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Members Pack Meeting for Update on Contract Arbitration
3/21/08 - It was a much larger than usual crowd at the March Membership meeting as President/Business Agent Steve MacDougall and the Executive Board updated Local 589 members on the status of the contract arbitration.
"Members can get rumors from anywhere, but you will only get the facts at a union meeting or by calling the Union Hall or by talking directly with Union Officers, Delegates and Barn Captains," President MacDougall told the crowd. "Our union is stronger when we organize internally, communicate and educate all of the members".
The last days of arbitration are scheduled for the week of March 25, 26, 27 and 28 with both sides wrapping up presentations to the independent umpire. President MacDougall noted that, in some ways, the Union is a victim of past success in bargaining and the authority is targeting that success to demand concessions. In fact, if the company's proposals were implemented that would mean $22 million in concessions from Local 589 members.
"We are not apologizing for the wages we earn through hard work, nor for the pensions we are building to protect our families' futures, nor for the health insurance we have negotiated that protects our families," said MacDougall. "However, the reality is that the company is attempting to use that success against our union in tough economic times".
Among the company proposals are increases in health care premiums, increases in co-pays and a four year pay schedule of 0, 1 1/2, 1 1/2 and 1%. Pension issues were resolved last year and are not part of this arbitration.
President MacDougall also pointed out that the arbitration process and other legal issues have cost the union membership over $850,000, weakening the Union's General Fund. "Local 589 has two sources of power - the solidarity of our members and the ability to pay for the legal, communications and operations of our union," noted MacDougall. "As elected leaders of our union, it would be irresponsible of your entire Executive Board to allow this union to lose ground because we lacked the funds for the fight".
And this Union is committed to that fight with continued field visits, with an Executive Board that reflects the will and makeup of the union and with a commitment to fund the internal organizing, communications and membership education that make us strong.
With March 28th as the last day of contract arbitration, a tentative schedule going forward looks like this: 7 days after March 28th transcripts of the arbitration will be available; another 30 days for both sides to file briefs and then anywhere from 30 to 90 days before the arbitrator's decision is released.
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