At the end of the day we had a short discussion on our overall goals. The company explained how they are loosing money. Which is not surprising I don't think if I was in their position I would say, "We have a wheel barrow full of money and we don't know what to do with it." So we were expecting that speak and we would have been disappointed if we did not hear it.
We explained that everything on the agenda had developed over the last contract. We did not invent these things. These items all had disputes attacked to them and were real to our members. We also explained that as these items came up we would be dealing with unresolved issues that are still in the mill. We went on to say that if the issues were not resolved we could not see the company and the union coming to an easy settlement.
Let me talk about your team for a minute. I have seen a few negotiating committees in my time and I have to say I'm impressed. They have put in hours of work I cant keep up with, then I got a call the other night at 10:30 pm, they had something to do, so they were heading down to the union hall to get it done for the morning. My comments you people are crazy it is 10:30 at night. They are turning down overtime to work on negotiations. They are also giving up family commitments at a moments notice for a meeting.
The only way I can describe them, is a baseball team, everyone has their position and everyone knows how to play it well. If the company hits something into left field I don't even have to look over my shoulder I know there is going to be someone there to catch it.
Website with all updates http://www.cep298.com/negotiations.html
In Solidarity
Peter G. King
President CEP 298