This Section will be for the Most Current Articles on National & Local Labor News

ALL OLDER Articles will be Moved to the NATIONAL LABOR NEWS or LOCAL AREA LABOR NEWS Pages

AFTER ONE WEEK (On left column Menu)

When is Enough Finally Enough.....

Concession Bargaining is at a Critical Crossroads!

As We Prepare for Our 2013 Contract....what can we expect?

You see it happening all over this country. We have documented and posted articles from all over this country -- both Private and Public Unionized Employees -- being attacked on wages and benefits. If you haven't been paying attention, please read the articles at the links that follow. And sometimes, it seems we are NOT ONLY fighting Corporations or Governments, but our OWN INTERNATIONAL UNIONS as well! It's very scary, and it's coming to a time of decision for all of us, 2013 is NOT that far away. You need to educate yourselves! You will need to PREPARE for it! As a group of unionized manufacturing employees, we will need to formulate our strategy and our response, and we will have to do it sooner, than later. Again, please read the articles at these links.

Concession Bargaining at Historical Crossroads

September 4, 2011 by jackrasmus

Cuomo and NYS Unions Article-- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/nyregion/to-save-jobs-union-approves-big-concessions-in-deal-with-cuomo.html?_r=1

Cooper Tires Article -- on this page...read below

Harley Article --the article is on our Local Area Labor News page (menu on left)...please read it

Wage Tier Systems at the Auto Makers -- by LaborNotes

"It was a concession that has proved disastrous to new hires and seniority workers alike."

http://labornotes.org/2011/07/will-auto%E2%80%99s-three-tier-wages-be-table

DOESN'T IT FEEL LIKE A RECURRING NIGHTMARE? CONCESSION BARGAINING CAN NOT BECOME A WAY OF LIFE! IT IS DESTROYING THE WORKING MIDDLE CLASS! WE HAVE TO STOP PAYING FOR THE MISTAKES & FAILURES OF WALL STREET--BANKS, CORPORATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT--STATE & FEDERAL. THE 1% NEED TO SAY "NO MORE" & "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

(Posted 1/26/2012)

We have continually reminded all of you:

For now anyone that feels they were denied a position that they posted for AND HAD SENIORITY and met the Minimum Qualifications, YOU MUST file a Grievance under ART. XXVIII  on Denial of Upward Mobility AND SENIORITY BEING THE CONTROLLING FACTOR .

YOU MUST CONTINUE TO  POST FOR THE JOBS.

(Posted-- 1/26/2012)

The new December 2011 Wage Rates/Pay Scale table (with the COL), and the Latest Seniority List are posted in the Member Resources Section (on left menu), under "Pay Scales/Seniority" tab on the left menu.  Take a look.....

As part of the talks last week, and as a result of the strike notice, the Company and Union are forming a Joint Training Committee to look at ways to assure that our members that need training, get the opportunity, so that they are able to get their top rate in a timely manner. The Vice President will be the person from the Executive Board on this Committee, he is looking for volunteers to work with him on the committee. It will be him and three other union members that will interact with the company representative to try to solve this problem. Contact Daryl Houshower, via e-mail, if you are interested.

On Member Home page -- Please Read.

From Chief Steward John Ryan....

(See Chief Shop Steward Corner in Member Resources Section)

(Posted--1/15/2012)

We have a Health Care/ Insurance E-Book to help you during the transition of our Insurance Carriers/Administrators. It is NOT meant to replace any inquiries to HRConnect regarding your Healthcare, Medical Benefit and Insurance questions or issues. We ask to continue to contact HRConnect, at 1-877-888-7599, to log cases. We know HRConnect is working hard to correct any and all issues, and is working to update the Benefits page, both internally (Intranet), and externally (a centralized website). The E-Book is available on the Member Home & the Benefit Transition Information pages in the Members Resouces section (menu on left). We hope you find it useful.

The Company and leadership of Local 81359 met today to discuss the union’s concerns that led to the union issuing a strike notice yesterday. This note is to notify employees that the issue has been successfully resolved and there will not be a strike. The Company and union will jointly announce tomorrow the understanding reached by the parties.

We thank employees for staying focused on working safely and meeting customers’ needs as we worked through these issues.

         Dominick Patrignani

        President, IUE-CWA Local 81359

At 8:15 the board turned in a strike notice for unjust discipline for one of our members. Once again today I had a Day in Court for a member, as always it was a lynching. He was accused of not turning in a sample, he was 1 hour late because he was waiting for results. Any of you that work in production know that it often takes the lab a very long time to get results to us. If we can't settle this issue we will go on strike at 0815 on Wednesday. This is not something we do easily, but how many time can we sit idle and let our members be treated as second class citizens. I will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

You can not evict an idea whose time has come??

Mayor Jennings choose to evict the peaceful protesters at the Occupy Albany encampment via court order. However he can not evict a movement. The Occupation in Albany has united many who feel that our government is being controlled by corporate money and failing to listen to the people. Those inspired activists have stood up to fight for the rights of the 99% including pressuring the Governor and NYS Legislature to pass a more progressive tax structure. ??

The Capital District Area Labor Federation and our affiliates have held fundraisers, participated in rallies and stood in solidarity with Occupy Albany. Mayor Jennings and his attempt to silence Occupy will not deter Labor from continuing our support. Our members are part of the 99% and face attacks everyday by corporations and politicians determined to destroy the middle and working class.

Join the Solidarity Rally this Saturday-- 1-7-12, at 3 PM in Albany

Please Try to Stop By and Support Them!

Labor Unions from All Over the Capital District Coming!

BRIEF UPDATE IN PRES. CORNER ON NLRB FINAL MONEY SETTLEMENT AND OVERCHARGED LIFE INSURANCE 2011.......UPDATES.... PLEASE READ.

NOTE: JAN. 6th ,2012 UNION MEETING AGENDA SHEET IN MEETING MINUTES SECTION FOR REVIEW ( large file) . IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY MONTH WITH NEW OSHA COMPLAINTS AND NEW ULPS FILED! UNEMPLOYENT BENEFITS :WORKING WITH OUR GREAT CONTACTS TO FIX ANY ISSUES.....! IT HAS BEEN A VERY BUSY MONTH AGAIN!

UPDATE IN MEMBERS ONLY SECTION ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXAMPLE FOR HOW " A " SHIFT WORKED OUT FOR U.I. BENEFITS.

REPEAT OF LOCAL 359's POSITION ON USE OF SKID STEERS ALL OVER THE PLANT FOR SNOW REMOVAL THIS WINTER IN PRES CORNER. ANOTHER ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN !

OSHA COMPLAINT FILED 11-30-11 !  

HRConnect -- Call 1-877-888-7599  -- Information Being Mailed to You by MPM

Update from Benefits Group to Retirees is below:  Pass it on to them.....

Subject:

Benefits Leadership , really need assistance on what are the retirees supposed to be doing ? They are reading our Union website and I thought they too were supposed to get some sort of update in the mail. Can you please reply with any information our Retirees need to know or what action if any they need to take ? Will they be getting information on their insurance Changes ? Do they call HR Connect too ? Thanks. RE: Unable to make enrollment choice

  HEART ATTACK SLIDE SHOW -- 45 SECONDS OF YOUR LIFE -- A MUST WATCH ...

                       HeartAttack12.pps (AMAZING !) Thanks Ralph !

• Monday – Thursday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm
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This is you chance to have YOUR Voice heard--PLEASE Participate!

CWA & IBEW VERIZON WORKERS ARE BACK TO WORK AND ARE ASKING FOR OUR CONTINUED HELP ON MOBILIZATION AT VERIZON WIRELESS LOCATIONS IN THE CAPITAL DISTRICT. THIS IS FAR FROM OVER! INFORMATION WILL BE OUT ON LOCATIONS AND TIMES .................

What a show of SOLIDARITY across the Capitol District and across the Country !