A
JANUARY 2011
LOOKING BACK AT 2011....
This last year was a year
to remember. Here are just a few of the highlights from 2011: On January
1, Al Link, a 43 year Kaiser employee and member of Local 338 who also
served ten years as Secretary Treasurer of the State AFL-CIO, retired.
January 31, we submitted a proposal to the company for a training plan
which over the next five years would proactively cope with future
attrition at Trentwood. On February 9, President of AMI Metals, Scott
Smith presented Kaiser and its employees with an award for "Best in
Service, Quality and On-Time Delivery Performance." During the month of
February with help from Edward Jones & Associates, we conducted
money-management workshops for our members. Throughout the first quarter
of 2011 we held weekly labor rallies in support of Wisconsin's public
employees and the right of American workers to join a union of their
choice. In April, I attended District 12's Council Meeting in Anaheim
California to try to coordinate efforts to re-assemble an Aluminum
Conference similar to what we had back in the 80's and 90's. In May we
conducted labor history classes at the hall for union activists. July
23, was our annual retiree and active member picnic at the Post Falls
City Park. In early August Kaiser Aluminum announced plans to invest
another 21 million dollars in equipment to increase production capacity
at Trentwood. August 27 was Local 338's annual PAC party and raffle
drawing. In 2011 we were recognized by the International Union for
having the highest local union check-off from 2008 through 2010 to the
USW Political Action Fund. On September 29, our CXT members ratified a
new three year labor agreement with L.B Foster. In November, delegates
from Local 338 along with union leaders from several other Kaiser plants
attended an aluminum conference in Pittsburgh. In 2011 unemployment
hovered between 9% and 10%. Overall, American manufacturing was in a
third year of decline, but business was good enough here that Kaiser
Trentwood hired 50 new employees. In 2011 we were fixated on how to
improve safety. As a local we invested heavily in external safety
training for many of our members. Our safety representatives were on the
shop floor interacting with employees, addressing hazards and behavior.
As a result, we ended the year with one of our best safety records ever.
On the downside, last year was marred by the discharge of several
members. The underlying commonality for most of those discharges were
due to three main factors: (1) lack of attendance, (2) substance abuse,
(3) aggressive or inappropriate behavior. Most of us would readily agree
that none of these issues are worth losing a good paying job over. If
any of our members would like a copy of the Attendance Control Policy,
Rules of Conduct or the Substance Abuse Agreement let me know. If you
need additional clarification on any of these policies or agreements
talk to Dave Carlson or myself. Looking ahead, 2012 may well be our best
year with regard to safety, quality, and delivery performance here at
Trentwood.
Wishing you and your family
a happy New Year!
Dan
Wilson - President Local 338
WAGE INEQUITY
In early November, Sam Thomas from the International Union met with
Kaiser's Step 4-1/2 Grievance Representative, Kathryn Genteman in
Spokane to try to settle several outstanding Wage Inequity grievances.
We originally intended to meet over grievances filed on behalf of the
Batch Furnace Operators, Plate Conditioners, Heat Treat Operators, Ingot
Prep, Coolant Technicians, P.T. Lab, and Carpenters, but found that
additional work needed to be done in order to proceed. Because more
preparation is needed, those grievances will be heard at a later date.
The parties did, however, meet for two days in an attempt to resolve the
EEM and Works Repairer Wage Inequity grievances filed in December of
last year. Putting these long standing grievances behind us is something
we all want, and I'm confident we'll eventually get it done. I want to
especially thank Dale Broadsword, Kevin Dupus, Ron Inge, Ray Erickson,
Jeff Adams, Dick Hunt, Chuck Conrad, and Mike Speer for their help in
the last round of Wage Inequity meetings. Their input and assistance
throughout the process has been invaluable.
$21 MILLION PHASE 4 EXPANSION
If you attended any of last month's union meetings, you got a brief
overview of what Trentwood's 21 million dollar expansion project
entails. Some of the preliminary work on segments of the project have
already begun in different areas of the plant. A majority of the work
will take place on the Hot Line but also includes other production
centers. Most of the equipment upgrades and new machine installations
are expected to be operational by the middle of next year, which will
significantly increase production capacity. This is especially good news
for the workforce here at Trentwood considering that American
manufacturing continues to decline for a third consecutive year.
Overall, 2011 was an exceptional year and we all have a lot be thankful
for!
On the Job Training
Since July, we've met several times with local Management in an effort
to re-start an On the Job Training Program (OJT) for EEMs, Works
Repairers, and Machinists. For the past two years the Company has shown
little interest in extending craft training opportunities to current
production employees. The lack of enthusiasm on the Company's part can
be attributed to several factors: (1) the current economy and expense of
the program, (2) an abundance of out-of-work and available skilled
tradesmen in the market place, and (3) what the company considers
restrictive contract language. Overall, I believe the Company is looking
for more flexibility and ways to reduce program costs. Either way, the
Company will have to find a way to cope with future attrition within the
three crafts groups. I believe OJT is a sensible approach to augment
future hiring of outside craftspeople. At the present time it appears
that no OJT opportunities will be offered in 2012, but if that changes,
interested employees should take steps now to update their employment
records to reflect any applicable former experience or schooling. If you
are interested in entering an OJT program or have questions give me a
call.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES IN THE NEW YEAR,
Dan
Wilson, President - Local 338
AMI
Metals Inc. Visits Trentwood
Scott Smith, President of AMI Metals Inc.
presented Kaiser and its employees with an award for "Best in
Service, Quality, and On-Time Delivery Performance." As a
token of AMI's appreciation, shirts with their logo were
distributed to Trentwood's employees in recognition of their
effort and commitment to customer satisfaction. For more than
25 years we have produced aluminum products for AMI, a primary
supplier to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems which
manufactures military aircraft such as the C-17, F/A-18E/F,
F-22, F-15, V-22, CH-47 and AH-64. We Americans rely on the
capability of our national defense systems, so receiving this
award reinforces the importance of the work we do here at
Trentwood. Following the ceremony, I spoke with our Plant
Manager about operational issues. He indicated to me that
anything which would improve safety, quality, and delivery
performance merits consideration. As you know, in the last 10
years we have faced many challenges, overcoming sizeable
obstacles. With every challenge there are associated risks,
but an even greater risk comes from doing nothing. I want to
commend each of you for your input and efforts this past year.
Without those efforts, long-time customers like AMI could find
incentive to go elsewhere for the products they need. By now
there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that job security is
linked to quality and on time delivery. I understand the
magnitude of the challenges each of you deal with on the shop
floor, but with your cooperation we'll keep working to find
long term viable solutions.
Dan Wilson - President
Local 338
