On Thursday November 30, 2006 the Company gave official notice to the Union that they were canceling the “Union Officer Leave” agreement.  The reason given verbally and in a management information bulletin (MIB) was that per the agreement the union had failed to meet the company’s expectations.  An example given was a grievance where two ExxonMobil machinists challenged the fact that they were not offered over time which was filled by a contractor(s). The issue was compounded by a lack of knowledge as to how many contractors worked the o/t., one or two?  Well, the grievance made it to the fourth level (Plant Manager) who was upset that it was not settled at the third level (Maintenance Manager).  The Plant Manager hopefully does not consider this a “trivial grievance”. Who, in the wage earner ranks, would consider $352.92 (8 hrs o/t pay) with an additional $8.00 (o/t meal allotment) as being “trivial”?
      If Plant Managers think that they are “overburdened” with “trivial grievances” there is an existing process that was mutually agreed upon in March 2005 that should address this specific issue.  Why was this process not utilized?
      In the arena of safety the Union President offered to do “U” Two observations for several hours each day at various worksites, this offer was turned down!
     The “Union Officer Leave Agreement” provided for the Union President, Secretary/Treasurer and the International Rep to meet quarterly with the Companies to discuss any issues related to the terms of this agreement as well as to discuss any workplace issues which may have gone unresolved.  This type of meeting has never taken place!  The real reason for canceling this agreement -

     An election for membership into the National Oil Program for USW Local 13-12 will be conducted on January 23 and January 24, 2007 at the Union Hall located at 8160 Airline Hwy. Baton Rouge, La.  Polling shall take place from 5:00 AM till 7:00 PM each day.  A simple majority vote (50% + 1 of voting Union members) is needed for membership of this Local into the National Oil Bargaining Program.

     Per the USW Local Union Elections Manual, absentee ballots are not permitted in Local Union elections or International Union elections.  There are however, three exceptions. 1.) Any member whose work will require the member to be more than fifty (50) miles (eighty [80] kilometers) away from the designated polling place during the time of the election and any member who is prevented from appearing at the polls because of 2.) Service in the armed forces or 3.) Vacation, may cast an absentee ballot.  In the event you are affected by this provision the request for an absentee ballot must be made in writing to the Co-Chairpersons of the Election Committee.  The request must indicate with specificity the circumstance which prevents the member from using the regular polling place (Union Hall).    The request must be received by the Co-Chairpersons of the Election Committee seven (7) or more days in advance of the date of the election (Jan 16, 2007).  Please address requests to Jackie Roan-Newman and Eileen Pike, USW Local 13-12 Election Committee Co-Chairs, P.O. Box 53743 Baton Rouge, La. 70892.