Brothers and Sisters,
The System Committee was given the Company’s final offer on January 19, 2009, around 1:00 pm. The package you will be voting on next week does have modifications from the previous version. I want to take this time to address those changes.
The grievance process was changed to allow payment for the grievants to attend third steps. The grievance process as a whole will change to some degree but the System Committee feels that we can still be effective with the proposed language. The Committee has changed the current grievance form to address some of these hurdles. The new form will be available upon ratification of the new contract.
Mandatory on-call was another area that has changed since the last vote. The new language takes away the right of management to place employees on the mandatory on-call list. The only provision to allow for mandatory on-call is upon a majority vote of the employees within the headquarters. If the mandatory is voted in by the employees, they will remain on-call for a twelve month period. The details of voting to go on mandatory have not been discussed yet.
The Union was able to obtain a phasing out of the opt-out credits rather than the originally proposed language by the company. Under the final offer, employees who opt-out of medical coverage will receive a $65.00 credit in 2010, a $35.00 credit in 2011 and a $10.00 credit in 2012.
On a personal note, I want to voice my displeasure in the negotiation process. The Union worked very hard to find a middle ground on most of the company proposals. Unfortunately, the company was not willing to reciprocate. The vast majority of the proposals brought by the Union were never entertained by the Company.
Additionally, I do not feel that the company has the level of respect for the Union workers that they should. The Union workers on this property are some of the best out there and should be treated as such. It appalls me that the company will not offer retiree medical to future employees or negotiate an enhancement to the current retirement package.
All of the proposals were not tentatively agreed to by the System Committee. There are several proposals remaining that we could not agree to but are included in the company’s last best and final offer. It is unfortunate that the company was not willing to continue to finish the negotiation process and meet on some middle ground. The company would not settle for anything less than the originally proposed language on several of their proposals.
The decision by the System Committee to unanimously recommend a “Yes” vote on this second offer was not taken lightly or an easy one. We fully understand the impacts of the proposed language. We took action to recommend this package due to the climate we are currently enduring. Today is not the day to take the hill or die trying. We will be back at the table again in three years.
I do want to remind you that this vote will be a little different than the last. A “NO” vote on the package being offered this time will authorize the System Committee to call for a strike. The current contract is in effect until February 19, 2009.
In conclusion, Local Union 1412 will have an information meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2009. The meeting will take place at the Bear Lake Clubhouse and will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. The Vote for the proposed contract will take place on Monday, January 26, 2009. Local 1412 will be open for voting from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse.
Please continue to work safely!!
In Solidarity,
David B. Price, President
