Joe D. said...
Ive been away awhile and just got back in town. Im trying to catch up with everything. Im dissappointed to see some negative blogs. No matter what people believe in, if anyone has a problem or disagreement with the consensus of the people who voted in this union,please bring your thoughts and concerns to light without tearing down eachother.
We are a union. We have a consensus and we will achieve the goals of the consensus. We are not perfect, but we are willing to try to make things better for the members of this union. That is better than whinning about problems and not trying to make things better. There is always going to be disagreements between people, different points of view,different priorities. We can and have reduced those differences just by talking to each other.
We can and have been talking with the company about things that are important to us all. The company and every individual that works at our plant has a mutual need. We all need to produce a quality product that someone wants to buy.If we dont do that all of us are out of business. Period. Including our union. Sam knows that. The company knows that. Your reps know that.You know that. There. We are all on the same page.
Lets finish this negotiation and take a look together at what the company and the reps that the consensus has asked to represent them have worked on. We have voiced our concerns and they have been heard. The company will sitdown with us very soon and discuss the final aspects that are so important to everyone.
Whatever the final offer is,I truly hope that the company keeps in mind that our consensus, our people,our membership, us individuals have worked hard during all this time to keep our quality product coming out.We deserve the respect of the company. The only way to respect us is to complete our contract with good and respectable compensation that the consensus has definitely has earned.
Thank you Joe D., you are an example of what IBEW Local 363 wishes for and wants at this plant. Thank you for coming back from your vacation and going right back to the grindstone.
Thank you again Joe and all of the other Joes out there, for helping us help the good people of MCC Newburgh.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thanks Joe!
ReplyDeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are back---But i hope it is not too late..The anchor on our boat has broken and we have been floating downstream. Now we are trying to get back upstream but we are going against the current. What can we do Joe? We need your strength and guidance..
Joe----Take us up to the next level...
ReplyDeleteHey Joe!!! it's great to hear the voice of reason!!!Glad you had a good vacation .I am sure in these hard economical times EVERYONE is concerned about our future...I was taught a long time ago in my working career... "either you are part of the solution... or you ARE the problem"... We all ... (Mgt. and the hourly employees) need to give the same respect that we want... I believe we have a good organization that wants to make good quality cans for our customers... Some people like to stir the pot from time to time.. but for the most part we all have the same basic necessitities in our lives... Good quality products delivered to our customers in return for fair and equitable compensation!!! Let's all stand behind our Reps, and Sam and bring this contract home, one we can all live with... Thanks again to ALL our reps, and Sam for their hours of "un-compensated" work to insure all of us a viable means to support our families and our livelihoods!!!
ReplyDeleteSam, most of us feel exactly as Joe does. Do the best you can and bring it back to us.
ReplyDeleteJoe, you are my hero!
ReplyDeleteJoe, Joe, he's our man
ReplyDeleteCan he do it, yes he can!
Goooooo Joe!
Joe----Do you have any comments for the team? Maybe some words of encouragment? Make us confident Joe....
ReplyDeleteyou guys are killin me.Lol.
ReplyDeleteWow, I got an earfull last night from alot of people on a few issues that have been in the forefront of team members mind.
The shutdown and how it was implemented was a hot one. Part of the problem is we are in a kind of limbo area right now. Yes we are a union, no we dont have the contract finished yet. We all are aware of that. However after all the time our members and reps have spent on discussing issues and concerns and getting whats important to individuals out for discussion amongst the consensus who came to the meetings, it is obvious to most that consistency and A policy is what people want.
All who confronted me with their displeasure on how the shutdown occured has been noted and it will be relayed to Sam. However without a completed contract, we as a individuals have nothing to refer to in this situation.
A contract will ensure that when we make an agreement on certain topics, we can refer to that legal and binding agreement to make sure it gets done correctly. If it doesnt than there will be a recourse to correct it.
None of that will not and has not occured without a completed and signed contract.
On the companies behalf, I would like to think that this being the first time this summer we have had to do a shutdown, I would bet there was nothing in righting or an SOP from corporate on how to implement the employee staffing reduction for those occasions. If they had one I would assume it would have been refered to and explained by management why the actions taken were taken. I dont believe there was anything malicious done on purpose by any member of management. However, either way you look at this situation it still shows that a written understanding eliminates frustration and helps both sides be on the same page.
Imagine how easy it will be for both managers and hourlies to refer to something in writing in anticipating what will happen in these difficult situations.
Complete elimination of the unknown. Nice.
Great effort yesterday and lastnight on going after nagging problems. I want to thank every team member who hasnt given up and has been tenacious at getting this plant back to what we can and should be.
We will prevail. We will turn this place around. We are very close. Lets get it done and take a breath. We deserve it.
Joe, When this is all over please write the book. I will make sure it gets put in it's proper place and then maybe we can start talking a movie. We would have to negoiate that of course !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJoe--You are the best. The way you explain things is like music too my ears.. You are sooo smooth. Like icing on a piece of chocolate cake. You can carry me all day long. :>) Bring us back to the top Joe...Thank you.
ReplyDeleteConan your strength inspires me. I dont know if the movie should be a drama or a comedy. Ok a comedy is fine wit me. Big hips , you had me at Joe. I checked my emails. Mel brooks wants to talk.
ReplyDeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteYou are da best man in the whole world.
xxoo! You should be in Washington balancing the budget.
Joe, thanks to you, I no longer feel like "only pawn in game of life"
ReplyDeleteI want a good contract.I want a good contract. I I want a good contract. want a good contract. I want a good contract.I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract.I want a good contract. I I want a good contract. want a good contract. I want a good contract.I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract.I want a good contract. I I want a good contract. want a good contract. I want a good contract.I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract. I want a good contract.I want a good contract. I want a goodI want a good contract.
ReplyDeleteI bet Iwanna is Pete K - You the Man Pete
ReplyDeleteJoe you really are pulling the plant together! I wish you were part of the management team. You should put in for the HR job. Keep that train running. I know you are going to get us the best contract possible. Thank you Joe.
ReplyDeleteWe should get a bronze statue of Joe and put it next to Bevo. Maybe holding a contract in one hand and a pen in the other. Kind of like John Hancock signing the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteLol--Joe is the man. Keep it Rolling Joe. You have alot of weight and support behind you. As long as we keep the momentum up there is no stopping us. We just want what is fair..We should get buttons made up saying---BRING US HOME JOE..( or at least me anyway)
ReplyDeleteI will give Joe credit also--But i also want to recognize all of the other players on our team. Sam and the Reps that put in alot of time and effort into our new contract. Thank you EVERYONE for their work and dedication..
ReplyDeleteTEAM WORK // TEAM ISSUES // IF I had the respondibity of a team ,i would want the team members support thru the good and the bad.We are the team,made up of team members at MCC -New Windsor.As a majority we have voted to have Sam and 363 represent us [THE TEAM} in our quest to help secure our future.I for one , have never believed the senior management team at MCC,I only hope that they can see that we don,t want something for nothing.What we want ,I believe is[ to protect our way of life and protect our families at the very least] This is worth fighting for , in my opinion. We have new meeting coming forth the second week of August. We can all expect all eyes on us ,our actions //our reactions // are we determined to see this thru . STAY FOCUSED [TELL YOUR FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS WHAT YOUR OPINIONS ARE AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO REMAIN FOCUSED] This our time to shine ,we bought this on , we have to see it conclude in a positive way.BE SAFE // BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER // BE STRONG // BE 363 //-- RESPECTFULLY DAKOTA
ReplyDeleteHey Dakota, you're right on and we love you too. But don't get in the way of our little Joe love fest here. We're thinking of having him run for president. Gojo!
ReplyDeleteDAKOTA--Keep up the fine work and good attitude. We are close to the end. Lets finish strong and hard..
ReplyDeleteMy wife is pregnant and we are going to name our son, "Joe". Even if its a girl. Lead us all the way Joe. You are a true leader in every sense of the word. You have brought pride back to the crews, something that management has failed to do.
ReplyDeleteJoe is kicking as and taking names........
ReplyDeleteIf Joe can wash dishes like he washes all those cans--he would be a fine catch...Keep it going Joe..Your the man....
ReplyDeleteHe's supports us all just like a streak
ReplyDeleteThat's got us all aglow
He's just a man and not a freak,
Joltin' Joe Distefano.
Joe, Joe Distefano
We want you on our side
He wants a contract,
that's really fair,
starts back up this month,
and we all know he does care,
Joltin' Joe Distefano
Joe, Joe Distefano We want you on our side
From coast to coast that's all you'll hear
Of the IBEW and Joe,
He's helped bring together the Newburgh sphere
Joltin' Joe Distefano
Joe, Joe Distefano
We want you on our side
He'll live in the MCC Hall of Fame
He does great work ya' know,
Our kids will tell their kids his name
Joltin' Joe Distefano
We dream of Joey with the fair contract
Joe, Joe Distefano
We want you on our side
lol !!! Sam, let's get an annual employee award like the Heisman Trophy. We'll call it the Distefano Trophy. It can be given to those who strive to be like Joe. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job Joe! We are all behind you.
Will you please have my baby!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletefrequently asked questions on the nys dept. labor web site answers some questions on if employees are entiteled to file for unemployment benefits during our shutdown. Here is the link http://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/beforeyouapplyfaq.shtm#1
ReplyDeleteHow do we know its not Joe typing all these responses? Keep it rolling JOE.. Dont let the train stop...
ReplyDeleteI'm a man but I would still give you a kiss. Go Joe!
ReplyDeleteJoe====When are you going to make an appearance? We are waiting patiently....Like the old E F Hutton commercials---When Joe speaks--People listen..
ReplyDeleteOK, how about getting back to talking about the things that matters. Our contract, issues in the plant, any last minute concerns.How about why now we have people out on vacation and they ask for overtime and they ask for sorting? whats the plan for getting the HFI inventories down? Anybody have any input?
ReplyDeleteI think that management is having a lot of fun on this blog. Let's take it back.
ReplyDeleteManagement
ReplyDeleteLiars...Liars...Liars
August will show us what the company really feels about hourly can makers. The brewery is watching, watch the DMRs that occur if we get disrespected. I hope your reading this Dan.
ReplyDeleteThey are next for a contract. All the brewery hourly personnel are aware and are watching.
ReplyDeleteWe want a fair contract...Nothing more---Nothing less....
ReplyDeleteThats all I want
ReplyDeleteThis is where we will all see the true company and what their plans are for each of us here. I hope this ends up to be that same caring company we all were told about during the campaign. I also remember them tellin us what a bright future we had here and how the company was going to do good things for us. I believed that then and I beleve still believe it now.It would be real nice to start off on the right foot again as a real team who are now also IBEW members. We are still the same exact people. NOthing bad happened. In fact, we actually improved.We ARE STILL TEAM MEMBERS, AREN'T WE?? Having the union here is actually helping management too. And when we all know the rules and the only thing left to do is WORK.
ReplyDeleteI hope the company helps us to move on and agrees to a good contract for us that will give us some improvement in the pocket and on the floor.We need to motivate and move on.
Let's do it.
You're all living in a dream. The way they're lookin t us is "you wanted it, you got it". All this wishing for the money and to be paid like the old days ain't gonna help. Time to wake up to the real world..
ReplyDeleteand what are you living?
ReplyDeleteHey D Crewman,
ReplyDeleteIt might be a dream, but itd also Joe's dream, so it's okay by me.
D crewman if what you say is true,so what? You cant change what others think. Personally I dont care what THEY think. I can only comment on what I know. #1 is Ive worked on the contract with my brothers and sisters along with Mike and Eric from corporate, as well as Dan Kimutis and Dave Lehman. Both sides have been professional and I have not seen any taunting by any manager yet. A look can be read many different ways. Sometimes assuming an intent behind a look can lead to paranoia.
ReplyDeleteAs far as wishing for the money and being paid like the old days, is not exactly what the majority had in mind.It was quite clear to everyone who attended our meetings that a change from the old ways was needed and asked for. It will come. For the better.
Anyone who knows what we will end up with hasnt shared that with the union reps or Sam. Notice I didnt say THINK. I will not assume anything and suggest that no one should.
We are all doing fine and are closer now than ever to completing all the hard work that was done.
Please be patient a little longer and support eachother and the reps. Alot of hard work has been taking place in the plant to get it back on course. Please feel free to come talk to me about your concerns and maybe together we can help ourselves and eachother.I refuse to become negative and give in to rumor and speculation. It has no positve benefits.
Go Joe....Take no Prisoners....You keep getting knocked down but you get back up....I see a HBO miniseries in your future. Joe D vs The Hecklers...Conan signing off.
ReplyDeleteJoe==The man behind the curtain has spoken.. Your words and wisdom are priceless. He is like our secret weapon. Do your best Joe, Reps and Sam. We are looking for something that helps us and the company...Balls to the wall....
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate the skepticism by people in reference to what the company wants to give in regards to compensation. The company has made it clear in the past that we were overpaid in their eyes. We have worked hard with No increase for along time. Our people have paid the price. Our families have paid the price. The corporation has benefited from our reduction in total compensation.Its time to feed us, we are hungry. If you dont feed the workers ,they hunger and get weaker and weaker. This plant has so much invested here,not only in equipment ,but in experience in its manpower. Old and new workers all have a stake in how we are compensated. I have talked from the beginning on how we should do the best we can everyday,making this place better,and I will always believe that , but if people have to start working other jobs, we are going to lose our experience. We already have started losing good people.Its a shame. I cannot imagine that our leaders in upper management would want to lose more expertise.I cant see the benefit other than to reduce labor at such a cost. I can only use the analogy, its like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
ReplyDeleteI know that the company has said in the past that they want to retain the experience. I say the only way to do that is to increase our compensation and keep the knowledge and dedication. Its the only way.
I think I'll put that Joe poem to music. Record it in my subatomic microscopic attic studio and try to put it on the blog. Joltin' Joe if some lyrics need to be changed to fit the meter of the music is that OK with you? I'll try to not need to do that. It'll be a rocker. Write a pro union poem and we'll do that up too. It can become our rally song.
ReplyDeleteJoe--It looks like they want to take care of the workers when they reduced the 401k match. We did not have much of a say in that. Like a magic trick---Poof--it is gone.. Its all about profits and GREED. How come Britto has not come to the Newburgh plant? We are just a dollar sign to him.. We deserve more money and better benefits.. We bust our ass for this company. Working days, nights, weekends and some holidays. The company has been making profits year after year............I want my piece of the pie...or the whole pie......
ReplyDeleteWaketh up thee! Stop wishing and prepareth to fight. If thy contract is filled with gold, then hoorayeth for thee! Otherwise stoppeth the sugarcoating of the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteJoe.. I totally agree.... We are the "professional can makers"... There is a TON of expertise on our floor.. It's is time for us to continue to show the mgt. group that we are the heart n soul of MCC!!! NOBODY has or "CAN" do it better!!!Let's work together.. be the "team" that we once were.. and support our reps.. and Sam to take this negotiating process to a FINALE!!!! We are the BEST OF THE BEST!!! NO DOUBT..... So let's stop all the nonsense.. and continue to prove to mgt. here that we DESERVE a good contract one with fair and equitable compensation that we all deserve.. If they choose not to deliver it... then we must do what is right for all of us... "PEOPLE" are what makes our company strong.. always has.... always will...
ReplyDeleteThanks pickleman, I agree with you totally as do alot of people.Monty I hear you loud and clear and also alot of people have expressed those sentiments too, but I feel we should not put the cart infront of the horse, and I bet you would agree. There is a question I would like to ask you in person, when you get a chance please come see me or contact me directly.
ReplyDeleteSoooooooo? Where's the beef?
ReplyDelete