STRIKE LIKELY AVERTED.
Well, this is decidedly good news:
. . . .Tentative Agreement
Saturday, 08 May 2010 @ 09:11
A tentative contract has been reached between the Union and the Company as of late Friday night, May 7th. The Ratification Meeting will most likely be Wednesday evening, May 12th. A lot of information is flowing as we speak. Once we have all relevant details set firmly in place we will update this posting. Stay tuned. . . .UPDATED @ 10:26 a.m. EDT
CAT Team Message
Late Friday night, and after months of intense negotiations, USW Local 10-00086 and Merck reached a tentative settlement on a new 3-year agreement that would run through April 30, 2013.
As we have recently reported, our negotiations grew increasingly difficult as the process dragged on. As much as we argued, as hard as we fought to save West Point jobs, the Company simply refused to listen to our message that Merck’s USW employees –- many of whom have dedicated their working lives to the success of the West Point site -- are better suited to secure and maintain the West Point facility than $10/hour day laborers. At the end of the day, however, the Committee was able to conclude our negotiations at a point where we could protect all of our people if not their current jobs.There are a number of provisions in the new, tentative agreement. Many are significant improvements. Some are not. But considered as a whole, we believe that the tentative settlement is worthy of consideration by our full membership.
The tentative agreement will be placed before the membership for approval or rejection at a special membership meeting that will take place in the North Penn High School auditorium this coming Wednesday evening, May 12th at 6:00 p.m. Because of Wednesday’s vote, the regular membership meeting previously scheduled for Monday, May 10th is cancelled.
Before then, and as promised, the full tentative agreement will be available for review and inspection by all members at various locations throughout the facility beginning Monday morning. Every word.
All members are encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday. . . .
Great news, for the families involved. Now, let's see what the terms are. Calling all USW Local No. 10-86 members! -- feel free to share what the proposed contract says, in the comment box attached to this post.
5 comments:
Okay, first you have to understand I'm NOT affiliated w/ the teamsters. I just happen to KNOW them. I'm not certain they're willing to comment on anything until after everything is settled. If they're willing to comment at all.
I just hope from reading you're post that my friends are able to keep their jobs. Which BTW was the issue from the start. Having 10% of the workforce let go and be "out-sourced" to private contractors and/or non-unionized companies. That is all I personally feel I can give you.
Oh, and in regards to your earlier post about the Durham,
NC facility. Yes, I have heard of that facility. As do many others in the surrounding townships of this area. A subject of 'great controversy', even till now IMHO. Unfortunately, I
feel inadequate on this specific topic considering it's all hearsay. Sorry I can't be more help. Hopefully, someone else can step up other than myself since I'm limited.
Thanks very much for the insights -- much appreciated. I'll keep a good thought for Wednesday night.
The USW Local is saying that people will be protected, but just not specific jobs, for specific people.
[These are United Steelworkers locals, though -- not Teamsters. Just to be clear.]
Namaste
Well this isn't good. Just talked to my coworker. Word
is they are not happy w/ new agreement at all. She said talk of strike possible Thursday when they vote. & Merck won't offer any future contract negotiations. Not our of the water yet!
This comment is applicable here too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXdKlpBOvs0
Have you seen the little piggies
Crawling in the dirt?
And for all the little piggies
Life is getting worse
Always having dirt to play around in
Have you seen the bigger piggies
In their starched white shirts?
You will find the bigger piggies
Stirring up the dirt
Always have clean shirts to play around in
In their styes with all their backing
They don't care what goes on around
In their eyes there's something lacking
What they need's a damn good whacking
Everywhere there's lots of piggies
Living piggy lives
You can see them out for dinner
With their piggy wives
Clutching forks and knives to eat their bacon
Salmon
Thanks again for the first person reporting!
Was there any indication as to which particular proposed contract terms were the source of contention/displeasure?
Do let us know -- there is no legal prohibition on anonymous reporting of the members' impressions of such a proposed collective bargaining agreement -- and in any event, I'll never divulge your metadata; and you know I don't know your identity.
Please, do share -- for the benefit of all local union members.
Namaste
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