USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

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

Membership Meeting 

Sunday December 7, 2008

Frank Monreal's El Matador

9155 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee 

9:30a.m.

   Members are urged to Attend this Meeting.

Grievance Rep Report

Burleigh/Menomonee Falls Plants, 2nd Shift

By Jesse Edwards

Department L1

          The Model 19 Assembly Line was shut down on 2nd shift and moved back to 1st shift effective February 2, 2001. The production run rate will also be reduced from 650 per day to 500 per day. This reduction will affect ten (10) assemblers and six (6) dayworkers.

Department L5

          The Model 40/42 Opposed Twin Assembly Line was shut down on 2nd shift effective February 2, 2001. The production run rate will be reduced from 1500 per day to 900 per day. This reduction will affect fifty-two (52) assemblers and nine (9) dayworkers. Normally, when production is cut back to 900 per day, the Company would run 450 per shift. This will be the first time the Company runs 900 engines on one shift. Shutting down 2nd shift caused a hardship on many of our members.

Machining Department M5

          There was a cut-back of fourteen (14) operators and nine (9) dayworkers. This also eliminated 3rd shift except for the crank cell.

New Work

          The new Micro 4-cycle engine is on schedule to start production in August 2001. This will be a pilot department and anyone wishing to put in a transfer can put in for Department 345.

Die Cast

          The Die Cast Component Division laid off an additional fourteen (14) operators, six (6) machine attendants, two (2) truckers, one (1) potman and one (1) setup effective February 2, 2001.

          In the new Department 198, the Company plans to start machining parts using CNC machines. The Company stated that they would be getting more machining work in the future. The start-up date is around March 2001. To begin with, the Company will staff this department with seven (7) setup and five (5) machine attendants. The Company also stated that they will be casting the Head for the new 4 cycle engine.

Retirees

          If you have a hearing loss and it is work related, you are entitled to compensation. Hearing loss can be proven through an audiogram. You must be out of work for seven (7) consecutive days before you get a hearing test. If you have Compcare Insurance, all you have to pay is your co-pay, but if you have Aetna, which is administered by Briggs and Stratton, your hearing exam is not covered. If you need to contact Briggs and Stratton Worker’s Compensation Department, the number is 414-259-5697.

Re-elected

          At the January meeting, I was re-elected by acclamation to continue representing 2nd shift at the Burleigh and Menomonee Falls Plants. I am recharged and ready for the challenges ahead and together we can be effective.

                                                                                In Solidarity,