Layoffs mount at Briggs; Strattec separation would divide and weaken Local 7-232

By Greg Gorecki

President

Layoffs continue at Briggs and Stratton. While the Company says they are seasonal, there are many causes for concern. M-1 and L-1 have reduced members drastically. With the lack of orders for the Model 19 and the Company introducing their Model 20 produced at the Southern plants to replace the Model 19, one can only hope for another good season for Model 19’s.

In M-5 and L-5 they are about ready to drop their production. It is just a matter of time before the run rate will drop from 750 to 450 per shift. All reports indicate that L-5 should return to the 750 level on 1st and 2nd shift around October 1, 2000. Keep in mind though that there is a V-twin being built down South to eventually replace the opposed twin that is being built up here in Milwaukee. While the Company has told us they are aggressively seeking outside new work in M.E.D., that has yet to happen. Without new work it is only a matter of time until emissions will phase out the models we are currently assembling here.

Moves from West Allis Plant Begin

At West Allis the move has begun to happen. Machines from Department 552 are starting to be moved into the area just northwest of the Die Cast Department at the Burleigh Plant. While some of the jobs in Department 552 are scheduled to be moved to the Burleigh Plant, the bulk of the jobs (Model 28’s) will be moving down South. This is scheduled to happen over the next 18 months.

In Department 551 the jobs will be moving down South, with the exception of the manifolds. That will move to M-5 at the Burleigh Plant. The Company has offered to move two cam cells to M-1 in the Pilot Program. That means that those jobs that now pay $19.00 - $20.00 per hour would be making $14.54 per hour. The problem with that is because of the severe cut-back in M-1 the people in Department 551 would probably not even get the option to move with the jobs. The Union is trying to set up a meeting with Department 551 to answer any questions about the move of the department.

I fear Strattec split will make two weaker unions from one

At Strattec, signatures were verified for 280 members on the petition to break off and form their own local under the PACE International Union. Under our By-laws, members at either Briggs and Stratton or Strattec have a right to split off. The meeting to discuss the pros and cons of this idea is scheduled for May 21, 2000 at Manning’s on 76th and Good Hope at 9:30 a.m.

I have heard the talk at Strattec for almost a year. My concern about the splitting of our Local is that I believe both bargaining units will be weakened if it happens. One of the biggest ploys of employers in the 1980’s and 1990’s was to divide and conquer. If we do this (split off), I feel that we will be playing right into management’s hands.

There has always been strength in numbers. We have been able to learn by each of the Bargaining Committee’s experiences. It is positive experience when you have union officials from different contracts discussing strengths and weaknesses of their respective contracts and help the other avoid pitfalls or argue for things that have worked.

I have heard some people suggest that Strattec does not have enough clout in our Union. I disagree totally. I have been here for almost 29 years and have seen a number of presidents come and go, and without any question, in the time I have been here the two most knowledgeable presidents we have had, in my opinion, have come from the Strattec Plant. My opinion is that it would be the wrong move to split up, but whatever your beliefs are, I would suggest every Strattec member attend the meeting on May 21, 2000 so they can make an informed decision when they vote on May 24, 2000.