To accommodate the people who are working their off days and to create another opportunity, we are adding an additional day to the meetings. This additional day is an option for anyone who would like to participate but mainly for those working outside their normal off days on overtime.
The third meeting will begin at 10 am on Monday September 12, 2011. This should give everyone time to attend.
The company wants an answer on the contract ratification by Sepember 15. Part of the contract depends on it being ratified by that date. That was part of the company proposal with a probable contract date of October 1 or before.
We will be mailing a flyer to each persons home tomorrow so that everyone has been notified.
The contract will be very easy to understand for everyone and we will go over it as for long as you would like. I am no hurry at these meetings. I want you to understand it so you know how it covers you.
I will be sending out the mailing tomorrow with all three meeting dates and times. Here are the updated dates and times for our meetings:
September 9, 2011 1:30 pm
September 10, 2011 3:30 pm
September 12, 2011 10:00 am
( additional meeting date )
These dates will allow all to attend based on the crew schedules and make allowances for those working overtime or who may also have a conflict by having the option of an additional meeting.
The meetings will be held at the IBEW Local 363 Building located at 67 Commerce Drive South, Harriman, NY 10926.
See you all there. You can come to whichever meeting is best for you.
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Hey Sam,
ReplyDeleteI know you have very transparent through this whole thing.i got information the contract is done and there will be a vote at the hall Sept, 9 at 1:30. Is there any way you can post the contract on this site so we all can look at it
before so if any of us have any questions or concerns we can ask you at the meeting. I am sure the majority would like this and also believe this would help stop all these rumors all are speaking about.. and avoid any confusion.
Oh now the company is in a hurry! They should have their lazy asses over 6 months ago instead of coming here once a month or even every other month they want us to decide by Sept.15 are they tierd of the freeze because they can not raise out health premiums to 35%. Or cannot take or change anything else until we decide. Come on people like Sam says dig deeper. Are they trying to hurry us into something we dont want as far as our total package...As Sam says
ReplyDeleteDig a little deeper... Are you going to accept
your first draft of a contract DIG DEEPER!!!
VOTE NO ON YOUR FIRST CONTRACT SEND THE COMPANY A MESSAGE.... DIG A LITTLE DEEPER!! We are worth every penny of it...i dont want to hear we are in a recession times are tough... that might be the fact for some companies but not for ab-inbev. If by some miracle that the contract they proposed seems fair and your total package is fair by all means vote YES but if it isnt PLEASE... do me and yourself a favor vote no have some fucking balls.. Send them a message DIG DEEPER!!!
Wow, someone's a little cranky! Probably been without power for a couple days and had to call out to work and loose money before they shut the plant down without paying the crews anything. Yeah, do yourself a big favor and tell everyone to vote no.
ReplyDeleteSam, thank you for adding the extra date. I will be there on the 12th. The company is just gonna have to wait until we are comfortable with the details and have time to review the contract before we make a choice. I too have a mother in need after the tropical storm Irene hit her house and would expect the same consideration we showed that company man when he lost his mother. I can not be in two places at the same time. The company should not put a due date on the contract after they made us wait such a long time. A copy of the contract before the meeting dates would help speed up the process and would do away with the rumor mill. If the company knows whats in the contract and so do you then there is no reason we should not have a copy before the meetings so we can make an educated choice based on facts and not rumors. Its time to put the secrets to bed. Thanks again for the extra meeting date and for listening. I am very grateful for having my job and just want to do whats right for me and my family.
ReplyDeleteThey give us a 2 week deadline to agree on the first draft? doesn't really seem fair with how long they made us wait for it
ReplyDeletethe COMPANY wants what, for us to,hurry up,really???, i also agree with whats been said,they drag thier feet for months,on end, an now , hurry up,shit ,very interesting,WHY??, AND, YES,put out the draft into the workers hands, NOW, before we meet and vote for anything !!!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning ALL <<>> What we have waited for is now on our doorstep.Our reps have worked diligently for monthes , Sam has been Brillant at in his role.ALL of the mentioned have worked and strifed to make this happen. DO ANY OF MY FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS think that they would let the company force us into a vote<<>> I THINK NOT . Let's be adults [[MAKE THE MEETING , DISCUSS THE CONTRACT ,VOICE OUR OPINIONS , THEN WHEN ALL GROUPS HAVE MET THEN WE WILL VOTE. As I have stated all along We are the best and want to be treated and respected that way.As the plant gets back to a smoother mode and our contract is finalized , we can still be the best [[ABOVE AND BEYOND ALL ]] It's been a pleasure to work with all of you. BE SAFE //BE UNION BE RESPECTFULL OF EACH OTHER RESPECFULLY DAKOTA
ReplyDeleteSam, I too also believe you should post our contract up here and stop the rumor mill. I
ReplyDeletebacked us from the beginning and i will back
us to the end. I am also a little upset that the company is asking us to hurry up after they
dragged there feet for so long,why the push now?
We have nothing to hide. And we will vote Yes on what we as a group feel is a fair contract. I know this has been tough on you and our negotiators,and shop stewards and we thank you
all for dealing with a company who wanted to move this along at a slugs pace. I know there are other plants interested in going union and
the company did want to show that they would drag there feet and make it most difficult for
us in hoping to deter their situation. I urge
all of the company from lids,to container, we are not the red headed stepchild any longer and
we together can do even more they gave you a 2%
raise this year..ask yourself this.. where did they take it away. I urge you all protect yourselves go union,get a good union as we have
pick good shop stewards and negotiators as we did. Yes it will be tough with this company and they will drag there feet and in the future we
can accomplish even more. and even possibly as
Big Tony would put it...Put us more inline with
the rest of the company.
I hate to see what this plant is going to run like
ReplyDeleteif they did not treat us fairly or if they think they can force us into an agreement that we do not like.
sam is there any reason why we cant see the contract now that the company is done? they no what every word says in it. i would like to show it to my wife but she cant be there for any of the meetings. i am just not sure why it cant go on the blog. or is it the comments that will follow after it is posted? i no you said this is the first time you ever used a blog for a union vote i think it worked great from the start up. i would like to say that about the finished product our contract. can we please see it. thank you for any help you can give us
ReplyDeletefolks we all heard what tony\pete kramer said to us. (they are going to put us more inline with the rest of the company.)
ReplyDeleteEverybody was and has been invited to the meetings at the hall and at the negotiations. quite a few team members showed up. But certainly not as many as could have been there to learn and keep the (RUMOR MILL DOWN.) AND STATEMENTS LIKE THIS:
If by some miracle that the contract they proposed seems fair and your total package is fair by all means vote YES but if it isnt PLEASE... do me and yourself a favor vote no have some fucking balls.. Send them a message DIG DEEPER!!!)
YOU HAD ALL YEAR TO THINK ABOUT DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.
KNOWING WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN THE TONY AND PETE. K. MEETINGS AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE RETIRED MANAGERS AND THE ONES THAT ARE FLYING THE COUP LEFT AND RIGHT RITE NOW.
FORGET THE UNION FOR NOW. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE COMPANY WAS READY TO OFFER US. ????? THINK PEOPLE THINK. NOTHING AT ALL. WHY SHOULD THEY. JUST BECAUSE YOUR GOOD WORKERS YOU THINK THAT THEY WERE GONNA TAKE CARE OF US.. DIG DEEPER. REALLY GUY. DIG DEEPER. . LOOK AT WHATS GOING ON IN THE REAL WORLD.
NO BODY IS DIGGING DEEPER FOR THE WORKERS. NO BODY.
YOU CAN PUT ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS IN ONE PART OF THE MONEY BASKET OF THE CONTRACT AND SPEW THOUGHTS OUT THERE.
BUT TO ALREADY HAVE A NO IN YOUR HEAD WITHOUT SEEING ONE PAGE OF ANYTHING.
THAT'S JUST IGNORANCE I THINK, I WANT TO READ IT GO OVER IT AND DISCUSS IT. WE VOTED GOOD PEOPLE TO GO OVER EVERYTHING.
WE WERE GOING TO GET NOTHING BEFORE FOR SURE.. PLEASE WAKE UP PEOPLE.
I'M JUST SAYING READ IT AND GO OVER IT BEFORE YOU START SHOUTING NA'S OR YA'S.
DAKOTA VERY WELL SAID.
THANK YOU FOR SOUND JUDGEMENT.
THAT IS SERIOUSLY NEEDED RIGHT NOW.
SOUND DECISION MAKING.
BASED ON WHAT YOU CAN HOLD AND READ IN YOUR HANDS. NOT READ ON BLOG OR HEAR AT WORK.
What is the problem with posting the contract on
ReplyDeletehere. So we can see it before we go to the meeting dates. I would like to read it go over it ask questions at the meeting.Im not shouting
yay or nay.But i would like to look at it before
the meetings.I have heard many things and know
that the possibility of it being a falsely is most probable.. it does though at the same time
lets me hope and at the same time confuse me
as to what is real and the truth and what is not
I would like to make a sound decision on what i can read and hold in my hand and not on the emotion of us bloggers. All i ask for is the FACTS before hand (the meetings).
The only way to respect us is to complete our contract with good and respectable compensation that the consensus has definitely has earned.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't everybody just hold onto their "balls" and wait and see what the contract says. Novel idea, huh? We waited a year for this, with alot of verbal backing but no real physical backing (asses intheseatsat the hotel lobby) Where were these "in the know" people who think they can divine what's in the contract, were you in the room?with us? Where was your voice then? The company didn't make us wait a year for this itreally took this long to get it right,is our first contract and we all tried to not leave any gray areas or fuzzy language. It is the best deal you are going to get. Don't compare it to other contracts at other plants. It is our plant, our contract. Read it, pay attention when it is presented. Ratify it. The alternative from the company sucks. In other words enjoy ....zip,nothing, nada, no $$, No security just the status quo,all that has been bitched about for the last 23 years.Vote no and take your chances with the imposed zero based budgeting "total rewards" shoved down your throat or vote yes and know what you see is what you get. Protection plus. Guaranteed. Think about it. It is probably the most importatnt decision you have made in your whiole career at MCC.
ReplyDeleteThe dates for the votes were by mutual agreement, not a mandate by the company. Both sides want to see this be a done deal.
So please be patient, cool your jets. ATTEND THE MEETING THAT YOU CAN, READ PAY ATTENTION. VOTE AS YOU FEEL YOU SHOULDA. THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT A PRETTY PICTURE!
Regarding the dates some of A Crew is working on the 9th cause we had to sign up mfor overtime if interested by the 30th of August so here is the problemn.There are 7 team members working OT on the 9th not counting any people that are doing swaps.On the 12th is a regular work day for A crew so again those team member cannot go to the meeting.Please put the contract on this site or you should make a 4th date.Why can't we vote at work? I trust my fellow team members will make the right choice. Please Sam see what you can do.That you for all the time and effort wou and all our represetative put into this contract.
ReplyDeletedoes anybody know how long our contract is good for?
ReplyDeleteNo one will be held back from attending the meeting because of working overtime. Speak to your supervisor to make arrangements to attend one meeting in regard to work outside of your normal workweek. It would be impossible to match every individuals overtime schedule. I am doing my best to accommodate that. That is why I am having three meetings Friday, Saturday and Monday. It is time to bring this issue to the floor. The first place anyone should see the proposed contract is in a face to face meeting at one of our meetings. Please make every effort to attend one of the three meetings.
ReplyDeleteSam, there are rumors on ccrew about the contract thats not painting a pretty picture. I heard a lot of "fuck that" today from my union brothers and sisters. Please put an end to the rumors and show us a copy to the intended contract. I have been a supporter from the beginning and dont understand why the workers cant see a copy of the contract before the meetings. This lack of trust is not helping the cause. I will not be rushed into deciding, from you or the company. Please dont push a "no" vote from my union brothers and sisters. This contract is very important to me, to us. This contract is about the workers of MCCINBEV and we deserve to see a copy. Thank you for listening. If you guys feel the same way please chime in and your voice will be heard. But please do it respectively.
ReplyDeleteWalrus you didn't get to your current pay status by getting screwed for the last 23 years. Yet your willing to make others believe they' would have got nothing do they feel good about getting nothing now. I work for money not happy meals. And yes it is the most important part. No brainwash please.
ReplyDeleteIts time to show up people, to voice your opinion and cast your vote on whether or not we want a commitment in writing from the company. See you on the 9th,10th and the 12th.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, my dear I don't give a damn about what you think about me or my views. My pay status has nothing to do with this contract vote. I've been there and have seen the game and how it's played. I will gladly let you take my place and I wish you well doing better. As Joe D says right above this post it's time to show and cast your vote. No Brainwash. Facts. This is my final post, Thanks to everyone who helped us get this far, for your support and dedication. Vote for what's best for you.
ReplyDeleteSamual---Lets see a copy of the contract on-line. I want to be able to look at it and spend some time on it. I want to make a valuable decision. Thank you..
ReplyDeleteYou might have missed it but I explained that just above here Cliffy but maybe not explicit enough. Putting the draft contract out before meeting face to face would not be in the workers best interest. The inability to ask questions of the reps or the person that can give you the true answer would make everything subject to mass misinterpretation. It would create chaos. It will be very easy to make an informed decision at the meetings. You are all intelligent people and this is in no way above anyones head here. You are going to hear the truth about what was said and done in those negotiations - some you will like, and some you won't like.
ReplyDeleteThis is bigger than that though, this is your first contract. This is your foundation. If someone did this in 1988 things would be different right now in the 23rd year of your contract.
It really won't take long to know what your feelings are. Some have even made up their minds already, somehow.
Making an informed choice is making a smart choice. See you at the meetings.
Guys and girls, we are not going to see the contract before next week. Get over it. Maybe ask Dan for a copy. They have vested interest in it too and would want us to be sure we understood it well. I don't believe it's the company pushing hard to get it signed by the 15th. Think about it. They didn't want a contract in the first place. There is probably no money or very little offered and everyone knows it ain't going to go up. That's why we have people that want to promote all of the other aspects and accept it quickly. Our reps have worked hard and put a lot into this. That is admirable. But im sure their tired and ready to move on.
ReplyDeleteWe are about to have a deed that could go a long way toward improving the quality of work life, but let's make sure we get the part that improves the quality of our real life.... $.
So you think that if we reject the contract the company that said we are high paid will give us a really good raise? and raise our pension? and have us pay nothing more for our health coverage? take care of us forever and ever? You need a drug test.
ReplyDeleteI know if i had something big--i would wear tight shorts all year long..So everyone can see it. But i dont. :<(
ReplyDeleteLET ME ASK YOU ALL THIS.
ReplyDeleteHOW WAS YOUR LACK OF RAISES AND THE INCREASED HEALTH CARE PAYMENTS AND THE REDUCTION OF THE PENSIONS PRESENTED TO ALL OF US BEFORE????
DO YOU ALL HAVE TIME TO GO OVER IT ???
DID YOU EVEN HAVE A GROUP TO SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALVES BEFORE??????
PLEASE YOU WANT TIME TO DECIDE.
WE'VE HAD 23 YEARS WITH NOT ONE CHOICE TO DECIDE. ANY PART OF ANYTHING. WOW
WOW I SAY AGAIN. JUST AMAZING.
ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU EVEN GET A CHANCE TO DECIDE AND YOUR NOT HAPPY WITH THE TIME FRAME. LOL
I ASK YOU AGAIN WHAT DID YOU HAVE BEFORE?
If my reps are good with it and they feel they did their best .Im good with it. I have talked to almost all of them over the last month and they all replied the same way. They all agreed we are better off with something in writing than having nothing at all. Im ok with waiting to see it and have it explained and my questions answered. Thank you reps and Sam. Do you have any hats we can wear. The Tee shirts have that hot sticky big logo on the back that always sticks to my back. I want to wear it but boy is that thing annoying!
ReplyDeleteEven if you get your contract it's pretty obvious that you don't have a union in Newburgh. You appear to be very divided. Was there an overwhelming movement that has deteriorated or was the original vote not that strong in favor? It's pretty interesting to read how far apart and how determined the different opinions are from a team that is supposed to have solidified. I love your blog!
ReplyDeletesam when we have are meetings can we bring home the contract to share with our spouse before we vote on it?
ReplyDelete10:40- If four people had voted no, this blog would not exist.
ReplyDeletetoo many secrets. seems to me like another captive meeting so sam can twist and sway while not answering one question with a straight answer. who ever voted yes I'm convinced you were conned. He will say the compant wont budge but at least its in writing. What a joke, cmon guys i dont want to insult your intel but please look at the whole picture we can do better than a union
ReplyDeleteWhat other choice is there besides a union...The way it used to be...I don't think so!!! If i don't gain anything for the next three years and keep what i have..I will be satisfied...Remember cut throat Britto at least i wont hear were in a bad economy we need our work force to receive a 10 percent decrease remember why we asked 363 to
ReplyDeleterepresent us because we had kimutus and leham
negotiating in our behalf. if that is what you want then vote no.. all they are asking is people to come and see it and listen... if something needs to be ratified then is time to speak up it isn't in stone until we sign the contract.
To the Maintenance Guy in ST.Louis...
ReplyDeleteWe have a percentage of non union supporters that think it can go back to the way it use to be.They felt they were special and the majority of them had there noses so far up managements asses some of these people would even report to management union supporters not respecting there choice. I respect there choice and all i have to say is at one time you were right Newburgh MCC at one time did not need a union
but that was the past before AB got bought out
by a Third World Company where the CEO i believe is trying to compensate for his own short inadequacies of a man. This company has
drug there feet to give us what we want and yes they did make it tough. We have a strong union
very good negotiators and excellent shop stewards..we have been in limbo for what seems a
eternity so i understand unpatience of my co-workers. I do understand now why sam does
not want to post it on here.So a few individuals
can not tear it it apart bit by piece..and so anybody doen't misinterprit anything..patience
people only a couple days away.
I dont want to pay 1% for an attendance policy to be in writing....Rock on....
ReplyDeleteSt. Louis---Thanks for stoping by. Yes--Not only was it a close vote-it sems like people are divided on what is important to them in our first contract. As you can see we are fighting like cats and dogs on our blog--But it really comes down to wanting something fair and respectfull for us and the company. We are always hearing-oh--things are tight so we are raising your insurance--things are tight--so we are taking away some of your 401k--things are tight--so no raise for you this year--Then we hear Britto gets a giant bonus that he did not trickle down to the people who helped him get that bonus-then we hear abinbev profit was 26% last quarter. So i do not see much--1 hand washes the other--you scratch my back ill scratch yours-etc. So what are we looking for--TO BE TAKEN CARE OF LIKE WE DESERVE..........GO TEAM...
ReplyDeleteSam, can we have a copy of the contract now so I can make an educated choice on the 9th? There is a lot of locker room talk at the plant that dont sound good to me. A copy would put that to rest. One of the rumors is that we are only getting 1%. Is that true? I have not gotten a raise in over 3 yrs! Dude....thats not enough. Would you except that if you were trying to feed your family? Post the fucking contract for all to read....no more secrets!
ReplyDeleteNo I do believe we we get more than an attendance
ReplyDeletepolicy that has been ratified because even the old one was flawed. If you didn't get it by now
i guess you never will. If you would have made this choice years ago you would be better off today.Your not going to get the coca-cola contract
on your first contract. It is something that builds with time..Look at the brewery and what there union has ....do you think they had that on there first contract. Either way the union is in 363 is here to stay weather we got to ratify our first contract or not. Whether you realize it or not im the union your the union we all are the union..its here to stay, im here to stay, and hopefully your here to stay, stop fighting yourself, stop fighting me, i need you to help me, help yourself, help all of us, weather you realize it or not your a piece of the puzzle now and your input counts. Just go the meeting with an open mind my brother..I don't want to loose either.. that is why i chose
this..and lets see what AB-INBEV is offering us
before we start with the negatives.
RIGHT ON BIG HIPS!!!
ReplyDelete2:33-Thank you. Just how i feel and i am sure alot of others do also. Treat us fairly.....I know one thing--the more fabric on my pants-the more expensive they are. GO TEAM. Stay strong and be SAFE......
ReplyDeleteLets all take a step back before this gets any uglier. We all work at the same plant. Lets give this some time and see how it works out. No sence of fighting and swearing at each other--Lets be respectful..
ReplyDeleteSorry Cliffy,
ReplyDeleteJust tired of the same person saying let me see the contract, let me see the contract, Then to get rude about it... well that just set me off
lets all make sure to go to the meetings and see what AB-Inbev is offering us.
At least the 1% will cover our future dues and we'll have a nice contract. I'm good with that. I think insurance contributions go up too. Anyone heat different?
ReplyDelete4:02---I was hoping for a bit more..I was looking for 3%. Not paying more for our insurance. A little more for our pension. The only person making out is Sam then..
ReplyDeleteI agree. I want a good contract to start up with. I think we need one here now. When we see it all the question will be more who fought for our raises to be more and who fought for them to be less? The union or the company? I think I know those answers. I know our reps fought hard for us every time and they did the best job they could. I hope that all gets answered at the meeting. I'm coming to the meeting. I think we will learn what our company thinks of us. I hope its good.
ReplyDeleteIf we vote no will the company who said we are overpaid suddenly give us a 3% raise?
ReplyDeletesam gets a nice raise picking us up and we are left with nothing. Thank you for all you do. didnt Dan warn us about this during our round table meetings? I trust dan more than I trust Sam. Remember Sam is selling you something but I havent received a delivery.
ReplyDelete5:26-Good question. I have not seen any offers from the company yet.. Britto-Are you out there? Now is the time. What's on the table?
ReplyDeleteNon union plants got 2% plus a $1 bump to the pension. They pay the same med contributions that the union Plants and salaried get. The company can't and won't make an offer because we chose to negotiate our future. Simple. Yes, we would have got that too. Please ask the others and get informed. This is what we should be negotiating for.
ReplyDeleteWow--What do we do? Sam-help us--Show us the way..
ReplyDeleteYou can't do anything now but accept the contract for no gain and get back to work. That is what will be recommended next weekend. Watch and see.
ReplyDeleteSamual? Whats going on here? How come we can see a copy of the contract? This is scary..
ReplyDelete7:09 pm - you must have missed the answer above at Sept 2 7:06pm and Sept 3 9:10am. Scroll back Brother and I think you will understand better. If you can't after that, you are probably grandstanding. Everyone who had an issue or was interested in the process has had their concern answered. I answered and explained above why I could not post the contract. It is exactly because of what you demonstrated after being given the explanation.
ReplyDeleteCome to the meeting and ask me all of the above in person - you will get an answer to every question and concern.
All of the comments have been made and the mud has been slung. In the end, we are all on the same side. We need to be in the same room discussing that to see it.
I really hope to see you all at the meetings next week. I will explain the full choice in front of you and then you can make whatever decision you want - for or against. Don't mind me.
This process has been a great experience for your reps and for the company. We opened up many subjects that were not opened in the past and we resolved many of them too. We even saved some butts along the way - free of charge for you people worried about dues.
I believe everyone who has wanted to have their say on this blog has had the opportunity to do so, with the exception of a few crude posters.
I am making a decision for the group as a whole and closing comments until the meetings. The mudslingers are doing all they can to damper things and to undermine the group as a whole and this is a critical time. There is nothing to agrue over. The contract is scheduled to be presented and you will vote on it next Friday, Saturday and Monday.
Take the three days after Labor day to think back to before IBEW Local 363 got called in here BY YOU GUYS and think back to what you knew about your future then - after the takeover. You didn't know anything except that you were high paid and they planned to adjust it. Think about what you were told by the company about WHEN you would see your next raise. Think about what they told you about health and pension. Do me that favor - think about what they told you BEFORE we got here.
See all of you guys and ladies at the meetings. Bring your glasses, maybe a pad and a pen and probably some gum. The meeting should go about 3 hours ( more if needed )
See you all there.
Stay Strong, Stay Solid
OH YEA!
ReplyDeleteWAY TO STICK TOGETHER EVERYONE. WE WERE STRONG AND WE STAYED SOLID. WE HAVE A NICE LONG FUTURE TO MAKE NOW!!!!! FOR US AND THE REST THAT FOLLOW. WE ARE TAKING THE LEAD!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYONE'S EFFORTS THAT FINALLY ALLOW US. WE THE PEOPLE TO HAVE A SAY AND A VOICE IN OUR FUTURE AS WORKERS.
bravo everyone
ReplyDelete