Dear Sister or Brother, 

Alliant Negotiations Update #49

March 10, 2004

Today, Wednesday, March 10, 2004 the Union's Negotiating Committee, the Company's Committee and the Federal Mediator met at Madison Labor Temple.  We met in caucus most of the day and communicated with the Company's Committee through the Federal Mediator.

It was our Committee's turn to respond to the options of A or B, that were the two options that the Company's Committee had given us on February 25, 2004.  We spent a long time discussing amongst our Committee and through the Mediator, alternative resolutions.  We had a positive day, and will meet again on Friday of this week to continue to work toward a tentative agreement and ratification of a fair and equitable package.

On March 4, 2004 an e-mail from the Local 965 Solidarity Committee went out encouraging members to work safely and to discontinue any voluntary work or committee assignments.  Based on our current negotiation status, we are somewhat encouraged but would ask that everyone continue to support those recommendations from our Local 965 Solidarity Committee.  Questions have arisen in regards to voluntary overtime.  Due to the positive atmosphere today, we would now ask that you consider accepting volunteer overtime assignments until you are informed differently from the Local 965 Solidarity Committee.

We will continue to update you with the status of negotiations and whether we need to take additional actions.  We would encourage all members who have supported this effort to remain strong as we progress through this negotiation process.

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee

Shawn Reents
Mike Pyne
Gary McGrath
Bob Jung
Holly Kaiser