Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Let's Reflect On How And Why We Have The Right To Organize, Unionize and Bargain For A Contract In America



At this time, I would like to reflect on the reason that we, as American Workers, can have the ability to sit across the table from our employer and bargain for a meaningful and fair contract. We can do that because we are free.

We have that right because generations before us stood up and fought for that right and the very existence of this country. They did it for us - the future generations.


We honor those past generations, who fought for us, every time we excercise the rights that we have as Americans. One of those rights is the right to ORGANIZE and bargain for a contract.


We need to really look at our own negotiations - where we are at the table trying to make improvements for all of the workers in the MCC Newburgh plant - and we need to thank those who came before us and protected that right and our freedom.

Our negotiations will start back up again during the week of March 7

Thank you to everyone who has given us their support and encouragement.

Also, if you have a subject on your mind, please pass it to your reps or steward.


Stay solid, Stay strong.

20 comments:

  1. I am very glad that we did excercise our rights! We did it at the right time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. sam the company is looking to inforce new disciplinary action for not punching in our out of kronos. they didn't do this in the past can they do it now while were in negotiations

    ReplyDelete
  3. Every advance in this half-century: Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education... one after another- came with the support and leadership of American Labor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. arep
    call me so we can discuss that further

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sam, since we can not leave the plant for food can the company provide us with hot meals?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Bandito hows it going out there?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would like to thank all our negotiaters for putting in their time so that all of us can have a contract.It would have been easy to sit back and let it happen without any sacrifice,like interrupting your days off or going to the table before your shift.It is greatly appreciated, although you may not hear it often enough.Keep up the solid work and bring it home.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lol--Hot meals--We have microwaves and a oven--what more do you want? A personal chef? Get real. Most of us are looking for a better pension, wages and healthcare..Thank you for your support reps. Keep up the good work..

    ReplyDelete
  9. We have a GREAT cross section of reps!! I am very confident that we will get the best contract we can from their efforts!! PLEASE support your reps!! they are working for all of us!!!!Stay strong!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a rep. Family is the most important thing to Me. Thats why I am doing this.I think of all the families that we represent.We all care.It means alot when people appreciate the fact that we spend our time working for everyones families.Thank you to everyone who has been supportive, it definetly helps having the encouragement.I cant wait until we stand in front of you with the best efforts put forward.I am proud to do this.I feel honor in standing up for the people that until now have had no voice.I know that everyone has ideas and concerns. That is what makes us different than the rest. We care.It will not be us ,363 that says no to better conditions, wages, benefits, pension and policies. I also pledge to the company that I wont settle for actions that leave us weak.I want us to be the best.To drive towards being the perfect can plant. To keep safety and the environment, the customer,quality,and production as my priorities.We all have to.Its our time for all of us to be as one. Salaried and hourly. Newburgh. Lets set the mark for all.Im ready. How about you? Go Newburgh. Go 363.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well said iamaunionman we have your back and we know you guys have ours. Go 363

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am also a rep and I also appreciate the good words from all the team members. You can rest assured that we are all busting hump to give us a really good starting contract. Everyone needs to remember that Sam, Steve and John have gone out of their way to make sure things are going smoothly for us, they have been very easy to deal with. I would also like to say to the rumors of doing away with the 15 minute meetings that is what they are just rumors. This has been discussed and everything is moving smoothly.
    Everyone just remember that this is so critical to the way we as union members will conduct our business in the future with management. having a contract will give us all piece of mind knowing that you just can't be railroaded like in the past when you had to trust the kangaroo courts. Everyone needs to climb on board and support your reps and team members alike and help us push for a great contract that we all deserve and will get!! Once again I am a proud union member and will fight for all of our rights right down to the last article of our contract. GO 363

    ReplyDelete
  13. We are together with you Iamaunionman, A rep and arep. you three and the rest have our full support. My only worry is that the company doesnt really want a contract. The management staff here has shown they hate the fact that we are union represented. They have treated us recently like we are worthless scum. The management staff here didnt act like this until the last couple of weeks. Seems like after the promotion of a superintendant to sector leader and a sector leader working as a superintendant.These two are acting poorly and treating the hourlies badly. Isnt there anything the union can do to make these two stop bullying and harassing us.I cant believe that this is acting in good faith by the company.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 9:08 pm - ask your rep how to reach me and give me a call and we can discuss your issues.

    ReplyDelete
  15. thanks to you sam and all for taking the time to make make the company give the hourly what we have earned and deserve, please keep up the good work, and move forward, thanks again!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Plant seems to be running good. Keep up the good work everybody.Keep the concerns coming to us reps we will bring them to the table. I hear inclement weather still an issue. we will bring it up.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You guys got big balls going against AB. I read about you guys. Good luck. Im glad to see people are standing up for the little guys. We need more of that in this country. Check out Lagerheads blog in St.Louis.

    ReplyDelete
  18. wow, its amazing how things feel when you know you have someone that knows the law and knows how to represent you. Thank God your here.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just read about your story and wanted to say you give people hope. I'm a wife of an IBEW Local 1 (st louis) worker so I know how much difference the union can make. I've also written a major research paper about unions and organizing in todays world. The picture was pretty bleak.

    The new and innovative way you all came together is very promising and I hope more unions and locals learn from you. Thank you for making the future look a bit brighter.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for commenting Mrs. IBEW Local 1 - it means a lot to see that people see and support what happened here! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete