FRANKLY SPEAKING

Lean Mfg.- The Company has scheduled a meeting on November 3^rd to discuss a dayrate lean code for the class 2’s, 3’s and class 4’s. While we don’t know what the proposal will be we do know that the company would like to combine the class 3’s and 4’s into one code. We’ll report more on this matter as details become available.

Powerhouse. - You may recall that earlier this year, the Company announced that they intended to reduce the headcount in the Powerhouse. Operating the new natural gas boilers would require four less people than the coal fired boilers that they replaced. After lengthy discussions about safety and the concern about heating the plant, the four jobs were secured for the winter season. But then, in August, because of a glitch in the water testing duties, the Company again wanted to reduce the staffing in the Powerhouse. So back into negotiations we went, bottom line, those jobs will be retained. The Officers would like to again thank Powerhouse Steward Ron McConnell for his hard work and the reams of information that now cover our desks.

Farmouts. - At the September membership meetings we talked about the company’s plan to farmout work and move members to other areas of the plant. The Company has since modified its plan and decided to bring in 50 new hires, which would lower the number of farmouts. Farmouts have been a contentious subject for the last 60 years and I don’t see that changing now.

Eastern Regional Meeting- On October 27-28 the first Eastern Region mtg. was held in Wilkes-Barre PA. The new Region was created when Districts 1,6, and 7 merged last April; geographically it covers western New York, eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Regional President Andrew Dinklelaker put together some stirring musical videos depicting the struggles in North Carolina and Virginia. The Director of Organizing Bob "Junkyard Dog" Kingsley presented a charter to UE Local 106 from New Jersey. Then Brother Chris Townsend the UE representative from Washington D.C. gave a passionate speech about the need to get out the vote on November 7^th. The morning session was filled by local reports. Representing UE 506 was E-Board member Mark Pierson, Trustee Dave Allen, Delegates Matt McCracken, Wayne Burnett, Roger Zaczyk, Denny "Big Dog" McLaughlin and myself. Special thanks to Roger and Big Dog for driving the bus and getting everyone there and home safely. I didn’t see it, but the word was, the Big Guy can really move on the dance floor.

Medical Center - The state Worker Comp. laws require you to report all work related injuries to the Company. Usually that requires a trip to the Plant Medical Center but the Comp. laws do not require you to be treated there for your work-related injury or illness. You can report an injury and request to be treated by an outside doctor as long as he is on the list posted in the Medical Center and around the Plant. However, if you opt to be treated at the Medical Center you must continue treatment there for 90 days.

Happy Veterans Day to all who served, whether it was home or abroad, wartime or peacetime, we owe you a debt of gratitude.
 Thank You

CBC PASSES RESOLUTION ON GE LIGHTING
GE has launched a campaign asking its U.S. employee’s to sign a pledge to switch to the company’s new "Energy Smart" light bulb, offering a discount to every worker who signs the online pledge. The problem is that these fluorescent bulbs are made in China and "will lead to more job loss at IUE-CWA lighting plants". On October 21^st, CBC Delegates voted to support workers at GE Lighting by passing a resolution that urges GE workers to refuse to sign the "Energy Smart" pledge and to instead sign a pledge urging GE to move Energy Smart" production to the United States.

On Friday, October 27, 2006 a large contingent of 18C workers came to the Hall to complain about the impact the company’s unorthodox practices have had on them in recent months; and they wanted to express their concerns over "Control" farmouts.

Jockeying workers from one building (or area) to another to fulfill company production needs has probably had the biggest affect in the Plant on 18C workers. Initially, the transfers were necessitated when the production schedules went from predominately DC to predominately AC products. Many of the 18C workers were temporarily moved to other areas in the Plant to work on QTR and other AC lines. According to the 18C workers, that situation has morphed into something totally different now. They are angry that more farmout is planned for the harness-area, despite the fact they have workers currently loaned out to other areas. One 18C worker said, " It makes no sense to continue to farmout work and to even consider farming out more work from areas that can’t meet schedules because their workers are loaned out".

Job security is the other major concern being voiced by the 18C workers. They see the farmout work disappearing forever once it is sent out. A company offer to guarantee, in writing, the return of farmed out work has given little comfort to the 18C workers who, by large, probably have the highest concentration of low-service workers in the Plant – and who have the most to lose if work disappears.

The problem of shifting workers around the plant to meet the company’s goals is not unique to 18C and is one that must be addressed with the company. The real underlying issue is the contrived farmouts. The 506 E-Board met on November 2^nd to discuss the matter and resoundingly denounced any attempt to farmout work without a viable reason. A meeting with the E-Board and Company officials was planned for November 6^th to discuss the issue. Members will hear a full report on that meeting on November 16^th.

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