Barg & Stewards Reports

Military Collections: There was a good response from members who have family members deployed to get on the package list. The team would like to thank all those who responded and also those who help out with the mailing and packaging of products.

Made In AMERICA-Save our JOBS: The AFL-CIO request your help on a petition to help keep jobs in the United States; The Whirlpool Corp. plans to start closing its refrigerator plant in Evansville, Ind., on March 26. The refrigerators now manufactured at this plant will be produced in Mexico, eliminating 1,100 local jobs. Meanwhile, Whirlpool--the world's largest home appliance maker--enjoys healthy profits and has received a $19 million economic matching grant that should be creating jobs here in America. Petition sheets are available at some cribs and the IAM union office.

Stewards Meeting Notes
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on February 9, 2010. The meeting will be held at the UAW Local 647 union hall, located at 10020 Reading Road, Evendale, Ohio. The 2nd shift will meet starting at 12:00 Noon. The 1st and 3rd shifts will meet starting at 3:30 PM.

There was no 3rd step last week.

14 IAM tradesmen have been accepted to retire effective Feb. 1st. A detailed listing will be published in the monthly newsletter in February. A listing will be sent out with the stewards meeting notes.

Safety: Be extremely mindful that exposures can happen even when the proper procedures have been followed. We had a possible exposure to a carcinogen recently and preventive precautions were used.
Be sure to keep an eye out for safety concerns for anyone in the area and yourself. If you see a concern, report it and don’t take a chance.

VPP News: IAM Machinist Chris Ackerson has been selected to replace John in this position. Chris can be reach 859-486-1492.

Fall Protection: Michael “Rocket” Schwartzmiller has been appointed as IAM Fall Protection Leader. Mike can be reached at this number: 513-213-5485

HAZCOM: Randy Richards reported on changes to training requirement at the plant which will take effect soon. These changes are GE Corporate, and GE Site changes:
• GE Corporate is requiring a 2 year refresher training ckass for confined spaces;
• Evendale site requires that all maintenance personnel, and other employees who have the potential to enter a confined space be trained;
• Evendale site will require Fall protection 3 year refresher training;
• Evendale site will require a one time mandatory training session for Electrical safety and Awareness for non electricians and EMR’s. The electrical trades are exempt for this training.

Military Collections: If you have a name to add or to remove, let a committeeman know. We don’t want to send packages out to have them returned, and likewise, we do not want to miss a deployed family member.

There is a new labor website up and running that dedicates its’ self to helping unemployed workers. It is in partnership with many other labor unions. Take a look at the site here at www.unionofunemployed.com

IAM long sleeve shirts are in stock. Contact an officer to buy one. See the web page for their phone contact information. The shirt colors are ash and green. Each color shirts are available in many sizes. Cost is $16 each. Assorted ball caps ($10) and knit hats ($8) are also available. See your steward to buy one.

Upcoming dates to remember:
February 9th, Monthly meeting
February 14th, Valentines Day

Stewards Meeting Notes
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on February 9, 2010. The meeting will be held at the UAW Local 647 union hall, located at 10020 Reading Road, Evendale, Ohio. The 2nd shift will meet starting at 12:00 Noon. The 1st and 3rd shifts will meet starting at 3:30 PM.

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Jason Berquist, GE Security, spoke at the stewards meeting today. Jason outlined a program that GE wants to start that involves the GE veterans, with input from our hourly members. The program would be formed around GE Vet to see to the needs of our returning vets as they make the transition from military to working life, attracting vets to the GE employment opportunities, and generally helping GE Vets. Input is needed in the form of 5-8 people group meetings for ideas. If you are interested, let your committeeman know.

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At 3^rd step last week, the committee talked a discussed a discharge case and settled several grievances. Also discussed were problems with the 2^nd step Co. reps that are assigned to IAM cases.

There are several IAM members retiring on Feb. 1^st. They check out on Friday. There are several gatherings to wish them well. Check with your steward or committeemen to see when their people are getting together. Some of these retirement gatherings are today and tomorrow. We wish all of our members a good, long, and an enjoyable retirement. A full listing will be included in the Feb. newsletter.

VPP News: John Hill, our IAM VPP rep, is retiring and we want to wish him well in his retirement and thanks for a job well done. IAM Machinist Chris Ackerson has been selected to replace John in this position. Chris can be reach 859-486-1492.

H1N1 shots now available at the GE medical facility in Building 800. See notices posted around the plant.

Safety: Dean Sharpe reported an incident at the Madisonville plant that will affect our people who use a torch at the facility. A worker was using a torch rig without flash arrestors and was burned. There will be a sweep in areas to make sure safety devices are installed.

Be sure to keep an eye out for safety concerns for anyone in the area and yourself. If you see a concern, report it and don’t take a chance.

There is a new labor website up and running that dedicates its’ self to helping unemployed workers. It is in partnership with many other labor unions. Take a look at the site here at www.unionofunemployed.com