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.

        The membership meetings were held on October 24, 2002 at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. sharp, respectively at the AMF Bowlero.

        Ralph Schweiger read the Trustee Report at both meetings.

        Joe Chambers, in his Financial Secretary-Treasurer. Report stated there were 1434 members at Briggs and 406 members at Strattec for a total of 1840 dues paying members.

        Membership approved the following recommendations:

        President Greg Gorecki reported on upcoming changes in the Union, including reducing hours for the full-time officers, reducing cost of the Reporter by going on-line, changing membership meetings back to Sundays and reducing the number of steward training sessions from four (4) to as just as needed (which would be less). The changes are to reduce cost due to the shrinking membership. Gorecki also reported on Election Day November 5th, on Briggs insurance, meeting with Company held on September 24, tentative partnership of die cast and 41 members will be retiring at the end of this year.

        He reported on updates on Strattec including a settlement outsourcing grievance that was headed to arbitration, and an arbitration case regarding a discharge coming up. He and the Strattec Bargaining Committee will be touring the plants in Mexico. The Company will look into offering severance packages for those affected and also voluntary layoffs for people with 29 years.

        Mike Merrill reported on updates on Briggs regarding skilled trades WARN notice, the Micro Line and the Outboard Engines. He reported on the governor’s race and Election Day November 5th.

        Jesse Edwards reported on the standard preferred method at the Menomonee Falls plant, the group change, updates on depts. F7P, F7S, 192, 716, 243, M-8 and encouraged all to get out and vote.

        Karl Schneider reported on the labor department approving certification for trade adjustment due to jobs going to Mexico at Strattec. He also reported on a settlement of a grievance, voluntary layoff, severance, flu shots, United Way and getting out to vote.

        Dennis Nowak reported on time line of jobs moving out of Strattec.

        Tom Bishanell gave his quarterly Job Evaluation and Time Study Report for Strattec and Briggs.

        Joe Chambers reported on the By-Law Committee and read the proposed by-law changes that will be discussed and voted on at the next membership meeting.

        No discharged members were present. The next meeting will be held December 5th, 2002 which will be a combined November and December meeting.

         The membership meetings were held on December 5, 2002 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. sharp respectively at the AMF Bowlero.

         Ralph Schweiger read the Trustee Report at both meetings. Joe Chambers read his Financial Secretary/Treasurer Report and stated there were 1435 members at Briggs and 407 at Strattec for a total of 1842 members.

        We received "thank you" letters from Milwaukee County Labor Council for our purchase of 6 tickets for the Solidarity Celebration from PACE Local 7-264 Food Packaging and for our $50.00 donation to their Strike Fund. Also, one from Hunger Task Force for volunteering our time packing food into boxes for the elderly. Announcements were made for the PACE Scholarships Awards Program, the Labor History Society Essay Contest and School for Workers 2003 winter classes.

        The following Executive Board recommended motions passed:

         President Greg Gorecki reported on Briggs shutting down December 23rd in MED only, while Die Cast will work. L-1 going down December 20th. A WARN notice has been received for Depts. 238, 700, and 105. 37 people are scheduled to retire January 1, 2003. At the Menomonee Falls plant, there is a problem with members not getting a full week of vacation due to lack of a shutdown and also we will closely monitor the work measurement system.

        At Strattec, Gorecki reported on the Dept. 90 layoffs, not working on December 23rd, the trip to Mexico and the retraining benefits.

        He wished all a safe and happy holiday season and reminded the members that the office will be open December 23rd.

        Ross Winklbauer at the 12:30 meeting and Dennis Clark at the 3:30 meeting reported on the new clinic and work out facility at Briggs, which will open in January.

        Karl Schneider reported that Strattec said Christmas parties will be held on December 20th. He also reported on a problem with Ford, upcoming layoffs, an OSHA inspection, the trip to Mexico and wished all a happy holiday.

Unfinished business

        Joe Chambers, Chair of the By-law Committee, reread (from last meeting) the amended By-laws. All the By-laws passed with little opposition.

New business

        President Gorecki gave a recommendation from the Joint Board to go back to Sunday membership meetings. The motion passed.

        Also under the new business, a member from the Strattec unit made a motion to overturn the Bargaining Committee's decision not to take his grievance to 3rd stage. His motion was successful as the Bargaining Committee, dropping the grievance after 2nd stage, will now pursue it it to 3rd stage. The grievance dealt with job elimination.