We have some good news. The company is recalling 3 Millwrights on the 26^th of Oct. and have posted for an Electrical and Mechanical Tech for X&Y. This may result in recalling 2 more skilled tradesmen. It is the company’s intention to recall (4) Millwrights on Jan. 4^th, (4) Millwrights Feb. 1^st, (2) Electricians March 1^st and (1) Electrician May 3rd. The company has committed to replace anyone who is retiring in Skilled Trades. There is a possibility of a few retirements by the end of the year and early next year. Hopefully, this will bring everyone back who was laid-off from the trades.

         Your plant committee is disappointed in the company’s decision to contract out the dismantling of the 50M with the use of contractors, while we still have our craftsmen laid-off. However, it is good to know that they are coming back. 

        We filed NLRB charges against the company for contracting out the repair/rebuild of Graco pumps, centrifugal pumps, air hoists, and furnace fan units without notifying the union. The NLRB was ready to meet with the company to resolve this issue. The company did not want to deal with them. We were able to settle the issue, with the company committing to keep the work in- house and to notify the union of all future repairs/rebuilds.

        The Tool Crib Attendant and Maint. Truck Drivers are not being utilized on the weekends. We have Generalists and Tool Crib Attendants laid off. If you need materials moved (ex. toolboxes, welding machines, pipe machines, scissor lifts etc.) to another building, the supervisor should be calling the Maintenance Truck Driver. How would you like it if you were laid off from your classification and your co-worker was taking it upon himself to perform your job? Think about it.

        It has been 7 months, and we are still awaiting the Arbitrator’s decision concerning the letter on pg. 194 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement where it states: “...the company will not layoff any current members of the Facility Generalist classification or other members of the bargaining unit while contract workers are performing landscaping and related work in the Facility Generalist classification.”

         In addition, we will be in arbitration again on Oct 27, concerning the bidding process in the Buildings and Yards Lines of Progression concerning the FMS position. The Arbitrator previously ruled in the company’s favor citing: “ legitimate business needs” saying that the lines of progression in the Building and Yards Dept. were dysfunctional. However, the arbitrator did rule this was a non-precedent setting ruling. This gives us an opportunity to have another ruling from an arbitrator that I hope will be binding and in our favor.

WE plant Committee,

Bobby Hayes, Chair

John Kordeleski, Vice Chair.

Ralph Cook II, 1st Chief Steward

Reginald Childs, 2^nd Chief Steward

Mike Shaffer, 3^rd Chief Steward