We are now getting to the tail end of the negotiations. It has been many months and many meetings - with management and without - that has brought us to this point.
It is understandable that some look at the process and marvel at or even question the amount of time it takes to negotiate a contract. Unfortunately, to really appreciate the reasons why it takes that time you would have to be directly involved in the process. At times it is very frustrating. That goes equally for the workers side and the management side.
This time frame is typical of a FIRST CONTRACT. In a first contract, there are so many angles that need to be considered in regard to every subject. Each side is trying to make sure that their concerns are being met. That is always done in a balance with the other side.
For the most part, I would say that we have been looking at each issue fairly and with the idea that we need to be productive and make as many cans as we can. We just want to ensure that the people get their fair compensation out of it.
There are many good things that will come out of all of this. Especially exciting will be the long term benefit of having the ability to participate in all things MCC Newburgh. Something that didn't exist before.
Stay stronger now than ever before. Come to the hotel. Text your reps. We would love to see you and talk with you.
Stay strong, stay solid. Stay positive. Don't fall for the negative vibes some cast out. Being against yourself and your co-workers is NO LONGER AN OPTION.
You are all IBEW 363 workers now with a collective voice. YOU can be heard. YOU have a say - because you are in THE UNION.
IBEW LOCAL 363.
Proud to be 363!
ReplyDeleteI will be there at the hotel. Go get them at the table boys!
ReplyDeleteCan you please tell me at what hotel the negotiations will be taking place.I might want to be there.Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is right up the street from the plant at the Homewood Suites. The best time to come would be 11:30 am but just text your rep whenever you get there. We will grab you at the next break after that.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Easter everyone.
hey look you guys. i don't know what side of the fence anyone sits on "Loyally". the best deal will get er done. if the contract is good we'll sign it. if not, decertification is another process. i hope we can come to terms. it will absolutely be bettter for everyone(hourly and salaried) with a union. but it still comes down to the dollars and sense of the monetary values assigned to the contract. you guys that get annoyeed at other people posting here may be the same ones pissed over article 2 section 4 of subsection c. lets see what the contract holds and go from there.............ok. but if anyone has anyideas please post them, we need all the help we can get
ReplyDeleteThe contract that finally gets completed will reflect some of what the union wants and some of what the company wants. Alot of what we both want. wages and benefits and pension will be offered by the company to reflect how much they Value their best asset. Contract length and the articles within it contain an equal value to everything else that defines an agreement with the company and its employees.
ReplyDeleteWe all have to consider, is having something in writing, better than having nothing at all. One way we will know what to expect for years. The other way we have no clue what to expect or what will be taken away. We have seen what the company prefers to do. Thats why we voted in the union. To resolve the fear of the unknown. Isnt it?
No, the point was excellent. If it's good we're fine. If it's not, we don't accept. Simple. And until then everything else posted here us just hype and hope. The negotiators will let us know when they have something and we go from there. Let them do their thing and join our effort if you feel the need to influence the tide. Again, simple.
ReplyDeleteHo ho ho. Fart in a wind storm. Haw haw. Gotta love where we've gone. Let's get back to making lots of cans and head to the hotel at 11:30 tomorrow to show them some real intellect. Be proud.
ReplyDeleteWhats at the Hotel tomorrrow? Is there a meeting?
ReplyDeleteMeetings start next Monday May 2nd at 11:30 am.
ReplyDeleteNobody should get their twig and berries in a bunch until they see the contract. Everybody had their own reasons for voting in a union. Mine was for better compensation (that means more money). Its is rather simple. When we FINALLY get a contract in writing, read it, if you like it then vote YES, it you don't then vote NO. SIMPLE.
ReplyDeleteWho Farted?
ReplyDeletesorry
ReplyDelete4:27 What the hell are rambling on about? Go away boy you bother me.LOL
ReplyDeleteWow,4:27 your too far gone. deude put down the bong.
ReplyDelete4:27 you must be related to Jason Owens or Dan Larsen. You all live in your own demented world.
ReplyDeleteThe union that exists in Newburgh,MCC is our union. An American union. Hourlies have unionized to protect ourselves and to ensure our jobs now and in the future. Period. Now sit down and shut up 4:27. Better yet show up on may 2nd at the hotel and let your views be heard by all. Please.
ReplyDelete4:27 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh So THAT is why we should work with no written contract and allow Brito to just take every last thing we EVER had away without us EVER having any say in it for THE REST OF OUR CAREERS. Makes complete sense to me.
ReplyDeleteNot.
Sam has been our union representative at LSI Lightron since 1987 and after we moved to Stewart Airport 2002 and I just want to say that anybody that says anything bad against him doesn't hve a clue of what they are talking about. I am insulted for him at some of the comments here..I wouldn't trade Sam and our union for any other around. Do your homework you guys don't know what you have.
ReplyDeleteLSI Lifer,
ReplyDeleteNot to worry, we have been at the table with Sam and through all of this from idea to organizing to vote and onto negotiations. There are a few people who like 4:27 and 6:16 who have no other recourse other than attack people for their own narrow minded prejudices. They cannot make a defensible argument against being in this union so they make accusations, inuendo and insulting comments to stroke their own inadequate egos. We know what we have and the majority are quite content with how this is playing out. It's not like we voted on a Wednesday and Thursday we have a contract. Some people can't see this as negotiation as a determined effort to get it right the first time. So don't be offended by a few whio don't speak for the many. Thanks for your support.
Oh and 6:16, if the contract gets voted down, we go back to the table. No decertify vote. And if it is voted down there will be meetings to find out what was unacceptable and try to fix it. 4:27, nice try at scaring people off with "THE RED MENACE". Geez, welcome to 1953.
In defense of 6:16, he/she never said that if the contract got voted down there would be decertification. Decertification can happen with never voting on a contract. That's why we need to get a contract in hand for review as soon as possible. That way if it does get voted down, the necessary changes can be made and voted on again.
ReplyDeleteThe drop dead date for decertification is 8/28. One year from the vote last year that certified 363 as our union. That time is quickly approaching, so I think thats why the patience is wearing thin. Everyone wants whats best for all of us, but, the contract still needs to be reasonable. We don't just need "any" contract, I think we need a fair contract.
Personally I could care less that the one year time period would come and go. I think that if there is a vote to decertify the union I think we would vote the union back again or to recertify us. Since the vote we have worked together pretty dam good. The company actually acknowledged our plant as the best improved plant this past year while we have been a union.
ReplyDeleteYes we have our challenges, but its been great knowing we were had a resouce to rely on if there was any trouble.
No longer do we have to submit to going into an office alone to be interogated. People have used their rights to be represented. They were grateful for standing side by side against injustice with their representatives and Sam.
Im O.K. with voting again. I think this time the margin would be greater than before. People have been showing up to support our reps at negotiations and have been more interested than ever before about everything that goes on with our union.
Every day more and more people want to get involved and push forward for a contract for tomorrow. Its a nice feeling knowing what to expect around the corner.
Thanks 9:05 for the clarification. Agreed that we need to be quick because 4 months will fly by. It's been 8 quick months already. But it's much more important that it's a good contract. I think some on here are letting the cheap shots hit them and getting all stirred up over words. We should let the team keep working on getting a great deal. It needs to come soon and be lucrative. That is the real thought of the majority of us.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that we need a fair contract and not just "any" contract. I am sure we will get the opportunity to vote on one soon. But after all is said and done, if it ends up that the company is the one withholding a good wage increase, screwing with our pension or insisting on pushing our health costs even higher why in the world would anyone even think to decert the union in response to that screwing? Instead of standing up to them bend and say to Brito "Thank you Sir, May I have another?" Not me. That would be twisted logic and misdirected energy. I would rather fight it out at the table and on the production floor. We have options and some good ones. Happy canmakers make cans mad ones don't make as many. Why would anyone give the company free rein and our permission to take even more away from us at their whim? We just came from that situation. Let's not get amnesia. Let's start supporting ourselves instead of even thinking about placing our nuts back in Brito's palm as a reward for trying screwing us.
ReplyDeleteNot an option.
I can't believe you people are letting these few to wind you up and even discuss this. It's like the person jumping off the bridge......just looking for that last moment in the sun....we have to start ignoring these comments and stop feeding them. This blog is in our control...don't let a few turn it into a negative . Go IBEW
ReplyDeleteThe pickle man says.... PLEASE understand that all of our futures with MCC currently lie in the hands of the negotiating team...THEY are part of US!!! (and do it for FREE)... So lets all pull together and stand behind them.. all these "comments" are taking away from why we are negotiating in the first place... SUPPORT our REPS!!!!! We are better TOGHETHER!!!!
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