We are still attempting to get all our laid off members back to work. Manpower shortages exist in all of our departments. In particular, the two laid off machine shop members could be utilized immediately. We continue to run shorthanded and without coverage on many of the weekends. We are hearing that one of our members in the machine shop will be retiring early next year and we will make every effort to have him replaced as soon as this happens. We continue to run the departments with inaccurate headcounts which means the books carry people who for one reason or another are not actually performing work for Alcoa due to their inactive status. This gives the impression that there are more people in the department than there are who are at work on a daily basis.

          We are starting to see some pullback on the overtime in some of our departments for the weekends. We are running partial schedules even though production is working full. I would like to remind everyone to do their job but do it safely. If you need help with your assignment ask for it. We do not want anyone injured because they are working shorthanded.

          We are continuing to be presented with contracting out notices involving many of our crafts. Many major jobs and rebuilds that Alcoa is taking on require manpower needs beyond our current population. We constantly bring to the Company our concerns surrounding lack of manpower. We have talked to the Company about reinstituting an Apprenticeship program. Their only response has been that it may be something they will look at in 2012.

          The Company has hired a Boiler House Operator but we feel they are still understaffed in this department. We have lost three Operators this year, with one passing away, one retiring and just recently we lost one through the discipline process.

          The Company is in the process of taking applications for the FMS classification. The application was posted in the plant. If no qualified applicant is obtained through this posting, the Company will accept applications from the street.

          Several of our departments are being evaluated by the Wage Study Committee and there are still some departments who have requested a study. The Committee may recommend some Job Grade increases if it can be shown that the scope of their job has changed enough to warrant these increases. Please be clear and precise with your information if being interviewed by the Committee.

          The Company is in the process of installing a few dozen cameras throughout the plant. The reason given to the Union was to capture the product process and for product quality. There have been several discussions and presentations to the Union surrounding these cameras. The Union feels these cameras can be better utilized from different angles and from different locations than from where the Company is proposing. The Union’s issue is the cameras being directed at our membership. We believe these cameras can accomplish what the company needs without our members being filmed for eight or twelve hours a day.

          We have also been informed that these cameras will be in use even during down production periods, such as Holidays and non-scheduled weekends. Motion will cause activation and taping will take place even though no production is running. We do not understand how these times will capture the production process and product quality. Please be aware of the locations of these cameras and be forewarned that the Company has stated that these cameras may be used against our members if there is a violation of the Company’s Code of Conduct.

         We have been working for the last several months on getting the Holiday swiping screen to show the names of volunteers. It is now available on the computers when you swipe for overtime and surprisingly fairly simple to follow. This was in place for the Thanksgiving holiday, so take the time to familiarize yourself with it. I would like to thank Brian Williams for his help in coordinating this with the people who had to do the reprogramming.

         As always, your Committee would like to remind you to work safely and adhere to all the safety rules. When in doubt of the proper procedure, get help through your supervisor and your Safety Rep. The Company continues to take the position that you will be found at fault and possibly disciplined even if you were given improper instruction by your supervisor. Use your ‘help chain’ all the way to the top if you are ever in doubt.

         The W.E. Plant Committee would like to wish all our members a safe and happy Holiday season and prosperous 2012.

 
Dennis Balis
UAW Local 1050
WE/Skilled Trades Chairman