Membership Meeting Recap

By Scott Godshaw

January

The membership meeting was held on Sunday January 19, 2003 at Monreal’s El Matador at 9:30 a.m.

Vicky Black read the Trustee Report. Joe Chambers, in his Financial Secretary-Treasurer Report stated there were 1482 members at Briggs and 399 members at Strattec for a total of 1881 in November and 1445 members at Briggs and 405 members at Strattec for a total of 1850 members in December. A motion was made and passed to accept the report.

COMMUNICATIONS

A thank you letter was read for our donation to PACE Local 6-1010 workers at Graphic Packaging Corporation in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In conjunction with that, a boycott of Coors beer as the Coors family is heavily involved in GPC’s daily operations. We received a thank you letter / Christmas card from Hunger Task Force. A letter was read from Dominick D’Ambrosio, former AIW International President regarding the Reporter. Leon Towne sent a letter that Local 7-0264 members ratified a 3 year contract thus ending their strike. 2nd announcements were made for the Wisconsin Labor History Society Contest and the PACE Scholarship Awards Program.

The Executive Board motions that passed were :

	Send Joint Boards to the PACE Region X Spring Conference in Milwaukee, March 22 and 23. No lodging and no loss of wages. Delegate fee is $25.00.
	Send Greg Gorecki and Ross Winkbauer to the Industrial Union Conference in Washington D.C. February 3-5, 2003. 2 nights lodging at $160.00 and air fare.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS

President Greg Gorecki thanked all for coming and reported on the Reporter being available on our web-site. There is computer access at the library and copies will be available at the plant Union Offices. Nominations will be taken today for all Grievance Representatives and Trustee at Large. Thank you to Community Services.

At Strattec, early retirement was offered. There are problems not notifying the in-source/out-source Committee.

Karl Schneider has been on sick leave. Nancy Lesniewski served in his absence.

At Briggs, the Model 9 engine went down on December 20th. We are assembling the stick for the Outboard motor. On the Micro engine, we are hoping for some orders. M7-P and M7-S reduced people. A voluntary lay off was posted at Menomonee Falls. They will reduce 16 people. M-3 and M-8 are the only departments that still have production on the North.

Jesse Edwards reported on the Menomonee Falls plant, MED North, Die Cast and MED South.

Barb Schuller reported on Department 760, Die Cast and Department 243.

Mike Merrill reported on the Micro Line rumors, the Outboard motor, the lay off in Department 700 and Workers Compensation. Health care forms.

Nancy Lesniewski reported on the employment levels at Strattec, the Fin/ops meeting and thanked all the stewards.

Karl Schneider hoped all had a good holiday and thanked all that filled in for him.

NEW BUSINESS

Under new business, nominations were taken for Grievance Representatives and Trustee at Large.

The next meeting will be held on Sunday February 16th at Monreal’s El Matador, (lower level) 9155 W. Bluemound Rd.at 9:30 a.m.