USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

Representing  employees at Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Strattec Security Corp. in Milwaukee, WI

Grievance Rep Report

Burleigh/Menomonee Falls Plants, 1st & 3rd Shift

by Barb Schuller & Mike Merrill

 MED South

          In MED South, orders are softening. Effective January 29th, Department 716 mufflers reduced seven labor grade 18 robot operators due to the overbuild of the Intek Engine. This displaced two from 1st shift, two from 2nd shift and three from 3rd shift. Department 238, (the old Department 715 and Department M7S) reduced three pieceworkers from 1st shift and three from 2nd shift due to the reduced schedule for the Twin Engine build. Department 780 reduced 2 operators, and department 765 reduced one labor grade 18 from 3rd shift. As of now, no further cut-backs are expected but we were told they will revisit staffing levels at the end of February.

Service

          In the Service Division the layoffs were all voluntary. Six warehouse attendants and seven pieceworkers took the layoff. Contrary to what the Company wants us to believe about working together, management came down with an edict on Monday, January 22nd that starting times be changed to 7:00 A.M. for all members except one UPS Clerk starting at 12:00 P.M. This is devastating to our members who have been on a 6:00 A.M. start time for over 20 years. No questions or concerns about the change were addressed.

MED North

          On January 29th, the opposed twin assembly line, L5, went from a run rate of 1500 per day to 900 engines per day. L5 was running at a 750 engine run rate. Now they will run only one shift at a 900 engine run rate. This resulted in a cutback of 52 assemblers and eight dayworkers. L3 also had a reduction on January 29th. The Green Line run rate had been 725 on 2nd shift. Now it will run on 1st shift with a 500 run rate. This change resulted in the reduction of ten operators. At this time, the cut off for assembly is September 19, 1977.

Pay as you go vacation

          To receive your vacation pay as you use it, you must sign up every year during the month of April. At the time of layoff however, prior to May 1st, you can affirm your pay as you go vacation by notifying Personnel. We are in discussions that may lead to changing this process so annual affirmation of the members desire to receive vacation pay when used will not be required.

Insurance

          Compcare has failed to handle many items throughout the sign-up process and moves resulting from the huge rate increases. Many members have not received their ID cards. If you have not received your cards, let your reps know so we can check it out.