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Local 201 Ametek Negotiations
Contract Report # 6
FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2008
Contract Negotiations
continued into the evening on Thursday, June 19 and resumed again Friday
morning June 20. As you are well aware, the Union and Company had
previously tentatively agree on a SPECIAL RETIREMENT OPTION
and PERMANENT VOLUNTARY LACK OF WORK PROGRAM. Eligible members
have to July 15, 2008 to sign up for one of these plans if they so
choose. These plans are really good packages and it is anticipated that
they will reduce significantly the number of members that would
eventually be forced out on lack of work “to the street”. The parties
worked hard together to come up with these opportunities for members.
Biggest Problem Areas
However, there are some SERIOUS problems
in how negotiations are progressing in the major economic areas of
Medical, Pension, Wages, Article XXII (layoff benefits) and Early
Retirement (55 –59 by 12/31/08). ** (55-58 was a misprint in previous
communication, it should have read 55-59)
AMETEK’s proposals, in regards to Medical, have been
terrible!! They are asking for employee/family contributions to
DOUBLE and also have asked for significant increases in deductibles, out
of pocket maximums, and all office visit and prescription co-pays. They
offered just a slight improvement in Short-Term Disability (STD) pay.
The Company’s response to the Union’s
Pension Proposals was equally bad. Their Pension Proposal actually
lowers members future pension earnings rather then
improving them!
The Company’s Wage Package contains multiple
lump sums, miniscule wage % increases and eliminates our current COLA
clause!!!! The money would not even make up for the added costs
heaped on members from their medical proposals. They have made a
proposal for some new prototype classifications, with increased pay
rates, anticipated to be in the vicinity of 28 to 32 positions out of
the approximate 50 positions remaining in Wilmington.
In addition, AMETEK has continued to reject numerous
different Union proposals to improve Early Retirement Options for
members 55 to 59 by 12- 31- 2008. The Company likewise has continued
to reject Union proposals attempting to improve Article XXII benefits
for any member forced out on layoff “to the street”.
Local 201 is officially filing for TAA (Trade
Adjustment Assistance) & ATAA certifications on Monday June 23.
We have won 3 past certifications and anticipate being approved again.
This would make available extra unemployment and training benefits
for individuals leaving the plant and wishing to join their programs.
BA Ric Casilli is arranging to have the AFL-CIO Rapid Response Team
to come to AMETEK to explain the Programs. It is tentatively being set
for July 1, time to be determined.
SERIOUS SITUATION
Without significant movement in many of the
above key economic areas, it is unlikely a total tentative agreement
will be reached. That, of course, would nullify the Special
Retirement and Voluntary Layoff Programs. Negotiations have now recessed
to July 15 due to schedule conflicts and shutdown. Our current Contract
expires July 25.
The Company has indicated it is CRUCIAL that they meet
their production schedules and shipping dates this month. The UNION
strongly urges our member’s cooperation in helping assure that happens!
Such cooperation, in our opinion, can only result in a
much more positive affect at the negotiating table, in your union trying
to address these significant economic gaps. Please help out!
Local 201 Ametek Negotiations
Contract Report # 5
Friday June 13, 2008
(Corrected 6/19/08)
Contract
Negotiations resumed on Thursday June 12, 2008.
The parties continued to discuss a Company proposal to
introduce a number of new Job Classifications into the
plant to better reflect the shift from production work to prototype
work. The Union has requested job descriptions for the proposed
classifications and then shall be able to review the wage rates
connected to them based on skill, care and effort of the job duties. It
appears the Company is proposing, that about 60% of the jobs in the
plant, would fall into these new Prototype (P) Classifications
There has been much discussion on how the jobs would get filled (by
upgrading) and the timing of retirements, voluntaries and forced lack of
works relative to the posting of any new jobs. The Union is very
concerned that seniority be followed in terms of any forced layoffs and
seniority be “the important factor” in upgrading, with qualifications
taken into account. Some progress has been made in trying to sort this
all out. The Union has requested a “timeline” of events concerning any
reductions and any new job classification bidding.
The Company made an extensive Counter Proposal to Union
all union economic demand areas, summarized below:
The Company’s Medical Plan offer was terrible!
It called for major increases in member’s contributions for medical,
called for contributions for the dental plan, raised all co-pays for
doctor’s visits and prescriptions, raised deductibles significantly, and
raised the out of pocket maximums members would have to pay. In
addition, there were no improvements in the medical plan coverage and
only minor improvements in dental and disability coverage. This offer
was NOT even close to being acceptable to the Union!!!
The Company also rejected all Union demands for
improvements in Article XXII job loss benefit areas
such as improvements in Income Extension Aid, Insurance, and the $6200
Bonus for forced layoff individuals. In fact, the Company wants that
bonus eliminated, after the upcoming pending layoff, going forward in
the future.
The Company did offer some minor improvements in 2 of our 3 Pension
supplements (not as good as improvements in the current one time
Retirement package being offered now) but fell far short in
addressing the pension formula break points and cap problems
hurting member’s future pension earnings for members remaining
employed in the plant. They also are refusing to renew the “up to 5 year
COBRA availability” agreement for members wishing to retire (after 60
years old) going forward in the future. (This provision is
available under the current one-time Retirement Package
being offered now.)
The Company has rejected a Union Proposal for a
modest COLA clause on Pensions for past and future retirees and has
rejected a Union demand for a paid Veteran’s Day holiday.
The Company’s Wage proposal is far from
adequate and the Company has also proposed eliminating our COLA wage
clause. The Union rejected this.
The Union presented counter offers in all medical,
wage, pension, retiree and Article XXII areas.
Local 201 also has presented the Company with a new
Early Retirement Option Proposal, for 55 to 59 year olds (by
12-31-08), if forced out or opt out under the PVLOW program, in this one
time bigger reduction.
Some Contract Language items are also still be
discussed by the parties.
Negotiations have recessed
and will resume on Thursday June 19 and Friday June 20.
NOTE:
Hopefully, individuals interested in the One Time Special
Retirement Option (explained May 22 at the plant) will have received
their Pension numbers soon to help them make a decision. This Retirement
Option is a very good package. Also, anyone (not eligible for the
Retirement Option) many apply for one of the 4 Voluntary Layoff
Options- see union E- Board Member Steve Brodie or Ametek HR to
apply. These are agreed upon programs pending final agreement on a new
Contract.
LOCAL 201 AMETEK CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
CONTRACT REPORT # 4
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Ametek Local 201 members, voted
overwhelmingly, on Tuesday May 20, to approve an extension
of our current Contract from June 2 to July 25. The extension was
recommended, by the Union Negotiating Committee, so the union and
company would have time to “roll out” a tentative agreement (that was
close to being reached) regarding a one time Special Retirement
Program and a Voluntary Layoff Program.
This extension would give time for members to make decisions on
these programs and give both parties some direction for the rest of
negotiations on what issues may be a priority. The Union fought hard
for these Programs to give our members better retirement options and to
hopefully reduce the number of forced layoffs. It was the number
one demand on membership surveys! Contrary to rumors, the Company
never indicated at any time to the Union, that they were “trying to
get rid of the old people”. In fact the Union had to fight hard to
secure this retirement package. The Company continues to maintain they
want a workforce going forward that has the proper SKILLS and never
has referenced “age” in those criteria.
After the extension was approved, negotiations immediately resumed
Tuesday afternoon and the Company and Union did in fact reach a
“tentative” agreement on these two programs, pending approval by July
25 of a membership ratified entire Contract. Negotiations now
have recessed for a 3 week period due Company schedule conflicts and to
“roll out” details of these 2 programs. Negotiations are scheduled to
resume on Thursday, June 12.
The Company and Union held an important meeting with
individuals 60 years or older (by 12-31-2008) at the plant on Thursday
May 22 to present details and answer questions on the one time
Special Retirement Option. The option significantly improves the
monies in the regular supplement and extends the length of it, improves
the number of individuals eligible for the special supplement while also
improving the monies and extends the length of it, continues the
additional supplement, provides for some large severance bonuses, and
allows for cobra coverage to 65 Medicare eligibility under and AETNA HMO
Plan. It is a one time offer and significant improvement
over the current contract retirement packages in these areas. Members
received hand outs of the package and have to July 15 to make a
decision. Many members expressed excitement with the package.
The Company has requested the Pension Plan to provide pension
numbers for individuals eligible and will be bringing a Pension Plan
person to the plant to meet with individuals sometime during the next
few weeks.
The Company and Union also agreed on a one time Voluntary Layoff
Program for individuals under age 60 (by 12-31-2008) with 4
options so as to appeal to individuals with different personal
situations. This program’s details may be out as early as Friday May 23,
but certainly by next week. The program is open to anyone (not eligible
for the retirement options) to apply but the Company does have the final
say on whether they will approve any applicant for actually taking it.
The program has options tailored to those that need health insurance and
Income Extension Aid (IEA) for periods, for those that may only need
health insurance for a period of time, for those that may need only IEA,
and for those that may not need either. Two options have improved IEA
SEVERANCE BONUSES (after one year) and three options have improved
immediate SEVERANCE INCENTIVE LUMP SUMS (immediately upon layoff).
Watch for details as they are released soon!
The next 3 week period will involve individuals making choices
under these options. It would be helpful, as people make their decisions
one way or another, that they let the Company and/or Union know their
intentions. This would be extremely beneficial to the negotiating
process when it resumes on Thursday June 12. Contract
Negotiations still have to deal with the key issues of pension,
medical, job loss benefits, wages, skills/ seniority , 55-59 year old
early retirement programs, possible new prototype job classifications,
as well as some contract language issues dealing with upgrading and
recall rights. We still have a long way to go to reach a total Contract
settlement package.
LOCAL 201 AMETEK CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
CONTRACT REPORT # 3
Local 201 is engaged in intense negotiations
with Ametek Aerospace for our 100 Local 201 Wilmington plant members.
This is an extremely complex negotiation, as it involves bargaining in
the face of pending downsizing (approximately in half) into a
development shop this year. Due to the complexity of this negotiation,
both sides agree that “an extension” of our current Contract from
June 2 to July 25 is a necessity if we wish to maximize our chances
of reaching a successful agreement. Thus, Local 201 is calling a
membership meeting of Ametek members on Monday May 19 to request they
vote to approve an extension of our current Contract. A short meeting
and vote of Local 201 Ametek members will be held at 11:30 AM in
upstairs training room at the Wilmington plant
The extension is critical, as it will give the parties
time to “roll out” to members, some tentative agreements we have made
concerning a “One Time Special Retirement Option” and a selective
Permanent Voluntary Layoff Option (PVLO). This will give
individuals extra time to get their retirement figures, look at the
programs, and make decisions by July 15 before any total final contract
package is agreed too.
If the extension approval is in place, Local 201 and the Company
will hold meetings with individuals interested and eligible for these
options to fully explain them. A Retirement or Voluntary layoff , under
these options would occur August 1st, provided
Local 201 and Ametek reach final agreement on a new Contract
(approved by vote of our Ametek membership) prior to the July 25
extended expiration date.
The union Negotiating Committee is especially excited by the
tentative “One Time Special Retirement Option” we have agreed upon. It
is a really good package for members that are 60 years or older by
12-31-08. It should help quite a few individuals retire in dignity and
save the jobs of a number of our younger members!
However, the negotiating committee knows there is still much
hard bargaining to do to reach a final agreement for this to happen.
Critical issues are 55-59 year old retirement options, layoff benefits,
pension improvements, wages, health care benefits, possible new
classifications, and upgrade, recall and seniority rights.
On Friday, May 16 the Union and Company went back and forth with
proposals and counter proposals covering many areas. The Company has
rejected many union demands and is “reviewing” some others. The Company
has put forward a proposal with major medical plan contribution
increases for members.
Negotiations resume Monday May 19 at 1:00PM following the
membership meeting at 11:30AM at the plant.
IUE-CWA LOCAL 201 AMETEK
NEGOTIATIONS
CONTRACT REPORT # 2 – MONDAY, MAY 12, 2008
Local 201 and Ametek met on Thursday, May 8
and Friday May 9 attempting to work out a new Labor Agreement.
Most of the two sessions involved Local 201 explaining all the
proposals the union had previously put “on the table” in areas of
retirement incentives and job loss benefits. Based on discussions with
the Company, the Union modified and clarified proposals in these areas
specifically in areas dealing with pension supplements, pre-65 retiree
medical insurance and retirement bonuses. In addition, Local 201 had
proposals structured to expand the potential group that may wish to
retire below the normal age 60 retirement age. The union proposals were
designed to reduce the numbers of members that would be forced out on
layoff this year.
The Company indicated that the union proposals were expensive but
that they could work with the overall principle of trying to give
retirement incentives to those 60 years of age and over, while possibly
offering a voluntary layoff package to some other employees. They
indicated little interest in improving the regular job loss benefit
package (currently in Article XXII) for any employee forced out.
The Company announced that their main desire in these Contract
talks was to ensure that they retain the proper skill sets in the plant
to be successful in transitioning the plant from a production to a
development plant. They said they were looking to retain a highly
motivated and mobile workforce that had sufficient skills to adapt to
constantly changing business needs that are called for in a development
shop. They said this shop will be smaller with an open floor plan, and
be more a more tightly managed business. They said retaining the proper
skill set was critical to the plant being successful and presented the
possibility of a number of new more skilled “prototype” classifications.
Local 201, in response, indicated that the union understood the
Company’s desires and could work with them in this transition process.
The union told the Company that we felt the best way to achieve that was
through a good retirement incentive program open to the largest group of
members possible and an improvement in job loss benefits. The union also
said that we would not oppose a Company voluntary lack of work program
offer or enforcing their current rights to manage the business tighter.
The Union also told the Company that utilizing current Article X
upgrading language properly should allow them to get individuals with
strong skill sets into most of any new prototype classifications that
potentially could be agreed upon.
Much debate ensued over this “skill set” need of the Company and
how they could be insured this would happen, while taking into account
union seniority concerns. This discussion shall continue.
The parties also discussed the potential need for an extension of
this current labor agreement beyond June 2, 2008 due to the complexity
of attempting to negotiate a Contract immediately preceding major
downsizing and transformation of the plant that impacts so many
employees in different ways, especially ones with retirement decisions.
Nothing was decided on this point but both sides indicated they were
open to considering it for at least up to a 60 day period if it becomes
necessary.
Negotiations shall resume this Thursday afternoon, May 15 with an
additional all day session on Friday May 16.
Jeff Crosby Ric Casilli
Alex Brown Steve Brodie
President B.A
VP/RS E-Board
(Other union Negotiating Committee members- Doug
Gisonno, Peter Antonelli,
Jim Legrow, and Dick Boisvert)
LOCAL 201 OPENS CONTRACT WITH
AMETEK
(CONTRACT REPORT # 1)
Negotiations opened at the Hilton Hotel in Woburn, MA on April 23,
between IUE-CWA Local 201 and Ametek Aerospace. The current labor
agreement, covering 100 Local 201 Members, expires June 3, 2008.
As explained in the last issue of the 201 News,
negotiations open under the specter of forecasted layoffs
that could reduce the workforce almost in half by the end of 2008.
The negotiations take place on a stage set by the devastating
effects of NAFTA and US “Free Trade” Policy, but on a stage where
Local 201 has been able to cushion the blow for members from feeling
the worst impact of those national polices.
In the opening day of negotiations, Local 201 presented
bargaining proposals to deal with the forecasted job loss situation,
presenting proposals to improve retirement, early
retirement, and job loss income and benefit programs for members.
In opening statements, the Local 201 Business Agent
Ric Casilli stressed the difficulty of these
negotiations in trying to structure a Contract that deals with
multiple membership problems- reducing the number of
forced layoffs by improving retirement, early
retirement, and voluntary layoff incentives while also
improving the wages, medical and pensions of those
members that will be remain working at the plant. Casilli
also outlined the 19 year Contract negotiations history between
Ametek from 1989 (when sold by GE) to present, as most of the
Company Negotiating Committee is new.
Local 201 made detailed presentations on union
proposals in all the areas above. The head HR manager asked many
clarification questions on union proposals and stated basically the
union was asking for “a lot”. The Union’s feeling is that the
historical (and current situation) at the plant calls for “a lot”
for members, most who have given over 25 years of their lives
working hard for the company’s healthy profits.
Local 201 then presented benefit proposals that
included holding down medical costs, and improving medical,
disability, and dental benefits. The Union told the Company a
Vision Care improvement proposal would be forthcoming in upcoming
meetings.
As we go to press on April 24, the Company is
presenting their Contract Language proposals. They informed the
Union they had “a lot” of proposals in this area.
The Union replied “we have few proposals in
Contract Language areas as we are not concentrating on
proposals there”. The Union said it is stressing the need to
structure a Contract that deals with the immediate
situation and contract areas “GIVING MORE OF OUR MEMBERS
INCENTIVES TO RETIRE” to reduce forced layoffs. This
comes in light of the Company’s Feb 1, 2008 announcement of plans to
reduce the workforce approximately in half by the end of the year.
Negotiations have taken a scheduled 2 week recess and
shall resume in the afternoon on Thurs May 8 with a full day session
scheduled on Friday May 9.
It is anticipated that the Union shall be making its
Wage proposal at that time and all issues then will be out on the
“table” for more fruitful discussion on an entire package.
Negotiations are scheduled to conclude by Wednesday May
21 due to holidays, company schedule conflicts, and time for union
membership information and votes (IF there is a tentative agreement
with the negotiating committee). The current contract expires June
3, 2008.
Membership Contract reports will be issued on line at
Local 201’s Web Site at:
www.local201iuecwa.org when there is new information to report.
This article will be titled LOCAL 201/AMETEK CONTRACT REPORT #1.
We are reviewing the necessity of having a phone
Contract Hot Line, as we have done in the past. With so
many of our members having access to the internet and being capable
of printing out our reports for other members, we may not need a
phone Hot Line. Let your negotiating Committee know if you think one
is necessary.
In addition, we ask all our members age
59 or over (this year) to TALK to members of your negotiating
Committee about any interest you may have in retiring. It could have
major impact on the direction of these negotiations!!!
Members of your Negotiating Committee are BA Ric
Casilli, Pres. Jeff Crosby, VP Alex Brown, E-Board Steve Brodie,
Steward Dick Boisvert, Steward Jim Legro, and elected members Doug
Gisono and Peter Antonelli.
AMETEK TO EXIT “PRODUCTION” IN
WILMINGTON
To Become a “Development” Plant
(This is a reprint of an IUE-CWA Local 201 communication put
out at the Ametek, Wilmington plant on Feb. 6th, ’08)
On Friday February 1, Local
201 met with representatives of Ametek for the annual State of the
Business Meeting. Representing the Union was President Jeff
Crosby, Business Agent Ric Casilli, VP Alex
Brown, Board member Steve Brodie, Steward Dick
Boisvert and Steward Jim Legro. The Company
representatives were Business Unit VP Gary Kline, VP of
Operations Frank Fantacanti and VP of HR (A&D) Randy Longo.
The Company said they had made a decision on the future
direction of the Wilmington Plant. As we all have expected (since
the late 1990’s) from the continued transfers of work, the plant was
getting out of the “production” business citing competitive reasons.
This is consistent with Company statements and actions over the last
few years. What we did not know was how long it would take or
whether the Wilmington plant would be shut down.
The Company made it clear that they plan to exit out of
doing most production work by January 1, 2009 and shift the plant
almost entirely into a development COE (Center of Excellence).
They said they will be signing a lease for either a smaller
section of the present building or a lease for a smaller facility,
within a 25 mile radius of Wilmington MA., honoring our Labor
Agreement and keeping a portion of the present workforce. The
Company indicated there would be no temporary lack of works due
to the “moving process” itself.
The Company said the number of permanent employees will be less
by Jan 1, 2009 (101 Bargaining Unit members currently)
and the nature of the work will be changing, but they saw a
Wilmington development plant here for well into the future They said
the workforce would be performing development work which would
constantly be changing and the jobs’ duties would require skills
and flexibility. They said the jobs that would be here would be
“long term” and were looking for a stable workforce well into the
future.
Responding to union questions about what they were terming
“development work”, the Company said they were referring to
all work that had not been given “full certification status”,
generally which could mean for a 6 month to 2 year type of period.
They said about 1/3 to 1/2 of our current bargaining unit members
now were doing what they broadly refer to as “development work”.
The Company also indicated they would need some employees to do old
“legacy” type products in smaller quantities. The Company said
they could not provide a “hard number” or even a decent estimate at
this time of how many reductions would be needed this year.
However, they did say there would be no major reductions before the
June 2, 2008 Union Contract expiration date.
Following many questions and much discussion, both parties
agreed that the upcoming Contract negotiations now became even more
critical. It is clear that the number of jobs, job classifications,
job rates, early retirement incentives, regular retirement
incentives, and pension issues all shall rise in importance for the
Union. The Company gave indications they wanted to be more open in
communication and would like to reach a mutually acceptable Contract
to move forward. They said they were seeking mutually acceptable
solutions to help transition the plant into a smaller, skilled,
stable, development site well into the future.
The IUE-CWA Local 201 Negotiating Committee has released
Membership Contract surveys to the shop floor. Please fill out and
return to your Board member.
The Committee will be meeting early March reviewing these surveys
and drawing up contract bargaining proposals in light of this recent
Company announcement.
A Membership Meeting for Local 201 Ametek Members will be planned
also for sometime in March at Shriner’s Auditorium.
JEFF CROSBY-PRES. RIC CASILLI-
BA STEVE BRODIE-E-BOARD
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