We want to recap what has gone on at the table since expiration at 11:59 on April 4.
We were bargaining with the Company until about five minutes before midnight. The Company bargainers asked for a five minute break. They came back at 2:30 a.m. (two-and-a-half hours after expiration) and dumped a "final package" on the table.
We have mentioned most of these things before, but just to summarize, these are the key elements of their final offer:
1) Huge cost shifting on medical care with two tiers – a very bad one for current employees and a much worse one for new hires.
2) A 1% a year increase in the pension plan and pension band credits for CBA and NO pension plan for new hires.
3) Eliminate JOG.
4) An insulting wage increase: 2009 – 0.5%; 2010 – 2.0% lump sum; 2011 – 2%; 2012 – another 2.0% lump sum: 2013 – 2.0%. The lump sums are not added to the base. The regular increases are 2% at the top of the wage progression and 0% at the minimum.
5) Double time for overtime after 10 hours instead of 8.
6) Decrease in call-out pay and everyone can be forced (instead of using volunteers).
7) Fully paid absence after 8 years instead of 3.
8) A new "leveraged title" in which 40% of salaries must be earned back with sales.
9) No card check.
10) No successorship.
11) Large cut in Alliance funding.
12) No Watermark or subcontracting committee in Article 43.
13) The Company is refusing to bargain over benefits for current retirees.
There is more but those are the major give-backs they want. They have not responded positively to one of the Union's key issues.
We are still at the table, arguing over every line, but this will not be fixed at the table. Your Locals have been given information on what it means to work without a contract. The Union still has the option of calling a strike at the time WE want one. We will not be driven into the street by a Company that is ready to have managers, contractors and scabs do our work. Now it is your turn. If there is "business as usual" in your office, that list above will become your new Contract. YOU MUST mobilize in every workplace. You must affect the Company's bottom line and show them you will not stand for these attacks on our members and our Union.
