Steve Tormey will be on the June 15^th membership meeting agenda to talk about preparations for the 2007 UE-GE National Negotiations. Tormey has held the offices of Conference Board Secretary for 21 years and this will be his 7^th set of negotiations.

As the UE-GE Conference Board Secretary.

Steve also represents the national union at Third Step grievance meetings, handles arbitration cases and coordinates all of the union’s work in the GE chain.

Steve is shown above speaking at the 2005 R.A.G.E. Rally

Speaking about a couple of recent conflicts between members, Unity Council Chairman Wayne Burnett stated that everyone has a right to come to work and go back home each day the same way (safe and secure). Wayne continued, "We’re all in the same boat and we’re here for one thing, the money". He explained that the Unity Council should be called when conflicts arise between workers – before matters get out of control. "There are a lot of new people who came from non-union shops now working in the Plant. They aren’t familiar with how Unions, especially ours, work for the benefit of one another. Wayne, pointing to the Unity Information box that appears in the 506 NEWS (see below), told members that they should call one of the listed numbers when an issue arises, before it gets out of hand and ends up with someone hurt or disciplined.

Power House negotiations concluded recently. As a result there will be four fewer Local 506 Members affected when gas boilers replace the coal-fired boilers later this month.

Back in 2003 when the Company first announced their intent to eliminate some Powerhouse operations (because of EPA changes), they projected that 18 jobs (some from operations and others from maintenance) would be eliminated during the 2^nd phase of reductions in 2006. By the time talks reopened earlier this year, that number had been pared down to 13 reductions.

But according to the Powerhouse stewards and other Powerhouse workers who took an active interest in the negotiations, 13 reductions would still cut too deeply into the operations. The company’s original plan would leave only one crewman (25 Code) to attend to the whole operation for at least 2 hours out of each shift, while the only other crewman (18 Code) was away tending to the water treatment duties. Operations steward Ron McConnell was very helpful compiling specific information used by the negotiators to explain the potential impact the reduced staff would have, especially regarding safety and business concerns.

The company listened to the Union’s concerns and revised their plans to include two 18 code workers and one 25 code worker in each of the crews to make sure they are not understaffed next Fall and Winter.

THANKS FOR THE BAIL MONEY

Muscular Dystrophy - The local MDA chapter held their annual North East Lockup fundraiser on May 24, 2006. The event was a great success raising a grand total of $13,013.00. The money raised from this event will benefit people in the Erie area with neuromuscular disorders. The funds will be used to provide much-needed program services such as the clinic at Northshore Clinical Associates, support group sessions, MDA summer camp for children between the ages of 6-21 and research. Thanks to the Employee Community Service Fund (CSF), the good folks in Building 7 and the E-Board we were able to raise $1,035.00 to bail me out of jail. Thanks You. Frank doing time again

Sorry Sue - In last month’s column we listed the 506 Members who attended the first Eastern Regional meeting, missing from that list was Sue Smock, Bldg. 2. Sue has regularly attended District meetings over the years and has served the District as both a Trustee and an Alternate Trustee.

"Lean Event" 18 Control style? It was bad enough Control workers had to create fundraisers to subsidize their traditional building picnic in recent years – This year the building management doesn’t even want to have a picnic. I’m sure if asked, the workers could suggest some other ways to cut cost. Like doing away with the cheapskate that did away with their picnic.

Last reminder - Members continuing to carry the original GE COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL PLAN (CMB) must submit 2005 insurance claims by June 30, 2006 or risk losing reimbursement.

The new Fitness Center should be a convenience for our members who work out or are thinking about beginning an exercise routine. However, because of the schedule, 2^nd Shift workers won’t be able to use the facility after their shift ends. We’ve already suggested that the Company expand the hours but maybe if they hear from interested 2^nd shift workers they’ll be more inclined to do so.

• GE workers covered under the UE-GE National Agreement will receive a $.11 per hour cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) effective June 19, 2006. This raise is based on a 1.02% rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from October 2005 through April 2006. Under our improved COLA formula of one cent ($.01) for each .09% rise in the CPI-W, the increase comes to eleven cents.
   
• The COLA adjustment is in addition to the General Wage Increase of 3.0% that is also effective on June 19th. Note: As in years past, because the wage adjustments at the Shutdown period, the Payroll will have to make retroactive payments.

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