Agenda:

This may seem too early to write about the upcoming Chief Divisional Stewards Elections, but with the holidays and the usual vacation days planned for the holiday season, the Election Committee suggested that an advanced notice be printed. The Elections for Divisional Chief Stewards will be held in the shop on January 24, 2008. Any UE 506 Member in good standing can run provided they have paid Union dues for 12 months prior to the election. Candidates for Divisional Chief Steward must also have served as a Steward or Alternate Steward for at least 12 months.

Nominations for Divisional Chief Stewards must be made at the UE Local 506 Office, during regular business hours on January 2, 3 or 4, 2008. Nominations will be closed at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, January 4, 2008. Any member in good standing can nominate a candidate for these offices or the candidates can nominate themselves. The member making the nomination will pick up an acceptance form and a questionnaire. These MUST be filled out by the candidate and returned to the Union Hall Office no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. The individual making the nomination is responsible for delivering these forms to the candidate.

The names of all Candidates will be published in a special UE Local 506 Bulletin, along with information on each Candidate’s attendance at Local Union Meetings, Union Offices held, and a brief statement of qualifications.

Two tellers per shift will be chosen, by mutual agreement of the Candidates, to conduct the election in the Division. The Divisional Election Committee representative will post notices for the election in prominent locations at least three days before the election. The posting will list the candidates, date, hours of voting, and where and how the voting will be conducted. Newly elected Chief Stewards will be sworn in at the third shift Membership Meeting in February.

The complete rules for Union Elections are contained in the UE Local 506 Constitution. If you do not have a copy, see your Chief Steward or stop by the Union Hall to pick one up.

SERO Update - The 2007 SERO window closed October 31^st, a total of 147 UE 506 sisters and brothers were rewarded for their long service. The first person to qualify for the window had a 10/69 service date the last person had a 1/05/71 service date. To those who decided to retire we thank you for the contributions you made to this Local, we thank you for supporting democratic rank and file unionism and we thank you for teaching us what it means to be union members.

Plant Closings - As you already know General Electric has proposed a restructuring of the lighting division that will cause 2 UE represented facilities to close. They are Local 731 in Conneaut, Ohio, and Local 751 in Niles, Ohio. Although many of these members will take advantage of the retirement provisions of the Plant Closing Option in Article XXIII, Erie will still see about 40 of these displaced members arrive under the preferential placement provision.

Hiring- The Company has announced that 125 people will be hired this year and that hiring will continue into next year. 71 people have been hired since September 17, 2007.

Unity Committee - will meet on November 9, 2007 at 8:30AM. E-Board member at Large Cyndy Casey will chair the committee. Al Hart will be coming in from the National office to teach the class.

Lean Payments - Last month we wrote about an agreement that cleared up the confusion around the Lean Codes and what the appropriate starting rate should be. Since then, some of the affected workers have received their retroactive pay. The rest of you should see it within two weeks.

During the October 18^th, 3^rd shift membership meeting, a question was asked about how well organizing was progressing on a national level. The Organizing department reports that 1500 people have joined the UE ranks in the last 2 years in 6 states.

Happy Thanksgiving - On behalf of the Local 506 Officers, Executive Board members and staff, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. 　　

Over the last year or so, many 506 workers have shared occupancy in their buildings with large teams of GE planners and engineers, who normally work with foreign concerns. The primary reason these teams have been canvassing the floor is to learn our operations to facilitate the training of GE customers. In doing so, they essentially facilitate the transfer of the technology involved in building segments of the locomotive.

Despite the long-term threat to our jobs, we’ve been able to establish guidelines to prevent overzealous observers from creating a safety hazard and from becoming a nuisance in most areas of the Plant. However, in a few other areas the situation has been more contentious, due to observers hovering closely over workers and in other ways, creating an atmosphere where some are uneasy and would rather not be watched. Rather than seeking some common ground in these situations, managers have threatened discipline to those who don’t cooperate. It is for this reason that a motion was made, seconded and carried at all three meetings on October 18, 2007.The motion reads: "UE 506 will take whatever action is necessary to protect members from being forced to participate, through discipline, in any transfer of technology or training of any foreign or domestic non-506 personnel.

In the next couple of months, the members on our committee will be holding two of their most anticipated events of the year so get out and support your Sports Committee.

The first event on the calendar is our annual Volleyball "Turkey Tournament" slated for November 18, 2007 at the Iroquois High School Gym. The competition begins at 9am sharp, with team captains meeting at 8:15am. See your Chief Steward for applications.

　　　　　　　 The 2^nd significant event involves baskets full of fine refreshments. I am talking about the Basket of Cheer. We will be giving away at least 6 baskets stocked full of your favorite holiday beverages. Buy you tickets early so you have a chance of winning at the end of the first shift membership meeting on December 20, 2007

ODDS AND ENDS

Alternate Trustee Scott Duke was elected to the open Trustee spot on October 18^th; therefore a special election will need to be held during the December membership meetings to fill the Alternate Trustee vacancy.

Nominations - Any member in good standing can be nominated to run for Alternate Trustee provided they meet the provisions of Article V of the UE Local 506 Constitution. Nominations for the Office of Trustee can be made at the beginning of the November 15, 2007 Membership Meetings. The successful candidate will fill the remainder of the 2005-2009 term of office. If you need a copy of the 506 Constitution outlining all election rules, please see your Divisional Chief Steward or stop at the 506 Hall for a copy.

AMENDMENT PROPOSED-
VOTE THURSDAY

Steve Harris submitted the following amendment to the Local 506 Constitution the September 11, 2007 membership meeting. Members will vote on the amendment during the November 15, 2007 membership meetings. If the amendment passes a new eligibility requirement will be added to run for the office of Business Agent, President, Chief Plant Steward and Vice President/Recording Secretary.

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