June 29, 2009
To Fellow Brothers and Sisters,
This is to inform you that rumors that you heard about operations returning to 8-hour shifts is not the intention of the union leadership. This rumor was started when a staff person told one member and has spread like a plague through the use of company e-mail. If you have any questions about something you heard then you need to come to the union hall for the monthly meeting to find out the truth before spreading rumors.
The company has brought up multiple issues that they are looking to address. Their biggest one is cost cutting. Part of their plan to save money is to place the entire Union Leadership back on their jobs effective July 6th, 2009. So by doing so Marty, Wilton and I will not be available to our members as much as we were in the past. If you would have a need to speak with me then you can contact me at GO-1 outside control room ext 6760 on “D” shift schedule.
I will do my best to handle my union duties while working on shift but things will take longer to address then the did before since I will not have time to work on them while on my job and will require me to balance family, work and union duties. So if you think things took a long time to get answers just wait they will take even longer now.
The company has not been able to address how they plan to cover contractual issues dealing with union/management meetings address in Article 9.02 of the contract. Presently we meet 4 times a month for a scheduled 2 hours. This will not be possible while working shift work. Perhaps meeting on Saturday for 8 hours will be more feasible for the company.
Sincerely,
Brent " Sarge" Waguespack
Chemical Chairman
