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From the Presidents Desk
Hugh Bowen
As I reported at the October membership meeting, there is renewed hope in Gadsden, Alabama as the members of USWA Local 12 vote this week on a proposal by the company to continue tire production at the Goodyear plant there. As you all know, the plant was scheduled to cease tire production by the end of 1999 and remain open only as a rubber-mixing center for other Goodyear facilities. The proposal must be voted on by the membership there at Local 12 because it addresses how labor will be handled inside their plant. It does not include any changes that affect the Master Agreement. Tentatively we have heard that production of 18,000 tires per day will be brought back to this USA facility from some off-shore facility and could result in a workforce increase to approximately 1200 people. Goodyear is claiming that a higher than anticipated growth in the replacement tire market and original equipment demand during 1999 has resulted in a shortage of tires to meet the needs of Goodyear’s customers. If the proposal is approved by the membership of Local 12, production of radial light truck tires could continue on. We should know more about this and have some definite information by Friday.
This change in the future of Local 12 and the Gadsden Goodyear plant could have a positive effect on our sub fund. At the moment the sub fund still is fluctuating between paying and not paying on a three or four week cycle. Because it remains below 10%, we still are receiving updates weekly instead of monthly. We will continue to keep you updated.
At the recent Interim Meeting that I attended, one of the hot topics of debate was the company’s new Drug and Alcohol Policy. We discussed the company’s misunderstanding and misuse of the policy’s "reasonable cause’ . Although we did not agree to this new company policy, I have always believed that the intent of "reasonable cause" was not every little thing, as our management has indicated. "Reasonable cause" should not be used because you have a disagreement or argument with your area manager. I told the company representatives at this meeting that I thought that was wrong. They did indicate that there might be some misunderstandings as to what those words meant. Hopefully we can get this straightened out and a consistent enforcement of this policy before any one of our members suffers because of it. Corporate management present at this meeting also promised us that a copy of this new company policy would be mailed to each and every employee within the next two weeks. Hopefully then, all members will be aware of the changes made in the company’s Drug and Alcohol Policy.
Every year your November Union dues reflect an increase based on any pay increases received during the previous twelve months. The amount of increase is based on a 2 (two) cent increase in dues for every 1 (one) cent increase in pay. The increase this year will be $1.39 for members working in the plant and $.80 for members working at the GDC. This increase will make the total monthly dues for the plant $32.55 and $21.40 for the GDC. Remember that these increases reflect an increase in pay of $.693 in the plant and $.40 at the GDC.
I would like to thank John Shotkoski for contributing an article to this months edition of the Spotlight. I am real proud of his effort to write the following article.
Thoughts from the Vice President
John Shotkoski
Many people recently have talked to President Bowen and myself about the pending dues increase. So I thought, "Why do we pay union dues?"
Employers need us and thus will pay us a good wage to work for them. Plus my employer will want to make sure I am healthy, so I will be provided with a quality health care plan. As will my family, because my employer cares about them too. And lastly my employer will want to reward me for a job well done by giving me multiple weeks of paid vacation and several paid holidays. So what do I need a union for? My employer will look out for my best interest.
The sad truth is that most employers don’t have your best interest at hand. What they care about is the financial ‘bottom line’ numbers and are responsible to the shareholders only. That is a miserable fact in today’s business world.
Granted, most employers offer some health packages and a few benefits to go with it. But in the long run something will be sacrificed; either actual wages or benefits. If that is not the case, then why do most service jobs have such high turnover rates? Because the pay and benefits stink. Take a look at your supermarkets, Wal-Marts, McDonalds and so on. They always need help. Why? Because they lowball the workers for the sake of profit margins and thus there is no loyalty to stay.
But on the other hand look at the Goodyear, Burlington or Square D’s where a union is in place. People have longevity, but most important they have decent jobs with decent wages and benefits. These were achieved through the continuing efforts of the union and its’ members. Strength in numbers may sound funny to some, but it is true. The company doesn’t just deal with the individual; it deals with the whole, in a union shop.
We can look at a union as providing a continual service to us. Sure, we may not see it as when you get a haircut or your yard mowed. But you see it every time you open your paycheck, submit an insurance claim or take a vacation. For my $30 or $40, I get a lot of little things that add up to the whole.
And that is why we pay union dues month after month, so we can maintain a good wage and benefit package. Which enables all of us to enjoy a decent lifestyle. Without a union, we might as well go to work at Wal-Mart or McDonalds, because that is what will be reflected each time you open your paycheck. Of course, you won’t have those union dues to bitch about anymore.
In The Editors Opinion
Ucinda Sims
What is "fair" when donating money to an agency that makes sure a child had a meal today? What is "fair" when dollars are given to an organization that finds a homeless family shelter? What is "fair" when deciding how much to give a research group that is working on a cure for cancer...or diabetes...or heart disease? That same organization also gives care and support to families living with these diseases. So what would be their "fair share"?
As labor people, we can be proud of our participation in local United Way campaigns across the nation. The United Way recognizes our contributions so far as to have full time Labor Liaisons in their structures. And it is not hard to figure out why. As members of the Labor community we are counted on for our support of many organizations and agencies. We are known to be generous in our contributions and our supply of volunteers. We are counted on to be grateful for what we have. Historically we are giving and empathetic to a fault.
The AFL-CIO and the United Steelworkers of America support the United Way/CHAD and encourage each of us to do the same. We must continue to give back to our communities. We must continue to stand and be counted in the numbers of those that care.
In the clutter of the daily grind, we sometimes forget that there are so many less fortunate and less able to help themselves. It is easy to lose ourselves in the act of survival. We must remind ourselves of how fortunate we are and constantly be giving back. It is not always easy to figure out a way to do this. Giving to the United Way/CHAD is one way.
Important Notice from the P&I Office
Sally Edwards
As a member of the USWA International Pension and Insurance Committee, I will be meeting with Metlife representatives and Goodyear corporate and payroll representatives on October 25th and 26th, 1999 in Warwick, Rhode Island.
The purpose of this meeting is to identify and resolve the many outstanding problems associated with the conversion of Optional Life Insurance to Metlife from Aetna.
If you have a problem to be resolved, please notify me by Friday, October 22nd. I need your name, social security number and a brief description of what is wrong.
Thank you, Sally Edwards Pension and Insurance Representative,Policy Committee Member
Thanks...Again
The Community Services Committee would like to thank Bev, Jerry, Bessie, Frank, Ucinda and Larry for the help they provided with the fall highway cleanup. When members volunteer their time and efforts, everybody benefits.
Volunteers will once again be needed on November 3rd to help with selling honey bears for ARC as we do every year. Bears will be for sale at the two entrances for all three shifts.
And everyone’s help is need for the Food, Coat & Mitten Drive on November 10th, 11th and 12th. Not only will we be looking for volunteers to help with collection, but we will be looking forward to the generosity of all of you with donations that can be dropped off at the gates when you arrive at work during this time. Food donations will be given to the Lincoln Food Bank. The mittens and coats that are donated will be taken to the city mission.
Please let me know if you are interested in helping. Signup sheets will be circulated for the Food drive.
Once again, thank you. Milt Schmidt Chairman, Community Services Committee
Retiree’s Corner
Natchez, Mississippi – Two workers were hospitalized – one in a burn unit– after a flash fire broke out October 4, 1999 in a Banbury mixer at Titan Tire Corp. of Natchez’s tire plant. Both employees – who are among about 200 replacement workers hired during the year-long Steelworkers strike in Natchez – suffered burns when carbon black dust ignited, said David Fines, the plant’s operations manager. One of the workers was transported to a burn unit in Greenville, Miss., while the other was taken to a local Natchez hospital, Fines said. Both were in fair-to-good condition as of October 7, he said. Investigations by the company and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are pending.
HO HO HO
You better not cry...you better not pout… Watch for information next month on the December 5th, 1999 Annual Children’s Christmas Party All the information will be in the November issue of the Spotlight
Get Cookin’
The new Goodyear Cookbooks are now available. If you would like to have one, they are for sale at the Union Hall. They make great Christmas gifts, too. Price is $12.00 each. Come in today and get yours.
Start the New Century with a Win!
The 2000 Nebraska State AFL-CIO Calendars are available now at the Union Hall. Monies generated by the sale of these calendars are used to support the educational/scholarship fund. If you would like to purchase one and get your name in the drawing for next year, please stop by and get one today.
Congratulations to the October winners from Local 286 in the Nebraska AFL-CIO Calendar raffle. This months winners are
William Schmidt,Jerry Doerr,Jack Breckner,Kenneth Eloge
November Retirees Club Meeting
By the time you read this, the 1999 United Way/CHAD campaign will have begun in the plant. As happens every year, you will be individually solicited for your "fair share" or whatever donation you can afford. While "fair share" is calculated mathematically, the true definition of "fair share" can be somewhat different.
Notice to All Members
You should have recently received your new Steelworkers Membership card in the mail. If you did not receive the new blue card or the information on your new card is incorrect, please contact the Union Hall. Chances are that if you are not on the list you are also not receiving you copy of the monthly SteelLabor magazine. Each month this magazine contains interesting articles about what is going on in other places and with other Steelworkers.
The United Steelworkers of America have announced that Pepsi Bottling Group will stop buying can sheet from Kaiser Aluminum after its current commitment expires on December 31, 1999. As a result, David Foster, USWA District 11 Director, announced the end of a successful international consumer boycott of Pepsi Products packaged in Kaiser Aluminum metal.
"This is a major victory for the locked-out Kaiser Aluminum Steelworkers," said USWA International President George Becker "I want to thank all of our brothers and sisters in the US and Canadian labor movements for their overwhelming support of this campaign. We are now prepared to move on to other customers of Kaiser Aluminum. We will not back down until Kaiser Aluminum either ends the lockout or the company backs down from their onerous contract demands and we agree on a fair contract."