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.

Strattec Security Corp.

by Karl Schneider

Brothers & Sisters,

    I apologize for not having an article in last month’s Reporter. I did not have an article written and missed the deadline. 
    First, I regret to inform members that we recently had a Strattec retiree pass away. Ken Michaud, who retired in January of 1999 recently died. My condolences go to his family and friends.
    Some of the things that are going on at Strattec: 
    There appears to be continued overtime in most areas of production. I recommend members use common sense when signing up for overtime. I realize that each individual knows their own limitations and no one else does.
    The company has informed me that there will be salaried people here on weekends. It is my understanding their role will be as a contact person. If they do not know how to correct a problem they will call someone that will know how.
    The company stated that the employees need to understand that these people carry the same authority as the regular foreman.
    On October 24th I became aware of a serious crisis with one of our customers. Delphi wanted answers to their questions as to why we are not making compliance. Top management from Delphi's purchasing department requested an on site meeting with Strattec to see why they were not getting their product on time. What was at stake was Delphi's (which is our 4th largest customer in terms of annual sales) current and future business.
    I cancelled an all day off-site training commitment to show Strattec that the union is concerned and committed to getting Delphi their product. And to show Delphi that the union was concerned and involved in resolving Delphi's issues (on time delivery of quoted amounts). Delphi was fogged in and could not get out of Detroit. We were going to have a teleconference which everyone at Strattec thought was a bad idea. A decision was made to take our presentation to Delphi however I did not go to Detroit. John Cahill asked me if there was anything the union wanted to relay back to Delphi. I made the statement that we share the same concerns of getting Delphi quality products delivered on time.
    When I got back to work I was informed that everything went well. Not only was Delphi satisfied with our corrective action but also they impressed with the way the Union and the Company came together to address their needs.
    At Strattec from top management to the members that build the housings we know we are the best in the business. As long as we know what the requirements of the customer are. We have a proven track record.
I want to thank every member that went the extra yard to help in what I feel is a major crisis.
Also a grievance that was going to arbitration has been resolved. Shop rule #24 states No wages will be paid to anyone but the employee having earned them, except upon presentation, at the Personnel Office, of a written order signed by the employee accompanied by the employee's ID card.

On Safety 

    I asked Tom Kiepczynski to look into diesel fumes on the docks and in the immediate area's. I am pleased to report a company policy went into effect requiring truckers to shut off their tractors when on the docks.
We presently have 491 active employees and 21 employees on leave. The reason this number is different from the local's is we have some employees on probation.
    Finally, I want to wish every member of Local 7-232 and their families a joyous and safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

In Solidarity, 
Karl Schneider