Agenda:
Newly elected UE Eastern Regional President Andrew Dinkelaker will talk about the consolidation of Districts 1, 6 and 7 and future plans.
Eastern Regional Delegates from our Local will report on the inaugural meeting.
Members will be asked to vote on the newly established Eastern Region Constitution and Financial Practices.
Committee reports, Officer’s updates and general business matters will follow.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND TIMES ARE:
Thursday, May 18, 2006 (All meetings)
7:20 a.m. (3rd Shift) 1:00 p.m. (2nd Shift) 3:20 p.m. (1st Shift)
NEW REGIONAL PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT MEETINGS
Andrew Dinkelaker was elected to serve as the first Eastern Regional President on April 22, 2006 at the region’s inaugural meeting. Andrew formerly held the office of District Six President where he was instrumental in establishing an elaborate website and created a District Newsletter for distribution in the shops. Along with IR Debbie Gornall, Andrew has, most recently, been instructing 506 Stewards in classes held in our Union Hall.
During the May 18th Membership Meetings, Brother Dinkelaker will talk about his plans for the expanded UE territory.
R.A.G.E. MEMBERS RALLY
FOR PENSION COLA
On April 12th, GE Retirees and supporters gathered at the 506 Hall to raise public awareness about the GE’s failure provide regular pension increases to keep up with the cost of living. Speaking to the packed audience, UE President John Hovis
assured the retirees that the negotiating committee "would do their damnest" to look after the pensioners in the 2007 negotiations. John said, "Anyone filling up on gas or gaining to the grocery store know how expenses have gone up – but that doesn’t compare to the increase in (retiree’s) prescription costs". R.A.G.E. Chairman Ron Flowers explained that the GE Pension Fund was well over funded and could afford to give pensioners an increase. He told the crowd that GE hasn’t paid anything into the Fund since 1987. "We hear about pension failures, but this (GE) is no mom and pop outfit worried about going out of business".
Also speaking at the Rally were 618 President Linda Leech who said, "GE should give you the dignity you deserve", while President Frank Fusco summed up the state of the matter when he said, "Short and Sweet, you earned a decent pension and you deserve it".
The UE Steward Handbook states, "The most important part of your job is building a strong organization to protect and fight for workers’ rights." To arm Local 506 Stewards with the knowledge and tools to carry out that UE precept, Chief Plant Steward Randy Majewski, in coordination with International Rep Debbie Gornall and Eastern Regional President Andrew Dinkelaker, have conducted two steward training classes in the last two months and have plans to offer one more before taking a summer break.
The classes explain the structure, role and process of the steward system while delving into specifics like grievance writing. The classes are offered to stewards and interested members alike. Dan Bojarski, 18C is just such an interested member. Dan, with 7 months service said, "A lot of people don’t know their rights. It’s nice to see more people here (at the 2nd class) getting to know more about their rights". It’s also good to see the (membership) involvement". Dan expressed that he would like to see more young people, like himself, attend future classes.
New stewards, "seasoned" stewards, new members and long-service members can all better serve Local 506 by attending the steward classes and thereby strengthen the core of the Union. The next classes will be on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 7:10am; 1pm and 3:10pm. At the 506 Hall.
The Memorial Day Holiday-
Monday, May 29th.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John
Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General
Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were
placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National
Cemetery. This Memorial Day lets not forget the many Americans who over the
years have lost their lives in service to our Country. NEWSPAPER AD IRKS MEMBERS
One of Washington’s most well-known, and industry funded lobbyists takes on labor unions
Anti-Union forces are consolidating and escalating their attacks on labor. A full-page ad that recently appeared in a number of major newspapers showed a "Closed" sign over a padlocked gate, declaring the sign to be "The New Union Label…..Brought to you by the union leaders’ who helped bankrupt steel, auto, and airline companies". According to an article in the Washington Post, the ads were purchased to introduce the Center for Union Facts and its Web site, UnionFacts.com. The group was created by Richard Berman, a lobbyist behind unpopular campaigns, including one that aims to dismiss concerns about mercury in fish, another that challenges Mothers Against Drunk Driving and its efforts to lower the legal blood alcohol content limit, and one that dismisses concern about obesity as "hype". He is also founder of the Employment Policies Foundation, which has argued against raising the minimum wage.
It comes to no surprise to me that Berman was director of labor law for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In the late 1980’s, a similar local group put up a gargantuan sign on a West 12th Street building declaring that Local 506 was responsible for the loss of hundreds of GE jobs in Erie. In light of the steady stream of hiring over the last couple of years, I wonder why the same group hasn’t placed a sign up praising Local 506?
It’s obvious that these corporate and foundation-backed anti-labor forces are getting nervous, grass-roots labor campaigns exposing Wal-Mart and Cintas for violating workers rights are having an impact on society. What better way to punch back than to attack unions? Well let them take their best shot – working men and women will fight back even harder.
SPORTS SHORTS
Our annual Local 506 Bowling Tournament was held April 8th at Eastway Bowling Lanes with over 185 bowlers. On behalf of the Sports Committee I want to thank you personally for participating in the day’s event. A couple of the teams that were in the spotlight that day were as follows:
Ray Kibbe’s
Circle K Boys taking top honors. Tim Crosby a high game of
280.Nancy Morrison a high game of 195
John Duchnowski a high series of 796
Sandy Lee a high series of 502
And I would be remiss for not mentioning the team that brought up the bottom of the day’s events, Marie Finn’s "Bottom Feeders". Located by the wall, they were the loudest team in the tournament.
The following are other events of interest that your UE 506 Sports Committee is participating in or helping to organize. Applications for these events are already in the shop or you can pick them up at the Hall.
On Saturday May 20th, 2006 the 8th annual "French Creek Float" is shoving off from the Wattsburg fair grounds at 9am.
Our 11th annual VA 5k run/walk is going to be held June 4th, 2006. It starts at 9am from the VA hospital on 38th and Old French road. Registration starts at 7am. Just a reminder, that we will need at least 130 volunteers. They assist in maintaining safe conditions for all participants as they move through the course. Please call Karen Rubay at 814-875-5304 and leave a name and phone number so she can assign you a place.
A final note of interest, come join in a day of sun and sand! On June 11th 2006 at Scott Park on west 6th street, we are sponsoring a Sandlot Volleyball tournament. Sign up early for this day of fun in the sun.
FRANKLY SPEAKING
On April 22, 2006, two hundred delegates from the former UE Districts 1, 6, and 7 met in Monroeville, PA. The delegates represented UE Locals from New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina at the historic first meeting of the Eastern Region. District 6 President Andrew Dinklelaker was elected Regional President and Raymond Sanders from Local 150 North Carolina was elected Vice President. The assembled delegates also approved the new Eastern Regional Constitution and Financial Practices.
Attending the first Eastern Region meeting for Local 506 were: Delegates Dave Allen (Bldg. 10) and Dennis Fisher (5), Pres. Frank Fusco, Ex.-Bd. Member Denny McLaughlin, Bldg. 2 Chief Stew. Jeff Morealli, Ex.-Bd. Member Mark Pierson, B.A. Pat Rafferty, Recording Secretary Dale Stubenhofer and Ex.-Bd. Member Roger Zaczyk
Lean Manufacturing – The Main Cab area workers in Building 12 converted to the negotiated R-22 code on May 8th. Those folks with averages above the R-22 rate will receive their grandfather averages effective that same date.
We expect to have a meeting with the Manager of Union Relations this week, about an ongoing problem in Building 5. The problem is that Bldg. 5 has a shortage of work, the reasons for that shortage are varied, but the bottom line is work needs to be brought into Building 5.
On April 12th GE announced they were selling the Consumer and Industrial’s Instrumentation Services unit to Davis Intolek Instruments. Fortunately the company informed the officers the sale won’t affect the thirteen Local 506 Members and lone Local 618 member – Instead that unit will be folded into the Transportation Division.
Most members are aware that we have a very successful Unity Committee that deals with worker on worker problems. If you or someone you know is having a problem at work, please contact your steward or the Union Hall. The Local is currently working on a termination case that may have been avoided had someone came forward.
Contract negotiations have been set to begin in New York on May 22, 2007. As it stands now, the Erie Rally will be the only CBC rally (pending membership approval). A leadership meeting has been scheduled for this October in Saratoga, N.Y. Speaking of the Contract, there will be a 3.0% general wage increase and a cost of living increase on June 19, 2006.