Keep our work ours
You make the difference when company violates contract
The UAW-represented workers at the American Axle plant in Buffalo, N.Y., noticed new metal carts in the heat-treat area in March. They wondered what the carts were doing there and who ordered them. Why was an outside vendor used when the fabrication of 140 carts was a job that Local 424’s millwrights, tinsmiths and building maintenance workers have performed in the past?
More important, why were the carts and other work outsourced when there were 55 skilled-trades workers on indefinite layoff? The real stunner came when local leadership received the Proposed Outside Contract Review form that is required for the outsourcing of work. The American Axle manager’s portion of the form was filled out, but the portion of the form showing the subcontract had been reviewed with local union representatives was conspicuously blank.
“This job was never brought up at our project meetings — never,” said Bob Nowak, who, along with Tony Matlasz and Rich Schruefer, are the skilled-trades committeemen for the plant. This happened even though American Axle is paying workers on indefinite layoff, workers who would rather be in the plant working rather than collecting a check and staying home while contractors are doing work historically and routinely performed by them.
Sound familiar? It does to many union workers who have strong contract language on sourcing that companies often try to get around. Strong contract language means little if union workers are not vigilant and don’t enforce it by filing grievances and other measures.
Workers are being vigilant at American Axle in Buffalo.
“We are aggressively fighting these contract violations,” said Local 424 Bargaining Chairman Wayne Hendel. “We fought hard in negotiations for our sourcing language and we intend to enforce it.”
The contract has been violated in a number of areas.
Management also hired an outside contractor to remove a furnace. Management has denied both grievances.
As might be expected with the hiring of outside contractors, the metal carts purchase didn’t go smoothly. When they were first used, a wheel fell off one of them, causing heavy parts to spill out. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the contractor had to go back in to tighten the wheels on each cart. Even plant millwrights had to alter the first carts so they could be used.
“They could have avoided a lot of headaches if they had honored our contract and used our workers in the first place,” said Local 424 President Rich Bly. “Our people know what works best in the plant.”
The lesson for workers is to keep your eyes and ears open for contract violations. Be aware of the work around you, particularly if it leaves the plant. Ask questions and work through your committee people who are entrusted with enforcing the contract. The job you save could be your own.
