Alliant Negotiations Update #37
December 30, 2003
Dear Sister or Brother:
Today, Tuesday, December 30th, our Committee met with the Company's Committee
and the Federal Mediator to reconvene negotiations. The Company gave us a
new package to consider that did not provide us with the improvements needed to
meet the expectations of the members. The package fell short of returning
the wage effective dates back to the usual May time frame and also took away
some of the permanent pension improvements that were presented in the second
package. Throughout the day and until approximately 8:30 p.m., we
continued to work toward a tentative agreement but were unsuccessful.
Both Committees and the Federal Mediator have scheduled a date for both parties
to reconvene on January 12, 2004. We will be checking our calendars closer
and will advise you if we proceed at an earlier date.
We have heard from some of the members this week and understand that the medical
plan is not the primary issue with every member. We know that for many,
the foremost priority is the retroactivity and the delayed wage increases.
However, the medical plan did become an issue due to the fact that the company
exercised implementation as of January 1st and the first 2004 paycheck reflects
the changes in the medical premiums. For the record, the Union never
agreed for the Company to implement the new Cigna Plan including increases in
premiums, additional co-pays and deductibles. Given this fact and that new
wages, pension and a variety of other benefits are not in effect at this time,
we will be filing another Unfair Labor Practice on Friday January 2, 2004.
We gave the Company ample opportunity to cease and desist their inappropriate
actions today with no success.
If you have any immediate questions on the medical, please contact Debbie
Ramharter at (608) 458-3905 or Linda Perry at (563) 584-7657. We will
continue any further updates, as they become available.
Many of the members have expressed interest in informational picketing to
further their involvement in this pending negotiation process. Upon their
request, we have ordered Informational Picket Signs regarding the Company's
actions of the Unfair Labor Practice. This will now give those members the
opportunity to get involved when the signs become available. We have also
put in an additional order for the new "Will Strike if Provoked"
t-shirts, and will let you know when those are available.
In Solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee
Shawn Reents
Mike Pyne
Gary McGrath
Holly Kaiser
Bob Jung
