We are attempting to negotiate a different medical
benefit arrangement for members at Honolulu
Advertiser, subscribing to Kaiser. The company
seeks to increase the cost of medical premiums and
drug coverage. Meanwhile, we are working with the
Hawaii Newspaper Printing and Trades Council (6
total) in preparation for negotiating a new
contract. In the interim, the contract has been
extended. These will be difficult talks. The
company will seek significant changes in medical and
pension coverage.
The Hawaii State Machinists Council is scheduled to
meet with Congresswoman Maizie Hirono on July 5 at
2:00 p.m. at the Airlines Local. Delegates Bob
Lillis, Larry Taaca and Sam Mitchell are requested
to be in attendance. I have received a check for
$5,000 in voluntary contributions from our Union’s
Legislative Department to be presented to her at the
meeting. If you would like to be a sponsoring
member of MNPL (Machinists Non-Partisan Politcal
League), please contact the Local or send your check
to the Local for immediate forwarding. No dues
money is used for political contributions.
Employee Free Choice Act and Republican Disinformation
Tell Senate to Support the Employee Free Choice Act
Our Members at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company
have voted to ratify a new 3 year collective bargaining
agreement. Just a few of the improvements include:
1.
Wages: one time wage adjustment of 2% plus
a 4% general wage increase retroactive to 11/1/06, year
2 of the contract calls for a 5% wage increase, year 3
of the contract will see a 6% wage increase;
2.
A $.25 increase in pension contribution
rates that will take them over $5.00 an hour in pension
contribution rates with the IAM National Pension Fund;
3.
Leadman differential has been increased
$.50 per hour and members working on neighbor islands
will receive a new premium of $.75 per hour;
4. No
changes in medical nor Kaiser coverage nor level of
premiums. The company will absorb the increase the 5%
in premiums for the members that are the HMSA
subscribers. The company pays the full medical for
members and their families, with the exception of
members under Kaiser. When the premium for Kaiser
increases to higher than HMSA, the members under Kaiser
then pay the difference. .
We expect to return to contract negotiations with
Raytheon at Pearl Harbor in January 2006. Meanwhile, we
have filed a complaint against a Supervisor for creating
a hostile workplace for a newly hired worker. The issue
is under investigation by the Naval Commander’s office,
Union and company.
The unit works on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Kona.
Their solidarity made the difference in reaching these
significant improvements. My thanks to them all.
Special kudos to Chief Steward Urbano Simbre and
co-negotiator Jarrett Kubo.
Taken During the Steward Training at the Union Hall
We completed the arbitration hearing
yesterday
concerning Brother Genaro Perez’s grievance over
an inaccurate job description for
Marine Machinery Mechanics (Nuclear) performing Nuclear
Clean Mechanic Inspector work. My compliments to
Chief Steward Robert Lillis, Steward Genaro
Perez, Brother Howard Lau and IFPTE Union Brother
Allan Takamori. Stewards Lillis, Perez and Sam Mitchell
in particular did an excellent job of researching
the issue, gathering the evidence, developing proposals
and attempting to negotiate settlement with several high
ranking officials that just do not understand labor
laws. Closing briefs will be due within a month.
The Navy’s attorney has already stated he would, "never
handle another case like this one again". We still
have an outstanding ULP on the Navy’s rescission of the
duties and subsequent unilateral changes made to duties
normally performed by the Mechanic Inspectors.
Hawaiian Dredging negotiations continue. The 3rd
counter offer from the company for the GWI is now 4% each
of the 3 years of the cba. We are in hard bargaining to
bridge the gap on wages with other trades in the
construction arena. We have maintained proposals of a one
time hourly wage increase plus general wage increases
annually.
Congratulations to Chief Steward Charlotte Kincaid who
recently prevailed in a first step grievance where a
Supervisor had unilaterally implemented a new requirement
for a member to work ½ days on holidays.
The arbitration for Genaro Perez’s job description at
Pearl Harbor Shipyard is scheduled for November 8th.
The issue is an inaccurate job description. On Friday,
10/27, the Union received a 3 page Motion filed by the
Shipyard’s attorney claiming a threshold issue where he
asserted the grievance was untimely. The Union filed a
response brief that was over 25 pages long, countering
every line his Motion, and correcting his interpretation
of precedent setting cases that were actually in favor of
Unions on the mainland. Approximately 12 hours later
we received the Arbitrators decision in favor of the Union
! This was a major win for us!
Negotiations at Hawaiian Dredging commenced last week.
The core issues involve economic ones, particularly
industry wages as per other trades working in the
construction arena. So far, the company’s first
economic proposal was 3% the first year of the cba, 3.5%
the 2nd year of the cba and 4.0 the 3rd
year of the cba. The parties have agreed to a $.25
increase in the hourly pension contributions to the IAM
National Pension Fund. The company has also offered to
keep the same level of medical benefits and they will
continue to pay medical related premiums, with the
exception of Kaiser which experienced a recent
significant increase. There may be more discussion on
this. The parties have agreed to a contract extension
beyond the 11/1/06 deadline.
We have moved a wrongful 15 day suspension to the MSPB
forum for Kevin Saito.
I’m pleased to report
that
members at BAE Hawaii Shipyards have voted to ratify
their
new labor agreement.
Their new contract calls for MANY new improvements,
the most significant being the pension increases, and a
4% wage increase each year of the cba. Congratulations
to these members. My thanks to the Negotiations
Committee Members that worked with me – Chief Steward
Joe Waldrop, Steward Leland Akamu, and Executive Board
Member Ruben Mossman.
DHS will not seek full appeals court review of labor
decision
Looks like the
government will not appeal the Judge’s decision on
personnel reform similar to NSPS, targeted for Department
of Homeland Security personnel. I will expect a similar
response on NSPS for DoD workers.
MORE.....
So far Hawaii
DoD bargaining unit personnel will not be placed under
NSPS. Let’s keep it that way!
Appeals
Court Throws Out DHS Personnel Rules
A
great news for federal employees concerning NSPS
more...
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Members employed by Lockheed Martin COMS at Pearl
Harbor, reached tentative agreement with the company
at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24th.
They voted this morning to accept their first
collective bargaining agreement. The
negotiations committee worked diligently for 5 months
in preparation.
 They were successful in
addressing almost every issue identified in the survey
of the members. Interestingly enough money was
not a priority with this group. Representation
and protection from arbitrary layoffs were the top 2
concerns. Their time and effort paid off in the
form of a good contract! A few of the items
achieved in negotiations are found below:
Duration: 3 years, commences June 25.
Wages Increases: 18% minimum year 1, 3% year 2 and 3%
year 3.
Medical: Company to pay all medical related premiums
for employees and dependents. In January 2007, the
unit members will pay 30% of premium.
Layoffs by seniority and by classification. The 2
Unit members laid off in February 2006 will have
recall rights commencing June 25th for the
next 24 months.
Shift Premium of $.50 ,Lead Premium of $1.00
$2.00 per hour increase if assigned to perform Site
Manager duties.
Work
Shoes at $50.00 per year.
5
Days sick/personal .Vacation 10 Holidays
Steward to receive 2 hours per week to conduct Union
Business on Company Time.Company will make a 2%
contribution of base weekly pay to the 401(k) for each
unit member. The unit has sister locations also
represented by the Machinists Union at San Diego, CA,
Bangor, WA and Norfolk, VA. There are 2 units
still unorganized on the mainland.
My
thanks to the entire negotiations committee. Special
thanks to the Co-Negotiators: John Crowdis, Grand Lodge
Aerospace Coordinator; Lester Aczon, Chief Steward, James
“Willie” Wilson, Alternate Steward, and Vernette Sierra,
alternate co-negotiator.
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