December 2003 UE 506 NEWS

DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE

Chief Steward Dave Kitchen will swear in stewards during their respective shift meetings.

The Financial Officers will review Fiscal Year 2003 for the membership, layout projections for Fiscal Year 2004 and explain their recommendations. A full financial report and the recommendations to be considered are laid out on pages 6 and 7.

Committee Reports will include a report on the December 10th Jobs with Justice, workers rights demonstration.

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND TIMES ARE:

*Thursday, December 18, 2003 (All meetings)

7:20 a.m. (3rd Shift)    1:00 p.m. (2nd Shift)    3:20 p.m. (1st Shift)

NOVEMBER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

District Six Delegates Elected - Four district delegates and three alternates were elected to represent our Local at all UE District Council Six meetings scheduled for 2004. The following members, along with the officers, comprise the Local 506 delegation:

Delegates:

Alternate Delegates:

1. Mark Pierson

1. Dave Allen

2. Matt McCracken

2. Jeff Morealli

3. Sean Lynch

3. Mike Benedict

4. Dennis Crawford

  

Constitutional Amendment Adopted - The Amendment published in the October and November NEWS regarding the funding of retiree watches passed membership vote by a large margin. As a result, watches ordered recently and all future watches will be funded by the Strike Defense Fund. Because the Strike Defense Fund maintains a steady return on investment, we will be able to purchase the watches using earned interest rather than touching the principal. The watches currently cost $70.00 and we normally order 100 at a time. The watches are manufactured by American Time Products by members of IAM, Local Lodge 1868.

VICE PRESIDENT WILL NOT BE REPLACED - Members voted not to hold a special election to fill the remaining term of office of vice president. The office, left vacant through Joe Ambrose’s retirement, was already scheduled to be combined with the office of recording secretary effective April 2005, per an Amendment adopted in July 2003.

2004 Holiday Schedule Approved - The Holiday schedule, as printed in last months NEWS and reprinted below was adopted by the membership.

New Years Day Thursday, January 1
Martin Luther King’s Birthday Monday, January 19
Good Friday Friday, April 9
Memorial Day Monday, May 31
Independence Day Monday, July 5
Labor Day Monday, September 6
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 25
Day after Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 26
Day before Christmas Thursday, December 23
Christmas Day Friday, December 24
*Floating Holiday

*Requires management approval and one week’s notice. Must be used for Monday following Thanksgiving (November 29th) if going to be absent that day. If floating holiday has already been used and an unpaid absence occurs on November 29th holiday pay for November 26th may be denied. The floating holiday must be used in lieu of unpaid absences following the exhaustion of vacation and sick and personal pay. Holiday will be granted in order in which employee’s request it, not to exceed 10% of the work group.

Conference in India Scheduled for January - Chief Plant Steward Dave Kitchen reported that he has been selected as a delegate to attend the World Social Forum to be held in Mumbai, India January 12th through the 23rd 2004. This conference was established in the year 2000 as an alternative to the World Economic Forum held in Dravos, Switzerland. The World Economic Forum is held each year and its mission is to discuss the globalization and capitalization of the world’s economies. The World Social Forum was started to address the impact of these economic policies on the peoples of every nation. Dave further explained that the delegates represent many sectors of society such as trades unionists, community organizations, women’s groups, indigenous peoples, students, environmentalists, rural and landless groups. The Union’s work on International affairs and the Local’s work regarding our fight against job loss has received international attention and led to the invitation and funding for the trip. A full report of the conference will be given at the Membership meeting in February.

ELECTION NOTICE: NOMINATE AND VOTE FOR DIVISIONAL CHIEF STEWARDS IN JANUARY

Elections for Divisional Chief Stewards will be held in the shop between January 15 and 23, 2004. 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 January 5, 6 or 7, 2004. Nominations will be closed at 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 7, 2004. 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 4:00 P.M. on Friday, January 9, 2003. 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 Candidate’s 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. The Divisional Election Committee representative will post notices for the election in prominent locations 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.

POWERHOUSE NEGOTIATIONS WIND DOWN

On November 24th, the negotiating committee made somewhat of a breakthrough in coming to terms concerning the Company’s plan to shutdown the turbines thus eliminating many of the Powerhouse workers.

When the Company first announced their plan to purchase electricity, rather than spend $20 million for the necessary EPA upgrades, the Local 506 Officers were led to believe that the Company would rather invest money upgrading the plant and equipment. Shortly after negotiations began however, the Company stated whistling another tune. They backed off of any solid commitment to make the Plant more viable forcing the Officers to press the issue at the table during following sessions. On the 24th the Company stated that the new -----would sit down with the Officers to explain where the savings from the Powerhouse would be invested. Further the Company stated that they fully understand the Union’s expectations.

To insure fair treatment, the Officers will continue to work with the workers impacted by the Company’s decision, both those facing the layoff and Recall Procedure and those who will remain in the Powerhouse on restructured jobs.

ODDS AND ENDS

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS - If this is your first time reading the 506 NEWS it’s a good bet you’re one of the *164 new members hired in the Plant over the last couple of months. On behalf of the E-Board we’d like to welcome you and encourage you to attend meetings and get involved. This is your Union.

*We anticipate that at least 35 additional members will be joining our ranks by the time this paper is distributed.

GE REORGANIZATION – As has been well publicized by now, our Transportation Division has been merged with Aircraft Engines to form the new GE Transportation Division. At this point we don’t foresee any major changes affecting the hourly ranks, but we’ll be talking with union representatives who have been through this before with GE, like in the Lighting and Appliance Divisions. Through the merger, we will see David Calhoun back as our CEO. I don’t think he left here with any bad feelings towards us ….. but there was the one time…hmmm. In any event, Charlene Begley will continue to oversee the railroad business, which will be called "GE Rail".

SHUTDOWN - The Company has informed the Union that they are planning a split Shutdown for 2004. They are scheduling Fiscal Week # 27, June 28th through July 5th (Monday July 5th is a Holiday) and Fiscal Week # 53, December 27th to January 3rd, (Since the Jan. 1st Holiday falls within this week, the 2nd week of the split Shutdown would only require four days of vacation).

SERO RESULTS - Nationwide, regarding the 600 negotiated SERO Window options for 2004: 8,422 union members were eligible and 3,983 applied. The final qualifying PBS needed was 34.246 years. 72 UE Members retired out of Erie. Of the IUE shops, Louisville had the largest number with 250, Fort Wayne had 35 and Lynn ended up with 34 and Schenectady had only 17.

LOCAL 506 WEBSITE - This is a reminder that the Local 506 Website has changed to www.uelocal506.org

BROTHERS and SISTERS - As we near the end of the year, on behalf of my fellow officers Dave Kitchen and Frank Fusco, I want to take this opportunity to thank all members for the outstanding support you gave us this past year. Your contributions and dedication to UE Principles continues to make our Local one of the most respected organizations in the labor movement. Happy Holidays to you and your families. P.R.

COLA INCREASE ANNOUNCED

Effective December 15, 2003, GE Workers covered under the UE-GE National Contract will receive a six cents (.06) per hour cost of living adjustment). This reflects an increase of 0.61% in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from June 2003 through October 2003. Under our new and improved formula of one cent for each full 0.09% rise in the CPI-W, this yields six cents. An additional ten cents was paid effective April 28, 2003.

SPORTS SHORTS

TURKEY TOURNAMENT HELD AT IROQUOIS GYM

The Sports Committee volleyball tournament held on November 22 was no "turkey" as Local 506 Members forming six teams vied for top honors in their division.

In the Intermediate High Division, recently retired Paul Dietrich’s team, the "Flocking Turkeys", ruled the roost. In the Intermediate "Low" Division "Horn of Plenty", captained by Roger Zaczyk, Bldg. 6, stuffed it to the competitors.

BASKET OF CHEER WINNERS

The Sports Committee sends thanks for your continued support of their annual
"Basket of Cheer" fundraiser. The money raised helps the committee fund events throughout the year that provide entertainment for our members and help some deserving folks out - like the patients at the Veteran’s Hospital. And the winners of the raffle are…

Mike Chase, Bldg. 6,

 Chris McShane, Bldg. 12

Marie Finn, Bldg. 6,

John M. Henry

Ian Gurd, Bldg. 5

  

V.P. JOE AMBROSE RETIRES

Brother Joe Ambrose retired on September 1, 2003 due to a disability. He left the Company with over 30 years of service, during 14 of those years he served as Local 506 Vice President making Joe one of the longest-serving officers in the history of the Local.

Joe was an active member making contributions to the Local before being elected to the Board in June 1989, but it is his accomplishments and the deeds he has performed while holding office that have made him one of the most respected members to serve our organization.

In addition to holding a steward position for many years, Joe also did a stint as Building 2’s Alternate Chief Steward. Shortly after being elected to the Board he assumed the duties of Chairman of the newly formed Health and Safety Committee, a forerunner to some of our current Local-sanctioned safety programs.

JOE AS THE E.A.P. LIASON

Perhaps Joe’s most notable work for the Union has been his commitment to the Employee’s Assistance Program. Joe became the Local’s liaison to the E.A.P in 1996 and since that time he has been on call days, nights and weekends to answer questions or to coordinate getting members help through the proper agencies. Not an enviable job, but one that Joe has carried out with distinction.

On behalf of the Board and Members the 506 NEWS wants to thank Joe for his years of service to the Union and wish him the best in retirement. Joe was to undergo knee surgery this past Tuesday. We’re sure that he would appreciate a card from his Local 506 friends, especially those he has assisted. (Cards can be sent to 1326 W 20th Street, Erie, Pa, 16502)

CONGRATULATIONS STEWARDS & ALTERNATES

2004-2005

Thanks go out to everyone who showed a willingness to represent the Union on the shop floor by running for Steward or Alternate in the November elections.

On the following list you will see the names of members that have appeared several times in the past, these are the stalwarts of the Local who provide the foundation of our great Local. Also on this year’s list, you will see many new names, members who have stepped up to fill a good number of voids created by retirements and job transfers. We welcome these new representatives and we want convey our appreciation to the veteran stewards. We look forward to working with all of you and supporting you over the next two years.

HOME     506 NEWS    MEETINGS