Dear Sisters and Brothers:

As you are fully aware, the tentative agreement was released today.  Although we reached this agreement last Wednesday, we held a Chief Steward meeting today to better explain the contract.  This has definite improvements in both the medical and the pension.  The wages have delayed but increased percentages of a quarter percent for each year.  We do recognize that the delay in the wage increases reduce the income short term but the higher percentage will increase your earnings in the long term with a higher base rate at the end of the contract.

Please do not prejudge the improvements in this package.  Your Union Negotiating Committee has spent endless hours crunching numbers to get the membership the biggest bang for their buck.  The medical plan is far more comprehensive that the best and final that was turned down.  The pension improvement, although appears small at first glance, is the most significant improvement that Local 965 has seen since about 1969.  It is worth approximately 1 Million dollars for the next fourteen plus years.  The improvement is a permanent change that we can build on in the future as we strive to eliminate the Social Security Offset.

There will be explanation meetings for the medical coverage on Company time at most locations.  Please take this time to better understand the coverage.
The website to check for in Network Physicians http://provider.healthcare.cigna.com/alliant.html

There will be more information coming soon as to meeting times and locations.

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee
Shawn Reents
Mike Pyne
Gary McGrath
Holly Kaiser
Bob Jung