June 2009
Shop Chairman Communication
Brothers and Sisters,
I am very humbled for the opportunity to serve this membership as the Freightliner Shop Chair. I realize without a doubt that the next three years will be a difficult and challenging period in our local union’s short history. I am absolutely confident that with the leadership the membership has elected that our union is headed in the right direction.
Our current build schedule of thirty-two trucks a day is allowing us to work steady without any shutdown weeks. I would like to encourage everyone to continue to build a quality truck because only a quality built truck sells more trucks. Our APA Audits are looking extremely good despite the effects of the May reduction in all areas of the facility. Our first criteria in obtaining a gain share payout is meeting our APA Audit targets which vary from quarter to quarter. Although we failed to meet the second criteria of HPV (hours per vehicle) for our first quarter gain share payout we will continue to make improvements to achieve that goal.
We currently have two policy grievances that will be headed to arbitration that affect the entire plant to include some of our laid off workers. Grievance #2174 which is related to the company shifting our production to Mexico facilities is awaiting an arbitration panel. Also, grievance #2172, which is related to reporting pay that the company failed to pay employee’s that reported to work on 3/02/09 due to inclement weather, is also awaiting an arbitration panel.
After attending the BET (Bus, Engine and Truck) Conference last month I must report that our major competitors sales are significantly down just like ours due to the current economic conditions. Although Freightliner has some loyal customers such as Schneider and Hunt don’t think for one New York second that they’re not placing extremely small orders with our major competitors to evaluate the cost and performance of their trucks compared to a Freightliner truck. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of continuing to build a high quality truck to help secure the future of the Cleveland facility.
Membership building is vitally important to our success during the next negotiation. Establishing strong support right now increases our chances of accomplishing every employee’s goal of job security and a fair wage/benefit package over the next three years. Union members need to be emphasizing to potential Union members that signing a union card prior to negotiations sends a message to the company that we are ALL standing together strong in what will undoubtedly be a struggle to maintain what we have built to this point through two previous negotiations. If you are not a Union member please carefully consider becoming a Union member in an effort to continue building trucks at Cleveland, which at the end of the day ultimately will support our families.
In closing, I’m looking forward to serving the membership and making the Cleveland facility a success. I encourage everyone to join me in that effort by becoming an active Union member.
In Solidarity,
William S. Barber