USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

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

Season's Greetings 

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Membership Meeting 

Sunday January 18, 2009

Frank Monreal's El Matador

9155 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee 

9:30a.m.

Nomination and Election will take place for Recording Secretary to fill the vacancy of Karen Clark, who is retiring January 1, 2009

Nominations will take place for the following positions:

Trustee at Large, Strattec Grievance Rep, Briggs Grievance Rep, 2 Briggs Bargaining Committee Members

   Members are urged to Attend this Meeting.

West Allis Plant Grievance Rep Report

By John Nalepinski

          We were informed at the May 18, 2000 informational meeting that there will be “NO SMOKING” allowed in the cafeteria.

          In Department 552, the posting of two machine operators and one quality analyst, by seniority, will be moved to the Burleigh Plant right after Memorial Day.

          The 3rd shift in Department 552 will be reduced slowly and by Spring of the year 2001, 3rd shift will no longer exist.

          I have no outstanding grievances for second stage set at the time of writing this report. I have three grievances and one discharge that I have slated for 3rd stage.

Safety Committee

          A new Safety Committee has been started with two salary and three union members, Carl Giaimo, Scott Godshaw and myself on it. Thus far, we have had three meetings. Safety glasses, mats, the broaches that cut the keyway, and the insert mills that are a safety hazard because of the flying chips, have been addressed. There is a big problem on the 40-balance mill operation. There is a stop that has been placed to stop all the weight from pushing on the first wheel. That stop is too far up the line and will be moved down so it only lets 3-4 wheels to feed the operator at a time. If you have any concerns, please address them to the Committee.

          “On a personal note…” When you have people that are on voluntary and involuntary layoff in the same department and that department is recalling, by Contract the most senior from those groups are called back first unless there is someone with a former job rights transfer in for the department. What bothers me is the voluntaries should be given the choice, by seniority, if they want to come back at that point. The reason they took it was to be off and that gives the less senior the opportunity to work. Let those on voluntary stay off if they choose and let the involuntary come back first. There is language in the Contract that protects the senior people after Labor Day. Also, just one more thing that sucks big time, if you have vacation days, why must you have six years to back charge a vacation day??? If you are a probationary employee and someone dies in your immediate family, you are given points for the days off??? This issue is not only immoral, but just think about it!!

          Just want to end by saying thank you big time from my heart to the Stewards.

                         In solidarity,

                       John Nalepinski