What's Next?

It will take 7 days for the labor board to certify the election; during that time either side has the opportunity to file an objection to the conduct of the election; it doesn’t happen very often -if there were to be one, we would request the board would rule in a timely manner.

 What we do in the meantime-  the IAM will be assembling the team that will be facilitating the contract negotiations going forward- business representative, representatives from the grand lodge, etc.; those who work solely on negotiating and servicing contracts.  As soon as the election is certified and meetings can be scheduled you will nominate and elect your committee from within to serve on the negotiating team so some from the shop floor are present and provide vital insight.  At the same time the union will also send out employee surveys to get an in-depth read on the key issues. The union also makes requests for information from the company that is required prior to entering negotiations, etc.  Bottom-line is, they will get things moving ASAP.

All we ask is that everyone do everything they can to live by the rules of the employee handbook until we get a contract; that is what they’re supposed to live by until then as well.  Your protection against retaliation extends beyond the election so if there is any head-hunting be sure to document who, when, where, and who the witnesses are and get in contact with one of the union reps.

We hope there can be some healing between those for and those against so everyone can realize it is in their best interests to come together and get the best 1^st contract possible.  Companies always seek to exploit divisions amongst employees, so it’s best to come together and support your negotiating team by sending a clear message you want a fair contract.

Congratulations!

In the face of the government delay and over-the-top anti-union barrage employees voted to elect the IAM as their bargaining representative.


Official Vote Count:

IAM= 841
No Union: 725

 Job well done.  Good luck to all.

We will be in touch as things progress.
 

They Got the Gold Mine- We got the Shaft!

ATK Announces 43% Increase in Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Mark DeYoung says he “appreciates your contributions to ATK’s success”–  he should-

It got him a 1260% performance bonus!

You contributed to ATK’s  Success...did ATK share with you?

All you got was your wages & pension frozen, your insurance raised, and maybe a Walmart gift card, a free meal, or a turkey.  Hardly seems fair does it?

November 7th, 2013:

“Today, ATK reported strong operating results for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14), which ended September 29. I am pleased to report we are executing according to plan, and our activities are aligned with ATK’s Vision and Strategy, which we rolled out in August. (You can find the Vision and Strategy document on the homepage of ATKnet.)” 

“During the quarter, the company recorded a 17 percent year-over-year increase in orders; a 7 percent year-over-year increase in sales; and a 43 percent year-over-year increase in EPS. In addition, ATK once again recorded outstanding safety and environmental performance. Congratulations!”

“Overall, we had an excellent quarter, and we continue to return value to our shareholders.”

“Please continue to be safe in all you do, both at work and at home. I appreciate your contributions to ATK’s success.”

Mark DeYoung

President and Chief Executive Officer

“Return value to shareholders” boosts Mark’s salary and bonuses but he doesn’t say anything about sharing any of the boost in profits with LCAAP employees.  In fact, they’ve talked about wage cuts– CAN YOU REALLY AFFORD THAT?

REGARDLESS OF THE HIGHLY-PAID  “BIG SHOTS” VISITING THE PLANT THIS WEEK SAYING:

“Give us another chance!”
Isn't that what they said in 2001, 2003, & 2009 when employees reached out to unions?

APPARENTLY  YOU ARE NOT  PART OF ATK’S “VISION & STRATEGY”

THIS IS PROOF-POSITIVE NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE

-UNLESS YOU VOTE-YES AND FORM A UNION– AN IAM UNION!!!

YOU WILL BE NOT BE RESPECTED UNTIL YOU DEMAND RESPECT– TOGETHER!

VOTE-YES, FOR A BETTER TOMORROW!

Union Dues Explained

Union Dues: 

Dues are required to run an efficient organization.  Just like businesses belong to their union-the Chamber of Commerce, the American Manufacturing Society,, etc.,  Lawyers belong to the American Bar Association- their union, Doctors belong to the American Medical Association- their union, and so on.  They have someone there advocating for them because it works.  People tithe to churches to keep them going,  we have to have insurance on our house, car, and motorcycle to protect them.

Initiation fees are waived for newly organized facilities.

  If you make $22 hr. and your dues are 2X the hourly rate plus $2 that would be $44+$2= $46.00 divided by 160hrs. per month it comes to just .29 cents per hour. If You and your IAM union negotiate just one .30 cent per hour raise- that would be enough to pay your dues virtually for life. If you work O.T. it would actually figure out to be less. That .30 cent increase in wages would also figure in to higher Social Security and retirement  benefits as well, and more on your paycheck when time and one-half is calculated. Those earning less than $16 hr. pay a flat $35 hr. If the IAM negotiated just one 3% raise it would equal $.66 hr. for someone making $22hr. That would be $1372 yr. without overtime accounted for. Anyone thinking that paying union dues is actually going to take money OUT of their pockets hasn't been paying attention- you've already lost out on 2 annual raises that will never be calculated into your base rate. Take time to calculate what you've already lost by being "union free". It hasn't been "free", it has cost you! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics- union members enjoy a $4 hr. advantage in all-important benefits. That equates to $656 more per month on a nation-wide average, or $7872.00 per year.  If the company cannot afford to give you a raise when they are making near- record earnings (thanks to you)- and even threatening a 15% wage cut- what do they plan to do when times are tough?
Vote-YES for a brighter future for ATK. A Happy Worker is a Productive Worker!

Introduction to the IAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScPOm4q7bhU&feature=player_embedded

Tentative Agreements reached between Unite Continental Holdings and International Association of Machinists (IAM)

September 27, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

Contact: NMB Public Information Line -- (202) 692-5050

Re:  United Continental Holdings and IAMAW reach Agreement

Washington, D.C. – The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that three tentative agreements were reached on September 26, 2013, by United Continental Holdings with the IAMAW (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers).  These agreements affect over 28,000 employees.

One agreement covers fleet service employees; another covers passenger service employees; and the third agreement covers storekeeper employees.  Each of these three agreements combine the workgroups of United, Continental, Continental Micronesia and MileagePlus subsidiaries. 

Mediation was guided by NMB Mediators Michael Kelliher and Andy Nordgren; Senior Mediator Patricia Sims; and Chairman Linda Puchala.

These agreements are subject to ratification by IAMAW members.  Specific information regarding these contracts or their provisions should be obtained directly from the parties.

The National Mediation Board is an independent Federal agency established by the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor-management relations within two key transportation sectors of the United States and U.S. territories: the railroads and airlines.

Union Membership and the Middle Class

There is a direct correlation between union membership and the decline of the middle-class.
Without labor making demands to drive the economy- by increasing consumer buying-power  and fighting for fair health insurance & pensions, an ever-larger portion worker's wages are going towards funding their own benefits that used to be employer-paid, and they're doing it with stagnated wages that haven't kept up with inflation.
Failed Trickle-Down economic theories and attacks against labor unions has driven income disparity to that not last seen since the 1929 Depression.