USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

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

Membership Meeting 

Sunday July 25th, 2010

USW Local 2-232 Office

8500 W. Capital Dr.  LL 101  Milwaukee 

9:30a.m.

Election for Trustee at Large 

will take place during this meeting.

  Members are urged to Attend this Meeting.

by Scott Godshaw

The membership meetings were held on Thursday March 21, 2002 at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. sharp respectively at the AMF Bowlero.

Reports

Ralph Schweiger read the Trustee Report at both meetings.

Joe Chambers gave his Financial-Secretary Treasurer’s Report and stated there were 1600 dues paying members at Briggs and 450 dues paying members at Strattec for a total of 2050.

Communications

MCLC - There will be a town hall meeting at Serb Hall on April 2, 2002 entitled "Enron - It could happen to you" with special guest speaker AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

MCLC and AFL-CIO Community services is sponsoring a Union Counselor Workshop entitled "Partnership between organized labor and United Way" on Saturday April 13, 2002 at the United Way office. The workshop is free.

Membership approved purchasing 500 black ribbons to commemorate workers Memorial Day. The cost is .23 each for a total of $115.00.

Membership approved sending Ralph Schweiger from Strattec and Scott Godshaw to a program entitled "Communications Strategy for Action - Understanding and Using Media to Influence Decision Makers" on Tuesday April 2, 2002. The cost is $50.00 each.

Membership approved sending Al Olivares from Strattec and Greg Weber from Briggs to Madison for a School for Workers course entitled "Union Leadership" on April 8-9, 2002.

Membership approved renewing our annual membership to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The cost is $40.00. Also the Wisconsin Labor History Society, a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Historical Society will be holding their 21st Annual Conference Saturday April 27, 2002 in Madison entitled "Public Employees Union". The cost is $20 and anyone attending will be reimbursed.

MCLC and AFL-CIO Community Services will be holding their 13th Annual Health and Hygiene Drive. Please bring items to the next membership meeting.

Membership approved the time study consultant 6 months at no additional cost to the Local.

Membership approved the Executive Board's recommendation for endorsement of Tom Nardelli for County Executive and John Brennan for Circuit Court Judge Branch 27.

Reports of Officers

President Gregory H. Gorecki gave the general election results and introduced newcomers Greg Weber and Al Olivares.

He reported about Strattec - The State has been in touch about the job loss to Mexico. The Company and the Union disagree on the definition of similar jobs. A letter of protest was sent regarding the Company's suggested guidelines for work rules. The plate is full with 3 cases scheduled for arbitration.

At Briggs, we received 2 WARN notices, however, some areas will be picking up temporarily. Rumors flying about Die Cast being sold, Jeff Mahloch VP of Human Resources claims it is not true. Harley toured Die Cast but it was to see if we could cast a part for them. MDI had gone through Die Cast also.

When we met with Shiely last year he stated our future was in castings and components, however they would be open to any offer - if the price was right. We are trying to have a meeting with top officials to address some rumors. We had problems in the Die Cast area with job preference for dayworkers' long running jobs.

At Service Division where the lease runs through 2006, we met with management about some changes they wish to make.

Another hot item was retiring during layoff; we are waiting for some information from the Company. There were a couple of safety problems in Department 243 where an overhead lift fell and in Die Cast where there was a fire on Saturday March 16, 2002.

Jesse Edwards reported on the upcoming pre-retirement seminars, calculation of vacation hours and working over vacation shutdown must be posted by April 1. We had a problem with a steward being unable to punch out. There was a fire in Die Cast.

Mike Merrill reported updates on the north end.

Barb Schuller reported updates on the south end and on numerous issues on Die Cast and seasonal layoffs at Menomonee Falls.

Karl Schneider reported on job reduction in the Die Cast area, shop rules program and a rash of new grievances.

Dennis Nowak reported on submitting vacation requests. He congratulated all those that voted in the general election and thanked those that supported him.