Date: 12/23/2008
Brothers and Sisters,
Monday December 22, 2008, the Company and Union met to continue negotiations. Through the course of the day it became apparent to the Union Committee that the Company was moving very little on the issues and we stated that the Company may as well give us their last best offer.
At 4:33 pm the Company gave the Union their “last best offer”. The Company characterized their offer as an outstanding package for the employees, especially in today’s economy. The Company stated that the package includes significant benefit enhancements that make good business sense for the Company and for the employees.
The Company stated that they gained work rule changes that improve customer service and reliability, eliminated “un-needed” business costs, more structured training for the employees, and work schedules that enhances the employees’ quality of life.
The Company wanted to know what recommendation the Union System Committee would make to the members on how to vote on the package.
The System Committee has decided to abstain from making a recommendation on how to vote on this package and will leave it up to the membership to decide the value of the Company’s “last best offer.”
The package that you will be voting on, including the items that the parties tentatively agreed to, are items that the parties could not agree on. Some of the items that could not be agreed on include the Company’s proposal on changes to the grievance procedure (M-19), benefits (U1, U3, M45, M46, M47), Line department (M8 SL Crews, M11 Rest Time, M12 Call-outs, M14 Red Time, M17 Work Assignments), Fossil Operations (M40 In-plant Projects, M42 Control Tech/Elect Shared Work), Safety (U-38), and other proposals. M-42 also includes safety issues regarding the work that Control Techs will be required to perform. A significant proposal to the Company is M45 to eliminate for new hires their subsidy for retiree medical coverage. The Union vehemently opposed this proposal, however, the Company insisted and has included M45 in the offer.
The Union has assembled the package and it is available for download.
The Union has scheduled the vote for Wednesday January 7th, 2009.
As a reminder, the current contract has been extended until February 19th, 2008, as mutually agreed upon by the parties.
Please work safe and remember to vote on the Company’s “last best offer” on January 7th.
Respectfully, your System Council Committee
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
2008 Contract Update
Brothers and Sisters,
The Company gave the Union System Committee a "Last and Best Offer" on Monday, December 22, 2008. Local 1412 will have an information meeting on January 5, 2009. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse. Voting will take place on Wed, January 7, 2009 from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me after Christmas. I will be on vacation until January 5, 2009 but will check my voicemail and my email. You can click on this link http://d943626.u38.infinology.net/downloads/2008lastbestoffer.pdf for a statement from your System Committee and for a copy of the final offer from the Company.
The Company gave the Union System Committee a "Last and Best Offer" on Monday, December 22, 2008. Local 1412 will have an information meeting on January 5, 2009. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse. Voting will take place on Wed, January 7, 2009 from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me after Christmas. I will be on vacation until January 5, 2009 but will check my voicemail and my email. You can click on this link http://d943626.u38.infinology.net/downloads/2008lastbestoffer.pdf for a statement from your System Committee and for a copy of the final offer from the Company.
Monday, December 8, 2008
12/08/2008
I hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I know that I enjoyed the time away from the table and the quality time I spent with my family. We are back at the table again and have been since last Tuesday. The parties used Last Monday as a work day to get prepared for the coming week.
Right now we are working on several of the production dept issues and all of the major line dept proposals. I want to touch on the production department first. The Company withdrew several of their proposals in that department and both parties withdrew the 12 hr shift proposals. M6, M30 and M31 were all withdrawn by the company and the parties are working on counters for M40 and M42. All of these were major issues in the production department.
The line department is another story. Right now the Company is dug in on having 24-7/365 coverage, crossing boundaries, journeyman is a journeyman, expanded SL duties, and reducing or the elimination of rest time as you know it all in exchange for NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. I am hopeful that having the weekend to think about things will help clear the air but I doubt it.
This week should be a busy one and I will try and update you all as soon as I can. Please stay focused on your work and be safe. Speaking of safety, I understand that one of our Brothers in the Transmission Dept was injured last week. We also have another Brother that was hospitalized. Please take time out of your day to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
In Solidarity,
David B. Price
Right now we are working on several of the production dept issues and all of the major line dept proposals. I want to touch on the production department first. The Company withdrew several of their proposals in that department and both parties withdrew the 12 hr shift proposals. M6, M30 and M31 were all withdrawn by the company and the parties are working on counters for M40 and M42. All of these were major issues in the production department.
The line department is another story. Right now the Company is dug in on having 24-7/365 coverage, crossing boundaries, journeyman is a journeyman, expanded SL duties, and reducing or the elimination of rest time as you know it all in exchange for NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. I am hopeful that having the weekend to think about things will help clear the air but I doubt it.
This week should be a busy one and I will try and update you all as soon as I can. Please stay focused on your work and be safe. Speaking of safety, I understand that one of our Brothers in the Transmission Dept was injured last week. We also have another Brother that was hospitalized. Please take time out of your day to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
In Solidarity,
David B. Price
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