5/28 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The Company subcommittee countered our non-economic proposal. Your Negotiating Committee is reviewing the counter proposal and preparing to pass a counter proposal back. We are looking at different job descriptions and meeting with the Company's subcommittees on possible changes.

On June 04 2010, the subcommittees will report to the main negotiating table on their progress for action. Again we remind you that unless you hear something from the Negotiating Committee, it is just a rumor.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day, a union-negotiated holiday. The next several weeks promise to be busy and eventful for our union, so rest up!

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee

What's happening in America

Why our negotiations are important. It's about AMERICAN JOBS.

Negotiations Update 5/17

Your committee is working on non-economic issues at this time. The negotiating team has broken into subcommittees which are working and meeting with the company on job classification issues.

Jobs subcommittees:

Kathy Petersen and Howard Johnson – M03 and facilities maintenance issues.
David Eagle and Michael Burleigh – M12 Tooling
Becky Ledbetter and Dennis Williams – M17 RepairCenter Mechanic.

There will be additional committees formed soon to address other issues to be worked. Our Committee is working diligently to address these important matters.

We have not yet entered into economic negotiations, so any rumors you have heard are just that, rumors. There are no economic proposals on the table at this time from either side.

Thanks to all the stewards who met with the IAM’s Jim Leslie last week. The meetings were very productive and it was important that we heard about the issues directly from our Stewards. We’ll keep you informed as Brother Leslie and his team compiles the report.

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee

Steward meetings

Throughout this week the IAM is having preparatory meetings with all the Union Stewards concerning the contract negotiations with Spirit. These meetings are following up from the March meeting where International President Tom Buffenbarger, CEO Jeff Turner and Dick Gephardt spoke to the Stewards and the Managers. In order to improve our communications the IAM is listening to your Shop Steward's issues and ideas. Our goal is an informed strong membership.

Jim Leslie is facilitating the meetings. Brother Leslie is a 40-year IAM leader. He is retired from the IAM, and was the Director of the William W. Winpisinger Center at Placid Harbor for 12 years. He has served in almost every capacity in the IAM, including as Business Representative in District Lodge 60 in Detroit, MI.

May Machinists Matters

Click here to download the May edition of the Machinists Matters newsletter.

Strike Sanction passes.

The Strike Sanction Vote passed by an overwhelming 98% margin. We had a very large turnout, thanks to everyone who came out and voted!

Photos from the Strike Sanction Vote

H



Hat Tip to Stan Chapman for the photos!

There's still time to get to the Koch Arena and vote!

Strike Sanction Vote Today!

Be sure to stop by and vote, at the Koch Arena, 21st and Hillside. Polls open at 8 AM, close at 2 PM. Stick around for the Local Lodge Meeting at 10 AM. We'll post the results of the vote as soon as they are available.

Welcome to the new blog!

Welcome to the new blog - this will be information central for the negotiations. Come back often!