Three members expressed their concern to me about adequate notification of the NOB vote.  We went to extremes to notify and educate on the subject of National Oil Bargaining Policy.  Be that as it may, I understand that our members lead busy lives.  Overtime, caretaking for children, parents and other relatives, community involvement, apathy, sick leave, long vacations, etc., cause many members to miss important communications.  Therefore the Union will institute an election and information communication list.  If you want to be notified about votes and their respective issues please contact me via e-mail rjlandr2@earthlink.net or phone 225-937-8935 leave your personal e-mail address.  Please do not use your ExxonMobil e-mail address.  As issues and elections approach you will be contacted.

 2,700 workers strike Harley Davidson, the issue is Health Care.  Wal-Mart, Intel Corp, AT&T Inc. and Kelley Services have joined forces with union leaders calling for “quality, affordable” Health Care for every American by 2012.  Locally we received a 3.5% Union negotiated pay raise Feb 1st.  This amounted to an average increase of $165.00/mo for an 8hr asst. operator or mechanic.  But again the increased cost of health care has eroded this pay increase.  Hopefully this issue will be solved before the 2009 contract negotiations.

     I reside on the Amite River east of Clinton, La., married to the former Helene VanBerge.  I have 7 children and 4 grandchildren.   I was born in Napoleonville, La., moved to New Orleans, lived on the river front in the uptown section on Tchoupitoulas St.  My parents relocated to St Charles Parish at the age of 12, attended and graduated from Hahnville High School.  Next I attended Nichols State University for five years with a tour of duty in the Marine Corps sandwiched in between.  I was hired by Humble Oil July 1972 and was transferred to Enjay Chemicals before the end of the eight week apprentice class.  I have been employed as an Assistant Operator at RLA#1 (Polymers Operating Department) for 34.5 years.  I have held various positions in the Local Union starting as a rep in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Chemicals Process Chairperson in the 1990s, Chemical Plant Vice President a few years ago and now serve as President of USW Local 13-12.  I also serve as President of the ExxonMobil Joint Unions Council which represents 5,000 members of USW, IBEW, IAM, ESU, CEP, IOWU, and MOBILLAB unions in the U.S. and Canada.
    The Health and Safety of our employees has always been of paramount concern to me.  OSHA VPP is an excellent program if Management and Labor work in a true partnership.  Unfortunately the company has an aversion to the subject of Health and does not like third party partnerships. VPP is a three party partnership.  It is not just the company and the union.  After all it is not VPP, it is OSHA VPP!  It was the unions that pushed for legislation that formed OSHA, not the industry!
 In the area of Labor-Relations, I expect the company to honor all agreements and to bargain any changes intended.  The company says our problems revolve around the interpretation of agreements.  I say the problems are caused by the company’s reinterpretation of agreements to meet their projected business needs (cost cutting efforts).
     I believe the only valid reason for having any union position is service to the membership.  This requires selflessness. Union Reps usually receive little praise and a lot of blame and are not compensated.  Some of our hourly employees, with overtime, have a higher yearly salary than the USW International President. So why do they do it, and what would happen if no one wanted to?
 
 

Issues awaiting court decisions as to arbitrability

1. Failure to Honor Contract Raise of .12
2. Loss of Safety Valve Shop Work
3. Intermediates Post Reduction
4. Contracting Out Rack Jobs

1. Violation of Halobutyl Overtime Guidelines – Company has agreed that this dispute is arbitrable but refuses to arbitrate under “EOWEO Overtime Guidelines agreement” because it is a side agreement.  The Company, at this site, considers side agreements to be non-arbitrable, although side agreements have been arbitrated in the past.  The issue from the Union’s perspective is the practice of “sliding” employees off of their regular scheduled shift to fill temporary vacancies and not following OT guidelines.  USW is also picking up the tab on this one.

2. Refinery Post Reductions – Company is refusing to arbitrate, although the former Refinery Plant Manager requested that the fourth level grievance be heard so the Union would encounter no difficulty with arbitration.  To proceed, we are filing suit to compel arbitration.

3. Filed an Unfair Labor Practice with National Labor Relations Board over the company’s intended use of “corrective discipline” to address “at risk behavior” in the represented work force under the guise of safety.

4. Filed an Unfair Labor Practice with National Labor Relations Board over the company’s refusal to provide information in a timely manner concerning an arbitration case.  Board ruled in the Union’s favor.

 The USW provides for a Civil Rights Committee and a Women of Steel Committee within each Local Union. Any member interested in participating on either or both of these committees please give Bob Landry a call at 225-937-8935.

NOTE:  There will be an initial joint meeting of these two committees on March 7, 2007 at 6:30 PM at the Union Hall at 8160 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, La 70815.  If you are interested please plan to attend.
 
 

 There will be a special meeting on March 14, 2007 at the Union Hall at 8160 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, La 70815.  We will discuss concerns of USW Machinist members.  Meeting will commence at 4:00PM.  Please plan on attending.