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USW LOCAL 1137
This page will be used by me to post random thoughts on various subjects that may or may not be in the newsletter. Here, I can ramble on more than I can in the newsletter. When I hear a rumor, a complaint or an idea from a member (or from the company, or just current events in the mill, the country or the world) it often sets me to thinking. Also, I often hear of someone saying "Johnny said .... " when I really didn't. Hmmm, that might be a good title for this page - 'Johnny said ....' ~ Anyway, here goes...
September 3, 2010 - I hope all of our members and their families have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. Don't forget why we have this holiday. If you are in the Shoals Area and have a chance, come to Tuscumbia Monday for the Labor Day activities. There will be a parade downtown beginning at 10:00 AM and festivities in Spring Park will begin at 11. There will be food, music and, of course, politicians.
Don’t forget the meetings being held next Tuesday (September 7) at Local 1161’s Union Hall. They are expecting several State and Local candidates to attend and we need to help them have a crowd for this. All union members and their families are invited. Meetings will be held at 4:15 PM and 6:15 PM. Local 1161’s Union Hall is located on Tennessee St. in Courtland, just east of the old high school.
According to the Memorandum of Agreement on page 175 of our contract, if a minimum of 75% of all mechanics request it, we will work a 6-month trial of 12-hour shifts. On August 25 I was given a petition containing the names of 150 of our 199 mechanics. I have given notice of this to the Company. We will now form a committee with the Company to develop guidelines to be used during the trial period. That should be done in time for the beginning of the trial period to coincide with our annual manpower movements in January. According to the MOA, after 6-months either party may terminate the trial by giving two weeks notice. We will have a vote after six months, with a simple majority of 50%+1 of those voting to determine if we want to continue with the 12-hour shift or revert to the current 8-hour shift. For a few people on each side of the issue, this is very emotional subject. The folks who first asked how to go about getting this trial have apparently followed the rules and have done what they needed to do. We don't need to let this cause any problems between us. The majority rules and we have to stick together even though we may want things to go another way.
The major outage is fast approaching. The maintenance department will be having a pre-outage cookout on Tuesday September 14.
Tim Agee and I will be attending the IP/USW Health and Safety Conference September 14-17. This conference is mandated by the 2007 Master Agreement and all expenses are the responsibility of the company.
We have started a 'group' on Facebook for the Local. If you are a user of Facebook, click HERE and join in. Invite any like-minded union member friends. I think this, as it becomes more known and used, can be a great tool for the Local.
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The opinions posted on this page are those of Johnny Phillips and do not necessarily reflect those of the USW, the other officers of Local 1137, or the majority of the members of Local 1137. Dissenting opinions may be submitted to admin@usw1137.org and may be published on a separate page.
