Union Lost Members and Money during 2002

By Joe Chambers

During 2002 Local 7-232 lost 213 members. 159 jobs were lost at Briggs and 54 were lost at Strattec. In January, we had 1604 members at Briggs and 459 members at Strattec for a total of 2,063 members. In December, that was down to 1445 members at Briggs, 405 members at Strattec for a total of 1,850 members.

The job loss will be worse this year. Already through the first 4 months we have lost another 138 member at Briggs and 42 members at Strattec. Many more jobs will be lost in the coming months based on recent announcements.

During 2002, our expenses were about 103% of our income. We suffered a net loss of $24,008.66.

To deal with the smaller membership, we made many adjustments, cutting hours and staff in the office, eliminating the outside printing and mailing of the newspaper and many other choices throughout the year to reduce expenses. We again are changing our union to be appropriate for our smaller size. In the first three months of 2003, our treasury increased by over $8,000, but that trend will not last through the summer.

The failure of the efforts to sell the Briggs die cast division, and subsequent decision to exit the automotive supply business, will mean the loss of hundreds more jobs.

Our union will need to create a structure appropriate to our smaller size. Our structure has gone through many changes already and unfortunately, we have much experience in dealing with the loss of members. The Executive Board will be considering all parts of our union as we move ahead.

Income and Expenses

(As Audited)

Total All Funds January 1, 2002 $150,823.39

Income

Dues from Briggs & Stratton Check-off	$645,140.46
Dues from Strattec Security Check-off	$176,303.98
Dues Received Directly	$414.84
Income from Shirts Sold	$342.00
Money Collected for Community Services Committee	$521.50
Refund of Unemployment Comp. Tax	$45.96
Reimbursement for Lodging Expense	$306.00
Per Diem Returned	$15.00
Refund on Worker's Compensation Premium	$844.00
Reimbursement from PACE for Time Study Consultant	$3,750.00
Stale, Re-issued & Returned Checks	$4,580.21
Interest Income	$1,796.79
Total income	$834,060.14

Expenditures

Per Capita Tax to PACE International Union	$348,106.41
Per Capita Tax to Milw. & Wauk. County Labor Councils	$17,649.92
Per Capita Tax to Wisconsin State AFL-CIO	$13,154.35
Net Wages (Officers, Reps, Stewards, Analyst, Members, & Staff	$200,510.50
State & Federal Income Tax, Social Security & Medicare Taxes -Payroll	$109,207.83
Disburse Payroll Deductions	$45,798.28
Refund of Dues	$7,215.49
Office Rent	$27,108.25
Office Supplies, Postage & Stationary	$10,502.05
Office Operating Expenses & Utilities	$9,644.25
Floral Arrangements & Bibles for Funerals	$1,306.13
Life, Health & Accident Insurance Premiums	$8,288.82
Pension Contribution for Secretary	$2,389.49
School and Conference Registration Fees	$4,516.37
Conference Per Diem Expense	$2,575.00
Multi-Peril Insurance Premium	$762.00
Labor Press for 250 Members in Wauk. County Labor Council	$2,500.00
Travel & Lodging Expense	$7,750.97
Arbitration Expense	$3,996.17
State & Federal Unemployment Compensation Tax	$1,277.75
Newsletter Printing, Postage & Mailing	$16,854.24
Per Capita Tax for PACE Region X Council	$474.50
Worker's Compensation Insurance Premium	$2,042.00
Charitable Contributions & Memberships	$2,910.00
Attorney Retainer & Fees	$9,906.53
Tax Penalty	$320.00
To Community Services Committee from Collections	$521.50
Hall Rental	$750.00
Replace Lost Check	$30.00
Total Expenditures	$858,068.80
Total All Funds December 31, 2002	$126,814.73
Net Income (loss)	$(24,008.66)