Get Off The Fence

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of this contract!

When I look at the crap this company is trying to shove down our throats it reminds me of the tactics of Obama. You hit people with so much bad that any good that gets salvaged seems like a blessing from above. The last contract wasn't too much to give up, but this is insanely rude. Aerospace workers are few and far between, there are a lot of better places to live than Tucson. I got my sights set on Texas and Monster.com, I'm really tired of working for such horrible wages, plus it would be a great time to transfer my worthless 401K to an IRA by quitting this place.

I didn't start the decertify movement to weaken the union. I want a strong truly local union that isn't sold out at the national level (unfortunately the NLRB rules require me to decertify a perfectly good union -for some people- in order to start another union). It is obvious after 3 years of opposing this union that it is not going away any time soon. The union leaders have finally grown 'a pair' and I am proud of them.

I'm not willing to join the union, but this package is so bad I'm ready to walk the strike line and even almost willing to wear their tee shirt, not because I like the union, but because the company's offer is so bad! It's like the company is saying 'we don't need you just go away'. I for one want to take them up on their bony finger pointing at the door. I've been pro-Raytheon up until now, but enough is enough.

Just the idea of having to pay 10% of a hospital bill is outrageous! One hospital visit could easily bankrupt me and I make a good wage, what the hell is a custodian supposed to do if they end up in the hospital? Does this company really want to create a security nightmare? The kind of indebtedness that could occur from this stingy package could cause a lot of people to become targets of foreign spies. They'd only need to get employed at UMC in the financial department and look for Raytheon employees with huge hospital bills and target them.

This company has made really good profits off the sweat and injuries of every Tucson RMS worker both salaried and hourly. And neither the salaried nor the hourly have been justly compensated. Salaried workers should show this company how screwed they feel by having a blue 'sick' day during the strike (not that I'm actually condoning a strike).

This company could pay each of us a $100,000 bonus and not feel a dent in their bottom line, but they would rather play the poor mouth game. I look at how the auto workers got paid $100/hr for a product no one liked or wanted, and here we are with a lot more talent making a product our customer loves and wants, but we aren't making anywhere near the wage of an auto worker EVEN AFTER the freakin' bailout screwed the auto industry!

That's why I want a new union. I want a union like the auto workers have that will totally shut down the factory to get a good wage. We should be making THOSE kinds of wages. It's not like the government could farm out defense contractor work to overseas companies! Like Duh! If I have to work WITH this union to get what I want then I say it's time to hang up our hatchets and pull together. Let's push back hard this time!

It is time for all the free loaders to join the union or get rid of it. And by free loaders I mean all those people who want the union but won't join it and won't sign our petition to decertify it. Those people make me sick. They are totally useless breathers. They want something for nothing. This country wasn't built by sitting on a fence. And it won't be saved by sitting on your butt either. Either join the union or get rid of it, but do SOMETHING! And these freeloaders are probably the one's eating up most of the union's time representing their slacker butts.

If I didn't feel screwed by the union, I'd join it. But now that I feel screwed by the company I may have to join the union and the cause to get what I want. I certainly don't believe the war in Iraq or Afghanistan is justified. I bought George Bush's lie hook line and sinker, but I don't believe we need to "protect the warfighter" by building a product to kill people for profit. We should have left the Middle East a long time ago. The military industrial complex is paying off boys in Washington to keep the war going, so I feel no loyalty to their murderous game. You want me to work for you then give me the butcher's cut of that fat calf you're carving up.

I'd like to take the time to thank Ed and all the union stewards for their hard work on behalf of those who choose to be members of the union. I think the Bargain Union reps have finally grown some balls. I don't feel represented by this union, but they do work hard and aren't appreciated enough. Let's wear union blue (even you salaried guys) on Thursday or wear a union tee shirt if you have one. Viva la Roadside Rally!! Tomorrow!!! Be there or be broke!!

And visit the union's website already: www.iam933.org

P.S. Keep up the good work of keeping us ALL informed on the screwy negotiations, thanks Ed. I will forward any info the union sends me to the Oust membership. oust933@gmail.com

Poker Face

The Game is on! Everyone has on their poker face. I have to crack a smile though. I would like to call everyone to go visit the Union Website once again. My predictions have come true concerning Medical Benefits if the Chart on Update #6 is true. A quote on the page reads; "Today, the Company gave us their Medical benefit rates applicable to both hourly and salary, which are as follows:". I wrote that would happen here. Look around this blog to see how far back I have been predicting that in our upcoming contract. Pass-Through is a fact, get used to it. The good news is that since they posted a few updates to their web site, it looks like they've gotten the word! All RMS workers deserve to hear about what's going on in the Negotiations. I'm glad they posted numbers and charts showing what looks like a good faith effort to inform us what's being debated in there. That's a major improvement.

However, I have a disagreement with something in update seven. The third paragraph says they want us to demand Management for a GWI for all. That's unacceptable, unless it is combined with a wage adjustment for the classifications that have been robbed over the past 16 years. No matter how big of a GWI you get, the fact that our classes are getting ripped off makes it priority one for you guys to fix. Everybody deserves a raise, and we understand the reality of home economics. But taking from one set of workers and giving it to the others has quite a few people at wits end. All workers deserve equal representation. So lets bring all wages back in proportion with what they were back in '93. We want RONA, optional 9-80s, Merit Pay, and of course, the correction of the wage imbalance. Stewards, you have a meeting to go to on Monday. The best thing you can do is to up-channel this info and ask the Neg-Cmte to resolve these issues. Smile! You've got a full-house.

Rumors

Everyone should look at the Union Website and read "rumors #2".
It reads something like 'rumors can come from anyone with an axe to grind, so you should get all your info from us. We'll spoon feed you, never mind other opinions out there.' That of course is a paraphrase. Is the Union only worried about people with an axe to grind? Or is there another motive? Having absolute control of your mind right now is imperative. They must be capable of motivating a "riot" if need be, so they can use it to influence talks at the table. Do the ends justify the means?
I won't say that's a bad thing for the purpose of crowd motivation. But I feel compelled to speak about it, along with a few things that I heard Friday from at least a half dozen "orange shirt" wearers, and union members alike.
The rumors were about "medical take aways and poison 9-80s". They are the same exact stories I heard over and over again. I wound up telling three people after work today "Yea, I know, I've already heard" when they told me that the union said the exact same rumors to the membership over the past few contracts. Lots of people are onto this game. For those readers out there who have been employed at RMS for more than ten years, look back over your notes, or examine your own memory. 'Didn't this happen before?'
Does Mr. Guth actually look across the table and tell his counterpart "We intend to give you 9-80s, but with a poison pill attached". "We plan to make labor work 7 days a week, and Sundays will no longer be sacred". "We plan to remove seniority as you know it". "We plan to double your Medical".
What does anyone have to gain by releasing these kinds of rumors? Would the Company do it? Well, for one thing, the Company is not spreading rumors because of legalities. It could be considered an unfair labor practice. So that leaves the Union side. What would motivate them to do it? And why do they tell us to only listen to them...it sounds Orwellian to me. Again I ask, does the end justify the means?
Was there any real info released today? Or is it the same old cards played from an old deck of tricks that only comes out every three years? Does the company stand to gain from an angry mob of workers or the union? Why would the Union intentionally play with the minds of its supporters. Why would the Company want an angry mob manufacturing its products? Why would the Company say something as offensive to union bargainers at the beginning of negotiations?
Is this a complete ruse? Maybe none of this stuff was talked about at all! It might be the whole thing is made up. Maybe the purpose of fomenting anger within the worker population serves another purpose to the union. Who really knows. You will get closer to the truth if you examine what motivates each side. Who stands to gain from the released rumors so far? If they are false rumors, then you can ask yourself, is it OK to let them (whomever) to play with my mind? And if they would do that, what else are they willing to do? Is this good for me to go along with it?

Ponder this before the Strike Sanction Vote. Vote accordingly.

Get out of Jail Free

I learned today that there are notices going out to get as many people involved in the union as possible. Why? Because the Union can't tolerate having engineers doing touch labor! Yes, it’s happening now! These are interesting times to be in. Right now you can download your union resignation papers, sign them, and send them certified mail to both the Company and the Union to resign your membership. But the Union is animated in its call for Unity. Or is it? Now that the official decertification window has past with a humiliating dismissal of charges, there is silence. I have yet to hear anyone wants my talents involved with the union for their benefit. Jeff, One guy in our camp was told he isn't welcome to join the union, even if he tried. But the dilemma still exists. Engineers are still doing touch labor. And the Union is still desperate to get more membership. It’s an unthinkable situation with no easy solution.

What is the IAM going to do about it? Are they willing to pay testers a wage good enough to attract talent? Or will they force the company to promote more semi educated workers to get the same wages as the elite former ETTs. "What? The Union doesn't pay workers, the Company does." Yes, I know, but
the Union can give and take a little to get the wages of the PTS class raised to where it should be. "The Union isn't the only person in the negotiating room." True, but the battles that go on in that room are fought there and deals are cut before anyone outside gets word. What happens in there stays in there. It's time for a fighter to fix the past. It’s time for this Union to break from its old form.

It means compromise. And that compromise should come out of the raises of the overpaid. And while we're at it, we might as well include all the other fields that have less than doubled their wages since 93. Somebody with a calculator should be able to fix it so nobody is getting gouged. Bitterness permeates Raytheon because of the unjust wages. Is there a problem with paying low skill workers a high skill pay? You better believe it. Those low skilled workers are invited to get some schooling and promote themselves. Take charge of your life. Don't blame the Company for you sitting for twelve years in a job that never gave a raise. Get a raise by promotion!

I've heard it from two authoritive sides that both the Company and the Union Membership are unhappy with the arrangement having assemblers lumped together with the higher skill workers. And the old labor grade 11s put together with 16s in Test. There are quite a few examples of this in labor. So who has the courage to bring this up as a bargaining chip in negotiations? We posted the ugly truth. Who will carry this message into the negotiating room? Who on the Negotiating team has the courage?

Why isn't this on a poster to be picketed on Monday the 5th of October on Hermans Road? Who is fighting for the worker who studied hard to get the job he has, and now is surrounded by others less skilled and making the same money? Why wasn't this on the questionnaire last August? Why isn't the union making this an issue in public? Why has this argument repeated over the past decade over and over without ever being resolved? What does it take to get this Union to listen to the workforce? Does it take Engineers working touch labor? Wake up Mr. Watson. The workers are restless.

Just the facts

This morning there is a meeting down at the Union Hall. I recommend you go if you want to express your ideas to the committees before the negotiation period begins. Lots of things are on the table today. RONA, 9/80s, Medical, & Pay are a few. Ask a Steward to bring this page up before the meeting at Union Hall.
While I did my morning chores, I took advantage of an old contract I found laying around and used it to illustrate the differences in pay growth over the past decade & 1/2. To those who called me selfish, read it and weep. These are the cold hard facts. Everyone didn't get a fair shake over the past 16 years. Some fared better than others, some faired quite poorly.
Look at all the trades that got 150% increase or less, while one group stands out. I would like to say that Jeff's idea of everyone getting equal growth would have prevented a large part of the rebellion. Jeff is for Equal growth. What says he now? Does anyone dispute these numbers? Is the Union willing to rectify this problem, or perpetuate it?
My request is to adjust raise in pay of all classifications until the growth rate of each of them is equal on the far right column. Percentage of growth is the true measurement of how the Union treats all of its workers regarding pay. When one classification runs away with all the profits, it leaves the rest of us with a bitter taste. Let the numbers speak for themselves. I want no more, nor no less than whatever is needed to balance the percentage of gains throughout the entire labor force. I feel all would agree that is fair. Mr. Watson, can you return the relative pay to the way it was back in October of 1993?
Of course, these are not the only gripes I had with the Union over the past couple of years. But since there is an important meeting today, I decided that this is a good place to start. Now is the time so the truth can be discussed in an open forum with the leadership of the Local Lodge.

Hat's off on Labor Day

Congratulations to the IAMAW Local Lodge 933 for winning this week’s Decertification Petition. A proper salute, in all fairness goes to the Union. Have your party now. Dance, drink and be merry. There is no hate. Today we are celebrating Labor Day where I respectfully take my hat off to Jimbo and the whole team he leads and offer congratulations.
As we have finished our campaign messages, we will continue to observe and comment on the direction the Union takes our labor force. We will criticize if we feel it’s needed. We’ll compliment when it’s appropriate. We’ll take on the role of watchdog for now, so we are not going away. As this entire campaign has been political in nature, we hope that nobody had their feeling too hurt. I plan to put my political hat in a corner for now and let the negotiation process take place.
Thank you Jeff, for an excellent debate. I read the comment section and do not feel an apology is in order. Congratulations are in order for your contribution to IAM933’s cause. Your constant arguments were in the best interest of your side and you represented your position very well. Although I don’t agree with you philosophically, I gather from your passion that you truly believe you work in the best interest of others. I wished that I had the chance to debate with members of the local at the level that you brought here to these pages. You truly are a champion of your cause.
Keep your eyes on November. If Jimbo takes our messages seriously, he will fix the problems that caused this rebellion. So enjoy your victory. Majority rules, remember? We'll kindly remind you of our ideas in October if we feel the need. For the next two months, your team can feel free to tell us what positive things your side is doing for the entire labor force. Lead by example. We’re all eyes and ears.
As a final comment, I present a challenge. A very important comment was made this weekend anonymously. A couple hundred signatures are not enough someone said. You're right. But it's a start. Welcome to your new reality. There are hundreds who voted against you. What are you going to do to correct the problem? We will not hate. In this pluralistic society, there is room for differing ideas. But with the helm of an organization responsible for the well being of all the labor force, you have a big job ahead of you. I offer to answer in good faith any serious questions you may have that would lead to the resolution of the crisis you face.

For the past three years a patriotic group of employees has informed the workers of the big swindle on Ajo Way. These freedom fighters have collected lots of signatures despite the fear of violence and vandalism from thugs. Unfortunately we couldn’t collect enough to rid RMS of the entire group, but hope lives on in a small fight living within the Cal-Tech petition.
On August 31, 2009 a notification was sent to the union from the National Labor Relations Board that a significant group of Calibration Technicians are attempting to win their freedom from oppression by disassociating themselves from the Labor union that has failed to represent their skills for the past decades. We believe this action is legal because the majority of Calibration Technicians have expressed a desire to not be controlled by the union.
The union hopes the NLRB will toss aside this band of freedom fighters, but the problem they have is there is one small instrument of law in the way. That will be tested in the coming weeks, and we'll see if the group is as insignificant as the union claims. Regardless of the outcome, the Decertify Committee plans to continue on our quest to remove the entire bargaining unit from RMS, not just the Cal-Techs. If the Cal Techs succeed, they will be an example to the rest of us on how to finally defeat this goliath that has held us down for so long.
If you know a Calibration Technician who is in the union, ask him why he pays an organization that systematically reduced his earning power by over four thousand dollars a year, while raising other classifications six to eight thousand dollars beyond their skill value. If you know of a Calibration Service Technician who is not in the union, thank him for resisting the onslaught of brainwashing propaganda and for standing up for what is right. When you see union members who have expressed hatred for non unionized employees, let them know that this is one of the reasons you don't support them, and that their attitude is unwelcome.
The only way for the union to quench the flames our quest is to rectify the injustices in pay in writting. Also they must provide reparations to all RMS Employees whose cars were damaged during a period after the strike where a spike in reports of vandalism occurred.
They officially open negotiations with Raytheon on the 5th of October, 2009. Anyone dissatisfied with the union may at that time submit resignation paperwork to both the Company and the union so they may free themselves of the financial burden of the ridiculous dues they charge the working man. It only gets worse in January.

In the Spirit of Liberty,
Superbia Parti