December 2001 UE 506 News
In Sympathy
The entire UE Local 506 organization mourns the loss of our brother, Dale Erickson who died on December 3, 2001 due to a Plant accident. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to Dale’s family and to his many friends.
In Sympathy
The Officers and Executive Board of UE Local 506 also wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Richard Stiles, Building 2.
ELECTION NOTICE: NOMINATE AND VOTE FOR DIVISIONAL CHIEF STEWARDS IN JANUARY
Elections for Divisional Chief Stewards will be held in the shop between January 17 and 25, 2002. Any UE 506 Member in good standing can run provided they have paid Union dues for 12 months prior to the election. Candidates for Divisional Chief Steward must also have served as a Steward or Alternate Steward for at least 12 months.
Nominations for Divisional Chief Stewards must be made at the UE Local 506 Office, during regular business hours on the first three working days in January (Jan. 2nd, 3rd 4th). Nominations will be closed at 5:00 P.M. on Friday, January 4, 2002. Any member in good standing can nominate a candidate for these offices or the candidates can nominate themselves. The member making the nomination will pick up an acceptance form and a questionnaire. These MUST be filled out by the candidate and returned to the Union Hall Office no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 8, 2002. The individual making the nomination is responsible for delivering these forms to the candidate.
The names of all Candidates will be published in a special UE Local 506 Bulletin, along with information on each Candidates attendance at Local Union Meetings, Union Offices held, and a brief statement of qualifications.
Two tellers per shift will be chosen, by mutual agreement of the Candidates, to conduct the election in the Division. Notice of the election will be posted in prominent locations in the Division at least three days before the election. The posting will list the candidates, date, hours of voting, and where and how the voting will be conducted. Newly elected Chief Stewards will be sworn in at the third shift Membership Meeting in February.
The complete rules for Union Elections are contained in the UE Local 506 Constitution. If you do not have a copy, see your Chief Steward or stop by the Union Hall to pick one up.
ODDS AND ENDS
Rates for Dependant Life Insurance will increase in 2002, Option I will go up $.15, Option II $.30, Option III $.45 and Option IV $.60 per week. LTD, PAI, Security Life and A Plus Insurance will remain unchanged.
Congratulations to Leo Swigonski, Bldg. 7. Leo has been selected to carry the Olympic torch in Erie on January 1, 2002
Recently retired 506 member Ray Kibbe that he will still be hosting the "Bowling Roundup" for charities. The 2002 tournament will be held on March 3rd.
The Times Needy Fund benefited by the act of one of our members. Sue Smock found $50 bucks on the floor in Building 2. Figuring it was someone’s hard earned money, she turned over to her PTA. One month later Sue opened her check and saw that the Company had added $50 for her honesty. That money went directly to the Times Needy Fund and the Company donated another $50 to the food bank in honor of Sue’s act.
A New Committee has been formed to study our Local’s policies and to make recommendations regarding our election procedures. The committee is comprised of members with past experience as Tellers in general elections. At the conclusion of their work, they will present their suggested changes to the executive board and membership. P.R.
Kitchen’s Kabinet, December 2001
It’s the end of the year already and it appears we will close out 2001 with a slight increase in grievance activity. In 2000, the Union processed sixty-nine Step #2 cases. As of December 2001, we have had seventy cases at the Step #2 level.The majority of the grievances filed were in two categories, job security and discipline cases.
On the job security issue, the Union was active filing grievances where the company would not backfill jobs left vacant by attrition and when the company used contractors to do some maintenance work. The Union must never give up on the fight for job security; the fight must continue to be in our lifeblood to secure the future for all of us and those who will follow us.
With next year’s light production forecast, we will continue our efforts to press the company into securing even more work for our plant. We know a lot of temporary lack of works occurred across the plant this past year and in most cases the LOWs were unavoidable. However, we also know that some members have asked to be laid off. Your Union has been on record in discouraging members from volunteering for LOWs unless it is the only alternative.
One last job security issue regards SEROs. All of us should remember that SEROs were negotiated as a last resort to permanent layoffs. In other words to provide a retirement rather than laying someone off or giving up a job. Now some members believe it is an unconditional early retirement plan and have asked the Union and Company to try to SERO out as many members as possible, which is the same as asking for as many layoffs as possible. It has been brought to our attention that certain management representatives have gone so far as to tell interested SERO eligible candidates that they will be doing what they can to satisfy all of the SEROs that they can. What we expect management to be saying is that they will be doing everything they can to secure work for this plant. The Union certainly is not opposed to early retirements but those retirements shouldn’t have strings attached to them that do not provide replacements for the SERO retirees
Newly elected Stewards should make sure they have received a Stewards kit from the previous Steward. If one is not available contact your Chief Steward so a kit can be ordered. Stewards should also approach their manager to request a current seniority list for their area of representation. As a Steward you should read your contract book and GE benefits book regularly. Both books should be kept handy to answer questions members may have. Knowing your rights under the contract and what your benefits provide can save a lot of aggravation and in some cases a lot of money. If you’re not sure of an answer to a contract or benefits question then contact your Chief Steward or call the Union Hall for clarification.
Steward’s classes will be scheduled for the early part of 2002, sometime after the Chief Stewards elections have been conducted in January. Classes will be held after the 3rd and 1st shifts and before 2nd shift at least one day a week for approximately a month.
I sincerely hope your holidays are safe and enjoyable and I look forward to working with all of you in the New Year.