Camp Krietenstein Staff Association Reunion set July 18

need_a_job wrote:

<quoted text>
hey there girl i think what has members upset is the voluntary overtime going on by maintenance
we heard that it is in the contract but the workers should choose to not take any and see if mgmt. would change their minds and bring back remaining maintenance people. as long as jobs get done how can we rationalize needing all people back
the production forced overtime is another subject not much can be done about that.
how about spreading the word and have all maintenance people choose 0 hours of overtime and see what USS reaction is.

I understand what you are saying, but of course management would say the voluntary overtime is what keeping maintenance on the street. It's the old divide and conquer, clearly it is working with some people. In the Cold Mill when no one volunteered, we were forced 7 days 10 hrs, that clearly adds up to more than 60. Also in the Cold Mill down days are every Wednesday and Thursday these are mandatory overtime because when no one volunteer's you are forced. But how do we justify bringing all maintenance back to work? Its in the DAMN contract that's how. There are contracting out violations filled out everyday at the Cold Mill. No maintenance should legally be on the street when we have contractors changing filters on motors,changing motors,I & R'ing generators etc. These jobs fall under routine maintenance. So when management feeds our members that garbage, it's just that, garbage. Also contractually learners are a part of maintenance and are entitled to 60 hrs a week too. Just remember more are being forced than volunteering my friend.Remember everyone, management did not call you back, not that union member!! Sorry if I get a little emotional it's just clear to me the true culprits.

Unfortunate wrote:

Back to zero information. If anyone out there wants to let me know what's going on in the plant, I would appreciate the news.

Now why would anybody do that. The last bit of information cost a junior thier job. Dragged out of the stinson and told to not come back.

Pickler, that wasn't a shove, it was a shove back with honesty.

DON'T FORGET EMAIL USW

If you don't know what to say copy and paste this message:

I'm a union member at local 1299 and I'm writing the international today to find out what has and is being done to help our remaining 400+ laid off union brothers and sisters return to work? Our contract is blatantly being violated by the company every day, our seniority rights seemed to have disappeared, and the company is clogging our grievance procedure to prevent us from making any progress. How aware is the international on our problem? Why are we letting this happen? What is being done? What else can be done? Where do we go from here? Please respond.

Thank you for your time.

agreed wrote:

<quoted text>
Now why would anybody do that. The last bit of information cost a junior thier job. Dragged out of the stinson and told to not come back.
Pickler, that wasn't a shove, it was a shove back with honesty.

That junior man was not going back to work anyway. No one knew where he was assigned to, so who would have paid him? He was not qualified to work in the mill, so out he went. At least he got a week's pay to help him with Christmas bills. Better than most of us with 10+ years got. Merry Christmas!

zug island wrote:

tomorrow is monday here hoping we get the call at least for physical. I know there is no stinson this week.

Good luck Zug, that would be a nice Christms present for you. There is nothing happening on the Canadian side of the river.

cat wrote:

"JUST AN IDEA" R -U kiding me.are U a retard or what.U perps insalt people U dont like & wen they giv it bac 2 -U,-U dont lik it.eat my liter box U
jerk off.U & tha rest of these ass wipes are nothing butt a bunch of real losers.im glad!! im working & your at home with tha rest of tha LOSERS.
CAT

Just curious Cat; what was you response to "highest level of education" on your job application or resume. You appear to be more suited for the NASA space program.

Tsmith,you seem to be pretty intimate with the details of the man's fate. I wonder why? Which proves the point in the first place.

What's seems funny to me is that most of you supported a contract that jacked any qualified US steel employee with less than 3 years, to a fate of no insurance and no sub pay upon layoff. That's right timmy, most with less than 3 have been living a whole year on nothing but unemployment insurance.

Now that you're only a month removed from sub pay benefits, you are all crying like lost babies and asking for support. Where were you guy's a long time ago? Life must not have of been such a burden. But now, it somehow is?

The Union agreed to the no insurance and no sub pay, and the senior membership supported it with thier "Yes" vote. The membership split itself by agreeing to different tier classes within it's ranks.

The Union also agreed to qualification call back rights and lean manufacturing practices like box- cross training. In some circles that's called screwing the worker, while in others, it's called having a flexible workforce. Some in the ranks took full advantage of this because they read the contract and were willing to learn, while others didn't bother and thought thier seniority would carry them over anything else.

The contract (that was passed by the membership) also states that a worker must be physically fit enough to do the job requirments. The plant is currently working 10 and 12 hour shifts, so if anyone is restricted to only 8 hours, they'll probably be called back when the plant goes to 3 turns, but not sooner.

So, if you're asking for support, you'd better make sure it's for something that benefits all the membership, not just a select few who want to override the contract based solely on seniority. If the company is screwing you, remember you all helped them out. But, getting screwed only matters to some when it directly affects them.

Copy below of letter I sent, in support of your issues

I am a member of 1899, but support the members of 1299 and hope their efforts help the issues at their plant, because we are having the same problems/issues at the Granite City Works. Is anyone at our International aware of how US Steel is pushing their agenda down our throats? Does our International understand our Local Union Reps have their hands tied with this piece of cramp you called the “best damn contract in 30 years”? What happened to the International that serviced its membership? I long for the days of Lynn Williams and George Becker, men not afraid to stand up to Corporations and take a stand, just what is Leo Gerard’s position on all this shit?. Your Membership needs direction, please take a stand are have you just gave up and caved in? Call them rotten, dirty, bustards are just tell us your in bed with them. Except the fact you made mistakes with our current contract, I think we could all respect you more, at least we would know you cared about they way US Steel is treating your Members.
Bob Thiel

I'm a union member at local 1299 and I'm writing the international today to find out what has and is being done to help our remaining 400+ laid off union brothers and sisters return to work? Our contract is blatantly being violated by the company every day, our seniority rights seemed to have disappeared, and the company is clogging our grievance procedure to prevent us from making any progress. How aware is the international on our problem? Why are we letting this happen? What is being done? What else can be done? Where do we go from here? Please respond.

Thank you for your time.

agreed wrote:

Tsmith,you seem to be pretty intimate with the details of the man's fate. I wonder why? Which proves the point in the first place.
What's seems funny to me is that most of you supported a contract that jacked any qualified US steel employee with less than 3 years, to a fate of no insurance and no sub pay upon layoff. That's right timmy, most with less than 3 have been living a whole year on nothing but unemployment insurance.
Now that you're only a month removed from sub pay benefits, you are all crying like lost babies and asking for support. Where were you guy's a long time ago? Life must not have of been such a burden. But now, it somehow is?
The Union agreed to the no insurance and no sub pay, and the senior membership supported it with thier "Yes" vote. The membership split itself by agreeing to different tier classes within it's ranks.
The Union also agreed to qualification call back rights and lean manufacturing practices like box- cross training. In some circles that's called screwing the worker, while in others, it's called having a flexible workforce. Some in the ranks took full advantage of this because they read the contract and were willing to learn, while others didn't bother and thought thier seniority would carry them over anything else.
The contract (that was passed by the membership) also states that a worker must be physically fit enough to do the job requirments. The plant is currently working 10 and 12 hour shifts, so if anyone is restricted to only 8 hours, they'll probably be called back when the plant goes to 3 turns, but not sooner.
So, if you're asking for support, you'd better make sure it's for something that benefits all the membership, not just a select few who want to override the contract based solely on seniority. If the company is screwing you, remember you all helped them out. But, getting screwed only matters to some when it directly affects them.

I don't think anybody saw this layoff coming. If USS knew in advance that the bottom was about to disappear it would have been nothing but concessions.

agreed wrote:

Tsmith,you seem to be pretty intimate with the details of the man's fate. I wonder why? Which proves the point in the first place.
What's seems funny to me is that most of you supported a contract that jacked any qualified US steel employee with less than 3 years, to a fate of no insurance and no sub pay upon layoff. That's right timmy, most with less than 3 have been living a whole year on nothing but unemployment insurance.
Now that you're only a month removed from sub pay benefits, you are all crying like lost babies and asking for support. Where were you guy's a long time ago? Life must not have of been such a burden. But now, it somehow is?
The Union agreed to the no insurance and no sub pay, and the senior membership supported it with thier "Yes" vote. The membership split itself by agreeing to different tier classes within it's ranks.
The Union also agreed to qualification call back rights and lean manufacturing practices like box- cross training. In some circles that's called screwing the worker, while in others, it's called having a flexible workforce. Some in the ranks took full advantage of this because they read the contract and were willing to learn, while others didn't bother and thought thier seniority would carry them over anything else.
The contract (that was passed by the membership) also states that a worker must be physically fit enough to do the job requirments. The plant is currently working 10 and 12 hour shifts, so if anyone is restricted to only 8 hours, they'll probably be called back when the plant goes to 3 turns, but not sooner.
So, if you're asking for support, you'd better make sure it's for something that benefits all the membership, not just a select few who want to override the contract based solely on seniority. If the company is screwing you, remember you all helped them out. But, getting screwed only matters to some when it directly affects them.

My question to you, agreed, is where were you all this time? If you had a drive to make things better you should have spoke up and taken a lead. It is up to all of us to iron out the problems that we deal with. The Union has decided to deal with these issues administratively. I assume this means coffee, donuts, and some small talk. What else has the Union done? We had a march about 8 months ago, but since then nothing. We had one impromptu march, but the Union wouldn't sanction it. We have to bring the fight to USS ourselves.
I agree that the contract treats low seniority people unfairly. I have been on the receiving end of this many times. In 2001, I was laid off right before Christmas with no SUB pay or benefits. Thank God, I too was mistakenly called back and because I reached the required time, I received SUB pay for the next three months. I was lucky.
We all have to get involved to get changes made in the contract. Especially clauses in the contract such as: When a department closes everyone ends up on the street, no matter seniority; calling back by department and qualifications; and requiring three years to get SUB pay and benefits in event of a lay-off (I would like to see everyone get the same benefits and SUB pay no matter their seniority).
We are not asking that the contract be over-ridden, just honored and enforced. We have to stop this in-house bickering and come together, no matter seniority, age, or job title. The fact is many of should be back and should have been back a long time ago. My heart goes out to everyone hurting out there because of this situation. We are in this together and we have to fight together. Anyone wanting to help aid the cause email me at samandskipper@yahoo.com. Keep your spirits up and Merry Christmas!!!

Enjoy the lack of a contract. If its any indication of the direction the company is going you wouldnt like what was purposed to us at Lake Erie. Nothing but concessions right across the board, huge cuts!

TJT wrote:

<quoted text>I don't think anybody saw this layoff coming. If USS knew in advance that the bottom was about to disappear it would have been nothing but concessions.

Exactly, which is just one reason the Canadians at Nanticoke are locked out now. USS saw an opportunity to save money by playing hardball with out brothers and sisters. I don't think they foresaw how much they would fight back. Keep up the fight brothers!! I hope that measly 150 bucks our local sent you helps.

did anyone else get there subpay cut down by two hundred dollars? I thought is wasnt going to change.

One thing you have to remember U.S Steal doesn't care. They'll agree to anything to get want they want. Then they'll do whatever they please or spend a fortune on lawyers fighting it.They dont care what your contract says nor do they care about the agreement they signed with our government to buy us. We had the same problem when they took us over. Our contract was non exsistent.

UP TO $5086.64 CDN PER WEEK WITH OT

Temporary Full Time Industrial Positions Stationary Engineers - IMT (or G1), Ozone Depletion, preferred Pipe Fitters & Welders - CWB Machinists & Millwrights Industrial Electricians Locomotive Engineers / Switchmen / Brakemen Crane Operators - Hot Metal Refractory Masons & Industrial Janitors/Servicemen
Accommodations, Meal Allowances and Travel Paid

This is what we are dealing with! They want to rape their own ppl and lock us out. Yet they sure are trying their hardest to get ppl into the plant

SCAB LABOURERS!

sent my email to the international. let make some noise!

agreed wrote:

Who would want to help anyone with your attitudes. With the talk on here, i can feel confident that if the tables were turned, i could expect zero help.
Anybody with less than 3 years, these guy's are not your friends, much less your brothers. They would sell you down the river faster than you could blink.

Hmm, mighty stange! cat,back and
agreed all posting back to back.

cat or who ever your. to believe that your woman in our union is a insult to all women in our union. I will say it again WHERE IS THE BAR IN THE MAIN MEETING ROOM AT THE HALL. it a simple question if you are in the union. why won't you answer the question? is it because you have never been to the hall? how did you made $80,000 this year when the mill has been closed for most of the year? you seem to hate women and union members. what happen
do you get turn down by some woman in the union? your wife run off with someone in the union? if yor not a white hat than answer the question.

lil guy wrote:

sent my email to the international. let make some noise!

Just made some noise! About an hour ago I wrote to District 2. Feels good to do something!!!

Recently CAT Mama was over heard saying " tos baad eyes dident yous tha coathunger yeers ago liks papa sade"

okay just got back from union hall, oh the stinson had three cars in the lot at 1:30pm. Okay if you get anything from mesc, save in in a special place found out that is why my sub was shorted, but got it back together. also let cat and back and agree chat with eachother, if no good info dont want to hear it. two in rr called back not sure if one is track and the other is operator. Need good news it does feel good doesnt it, okay all keep the other of us informed.