Change we need!

The Change We Need!

The union leadership has a few things to be concerned about:

From what we have been told (by several individuals), they (Union Members) have been specifically discouraged from participating in on-line discussion on this blog. Know why? Remember the discussions from the Arizona Star-Net Blog two years ago? That’s one of the many reasons why.

Some members & non-members believe the discussion during the strike contributed to the decline of the organization.

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The free speech on "those bad, mean anti-union web pages", apparently has led to internal strife within the confines of the local union. With seeds of doubt planted by this and other contra-union web sites, many of us believe the petition drive will become much more fruitful when the time comes.

Brave union supporters who have posted here with pro-union bias are repeating the same old, tired “stories” we’ve all heard for years. We encourage more union supporters to give us their side of the story. Unique inside the union perspective is requested! We wish to air all the issues concerning the collective, so we as a group know the facts before signing the petition.

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Now that an opposition viewpoint is focusing on the fallacies of those long time anecdotes, a growing majority of the bargaining unit wishes to remove the bargaining unit in exchange for a merit system that rewards productivity and creativity. Poor performers, the union leadership, and their die-hard members are nervous. If we vote them out, they’ll get no federal bailout! So lets argue the issues here & now. Lets debate here. Lets ask all the important questions, and answer them to the satisfaction of the 1700 + workers in the bargaining unit. Ask all workers to come and read, submit questions, and challenge the status quo.

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We expect a large rebellion once the decertification process begins. A percentage of the unionists will try to blame the anti-union supporters, who are exercising their rights as American workers. They are willing to do whatever it takes to stop the momentum of this campaign. Management is keenly aware of the identity of these individuals. After all, they are so proud of their union; their shirts, buttons, pins, stickers and other trinkets are their “badges of honor”. In reality, they are already blaming anti-unionists for the “lost contract of 2009.” When will they begin to take responsibility?

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Finally, you’ll recall that the just-concluded election process, President-elect Obama’s political slogan was The Change We Need. That change needs to also happen here in the bargaining unit of Raytheon Missile Systems. Mean what you say; say what you mean. Vote for a change that’s closer to home, a change that will make a real difference in your life! Keep reading these and affiliated web sites to find out how and when this will happen. Oust 933!

Remembering the 2006 Holiday Season

Tonight I decided to post a couple of messages from the strike days to give a contrast to the workers at RMS. Time has passed, and maybe a bit of wisdom will prevail over the old emotions displayed by the mobs. Please take this opportunity to read the picture posted here. (click!) Contrast that with the text message I posted below. Put on your thinking cap. Analyze these two views. Do you still agree with the side you chose back then. Did you come out on the right side of this conversation? Why or why not?

Union supporters: Why did the union do the right thing?

Former union members: Tell us why they did wrong!

Non Committed workers: Why are you undecided?

All: make your comments here!

Copied message from AZ Starnet posted by the Neg. Cmte. below:

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220. Comment by Elisabeth D. (#3500) — January 2,2007 @ 6:17PM

Rating: 2 Thumbs Up

I read that letter too. Here's the whole text:

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters,

We hope all of you are safe and enjoyed the holidays as best as the situation permits. It is now time to get back to business and continue with the struggle. I am sure that the salary folks had an enjoyable time, or at least the ones that didn’t have to work. As for the scabs, Ebenezer is too kind for them.

As we have now completed 8 full weeks and are starting our ninth week of this strike, it would make me wonder why some folks would consider crossing now. We have gone this far and it just wouldn't make sense to give up so close to the finish line. Do we know when that will absolutely be, no we don't. However, we can't imagine that it would be that far away as we have passed the hardest time of the year financially and we believe the company has done what they set out to do, and that is to punish us for going on strike. They have forced us to stay out through the holidays, but I truly believe that most did not suffer the way the company had hoped. Most of our people were working at other jobs and there was much financial aide for those in need. The toy drive was terrific and I have heard many folks say this was the best Christmas ever.

For those of you that may be thinking about crossing, keep some things in mind before you make your decision. All the friends you have met over the years will no longer be there, all the brothers and sisters you met and worked with on the picket lines or some other duty will no longer be there, the fight that you have fought over the last eight weeks will be all for not and you would have wasted all that time standing tall only to let yourself down in the end. This Union and it's leaders have not grown weak and have no quit in us. Although we may tire from taking care of all the business that striking requires, we will not walk away from our fighting brothers and sisters. If you do cross that line this week or anytime before the true end, you have given the company the strength to continue this battle even longer and that could be disastrous for us all. They are hoping that many will cross this week and we must continue to deny them the edge.

If you are one of those who got another job while on strike and found out that life is not all that great outside your Raytheon job, you now have a better understanding of why we are on strike to begin with. We do have good jobs at that company, but the more we let them take things away from us like retiree medical, a pension plan for future employees, the right to bargain for benefits and the costs associated with them and the continued assault on our working conditions, the more our once good job becomes one that we encounter while on strike. We stand tall to protect our good jobs not only for us but for our children and others who may walk through those doors some day. We must not sit quietly and let them take anymore.

Brothers and Sisters, we want you to know that we are very aware of this whole situation and are watching it very closely. This leadership will not sit back and wait until it is too late. If there is any chance that this membership would seriously be in jeopardy, we would do what is necessary to protect you all that have stayed to the end. We will not let this company ruin the working lives of so many good people. Rest assured, you will not be left out in the cold. We will get you back to work at your good job. At what expense will that be shall be determined by the strength that you continue to show. If our position is weakened by those who cross, we will be begging for our contract. If we continue our strength, we will bargain on our terms and it will be much easier to protect that good job once again.

Stay strong brothers and sisters. It may be a new year, but the same old struggle continues as long as we are dealing with a company that doesn't give a damn about your interests or well being. We will persevere.

Your Negotiating Committee

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Interesting note, huh? Stay Strong Brothers and Sisters. The same old struggle is going to restart next year. Are you prepared to go another round of losses with the union? Or are you going to wise up to this game and finally call their bluff?

Sign the petition found on http://www.iam933.net/ . Help pass it around.

Dump 933!

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Happy 2nd anniversary of the 11 week failed strike at RMS. By now everyone has gotten their Benefits packages done, and are aware of the medical costs that have been passed on to the worker by the union. No Pass-through?! Oh Puhleeeeze! Brothers and sisters, there is plenty!

Here are a few lines copied from a union flyer dated 3 November of 2006. "You wanted above average GWIs and we could only get 3% a year"...."There is pass through, there is red circling, there are high medical costs, there is pass through on Rx, there are average GWI's which don't amount to much due to the medical contributions, and a host of other things that will deteriorate your income everyday."

Remember how horrid the Company was when you read that flier? Remember the speech given during the 2nd week of January telling you that you had good jobs waiting for you at RMS, and you should approve the contract and return to work? It wasn't a different contract, was it? Well, yes it was. It actually was a less union friendly contract you signed and approved than the one you rejected in a frenzy at the TCC that Sunday night of the 5th of November. Look at the rhetoric your union gave you that fatefull night in Tucson. Look at your benefits package now. Look at the past contract concerning touch labor, and look at this one. Dont you feel duped, still?

Everything you lost, you may place the blame squarely on the union leaders who "fought for you". Now is the time to think clearly about what direction you wish to go within the Company. We ask you to give Raytheon a try as a union free workshop. If after a year this Company can't find a way to satisfy you and your trust in RMS is broken by ruthless managers, then we can always call the union back under NLRB rules.

You are doomed to repeat your mistakes if you don't learn your lesson the first time around. Click on the picture of the flyer to get a closer look at the text. It's a copy of the flyer that was posted around Raytheon last year at this time. Happy Anniversary, Enjoy!

Depths of Treachery

I hear the S word foaming up from the mouths of devout union loyalists. Unhappy minions repeat foolish things from the leadership that perk up my ears. Has anyone else heard the rumblings of an unhappy union testing the waters for another Strike!? Do these dummies even have the cojones to attempt a strike? Surely they know this would be the death nail in their coffin, even if our petition to removal them fails. This is better than I could ever wish for. Hundreds of unionists will quit and cross the line on the very first day. Go for it! I am all for the union striking. Lets see the bullies push their whole membership to the breaking point. Mr. Guth, & Mr. Rhinehart; push their buttons! Lets see if they can handle pressure. Watch them squirm. They're talking tough against us, but they are just an empty paper tiger.

Now that the union de-anonymized iam933.net through the WIPO case they lost, it appears they have begun a campaign to burn the supposed author. He was turned-in to HR last week anonymously for "making a website on the clock from his workplace computer, ID Number So-and so." Hogwash! The company has been able to read his computer to prove it false. They said he writes http://oust933.googlepages.com/home. He's doesn't write that page, period. Or any other web page while at work. But the accusation along with where it happened shows their depths of treachery. The accused works in a locked closed room with a high ranking union member. Duh!!! Union officers are too lame to debate on our forum, but they'll muddy up the water with accusations. Don't puss out, come to the forum and debate! Lets talk about next year's strike!

We also hear rumors that the union is "building a list" of people "unwanted." We're sure the owner of http://www.iam933.net/ is one of them, but we know there are other untouchables too. They say "don't speak to so-and-so, he's persona non-grata." Hear us out members. Don't buy the blacklistings, at least until you've heard both sides. Read our pages, and think this through. All of you are old enough to make up your own mind without arm twisting. We've seen the stewards coming around your work benches putting high pressure out on the floor. We see them trying to muscle you. If they had such a good platform, they wouldn't need to pressure you, would they?

This union has been in power over you for 56 years. None of us voted them into power. We've never worked here without the union being in control. It's like living in IRAN with Sharia Law. Try a union free shop for twelve months for a change! Give Raytheon one year without a union to show it is either a good or bad employer. If the company is worse than the union, I'll help you bring the union back. But if the company is not the monster this union says, then maybe it's the union that is the monster. There is no reason why we cant try one time. Labor laws are so strong in the USA that you could always get the union back here lickity split. You have nothing to loose, and everyting to gain. The scare tactics this union uses against freedom are simply used to keep harvesting your monthly dues tax. Don't be fooled any longer. Remember the union failed to get you one cent of a raise from '03 to '06! Oh, and did you get anything for striking? Oh yes...a pin.

Grotesque Hypocrisy

I've recently been told that our fighting machinists have picked a fight against the owner of the iam933.net website. He has come under hypocritical legal assault. Headquarters IAM has complained about his website address to the World Intelectual Property Organization (WIPO). To see a link to the case click this link: http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/case.jsp?case_id=14155 which was filed on the 3rd of September. Why didn't they attempt a cease and desist notice earlier? The union never wrote the webmaster of iam933.net about this issue. The address is posted on the website for all to see. But no communication was ever attempted. They might have better results if they had gone about this differently.

It seems the union can't handle the heat of a few buckaneers telling the workers what's really going on around here. It's obvious to them that they are the minority at RMS, and they intend to railroad any attempt by courageous workers to put this petition to the people. We've asked them on many occasions to come to the web and debate with us. I've asked on this forum, and the owner of iam933.net has a debate page asking for a healthy exchange of ideas. Since last November, the union has been asked to debate on http://oust933.googlepages.com/unionreply . They chickened out! Their ideas don't hold water against the ideas of free minded workers. Instead of debate, they are trying to squelch us. They are using a Soviet Style lack of respect for freedom of speech. It's a total lack of respect for the voice of the workers. And another example of the unions coercive methods they use to keep control of the people they wish to influence.

We like the fact that they've resorted to the legal venues however. In other times, we could expect far more inappropriate methods of coercion. We will let the legal system sort this out. I think the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution trumps them on this case, and they're going to take the union's lawyer to the wood shed over it. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. Why, just recently the union posted a real nice video about it. http://www.goiam.org/iamglc2008/freedom_of_speech.htm . Isn't it nice how they pasted "Freedom of Speech" on the entire back wall of the stage in this short clip, but then try to censor free speech of the critic? Notice the date of the clip. This is a Grotesque Hypocrisy.

So here's the union's case. They think the workers here at RMS are idiots. They think YOU are too stupid to tell the difference between http://www.iam933.net/, and http://www.iam933.org/. They say the websites are SO Close in name, that you the union member, or represented worker, would go to the web site disguising itself as the Union in order to lure unsuspecting viewers. The union says that the owner of the ".net" web site has fully incorporated the union’s IAM933 unregistered trademark into the http://www.iam933.net/ domain name for the sole purpose of diverting Internet users from union’s web site to criticism site.

Excuse me? This means that the Grand Lodge thinks the web surfers at Raytheon can't tell the difference between the union's site and the critisism site. What kind of morons does the union think it represents?! This is a no brainer to me. If you are in the union, and you're fighting for respect, then you need to get respect from your union first! I interpret that they say workers here are too mentaly handicapped to find the web page desired.

Now the union thinks they have to right to take IAM933.NET because it's a protected trademark? Ehem, if you guys wanted to protect your UNREGISTERED trademark so much, why didn't you buy the web address
when it was for sale for under ten bucks a year last November? Why didn't you offer to buy it before the complaint blew up? Why didn't you buy http://www.iam933.com/ when it was offered to you for 257 dollars only a few short months ago? Presently that site is owned by Transure Enterprise Ltd. of the Virgin Islands. It's still for sale folks! If the union wants to protect it's interests so much, why leave the trademark out in the open?

In my opinion, they don't care about their unregistered trademark so much as they do about stifling the oposition. They want free speech so long as that speech is in their favor. God forbid anyone stand up and speak out against them. God forbid the represented workers hear anything other than the mantra coming from the drumbeat of Vladimir Putin and Hugo Chavez. It's time the workers rise up and say enough! Enough of the double talk! Enough of the psychobabble. Enough of the union! It's time to OUST 933!

Paying the bills on time?

Did anyone notice this weekend that the union website was down? Did anyone take the time to read the notice that replaced the normal drivel found on their pages? If you were a web-steward, it must have felt embarrasing to wake up Saturday Morning and find your site was turned into a pregnancy education page because someone forgot to pay the bill. Yep, the site was taken off line late Friday Night 19th of Sept. untill sometime before 10:00 AM Monday the 22 Sept. because it said it was EXPIRED! The page had a nice little reminder there that said something to the effect of 'if you own this web site, please pay up or the url can be sold.' Of course I'm paraphrasing here, but you get the gist of the message. By now, you the reader are probably laughing unless you're sympathetic to the union. So my simple questions are: If these guys let their own domain name and website expire, what makes you so sure they won't let you expire? If they lack financial responsibility, how do they keep your financial interests protected? Why am I giving them my money? Why do I let them have the right to negotiate my future at RMS?! It's time to Oust 933!

I love it when the union makes our case

I love it when the union makes our case. This morning a friend of our committee passed on a flyer that was getting circulated around the plant site by a union steward. It’s a typical union brainwashing document with a kinder gentler touch. I decided to post their document for them on our blog, because it makes our case better than it does theirs. How stupid do they think the workers are to fall for this psychobabble?
The first two sentences start off kind and understanding. Hard to believe this is a letter coming from the same organization that trained it’s workers to hate and never talk to “crossers”. Then they get completely stupid. They wrote ”It seems that these anti-union workers have somehow overlooked the value of having a union here at Raytheon.” EHEM! We took this into long consideration before challenging this bunch of bullies with facts to show they hurt rather than help the workers of Raytheon.
This is a fight for the truth at Raytheon. This union is going to wine and dine you until you fall for their seduction. Fact is they are just a parasite-business designed to suck your wallet and coerce you to give up 3 months of your pay whenever they demand it in a strike. Once they get your automatic deposit, it’s harder to quit than it is to recall the governor of California. Then they’ll force you to hate when others don’t follow their orders.
Lets talk about the LABOR CONTRACT they so boldly spell out on their flyer. What chance do these high school educated negotiators stand in a room full of company negotiators with Masters Degrees and years of experience doing contracts under their belts? Each successive contract, some new union boss comes along and tries his hand at beating the old pros and gets spanked every time. They are pitiful losers and you have suffered every single contract. Why do they brag about this contract when they got their butt kicked at contract time?
You get what the company lets you have, period. It’s always been that way. You won’t get less without a union, because they are paying the going rate for skilled labor. This silly notion that you’ll get $12.98 an hour without a contract is juvenile. They can’t fill all the ranks they have now with the rates they pay, and the union bosses are telling you they’ll reduce it? At twelve dollars an hour, this company would be competing against telephone call centers for workers. The union must think the average worker is an idiot to believe that line of crap.
Then they tell you about the court case, Retirees against Raytheon, the greedy company, and the CONTRACT. But they never admitted to the fact that this union never fought for these retirees. They didn’t “pick a fight” for those who paid dues for their entire careers. Those retirees got their own lawyer and fought that fight without the union. One union official told me in 2006 that he was very upset that the union didn’t fight for their rights under the contract. Now they have the gall to say that they support those retirees? The only thing they do is tell union members they must parade around outside the Herman’s Road Gate with pickets! The union is the greedy corporation, they won’t even spend the legal fees on their own elderly loyalists. But they trick you into believing they are fighting for you. What a sham.
The third paragraph, first sentence of this letter is SPOT ON! “…advocates for and protects our membership.” Let’s break this down for the sake of clarifying the message. They advocate for membership. And they protect our membership!
Yep, they advocate for you to join them by attempting to convince you the company will screw you without them. They sew seeds of envy within your heart to make you hate the company officers. They offer stories of despair and hopelessness for the worker with the antidote being of course, joining the union so we can all have it better here.
Then they protect membership from the truth. They want to hide you from the facts that may cause you to leave membership status. They tell coworkers not to talk to those anti union types, there is something wrong with them. They are fools, and they are careless bastiches that don’t have the collective welfare of the workers at heart.
This union isn’t about safety, benefits, dignity and jobs. It’s not even about getting you better wages. It’s about taxing you the worker, and getting you to agree to make the payment. It’s a business. They raise the wages of crummy workers at the expense of the good workers. They protect those crummy workers at all cost, because they are loyalists who will pay for the protection, because they know in their hearts they suck at their real job, and need someone to keep them on the pay role. You good workers out there are paying thousands of dollars a year for this “protection" in the form of reduced compensation.
The union doesn’t want it’s members going to anti-union web sites. But it is loosing the battle. They are in a frenzy, and don’t know what to do when the truth is competing with their lies. Go ahead, get on Yahoo.com, and type iam933 and see by the numbers of hits what web site is getting viewed more. It’s obvious you are looking. We’re number One! They know it, but do you, the worker? You are concerned about how badly this union has hosed you down over the past few contracts. So are we. We promise change. They promise the same old prepackaged crappy representation.
I am so sure that this union is a complete failure, that I’ll stake a bet right here on line. If Raytheon screws us, then I’ll be one of the first to get on the band-wagon to restart a union. I’ll even become one of it’s officers and use my skills to benefit the new union. But I am betting that it’s not going to be needed. There are nine thousand salaried workers who enjoy working with us, and they have no union to protect them. They are not running to form a union. They have been laughing at us in the bargaining unit, because we haven’t been smart enough as a collective to free ourselves from the union. They are under orders not to tell us how they truly feel. It’s up to us to figure it out on our own.
Oh, and I love the last lines of their letter. They will continue to use the “moral high ground” campaign? HAHAHAHA! I fell out of my chair on that one. Tell that to my co-workers who are finding nails propped up against their tires, and getting damage done to their cars.