He**... sice we're all here... time tahh call out Nelson... Where are yahh Nelson?
Roa, I'm sure this board has been interesting without me. I only popped on here the other day to see if I missed any info on the convention. No, I will not be a big participant at yours and O'man's throwdown, however, I may be present. I realize there's always a time to celebrate but two 'participating throwdowns' for me in 12 months is a bit overdoing it. Besides, Rattails told me that I was starting to repeat myself.
A few things though.
item 1: The contract is fair and equitable [as measured by a democratic process where the majority determined it so] so there is no need in fussing about anything contractual other than perhaps violations of it. Any disputing of the contract, other than justifyable grievance discussion, is just gossip, disruptive and things of a busybody nature. Yes, I ran a campaign against it but the majority spoke so it's case closed and you work with the brotherhood on moving forward in administering it. FWIW: IMO, I can certainly understand why the great majority from the west voted for up to $6 hr pay increases. Can't knock them for it.
item 2: negotiations
While I don't want to knock the votes of the last contract, I do want to comment on the underlying philosophies that are foundational to the 'negotiations processes'.
For instance, while I can understand when Freedom sez he voted on the contract to get a $6 pay increase, I fundamentally reject freedom's otherness thinking that is apparently festered with narrow 'snapshot negotiations' mentality based on the spreading of fear and coersion by inept, self serving and deplorably poor leadership [insert Canale here]. A rightful negotiations strategy is more lucid and involves a 'broadness' that recognizes a long contract over economies that hit low and high points during the contracts duration. In such negotiations, the foundational position of a union shouldn't be based on the present cost of oil but the industry standards, and you work from that predicament. OTOH, your company practices negotiation strategies that recognize broader durational terms that help protect its position and interest. Otherwise, that glaring $2 billion in profits over 2 years of transitional talks would be haunting.
Canale and his 'altar boy bell ringers' were thrown out on their arses because of their 'piss clam contracts', 'pimping of their members', and self serving mentality. Not surprisingly, his own arrogance shut his ears when we told him we would be coming for him if he continued his labor busting ways that tore down the working conditions of working families. Knowing his ears were closed, I even gave him 'good advice' and asked him to 'save his ticket' and retire so at least he could get his "Iam Watch".
Alas, I am going to enjoy next week, especially when he gives a real union brother....the 'green jacket'.
regards,
Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman, 1487, Chicago