USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

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

By Jesse Edwards

MED

            The run rate for the Model 9 engine dropped from 1,200 per day down to 1,000 per day. Due to this reduction, Dept. M3X was shut down on 2nd shift effective April 9, 2001. Many of the employees on 2nd shift were disappointed when the Company told them they were closing 2nd shift and would continue to run 1st and 3rd shift. These types of situations always cause a hardship on our people. When will the Company decide to listen to our members?

Department 797

            In Department 797, Coils, the Union continues to get more complaints. Some of the issues are as follows: Not allowed to take down time when your machine is down, or a special rate when you have to work with an off-standard condition, not putting experienced operators on the line card and not posting voluntary layoff by classification. In this department, most employees feel intimidated and when they go to management, nothing is ever done. The Steward Donn Stewart, Barb Schuller, and myself have approached management many times about these issues. Currently, the Union is in the process of scheduling a meeting with upper management to try and resolve these issues. I will keep you informed.

Starting Time Changed

            In early March, the Company changed the starting time in Department 797. Second shift now start at 2:30 p.m. Their regular start time had been 3:00 p.m. This caused a hardship on many of the employees. In an attempt to keep the regular start time, the employees circulated a petition to keep the 3:00 p.m. start. Thirty-seven (37) employees signed the petition, twenty-six (26) wanted to keep the 3:00 p.m. start and eleven (11) wanted the 2:30 p.m. start. Currently, the start time is 2:30 p.m. The Union asked the Company why change the starting time and the reason given was these are summer hours and the Company does not want a gap between shifts.

Steward Election

            The steward elections will be held in June, 2001. Any steward that would like to run for the chief steward position should notify the grievance representative in writing by June 27, 2001. The election for the chief steward will be held at the next steward meeting on June 28, 2001.

Die Cast

            The new machining Department 198 is in the process of starting up production some time around late April or early May. They will be machining a water pump for Ford. At this time, the Company is not sure about the volume. However, they will be running three (3) shifts with two (2) labor grade 20 machine tenders on first shift, one (1) machine tender on 2nd shift and one (1) machine tender on 3rd shift. They will have four (4) set-up on 1st shift, one (1) set-up on 2nd shift, and one (1) set-up on 3rd shift. The Union will keep you informed as this new machining department comes up. Right now, there are many unanswered questions, so stay tuned. Die Cast is also in the process of recalling nine (9) machine tenders; three (3) for Department 192, one (1) per shift; three (3) for Department 197, one (1) per shift; and three (3) to replace employees that are on sick leave.

Sick Leave