| Conoco Group NEGOTIATION UPDATES |
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| March 9-18, 2002 |
| March 12, 2002 |
| March 9-20 |
| Your Chairman and Vice-Chairman traveled to Denver last week to meet with Company representatives in an effort to get talks back on track with the ultimate goal being a good labor agreement for both sides. As of this report, neither goal has been met. Two very diverse positions were taken during the talks in Denver. On one side, management was maintaining that the Union waited until the last minute to drop dozens of items on the bargaining table for discussion. Additionally, they were claiming that all aspects of both parties’ proposals had been discussed thoroughly. On the other side, we maintained that the Company broke off negotiations early by imposing a self-serving deadline in the middle of negotiations, leaving dozens of issues hanging. Many of these issue are still awaiting information that the Company is legally obligated to provide so that we can intelligently address the issues. We have scheduled another round of talks for the 20th and 21st here in Billings. A contingent of Local officers from Denver as well as PACEIU International Representatives and management representatives are expected to join us for these talks. In Denver, what management claimed to be a sore point was what they referred to as the large number of issues the Union wanted to address. Specifically, they maintained that the 18 past practices and letters of agreement and the 20 odd issues the Union had contention with in the Company’s last offer were way more than what the Company wanted to address. They insisted that we pare these lists of items down to just a few that were really important to us. We find a couple of serious problems with their contention. First, it is not our fault that they made a huge tactical error by throwing a half-baked “final” offer across the table before negotiations were finished. Second, the two “lists” of issues the Union wants to address are not senseless demands by a group of unreasonable people. Rather, they are issues needing to be addressed in order to make the next labor agreement work smoothly for both sides. We find it irresponsible to suggest that we would trim down the numbers for the sake of having a few less items to consider when the issues needing addressed will give the next Contract the “clarity” the Company claims they want! Somehow, we need to find a way of showing the Company that egos need to be set aside. We need to help them realize that getting back to the bargaining table, with your Committee, to address issues that are important to giving the new labor agreement the clarity both sides have said they want is not a sign of weakness, but rather, a sign of intelligence! Another item that should be important to all of us… have you hugged your Ponca City, Denver or Lake Charles brothers and sisters lately? The emails and phone calls your committee has received from our friends at the other refineries is truly uplifting. Latest word from the people in Ponca is that they have developed a major case of mad over the way we have been treated and the way management is posturing to treat them over the next few weeks. Let them know that we stand behind our own, and they are definitely our own! Also, the huge Phillips/Tosco Council (made up of the officers from each of the Phillips/Tosco facilities) has been in touch with your Conoco Council to express their support for our struggle. Be sure to come to the Union Meeting on Tuesday the 19th to find out just what this means for us! See you at the meeting at 4:30 on Tuesday! |
| March 15, 2002 |
| The talks scheduled for March 20th and 21st are still on track. Your Committee will be at the Union Hall all day on the eve of those talks preparing for the possibility that discussions with the Company could lead to some real progress. Don’t forget to come to the Informational Meeting/Regular Monthly Meeting at 4:30 on Tuesday to get the latest scoop on what has been going on these last few weeks. |
| March 18, 2002 |
| Monthly Meeting Tuesday, March 19th 4:30 PM You Don’t Want To Miss This One! You Nightshift Types Will Want To Come To This Meeting On Your Way To Work. The Entire Workmen’s Committee Will Be There To Answer Questions! Also, be sure to check out the PONCA CITY link on our home page. You will find their newsletter and negotiations sections very interesting. You may even notice some similarities to our situation. See you at the meeting! |