Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.
Independence Day is the national day of the United States.
It's just good to read those words sometimes.
God Bless America!
Hope that everybody who could drank from a union can to celebrate!
Stay Solid, Stay Strong
Happy 4 th of July! We the people of the United Staes in order to form a more perfect union. A more perfect union. Our founding fathers got it right. We need to turn this tide of corporate greed mentality around. We must stand together and fight the ones who would enslave us in poverty just so they can profit from our sweat. We are a more perfect union. God bless America and God bless and protect our fighting men and women who are fighting to protect our right to form a more perfect union.
ReplyDeleteHeres to our men and women in uniform,thank you all. Stay safe and we hope you enjoy your 4th of july where ever you are
ReplyDeleteThis calls for a little Alice Cooper " Raise your fist and yell!" Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July and now it's back to the grind of knocking out a new contract and a whole lot of cans!!
ReplyDeleteSam,when do you guys meet in July?
ReplyDeleteweek of July 25th.
ReplyDeleteThis is it, just hammering out the financial end and we should have a contract at the end of the month?
ReplyDeletewhen will we be able to have a hard copy for review?
ReplyDeleteWe meet the week of July 25, that is correct.
ReplyDeleteAfter negotiations are done - you will see a hard copy. We will go over the contract together when we are done negotiating.
We will be covering the financial end that includes wages, pension, etc. I hope to be done by the end of the week. That all depends on the company. It won't take me long to put your proposal on the table. We could be done in under an hour if it was up to me.
But that will not be the case. This will be where the company will show what they are planning for you guys in regard to money. And I will let you know what that is. Do I see them rushing through it? Do I see them dragging their feet? There is no advantage to either of those really - there is no stopwatch or timeclock. Bottom line is,we want it and they have it.
We believe that we have shown good faith up to this point in bargaining and so has the company - so we don't expect that to change now.
We will talk until we can agree on something.
Back a ways I read the poster that said either we get this or that or we vote no and get rid of the union. .....And what about after that?? Oh I know - The company caves in and then gives YOU what YOU wanted? Get real. Help row would ya, you're gettin heavy.
Do you think that helped our position? Do you think that your reps don't go into the room every time with your best interest in mind? If you think that - you are wrong. Are you a company plant? Sent in to undermine the people?
DO you think demanding this or that or ELSE scares the union..... or the company? Because I can tell you, it's neither. All it did was show a position - the wrong one but a position.
Everyone wants a raise and to have a healthy pension and health plan. What's the beef with fighting those who are trying to fight for that?
That is the difference with being in a union - YOU CARE FOR EVERYONE AS A WHOLE - NOT JUST YOURSELF. Believe it or not, in the end - YOU make out BETTER and so does EVERYONE ELSE.
We will negotiate this contract to completion - that is what IBEW Local 363 has spent almost a year doing for all of you up to this point. We are happy to do that - that is what a union does, we represent working people.
We have expressed and discussed all of your concerns to the company at the negotiation table. We have solidified and cleared up MANY issues and subjects that many of you did not or could not describe with a similiar explanation before. We have a good contract made to this point.
This group at MCC Newburgh is very good hearted and smart group of hardworking people.
Even how the company hires proves it - they put you through the ringer in order to get hired. Not just any person can work there - not to mention the hours you need to put in. You need to be able to think and react to things most people would never see. Add to that the miniscule absentee rate allowed (where is the policy - haven't seen it yet) and the precision required in the can trade.
It is time to map out the future for those who made the cut.
Like I said many, many times, we think we have a good argument for improvement.
Stay Strong Stay Solid
Lets say the the raise is retroactive to a prior month will we have to pay the 1 percent for representation from that point on? also if we sign a contract that is less than expected will 363 for-go the 1 percent until we get another contract that will make up the difference?
ReplyDeleteNo - it doesn't flucuate like that. You do not pay any dues until you vote to have a contract to work under. After that you pay 1%. You need to look at the entire contract in addition to the money. The contract itself is what protects you. It contains all of your rights - how much are they worth to you? Honestly, I wouldn't sell my electricians contract for 10% raise. See what I mean? Hope I answered your question, thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeletethank you yes it does. keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteI am a representative that has been working for a long time to get people to understand how being in a union works. I love when the lightbulb comes on and people get it. It is my hope that very soon, everything Sam and Steve and John from our local 363 and our inhouse reps have worked for can be finally tied together and completed. I can say that we have been fortunate to have so much support and inspiration from the people on the floor. We are strong, we are solid, we are looking forward to the future. I want to congratulate Sam Fratto for being voted in as the leader of IBEW local 363. His leadership and guidance has inspired us to be better at what we do and dig deeper to get to the truth, and never stop believing that we are better together than apart. Good job Sam.
ReplyDeleteThank you sam and all the reps for your hard work. It has taken almost a year to get us to this point. There are going to be a lot of fine points to review in this contract. I'm a bit slower than the next guy. As a result I'm going to need a little more time reviewing the contract than a 2 hr presentation at the union hall. Am I going to be able to take home a copy of the contract for review? I know you guys put a ton of hard work into this and I want to make an educated choice. This contract is very important to me and I'm gonna need time to weigh in the pros and cons. Thank you.
ReplyDeletec'mon, man- if we can get a copy of jacksonville's contract, and middletown's contract, do you SERIOUSLY think we won't be able to get a copy of our own?
ReplyDeleteWe will spend all the time we need to go over the contract. Giving you a copy and sending you on your way to read it with no background would not help you understand it - and we would never get to the point of having everyone in the room to discuss each issue.
ReplyDeleteYou will understand each part of it when we review it. Don't worry about going in or coming out not knowing what you have - I think you are smarter than you think and yu will see that when we meet. It will all be explained thouroughly.
Everyone will always get a copy of the approved contract every time we negotiate a new one. Having drafts flying around cannot happen - it would confuse 164 people and has the potential for tampering and fueling the rumor mill.
When we have the meetings we will have it in two sessions one for a-b and one for c d m.
Keep in mind what the alternative is - having no contract. Don't forget to read that all the way through too......oh yea, wait a minute - nothing is written down with that choice.
I promise you that I will explain it so everyone can understand - and then you guys can make your choice and vote on it.
thank you sam. for the updates.
ReplyDeletekind of what everyone did before the election feed the rumor mill and portray others as incompetent. and now we want to protect "us" from what happened to "them" Ha what a joke this has become. No wonder unions are in a down turn and the public perception has grown neg.
ReplyDeleteSam, thank you for your answer. But I am still gonna need a hard copy for myself to read over before I can make an educated choice. If I have questions after I review the contract then I will ask you or the crew reps. Sorry, but that is the only way I am going to agree to a contract that I am going to have to live with. I know you will understand. This is about me providing for my family. If you don't trust me with the contract (that is for me)then is this really a union?
ReplyDeleteSorry, dude. the joke is on you! 363 is our future, but more importantly, it's our present. your negativism and denial are gonna make trouble, but only for yourself, so if for no other reason than to save your own sorry ass, grow up and quit pouting! And you could save your lips and stop kissing ass while you are at it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 1:54 pm. Its our union and our contract. Lets vote on it. Let the crew reps post the question, "Should we have a hard copy of the contract before we vote?" A show of hands at the pre-shift will decide. Simple.
ReplyDeletethere will not be enough time to review the contract at a meeting thus I would like to see it online or hard copy so we can ponder over it.
ReplyDeletethanks reps and sam for all you do
If it's that important to you and your family then bring some coffee and a sleeping bag to that meeting. Or is it that your spouse must go over it for approval for you. Maybe you would like it on DVD so you don't have to carry it around from office to office or should i say desk to desk ( under it of course ). Comon you know what's important to you and you will know what to look for.
ReplyDeleteThis is getting funny. These few already think they can't understand it. It isn't going to be written in another language is it? Why worry about all of that before you even see it? It is going to spell out things clearly. I have taken a peek. I went to the hotel maybe you should have and you would feel less in the dark. I am sure Sam and our reps will explain every article of the contract so we all can understand it. I just hope that you can open your ears and hear it.
ReplyDeleteI would like to have some fresh reading material when I'm taking a crap. I don't think I can effectively crap without it. C'mon guys, give it up.
ReplyDeleteI dont know what the problem is about understanding the contract. Im sure that if you go to the meetings and are of average intelligence, you will understand what has been written down. For 20 yrs we havent had it in writing and now we will and you can see it at the meetings. By the way, it was derived from the people on the floor and everyone will probably be familiar with most of it anyway.All the new stuff will be in our benefit. Relax, it is going to be written down and covered in meetings and questions will be asked and explained. People can discuss this openly at the meetings.It will be fine.
ReplyDeleteSam...This isn't an assault on you personally, but unions in general have aligned themselves with groups that I do not agree with. How can I reconcile my strong beliefs and still be in a union?
ReplyDeleteI strongly oppose the Democrat Party, President Obama, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Union treasuries - filled by dues paid by union members - not only fund programs benefiting union members and their families. The money they collect also pays six-figure compensation packages for labor leaders and provides millions of dollars for Democratic causes and candidates.
Please address this issue. Thank you.
Compensation will be the true deal breaker for me. Sam and the crew reps know this. Just hope it don't take too much longer for the IBEW to deliver. Topped off the oil tank and planning for a long winter. Support the union and lets get this fucking contract behind us so we can get along with life!
ReplyDeleteHey 1:37AM - You have a major decision to make. These things are not going to change. You do not have to belong to this union at all. Of course you realize that you will not be able to work at MCC either. If you are that strong against these things then your decision is easy. SEE YA
ReplyDeleteYour other option is to get involved with the union and work your way into a position to dictate where funds do go. I have that feeling you are just running with the mouth and the second option would be work. I'm sure you aren't that concerned what INBEV is spending their profits on.
Hey 1:37. You sound like you have strong convictions. How do you feel about working for a foreign company that makes billions and pays their top management staff billions in bonuses and sends the money out of the country, and hasnt given us a raise in yrs.Oh yeah , they promote themselves as being Anheuser Busch all Amerca company but they decieve the public by not even promoting their true name. Anheuser Busch INBEV. They cant even trade stock on the exchange other than an ADR. How you feelin now 1:37? Feeling all warm an fuzzy about your convictions. Oh yeah that was 1.2 billion for this companies leaders. Your worried about the unions that hears and reflects your voice. yeah your concerned alright. lol
ReplyDeleteThat was money they earned directly off your back.You had no say before. Now because of this union you do. Thats why you can express yourself on this blog because of this union 363. Wake up
ReplyDeleteHey Dan or Dave are you 1:37? I thought so.
ReplyDeletehey 11:16 - What u mean IF it's compensation? Make up your mind is it or not ?.....Does someone have to be standing next to you to let it out? just another follower running their mouth. I bet you won't be there
ReplyDeleteAnd theese guys that say they need a contract to take home and read can finish 200-300 pages of a book at work!!! I want to be able to ask questions while I read it! Come early and come often. I have found Sam and our Reps are always available, Don't wait so long to get on the wagon people, this is our contract, our jobs and futures, why wait till last minute to see if you like it. Come to a meeting, sit down with a rep, call Sam up and ask!!
ReplyDeleteHey Sam, keep up the good work. Any contract is better than no contract. Looking forward to working in a Union enviroment where fair is fair and in black and white, F@#k shades of gray!!
ReplyDeleteLets keep moving forward and kick some ass. Thank you Sam and all the reps for all the hard work and long hours. Go MCC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...
ReplyDeleteI have this to say. Stop yer bitchin. We were screwed before 363 came in and we all know it.and now we are making our contract. Sam don't listen to these ass88les everybody else is with it. We want our contract as best as we can get it. Every place has its shitheads and we have ours. Let them come to the meeting and sit there until they get it. Now they have to man up and do it and they are cryin. Tough.
ReplyDeleteBig mouth(I like the name by the way)compensation isnt the only thing for me. Im tired of policies being changed without input, im tired of not knowing what to expect. I want it all written down. I want seniority,I want a way to fight bullshit writeups.Ive been screwed with because of a suckass and I want it to stop.Compensention to me is equal to policies. All of it matters to me
ReplyDeletecan cop U are right.
ReplyDeleteI want a dam raise!
ReplyDeleteWe all know this whole thing comes down to money. The rest is nice but we wouldn't have gone through all of it if we weren't just trying to protect what we have. We need to lock in a bump to cover dues and then get some more for our families. Trust that Sam and the reps will ensure the rest of the contract is ok for us. The decision needs to be based on the money. And no, I wouldn't pay 10% for the piece of mind. It's never been that bad.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Money Whore
I cant wait for our new contract. It has been a long wait.
ReplyDeleteits always about the money...........and when they say it isn't...........it is even more.......see if your break,or your ability to leave the plant, or if a manager pisses you off, etc etc etc can pay the bills.....it has always been and will always be about the money and if anyone says anything different they are lieing straigtht through their teeth...........all the other things are fluff, show me the money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
ReplyDeleteAre you talking to the company when you say "show me the money"? If you are, then I am in full agreement with you. If you are not you are a confused individual right about now.
ReplyDeleteWe want a fair contract so the company and the employees have a mutual understanding. A little more money would be good also. Everything is soo expensive in new york..
ReplyDeleteOf course I'm talking about the company. The union ain't gonna give me no money. But I sure hope all of this fuss doesn't get me less than what the other non union plants got. I believe in my new team, but I agree with 7:29pm that there is only one thing that pays the bills, dinero! Some people are softening the importance of getting a good raise if we can just have a contract. I want and expect both. And yes, I have been to the meetings. I appreciate the hard work everyone is doing. When the company offers a piddly sum, we shouldn't accept it. Period.
ReplyDeleteif the company gave you a 10% raise the last two years would the union ever have been voted in? no, of course not. so case settled. it is about the money. and it always will be. having representation is good. lets get it in writing but make the raise worth fighting for. we don't need just "a contract", we need a "Good Contract."
ReplyDeleteno one ever got fired for calling in on a snow day. no one ever got fired for coming in late one day. no one ever got fired for extending their break. no one ever got fired for reading on the floor. no one ever got fired for taking the strings off their earplugs. no one ever got fired for wearing jewelery. no one ever got fired for a bunch of different whiny reasons. ive had enough you guys carry the torch and figure this thing out..omgfw
Ok so its all about the money - screw the contract. What do you think we should do if we don't like the company offer 10:14? Should we be mad at the company and attack them or should we be mad at Sam and attack him and the union?
ReplyDeleteAnswer please
Well, I will first question what it would have been. I think we have that from Windsor. Sounds like you're just mad at me because I'm telling it like it is. It shouldnt be a $$ reduction in the end. Contract or not. I'll just quiet down for now. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should write a letter to Brito and ask him what he wants to give us.
ReplyDeleteYes. Let's ask Brito.
ReplyDeleteYou guys aint gonna get shit. Then what? Vote out the union and get boned from management? Look how many write ups have occurred recently for attendance. Look how many the union stepped in to show there was mistakes made by management.Snow days were included. Some people were dinged for emergency room visits for their families. Guess what progressive discipline has been building up. Unjust too. Go ahead and vote no to a contract and see what you get. The boot.
ReplyDeleteTried of all this talk of money.Why not focus some on the good things that have gone on lately.We ae finally going to get a qualified Hr person.Someone to anwser all your questions.Look at the new supervisors we have gotten.If LOCAL 363 was not here they would hired anyone in those places. Since we voted in LOCAL 363 they needed people with UNION experiance. SO just those few things have changed this place for the better. If you don't see that as a benefit, then you need to rethink your whole out look on life .These are true benefits just think, they could have hired 3 more SUPERMAN'S. How would that have gone for you with out Sam and LOCAL 363. I knw money helps ,but people YOU need to look at or focus on the great things that have happened to us in the last year because of LOCAL 363 .Stay solid stay strong. Think about what I have talk about money isn't everything.Sometimes peace of mind is worth more than money ,along with knowing someone is looking out for you like SAM.
ReplyDeletewell said 3:55. Ditto
ReplyDeletei totally agree with you 3:55. well said
ReplyDeleteIts going to be a great day when we have a contract and move ahead towards the future. There is no reason people should be fearful. It has been great all this time and its only going to get better.
ReplyDeleteI like knowing we have a union plant now.
ReplyDeleteThe only time i hear Brittos name is when he got his big bonus,,,.oh yea-and when he said we were over compensated...and again when our 401k match was lowered. He only cares what is in HIS wallet.....Go sam and reps...Bring out the gavel....
ReplyDeleteHere's another little benefit, instead of the kangaroo court. Where unless you have a manager who is mad at the company,for their what ever reason ,the cards are stack against you .Now with LOCAL 363 we have a grievance procedure,where they better have their shit together.Then it can go to arbitration where MCC has to spent money,and you they don't want to do that.That would less money in our fabulous CEO pocket.SO agian everything is not about money
ReplyDeletewhat kind of union is this where someone hopes another union brother or sister gets fired? sam, please address 7:02pm. we are a team even if we dont agree on the same issues.
ReplyDeletesoon 363 will hit a recurring payday compliments of uneven thoughts of what I thought was an intelligent group of people
ReplyDelete6:21AM I agree. No worker should want another worker to be fired no matter what. We can all disagree sometimes between ourselves on a few different subjects but in general we all really want the same thing - to improve things and move forward.
ReplyDelete7:11AM Along with 164 union members and a reoccuring obligation to each of them. The uneven thoughts you speak of were to VOTE to work together for the good and benefit of all of the people at the plant. Working together - key words - the American way of SURVIVAL all the way back to the British invasion. If they thought then like you want the plant to think now - we would have lost the revolution.
There is strength in numbers. There is weakness in division.
Lets just hope for a long and good future..Thank you Sam and Reps..
ReplyDeleteWell, said, Sam. This is our hand now- let's play it to the best of our ability, both in negotiations and in production! As Churchill, I believe, said, " Let us all hang together, for we will assuredly hang separately".
ReplyDeleteI for one am grateful that we found some convictions.
I'm not paying a dime to the union! I can think of better ways to spend that money other than to give it some slumb
ReplyDelete4:52 - LOL....Great to hear that....see ya.....At least your honest and up front.....you don't have much time left with us......been nice working with ya....LOL
ReplyDeleteYea.....there's not much of that anymore in the plant.
ReplyDeletesee ya later 452 the weak link is now departing the room guys move aside
ReplyDeleteThere are several weak links we need to remove so this chain won't break. Almost half of us actually. All you no votes just go home and you won't have to pay the union anything. The majority of us would gladly pay a small percent to get a bigger percent. The math is easy.
ReplyDelete11:39pm---Excellent point. I will gladly pay 1% for a brighter and better future. Everyone saw which direction we were heading before the union was involved. Well maybe not everyone-But i am still on board the freight train. Keep on rolling Sam and all the Reps..Lets see some light at the end of the tunnel....
ReplyDeleter u saying that if i dont agree wit the union then i should leave? quit? if i dont agree with management then i should leave? quit? y r u still working there?
ReplyDeleteNobody needs to quit.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should focus on working together - like a team - just like you did for the company when you were all treated like the Kings of Beers. Now you need to be a team for yourselves.
Seems to be a real issue, causing mental anguish even in some cases. I think that the few stingers here are the same guy trying to throw things off course. Forget about arguing with anyone who can't see this is for everybodys benefit. Let's not let the blind lead the sighted.
Hey 4:52 - Make up your mind will ya. This was your quote " I'm not paying a dime to the union! I can think of better ways to spend that money other than to give it some slumb " Well if you don't pay the dues you can't be a Union member which means YOU CAN NOT work at MCC. It's a simple thing here. When we say goodbye out comes some more trivial bullshit out your brain.These things were all covered in our meetings and were available to you at anytime during this change. SEE YA !!!!!!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteIt just wasn't management that forced our hand to becoming UNION. We have some team members like 4:52 that continue to prove that some team members will do anything to disrupt things if they are not the center of attention or might have to do their fair share on the job. The games are over as soon as we have that fair contract for both sides. Go IBEW
ReplyDeleteQues: Wonder why Boeing is moving a plant to South Carolina?
ReplyDeleteAns: South Carolina is a state that doesn't allowed closed union shops.
Wonder what Brito may be considering?
he's considering you the weakest link right about now
ReplyDeleteI think the chain is broken. Cmon guys. Why do this now? Has this been your suckup plan all along. We're almost at the finish line and you guys want to talk dealbreakers. I don't care if I don't get a raise as long as I got a union. Let the company keep it. Just treat me like a human being. I vote for no money, then the troublemakers will surface and get flushed.
ReplyDeleteLove Brito
OH 1:13.......You are soooooo right bout these people. They only come out of their shells when it's time to cry but never to help fix the issues. I do really hope that there are only a handful of these. Even on the job they do the same thing. They will be flushed and exposed soon enough.
ReplyDelete