Jun 10, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations
Brothers and Sisters,
As stated in our most recent negotiations update; day 11, we want to provide you with more details from the economic package we received. Specifically, on Medical Insurance Premiums and Out of Pocket expenses.
Upon received the economic package, the negotiating committee forwarded the information to Neil Gladstein; IAMAW Director of Strategic Resources, for a deep dive analysis. Please review the below information based on his results.
Medical Premium Share Proposal
Health insurance shows that the weighted average increase in total premiums went up by 8.4% from 2017 to 2020. So, I don’t see how an 8.4% three-year increase could justify three 7% increases over the proposed contract (that’s 22.5% over three years compounded).
Out-of-Pocket expenses (co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, etc.)
BIW is proposing very large increases in out-of-pocket expenses. Changes in premiums from 2017 to 2020 do not justify these huge jumps (such as doubling deductibles). These would be very large cost increases for those who get sick or injured. Given the physical wear-and-tear from working in a shipyard, this is a problem for many of our members.
These updates will continue to be posted on the Local S6 Facebook page as well.
In Solidarity, Local Lodge S6 Negotiating Committee.
Jun 10, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations
Brothers and Sisters,
Days 8, 9, and 10 were pretty uneventful for us due to an issue we never should have had to fight. BIW was attempting to disrupt our ability to show solidarity through protected concerted activity. In the end, our Union negotiating committee was able to come to an agreement with BIW that insured our rights were no longer going to be infringed on. Our members were brought back to work and all discipline was removed, allowing our members to continue to fight for their future united and be heard. Today, our committee walked into the shipyard and thanked some of our members everywhere we could, stopping in PO2 at 11:00 AM to put the hammer down with some of you. We had to get back to the table by 1:00 PM to finally resume negotiating.
We came to a tentative agreement on the following:
- Article 5 in which we were able to recognize more committees’- women’s, veterans, and education.
- Article 8, Apprentices, we were able to reach an agreement to better the program.
- Article 12, Second, and Third Shift Premiums.
- Article 35, General Dynamics Stock Savings and Investment Plan (SSIP).
- Article 51, Duration of Agreement which will be a 3-year agreement.
We had general discussions on a few other Articles and MOA’s. The company passed its first economic proposals which included below industrial average wage increases, no wage increase for the M03’s with continued $1000.00 lump sums for each year, 21% increase in healthcare over 3 years with increased deductibles, co-pays, and out of pockets. We will provide all the details very soon, there is a lot to go through and we want to make sure we are putting out accurate information.
That is a quick rundown of day 11 with much more to come.
The committee is incredibly thankful for all our brothers and sisters support, especially all of those who stood strong and did not get intimidated by BIW for standing up for yourself and each other.
These updates will continue to be posted on the Local S6 Facebook page as well.
In Solidarity, Local Lodge S6 Negotiating Committee.
HAMMER DOWN!!!
Jun 9, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations
Jun 9, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations
On BIW’s website, the question was asked, “Is BIW attacking seniority?” BIW’s answer was, absolutely not. In fact, the seniority article of the contract (Article 16) was agreed to by the Company and the Union earlier this week. First of all, whoever is answering these questions for the company is as out of touch as BIWs negotiating committee.
Article 16 speaks to your length of service from date of hire, occupational and nonoccupational leave of absence, the term of healthcare coverage if you’re laid off, leave of absences, and yard Injury.
BIW straight up lied to you. The fact of the matter is, under BIW’s proposal for Article 44- Manning/Demanning, where they are trying to steal your seniority.
No short-term loans, they want to pick anyone they want, loan you into any trade they chose, and assign you to any shift or facility for as long as they want. That’s attacking our seniority!
Nice try BIW, this is precisely how they try to manipulate the membership, with sly/underhanded tactics.
This is just one example of why your negotiating committee is fighting for you and the Company doesn’t like it one bit.
BIW is trying to create a false narrative that makes them look good through lies and broken promises. All we want is a fair contract and the Company just wants to create stall tactics and play games with our members.
The Union believes they don’t want to negotiate a fair contract and wish to take the coward way out by offering us a last, best, and final. BIW hates that we are so united and will not cower to their predictable antics. We must fight on brothers and sisters, our future counts on it.
These updates will continue to be posted on the Local S6 Facebook page as well.
In Solidarity, Local Lodge S6 Negotiating Committee.
HAMMER DOWN!!!!
Jun 5, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations
Brothers and Sisters, I want you to know these very important negotiations for you, are front and center for our entire union.
Please know that you have the solidarity of myself, the entire IAM Executive Council and 600,000 Fighting Machinists from across North America.
I want to especially thank your IAM Local S6 Negotiating Committee, District 4 and Eastern Territory staff for all of the hard work you have done and will continue to do during these negotiations.
You have my commitment that the full resources at every level of our union will be available to you in order to get the best possible contract for our membership.
In these extraordinary times, it is imperative that we stay united.
Now more than ever, our solidarity is our greatest strength.
This union has persevered and emerged stronger through wars, depressions and pandemics because we have spoken with one voice.
You are the best in the world as your craft—building of state-of-the-art ships for our men and women in the US Navy.
Each and every day, you are living proof of your motto—“Bath built – best built.”
Together, we will emerge from these negotiations stronger and more resilient in our fight for your seniority rights, and economic and job security for all our members
God bless and God speed, Brothers and Sisters.
Jun 5, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts
Local S6 Leadership Connection
Proudly Serving Our Members
June 5, 2020
STRIKE PREPAREDNESS
A Strike would take effect at 12:01 am on June 22nd.
- Call your mortgage companies and creditors to make arrangements ahead of time.
- Talk with your healthcare providers to get your full allotment of medications prior to a strike.
- Medical- Once on strike, you will only have medical coverage until June 30th. Cobra insurance is available.
- Dental- Once on strike, coverage ends June 30th, Cobra insurance is available and has 2% higher premiums than your existing coverage. You will receive a mailer if you are enrolled in the plan.
- NO Checks / NO Pay Check withholdings- e. MetLife, 401k loans, child support you will need to make arrangements on anything you have coming out.
- For more information on your 401K, please call GD # 1-888-432-3633.
- Workers comp if you are collecting you are all set, NO new claims during a strike.
- A&S if you are collecting you are all set, NO new claims during a strike.
- Vacation usage– You cannot use vacation during a strike.
- Unemployment benefits don’t apply to workers on strike. Check your local career centers for employment options/ We will also have a list of potential jobs posted at the hall while we are on strike.
- Union Plus– members cardholders have $300 of strike mortgage assistance and can delay payments after 90 days for 2 months.
- 211 / United Way of Maine has a host of available social services for members in need.
- For additional clarification on any of the above, you can reach out to benefits at 207-442-3951.
FLOATING HOLIDAY
June 21st, 2020, is the last day to use your (1) one floating for this year before our current contract ends.
SOLIDARITY DAY
Wednesday is solidarity day. Please wear your yellow Union shirt. We still have some available at the Union Hall. We will also be showing our support for the Negotiating Committee again, starting at 6 am, lining the sidewalk alongside the Union Hall all the way to the South Gate. We ask that you exercise social distancing and check in with the Steward at your site. There will be a limit of 50 people at each site due to COVID-19. Remember to wear your masks and practice appropriate distancing.
WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED, WE WILL NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT, LET’S STAND UNITED AND SEND THE MESSAGE TO GDBIW- FAIR CONTRACT NOW!!!
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE
You will have TWO VOTES:
- One ballot will be to accept or reject the contract.
- The second ballot will be to Strike.
Should the majority; 50% +1, of members voting, vote YES to ACCEPT THE CONTRACT, the contract passes, and the strike ballots aren’t counted.
Should the majority; 50% +1, of members voting, vote NO to REJECT THE CONTRACT, the strike ballots are counted and a 2/3 MAJORITY IS NEEDED TO STRIKE. FAILURE TO MEET THE 2/3 MAJORITY WILL RESULT IN ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONTRACT.
EXAMPLE: If 70% vote NO; REJECT THE CONTRACT, but ONLY 60% vote YES to Strike, the contract is still accepted even though the majority didn’t vote to accept it BECAUSE A 2/3 MAJORITY IS NEEDED TO STRIKE.
Voting will be by phone or online through ballotpoint.
Polls open 12:01 am Friday 6/19/2020.
Polls close at noon on Sunday, 6/21/2020.
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE BEING MAILED.
