EMNJ11-18

January 18, 2002

If anyone had questions about the membership’s confidence in their Workman’s Committee they elected, the answer came last night. With a packed house at the monthly Union meeting, the membership voted unanimously during a secret ballot to give your Workman’s Committee the authorization to call a local strike if necessary during these negotiations. The Committee would like to thank the many members who showed their solidarity and support. When the company decides to get serious about these negotiations, we will certainly be bringing this vote of confidence with us to the table. Early next week, we should have a report from the other ExxonMobil locations that are in negotiations right now. Have a good weekend, and again, thank you.

January 17, 2002

Tonight, starting at 5:15 pm, there is an important regular monthly Union meeting. Not only will normal business be taken care of, but also some hot topics will be discussed. How the company created a loophole and then cheated us out of some medical plan premiums will be addressed, along with what is (or isn't) going on with negotiations. Most importantly, a local strike authorization vote will be taken. For those who are on shift, proxies are available at the refinery. The vote will not be taken until towards the end of the meeting to enable those operators who are working day shift enough time to get to the meeting.

Also on the agenda are grievances. The Executive Board will recommend to the body that a number of denied 3rd step grievances be taken to arbitration. It's time to take the rubber stamp away from them.

The discussions should be fun -- don't miss this one. And the monthly drawing is $275.

January 16, 2002

There still aren't any negotiation meetings scheduled at this time. The plant manager has given the Union a letter stating that they are willing to meet when we are ready. Bruce Rukstad responded to that letter by stating that the Union is also ready and willing to negotiate, when the company feels it might be productive.

As stated before, finding time when everyone on the committee is free to meet on their own time is not easy. How much time should we steal away from our families just for their convenience? Seems management's families are somehow more important than the working stiff's family. Next time a plant manager stands in front of everyone in the firehouse and gives a speech about how Exxon cares about our well being and our families more than business objectives, I know I will remember what they did to the nine members of your Workman's Committee during these negotiations. Once again, they will do whatever it takes to win, and they don't care who they have to step on to get there.

REMINDER: There is a Regular Monthly Meeting at 5:15 pm on Thursday, January 17th. A Strike Authorization Vote will be held.

January 14, 2002

The week starts out with no news, which is probably good news. One thing is for sure; the company would like complete flexibility form the hourly employees if they could get it. Some of us have had a little time to review a few of the demands they handed us on the 9th. With our present contract, mechanical and warehouse employees may be placed on a posted schedule temporarily for a minimum of three days only for turnarounds and emergencies that may jeopardize continued operations of the refinery. If the schedule lasts for less than three days, all hours are paid at time and one-half. It seems the company doesn't like this the way it is. One of their demands is to use these schedules for: "turnarounds, emergencies and any other Company determined requirements". On top of that, they want no minimum number of days for these schedules. Basically, they would like to make mechanics and warehousemen work any number of different schedules during the week for any reason at all and for no extra pay.

Once again, the company is looking only at the bottom line at the expense and inconvenience of the workers. How could a person make family commitments such as coaching baseball or leading a Boy Scout Troop if the company can change his or her schedule on a daily basis, and for no reason at all? Add this to mandatory overtime and there becomes very little reason for the company to hire enough people to do the work. Welcome to Hotel Exxon, where you can check in, but you can never check out.

It's hard to be sympathetic to the company's needs given the work order system they have chosen to rely on. With the correct number of workers and proper planning, these demands have no foundation.

January 11, 2002

Locally, there was no meeting held today between the company and the Union, and, as of right now, there are none scheduled. Until meaningful discussions that will include the entire Workman's Committee are possible, there doesn't seem to be much reason to meet with them. When the national pattern starts to take shape, there's no doubt the company will be taking these negotiations more seriously. They have, however, brought in two hired guns to assist them.

Charles Paris and Tom Ross are here to consult with our local management on these negotiations. The management team has made time in their daily schedules to confer with these individuals. The jury is still out on how we should view their presence at these negotiations. Any thoughts?