Step right up, its show time!

Step right up ladies and gentlemen! It’s time for another fabulous shew!!! This contract season we have a variety of talented story tellers to make you foam at the mouth and buy your way back into the Union because you just realized how much you hate the Company! How much baloney are you ready to eat when the Union says the Company's profit mongers will force those funky twelve hour shifts on you while they cut the wages that you earn working from five PM till 5:30 AM? By the time November rolls around, you are going to be delerious. While Chacha is riding a unicycle on top of the tight rope, she's preaching that the managers don’t want to give premium pay for those long shifts. Are you ready for the BIG DISTRACTION Leigh will use to sell you out? When the negotiating committee accepted the twelve hour shifts they didn't fight for the values they claim to defend. Now the Union is getting ready to shaft the workers, threatening a pay cut on the premium pay for those long shifts. If this was an issue, they should have held out and got it in writing that this would not be a permanent working condition on our workers. Once upon a time, unions fought to stop abuse, but these guys will divert your attention and sell out, again and again. Get ready, because there's a twelve hour shift coming to a product near you! Your brave negotiating committee is going to fight tooth and nail when the Company plays the factory cards and shows a full house of 2+3+2 schedules that will demoralize you and turn you into a zombie robot. Here...it...comes...I can hear it now; "If you freeloaders would join the union, we would have the power to get a better deal." The problem isn't the Company, clowns. It’s the way IAM933 does its monkey business. The Union will still screw the workers, no matter how hard they fight, because they can’t see when the Company negotiated for those twelve hour shifts, they openly admitted they under pay the talented workforce that saved their contracts! Its time this Union demonstrated to us non members that you have the smarts to fight for the right causes instead of the dumb ones. There are hundreds of us non members who feel that we could do our own negotiations better than this union has done over the past three or four contracts. Can you do better?

Angry Members = Non Members

Over the past few years the Ousties have adjusted their position to with the Union, prodding it to do a better job of representing the workforce. After the end of the petition drive back in 2009, we tried to figure out the best way to help the people who have suffered the most under the lodges blundering mismanagement of our trades. Recently the subject of the IAMAW Constitution came up. It appears that our local lodge has failed to demand use of its constitutionally approved job titles to identify its own workforce while bargaining with the Company, causing a drastic moral problem while permitting an unjust pay scale to continue. The workforce is angry.

While the Ousties argue whether or not the wages for lower skilled jobs were purposefully raised at the expense of higher skilled jobs, one thing is certain; the Union botched it representational duties when it tried to protect a small number of workers, and in-turn, did a grave injustice to the majority of technicians during negotiations that reduced the number of trades in the workforce a few contracts back. The meetings between the Union officials and a small number of Ousties in 2010 confirmed this problem and the Union side admitted it was fully aware of, but had been unable or unwilling to resolve yet. The problem is related to the general shift of wages that occurred during the combining of trades that created the “Assembly Technician” position, along with the “Product Test Specialist.”

According to the 2009 IAM Constitution, the definition of a Technician is a person who has served an apprenticeship of four years or completed college or vocational training in a particular field or has acquired a fundamental knowledge in the fields of aerospace, electronics, atomic energy, or other related fields or divisions of the machinist’ trade. The expectation required is equal to that of a Journeyman, but in a different skill set. A Specialist is a person who is employed in a particular branch or subdivision of the machinist’ trade, or a person who performs a particular line of work commonly recognized as work connected with the trade but requiring less general knowledge of the trade than a Journeyman (or Technician).

IAMAW LL933 turned this upside-down when they named all Assembly Specialists as Technicians, and demoted all the Test Technicians to Specialists. And they did a similar distortion to their pay too. Within each of these groups, there are members who do meet the constitutional requirements for their respective rating of Specialist or Technician, based upon their skill set. This distinction was never dealt with. As a result, members in both groups were given an unfair deal. Specifically the Prototype Technicians were robbed of the huge raise given to the other Assembly Techs. Electronic Test Technicians with component level troubleshooting skills were insulted when Test Specialists pay was raised to their level.

One solution is as simple as creating multiple pay grades within many of the trades represented within the workforce, depending upon need. Or create pay grades irrespective of trade, and have certain trades occupy a range of pay grades. Promotions are earned by individuals who work more demanding positions within their trade and can demonstrate proficiency to the satisfaction of an agreed upon authority. There are a number of crafts within RMS that could benefit from this proposition.

Skilled workers doing tasks beyond their job titles agree, for example: Prototype Tool & Die, Metrology Techs & Cal Svc Techs, PTS, Process Techs, Assembly Techs, & Prod Machinists should be evaluated for possible ways to meet increased needs for more capable workers and compensate those who meet the challenge. CEP has proven to be a colossal failure, and both the Union and Company are responsible for that mess. Crib sheets and unethical help by insiders gave unqualified workers advancements over others who were more deserving in the past. Why insult high skilled workers by paying low skilled workers the same wages? We need comprehensive pay reform at RMS. It needs to be fiscally neutral to the Company, but beneficial to those who worked the hardest to get skills needed by Raytheon the most. Bring back sanity to our job titles and pay scales.

Spades

Its time to call a spade a spade. For over a year, the workers at RMS have patiently waited for the union to defuse the differences between the Ousties and the Union. Apparently, they don't feel it is needed. They let henchmen visit this site and attempt to sabotage it with frivolous talk and vulgar racist xenophobic accusations. So today I decided to drop a hint. We Ousties are still here, we have a voice, and will use it. Union members are free to post here, but the sick trolls won't get their message through. You trolls want free speech? Go make your own blog! The rest of you are still free to comment here.
I was approached last week by a Union member who is sick and tired of being sick and tired. The Union lost this worker's trust, and they will speak with their wallet. So they asked wery wery quietly "how do I get out of the union?" Well I answered the question and then I smiled to myself as I know there are more coming. I wonder how long it will take the other Ousties to feel the friendliness of this former Union member after they stop listening to the rhetoric? Lets watch, shall we?
On a different sunject, the Union is blasting the Arizona Congress! They have a link on their website that goes to an AFL-CIO website with critique of some new legislation being considered by the State. Here are a couple of their slanted comments posted against new legislation. Behold, the phrase "paycheck deception bill!"
SB1325: UNION DUES; POLITICAL PURPOSES A paycheck deception bill targeting all public and private employers, requiring “each person paying the dues or fees to designate the types of candidates, legislation or issues or a political party to be supported” before any dues may be deducted for “political purposes,” loosely defined. Also requires unions to set a cap on the percentage of dues spent on “political purposes” annually at the time employees give their authorization.
SB1365: PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS; POLITICAL PURPOSES A paycheck deception bill targeting all public and private employers: requires notification to business and workers of the percentage of dues spent on “political purposes;” requires annual sign-off on dues deductions used for “political purposes” in an effort to create new bureaucratic obstacles for unions; and requires immediate termination of deductions whenever employees choose to resign union membership. Charities and other organizations are exempted from these requirements.
SCR1028: PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS; POLITICAL PURPOSES; REQUIREMENT A paycheck deception bill targeting all public and private employers, requiring annual sign-off on dues deductions that will be used to pay for any “political purposes.” (Identical to HCR2032, not listed here)
If you like what the State Legislature is doing, let your steward know. Ask him to forward the info to the top. Let them know that you don't like them spending your dues on politics.

Vote Eduardo President?

Eduardo wants to be president. He is a real nice guy, very friendly. But on his flier, he said “United we stand,” but with whom? Based upon the color contrast of his fliers being posted all over Raytheon, I suspect Eduardo may like the Communist Party. Maybe you should go for one of the other candidates if you like the Union. Keep Eduardo for a beer drinking buddy instead. That way his activities with radical left wing organizations won’t tempt him to use union assets to forward his political agenda.
Here are a few comments to go along with his flier, just for Eduardo’s entertainment.
Your Union was declining in membership at RMS. What did you do to fix it? New growth is from organizing other sites. Raytheon remains about where it was three years ago.
You were in poor financial shape – couldn’t afford arbitration – couldn’t afford training, so you raised the dues by fifty percent! Thanks from the working class!
You were facing an aggressive union busting effort. You beat back the union busters & their attack on your union? What, with ghost busters t-shirts and rat buttons? Not exactly. We passed out petitions, we didn’t get enough signatures. Our efforts were not effective enough Eduardo, neither was yours.
You still claim you won the Lawsuit. I say you didn’t. The retirees did. Why don’t you to dispute my post from this blog dated Aug 25, 2008. Good luck on that.
Your accomplishment reads “With your help, we have successfully negotiated a contract”? How does that make you the best candidate for President of the Union?
You claim “We are ready for the next contract negotiations.” Really? Are you going to fix any of the things we complained about? Is ignoring the Ousties worth round two?
You say “We are ready for a strike should the company push us with take-a-ways.” No way! A Strike? Surely you know half your members would cross the first day if you dared. And what-if the Ousties organize a counter-strike? How effective will that make you? You should concern yourself with satisfying the Ousties biggest peeves. This union had a transformational experience last year. It not only has to deal with the company, but with other represented employees that are still angry with it. It affects the union’s potential for effective negotiations. There were a series of meetings early this year with a couple of the Ousties and some of the Union leadership. Your lack of regard for the union is demonstrated by your never going to these meetings. So I ask, why do you want the membership to vote for you Eduardo?

The Heart of Democracy

On November 2nd, Arizonans will have a chance to defend democracy from thieves who would steal it. Arizona decides if the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) really supports free choice. It doesn’t matter if you are pro-union or anti-union in this fight. The only thing that really matters is how you feel about protecting your freedom of choice without the possibility of coercion. Our nation’s fathers wisely figured that the secret ballot was the only way to assure the will of the people could be known. Your right to a secret ballot is a distinct American privilege. The EFCA tries to chip away at that right in the name of protecting workers. In fact, some of the ideas in the EFCA really are good, but there is no justification to give up your secret ballot.

The arguments have been brewing on both sides of this issue for years. The supporters of EFCA are out of step with the American Constitution. At the federal level, liberal actors are telling us that they need our vote to let unions have a fair chance at organizing the workers for the workers sake. They are pushing hard for the EFCA which would let union organizers pass out signature cards at a workplace that have the power with enough signatures, to instantly have a union recognized, without having an election. It sounds good for the workers, and they say if there are enough people who support starting a union, who needs a secret ballot? America does!!! This is just one more example of how we must be vigilant against the erosion of our rights. Why do they fight against a formality that guarantees your liberty?

When you examine the EFCA, the vast majority of the bill has merit. Article three says that following a union being certified, the union can make the company begin negotiations within ten days. Article four says it would make the NLRB come down on employers who discriminate against employees who try organize a union.
These are good ideas that every fair minded person could negotiate. But the poison pill in the bill, the idea that ruins the whole thing is article two. Article two would allow the recognition of a union as their collective bargaining agent if a majority of employees sign cards stating they want the union to represent them. That’s equivelent to “if enough people sign cards, we the people can impeach Obama.” It may sound good, but that’s not how America is supposed to work. Ben Franklin said something that resembles “Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither.”

The Arizona legislature has given you a chance to protect your rights from the liberals on capitol hill, and to put the power back in the hands of the people. Make old Ben proud, and vote YES on Arizona Proposition 113 this November 2nd.

Look in the Mirror

Message to self: Take a break and watch what happens. Oustie@TR hasn't gotten his meeting he talked about, John has practically disappeared, and there is a bunch of bickering on here like always. Racism, Communism, and Obamaism are all thrown around here like that is going to fix anything. Oustie@TR, you said we were going to have talks with the Union...what happend? If my memory serves me right, last time you met them was sometime in March? Its August already, if you havent noticed. You, Willie, and the Union Guys have had all summer. What are you waiting for? The return of Cesar Chavez holding John D Rockafeller's hand in the clouds?

Union guys, if you want the problem with the Ousties to get fixed, then I suggest you get dealing with those Ousties that went to dine with you. You had agreed that their ideas could help. The Ousties have mentioned a plan but are held up for something. Help 'em out. Months ago I read comments on this blog regarding talks with the union, saying "dont do it, they want to stall you." Lets see some good faith effort to get things moving again. Look in the mirror. Are you doing everything you can for all the workers?

IAMAW Political Contributions

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers boasts more than 730,000 workers across the country, including employees in the airline, shipbuilding and railroad industries. In addition to labor laws, the union’s biggest legislative issues include pension reform, trade and the proposed privatization of Social Security.

Cycle	Total	Democrats	Republicans	% to Dems	% to Repubs	Individuals	PACs	Soft (Indivs)	Soft (Orgs)
2010	$1,368,800	$1,349,800	$19,000	99%	1%	$0	$1,368,800	$0	$0
2008	$2,542,733	$2,472,092	$65,641	97%	3%	$2,891	$2,539,842	$0	$0
2006	$2,089,760	$2,054,260	$15,500	98%	1%	$3,251	$2,086,509	$0	$0
2004	$2,242,161	$2,217,161	$15,000	99%	1%	$42,011	$2,200,150	$0	$0
2002	$3,079,150	$3,047,150	$20,000	99%	1%	$1,000	$2,478,150	$0	$600,000
2000	$3,159,988	$3,135,988	$14,000	99%	0%	$3,350	$2,545,638	$0	$611,000
1998	$2,173,164	$2,147,664	$20,500	99%	1%	$1,214	$1,871,200	$0	$300,750
1996	$2,595,119	$2,577,369	$7,750	99%	0%	$2,794	$2,306,025	$0	$286,300
1994	$2,104,731	$2,083,731	$11,000	99%	1%	$1,700	$1,952,231	$0	$150,800
1992	$2,157,176	$2,097,851	$23,825	97%	1%	$1,350	$1,990,171	$0	$165,655
1990	$1,890,495	$1,858,400	$27,095	98%	1%	$400	$1,890,095	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	$25,403,277	$25,041,466	$239,311	99%	1%	$59,961	$23,228,811	$0	$2,114,505

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000078

So far this political season the IAMAW is still contributing 99% to Democrats. I'm so glad they think Grijalva, Obama and Pelosi are doing such a fine job of turning this country into 1950's style Russia. Over $1.3 million this year to make certain that America goes down the drain even faster. And hey let's leave those borders open a little longer, after all those are future union dues payers and Democratic votes!