Business Manager’s Report, October 2008
I want to thank the membership for their attendance at the October membership meeting. Conditions in the plants continue to improve.
There have been two layoffs since our last membership meeting, both on third shift Andover and as a result of security revocations. The first accepted an open req to a non cleared area on second shift. The other chose to resign.
There have been eight recalls. In Andover they were two Test B’s on second. One Assembler C on second. One Calibration A on second. One Test A on third. One Test B on days. One assembly C on days. And one Millwright B on the travel team.
As brother Camerato mentioned we have 11 new hires for the month. In Andover they are 7 assembly C’s on second shift and 1 Quick Turn Operator C on first. In Tewksbury 1 millwright C on 2nd. In Woburn 1 Millwright C on 1st. And 1 plumber was hired on to the travel team.
As of Friday October 10th there were 33 open reqs.
In Andover they were 3 assembly Cc’s on days.
20 Assembly C’s on second
1 Clean Room Specialist on 2nd
2 Quick Turn Operators on 2nd
And 4 Millwright C’s on 2nd
In Tewksbury there was 1 millwright c on 2nd
In Woburn there was 1 HVAC A core position that will be filled from the travel team. Also in Woburn 1 millwright C on first.
OSHA Recordables:
There were five OSHA recordables for the month of September, four In Andover, one in Tewksbury. In Andover an Assembly C cut their hand while removing flux from a board. A Chemical Handler B reported a rash after handling chemicals. A Calibration A reported an injury to their leg while releasing a break. An Assembler C reported a strain to neck and shoulder after working overhead. In Tewksbury a Millwright C reported difficulty breathing after handling cleaning products.
As I stated last month our goal must be no accidents. We all deserve to return home at the end of the day safe and sound. Sometimes we do a job so many thousands of times that we are not paying attention and that is when an accident happens. Please take a moment especially when doing those tasks that you have done for years and ask yourself is this really safe?
Recently there have been two members discharged for not following process sheets. This is a very serious matter. The process sheets are to be followed to the letter. If you are doing anything that is not documented or “just another way of doing the task”, STOP. Do not trust that your boss or engineer knows what you are doing and or will admit to knowing the deviation from process.
The Company has taken a strict disciplinary position and is discharging members with no previous discipline on record. The Union will fight these discharges up to and including arbitration, but we must all be aware that the company is answering to the Government on these issues. The Government wants any violation of process to be dealt with severely. The Government is threatening cancellation of contracts if these deviations are not dealt with. Do not deviate from the process sheet for any reason in any way without raising your hand and getting engineering or management written approval.
Steward selections are proceeding and if you have not had an opportunity to select your steward you should see a selection shortly.
I recently attended a conference where our International announced two more locals in the second district will be shutting down. Local 1203 and Local 1274. At one time they were about the same size as our local. Their companies made the decision not to send their work overseas but to send it to “right to work” states. These companies bemoan the high cost of manufacturing in the area. And while profitable they want to increase profits, so they send about 1800 jobs down south were the labor is about 40% less. Anyone want to venture a guess as to whether their management is taking a 40% cut in pay after moving south?
As you fill out your medical selection coverage during the upcoming open enrollment remember that your Union negotiated a window allowing members to upgrade from STD to STD+ and LTD to LTD+ without a certificate of health in this selection period only. I can not overstress the importance of upgrading during this period. It is highly doubtful we will ever receive another opportunity. If you have any questions about open enrollment or why it is so important to upgrade during this period, give Benefit Councilor Bob Garnhum a call at 978-470-6029.
The Presidential election is fast approaching and I ask everyone to get out and vote! Your participation is what makes this country strong.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson
Business Manager
