Monday, May 30, 2011

Remember On Memorial Day To Thank A Veteran For Serving!



We owe all of the rights we cherish to the men and women who have served our country in our armed forces. This post is for them. All of them. Thank you!

71 comments:

  1. Thanks to all who served. It doesn't matter what service you were in or how long you served. I thank you for that service to your country.

    Thanks to 363 for your support.

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  2. Yes, thank you to all who are serving our country. Most people dont appreciate what they have until they have lost it. We take for granted everything this country offers. All of it is possible because of those of you who have served. I bow my head in respect to those who have fallen and to those who are in harms way this very moment. Thank you to you all. God bless.

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  3. Thanks and God bless to all of those who have served for their cause. Sam, thank you for starting a new message string. We need to not get hung up with things that haven't happened yet. We'll fight the good fight if it's necessary, but you can trust that with this team that it won't be necessary. We are listening and ready to get it done. Stay strong and together. Happy Memorial Day.

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  4. MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO________LAAAAAAAAAA

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  5. Tres por cent o el busto! Tres por cent o el busto!

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  6. Hi ALL , MEMORIAL DAY has past again. TY Sam for reminding all the importance of this day.The rights and virtues we hold dearly are protected by our ARMED FORCES. With that said, June 6th is quickly approaching, do you remember what is happening that week,I'll remind you. Be a show of class and force , show up at the meeting's that week ,encourage your steward's and reps ,tell them of your concerns and needs, BE PROACTIVE // BE ASSERTIVE // BE HEARD,[[THIS IS YOUR TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE // YOU KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE]] BE SAFE //BE 363 BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER.. RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA

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  7. Just a note to all in regard to negotiations on Monday June 6. We will most likely be arriving at the hotel around 1:30pm or 2pm ON THAT DAY. The company reps are flying in the afternoon and we do not expect to be at the table until after 3pm.

    ALL OTHER DAYS (T-W-Th) we will be starting around 10am. Remember, if you come by - text your rep so we know you are there.

    Thank you all for your support and I look forward to seeing some of you during our next negotiating week - the week of June 6.

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  8. I have had a lot of good dialog recently with alot of team members. I appreciate the candidness of the conversations. I have learned that we get better through our experiences and the more inputs from different perspectives makes us more capable in many different ways.There has been some recent circumstances that we normally do not see, they have given us some insight and opportunity to make our working conditions safer and more efficient.

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  9. What a shutdown! Thank you to everyone who started up the plant. Its obvious that we run better when we keep the plant running. Alot of effort went into bringing up the plant again. Thankfully we have alot of experience on the floor to get it going again. Hopefully management appreciates the input and efforts everyone put in.I guess we will see on the 6th.

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  10. Good luck to Sam and all the reps off of each crew. It has come down to the deal breaker, "$$".This is where the rubber meets the pavement. The whole plant is counting on you guys. INBEV, if your reading this, ITS TIME TO INVEST IN THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAN........THE PEOPLE!

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  11. Yes, the entire hourly population has the same feelings. We All want a decent raise! Keep the medical where it is! More money in the pension.
    100% has said that out loud. Inbev. Listen to your employees. We are telling you what would make us happy and motivate the entire plant. Please do not treat this like the survey that was completed. The one that the results were never gone over and no discussion on how to make things better.

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  12. 363 for me. Thank you Sam and all our reps. Go Get em.

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  13. Sam, dont accept nothing less than 3% wage increase and $2.00 extra in the pension. Hold your ground and stay union strong! Go get'em IBEW.
    Thank you for all your hard work to all the reps and bringing us all together.

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  14. we are all behind you sam and reps. we all have so much support,stay strong, we got your backs !!!

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  15. On the 6th its starts up again show your support to all involved. Where almost at the end of the vast tunnel.
    Help lift up another team member this week. weather he or she is tried or down.
    Spend a moment and help pick them up or teach them something good. The pay off will always be there down the road.
    Some day they will help you back when you least expect it.
    Thank you all for your past support so far. Couldn't have accomplished as much with out all of your help,input and ideas.
    Will will be representing all of you this week especially the few who are not sure yet.

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  16. Make it happen Rick. We are behind you guys all the way. I will be showing up to support you all on tuesday.Im coming with a few people who want to ride together. I will call you guys when we get there. We want a raise!We want a raise!We want a raise!

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  17. On Monday myself and, the other reps are going to fight for EVERYONE in the plant.We always look to forward to these weeks. It really does mean alot to us to be there for entire plant. I encourage everyone to come the meetings on TUESDAY and WEDNSEDAY AT NOON.It would be great to show the company, that there's real support to the LOCAL 363.

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  18. When we talk about the hotel, where are we talking about? I wouldn't mind sitting in for support. And how would I go about getting my reps number to text them? I'm sure there are more of us that want to know, but are scared to ask.

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  19. Sam, I know you said nothing negative is to be put on this blog, but how else can we resolve an outrageous situation that is occuring right now at the plant. I know we have no contract yet but cant something be done about the unfair treatment.

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  20. 10:58 you should be concerned and don't accept it. Right now we need Sam focused on the most important part if this contract, the money. The rest will be addressed in due time when a contract is signed. Let's not let the petty things distract us from the goal now. We are so close we can taste it. And it taste like bacon. Bring it home!

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  21. Someones job is on the line. I mean no disrespect but to the people who are being targeted there is no future if they have no protection. Yes a contract that has protection in it for us employees is the goal but what about the people who are being mistreated today? I agree with you that I can taste the bacon too , but I will not leave a brother behind.We can do both at the same time cant we?

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  22. The answers to all your concerns above,is TALK to your STEWARDS. That's why you eleceted them. They are here for you ! WE need to get use to this way of thinking. Sam will not be there 24-7 for us .It's up to US to look out for our sevles

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  23. Rolling like a Freight Train. Now is the time to show our support. Lets all go to the meetings and show them where we stand..Go Stewards--and Sam. Drive us home.......

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  24. Where and When - Thank you for your comment. The hotel 1000 feet from the plant - Homewood Suites. You should contact your steward for their contact numbers. Check in to this blog more often - the location has been on here numerous times. Maybe you just missed it but if not, don't put yourself in that position of not knowing something in the future because you missed it here. Spread the word on that if you can. Thanks - hope to see you at the hotel this week.


    Severely concerned - Thanks for your comment. I am aware of what has been going on for the last few days and I am going to look into it further.
    There are some issues that need to be discussed.

    One problem is that there are still people being disciplined and not asking for their shop steward to go in with them. That is a mistake. I believe the stewards have done a great job at conveying that message so everyone should know that by now. Ask for your steward - you'll have a better chance in that room with him there.

    Everyone should be as involved as possible so as not to miss any opportunity or important point that is made here or in a meeting, that could help them in a situation later.

    It could be as simple as paying close attention to this blog. It could be attending a meeting or just talking with your steward. A lot of info has been placed on here over the weeks and months gone by. The stewards have also passed on a lot of info. Don't miss things if you don't have to. You are in control of whether you do any of these things.

    Stay strong - stay solid - get together - get involved - get ahead

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  25. Hi all // Sam some of the issue's you just mentioned we have been talking about and pushing for months. It sometime seems to be HUMAN NATURE to stay uninvolved until an issue hits home. [[ FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS ]] There is only one way to protect what we have and our future way of life. OUR CONTRACT AND OUR RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE OUR RIGHTS. IF YOU [[meaning team members]] do not know what is going on within the blog or what your stewards and reps are doing THEN YOU NEED TO WAKE UP OR INBEV WILL SWEEP YOU OUT LIKE DUST ON THE FLOOR.This week coming up may be your last chance to be involved and have strong input,i only wish i could consoul you all on what may be on the HORIZON, BUT I THINK YOU ARE GETTING THE PICTURE.//////// Please stay informed , talk to your stewards and reps ,read the blog , post the blog , be involved/// BE SAFE BE 363 BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER [[ AS ALWAYS RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA

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  26. DAKOTA-----YOUR POSTS ARE ALWAYS WELL WRITTEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT-SAME GOES FOR THE OTHER STEWARDS. I JUST HOPE INBEV REALIZES THE HARD WORK WE PUT IN--SWITCHING OVER TO DAYS AND NIGHTS, WORKING WEEKENDS AND SOME HOLIDAYS...STAY SAFE AND STAY STRONG ALL.. GOOOOOOOO TEAM......

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  27. ITS COMING DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY--I HOPE INBEV TAKES CARE OF US LIKE WE TAKE CARE OF THEM. 140% PROFIT....

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  28. brito--why dont you come to the newburgh plant to see how a world class facility operates. come and say hello to the men and women that work here....show a little team pride.....

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  29. Dakota, Cliffy, and anonymous lol. You guys are the union. I am grateful for your enthusiasm and efforts to make things right. Good job to all who have held high our Band of Brothers.(and sisters) The more people that hold it, the more solid the base is. At some point it becomes immovable. Our base is there. I have seen a just about everyone in our plant show support for what we all want.Fair treatment,security,a voice,good wages,pension, and medical coverage. Even the people who at first thought that the union was a boogie man. We have shed light on what we are all about. Our contract that we have worked on so far has taken efforts from Mike and Eric,from Corporate Dan and Dave and all our reps and Sam, Steve and John from 363. I firmly believe that what we have worked on so far is fair to both sides. Yes there are some bumps that need to get smoothed out towards the end. I believe that we can create the language that will be acceptable to both sides. Our base shows how strong we are together. I have seen it and it is solid.In closing I would like to send our condolences to John Sager from 363 who has represented us. He lost his brother this week. You have our deepest sympathy and our respect.Our thoughts are with you and your family.

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  30. my sorrow and prayers go out to Mr. john sager and family for there great loss.

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  31. I know right now there are some very upset people in the plant for several reasons. I am asking everyone to have some patience with some situations that have occurred. The stewards are working real real hard to work through and with the management team to resolve some of these issues. so please stay focused and help us help you. we will do our best!

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  32. Help us out Ricky. Now is the time....Repair the hole in the side of the boat...

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  33. No Taxation with out Representation!!
    There is no reason our team members should face a diciplinary situation without the right to have a shop steward present.

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  34. I don't know the situation you people are talking about but did these Team Members ask for Representation? If so they I believe they would be entitled to it. If they did this shows how our Local Management Team is still showing their true colors. Go get them Team this week and lets get this place under control.

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  35. There has been a recent set of misunderstandings by some people about the rights we have in regards to having a shop stewrd present. I would like to address this by explaining about the law that covers this area. it is called the Weingarten law. The weingarten law states that the company is only bound to allow representation during questioning of an employee if that employee feels that the questioning might lead to disciplinary action. If so then that employee can request the presence of their shop steward. The Stewart is allowed to advise the employee and counsel them. The steward is allowed to speak during this investigational period and confer privately also before continuing. So when asked a question by a manager , respond with a question. Is this question going to possibly lead to me being disciplined. If so then you have the right for your shop steward. After the investigation is complete and the company decides that discipline is going to take place the employee has no right to have their shop stewart present when employee is going to be notified of disciplinary action.
    Disciplinary action should not be punishment but a way to change the behavior of an employee.
    The company has no obligation to inform the employee as to their right for representation under this law. The employee has to request this on their own.
    This law was intended to stop the bullying that can happen when an employee may face management alone.
    We all need to understand this law and speak to your shop stewards for clarification. I know this is a learning curve for all of us and it will take time for both sides to settle down and learn together.
    The contract will address how to rectify or address when you think a disciplinary action was not warranted or when you think the contract has been violated.
    Please be patient and professional, even if you feel you are being mistreated. We can resolve problems together.

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  36. Your friend> Cliffy..June 4, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Joe,

    Thanks for the clarification. Keep up your hard work and kick some ass at the table...Stay strong and alert..Remember>The team is behind you 100%..Go 363..Make us proud..........

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  37. Our system is corrupt:

    1990-2010

    Intel. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers gave political campaign contributions to the tune of;

    $29,705,600 to the Democrats
    and only $679,000 to the Republicans

    Do we really want million of our dollars going to Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Feinsteins?

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  38. GREAT DEBATER WANNA BE.June 4, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    well i here what your saying joe. but your talking union legal talk. And that's ok.

    But what about a witness?
    Isn't someone who does not feel comfortable in any situation entitled to have a witness present?

    forget union nonunion for a min.

    what about an individuals right,need,comfort, whatever or however you want to say it to have someone - a neutral person if you will present during any kind of situation????

    Is there anyone in BLOG WORLD THAT MAY KNOW THAT ANSWER?

    THANK YOU ALL. GREAT DEBATERS AWAKEN PLEASE.

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  39. Hi Great Debater Wannabe - Thanks for your comment. No company has to allow a witness or anyone else for that matter to assist you UNLESS you have a union representing you.

    Workers must be allowed representation when they can be disciplined by management ONLY if they are union represented.

    Without a union, there is NO RULE ANYWHERE ALLOWING YOU ANYTHING. There is no "must be" - it is a "maybe" at best and "most likely" a huge "NO".

    As Bill Murray once said in the movie "Stripes", "That's the fact, Jack".

    The contract in Newburgh will complete the process and provide us with a fair grievance procedure.

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  40. Can a witness have a witness? The whole crew will be stuffed in the fishbowl. lol..

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  41. We had some write-ups recently that have upset many in our plant. We have been discussing the issue with management. We are pointing out some details of the issue that they may not have been aware of before writing the team members up. I would like to remind everyone that if you are called or questioned in regard to an issue, you should always ask if you could be disciplined. If the answer is yes, you should ask for your steward.

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  42. Ricky,
    What difference would it make? They are going to change there mind on a write up because there is a steward in the room? If you are in there--there usually is a reason behind it...

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  43. Yo tough guy, I like the name. Sometimes when a point is brought to light, a manager may see the truth in what is being brought up by the steward. The steward with time will become experienced at bringing out the facts and the truth. Sometimes information can be the key. Its a waste of expenditures to make unmerrited write ups once you have a contract. The law is the contract and both have to abide by it. The stewards will know the contract. Yes just having them there will be sufficient.

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  44. Arep,

    Thanks for the quick responce. Let me ask you this> If i think i did something wrong>or maybe i could have done a little more than i did about a certain situation>should i call a rep in there--or just take it like a man and move on?

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  45. Lets try to focus our attention on the coming days of the union contract. It is important to all of us. Lets all stay strong and support our reps and Sam. Put up a good fight and do your best..You have my support 100%. Be safe and make some good quality cans for our customers...

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  46. Hey Tough Guy I'll bet if YOU KNOW you did wrong you would take it like a man, thats why they call you tough guy. lol

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  47. I wish I had this information before I voted!! Read the contract carefully people, we are going to have to live with this for a long time. How much protection does 1% buy?

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  48. deeply concerned, Obviuosly you are not informed of the write ups that have happened recently that have No merrit what so ever. Without a contract there isnt any recourse that an individual has that will help stop unjust discipline action like the one that is occurring now. If you are the one being the subject of this type of action and your job was on the line, I think a reasonable person would be more than glad to invest 1% in their future to protect them from loosing 100% of everything they have. Thats what a union and a contract does. I hope that it lasts forever.

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  49. Come on deeply concerned you had all the information in the world!!! Meetings with Tony and the company lawyer, Dan showing us information on unions from the 90's. ANY protection 1% buys is more than you had before. Thanks Sam, Steve & Reps is you get ready for another Thankless week of work.

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  50. I'm deeply concerned about deeply concerned.
    Seems to be a little confused

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  51. Don't be concerned. The raise will cover the 1% and give a nice boost beyond that. Let the reps stay focused on that guys, will ya?

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  52. HEY TOUGH GUY AND DEEPLY CONCERNED. IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU GUYS ON THE BLOG HAVING SOME SAY.

    HEY! SPEAKING OF HAVING A SAY. AT LEAST YOU HAVE ONE NOW. WHAT DID YOU HAVE BEFORE NOW??

    NADA,ZERO.ZIPPO. YOUR OWN FINGER SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD WONDERING WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

    TO ANSWER ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CHANGING THERE MIND. ABSOLUTELY YES. IT HAS HAPPENED ALREADY. I CANNOT GET INTO PEOPLE'S PRIVATE INFORMATION BUT IT HAS HAPPENED.

    AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT A STEWARD DID OR DIDN'T DO. IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE ALL DID AS A COLLECTIVE GROUP (MANAGER,TEAM MEMBER,STEWARD AND DISCUSSING THE ISSUES AT HAND.

    WHEN WE ALL AGREED WE MOVED FORWARD TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND WORKED THE ISSUES OUT THERE!

    BUT I THINK YOU MIGHT BE MISSING THE POINT. YOU GET IN CONTACT WITH YOUR STEWARDS THE SECOND YOU ASK THE MANAGER IF THE QUESTIONING COULD LEAD TO DISCIPLINE AND THEY SAY YES.

    THEN YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR STEWARD AND GET THEM INVOLVED. OR EVEN IF YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR STEWARD PRESENT DURING ANY QUESTIONING AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO DISCIPLINE.

    AND FOR DEEPLY C. 1% OR NO PERCENT IT'S STILL MORE OPEN INFORMATION AND SUPPORT THEN WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST!!!

    DEEPLY - TOUGH GUY ARE YOU TWO GUYS THE SAME GUY PRETENDING TO BE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS?

    THAT'S OK. WHIP OUT ALL THE QUESTION YOU WANT. THE MORE THE MERRIER. THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS WHOLE MOVEMENT AND BLOG GREAT.

    OPEN DISCUSSIONS. WOW. WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!!!

    WHO WOULDA THUNK. BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!

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  53. monday morning June 6th , here we go.St.Louis lawyers on their way. Stewards , reps and 363 ready to debate our futures.As time passes new concerns , maybe even problems will arise. As of our vote in Aug 2010 , we will devolp a contract to protect team members and those we care about.When you devolp concerns or issues ,tell your stewards , they are a phone call away from SAM day or nite.THINK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN // KNOWING THAT YOU CANNOT BE BULLIED OR FOCRED INTO FEAR. I like the thought of being secure in my job. Hope to see as many of you as possible at meeting's this week. BE SAFE // BE MINDFUL OF EACH OTHER //BE 363 /////// RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA

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  54. Todays the day! Go get the 3 we deserve and voted this thing in for! We are represented.

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  55. positive results will speak louder than words,lets make sure that's what we'll get by working together and staying positive.I'm sure by now SAM knows what we want , we should trust our union representatives and hope for a positive outcome.

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  56. 3 is for me. 3% raise---$3.00 towards our pension--3 sick days...

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  57. How did the meetings go today? Any positive news? Sam?>

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  58. Good Post Turnip........3-3-3......I like that!! How did it go today?

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  59. Today went pretty good. Still buttoning up some language - management rights, seniority. There are a lot of concerns that surface when discussing those subjects. We are moving along though and we should meet the 800 pound gorilla in the room sometime late Tuesday or Wednesday.....booked for July to back things up because we will be back. Thanks to those who came by today.

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  60. anyone who is going to come the meeting tomorrow please be sure to text your shop steward when you arrive. Looking forward to getting some more ground behind us tomorrow.

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  61. Sam,

    Thanks for the update in the process of our new contract. Good luck with the gorilla. Hopefully he is not that strong and you guys and ladies can get something out of him. I want to thanks Sam and the other Reps for their hard work.

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  62. this is the 1st time in a long time I feel like a team

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  63. Tuesday --sounds like things have proceeded as planned. I'm really proud to be a team member involved in this process.See you at the hotel. BE SAFE BE PROUD BE 363 BE RESPECTFUL// RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA

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  64. Nothing less than our annual investment and a few percent bump for all the time we waited should be accepted. Can't make it to the meetings and want to remain anonymous. But that's why I like being represented. Good job so far guys. Now get the crown jewel of thus contract!

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  65. Wow. What great support was shown today. C and d crew came through with about 20 workers showing up to support the reps. Even a few new faces. Thanks to all that were there.

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  66. keep up the good work Sam & Reps, we appreciate it!!!!

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  67. Sammy,

    How about an update? We are curious???

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  68. Actually it was 22 members showed up today to show support and show the company we are united and solid. We continued today doing what have been doing every month.Negotiate. The company has been genuine so far in doing their part in creating Newburghs contract. We worked on management rights and seniority today. We still have work to finish but we are closer today than yesterday. That is where we should be. I am asking everyone to be patient and hopeful. We have our communication meetings coming on thursday. Lets show the company we appreciate their efforts so far in negotiating in good faith by showing them our dedication to our creation. That creation was designed by both the employees and the company. One entity designed to commit to eachother and be a force that drives our industry again. Show the company what this plant can strive to be. Be positve as we are close to completion of what the majority of the employees wanted. Its better to be a positive force than a negative one. I hope the company realizes that also. The rest of negotiations depend on it.

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  69. wondering not sure if you have alot going on or not. I know i do. i have been to several meetings and have gotten lots of information and even participated in one neg. meeting. your on the blog which is great. so if you can show up to a meeting and you can get all the updates and questions you might have answered for sure. thank you for your support.

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