Your rep is correct we start back up February 7th. We will ask how we are doing then.

    We have not discussed those issue yet at the table but we will soon. Thanks again and we will keep you as updated as possible when those subjects do come up. If you haven't given your rep your email, do it now.

    But on the subject of bargaining in general.........

    THIS IS A FACT - Our side of the table wants only stability and improvement. WE WILL NOT MAKE PROPOSALS TO MAKE LESS.

    Remember, everyone at the table has the same stake in it as everybody else. That is why your reps need your support. They need a solid base of support and strong people behind them, who can work together as one for their own good.

    That is what this blog should be for now - to display that loud and clear.

    To show you are together.

    Support for your own cause strenghtens your position at the table.

    Support for the union strenghtens your position at the table.

    Let's concentrate on that. Forget about the managers. You have to concentrate on YOU FIRST. It's your turn right now - don't blow it.

    Worried about losing?
    YOUR REPS AND UNION ARE REALLY NOT THE ONES TO EXPRESS THAT POINT TO.........

    .......Let the COMPANY HEAR YOUR CONCERNS!

    AFTER ALL, IT IS THEY WHO WE MUST GET TO AGREE TO "STABILIZE AND IMPROVE".....LIKE WE WANT TO.

    ONLY THEY CAN DISAGREE TO "STABILIZE AND IMPROVE" ....LIKE WE WANT TO.

    Let them know you support your bargaining committee and that you too want to stabilize and improve MCC Newburgh.

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  25. Sam, you keep saying we won't be the ones proposing less wages, pensions, etc. I think that is a nice way of saying we don't have the final say in what we get. I think our investment in this is for improvement everywhere, better working conditions, fair treatment, better compensation. You already know the company will look to increase health care contributions. Everyone else did. We should expect the full package for our hard work and loyalty and accept nothing less. Go get em.

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  26. Thank you Sam. I appreciate everyones effort and have told my representatives that also. I dont get a chance to talk to the other crew reps but I want them to know they have my full support. I normally keep to myself and have only looked at this blog a few times before now. I just want you to know that after talking to my rep. I can really see how intense they really feel.

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  27. 10:51pm - yes the fact is that the company is the one holding all of the money. We want them to stabilize and improve. They have to either agree or not agree.

    12:34am - thank you for your time to comment - it means a lot. We are at that table representing you and your interests. Your reps are very dedicated and they are great people to have with me.

    We are all on the same side here. Those who are concerned about losing things should convey that message to the company and let them know how important those subjects are.

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  28. What we need is an early spring and a big fat increase in wages and pension. Go get em IBEW. All our hopes are with you and our crew reps. I know you will not let us down. I support the IBEW and our crew reps. Thank you for all your hard work. God bless the American working man! Praying for a better 2morrow.

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  29. Lets get this started on the 7th.We are ready to go.We know what we need to do. All we need is the company to show up ready to work and get things understood between us. Im ready after talking with the people on the floor. They are ready.Lets move.

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  30. I wanna contract,i wanna contract,i wanna contract,I wanna contract, I wanna contract,I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract,Iwanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I wanna contract, I WANNA CONTRACT!

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  31. BROTHER,....WILL YOU GO TO WAR WITH ME,....BROTHER!

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  32. O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
    The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won;
    The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
    While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:


    But O heart! heart! heart!
    O the bleeding drops of red,
    Where on the deck my Captain lies,
    Fallen cold and dead.

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  33. I don't like the taste of crow but I eat it anyway. You lie like a penny in the parking lot of a grocery store. Like a carpet in a rich man's house! Before this is over we will learn of war with our own virgin eyes. Give'em hell Captain Kirk.

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  34. heard that owens has been out partying with charlie sheen, maybe thats where all the 8-balls are coming from ...? when is jason having his drug test, because he is definately on something

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  35. We need a contract in writing. Can we have something in the contract concerning snow days? If the roads are bad and we cant come to work will we get written up? I do my best to come to work but sometimes the roads are covered in snow and its too dangerous to drive. Safety is my only concern. Thank you sam you are doing a good job.

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  36. If anyone wants to help solve issues with management, then I suggest that you bring ideas to your reps,support them,give them information and examples so that it can be brought to the table to explain the concerns of the people on the floor. Thank you for your support.

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  37. Yes, we will be talking about weather related issues at the bargaining table such as what to do in a state of emergency. There needs to be some kind of understanding that is clear to all.

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  38. FEBRUARY 7 if any TEAM MEMBERS with questions , concerns or idea's. between now and Feb. 7 see your reps and stewards send them an e-mail call Sam or post it to the blog. i know you are under stress ask your questios post your concerns BE CIVIL and RESPECTFUL. WE ARE A TEAM AND WE ALL WANT TO WIN DO THIS // CLEAR THE AIR AND WE WILL OVERCOME. Most of us ARE on the right side. do not lose focus BE VIGILENT OF THE TASK AT HAND.I'm sure even the negative voices know i'm right.BE SAFE BE UNITED BE TOGETHER BE UNION BE 363 //// Respectfully

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  39. I saw on this blog that changes want to be made by the company. What are the changes and when are they going to be made.Can you please explain what that meant.

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  40. Tips for managers and bosses
    •Never give me work in the morning. Always wait until 4:00 and then bring it to me. The challenge of a deadline is refreshing.
    •If it's really a "rush job," run in and interrupt me every ten minutes to inquire how it's going. That helps.
    •Always leave without telling anyone where you're going. It gives me a chance to be creative when someone asks where you are.
    •If my arms are full of papers, boxes, books, or supplies, don't open the door for me. I need to learn how to function as a paraplegic and opening doors is good training.
    •If you give me more than one job to do, don't tell me which is the priority. Let me guess.
    •Do your best to keep me late. I like the office and really have nowhere to go or anything to do.
    •If a job I do pleases you, keep it a secret.
    •If you don't like my work, tell everyone. I like my name to be popular in conversation.
    •If you have special instructions for a job, don't write them down. In fact, save them until the job is almost done.
    •Be nice to me only when the job I'm doing for you could really change your life

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  41. sam one thing that i think most of us would like to have back, is to have our bonus checks separate from our regular paycheck. it is impossible to figure out how much in taxes we are paying when the two checks are combined

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  42. We will bring that up for discussion next week.
    When did they stop giving you seperate checks?

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  43. question for our reps to sam. do all can plants have a policy where your name is picked at random to go for a drug test. i have heard that the random pick in some cases, people are sent for the test as soon as they come back from medical leave. what does the contract say at the other plants ???

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  44. Sam, I wanna leave the plant to get lunch and dont want to feel like I'm breaking the law by doing so.

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  45. How is Jason Owens doing? Has he calmed down a little? He thinks he can run the whole show by himself..

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  46. 2:26 pm - we will also be discussing that subject.

    11:55am - we will also be going over that too. We will look at the whole policy and make sure it is applied in a fair manner.

    Thank you for your questions and comments. We are bringing all of your issues to the table.

    Isn't it great to have the opportunity to have our concerns heard by the company and incorporated into the rules?

    ( To be fair, we also have to listen to their concerns but the difference is that we ALL count in the big picture now. )

    What a great country we live in.

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  47. Please come to this conference on online organizing in the labor movement! Please contact me to discuss. You'll see why...
    http://www.organizing20.org/the-conference/

    This is great.

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  48. Word is that Arnold just agreed to their new contract. Gainshare of 4% max and 1% raise. Jacksonville gainshare is 4% max too. Are we going to lose our 11%? Can we see their contract? Is the precedent set? They are our brothers now so I think what they have counts. Maybe we can set a new standard for them to follow in the future. Show me da money. Go Packers!

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  49. The next person that needs to leave is Greg GIAPET mister do nothing the only thing he does is point fingers and comes to the floor with a bad things to say about the company.He hated Dale because he did more work then him,hated Ken because he was smarter then him.Hope young Jim is smarter then that don't follow his footsteps.Night shift sucks getting to old for this 1 more year out of here.Stay strong team !

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  50. We have to fight for our right to paaarty..

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  51. 11:21 The IBEW and the reps will not settle for a 4% max gainshare and only a 1% wage increase. Have faith in Sam and the crews reps. They know how important wages and pension are to the workers. Go get'em Sam. Proud to be an American worker, an American union worker!

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  52. Pirate of the cannibeanFebruary 6, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    Dan, are you even on the ship?

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  53. SAM i herd some other company's have sick days and personal days that they are aloud to use on bad weather days with no repercussion . this could knock out two birds with one stone in our contract.

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  54. I think a 3-4% wage increase is fair. This company has very dedicated workers making major money for this company & should pass on the profits. The 11% should NOT be effected. An xtra week vacation depending on years of svc. Choices given regarding leaving the plant at lunch break. Major health & dental insurance. These are IMPORTANT things that we need. These are not ridiculous requests, as we need to worry about our future. Some are worried about snow days, shoe allowance etc. Although these are important for some they are not "priorities". They can be lined up at the bottom of the list. We need a "priority list" of what is a necessity in our lives first, then work down the list. Please keep priorities on top of that list.
    This contract is important to our future & needs to be carefully written to "our needs".

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