VOTE ON 2000 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The following tentative holiday schedule will be presented to the membership and brought to a vote at the November 15, 2000 membership meetings. The language listed below the schedule refers to the floating holiday and represents the same terms as in the past.

January 1 New Year’s Day
January 15 Martin Luther King Day
April 13 Good Friday
May 28 Memorial Day
July 4 Independence Day
September 3 Labor Day
November 22 Thanksgiving Day
November 23 Friday after Thanksgiving Day
December 24 Day before Christmas Day
December 25 Christmas Day
*Floating Holiday

*Requires management approval and one week’s notice. Must be used for Monday following Thanksgiving (November 26) if going to be absent that day. If floating holiday has already been used and an unpaid absence occurs on November 26, holiday pay for November 23 may be denied. The floating Holiday must be used in lieu of unpaid absence following the exhaustion of Vacation and Sick & Personal Pay. Holiday will be granted in the order in which employees request it, not to exceed 10% of the work group.

DON MARCHIONNA RETIRES

 For the last 13 years, Local 506 Members working in the most diverse of all Erie Plant divisions have had the privilege of being represented by Divisional Chief Steward Don Marchionna. Over that time, Don fought against the subcontracting of Maintenance & Construction and Tool Room work. During his tenure, Don also worked hard to provide adequate rates for all work performed in his division. In addition to representing the areas listed above, Don always gave equal time to General Store, Waste Treatment, Calibration Lab and Manufacturing Tech workers. On behalf of the entire membership, the Officers and Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Don for his contributions to Union and to wish him a full, healthy and happy retirement. THANKS DON

Kitchen’s Kabinet November 2000  

 

The Kitchen’s Kabinet article did not appear in the October UE NEWS, instead I gladly submitted the front-page story on our stewards’ role at the UE Convention. Well we’re back this month.

Our written grievance activity remains relatively low. We have had sixty-two cases "filed" so far this year. I feel it’s important to draw a distinction here between "filed" and "not filed." When we say grievances are filed, we refer to those cases that could not be resolved at the First Step (Steward’s level) of the procedure. If not resolved through discussions, the complaint is registered on an official Union grievance form and submitted to the boss for his/her written response. If a settlement still can’t be reached, the Steward passes the grievance on to the Divisional Chief Steward for further arguments with a divisional manager. If these Step One procedures fail to resolve the grievance, it is submitted to the Chief Plant Steward to be heard at the Second Step of the grievance procedure. So when we say grievances are "filed," we are talking about those cases that are headed for the Second Step. Simple, right.

One thing you should keep in mind is that these written grievances are only a small percentage of complaints that come up. Most complaints are dealt with at the Stewards level and that’s a good thing.

Several reminders to the Stewards – as we work our way through the jobs which have been posted over the last few months, we want to make sure members are treated fairly during their interviews. While it is becoming less common for a boss to hold out for someone that they have hand picked for the job, we are not so naive to believe that practice doesn’t continue in some instances. As a Steward, you should check with the people who interview in your area to see if they got a fair shake. The Union is working on several cases where members felt they were qualified but did not get the job.

Another reminder, Stewards should introduce themselves to the "new members" recently hired on jobs as SERO replacements. As part of new contract language, the Union is entitled to take part in the orientation meetings set up for new hires and we have taken advantage of this opportunity to welcome them and explain a little about their Union. We extend an invitation to those new members to attend membership meetings and become active in the Union. At one of the orientation sessions, it was refreshing to hear a new hire ask, "Why would someone not join?" With an attitude like that, we know that the void created by the loss of veteran members will be easier to fill.

Last but not least, Stewards should also make sure they introduce themselves to the current members who have recently upgraded to jobs in their departments. The company notified the Union that over 480 members have been upgraded through job postingS so far. Please take the time to show them the ropes and ensure they are all treated fairly, it’s what the Union is all about.

In closing let me remind the membership of the dangers of volunteering for temporary lack of work. I know it’s hunting season so LOWs look inviting because you may have used up your paid time off, but we recommend that you resist the temptation. As far as the order book, next year looks a little light and we may have to learn to live on less overtime and some possible involuntary layoffs, therefore, no one should be purposely seeking any LOW time off now.

Last time we asked, the new contract books hadn’t arrived. When we do receive them, we’ll make an announcement.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

By Business Agent Pat Rafferty

It has been a long time since we have been able to issue welcome greetings to newly hired hourly workers in our Plant. But thanks to a provision in the recently negotiated UE-GE Contract, approximately 130 workers have been brought in to replace an equal number of Local 506 members who took advantage of a Special Early Retirement Option (SERO).

Also, as a result of the 2000 Contract, we now have access to the orientation meetings the Company conducts for new workers. President Dave Adams had the opportunity to meet with all but one group; therefore most new members already have some idea of how our Union is structured and how we carry out our work.

By way of further explanation, I’d like to emphasize how special and unique our Union really is. The UE is one of the last large independent unions in the country. Our Union was established in1936 as a progressive, democratic, rank and file-run labor organization. The UE has remained so ever since. The Preamble of the UE Constitution reflects that philosophy, "We the Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE), form an organization which unites all workers on an industrial basis, and rank and file control, regardless of craft, age, sex, nationality, race, creed or political beliefs, and pursue at all times a policy of aggressive struggle to improve our conditions. " In 1936, those precepts were not widely held by other Unions but the framers of the UE Constitution boldly took up the cause and formed a Union that would be truly rank and file controlled and open to everyone.

For instance, our UE Constitution calls for annual conventions where rank and file members from across the country meet to develop the programs and policies the Union will carry out for the year. By constitution, elections for National Officers are held annually, in conjunction with the convention. The Constitution also holds that no officer can be paid any higher than the highest paid member they represent, and in many comparisons they are paid less. The UE, by design, does not take the "top-down" approach to unionism; instead we are an organization where every member can have their voice heard at any level of the Union.

The more you learn about the UE, the more interest we hope you’ll be in becoming an active member. All members are invited and encouraged to attend membership meetings; and to get involved in committee work. For the convenience of the new members we’ve printed a directory of useful information on page two in this edition of the UE LOCAL 506 NEWS.

In closing, the Officers and Members of UE Local 506 welcome new members to the Union and we look forward to working in unity with you to provide secure, prosperous and safe jobs for all members. WELCOME ABOARD!

ODDS AND ENDS

Unused Sick and Personal Time – hourly workers wishing to carry over any unused Sick and Personal days allocated in 2000 must do so by calling (800) 432-2099, before November 30, 2000. If you do not elect to carry these days over, the Company will issue a check to you early next year in lieu of the unused time. Remember, you only call to carry over unused days credited to you in 2000, you do not have to do anything to preserve time banked in prior years.

Annual Enrollment Period – If you’re interested in switching to a different health care plan or joining the new premium- option dental plan, you must do so between November 1 – 30, 2000. If you’re also interested in starting a Flexible Spending account for medical or daycare expenses or start a Voluntary Pension Account you must do so before November 30th. GE stock investors can cancel the Dividend Payout Option during the same period. If you need more information on these benefit options, look or ask for a copy of the latest GE "Benefits Update."

Floating Holiday - Just a reminder to anyone who hasn't yet used his or her "Floater," you should plug it somewhere into your schedule before the end of the year.

HELP COMES IN A UNITED WAY Sometimes those that give need a hand. Over the last year a fellow GE employee, we will call him "Ben" for the sake of privacy, has been battling for his life against cancer. Unfortunately this disease strikes far too many. This is not uncommon. What is different about Ben’s story is a story in its self. Ben is also in recovery from another deadly disease called alcoholism. He has always been there to help others with their fight against alcohol. The phrase "you have to give it away to keep it" has been an integral part of his recovery. Many people in our community have been touched by his warm heart and gentle guiding suggestions. Unable to work and his short term insurance benefits exhausted, he and his wife found themselves on a financial tight rope with Social Security Disability benefits being their only income. With winter coming, Ben’s wife thoughtfully called a furnace inspector to verify the safety of their unit. The furnace was found to be unsafe and needing replacement. With no money left for such an emergency they needed help. Our Community Service Fund Administrators looked for a solution. State or local tax supported programs did not even begin until mid November or were booked solid until January. Help was found through a number of sources. Agway Energy Products in Meadville graciously reduced the installation costs. Three United Way Agencies also stepped forward to help. The St Martin Center, Bayfront Nato/ Martin Luther King Center and the Booker T. Washington Center made financial contributions with the balance being paid by The Aluminum Can Fund. "Ben" and The CSF Board of Administrators thanks all that helped in such a "united way". We all wish "Ben" a speedy recovery.

UE Local 506, November 10, 2000