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OCTOBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE
Agenda:The first order of business will be nominations for delegates to 2005 District Six meetings (see related article)
Officers Reports, Committee updates and general business matters will follow.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND TIMES ARE: |
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Thursday, October 14, 2004 (All meetings) |
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7:20 a.m. (3rd Shift) |
1:00 p.m. (2nd Shift) |
3:20 p.m. (1st Shift) |
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JOHN NELSON MARKER DEDICATED |
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Late in the afternoon, on Saturday,
September 18, 2004, State Senator Jane Earll and Representative Linda Bebko
Jones unveiled a Pennsylvania Historical Marker honoring John Nelson for his
leadership and in recognition of the sacrifices he made defending Local 506
during the 1950’s McCarthy Era. The Pennsylvania Labor History Society, PLHS,
was responsible for the marker and held the dedication as part of their 2004
Conference.
As the Nelson Family looked on, PLHS President Charles McCollester opened the ceremony and introduced labor singer/song writer Mike Stout who performed for the crowd gathered in front of the 506 Hall. Labor educator and writer Jim Young followed Mike and explained the historical significance of John Nelson’s leadership during a time when the Local was under extreme attacks by the right-wing, corporate backed politicians. After the unveiling, John’s widow Helen thanked everyone responsible for the marker. Bob and Jim Nelson then gave an emotional account of what they had to endure as a result of the "red baiting". Jim, who also served as Local 506 President, told the audience how proud he was of his father and his mother who stood strong despite attacks by the government, some union leaders and certain community factions. Because of the taunts and fights that would break out, Bob Nelson said he and his brother would have to "watch each others backs" while walking to school. As bad as that era was for them, both Bob and Jim fondly mentioned there were many UE National and Local leaders who stood by their father. Prior to the dedication, as the Conference concluded in the Hall, former 506 President and Chief Plant Steward John Wassell recounted how he couldn’t wait to go to membership meetings to hear John Nelson speak. Wassell said of Nelson, "He was the best President Local 506 had or ever will have". John bitterly recalled how Nelson was set up by the Butler Committee hearings resulting in GE firing him. Wassell believes GE was responsible for John Nelson’s early death. Following John Wassell, Dr. David Rosenberg, University of Pittsburgh Labor Archivist, surprised Conference delegates and the Nelson family by showing a short video of John Nelson taken from clips he was able to acquire from the UE archives in his research. The marker dedication culminated two days of events, which included an awards dinner, held on Friday honoring labor activists, among them a 506 Member. You can read more about these events on page three.
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FRANKLY SPEAKING
The Pennsylvania Labor History Society held its Historical Marker Dedication at the UE Hall on Saturday September 18, 2004. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Charlie McCollester and the Labor History Society for the work they do in preserving labor history, so future generations may know the struggles of those who came before them.
A heart felt thanks to former 506 President and Chief Plant Steward John Wassell for his stirring speech about his friend John Nelson. Thank you also to Jim Young, Mike
Stout, Matt Gress, Rosann Barker, Ken Wolensky, Dave Rosenberg, State Representative Linda Bebko-Jones, and State Senator Jane Earll.
Like many of the other delegates participating in the Conference, I thought the event was educational and very moving. We received an E-mail from one attendee that I think summed up the Conference perfectly. Nick Molner wrote, "I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in this remembrance of a righteous and dedicated labor leader. John Nelson came alive for the day and touched the lives of all who were there and now his contribution and memory, thanks to all the hard work by the local and all involved has been resurrected and hopefully will serve as a guide stone for some hard working and caring laborer."
ELECTION 2004 - 24 DAYS AND COUNTING
Tonight is the second of three scheduled debates between President Bush and Senator Kerry; this evening topics include domestic and economic policy, both candidates handled themselves well in last weeks face off, but with gas prices at an all time high, health care costs increasing, and manufacturing jobs leaving this country, tonight could prove to be a mine field for the President. Forty-eight of the fifty states are facing bankruptcy and the Federal Government is $7 Trillion in the red. When you vote on November 2nd, do so with the future in mind, yours and your children’s.
Kitchen’s Kabinet October 2004
Only a few weeks have passed since our last newspaper so the number of grievances submitted has not changed that much. 10 cases were processed to Step II this past month, bringing the total to 68 for the year.
There was a Second Step Grievance meeting held September 30th with 39 grievances on the agenda. Twenty-four cases were closed, fourteen were held over for further discussion and one will move on to Step III.
During the Step II meeting, there was considerable discussion on several grievances that involved management performing bargaining unit work. The company was reminded that the Union expects that management people have enough work of their own without doing our work as well. The company has forever taken the position that there is no contractual provision stopping them from performing hourly work on an incidental basis. Even though they say the contract does nothing to stop them, they are quick to add, "It is not our intent to have management perform bargaining unit work". The Union emphasized there are certain folks in management who relish the opportunity to practice doing our jobs, and go as far as rubbing it in our faces. To those in management who feel they have the absolute right to do hourly work whenever it pleases them, we say be careful, we are paying attention and it is our intent to stop you. Some of these same people, when reminded that we can file a grievance over their deed, say, "go ahead, so what". This is a dangerous attitude. The Union takes the grievance procedure very seriously and will take the steps necessary to defend it.
The company has notified the Union that they would be adding six jobs in Central Maintenance. This is welcome relief and has been a long-time coming. The Union has been arguing that there has been too much sub-contracting for a long time and although we are not naïve to think this will end that problem, it is a step in the right direction. We will watch the contracting and continue to press for the elimination, of what the Union considers, a waste of money, on needless and often over priced sub-contractors.
On a final note - the November 2nd Elections!
Can you imagine with the war in Iraq, the economy sputtering along, the largest job loss in 75 years, more uninsured, more children in poverty, home mortgage delinquency on the rise, the largest deficit ever and with the average wage in this country in decline, experts are saying our percentage of voter turnout, even though expected to be above normal, will still be less than the percentage in upcoming elections in Afghanistan or Iraq.Don’t take just anyone’s word on the issues, find out for yourself and make an informed decision. Stop and think for one minute about the lives that have been sacrificed so you can enjoy your liberty and the right to self-governance.
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
