BARGAINING CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
By Wes Hogsett
Welcome members of Local 974. I’m Wes Hogsett. I will be your Bargaining Chairman for the
next 3 years. I will have an open door
policy to help assist all members
of Local 974.
I am stepping into this office behind Bill Scott. Bill has done an excellent job of
representing this Local. He has gone
above and beyond what is expected of this
office for the last 7 years. I have learned a lot from him and want to
express my appreciation for all the hard work and long hours he has given to
representing
this Local Union
and its Membership. I wish him the best
in whatever the future holds for him.
Thanks Bill.
As of July 1, 2008,
there were 94 active discharges and separations in the arbitration
backlog. As of the same date there were
2,802 active grievances in the
arbitration backlog.
As Bill reported last month on 5/16/08, a charge was filed with the NLRB on behalf of
the UAW International and all 4
Illinois Locals of the Company’s refusal to bargain over their new smoking
policy. The NLRB is still investigating
this charge and we are waiting on them to make a decision. On 6/2/08,
Rick Doty filed a charge on behalf of William Scott II and Local 974 claiming
the Company is holding Union Reps. to a higher standard. The NLRB is investigating this. Also, William Scott, 1st shift
Committeeman, Bldg. LL is giving the NLRB an affidavit today on this charge.
On May 30, 2008,
the NLRB issued a complaint against Cat on the charge that was filed over the
Company not following the language concerning dues checkoff.
There is going to be an Ag-Imp./Cat
Council meeting in Detroit, Michigan
on September 8 -12, 2008.
On June 2, 2008,
the Company implemented their no smoking ban.
As a result, the Company indefinitely suspended 37 employees and 5 other
employees with either 3 or 5 day suspensions.
The Company ended all indefinite suspensions, converting them to
1 day suspensions on 6/17/08. I want to say in my
opinion all those that were suspended should be commended for standing up for
what they believe in. All of us
should realize that there are
strength in numbers.
On June 19, 2008,
the Company notified the Union in writing of their
intent to discontinue and/or resource the production of on-highway truck
engines, off-highway
heavy duty truck engines (Mossville BB & DD) and lower power train (E. Peoria
HH).
The International Union has requested and set up a 16.10
meeting for July 17, 2008. We have no specific information about these
moves at this time.
Arvid Anderson is our new
Arbitrator. Arbitration is scheduled to
resume July 23, 2008 in
Morton.
I want to express on behalf of the Hogsett
family, our thanks for the thoughts and prayers that we received since my
father, John Hogsett, passed away on May 9, 2008.
God Bless!