Negotiations

11/24/10
 
We have reached a tentative Contract agreement for Units 1 and 2 with we-energies.Last night  (11/23/10)an agreement in principle was reached and today some key issues were ironed out.Our agreement will be for two years and will combine both units into one contract. Most of Unit 5′s contract language was used as a baseline.
Our tentative agreement includes raises of 1% in the first year and 1.5%  in the
 second year.
Last week , after long discussions we reached some agreement on work rules and side agreements. More discussions need to take place but, we are using much of the language from the current unit 5 contract as a baseline.
Health care has been a major part of talks . The Company has held on to it’s position  of not wanting to  lose grandfather status and so far we have not obtained relief on premium costs. However, we have discussed a high-deductible plan option. At this point, proposals have been made with no agreement  yet.
Tomorrow, we will make another proposal on health care and continue discussions on letter agreements. We have agreed on keeping the 2=person area and no-layoff protection.
In  solidarity,
G.Haag

 

11/02/2010 

Unit 1 and 2 have started combined talks with the Company.  The bargaining teams are comprised of Jeff Kaminski, Gary Haag, Wendy Johnson, Andrew Wozniak, Juanita Davis, Joe Klubertanz and Anita Armstead.

Discussions are mostly on Contract languag and work rule changes right now.  Major future discussions will concern Health Care relief and economic issues. 

We are currently negotiating towards combining contracts and utilizing Unit 5 language.  More updates to follow.

By making changes to plan design and working with the Steelworkers benefits department we will be saving substantially on Medical premium costs. The Company has agreed to pay 91.5 % of our premium for the length of the agreement.

We have negotiated no layoff language for all members and wage protection for existing employees.

More details of the agreement should be available next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gary Haag
Vice-President USW local 2006

11/15/2010

A ratification meeting will be held for union membership in the near future.