The next negotiations for the contract will begin on Monday July 25 at the Homewood Suites down the road from the plant. We normally start late on Mondays - sometime in the afternoon - to give the company reps a chance to get in from the airport. Every other morning we get there around 9:30am to get set up for the day and we meet with the company soon after that.
During this next week of negotiations, we will cover all monetary issues like wages, health, pension and establishing the 401(k) into the contract.
Between now and then is a great time to work hard, make cans and to openly display your support for your reps and Local 363.
Remember, we are there for you. We represent you sitting there.
We are going to ask for fair compensation for you in all of the above. After we ask for that fair compensation, the company will respond. We will bring that response back to you. We believe that the company will be fair and does see the value in an organized workforce in Newburgh.
We have all surely put our best foot forward up to this point, so we hope to get a nice first contract on which we can build a future for all and a solid relationship with the company.
It's all about money. They need to make money. Big money. We need to work hard to make sure they make that money.
We just need to get our cut out of the pie too - not be cut out of the pie.
Stay strong, Stay solid
Support your reps and IBEW Local 363!
Things have been hectic for me around my house for the last few days and havent been able to update anyone on how things are going. I apologize. The plant has been running very poorly this last week. Every can has been paid for with sweat and effort. Its during these times that Newburgh showes what we are made of. I have seen everyone bust their ass to turn around this trend weve been in. The briquetter operators to shipping have been struggling to get this plant stroking again. Thank you to all who dont give up and go the extra mile to make a difference. July will bring the last but not least items we have been waiting for. I believe we have the capability to reach an agreement. We have shown our intent to make our plant the best it can be. Its their turn.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam, Steve & all our reps for all the time you've given to our cause
ReplyDeleteSam tell us when its ok to start highlighting the crap management has been doing to us back on this blog. I have been not writting about the bullshit management has been pulling. I know we are trying to be professional but the bullshit keeps coming.
ReplyDeletesucker
ReplyDeleteFreddy - If you haven't done so already let your steward know what the issues are. If you would like you can also call me direct - get my number from your steward.
ReplyDelete4:49 am - Uncalled for.
yeah freddy don't hesitate or be afraid to bring anything up to your stewards. we will try to do the best we can to iron out differences in any area of the plant for any reason. write an Anonymous letter and leave it in one of your stewards tool box if you feel more comfortable with that avenue. please people don't hold on to something until it's too late or you blow up and make a mistake. we are all human the plant is very hot, humid and running pretty bad right now. so get it off your chest with your stewards. no matter how silly or unimportant you might think others will think about your issue. get it out you will feel better and go home with a clear mind. I'm not sure if all team members have all your stewards e-mails or not. but if you would like someone's e-mail instead so you can communicate that way as well.
ReplyDeletejust see one of use at work or ask under anonymous or call sam fratto.
I see lots of frustration but also lots and lots of people helping each other.
I know i appreciate it when people come and help me. which has been a lot lately.
so thank you all if i haven't thank you face to face yet.
I agree with Rick. Bring any issues you have to your shop steward, no matter how small the issue. Cause it can become a big issue in a very small amount of time.
ReplyDeleteStay strong, Stay solid
Does anyone have a copy of our attendance policy? I want to know if im in danger of being in trouble. I cant get an answer, please help.
ReplyDeleteDont worry about your attendance, just show up to work and you wont have any problems.
ReplyDelete8:42, is that response really worth 1%? What if 8:26 had important reasons for missing a couple days of work and could not get a swap? We are a union now! Start acting like it.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank the shop stewards they are doing a great job!! I get a chance to help ever now and then and it makes me feel proud to see so much concern about our fellow team members.
ReplyDeleteSam thank you for uniting us....Keep up the good work.Lets get the plant running having managers like Kevin,John,Matt we feel like real employees again they are doing a great job..hopefully it will stay that way has we move forward.
Hasnt cost me 1% yet. Well maybe it has. Let's get this contract done so we can stop delaying a needed increase. Looking to the July meetings. Go 363.
ReplyDelete363 hasnt received a penny from day one from us. Yet Sam has been there to answer any question, aid in any defense,straighten out what ever he could under the law. He hasnt whined, bitched, or complained. He has worked countless hours helping us prepare and organize. The people that work with him have been professional,and stood by our side. he has defended the people and always looked at and discussed the other point of view. He has always asked us what we thought was right, and questioned why? 363 and the brotherhood has supported our cause, and never bad mouthed our company. Sam and the IBEW has questioned the mindset of some of its management but understands that for the people to be succesful, so does the company.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for Sam Fratto's efforts to aid us. I hear from team members everyday that they are proud and glad that we have chosen 363 to stand by our side.
Sam and 363 are the balance that Newburgh MCC has needed for years. Management doesnt like to admit it but it works.
The end of July will be here soon.The contract has been shaped, and molded. All thats left is the motivation for us employees.Keep the plant moving forward, we are almost there.
IF the union doesnt go through will we expect a bill from 363? Vote NO
ReplyDeleteVote NO on what genius?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of wage and benefit package did the other MCC plants receive this year?
ReplyDelete730am, vote no? to what, a contract? wait and see what sam and the crew reps get for us. they are working hard to get us more money. they know that money is very important to us. they will not sell us out or let us down. july is almost here. i'm going to wait till i have a contract in hand before i make up my mind to vote yes or no to the contract. u should do the same.
ReplyDelete7:30 The union did go through, remember, its been helping our team members create a contract that Everyone had the ability to give input. The majority voted yes,already and has given their ideas and concerns to build the contract.
ReplyDeleteI think your lagging everyone else.Its evident your a little slower than the rest. About 9 months. Dont worry though we will still help you when you need it.
Thanks Sam, Steve, John and the rest of the IBEW for taking care of us. You the Reps are special people who are dedicated to the needs of all of us. Even our Handicapped Employees ( 730am ) have a say now in our process. I'm grateful for the say I now have and the gag order that sure now exists on Superman. Things are looking up with still lots to improve on with our imput. If for any reason this changes we will be a force to be reckoned with together as one.
ReplyDeletehey no voter, why don't you come up with a good reason why you would want to vote no? see you sort of bring up a good point.
ReplyDeleteAT LEAST RIGHT NOW YOU DO HAVE A SAY A(VOTE) WHAT DID YOU HAVE BEFORE???????
I'LL TELL YOU . YOU HAD JORGE FIGHTING IN ST LOUIS FOR US. HA,HA
REMEMBER THAT LINE.
WHAT A JOKE THAT LINE WAS.
FOR THE LIFE OF ME AFTER ALL THE BROKEN PROMISES AND SAME OLD SPEECHES ABOUT THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WOULD (NOT) NOT WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN OUR AND YOUR OWN FUTURE. WOW AMAZING.
I'LL WAIT FOR YOUR GOOD REASONS. BUT I WON'T HOLD MY BREATH.
How did the plant run today?
ReplyDeleteIt was a hard day--We did our best--we all helped each other out when we could---and we were safe...Hopefully tomorrow will be better..
ReplyDeleteAFL-CIO Union Chief Pledges 12 Million Workers to Communist Van Jones' Progressive Tea Party.
ReplyDeleteWith the help of friends like MoveOn, SEIU, Campaign for America’s Future and AFL-CIO the Communist Van Jones pledges to cripple The American Dream.
You want a reason to avoid unions? Your dues will funnel their way to anti-American, self-avowed Communist Van Jones' movement.
Don't believe me?
Time for you to do some homework:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/afl-cio-union-chief-pledges-12-million-workers-to-van-jones-progressive-tea-party/
Enough about the commies already. Go back to your bomb shelter where you'll be safe. 7:58- the other plants got 2% wage increase and a $1 bump on the pension multiplier. That should be a good starting point for us and then an additional 1% to even out the dues after we start. Certainly we all would like more but a clean 3% is fair and deserved. Have faith in our negotiators to get the best possible deal out there. I am sure if the offer is inadequate, Sam and the team won't bring it back for us to consider. Be patient and think big!
ReplyDeleteHey 10:29 it's just this... like the Republicans said that, the Democrats did this, it'll never be perfect.... However until this point in time YOUR opinion didn't matter .... NOW IT DOES !!!
ReplyDeleteSam, some people cannot be helped. Sorry about the wacko.
ReplyDeletehey 10.29 poster. you think that it's just union dues that go to those groups. If you think that then it's time for you to do your homework. I happen to do a lot of homework in that area. If you don't think all of the fortune 500 companies don't send money in that same direction then here's a news flash. look up there tax filings. look up where most of there hidden tax money goes. what there charitable programs might be. There fortune 500 for a reason they know how to hide and make more money doing it.
ReplyDeleteon another subject are you in love with van jones? you keep bringing him up!
just wondering.
u suck the blood out of cold dead eels while enjoying self contemplation. get over yourself.
ReplyDeletedidja ever wonder why management insists there be a tv in the break room with only access to 'news channels'? maybe it's because they understand that watching that bullshit is divisive and in THEIR best interest...
ReplyDeletejust say no to corporate tv whether it's fox, msnbc, cnn or whatever....don't let the talking heads do your talking for you!
"we must hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately"
Has anyone heard the story how MCC is now asking us if they have the results of the survey right.Now they want a survey about the survey .Just to make sure they have it right.For almost 15 months we have told them what the problem is and they STILL don't get it. They will never understand because they can't see through all the bullshit they throw out there.ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS RAISING THE SURVEY NUMBER.Maybe if you listened once in awhile,and really cared about us you would know what you have done wrong to all of us for 23 years!Oh I argee on the Tv thing if you walk in and it's on their shitty staions turn it off. Someday we will have control of the remote like they do in the breweries.That's just another thing they like to control ,and they fuck that up also.Stay strong the best days of making cans are right around the corner when that contrct is signed!
ReplyDeleteIt's like a bad joke. Management continues to make bad decisions, implements them, and when they fail, as the workers said they would, management holds us responsible.
ReplyDeleteTime and time again.
The way management runs this place, it could be a sitcom.