January UE 506 News

2000 YEAR IN REVIEW

Patrick J. Rafferty David E. Adams David L. Kitchen

MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT MADE THE DIFFERENCE

Normally, in January, we assess the previous year. However, the activities and the accomplishments of 2000 have already been pretty well covered in articles and through pictures that appeared in the November and December UE LOCAL 506 NEWS. We don’t want to overplay the historical and organizational significance of the year 2000 by reviewing it again, however it is well worth mentioning that our busy agenda, replete with projects and events, could not have been carried out without the efforts and support of the Local 506 Membership.

Despite our best efforts, not all aspects of membership involvement were noted in prior articles or ended up in picture form. For instance, the Job Preservation Committee was not featured. This Committee, comprised of E-Board and rank and file members, has made important contributions to the Local by investigating opportunities to bring work into the Plant and meeting with the Company to secure the targeted work. In an uncertain production year, we’re confident that the efforts of the Job Preservation Committee will continue to yield more work for our members.

What’s ahead for 2001? Well compared to last year, we know 2001 won’t be as demanding on our Union resources. After all, we have a UE-GE Contract that runs until 2003 and as exciting as it was to host our first National Convention, we won’t be taking that major project on again at any time in the near future. But that’s not to say we don’t have important matters to deal with this year.

JOBS – As of this writing the Company hasn’t given their employment projections to us for the year. We expect to learn more about their intentions before the January 24th membership meetings. However, based on what we do know from the information released at the GETS meetings, the schedule is light on orders when compared to recent years. As we explained above, the Job Preservation Committee is kicked into high gear to secure as much work as possible to shore up the schedule.

NATIONAL & DISTRICT FINANCES – Both the National UE and District Six financial reserves have diminished over the last several years leaving us to speculate that per capita increases are going to be necessary in 2001.

LOCAL FINANCES – As we reported in November, with several key indicators still not known, the membership voted to "stay the course," at least until April when all relevant information should be known.

LOCAL 506 ELECTIONS – General elections for all general offices will be conducted in March followed by steward elections in November.

As the year develops, we’re sure many other matters will arise that the Local will have to contend with, after all it’s the nature of our business. As issues do arise and more information about the schedule and related employment picture is garnered, we will be making every effort to keep you apprised and prepared to deal with them.

GENERAL ELECTION NOTICE

UE Local 506 will conduct nominations for all general offices during membership meetings on February 21, 2001 at the UE Local 506 Union Hall. Times for the meetings are 7:15 a.m. (third shift), 1 p.m. (2nd shift), and 3:25 p.m.(1st shift). Also during the February meetings, the membership will select tellers for the General Election. Nominations for the following offices will be taken from the floor at each meeting. They are: Business Agent, President, Chief Plant Steward, Vice President, Local Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Board Member at Large (three to be elected), Sergeant at Arms and Trustee (two to be elected).

The election will take place on Thursday, March 22, 2001 at the UE Local 506 Union Hall. The polls will be open from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Voting machines will be used for all offices except Executive Board Member at Large, which will be by paper ballot.

Absentee ballots for those members scheduled for temporary military leave will be available on Wednesday, March 7, 2001 at the union hall and must be returned no later than Wednesday, March 21, 2001.

By virtue of this election, the Business Agent, President and Chief Plant Steward will be delegates to the District Six Council and to the UE National Convention.

UE-GE CONFERENCE BOARD REPORT

A delegation of eight Local 506 Members attended the December 15, 2000 UE-GE Conference Board meeting at the UE National headquarters in Pittsburgh. Representing Local 506 were President Dave Adams, Business Agent Pat Rafferty, Divisional Chief Stewards Dennis Crawford, Patte Dillen and Ron Rice, Recording Secretary Dale Stubenhofer and Local 506 Members Rich Manno and Kevin Slivinski.
Business Agent Pat Rafferty was elected the temporary chairman as the first order of business and that was followed by a report from Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey on a number of GE-UE related topics.

Integrity Policies booklets – Steve explained that GE has updated their "integrity policies" booklet and distribute them during the first quarter. Like the old booklets, Steve said the new ones contain a place to sign, acknowledging both that compliance with everything in the booklet is "required" and that employees must report any possible violations of the policy by others to management. The Conference Board delegates agreed to continue UE’s policy of strongly urging employees not to sign the statement in the policy booklet.

Coordinated Bargaining Committee – UE General President John Hovis and International Representative Chris Townsend along with Steve reported on the December 12, 2000 CBC Steering Committee meeting at which Larry Cohen from the CWA was approved to sit on the committee (The IUE merged with the CWA at their last convention). The Steering Committee also discussed the Honeywell acquisition and Job Preservation Committees.

Honeywell – UE Research Director Lisa Frank gave a detailed report on GE’s purchase of Honeywell. Lisa noted that this is the first major acquisition that has a large amount of manufacturing operations and a significant number of unionized employees since GE acquired RCA. Approximately 20% of Honeywell’s U.S. workforce is unionized amounting to about 16,000 union members in addition to about 25,000 in European woks councils. The merger will boost GE to second place among all corporations in gross revenues, and is clearly an attempt by GE to continue increasing both its dividends and stock price, according to Lisa. The biggest complimentary fit of the two companies is in aerospace. Honeywell’s controls and chemical divisions also fit well with GE.

   Kitchen's Kabinet

Welcome to the new year and I hope the Holidays treated you well.

As we gear up for a new year of challenges let’s keep in mind that more things get accomplished when we act together towards common goals.

I’d like to reflect for a moment on the past year. There were 68 grievances submitted for discussion in 2000. Compared to 88 grievances in 1999. Why do we continually see a reduction in the number of grievances submitted? Several factors are more than likely responsible for the reductions. First, the Union has put much of its resources into resolving the issues as they arise on the shop floor. Our Stewards and Chief Stewards have been very good at keeping issues in front of the boss rather than pass them on to the Union Hall for resolution. Another reason may be that the Company is paying more attention to those grievances, which are filed (Step II) because they are starting to recognize the seriousness of our complaints. Whatever the reason, your right to file a grievance is the single most important right under our contract with the company and we will continue to demand that the company treat this right with the respect it deserves.

As for the new year, my message is short and sweet, READ YOUR CONTRACT BOOK. The new books started to be distributed in the shop in the second week in January. If you have not asked for or received your book, see your supervisor. Reading the contract is important for all members but especially the Stewards because they are the first contact a member has on a problem.

Stewards classes will begin during the month of March, please see the schedule printed on this page for the dates and times. Remember; in addition to Stewards and Alternate Stewards, all interested members are invited to attend any or all of the classes.

PENSION RELATED SERVICE EXPLAINED

By Pat Rafferty

Do I lose pension service credits when I'm temporarily or permanently laid off? What happens if I'm on sick leave and work less than 1000 hours in a particular year? If I work a lot of overtime, can I receive more than a one pension credit in a calendar year? What's PBS and PQS? These are all commonly asked questions regarding pension service that all too often receive improper and or varied answers.

Why am I bringing this subject up now? Because rumors are abound that there will be either another SERO Window opened up this year or that layoffs are eminent, providing opportunities for regular SEROs. In this article, I will explain Pension service, however this in no way confirms that we have been notified of any impending layoffs. In fact the Local’s Job Preservation Committee have been working to prevent layoffs in 2001 and are resolved to do everything possible to maintain full employment. As far as another "Window" opening up in 2001, GE would have to go back to the negotiating table with us, and I sincerely don't think that's in the cards.

Hopefully, the following information will help you understand the two types of pension service, when each is applied, how service credits are accrued and how credits are lost or suspended.

PENSION QUALIFICATION SERVICE (PQS) is used to determine "eligibility" for pension benefits. PQS has no bearing on how much your pension will be worth. For each year that you work at least*1000 hours, you will be credited with one year PQS.

Examples of when PQS is used to determine pension eligibility:

Regular SEROs – There must be a permanent job loss event, you need at least 25 years of PQS and be age 55 to 59.

SERO 30 – You must be directly impacted by a lack of work and have no opportunities for placement or displacement (or be placed on a job that results in an 18% decrease in wages), you must have at least 30 years of PQS and be under age 55.

PENSION BENEFIT SERVICE (PBS) - is used to calculate the "amount" of some of your pension benefits. In simplified terms, it is equivalent to your full and partial years of service while you participate in the GE Pension Plan.

PQS and PBS Q & A

Q: Do I lose PBS and PQS credits when I’m laid off or on leave due to illness or an accident?

A: No, PQS and PBS continues during periods of absence due to sick leave and lack of work as long as you do not *break service.

Q: How about military leave? A: PBS and PQS are credited for military time if you promptly reported back to the company.

Q: Can I gain more Pension Qualification Service, PQS by working overtime?

A: No, working overtime may help you reach the 1000 hours quicker, but in no case will you be credited with any more than one year PQS in a given calendar year.

Q: When won’t I receive PQS or PBS?

A: Here are some ways you can or may have lost PBS and PQS:

No credit is applied to employees while not a participant in plan.

2. Some strikes (no credits were applied during the 1969 strike)

3. Employees were offered, but did not buy back PBS, lost service for that period.

Prior to 1991, if you were absent for over two weeks before you had 12 months of service (Continuity of Service), credits were not applied for that period of absence.