Thank You

All of our new committee, including the Shop Committee, District Committeepeople, Alternate Committeepeople, our new B Zone Representative Steve, and myself would like to say thank you for believing in us and giving us a chance to show you we can do the job you elected us to do.  The more I talk to Steve and the rest of our committee, the more I like what I see.  Soon I will have a chance to get us all together and explain to them that we will indeed run this show together.

The outgoing Shop Committee spent the week of June 7-11 meeting with management to wrap up grievances and other things so our new Shop Committee can start with a clean slate.  We thank them for doing so.  They could have left the new committee a mess, but they didn’t.  Once again, we  thank you and wish you the very best. 

Contractors

I’m being told the contractors will be out of the building by the end of the week (June 18).  They will be back after the shutdown to work on the Pit in 23 Bay and the Mill up in 2 Bay West. 

Transfer Press

The new AA5X Transfer Press is going to look great in 23 Bay, because you - the workers on the floor, are who got it for us!

More WEMR’s?

Management has submitted a requisition to bring in ten more WEMR’s from Kalamazoo.  We are waiting for the Division’s approval, and then we will have to see how many are willing to come to Grand Rapids.  (Some have their time in to retire.)  Stay tuned - I will keep you informed as this unfolds.

Johnson Visit

Gerald Johnson, who is Tom Brady’s replacement, will be coming to Grand Rapids Tuesday, June 22 to meet with our new committee.

You have elected us to be your voice, so at that time our new committee will be informing him that we do indeed want the other AA5X Transfer Press to go into 24 Bay, and the Steel Store’s equipment that will have to go with it to supply both presses.  Again, stay tuned - we will not leave him alone until Grand Rapids obtains that other press.  Once again, you - the workforce, have worked hard to deserve this investment.

Summer Shutdown

I am writing this June 13, and as of right now the first week of shutdown will be mainly TDO.  The second week will be TDO, Painters, and between 26 to 30 Maintenance people.  No Production or Production Support as of now.  We all know that could change, although I don’t think it will.  For those not working - have a great vacation and remember - Safety First!

New Guy

On June 15, I will take over as Chairman of Local 730.  I don’t have all the answers to all your questions at this time.  Give me a little time to get into the saddle, and I will have answers for you.  I know we have problems, and I plan on addressing them with management as soon as we begin our term of office. 

The Maintenance and Material Handling Teams need help and will receive that help from the new committee.  I ask for  your support as our committee changes over.  Everything we do will be in the best interest of the membership and this plant.  It is our goal that everything we do will bring this membership closer together so we operate as one Union working together, no matter who you are or where you came from.  That we promise you!

Fraternally,

Louie Schreuder