2020 Negotiations Day 1

May 26, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations

Reporting on the first day of negotiations, the first day customarily starts with both parties opening statements, run rules, and desired outcomes. Before starting the Company wanted to establish some ground rules.

Their conversation began with discussions of PowerPoint presentations of where we are and where they think we need to be.

Local Lodge President Chris Wiers stated “We’re not interested in any presentations and it was an insult to think that the negotiation committee doesn’t know where BIW is positioned competitively as well as in the eyes of our customer”.

The Union Negotiations committee is prepared and ready to go wishing to start immediately with no sideline distractions provided by the Company through the way of fruitless presentations.

If the Company still desired to show these presentations the committee would collectively stand up and walk out…. and that’s exactly what happened.

A member of senior management wanted to start with a lengthy presentation and was immediately stopped by our Local Lodge President standing up, united with the entire negotiation committee, three members of IAM District Lodge 4, and 1 IAM Grand Lodge representative, who proceeded to walk out.

We will stand up, we will stand strong, and we will stand united to negotiate a fair contract. We will not be persuaded by doom and gloom presentations and sniveling claims that BIW lacks flexibility.

Our membership swallowed that nonsense in 2015 and we have no tolerance for another serving.

In Solidarity, Local Lodge S6 Leadership

2020 Negotiations Update- Leadership Alert

May 15, 2020 | Local S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations

LEADERSHIP ALERT

Friday, May 15th, 2020

Brothers and Sisters,

Local Lodge S6 has been exploring various options regarding the upcoming expiration of our collective bargaining agreement since COVID-19 entered our lives. As the Governor of Maine issued and extended the state of civil emergency along with other executive orders which effect gatherings of more than 50 people and with CDC guidelines of social distancing.

It has become apparent that holding our Contract Ratification vote at the Augusta Civic Center or anywhere else is just not an option. The best option presented to us has been Ballotpoint; an online or by phone electronic voting system used by Unions, Associations, and Government agencies for contract ratification votes, elections, and Convention voting. Ballotpoint has 20+ years of experience and is used by Unions across the country. This is a Union company that performs votes like this all the time including a 17,000-bargaining unit in the airline industry.

-We need your correct address at the Union Hall (ASAP). We will have information being sent to your home by USPS mail for voting instructions and access code for casting your vote. (please make sure you have the correct address on file at the Union Hall 207-442-2063).

 -We need addresses updated no later than 5/21 in order for you to receive your voter information package without delay.

 -In the coming weeks look for mail coming from Ballotpoint/LOCAL S6.

-Contract Negotiations start on Tuesday 5/26.

-Negotiations will wrap up.

 -You will get a contract in hand.

-We will have a platform to read all changes and answer questions before voting opens.

-The Contract ratification vote will OPEN at 12:01 AM on 6/19 and CLOSE on 6/21 at 12/noon.

-Voting can be done by phone or online.

-50 percent of the membership plus 1 yes vote is needed for acceptance and ratification of the contract.

-Failure to obtain a ⅔ vote to authorize a strike will result in acceptance and ratification of the contract.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME

 Watch for mail, Check the Union boards throughout the shipyard facilities, Local S6 on Facebook, and iams6.org.