Standing Committees
Updated 6-13-2008
President Jeff Judson
As you all know there is a lot going on around us. As usual, during the summer months our plant tends to thrive and with the already 90-degree weather, it makes the atmosphere in the plant uncomfortable. It is extremely important that we continue to drink lots of fluids in order to stay hydrated. In approximately four weeks numerous volunteers will converge on the V.A. Hospital in Brecksville to hold a ‘Christmas in July’ event for OUR Veterans. Everyone is invited and we encourage you to sign up to volunteer for this very special event. With the help of the UAW Veterans Committee and Alcoa management, this is going to be the best Christmas in July…ever! Please contact Brother Jesse Deel to sign up.
Well after three months of waiting, the arbitration decisions are in. The case of our two Brothers that were discharged for the alleged offense of “gross negligence’ has been overturned. Their disciplines were reduced to a seven-day suspension and they will be receiving full back pay and seniority. As for the other case, the one that dealt with the bidding procedure for the FMS Classification…we were not so fortunate. For some reason, the Arbitrator felt obligated to deny this grievance but not to set a precedent??? Never before have we seen an answer like this. What does this mean? It means that our Brothers and Sisters that applied for this job, either through the line of progression or from different areas in the plant, will not be awarded the position. There were a number of you that were qualified and we felt strongly about this case. It is very heart breaking that the Arbitrator ruled the way he did.
August is going to be a busy month. On Tuesday August 12, 1948 the UAW charted Local 1050. Our Local Union was born. This is our 60th Year in existence. We should all be very proud of this accomplishment and we are planning a celebration. The celebration will be held on Friday August 15, 2008 in front of building 118. With the help of Alcoa Management, we will have a luncheon and there will be some distinguished guests. Local 1050 wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Alcoa and Alcoa wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for UAW Local 1050!!! In addition to the party on Friday, the next day, August 16th is the 1st Annual Joint Family Day at Cedar Point. Your recreation committee reached out to the appropriate people in management and they have worked tirelessly to put this together. This is going to be a jam-packed weekend that will allow us all to meet and talk outside the walls of the plant.
If it hasn’t become obvious, Alcoa has taken the position when it comes to anything safety related that they are going to impose SEVERE discipline. This began with the Seafler/Simonski incident and we thought that once the Arbitrator agreed with the Union that management would reconsider. They have not. As of the writing of this update, two of our Brothers have been discharged…and one pending. The membership ID cards that were distributed have our Weingarten Rights on the back…please use them. It also seems as if Alcoa is targeting those members with a significant amount of seniority (25 years +). We are currently investigating this and are considering filing EEOC charges against Alcoa, Inc. for discrimination. We’ll keep you posted.
The numbers are in for the June 2008 cost of living adjustment date and the numbers do not warrant an increase. The Federal Government adjusts the consumer price index so this shouldn’t be a surprise.
On behalf of your Executive Board, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy summer! We also ask that you reach out to our retirees…they built this plant and set the path for us. Call a retiree and say ‘Hi".
In Solidarity, Jeff Judson President UAW Local 1050