Membership Meeting Recap

by Scott Godshaw

The membership meetings were held on November 29, 2001 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. sharp respectively at the AMF Bowlero.

A motion was made under application for membership where four new members from

Strattec; Greg Simon, Perley Jashinske, Djuric Zeljko, and Norma Parker were accepted unanimously. Simon was present at the 12:30 meeting while Jashinske and Zeljko were present at the 3:30 meeting.

Reports

Ross Winklbauer read the Trustee report at both meetings. Joe Chambers, in his Financial Secretary-Treasurer report, stated there were 1510 dues paying members at Briggs and 455 dues paying members at Strattec for a total of 1,965 members paying dues in October.

Communications

A thank-you letter was read from the President of the National AFL-CIO regarding our contribution for the September 11 Relief Fund. The Labor History Essay Contest, the Pace Membership Awards Program and the School for Workers Winter 2002 Classes were also announced.

Reports Of Officers

President Gorecki reported on the insurance dilemma at Strattec regarding Compcare. Layoffs continue at Briggs and bumping back in remains a problem.

The Briggs Bargaining Committee met with the upper management on the future of Briggs and Stratton.

The Union continued to pursue extended unemployment benefits with Congress. Gorecki had a conversation with Congressman Tom Barrett and he stated the progress is still pretty much in stalemate. We are still waiting to hear about our submission in July to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to get some relief for our members.

Members should go to Stewards first if problems arise, then grievance reps.

Steward training will be held December 6th at Monreal’s El Matador, 92nd and Bluemound.

Our office secretary is retiring on January 2, 2002. Chances are voice mail will be utilized more frequently at the office. The next membership meeting will be held January 24, 2002 where nominations for two Strattec Bargaining Committee members and the entire Executive Board (excluding Trustee-At-Large) will be taken.

Jesse Edwards reported on the flu shots and the new smoking policy. He encouraged stewards to take the upcoming School for Workers Training and expressed concernr for the members that have run out of unemployment and medical benefits and are waiting for Congress for some relief. He also explained the procedure for bereavement during Holidays.

Mike Merrill reported on the delay on the Micro Line due to the cylinder problem. Earlier there had been some good news was that we were supposed to increase production to 750 opposed twin engines per day but Neylon made decision to cancel and stay on 250 engines a day so the good news was cancelled. Menomonee Falls is busy doing some Generac service parts. They will be adding 4 warehouse attendants. He also reported that insurance cards should be coming and problems in Die Cast.

Karl Schneider thanked people for their United Way campaign and thanked Stewards for their efforts. There was a reorganization of salary people at Strattec. Insurance forms had to be in. Due to Big 3’s continued 0% financing, there should be no changes in production – same level with limited overtime. He reported on the 21-day arbitration ruling. He also reported Chief Steward Nancy Lesniewski has been reinstated to work.

Under new business, a motion was read about a members’ grievances from Strattec. After a lengthy debate, the motion was defeated.

In other new business, a discharged member from Strattec read his motion requesting to overrule the Bargaining Committee and send his case to arbitration. In a very close vote, his motion passed.

And finally, President Greg Gorecki reported that this would be the last meeting of our Election Committee Co-Chair Ann Murphy, who will be retiring at the end of the year.

The next meeting will be held on January 24, 2002 at AMF Bowlero.