Open Forum - What Say You?

This is an open forum for all employees of MCC.

What would you like the company to know before we go into what could be our last round of negotiations?

What would you like the union to know before we go into what could be our last round of negotiations?

What would you like your co-workers to know before we go into what could be our last round of negotiations?

What are your thoughts about the plant in general?

Stay Solid, Stay Strong we are almost there!

Negotiations For July Moved

This will be a short post.

Our negotiations for July will be moved to the beginning of August.

A personal issue on the management negotiation team will prevent attendance and cannot be avoided. I have had the situation explained to me and I agreed to give the time that is needed for them to respond.

I will book the negotiation room for the second week in August in the meantime.

If you guys want to have a general meeting, let's have one.

Give me some dates and times for each of the shifts to attend two seperate 2 hour meetings. I would like them to start at 1pm each time and have them at the IBEW Local 363 Building. Any day but Tuesday will probably work for me.

We can have some good general discussions.

I hope some of the detractors come to heckle me.....lol

Next Negotiations Begin The Week of July 25

The next negotiations will begin the week of July 25 at the Homewood Suites in Newburgh.

With the change of People Manager, there are a few things that may need to be cleared up - such as the elusive attendance policy. That may add some time to the process but no matter what, it still needs to be clarified.

If there has been any issue that we have requested that the company has not brought to the table in any form that you can take in and digest, it is that one.

That is just one stone that still needs to be turned.

Should we let it go because we are afraid of taking any longer?

No.

The contract will be made and Local 363 is going to work hard to have it finished this session. We know what the people want and we will bring that to the table.

Happy Independence Day!

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

New Jersey Attorneys Join the IBEW

Thought it would be interesting to show everyone at MCC who else feels the right to organize is a very valuable right.

It is also very interesting to note that more and more workers in ALL fields are choosing the IBEW - the right choice.

All workers who work for a paycheck to support a family need to be organized to have a voice. The alternative is too open ended.

You guys saw the value of being organized and you are now close to getting your first contract in place. A contract you can build on for years to come.

Stay Strong, Stay solid.

Next Negotiation Meetings Begin July 25: Support Your Reps

The next negotiations for the contract will begin on Monday July 25 at the Homewood Suites down the road from the plant. We normally start late on Mondays - sometime in the afternoon - to give the company reps a chance to get in from the airport. Every other morning we get there around 9:30am to get set up for the day and we meet with the company soon after that.

During this next week of negotiations, we will cover all monetary issues like wages, health, pension and establishing the 401(k) into the contract.

Between now and then is a great time to work hard, make cans and to openly display your support for your reps and Local 363.

Remember, we are there for you. We represent you sitting there.

We are going to ask for fair compensation for you in all of the above. After we ask for that fair compensation, the company will respond. We will bring that response back to you. We believe that the company will be fair and does see the value in an organized workforce in Newburgh.

We have all surely put our best foot forward up to this point, so we hope to get a nice first contract on which we can build a future for all and a solid relationship with the company.

It's all about money. They need to make money. Big money. We need to work hard to make sure they make that money.

We just need to get our cut out of the pie too - not be cut out of the pie.

Stay strong, Stay solid

Support your reps and IBEW Local 363!

We Have Turned The Page: MCC Newburgh Is IBEW 363!

It has finally happened. The union at MCC Newburgh is finally aware of who it is.

It is YOU GUYS.

YOU ARE 363. YOU ARE IBEW!

Wow! Thanks for the support you guys showed the committee today. We couldn't believe the amount of chairs we had to get - lucky I ordered four pies. It was great to have the discussions we had about some of the recent subjects to hit the table. I think it is very clear to most that there surely is a lot to cover and think about when you are putting together a contract.

Today was great to be part of and watch.
Things progressed in a forward motion today and we cleaned up a few items. We still have a few things to hash out before we can say our "language" articles are complete.
We will most likely complete those language issues by the end of this week.

If we get to that point, we will begin to discuss some of the economic issues in general.

I want to acknowledge that people are coming to visit on their days off or even after a long shift sometimes - it is inspiring. Thanks for coming and stop by any day. Between 11:30am and 1pm seems to be the best time if you want a window. Text your reps if you can to let us know you are there.

Stay Strong, Stay Solid, Support each other