JUNE MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE

3:20 p.m. (1^st Shift)

Kitchen’s Kabinet, June 2002

Over 200 hundred grievances have been submitted this year, the most grievance activity the Union has seen in many years. The increased activity is due in part to the Company’s layoffs and transfer of work announcements in January.

Since last month, grievances over subcontracting transportation work and the general mismanagement of the transportation area have been filed. Transportation was one of the areas that the company announced would be affected by the January "transfer of work". Since the announcement we have been negotiating to keep the work here. More than likely it will remain as part of our bargaining unit. Mismanagement was a large part of the Union’s argument as to why the area looked so bad on paper. As part of the agreement to keep the transportation business, in the future, it will be managed by the warehouse group. In the mean time it appears the current management is doing everything possible to make a bad situation worse, let’s not let that happen.

A Step #3 grievance meeting was held May 23rd in Cleveland. We had eleven cases on the agenda. An Article XXIII grievance from Central Maintenance concerning notification and bargaining was discussed. The Union’s position would provide for notification and bargaining on certain trade work the company announced would be subcontracted in 1995. The reason given for that subcontracting notice was the company could better utilize our trades groups doing the landlord type work and there was enough work to keep them busy. This is certainly not the situation today. With subcontracting occurring daily and scheduled volume driven layoffs, we insisted that our bargaining unit perform this work. After an intense discussion both sides agreed to return this case back to the local for further investigation and discussion.

Another case discussed at Step #3 involved the company’s practice of not providing a weeks notice or a weeks pay for those returning workers who were laid off while out on sick leave. The Union believes this local practice violates the contract. During the discussion, the company spokesperson said he understood the Local’s position but defended their position by saying it was a corporate wide practice and their interpretation of the contract. They were not willing to change the practice. They did however suggest this be a subject for national bargaining in 2003.

Several cases of management doing bargaining unit work were also discussed. The company stated they are doing what they can to sensitize management on this issue and it is not their intent to perform our work. We must keep a watchful eye on this and hold them to this commitment.

Finally, this will be my last article before shutdown and I for one am looking forward to the time off. I hope whatever your plans are to enjoy the vacation, you do it safely.

ODDS AND ENDS

One year from tomorrow, Saturday June 15th, the 2000-2003 UE-GE National Agreement will terminate. That may seem a long way off to some but in reality that much time will be needed to develop our bargaining goals, research materials to support our proposals, reinstate the strong lines of communication and, organizationally, make sure every member is plugged into the contract process.

CBC AND UE-GE CONFERENCE BOARDS WILL MEET THIS MONTH

There are 14 unions in the Coordinated Bargaining Committee (CBC) that negotiate with GE. UE President John Hovis and UE-GE Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey sit on the CBC Steering Committee, which meets on June 25^th in Washington, D.C. The CBC is expected to discuss and develop contract strategies.

On June 27th, the UE-GE Conference Board Committee will meet to begin preparations for the 2003 negotiation and to hear the CBC Steering Committee’s report and recommendations. The officers, several members of E-Board and two rank and file members will represent Local 506.

MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMNET IS THE KEY
After the 2000 contract negotiations, many members commented on the improved communications and it is our plan to use the same network and resources throughout the 2003 negotiations. The Local 506 and National UE webpages, informative leaflets and newspapers articles will all be utilized to keep you well informed.

To distribute information and to receive your feedback, we will also reestablish the "one to one" network where each division maintains a Workplace Coordinator, Area Shift Coordinators and Captains. Of course, since they performed so well in 2000, we will again ask the stewards to serve as Captains and the Chief Stewards as Area Shift Coordinators.

Although we haven’t projected a date yet, contract surveys will be distributed and special times will be allocated during future membership meetings to learn what contract and benefit improvements you would like to see in our bargaining goals.

Last but not least we need time to mobilize GE workers nationwide to win a fair contract. This will be Jeffery Immelt’s first contract since being elevated to the CEO position and we don’t anticipate things being any easier. Even though Jack Welch is among the ranks of the retired GE workers, we don’t think he will be out there with us fighting for early retirements and improved pension benefits. So we have our work cut out for us over the next year and we’ll have to work hard so on June 15, 2003 we end up with the contract we deserve.

SHUTDOWN INFORMATION

The Union Hall will be closed during Shutdown; however, if you should need to contact an Executive Board member, M&C Chief Steward Steve Harris will be on call in the Plant during the Shutdown period. You can reach Steve at his pager no. 878-9931.

JULY 4^TH PAY – Questions have arisen regarding the July 4^th Holiday falling in the first week of Shutdown. July 4^th will still be treated as Holiday and paid as any other Holiday. Therefore you will only need nine vacation days for the two-week shutdown period instead of 10. The vacation day saved as a result of July 4^th falling during Shutdown can be used like any other vacation day.

Applications are now out for the Annual UE 506 Golf Outing.
Where- Crabapple Golf Course, Route 19, Erie
When- Friday, July 12^th, 1:30 shotgun start (last Friday of shutdown)
Who- UE members, family and friends
Cost- $55.00 per golfer

$4500.00 was raised for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Patient Fund of Erie through the generosity of sponsors and participants in the June 2^nd VA 5K Run/Walk. The money raised will help five local vets participate in the annual Disabled Veterans Wheelchair Games being held in Cleveland, Ohio during the first week of July.

Many, many thanks to all the volunteers who make this yearly event the continued success it has been. The Sports Committee of UE Local 506 is truly grateful.

The following UE Local 506 members were elected to serve as rank and file delegates to the 67^th UE National Convention.

The Convention will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina between September 15 through September 19, 2002. The Rank and File delegates will attend the Convention with officers Dave Kitchen and Pat Rafferty along with executive board members Dave Adams, Wayne Burnett, Dennis Crawford, Jim Jaroski, Mike Jelinek, and Mark Pierson.

ERIE LABOR UNIONS TO RALLY

Labor Unions from all over Erie County will be hosting a Rally to celebrate unionism and the difference it makes in our lives and the community in which we live. The Rally will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. on the Bayfront, at the foot of Liberty.

All Union members are encouraged to support this event and to give a warm welcome to newly organized workers. Paul Lemmon, Field Mobilization Director for the AFL-CIO will be the Keynote Speaker, Paul will be followed by representatives involved in organizing and negotiation efforts. Rally-goers will be treated with hotdogs and beverages and the first 200 attendees will receive a round trip Water Taxi ride to Presque Isle.