MARCH MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE
Agenda:
A Special Trustee Election will be conducted to fill a vacancy. The
polls will be open for voting while each meeting is in session. (Please see
the Candidates Statements of Qualification on page 2).
A vote will be taken at the 3rd and 2nd shift meetings concerning a motion made at the February 16th, 1st shift meeting. Members will vote on whether or not to begin placing a 2nd Step Grievance report in the 506 NEWS.
Committee reports, Officer’s updates and general business matters will follow.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND TIMES ARE:
Thursday, March 16, 2006 (All meetings)
7:20 a.m. (3rd Shift) 1:00 p.m. (2nd Shift) 3:20 p.m. (1st Shift)
PRESIDENT HOVIS TELLS NEW MEMBERS THEY WILL PLAY A BIG PART IN NEGOTIATIONS
"How many of you have been hired since 2003?" asked UE General President John Hovis while addressing the February 16th Membership Meetings. A high percentage of members at each meeting raised their hands. President Hovis used 2003 to make the point that many of the 506 members were hired after the last contract negotiations and therefore they probably didn’t really understand the contract process.
"16 months until D-Day" John declared, "The Contract will expire June 17, 2007. The fact is, initial plans have already begun with the Coordinated Bargaining Committee Steering Committee. John said that, "it was important, with this Company (GE), to get an early start". John told the new 506 Members that it was also important they become engaged (in the contract process) because 506 is the largest Local representing GE workers in the America. "A lot will depend on what we do here (in Erie)." John told the newer members that they will be asked to wear buttons, special contract shirts and stickers, as well as attend contract and retiree rallies to let GE know it’s not just those sitting at the bargaining table pushing for the Union’s demands. President Hovis further explained that the Union will be distributing surveys to UE Members to prioritize demands.
ON GE PENSIONS AND DEFINED BENEFITS
On February 20, 2006 UE Delegates representing GE shops around the country met in Pittsburgh, PA to discuss, among other things, GE ‘s recent statements on Pensions and Health Insurance.
UE-GE Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey distributed a Q&A article where the top GE Corporate Relations Officer, William Conaty, openly talks about GE’s legacy costs, "the costs that companies have to shoulder for post-retirement programs". Steve pointed out that while Conaty recognizes that GE has a healthy Pension Plan, throughout the article he hints to changes in medical coverage.
On December 3, 2004, after GE announced they were gutting retirement benefits for all exempts hired after January 1, 2005, the UE-GE Conference Board adopted a resolution in opposition to GE’s attack on those benefits. To block attempts to spread the virus to current employees, and all future employees, including hourly workers, the delegates attending the Recent Board meeting reaffirmed their position.
UE Washington I.R. Chris Townsend gave a Legislative Action Report. Chris explained that GE has over 100 people in Washington, working off a $17 million budget – "so you can see what your up against". Chris said that more workers need to register and to assist UE Locals, the National will be distributing Voter Registration packets. As far as State politics, Chris said, "It’s time to get back to Harrisburg" (to lobby for worker’s rights). Chris will be working with PA Locals to set up an event.
CBC Gearing Up For 2007
The Conference Board Delegates also heard a report from General President John Hovis and Brother Tormey. John, Steve and Washington I.R Chris Townsend hosted a Coordinated Bargaining Steering Committee meeting in Pittsburgh on January 12th. {For new members, the Coordinated Bargaining Committee, CBC, is a coalition of 13 Unions that represent GE Workers nationwide}. The Committee adopted sub-committee recommendations, which included reestablishing the "Large Tables" and giving them more authority during negotiations, setting up pre-contract meetings for Rank and File leaders and coordinating CBC Contract Rallies. The Steering Committee also discussed SEROs, LTDI changes and pensions.
Delegates from Local 506 were: Todd Johnson (Bldg. 7), Bob Suscheck(7), Plant Services Chief Steward Steve Harris, E-Board at Large Member Mark Pierson(5), Bldg. 5 Chief Steward Jim Pifer, Dale Rosenthal (5), President Frank Fusco and Business Agent Pat Rafferty.
FRANKLY SPEAKING
Last month the Executive Board and the Safety Coordinators sat down to discuss some of the issues around the plant, also what Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) has meant to the Erie Works, and the future of the safety program.
In the last 30 months the plant has seen a large number of new hires, both Union and exempt, some of these folks may not know the origin of the safety program. Hopefully the following Q&A will help everyone understand what VPP is and what the Union’s role is in the safety program.
What is VPP? The Voluntary Protection Program is designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health management. In VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace that has implemented a strong program.
Does that mean OSHA no longer inspects the plant? No, OSHA initially verifies that the program meets VPP criteria, and removes the plant from routine scheduled inspection lists. OSHA still investigates major accidents, valid formal employee complaints, and chemical spills. OSHA also reassesses periodically to confirm that the site continues to meet VPP criteria. The Erie Works is a "Star Program" and OSHA re-inspects Star sites every 3 years; the Erie plant will be reassessed this October.
What is the Union’s position on VPP? That’s a good question. Initially the Union position was skepticism, but once the Safety Coordinators were elected we started to see some good improvements on the shop floor, things like lift tables and ergonomic air tools. The results were measured by a significant decrease in work related injuries.
What are the duties of the Safety Coordinator? To coordinate the safety program for their respective area, increase safety awareness, and foster employee participation in safety. They also assist and advise the Business Leaders, and PTA’s on ways to improve safety in their areas.
Do the Business Leader and PTA’s follow the Coordinator’s recommendations? Usually. Although we do have an area of the plant where the management team is new, their main concern is production and safety takes a back seat. They had a lady seriously injured while driving a stand-up jitney that she was given insufficient training on. This is the same management team that is looking at props (something to lean on) rather than conventional chairs for employees to use while working on computers. The bottom line is we have 23 dedicated Safety Coordinators that have been trained to spot safety hazards and 98% of the time the system works. In this Kitting Area "Huey, Dewy, and Louie" believe that production takes precedence over safety and that will never work.
"At GETS safety always comes first"
29th GRIEVANCE
Recently there have been some questions brought up about the attendance practices in the plant. The simple answer to the question is of course is to come to work every day. But as we know life is not that simple. There are flat tires, weather problems, sick children etc.- many reasonable delays that are understandable. If there are personal issues that need to be addressed there are programs in the company such as Family Leave, Sickness and Accident Benefits and don’t forget the Employees Assistance Program (EAP). If you have or if you think you have an attendance problem see your steward or chief steward to ward off any problems. If there is an issue in your life, seek help with union reps and we will work to iron it out. Dave Adams is the Union’s EAP liaison. We are in the process of getting Dave a new pager, so if you need to get a hold of him call the Hall (899-3108) or call the EAP office (875-4327).
STEWARDS TRAINING
Barring any delays we will have our first steward meetings on March 15th. The times will be 7:10am for third shift, 1:00 p.m. for second, and 3:10 for first. At this time, we are not sure whether these meetings will be monthly or bimonthly. Remember these will be informative meetings on the structure of the steward system and the Union - Grievance issues should be discussed with your steward or the chief steward in your respective buildings.
APRIL 12th SET FOR
PLANT GATE RALLY
The Retirees Association of General Electric, R.A.G.E., along with UE
Locals 506 and 618 will hold a plant gate rally at the East Gate (Water St.
& Main St.) on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. Look for more details on the Rally
in the April LOCAL 506 NEWS. SIGN OVER YOUR GE PROXIES
Each year R.A.G.E. sends a busload of delegates to the GE Stockholders
meeting armed with GE Stock Proxies they receive from active members and
other retirees. The more proxies they wield the more of a voice they have to
push for pension improvements.
To show your support for the GE Retirees - When you receive your GE Stock
Proxy, simply sign the form, write the number of shares you hold on the
outside of the envelope and, for your confidentiality, place the proxy back
into the envelope in a way that your name doesn’t show through the envelope
window and seal it. We would then appreciate you forwarding the envelopes on
to a 506 representative or drop them off at the Hall before April 21, 2006.
Sport Shorts
By Denny McLaughlin,chairman
The 4th annual VA "Hometown Heroes" bowling tournament which was held Feb. 26th 2006 at Eastway lanes, was a great success! We had over 135 bowlers while raising more than $4,800 for the Homeless Veterans’ Fund. "And the winners were"
Men:
Tony Palermo high game 275
Carl Daugherty high series 679
Women:
Nancy Morrison high game 201
Julie Lehr high series 560
Special thanks go out to all the volunteers who made this special event happen.
Our own UE 506 Bowling Tourney will be held April 8th, the Saturday before Good Friday. It starts at 11am with check-in beginning at 10am.The applications are in the shop. If you need one, see your Chief steward or stop at the Union Hall to sign up.
Shutdown will only be one week this year giving members a little bit more latitude with their vacation time. Shutdown will be FW 27, which is the week of the July Fourth Holiday - so we’ll only need 4 days of vacation.
Vacation Guidelines or Mandates? There’s been a lot of buzz (In some buildings) over some new policy on scheduling vacation and S&P days. Let’s get this clear from the start that The Union has not negotiated a new policy!
This all came about as a result of 2005 production scheduling problems. Rather than just sharing the Company’s concerns for 2006 with the workers on the floor, the Locomotive production bigwigs issued new "guidelines" which were taken literally by some of their underlings. The Officers met with Union Relations and the COE Leader on February 27th to discuss the matter and the Company agreed to go back and explain that the guidelines are simply that, and they are not looking to deviate from the 2003-2007 UE-GE Contract.
Farmout discussions took center stage in a meeting on February 28th with the Officers, the Chief Stewards for Buildings 5 and 7, their Manager and Union Relations. The Union wants to make sure that the Company isn’t farming work out to avoid paying a little overtime; while the reality is that we have some workers in these buildings just eking by since the beginning of the year. The Company has agreed to look at bringing some work into these Buildings to alleviate the problem. All parties agreed to continue meeting to explore opportunities to provide more work for 5 and 7.
The Job Posting Procedure has been a matter the Company would like to revisit. Citing the numerous problems the Personnel Office encounters, the Company has laid out 9 suggested changes they would like to implement. Judging by the Board’s reaction (and our own) after hearing the Company’s suggestions, I can see that the Union and the Company are very, very far apart on this matter. More on this as things develop.
Local 506 Member Randy Olson, who was injured in a January 2005 accident, would like to express his thanks to everyone who has continued to support him in his recovery and for staying in touch with him.
Patrick O' Rafferty