Struggle at Waterford now international news. UK Guardian's take with video on developments at Waterford and across the country. Standing up to the billionaires is resonating and making history. In Solidarity, Bill.

http://www.local81359.com/Interview

Bill Ritchie, President Albany County Central Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) 518-265-1945

All,

We have scheduled a SECOND town hall call at 12 noon tomorrow for the members of IUE-CWA who are on strike at Momentive.  Please inform your Executive Board and membership that they may participate in the call.   

To participate in the call, members must call the phone number below and follow the prompts to enter the ID Code/password.

Here are the call details:

When: Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 12 noon EST

(the call will go live at noon sharp so people should call in a couple of minutes prior)

Call in Number:  see your Steward or call an eboard member .....

ID Code/Passcode:  info at HDHQ .

                      Meeting Times at HDHQ:

Saturday Feb 11th at 10am
Saturday Feb 11th at 2pm
Saturday Feb 11th at 7pm

Sunday Feb 12th at 10am
Sunday Feb 12th at 7pm                    

The above meeting times are scheduled for Contract information and questions. If the times don't line up with your scheduled picket shift arrange your schedule to get to one of the meetings.

If you can't attend one of the meetings see one of the board members in HDHQ.

Thanks 81359 E Board.                                 

Please take time to support our Brothers & Sisters at AT&T!

Momentive Performance Materials strike rally in Waterford, NY. Also speaking NYS Professional Fire Fighters union leader Sam Fresina.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ksXzuGUzc&feature=share

http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20170207/state-comptroller-shows-support-for-momentive-strikers
 

Saturday, February 18 at 12 PM - 2 PM

HDHQ  301 Hudson River Rd, Waterford, NY 12188-1911

Event- Bus Trip to Park Ave. Canceled!

Steve Schwarzman Home

Date - Feb 9th 11AM Exit 8 Park & Ride Bus & 12PM Bus leaves HDHQ. To return at 10PM.

Please RSVP to VP Darryl Houshower 518-935-5622

BROTHERS/SISTERS

Event- Bus Trip to Park Ave.

Steve Schwarzman Home

Date - Feb 9th 12PM Bus leaves HDHQ. To return at 10PM.

Please RSVP to VP Darryl Houshower 518-935-5622

While the NLRB charges are pending, everyone with an FSA balance should elect COBRA coverage for FSA.  You can do this by going to page 7 of the COBRA letter.  Two paragraphs above the signature line you will see the following:
   If you were participating in your employer-sponsored FSA plan and have a positive balance in your account at the time of your COBRA qualifying event, you may be edible to continue your monthly FSA contributions under COBRA until the end of the FSA plan year.  If you are interested, please check this section and we will provide you with additional information.
 This form must be postmarked no later than January 29th , 2017.  We will advise you how to proceed once we see what additional information the Company provides.

Thomas M. Murray, Esq.

Kennedy, Jennik &  Murray, P.C.

113 University Place, 7th floor
New York, NY 10003

UAW, Local 1508 Vicious Honeywell Lock-out Continues

Support UAW Brothers and Sisters!

Thursday, January 26, 2017:  6:00 – 7:30 pm

Contact VP Darryl Houshower  dhoushower1@gmail.com CALL 518-935-5622

By Thursday of this week, UAW union workers at Green Island will have been lockeddhoushower1@gmail.com CALL 518-935-5622- out of their jobs for 263 days.  Honeywell Corporation forced the lock-out on the 42 workers at the Green Island, NY plant after they, together with the UAW Local in South Bend, IA refused to agree to an outrageously bad contract offer.  The workers are members of United Auto Workers, Local 1508.  They make brake parts for commercial and military aircraft.  Clearly, Honeywell is trying to starve the workers into submission and break the union.

            The company has been attempting to operate the plant using “replacement workers” from Strom Engineering, a company notorious for providing scab workers during strikes and lockouts.  Local 1508 is maintaining a picket line presence outside the plant at 50 Cohoes Avenue, Green Island.  The Albany County Central Federation of Labor is joining the picket line every Thursday between 6:00 – 7:30 pm.  The picket line has been joined by individual and group supporters from a variety of unions. There is wide community support for the workers.

This lock-out is at the cutting edge of the increasingly vicious contradiction between Labor and Capital in our county.  It is an attack on workers, their families, their unions, their community partners and the community-as-a-whole.

To make a financial contribution, please write a check to:  UAW Local 1508, Box 1508, Green Island, NY 12183—please add “Lock-out Fund” in memo section.

Please join us this Thursday night (1/26) between 6:00 and 7:30 pm.  Your support is needed more than ever.

Directions:  Take 787 N to Cohoes Blvd. exit, turn right onto Tibbets Ave. and left onto Cohoes Avenue.  Your support will be greatly appreciated by the courageous and determined Local 1508 members.  Any and all contributions will be welcomed.

Bill Ritchie, President

Albany County Central Federation of Labor

billritchie100@gmail.com

518-265-1945                                   (LABOR DONATED)

The information is at HDHQ and has been there since November ( ask anyone signing people in for the pamphlet ). Several of the special benefits protected members are switched into GE Legacy Health care. If you need any help with any of these options please contact myself or any E-Board member immediately via e-mail at pres359@gmail.com . 

        The question has been asked several times about what if I do nothing ? 
Answer : CWA will continue to pay medical bills but unfortunately COBRA benefit will no longer be available for new cases ( the window to get on COBRA is 60 days ) . The ACA has a provision and after March 31st ( 3 months in Calendar year ) , unless repealed, there will be tax ramifications that will occur. There is a document we finally received from CWA in regards to this matter.  Below is the correspondences. 

The E-Board Local 81359 IUE-CWA

ACA and Striking Workers FAQ UPDATED (1).doc

Last call for buses to NYC Friday 13th at Exit 8 off I-87 Park & Ride at 10:30AM and at the HDHQ here on 4&32. Please "click" get tickets below for facebook user and email VP Daryl Houshower dhoushower1@gmail.com CALL 518-935-5622 if interested in going to the rally.

Hosted by Verizon Strike Solidarity.

We'll be rallying in NYC next Friday outside the Apollo HQ. See some of you there!

Rally to Support Momentive Strikers in NYC January 13 at 4:30 PM 9 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019-2601, United States Join · Get Tickets · 3 people joined

Sisters and Brothers of local 359 ,

   Your will and perseverance to stand up against Corporate Greed is now being read across the country. News media from all over have been playing your story. CWA has brought  A professional film crew to document your stories on standing up and fighting back online around the clock and showing a more personal side to this ....I hope you all realize that you are making history , standing up for everyone across America that can't stand up for themselves. The support from everyone to date has been incredible thanks to each of you standing strong and fighting back!

 I hope you understand CWA in NY and Washington DC are fully involved in our fight now and have put the resources into this fight needed to win!! They are doing so much behind the scenes and have some big plans coming right after Christmas. If you want to quickly gauge our progress just call me , no matter what they say .... you can't hide the big financial losses and Customers getting very vocal .... sad !!! Look at shelves at certain customers , it's blatant ...
 Today is a nice service for our members and families at noon ... Bishop Hubbard and a whole group of clergy from every faith will be here at HDHQ , to say prayers to get a fair contract ....

  On another note :  Please thank Lacey , Dionne , Amy Corbett, Katie McBride and ALL the moms (  Lisa, Kim , Karin ) and others that went so far out of their way to help and volunteer for helping with the Christmas ? toy drive as well as the events including the keep us warm crew ... we can't thank you ALL enough ..., the support for all the Unions and community were amazing !

     We Will be at back at the table looking like the second week in January ( no official date ) of course when unemployment finally gives us pay ... The company will be once again trying their best to mess with your minds making threats and they'll be putting out more propaganda to return to work or else . I truly apologize for not communicating more in writing but unfortunately some people are taking  everything we write and handing it directly to the company . We will not allow any statements to be used as tools or weapons against us or our members! If you have any questions please stop and contact me 518-935-3445 I'm here every morning and usually here till least six and o'clock every night. I've made trips back at night when needed and it's all good ..

Members of IUE-CWA 81359 and 81380 on Monday & Tuesday (12/19 &12/20) Lacey and Dionne will be at the American Legion Post 91 427 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118, distributing toys that been collected from the toy drive from 10:00am - 10:00 pm . Parents are welcome to come in and pick out something(s) for their child, children or grandchildren.

Thanks to all who help support this effort to give the kids of striking workers a Merry Christmas!

Chicken BBQ and Fixins. Susan McCloskey & Bruce Kussius donating the chicken and other supplies and Chris Hatalsky JR.doing the BBQ. Looking for volunteers to help orchestrate the event.

Wednesday December 21st 11AM till 4:30.

HOTDOG HQ 301 Hudson River Road Waterford NY, 12188.

chicken-bbq-flyer.pdf

The Daily Gazette

WATERFORD -- Those who remained on the picket line outside Momentive Performance Materials in Waterford despite increasingly frigid temperatures Thursday were bolstered by news this week that one of the nation’s leading progressive figures, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, supports their cause. 

The Vermont Senator and former presidential candidate issued a statement earlier this week, saying that while he could not join those striking on Hudson River Road in person, “I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the 700 members of IUE and CWA Locals 81359 and 81380 in your fight against corporate greed and for the economic security of your families.”

Sanders’ statement came more than a month after the strike began and after union leaders and Momentive representatives were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract. Those on strike say the contract offered by the company would negatively impact workers’ pensions and healthcare. 

“At a time when corporate America is engaged in a ruthless race to the bottom, you are fighting back against efforts by a profitable company that’s trying to jack up your healthcare costs, undermine your vacation time, reduce 401(k) payments and take away healthcare benefits from retirees who worked for decades in a dangerous chemical plant environment,” wrote Sanders in his letter of support. 

“We are absolutely thrilled that Senator Sanders has taken the time to read up, study the facts and show his support to 700 chemical workers trying to get a fair contract with a corporate bully,” said Dom Patrignani, president of the IUE CWA 359.

He said those on the picket line are still relying on burn barrels and wood to keep warm, as temperatures were expected to hit zero Thursday evening. 

“Morale is high as we look after each other,” he added.

Momentive Spokeswoman Tina Reiber provided a prepared statement in reaction to Sanders' support of the strikers.

She attributed changes in health care coverage to rising healthcare costs nationwide, which she said “have forced us to take prudent steps to contain medical, dental and prescription drug costs, including shifting employees to Consumer Health Plans, which can provide savings for both employers and employees.”

She noted that, while CHPs may have higher deductibles, they have lower upfront costs compared to alternatives.

“CHPs’ higher deductibles can be offset with the lower premium costs and Momentive’s contributions to employees’ Health Savings Accounts, typically resulting in an overall lower annual cost for most employees,” Reiber said in the prepared statement. “The offers made to the union aligned healthcare benefits with those that our other North America employees have had for years."

In his statement of support, Sanders noted that the company is doing well enough to pay its CEO $5.4 million a year, while “the company’s refusal to negotiate in good faith has put the safety of surrounding communities at risk.” 

In the first seven days of December, the Department of Environmental Conservation recorded seven separate spill incidents, none more than 25 gallons, on Hudson River Road in Waterford. 

State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who represents the 113th District, visited the picket line earlier this month and later wrote a letter to Momentive CEO and President Jack Boss.

“In the full year from November 2015 to November 2016, Momentive reported 37 spills total, averaging just three per month,” Woerner wrote.

Reiber said safety was "of the utmost importance” to Momentive, in the prepared statement, adding that replacement workers have been trained and qualified to the same standards as all employees.

She repeated a prepared statement offered in the wake of Woerner's criticism of the company: “Today, the operation of our site is being overseen by our tenured Momentive engineering team and experienced supervisors who once operated the equipment. These engineers and supervisors are the same employees the union operators would go to for help or advice during non-strike operations." 

https://dailygazette.com/article/2016/12/15/sanders-offers-support-for-momentive-strike

I am the webmaster and newsletter editor for RC 10, and we would like to make sure members get enough information that they would be able to volunteer and/or donate to help your cause. One concern at our Board of Directors meeting yesterday is that people felt like they did not have enough information to go and help on the picket line. Questions came up about where to park, etc. Any information you could give us would help. We are thinking of "assigning" a day for our local to support. Also, if they wanted to donate money or food how would they do that? Do you need other kinds of help that we don't know about (ie perhaps cooking, etc.?) I look forward to your response. I already have an article on our website but would like to expand on it. http://rc10.ny.aft.org/take-action/momentive-strikers-need-our-help. Donations can be Wood , water , any kind of food , soups , chili or anything home cooked ( our strikers love home cooked and we can keep it warm or cold )!.. we feed everyone as we said 24/7... nothing goes to waste and we have some real creative folks .

If there is money it can be sent to :

IUE-CWA strike defense Fund

P.O. Box 339

Waterford N.Y. 12188

More information can be found at momentiveworkers.com. There is also a letter on the website that is very easy to fill out, and will be sent to the Momentive CEO asking him to be fair in bargaining with the workers. It only takes a minute! If you have further questions, contact IUE CWA 359, Dom Patrignani, pres359@gmail.com.

Deb Escobar

American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.

MOMENTIVE Sanders gives support to strike.

U.S. senator praises Momentive workers for fighting cutbacks By Brian Nearing SANDERS Waterford Onetime Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders has come out in support of striking workers at the Momentive Performance Materials chemical plant in Waterford. On Tuesday, the U.S. senator from Vermont wrote to members of IUE/ CWA who have been striking outside the plant since Nov. 2, saying their action is ?connected to workers all over the country ... At a time when there are so many efforts to divide working people from one another, you are an inspiration." Sanders also blasted the owners of the Momentive plant on Routes 4 and 32, saying the ?profitable company? is trying to take away workers? vacation time, reduce 401(k) benefits, raise health insurance costs and cut retiree benefits. ?Miraculously, Momentive somehow has plenty of money to pay its CEO (Jack Boss) $5.4 million in compensation,? Sanders wrote. More than 700 members of Locals 81359 and 81380 are on strike around the plant?s entrances. ?We certainly appreciate the letter of support and concern from the senator,? said Local 81359 President Dominick Patrignani. ?We are going to stand strong and fight for a fair contract.? The plant makes chemical adhesives and sealants, and plant owners are planning to resume production, which was halted during the runup to the strike. Company managers and several hundred newly hired replacement workers are now inside the plant. Sanders said Momentive?s ?refusal to negotiate in good faith has put the safety of surrounding communities at risk,? wrote Sanders. ?No company should be able to endanger public safety in this manner as a tactic to undermine the legitimate claims of the workers." The plant is the former General Electric Silicones, which was sold in 2006 to Apollo Management LP, a private-equity fund in New York City. It was part of a $3.8 billion sale of the GE division. While Local 81359 represents most of the strikers, the strike also includes two smaller locals, one representing laboratory workers in Waterford, and the other workers at another Momentive plant in Willoughby, Ohio. Earlier labor contracts at Momentive in 2010 and 2013, which included pay cuts and other concessions, passed narrowly. --

Darcy Wells Communications Director New York State AFL-CIO

dwells@nysaflcio.org o:518-436-8516 c:518-859-1274

Former GE employees with 25 or more years of GE service. Dom. here is important info that needs to be passed along to all of our members that were former GE employees with 25 or more years of GE service. I just got off the phone with the GE benefits center. I was told that for those of us under 65 years of age with over 25 years of GE service we are now qualified to purchase GE insurance at 50% of cost, which for 1 person would be between $267.21 and $313.04, with 3 choices, and the cost depending on which level of coverage you opted for. Coverage will be retroactive to December 1, 2016. I was told this opportunity will only exist for 60 days until January 29 2017. I was also told that the reason for this opportunity was because our insurance was canceled on December 1, 2016 and that that cancellation creates what is called a "qualifying event". Depending on the outcome of this strike and what individual choices we make we may never get another qualifying event, and may forever lose our opportunity to benefit from this offer. In order to possibly at some time in the future have another qualifying event occur we must once again be enrolled in Momentive Insurance, and once again lose that coverage because of another qualifying event. If we opt to enroll in this GE offered insurance and we are returned to Momentive insurance at some time in the future then we can cancel the GE insurance without penalty, and will again be eligible when/if another qualifying event occurs.

Dominick - we know that many of your members may not be able to afford pictures with Santa - we invite members children and grandchildren to join us this Saturday - see flyer print and distribute.

 

Jeff Stark, 

Business Representative

IUPAT District Council No. 9

PH: (518) 489-5791

FX: (518) 453-3588

Brother Jeff, this is such an original thought for Kids and their families to have their pictures taken with Santa ... I will pass on to our members ...thank you Brother and special thanks to DC9 and it's members !! 

In Unity, Dom Patrignani Pres. L-81359

DC9 Cookies.pdf

Thanksgiving on the Picket Lines at Momentive

Seven hundred workers who make adhesives and sealants for Momentive Performance Materials will spend Thanksgiving on the picket lines. “We’ve taken two concessionary contracts already,” said IUE-CWA Local 81359 President Dom Patrignani. “We were not going to take a third." Photo: Jon Flanders

Seven hundred workers who make adhesives and sealants for Momentive Performance Materials will spend Thanksgiving on the picket lines.

They’ve been on strike since November 2, fighting the company’s efforts to hike health care costs, eliminate retiree health care, undermine vacation time, and reduce 401(k) payments for younger workers, who had their pension frozen in the last contract.

“We just want to come to work, do our jobs, and be able to go to the doctor and live our lives,” said shop steward Kellie Rossner, who has put in four and a half years at Momentive. “We’re not asking for anything more.”

Strikers—many of them in Labor Notes’ Troublemakers Union hoodies and T-shirts—are picketing at the eight gates that ring the massive 700-acre plant in Waterford, New York, where the company has its headquarters. A popular sign reads “Making People Miserable,” a riff on the company’s initials.

An old diner across from the plant serves as their “Hot Dog Headquarters.” They’ve got fire pits to keep warm, and gas grills to stay fed—and they even had a Saturday movie night at the main gate.

“We’ve taken two concessionary contracts already,” said IUE-CWA Local 81359 President Dom Patrignani. “We were not going to take a third. The business is doing well.”

Momentive’s previous CEO was John Rich—a name that inspired signs like, “John Rich, Me Poor.” At the helm today is Jack Boss (we’re not kidding!), who pulled in $5.4 million in compensation in 2015.

‘USE YOUR BODY UP’

Rossner, a chemical operator, works in Building 76, known as “the building of stink and stares” for its bad-smelling chemicals, combustibles, and flammables.

“The work really isn’t so bad—you kind of get in a rhythm,” she said. “But you have to be watching for the unexpected. At a moment’s notice, one valve could push something to the wrong kettle and cause a horrible situation.”

Momentive is proposing to move its production and technical workers to the same health plan as its non-union, salaried workforce.

“But it’s unfair to align us with a workforce that’s primarily in offices, when we’re on the front lines,” said Rossner. “Unfortunately, there are times when people have gotten splashed in the face or on the arms with chemicals.

“A lot of these chemicals are corrosive and can burn you easily. You are almost constantly having a low-level exposure. No matter how safe you try to be, that’s the nature of the business.”

“They want to use your body up and throw you out in the street,” said John Ryan, a former Local 81359 executive board member who’s been out on disability after a knee operation.

Five years ago Rossner was working two full-time, non-union jobs at once—as an auto-shop administrator at the Waterford plant and a stock room manager at Abercrombie & Fitch. She hopes to make a career at Momentive, but says the company is making that difficult.

“In the past, the reward outweighed the risk,” she said. “And we had health care that would take care of us. Now the company is trying to remove that, and it’s making it seem like it might not be a great career.”

During the strike, Momentive is trying to operate the plant with a combination of replacement workers and managers.

Workers and local residents are worried that puts the entire community at risk. By the company’s own standards, “it normally takes anywhere from a year and a half to five years to qualify on a job,” said Ryan.

ABANDONING RETIREES

Retirees are up in arms too. The company wants to eliminate health care coverage for both post-65 and pre-65 retirees. Instead it would offer them reimbursements to buy their own coverage on private health exchanges.

Some of these retirees worked at the plant before the 1971 advent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“When I started, you did not have the personal protective equipment or OSHA,” said retired logistics operator John Phelps, president of the local’s Retired Members’ Council. “I remember for years tearing off insulation that had asbestos, with no masks.”

Phelps also remembers inhaling toluene vapors—which can cause severe neurological harm—without anyone telling him to wear a respirator. “Now, the personal protective equipment is much better. But there’s a lot of danger.”

Phelps participated in the last big strike at the Momentive facilities, a three-month walkout in 1969. “Most of these people are younger,” he said. “They’ve never experienced a strike of this magnitude and realized the effects.

“So far the unity’s good. Community, businesses, they’ve been absolutely fabulous in providing food and other things to the strikers.”

JOHN RICH AND JACK BOSS

The company was spun off from GE in 2006 and snapped up by the private equity fund Apollo Management in a $3.8 billion leveraged buyout.

Momentive soon slashed production workers’ wages by 25 to 50 percent and outsourced dozens of jobs to non-union workers. In 2013 it froze pensions for younger workers.

Local 81359, which represents most of the strikers, has been a regular participant in Labor Notes conferences. The strike also includes two much smaller locals—representing lab techs at the Waterford plant, and workers at another Momentive plant in Willoughby, Ohio.

The 2010 and 2013 contracts passed narrowly. Both times the majority voted no in Local 81359, but yes votes in the smaller locals put the deals over the top. This fall the smaller locals again voted near-unanimously to accept the company’s offers—but Momentive workers came out against, in large enough numbers to outvote them and reject two tentative agreements so far.

After several concessionary contracts, Ryan said, “you come to a point where you can only take so much. You can only take so many bad contracts in a row.”

Dan DiMaggio dan@labornotes.org

Voting Results November 7th 2016 Tentative Agreement.

Local 707          43 Yes       1 No
Local 380          72 Yes       6 No
                  Local 359          75 Yes       469 No   1 Void  

         
                 Total               190 Yes    476 No    1 void

Posted: 11.06.2016 at 16:15

Results of Local 81359 Voting on LBFO Results from September 2016!

LBFO Vote - Contract 2016

Accept - 76 (13.6%)

Reject - 482 (86.1%)

Non-cast - 2 (0.3%)

Modifications to Local 81359's Local Agreement for Waterford 2020

Accept - 76 (13.59%)

Reject - 482 (86.23%)

Non-cast - 1 (0.18%)

Both measures fail as a result of this vote. Thank you to all that turned out, over 550 votes were cast on this very important decision. Voting results from Local 81380 and Local 84707 will be posted as soon as they are released.

Vote on Latest LBFO - Tuesday September 6th

and Wednesday September 7th

Please come out and vote on Tuesday September 6th and Wednesday September 7th at the Halfmoon Firehouse, 2.7 miles north of the plant on Route 4&32, from 5am-5pm on both days. Board Members will be available to answer any last-minute questions you may have before you cast your vote.

The address for the Halfmoon Fire Station #2 is 750 Hudson River Road; Waterford, NY.

Contract 2016 UNION Informational Meetings times and Location.... starting tomorrow August 30th !

Tuesday August 30th

5:00am - 6:30am 

7:45am - 9:00 am

1:00pm - 2:30pm

3:45pm - 5:00 pm

9:15pm -11:00 pm

11:45pm - 1:00am

Wednesday August 31st

7:45 - 9:00am

We can add more meetings between Tuesday and Friday if needed

REMEMBER , VOTING NEXT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY…… Sept. 6th and 7th , 2016…… 5am- 5pm both days……

          On another note , VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY , SEPT. 6TH AND 7TH. Once again, not knowing why Momentive seems to try to dictate when local 359 will be voting ??????? 

It's Time to Take a Stand 81359!

Strike Vote Results

Strike Vote Being Held Tuesday August 2nd

and Wednesday August 3rd

Contract Talks to Resume in Syracuse Thursday August 4th

Please come out and vote on Tuesday August 2nd and Wednesday August 3rd at the Halfmoon Firehouse, one mile north of the plant on Route 4&32, from 5am-5pm on both days. The Bargaining Committee is fully committed to returning to Waterford with a fair contract for our members. Vote YES to authorize a strike, if necessary, to show the Company that we demand a fair contract. Final strike approval would be determined by CWA President Chris Shelton.

The address for the Halfmoon Fire Station #2 is 750 Hudson River Road; Waterford, NY.

Also, we received late word that the Bargaining Committee will be returning to negotiations at 10am Thursday August 4th in Syracuse. 

A note from President Patrignani -

Members,

Please note that there is voting tomorrow(Tuesday) and Wednesday for Strike Authorization only.

This is not a contract vote.

This is not a vote on the Company’s Last Best and Final Offer.

We need all Union members to vote.  We need a unanimous turn out to vote yes to authorize a strike if needed.  A strong Yes for authorization gives us bargaining power.  This will only authorize the Union to use this if needed.  A strike requires several more steps before being used, including CWA authorization and the CWA will exhaust everything that they can do before a strike.  A strike will be a last resort used by the Union.

The Company has approached the Union and requested further bargaining.  We have agreed and should be meeting again later this week after the strike authorization vote. update NOTE : we will be back in Syracuse Thursday and Friday back to the table ( just got the update )

Vote Yes tomorrow(Tuesday) and Wednesday for Strike Authorization, there will be nothing else on the ballot.

President Dominick Patrignani

President Patrignani Responds to Slanted Times Union Story

In an e-mail submitted to Times Union reporter Larry Rulison, President Patrignani responds to a story published on July 27th regarding Momentive's 'Best and Final' offer.

http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Momentive-makes-final-offer-to-Waterford-workers-8454002.php

* * *

From: Dom Patrignani <pres359@gmail.com<mailto:pres359@gmail.com>>

Date: July 27, 2016 at 6:53:58 PM EDT

To: lrulison@TimesUnion.com<mailto:lrulison@timesunion.com>

Subject: Fwd: Times Union

Larry, As distasteful as it was for Momentive to publicize a contract proposal that was rejected by the bargaining team ,  we feel we have no choice  but to publicize the reasons why the 3 Union Presidents from IUE-CWA rejected this latest bargaining proposal ...  They are as follows:

      First and foremost MPM failed to mention upfront concessions the Union made for flexibility in the work rules that will save multi-millions of dollars that were done on the premise of a fair contract and with a provision to take care of the affected members involved . As of this proposal , this did not happen and there resides open proposals from the Union.

         Health Care : currently over 80% of our members are in the PPO plans for their family care .. It's not cheap but affordable and works as health insurance with deductibles , copay's and co-insurance. The salary folks were stripped of this option, many were upset and now they want to do the same to represented employees. The plan they are switching to is consumer driven health care in which a large amount comes out of each family upfront ... This basically negates the pay increases over the life of this contract . The company also is drastically changing pre and post 65 retiree medical affecting so many of our members when they need insurance the most ...especially working in a chemical facility for so many years ... Add in reduced life insurance benefits to the mix .....This too is a major loss once again ...

     In 2013 , over 50% of our members had their pensions frozen and promised an enhanced 401k with an enhanced company contribution. MPM is taking back on average 25% of their matching contribution from all those people . Their claim is the raises will cover this but forget to mention the health care changes took that money already .... They also did not mention the average Salary workers increases are 5% annually with bonuses . The wages at the Non-represented sites are higher than our facility . We can't forget the wage concessions of 2010.

    Next comes changes to 60 percent of our members on vacation allotments that will potentially take $4MM away from members that was accrued vacation .

     MPM advertises the signing bonus and wage increases and if you do the math, they just took from one group and gave to another once again trying to divide the workforce that works 24/ 7 , 365 days around the clock for our Company making over 2500 high value , high quality products ......

     In short , we all have been extremely cooperative on health and safety , productivity initiatives and improving quality and cycle time reductions and did our best to get through everyhere with no labor disputes . We all hoped that in the end it would be appreciated by this company .....we were wrong .

2016 Contract Information Meetings Being Held This Week

Sisters and Brothers of Local 81359 : The Executive Board and Bargaining Committee for Contract 2016 will be having informational meetings starting tomorrow morning at the following times at the Halfmoon/Waterford fire station II approximately 2 miles north of the plant on Rt. 4&32 where we normally do our Voting. It is extremely import and we ask EVERYONE to catch a session. We have so much to explain and show you from the very start of this process to where we ended up and why.  If there is a timeframe NOT listed that needs to be added, please contact myself at pres359@gmail.comor Secretary Stackman at mailto:bill@local81359.com. Thanks and see you there……

Tuesday 7:45am-9am, 1:00pm-2:30pm, 3:45pm to 5 pm, 9:15pm -11:00 pm , 11:45pm - 1am .... 

Wednesday 7:45am-9:00am

Friday 3:45pm-5pm 

We can add more meetings between Tuesday and Friday as needed ....Thanks….

Is our compensation the problem?

Click here to see Jack Boss' annual compensation.

Check here daily for your Union-provided updates regarding 2016 Contract Negotiations.

Please note -  negotiations will resume on Thursday, July 21st. Once bargaining resumes, updates will as well.

Text messages will be sent when the day's summary is posted, so please update your profile with your cell phone number if you wish to receive these updates.

http://local81359.com/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/private_view_page.cfm&page=201620Contract20Information

The following is a statement by CWA President Chris Shelton on the public release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership texts:

With the release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership texts, it's finally time to learn whether the TPP is, in fact, nothing more than the latest in a long line of trade agreements negotiated by and for the 1 percent.

The Communications Workers of America, like many others, is reviewing the texts. But based on what we've already seen and learned about this deal, we're not likely to change our position that this TPP is a disaster for working families and communities.

Even a cursory review demonstrates how this trade deal fails working families. It forces U.S. workers to compete with the 65-cent an hour wages of Vietnamese workers and the slave labor employed in Malaysia. It allows multinational corporations to challenge environmental, financial, consumer and other regulations through international tribunals – and outside the court systems of member countries. It pays lip service to addressing real concerns about currency manipulation that costs American jobs and leads to more jobs being sent offshore. And it allies the U.S. with countries that abuse their own citizens, including Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia.

For nearly six years, from the start of negotiations that were kept secret from the public but gave full access to 600 corporate lobbyists, we've known who will benefit from the TPP.

CWA and a broad coalition of environmental, consumer, faith, immigrant rights, student and many other groups will continue to organize and mobilize against this deal and to hold accountable members of Congress who have chosen to side with the 1 percent. 

Chris Shelton is the president of the Communications Workers of America.

Negotiators from the 12 Trans-Pacific Partnership countries have announced agreement on a trade deal that will affect about 40 percent of the world’s economy. Despite all the hype, it’s clear that this TPP will continue decades of one-sided trade policy that gives away U.S. workers’ jobs and harms our communities, while benefiting multinational corporations and the 1 percent.

We’re concerned about the investor-state dispute settlement process that gives corporations an extra-judicial process to enforce their rights. Labor and environmental standards don’t get such special treatment. Instead, labor and environmental standards might look good on paper but basically are not enforceable.

Our country could negotiate a 21st century trade policy, one that benefits citizens and communities as well as corporations and investors. Unfortunately, the TPP is not that deal. Instead, we are being presented with a trade deal, negotiated in secret mainly by corporate lobbyists, that looks to offshore U.S. workers’ jobs and attacks workers’ living standards, raises real concerns about food safety and our ability to protect the environment, and allies the United States with governments that engage in forced labor and abuses of their own citizens, like Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.

Bad trade deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement and others have brought about the loss of millions of U.S. jobs, affecting the lives of families from New Jersey to Michigan to California. In Detroit, for example, hundreds of auto plants closed as those jobs were offshored to Mexico and China. Residents lost their jobs and wages, tax revenues declined, the price of housing dropped, and the city eventually filed for bankruptcy. Too many communities today can tell that same story.

And because TPP also applies to service sector jobs, its impact will be even more disastrous.

A broad coalition of workers, environmental organizations, consumer groups, people of faith, students, immigrant rights groups and many others has been fighting against this flawed trade deal. We’ll continue to spotlight the failings of it, and we’ll make sure our representatives know that we are holding them accountable for the vote they will take. It’s time to decide: Which side are you on?

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/10/06/the-future-of-trans-pacific-trade/the-trans-pacific-pact-is-a-one-sided-deal-to-help-the-1-percent

Statement from IUE-CWA President James D. Clark on Passage of Fast Track for TPP

Today is a difficult day for our IUE-CWA members who have been fighting tirelessly to put a stop to yet another trade deal that benefits the 1% and leaves working people out in the cold – the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Over the past two years, our members across the country have stood along-side our allies to fight this trade deal, which delivers more of the same broken promises we have seen under NAFTA, and other failed trade policies that have shipped our jobs overseas, and lowered our wages.  We have been betrayed by our elected officials on Capitol Hill, who voted this week to Fast Track this trade deal – which is backed only by corporations.  The message could not have been any clearer – thousands of calls and letters poured in to legislative offices, stating the public’s opposition to this trade deal.  Yet members in both the House and Senate ignored the clear mandate from their constituents to vote No against granting Fast Track authority.  Now President Obama has been given a green light to slam this massive trade deal through our Congress.  

While it is an extremely disappointing outcome, we must not overlook the amazing work we have achieved.  Though we did not win the vote, we made huge waves, and completely changed the national conversation about trade, and its impacts on workers.  I want to thank each and every IUE-CWA member who took action to stop Fast Track for the TPP.  Whether writing a letter, making a phone call, or visiting the office of their legislator – make no mistake, you did make a difference.  Our members stepped up to the plate to get engaged and take action like never before – we are stronger for having fought this battle.  Special thanks, to IUE-CWA’s Political Programs Manager Heather Atkinson, for a fantastic job in leading and coordinating our fight. Today we cannot change how these legislators turned their backs on working families, but we can and we will make them regret they did!!

So now it’s time to hold them accountable – the legislators who sided with the corporations, and voted to ship our jobs overseas with Fast Track for TPP.  These people do not stand for us.  We must let them know that we will mount an offensive, and vote them out of office come election time.  I hope you will join me in educating our members about the voting record of every single legislator on the Fast Track for the TPP.  Click here to view the vote record on the Fast Track bill in the House, and click here for the vote record in the Senate.

Please take the first step, by calling, writing, or emailing your elected officials to let them know your opinion on their vote on Fast Track.  If they voted in favor of Fast Track, let them know that their vote was unacceptable - and that you will be spreading the word about how they voted on the TPP, and using the power of your vote to send them packing.  If they voted against Fast Track, thank them for standing up for working people.  To see who your Congressional elected officials are and to get their contact info click here.  Below is a sample message you can use to tell your elected officials your opinion on their vote.

For all of us in the labor movement, we don’t stop – we have never stopped fighting for working families, and we will continue the fight to work with our allies to build our power, and make the system work for us.

In Unity,

James D. Clark
President, IUE-CWA
 

Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America issued this statement on today’s Senate vote on the motion to proceed in discussion of Trade Promotion Authority: 

CWA commends those Senators who refused to move forward on discussion of Trade Promotion Authority, or “Fast Track” for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and future trade deals.

Senators are right to be concerned that trade adjustment assistance for workers who lose their jobs because of these trade deals, language to address currency manipulation and other concerns will likely be left behind by the Majority Leader’s push to pass Fast Track authority.

Senators should not give away their right to amend a trade deal that has been negotiated in secrecy. Voting for Fast Track authorization does exactly that, and Senators are right to reject it.

Our broad coalition – workers, environmental activists, immigrant rights activists, students, public health and consumer groups and so many others -- remains strongly opposed to Fast Track and the TPP that would be a disaster for U.S. jobs, workers and communities
 

http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/senators_say_no_to_motion_to_proceed_on_fast_track_authority_for_the_tpp

Call your Congressmen and tell them we are against Fast Track and TPP!

Call 1-888-966-9836 to voice your opinion.

http://www.exposethetpp.com

http://action.cwa-union.org/c/1372/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9291

This Section will be for the Most Current Articles on--

NATIONAL & LOCAL LABOR NEWS

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Video on TPP-TransPacific Partnership

from CWA Newsletter

A MUST Watch

Article Above in Scrolling Marqee

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T-Mobile Workers Ask for Help--

About to See Their Jobs Shipped Overseas!

 

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CDALF Request Your Participation in this E-Activist Campaign....

Other NYS State AFL-CIO News--

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka: Harris v. Quinn an assault on wages, ...

Jun 30, 2014

July 4 Made-in-America Flags and BBQ Shopping List

Jun 27, 2014

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Other Sites that Stand Up for the Middle Class--

Informative, Action Oriented --  Please Visit These Sites

"It is up to us to educate ourselves"

The Middle Class is Radically Shrinking--Read these Facts

Workers Stand for America

(Powerful Video on August 11th Event;  Sign the America's 2nd Bill of Rights)

Campaign for America's Future

DEMO's --Ideas & Actions for the Common Good

Common Dreams --Robert Reich Page

Contract for the American Dream   (Please Sign This)

The Middle Class.Org

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Sisters and Brothers of Local 359,

             Once again as one of our Charitable events this year we will be sponsoring our members to play on the Local 359 ChemiKazes team. The team is looking for other members to Join both gals and guys…. The tournament is held on April 17^th starting at 10am at Siena College Sports Complex ………….Local 359 won the entire tournament 2 years ago and has had a team in this since its beginning….……Teams from all over the Capital district  compete….examples :  Albany County Sherriff’s, Union Bricklayers, Iron workers, Pipefitters, Painters, Albany County D.A.’s office, College teams, Banks and many Businesses compete in this fundraiser to support the Boys and Girls Clubs ( over 35 teams) ….. If you have a strong arm, stamina and the will to win please contact Phil Jarvis in B35 at Phillip.jarvis@momentive.com  or x 2256 on “C” shift…… or Bill Stackman at bill@local81359.com.....thanks! 

GE unions sue over retiree health insurance changes

Former hourly workers at General Electric Co. on filed a federal class action lawsuit Monday, charging their former employer violated federal labor law by changing the health benefits provided for retirees over 65.

The lawsuit is separate but similar to one already moving forward by retirees who were salaried. Together, some 65,000 retirees are affected by the change in benefits.

GE has announced that beginning Jan. 1, 2016, it will end retiree medical plans meant to supplement Medicare. Instead, the company will offer former workers the option of buying health plans through a private health exchange, akin to those offered by the government through Obamacare.

GE has told retirees that they will receive $1,000 a year to purchase plans through these exchanges, said John M. Phelps, president of the Waterford-based chapter of IUE-CWA, which represents about 300 retirees covered by the lawsuit.

But GE won’t guarantee the annual subsidy for the life of the retirees, Phelps said. Meanwhile, the change in benefits leaves many retirees with a huge increase in prescription drug costs.

GE spokesman David Lurie said the company’s benefits changes are consistent with trends among other large corporations.

“GE acted properly, lawfully and consistent with collective bargaining requirements in making changes to the post-65 supplemental Medicare and prescription drug benefits for retired union members,” Lurie said.

GE has previously said it will save $586 million in future obligations by canceling the Medicare plans and instead offering reimbursements of about $1,000 a year to retirees who obtain Medicare-supplement policies.

The hourly retirees’ lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of Ohio, led by the IUE-CWA, the industrial division of the Communication Workers of America, and including members of unions representing electricians, auto workers, machinists, steelworkers, and technical engineers.

http://blog.timesunion.com/business/ge-unions-sue-over-retiree-health-insurance-changes/70384/

An Article & a Video from CWA Newsletter on TPP--A MUST Read & Watch

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn) is focusing attention on another sneaky provision in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with negotiations again underway in Ottawa, Canada. This time, negotiators are looking to nullify the "Buy American" and "Buy Local" policies meant to create and keep jobs in the U.S.(*)

"It's the worst trade agreement that you never heard of," Rep. Ellison said in a video. "Buy American could well be a thing of the past if the Trans-Pacific Partnership gets passed in the way that we understand it to be right now. We have people on both sides of the aisle who are very concerned about the Buy American provisions and that U.S. government procurement buying power should benefit U.S. workers."(*)

Watch Ellison's comments here.(*)  Also, on our Website under National & Local Labor News

CWA Minnesota State Council President Mona Meyer praised Ellison for his deep commitment and for being an important ally on this issue. CWA Minnesota has been integral in the fight against the TPP, distributing flyers and holding public rallies, writing letters to the state's Congressional delegation questioning why Vietnam, which is notorious for child-labor violations, is taking part in the negotiations.(*)

"We've learned so much about TPP and have not yet found anything good coming out of the TPP negotiations," Meyer said. "CWA Minnesota tells the story and makes connections with people. What lasts with people is our stories. Those make the impact. What we have and how we could lose everything we have with this destructive, horrible TPP free trade deal."(*)

Passed in 1933, the Buy American Act requires the U.S. government to prefer products made in the U.S. in its purchases. Other Federal laws extend the requirements to third-party purchases that use Federal funds, such as highway and transit programs.(*)

End runs have been made around the policy in past international trade deals but the current round of TPP negotiations, which started on July 3 and is expected to last until July 12, may do away with the policy entirely because of the sheer size of the deal and the number of nations seeking to participate.(*)

Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.) have written a letter to President Barack Obama that they are circulating among House colleagues for signatures of support asking the president to make sure U.S. trade negotiators do not undermine the policy in negotiations.(*)

They point out in the letter that 70 House members had written the president in May 2012 raising concerns about TPP proposals under consideration that would greatly limit the Buy American policies, adversely affecting American jobs, workers and manufacturers.(*)

"It is our understanding that now, two years later, U.S. TPP negotiators have agreed to provisions that would require all firms operating in any TPP signatory country to be treated the same as U.S. firms with respect to granting them U.S. government procurement contracts," they wrote in their letter. "Effectively, in exchange for procurement opportunities for some U.S. firms to bid on contracts in foreign procurement markets, we would agree to trade away our ability to ensure that billions in U.S. government expenditures are recycled into our economy to create jobs, strengthen our manufacturing sector, and foster our own new cutting-edge industries."(*)

Ellison said U.S. negotiators are going about the TPP deal all wrong, negotiating it in secret with corporations in the room but shutting out Congress while doling out piecemeal information to elected leaders.(*)

"Trade is reality so trade deals should lift labor standards around the world, not just create this race to the bottom," Rep. Ellison said.(*)

Buy American--The Job You Save May Be Your Own !

Struggle at Waterford now international news. UK Guardian's take with video on developments at Waterford and across the country. Standing up to the billionaires is resonating and making history. In Solidarity, Bill.

http://www.local81359.com/Interview

Bill Ritchie, President Albany County Central Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) 518-265-1945

All,

We have scheduled a SECOND town hall call at 12 noon tomorrow for the members of IUE-CWA who are on strike at Momentive.  Please inform your Executive Board and membership that they may participate in the call.   

To participate in the call, members must call the phone number below and follow the prompts to enter the ID Code/password.

Here are the call details:

When: Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 12 noon EST

(the call will go live at noon sharp so people should call in a couple of minutes prior)

Call in Number:  see your Steward or call an eboard member .....

ID Code/Passcode:  info at HDHQ .

                      Meeting Times at HDHQ:

Saturday Feb 11th at 10am
Saturday Feb 11th at 2pm
Saturday Feb 11th at 7pm

Sunday Feb 12th at 10am
Sunday Feb 12th at 7pm                    

The above meeting times are scheduled for Contract information and questions. If the times don't line up with your scheduled picket shift arrange your schedule to get to one of the meetings.

If you can't attend one of the meetings see one of the board members in HDHQ.

Thanks 81359 E Board.                                 

Please take time to support our Brothers & Sisters at AT&T!

Momentive Performance Materials strike rally in Waterford, NY. Also speaking NYS Professional Fire Fighters union leader Sam Fresina.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ksXzuGUzc&feature=share

http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20170207/state-comptroller-shows-support-for-momentive-strikers
 

Saturday, February 18 at 12 PM - 2 PM

HDHQ  301 Hudson River Rd, Waterford, NY 12188-1911

Event- Bus Trip to Park Ave. Canceled!

Steve Schwarzman Home

Date - Feb 9th 11AM Exit 8 Park & Ride Bus & 12PM Bus leaves HDHQ. To return at 10PM.

Please RSVP to VP Darryl Houshower 518-935-5622

BROTHERS/SISTERS

Event- Bus Trip to Park Ave.

Steve Schwarzman Home

Date - Feb 9th 12PM Bus leaves HDHQ. To return at 10PM.

Please RSVP to VP Darryl Houshower 518-935-5622

While the NLRB charges are pending, everyone with an FSA balance should elect COBRA coverage for FSA.  You can do this by going to page 7 of the COBRA letter.  Two paragraphs above the signature line you will see the following:
   If you were participating in your employer-sponsored FSA plan and have a positive balance in your account at the time of your COBRA qualifying event, you may be edible to continue your monthly FSA contributions under COBRA until the end of the FSA plan year.  If you are interested, please check this section and we will provide you with additional information.
 This form must be postmarked no later than January 29th , 2017.  We will advise you how to proceed once we see what additional information the Company provides.

Thomas M. Murray, Esq.

Kennedy, Jennik &  Murray, P.C.

113 University Place, 7th floor
New York, NY 10003

UAW, Local 1508 Vicious Honeywell Lock-out Continues

Support UAW Brothers and Sisters!

Thursday, January 26, 2017:  6:00 – 7:30 pm

Contact VP Darryl Houshower  dhoushower1@gmail.com CALL 518-935-5622

By Thursday of this week, UAW union workers at Green Island will have been lockeddhoushower1@gmail.com CALL 518-935-5622- out of their jobs for 263 days.  Honeywell Corporation forced the lock-out on the 42 workers at the Green Island, NY plant after they, together with the UAW Local in South Bend, IA refused to agree to an outrageously bad contract offer.  The workers are members of United Auto Workers, Local 1508.  They make brake parts for commercial and military aircraft.  Clearly, Honeywell is trying to starve the workers into submission and break the union.

            The company has been attempting to operate the plant using “replacement workers” from Strom Engineering, a company notorious for providing scab workers during strikes and lockouts.  Local 1508 is maintaining a picket line presence outside the plant at 50 Cohoes Avenue, Green Island.  The Albany County Central Federation of Labor is joining the picket line every Thursday between 6:00 – 7:30 pm.  The picket line has been joined by individual and group supporters from a variety of unions. There is wide community support for the workers.

This lock-out is at the cutting edge of the increasingly vicious contradiction between Labor and Capital in our county.  It is an attack on workers, their families, their unions, their community partners and the community-as-a-whole.

To make a financial contribution, please write a check to:  UAW Local 1508, Box 1508, Green Island, NY 12183—please add “Lock-out Fund” in memo section.

Please join us this Thursday night (1/26) between 6:00 and 7:30 pm.  Your support is needed more than ever.

Directions:  Take 787 N to Cohoes Blvd. exit, turn right onto Tibbets Ave. and left onto Cohoes Avenue.  Your support will be greatly appreciated by the courageous and determined Local 1508 members.  Any and all contributions will be welcomed.

Bill Ritchie, President

Albany County Central Federation of Labor

billritchie100@gmail.com

518-265-1945                                   (LABOR DONATED)

The information is at HDHQ and has been there since November ( ask anyone signing people in for the pamphlet ). Several of the special benefits protected members are switched into GE Legacy Health care. If you need any help with any of these options please contact myself or any E-Board member immediately via e-mail at pres359@gmail.com . 

        The question has been asked several times about what if I do nothing ? 
Answer : CWA will continue to pay medical bills but unfortunately COBRA benefit will no longer be available for new cases ( the window to get on COBRA is 60 days ) . The ACA has a provision and after March 31st ( 3 months in Calendar year ) , unless repealed, there will be tax ramifications that will occur. There is a document we finally received from CWA in regards to this matter.  Below is the correspondences.