To all union members concerned:  

I want to welcome all visitors to nac2001.com , and take note on the important issues at hand regarding, “negotiations” up and coming.  Most of us have already noticed the decline on our wage scale (set through union negotiations), compared to other “blue collar” employees, such as “Electricians”.  According to the “U.S. Department of  Labor”, Electricians earn annually, approximately 62,776 compared to Auto. Technicians approximate 51,963 annually in the San Francisco area.  This example is used to express the fact that Auto. Technicians are under paid compared to other “blue collar” employment positions, as well as our wage not compatible with economic rising inflations cost in our “Bay Area” location.  Most of all, housing expenses greatly outweighs our earnings, which needs to be addressed through our “pay scale”.

Negotiations by union reps. and employers are usually (if not always) negotiated behind “closed doors”.  Which makes it very hard for a union member employee to truly have a say, to the very important contract that will be constituting your future (wages, benefits etc.).  The only say we have is the crucial final vote of contract negotiations that was established behind closed doors (note: “established” meaning already set).  The union rep. will be promoting this contract at hand, since he has taken it upon himself to say, “This is the final offer” (meaning this is the best we can do).  Don’t be undersold by “behind closed doors” negotiations, set strong on issues, sometimes employers business situations will not be in a position to hold out under employee demands under union negotiations.  My point being, we all have to hold the union representatives accountable for negotiating in our behalf, and hold strong on issues that set our future scale on many issues (wages, benefits etc.).  More and more of us in the field, are aware of current economic expansion is top-heavy with no trickling down effect, its time for union reps. to open up their eyes as well.

Only the few issues at hand being: wages, two-tiered labor agreements, and flat-rate language are issues that have been a continued erosion of blue-collar earnings.  Companies are raising profits by “downsizing” their fixed operations to “down-waging” employees by means of, “eroded contracts”.  Prior contracts have been on the decline, and issues discussed are having a drastic effect on trends towards contracts benefiting employers rather than employees by setting a standard that is too low related to company profits and cost of living in our area. As far as the two-tiered labor agreement and flat-rate language, this is something we should have never let “in the door”.  Now the “new hires” and in some cases “temp. positions” are effected in a excruciating way, being hit in the pocket book.  Which, in turn effects overall outlay and character of our deteriorating contracts, in buoyant economic times.

In conclusion, keep the “unity” within the members to uphold improving contracts, that will “hopefully” set a precedent for better wages and benefits.  And  keep in mind, not only are we battling our employer, we battle our “Union” as well......

“Please“, write back for yours thoughts on this “Statement”, you can reach me at   showmethemoney@nac2001.com