How’s it been in District 14?

NEWSLETTER

January. 2012

Just a note to let everyone know what’s going on.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and wishing all a very prosperous and safe New Year. Winter is now on the down-hill slide and soon Spring blossoms will be here. In
the last Newsletter we were calling for a colder than normal winter but so far the weathers’ been grand, January and February and the worst part will be behind us.

Well, as previously mentioned, the learning curve for this position has been steep with lots to learn. We have entered two sets of negotiations already, Diamond International Trucks and Strongco Equipment, with one more, Cummins Calgary, to start very soon. Our committees have all been picked, proposals distributed and received and plans are starting to develop. Hopefully negotiations will go smoothly and we will have a win – win situation for all concerned.

The Grand Lodge Convention is well on track for September of 2012 and fund raising is ongoing. We had our Early Bird Draw and the lucky winner was Alex Pintol. He opted for a beautiful IAM Convention Shirt valued at $40. Congratulations Alex. Keep in mind we still have tickets available and the next draw will be on the 11th of January.
Again, tickets are $2 each or 5 for $5 with a second early bird draw on January 11 of this year. There will be final multiple drawings later in the summer on June 6, 2012 (or earlier if the tickets sell) until all the items are gone. So get in early and get some bling.

Also don’t forget the motor bike draws. Tickets are still available and the funding is for a good cause. Remember, you will have a choice between the Spyder and Harley Wide Glide, which has been donated to the Convention Committee by Harley Davidson. So now you have twice the chance to win for the same money as last time.

It has been a good fall for District 14 overall but LL99 has been having some difficulties with the new computer system implemented by Finning earlier in the year. This has been a challenge for all personnel and with their negotiations also coming on line the office should become quite busy in the next couple months. District 14 has had the by-laws reviewed and they have been sent to head office for their blessings.

Keep in mind there is a $20 per person award available to anyone who gets a new group to certification. One hundred new members would earn $2,000 to anyone who could provide us with a good contact that ultimately results in a certification.

Field Aviation has been busy and has added a few members to their numbers.

Waterous Power Systems has under gone a name change to Wajax Power Systems and their certification adjustment was completed this fall.

Strongco is moving their multi-line division from South East Edmonton to Acheson. The construction of their new shop is well underway and completion is scheduled for some-time in March of 2012.

Diamond International Trucks has begun construction for a new shop in South East Edmonton.

Cummins Western Canada (Edmonton) has been having issues with a long term employee who has served CWC ED for 26 years. Now his job has become redundant with the closure of the fab shop. Rather than rolling him over into another position, where he could benefit the company and stay productive, they have elected to terminate his position and lay him off. As well, there is also an outstanding grievance, which is slated for Arbitration in March that we have to deal with. We have also grieved a termination where an employee was discharged for horseplay which is contrary to CWC Health and Safety Policy. We need legal counsel to help us decide where to go with the two dismissals.

Cummins Western Canada (Calgary) has been having management changes so this could prove to make negotiating a new contract interesting.

Don’t forget the Local Lodge Meetings for 1722 (January 11, 6pm at the Hall) and 2583 (January 17th at 4pm at Port of Call Inn). Your attendance is greatly appreciated by the executive. Come see where your money is going and have some pizza (at 1722’s meeting). LL1722 members will also become eligible for the door prize at the following meeting, but you have to be there for this one as well as the next one.

If you have anything you think may be of interest let me know and I’ll try to include it in the next newsletter.

Also don’t forget to visit the Web sites for LL2583, LL1722 and LL99 at www.iamaw2583.ca , www.iamaw1722.ca and www.iamaw99.ca . A lot of hard work has gone into these sites so it would be great to see some action on them. There is a contact there if you would like to add anything to them. Just contact the administrator.
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Remember the Union starts with “U”!!

Submitted in Solidarity,


Dan Uchacz