Thursday, August 4, 2011

Next Negotiation August 15th

The next session of negotiations will be held on August 15th at the Homewood Suites Hotel at Stewart Airport - just down the road from the Newburgh plant.

We will get a late afternoon start on Monday and start at 10am on the days after that. If you would like to visit - please come by. If we are in between breaks we will invite you into the board room where we hold our meetings. We have done that in the past and have had some good discussions and even enlightened a few people on some issues.

We hope to move ahead, clean up the attendance policy language and some other minor wording issues and then get to some financial issues.


Our goal is to complete the negotiations during this session. I believe we have a decent chance at accomplishing that. I must stress though - and I am telling you this for your benefit. I am not rushing it.

That would be a mistake. We will negotiate until we have the contract we will bring back - we know what you guys want and we are going to let the company know what that is.

Stay Strong, Stay Solid

79 comments:

  1. Thanks Sam for the info. I will be there to support all of you guys. I just want to tell you I appreciate what the reps and you guys who are from local 363 have done on our behalf. I know that in the past none of the managers at work ever really listened to what we had to say. They nodded and said we got it but they never actually did anything. Thanks to you all, now they have to.

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  2. Pretty obvious who the real boob is!

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  3. SAM is there any way to get something in the contract so when we have shut downs like this plant is doing we can get paid for our lost time? like working over time and having a choice to bank it or take it at that time. or any other ideas like that where you don't loose your vacation time or you don't have any vacation time left. i don't think this will cost the company any thing. it will just help the team members out when can sales are down. if any body else has ideas like this please post them

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  4. Maybe we could all have one day of pay to use as we please. Half day off, needing an hour to see your kids game, power outage coverage, whatever. When it's gone, it's gone. One per year and pay for whatever remains at the end of the year. They could do this along with a 2% raise, hold to 20% med benefits contribution and that would be a nice package.

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  5. thank you 2:52 lets keep the ball rolling and see what other ideas we can come up with.

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  6. We can talk about something like that at our next session. I think that if the company is involved with this energy program that we can ask them to look at something to protect you from losing money that you didn't plan on.

    I would be happy to put that on the table for discussion.

    I also agree with the post above - kick it around a little and see what coes out of it.

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  7. who's going to cover your half day off. do you want to be on call and have to cover someone because they want to see their kids soccer game, get real. most people dont want overtime, how you gonna cover 6hrs, 4hrs, 2 hrs? dont ask for less work, there are 60 milliion people in america right now that would be more than happy just to do SOME work.

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  8. Another day at the can plant and here we are again asking for more. We dont have a problem criticizing management and down right slandering them before the election and all of a sudden we are best buddies what a joke if I were a part of management I would fire everyone and we all deserve it. Just look at yourselves and see what you had become a bunch of misfits you all are and i;m quite embarrassed to be part of the newburgh team. Keep wasting your time with us Sammy the lier because we will vote no on any type of contract

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  9. Oh Mr. Negative is back......So let me get this straight just for some giggles - you will vote "no" on any contract but you want less or nothing. What's a matter, don't think I can possibly get it low enough for ya? lol

    You are so smart.

    Too bad you are such a minority around here, huh? We couldn't handle or even absord the amount of wisdom coming out of that mind in any multiples higher than one.

    I do, however, take exception to you calling the hard- working people at MCC Newburgh a bunch of misfits. I hope that when I see you again you tell me it was you so I can see what kind of self- centered and misguided person says that about his co-workers.

    Here's a great hint for you - you can leave those bunch of misfits and find a job you can get abused at. Because that's not gonna be MCC Newburgh son. Some people enjoy that I guess - so you better start searchin pal.

    It's nice boxing with ya but you are not in my weight class.

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  10. UNBLEIVABLE That grown people would talk about each other in a public forum like you did.How many of you would stand face to face in a public place and say what you have.Grownup's could step into a square ring with or without gloves and then settle their differances , but no you want to run on about differances of opinion and insult and ridicule each other. That is not what our journey is about , IS IT. If you want sarcasm and insults stop posting as ANONYMOUS AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES AS ADULTS. This last batch of postings has really made me think if the past years working with some have been worth my time and efforts.Since most know who i am or if you don't ask and I will tell you straightup what i thinkabout insults and negativity, BE SAFE // BE 363 BE STRONG BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA P.S. I HAVE ACCESSTO SQUARE RING IF YOU NEED IT

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  11. Let's keep it as clean as possible. Cleaned a few boo-boos this morning...lol Not the end of the world. Let's spend our energy in a positive way. Ignore the negative sect - they cannot be satisfied.

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  12. Hey Dakota......I agree with what you say but don't ask for names because you haven't posted yours either. Besides our co-workers will put anyones name up instaed of their own and then we have problems. Go get them Sam and Reps

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  13. Just keep in mind that this is the week prior to negotiations. It gets tough when you are ducking mud but let's all stay focused. We are getting closer to having a contract.

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  14. SAM before this topic got out of control i was talking about full day shut downs like they are adding to all of our holidays without pay. that was my topic i herd of other unions doing this. like banking an hour or two a week as one option. please post any other ideas like this. it mite help some of us and not cost the company money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ i am sure mcc wont mind these kind of ideas. and hey 7:47 I AM JUST trying to support my family without costing the company$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ITS CALLED TEAM WORK. THANK YOU SAM

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  15. I want to thank all the reps and Sam and Steve and John for their time and effort. None of them received a penny during this entire time. They are people that help people. They all deserve all our thanks.

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  16. The man without a nameAugust 7, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Don't forget about Joe!!!

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  17. Go 363 get it done. bring home the bacon

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  18. 2:00pm - I didn't forget your issue. I will discuss that at the next session. I am interested in finding out if there a specific minimum amount of days involved each year with these shutdowns or if it is a fluctuating number and if there is some kind of a cap.

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  19. If the plant shuts down again in a moments notice for just the afternoon or a day is there anything in the contract that says who stays and who goes home? It was very confusing and seemed unfair. I hope a contract takes out the bullshit

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  20. I'm glad to see that our team members are realizing that there's more to this contract than just a raise or should I say the amount of raise. The things this company is now doing ultimately does cost you money. The shutdown issue is huge. A few more of them and your so-called wanted 3% goes out the window. I'm all for the biggest raise we can get don't get me wrong but these little issues all add up over time. This company will hack and hack as long as there is no verbage in THAT CONTRACT. Lets protect what we DO have and then put the icing on the cake. Go get them Sam no matter how long it takes !!!!!!!!

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  21. Your right a shutdown HAS cost us money Again. The company saves money off of our backs! They have been increasing profits by taking it out of our pockets. Its time we make it not so convenient for them to do that. We still can keep this place making money from our efforts and ideas at work. They dont have to just yank the dollar bills out of our pockets everytime there is a hiccup. A little loyalty from the company pays off with dividends with the employees.

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  22. we should shut down the plant for a week twice a year. once in the summer and once in the fall and let the workers have the option to use there vacation time if they want. everybody's happy.

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  23. Not Everone - First of all they would want to perform all the big maint during that time which would affect all of us. The Maint crew would be automatic along with team members as well.

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  24. Don't start that. The company will shut down the last 2 weeks of the year and give you a week to use the rest of the time. Not much prime time off that way.

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  25. Sam? Will there be language in the new contract that prohibits Management from assigning a hourly employee to a management position on a temp basis with no compensation. Will they be required to at least post this assignment? I'm concerned that Management might be trying to create a conflict of interest by assigning one of our reps to a management position during negotiations. If they had at least posted it no one could question such move.They again are using us to fill their needs and put the burden on us to cover staffing. I understand that we have nothing in writing now but I question their move and us for allowing it at this time. You are a good man Sam and I'll accept whatever your answer is.

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  26. I would like to know more specifics before I attempt to answer that. I will look into this though and I will look at how the situation helps or hurts us. I am not worried about any kind of games from the company concerning our people or our reps. I'm really not. You can always email me or call me if you want but thanks for pointing it out so I can take a peek and make sure we are good.

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  27. I want to take the time and inform our membership that my partner Jim Tuttle Sr. Step mother passed away last night. We want to extend our sincerest condolences to him and his son Jim tuttle Jr.
    Our thoughts and prayers go out to you both.

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  28. Our condolences to Jim and his family from IBEW Local 363 and all of our members.

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  29. Looks like a good maintenance done by B and D crew. Good job. Some pain in the ass problems put to bed. C crew had a decent start up excellent effort by all.
    We are entering the last part of negotiations this coming week. I want to thank everyone who has been supportive to the reps and Sam,Steve,and John. I have witnessed all the reps truly put aside their personal wants and desires and step up to represent the people on the floor. They truly put their best foot forward.I am very proud of these People who considered the needs of all before themselves.
    We have all worked hard to capture what the consensus of the plant wanted in the contract. Up to this point I feel we have given the company the flexibility that they had but also gives us the commitment we needed and didnt have. To me this contract so far has captured what we all wanted. Security,consistant, fair treatment, with checks and balances to make sure that a process that was designed by both sides dictates how our employment will be implemented. Not by A person. Not by A temporary decision maker who will be gone tomorrow.
    Management and us have some very basic similarities. We both want this plant to run and be profitable. We both want to be here for a long time. We both want to make money. We both want to make our customers happy. We both want the best easiest most efficient,cheapest cost per thousand plant we can possibly be.
    We will wait and see if the company really wants to move forward or backward. We have paid the price over these last few years and continue to do so. Now its time for the company to do its share. We know and recognize what is appropriate and what is not as far as our compensation package is concerned.
    Lets finish this chapter and turn the page.
    Yesterday is something we should learn from, Tomorrow is what we should look forward to.
    Lets get this thing done. We are all ready. Go Newburgh Mcc 363.

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  30. If you think you are beaten, you are;
    If you think you dare not, you don't!
    If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
    It's almost certain you won't.

    If you think you'll lose, you're lost;
    For out in the world we find
    Success begins with a fellow's will;
    It's all in the state of mind!

    If you think you're outclassed, you are;
    You've got to think high to rise.
    You've got to be sure of yourself
    Before you'll ever win the prize.

    Life's battles don't always go
    To the stronger or faster man;
    But sooner or later the man who wins
    Is the person who thinks he can!

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  31. I would like to thank all of 363 and our team members for their prayers and kind words... Our family appreciates your thoughts and prayers..I am proud to be a memeber of 363 and the MCC Family!!! We need to move forward and get back to the business at hand... making good cans ,,, and lots of them... that's what our customers want... and need... without them... we are nothing.... thanks again for all your support in our time of grief,,,

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  32. Hey Joe,
    Somehow you've forgotten to mention the Day Shift who also worked on Maint Day. These people include the Storeroom, Trainers, Rework, Scrappers, Shop and Our Maint Crew who plan, setup, rebuild, stage parts and also work on Maint Day until we run. I agree that B & D crews did a great job but not without us.

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  33. I apologize for my lack of acknowledgement of the storeroom personnel,trainers,rework,scrappers,shop, maintenance crews. There is no excuse for my not mentioning and thanking them. So I am doing that now. Thank you all for your efforts and your dedicated work ethic. Its easy to be short sighted and forget to look past my little bubble I live in. Ive learned a valuable lesson and will try my best to make sure I dont repeat that mistake.
    Day shift I truly know and understand how important you all are. I realize that we are all working for the same thing. I again apologize and do appreciate everything you all day everyday.Thank you for waking me up.

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  34. By the way. Good job on maintenance day!

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  35. Mr & Mr Bert and ErnieAugust 12, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Joe,
    What about us?

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  36. I wanna work at the same plant Joe works at......where is that?

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  37. Hey Joe

    How are you with 800 numbers? How many Policies can you retain in your mind? Joe you would be the perfect fit for our HR Manager.

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  38. Thank you anonymous for your support. No thanks I have trouble just washing cans, but I will be there when you ask me to be there. In Utopia ,N.J..Its a great place to live.

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  39. I agree Joe would make a good HR Manager, he couldnt be anyworse than the last guy.

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  40. The Rattlesnake came out of hibernation last night..

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  41. Don't worry, I cut its head off.

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  42. Here we go --- Next week , meaning aug 15 start of what could be the final round of negotiations. #1 have you discussed all issues you are concerned abour with your reps. #2 are there issues you need to discuss with Sam and 363. #3 Have you talked to your fellow team members about what you expect. #4 Are we willing to make any concessions , to get what we want.These are all viable thoughts we need to ask ourselves and fellow team members.////// This has been a journey that many didn't believe in. /// Lets finish this like pro's and show the world we are the best because we are. BE SAFE // BE STRONG .. BE UNION// [[[[ BE INVOLVED]] //BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER// -- RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA

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  43. Big week! We're all excited.
    If we get a wage increase will we look for it to be retroactive to any specific time or will it start when the contract is voted in? I think we should look for some back pay to show they believe we are equivalent to the other plants that got their increase last April.
    Sam, thanks for killing the snakes.

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  44. I have a few questions about the snake>>>Where was the snake spotted? Was he able to bite anyone? Where did the snake come from?

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  45. does the snake have two heads? have a burrito on me

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  46. Just sitting here wondering about the start for our new beginning. In less than 24 hours, our reps will be back at the table.By the end of the week we may have come to terms on our contract , no turning back.We have traveled a road with it's share of ups and downs also some potholes.This will be my last attempt to advise you [[any issues ,problems,concerns or ideas --- tell your reps, Sam or 363 . If it needs to be on paper this may be your final chance unTil contract comes up for renewel. Enough said. BE SAFE // BE 363 // BE STRONG // BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER ,,,... RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA

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  47. Was it a one eyed snake?

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  48. Sam--We are coming up on 200,000 hits.. Amazing.....Kick ass this week. Lets make it count. Thank you Reps and Sam for your hard work and many hours................Rolling like a freight train................Its go time............

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  49. Hey Mira Loma our ship is sinking faster then yours they better make some front office's chances soon how I see it they really dont give a shit.

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  50. 6:11 pm---Talk about a run on sentence. Maybe you do not even know what you are talking about...Go back to school then come back to the site...Wow. Embarrassing....

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  51. Samual--or Reps--How did the meeting go today? Any progress?

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  52. We met on our own and had some deep discussions about where we are and where we are headed. We actualy got a lot done. We did not see the company reps becauae as of 6pm they were still stuck in Washington DC in the airport due to Newark delays. Should be some action tomorrow- Wednesday for sure.

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  53. Ok-Thanks for the update Sam..

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  54. Sorry to hear the ship is sinking. We have wind in our sails again but we're watching with curiosity to see if it all pays off for you. Good lick this week. Keep us posted.

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  55. Sam,

    Is this the longest and hardest battle you have ever fought to get a first contract?

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  56. were those riots in England due to unfair labor practices at an inbev plant? Sure looks like the ones in belgium last year. I think we are on the back track to the carnagie years and the only diff is that there are now taco bells in every state. Dont forget to eat your burrito today

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  57. First contracts can go any length of time. The one issue that is making this one go this long is that the party I am negotiating with is only in town for 4 days each month. Normally, the parties are in the same area and can meet more frequently and even in between.

    We are getting close.

    To the Mira Loma guy - Don't believe the ship is sinking - it's not - there are some management issues that will shake out - but when the smoke clears we will have a written contract to work under here.

    That is going to work out fine for now and years to come. You need a written contract too. The alternative is perpetual blinders and a muzzle to match.

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  58. Hey everyone, just want to let you all know today was very productive. We managed to get the shut down procedure done,which will work good for us. We cleared up all the other little stuff that was left. The company was able to write down the attendance policy for the first time in this whole process. Looking it over it also looks OK for us. It's been my pleasure helping everyone to get this contract. This is OUR future moving forward with INBEV. This contract will enable US to finally have a say in what goes on in the plant. The talks will continue this week.I wil be enjoying the rest of my vacation with my family.Stay strong stay solid. Go 363!!

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  59. Thanks Pete K...Enjoy Vacation

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  60. Pete--Thank you for the update and your hard work. Have a good vacation. Rolling like a freight train.......Keep moving forward............Be safe..

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  61. burrito I would like to thank you for your cost cutting wisdom. We are very fortunate to have such a human being that cuts thousands of jobs, cuts health coverage and freeze pensions and salaries. Usually when a company cuts are this strong we gain in other things like iventory improvements and safety but those items are also being cut to the bone where we cannot even compete. We only see this as running the company into the ground and we all thank you for removing the pride we all had as the old beer company. You are the best burrito and you dont have anyones support or respect. As a wanna be company owner I suggest that you instill the pride that was lost by giving back to the employees what makes this company strong the shareholders are not the ones who drive growth WE DO. Prove you are the best ceo around and remember this, you are dealing with americans with internet and media and we will respond.

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  62. is there any word on what happened with our contract on Wednesday good ore bad news?

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  63. The Dale Jr commercial I saw last night for Nationwide was great. He talked about being privately owned and how Nationwide is not concerned with the return for its sharehoilders but more for its real customers, the consumer.

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  64. truth for anonymous dummiesAugust 18, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Anonymous 3:33- exactly how is this relevant when it happened out in the midwest somewhere? Answer, it's not. Are you really that bored that you have nothing better to do than make ugly insinuations when there is no factual connection?
    Anonymous 4:02- so what's holding you back, chump? Don't talk about it, just man up and do it. And try to avoid the libel and slander thing, it really discredits you more than it does Sam or anyone else connected with 363...which would include the NEWBURGH IBEW Team!

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  65. Hey 4:02........Please save me and my family the embarassment of dealing with Sam if you are right. Personally I hope you come forward and present your case so the rest of us can be saved by you. But let me tell you this. If you are bullshitting us I will personally make sure you never ever work in our facility. The next move is yours. My guess is you never come forward.

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  66. Wow, what happened? Sounds angry but I see no 4:02. What's the buzz?

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  67. Lokks like 4:02 got his snake head cut off again....lol

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  68. Samual---Its been a few days since we have heard from you? What is going on? Are things looking brighter? Any time frame for the written contract? You scare me when you are quiet..We want some bacon on our bagel. I love to eat too..

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  69. We have been in long negotiation sessions over the last 5 days, fighting for everything you have. You should have come to see me this week at the hotel Big Hips. Don't get scared. We are waiting on the company reps to caucus with their corporate people about your financial compensation. They have their own opinion about what is fair and right for you. That will take place in the next week or so. What I can tell you is that they believe that you are extremely well compensated already and are struggling with adding to that. I believe you guys need that contract more now than ever. Soon we will review it all and you will vote and decide that question.

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  70. It sounds suspiciously like our COO doesn't have our best interests at heart- wait, sorry, that was too obvious to even state.

    Let's say this- if we can't resolve this in an equitable fashion, the idea that ANYTHING is 'just a business decision' goes out the window. As Sam has pointed out in the past, this is where management shows what their real feelings are about us and our value, after all the money they've made off our work.

    So, boys at corporate, please be assured that your decision will be taken VERY personally.

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  71. Its time to support the union more than ever! I would hope that the coo realizes that that this is a better beer company in a better world and its time to put our minds at rest so that we can make this plant the best in the system. I;m ready are You?
    Thank you reps for spending your valuable time away from your family to do what is best for all of us.
    Signed,
    taco bell

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  72. BRITTO---- ABINBEV PROFIT WAS UP 26% THIS QUARTER--SHARE THE WEALTH MY MAN....WE WANT A PIECE OF THE PIE ALSO.......BE FAIR. 1 HAND WASHES THE OTHER...KEEP FIGHTING SAM. YOU HAVE 150 PEOPLE BEHIND YOU FOR SUPPORT..

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  73. Yeah, what Karma said;
    Even though you are already holding up your end of our personal agreement to pay us a wage we happily agreed to work for, I want more now because you are doing well.
    I vividly remember when I was offered this job that I was promised a raise every time the company turned a profit;-)

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  74. listened to warren speak,sounds like he can't figure why the plant is in the shitter. answer: you are seeing the consequence of what you and your managment team has decided to do, what you've done for the past five or so years. you were warned. BOTTOM LINE IS WE ARE NOT HAPPY! AND WON‘T BE UNTIL WE GET A FAIR AND SIGNED CONTRACT

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