Tag Archive for: Region 9

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BMW-RDC Update 5/29/24

Our bargaining committee met with the company today for 9 long hours. The company continues to ask for concessions and a reduction of our floating holidays. They’ve been unwilling to add language protecting our full-time union jobs. Our committee reaffirmed that we are not giving anything away! We demand job security.

Management wants to negatively change the point attendance system resulting in faster discipline. They failed to address our member’s demands such as the abusive overtime policies, weather lates, or backfilling. We demand security with our job bids, adequate training, and more!

No Concessions (Company wants a reduction in Floater Holidays)

Tier 1 for all!

Record Wage Increases

Better and more affordable Health Care

Profit Sharing and Non-Discretionary bonuses

Full-Time Employment (No more abusing temps reducing union jobs)

COLA and Wage increases through the life of the contract.

Family Life Balance (Restrictions on overtime)

A Recognized Voice (Union involved committees)

Dignity & Respect (Reasonable bathroom accommodations)

We also told BMW to knock off the harassment by supervisors on the floor preventing our stewards from conducting union business. That’s pure harassment to our leadership and a violation of the law that UAW members will not accept and it won’t keep us from Standing up! What is management so afraid of?

Please attend the union meeting at 677, on Saturday, June 8th at 1:00 pm. We are taking a strike vote to authorize our committee to call for a strike at BMW! A “YES” vote will show BMW their bully tactics don’t work, and we are united to win a record contract!

Check-in with your bargaining committee or union stewards about how we are taking action this week to win a record contract

Our bargaining committee will return to the table on June 4th, 5th, and 6th.

IT’S OUR TIME NOW TO STAND UP BMW!

BMW- RDC Actualizaciones Español 5/29/24


Nuestro comité de negociación se reunió hoy con la empresa durante 9 largas horas. La empresa sigue pidiendo concesiones y una reducción de nuestras vacaciones flotantes. No han estado dispuestos a agregar texto que proteja nuestros empleos sindicales de tiempo completo. ¡Nuestro comité reafirmó que no estamos regalando nada! Exigimos seguridad laboral.

La gerencia quiere cambiar negativamente el sistema de asistencia de puntos, lo que resultará en una disciplina más rápida. No abordaron las demandas de nuestros miembros, como las políticas abusivas de horas extras, los retrasos climáticos o el reabastecimiento. ¡Exigimos seguridad en nuestras ofertas de trabajo, capacitación adecuada y más!

Sin concesiones (la empresa quiere una reducción en las vacaciones flotantes)

¡Nivel 1 para todos!

Aumentos salariales récord

Atención sanitaria mejor y más asequible

Participación en las utilidades y bonificaciones no discrecionales

Empleo a tiempo completo (no más abuso de trabajadores temporales que reducen los empleos sindicales)

COLA y aumentos salariales durante la vigencia del contrato.

Conciliación de la Vida Familiar (Restricciones a las horas extras)

Una voz reconocida (comités sindicales involucrados)

Dignidad y respeto (adaptaciones razonables para el baño)

También le dijimos a BMW que terminara con el acoso de los supervisores en el piso que impedían a nuestros delegados realizar asuntos sindicales. ¡Eso es puro acoso a nuestro liderazgo y una violación de la ley que los miembros del UAW no aceptarán y no nos impedirá levantarnos! ¿A qué le tiene tanto miedo la dirección?

Por favor asista a la reunión sindical en 677, el sábado 8 de junio a la 1:00 pm. ¡Estamos votando una huelga para autorizar a nuestro comité a convocar una huelga en BMW! Un voto por “SÍ” demostrará a BMW que sus tácticas de intimidación no funcionan y ¡estamos unidos para ganar un contrato récord!

Consulte con su comité de negociación o delegados sindicales cómo estamos tomando medidas esta semana para ganar un contrato récord.

Nuestro comité de negociación volverá a la mesa los días 4, 5 y 6 de junio.

¡¡¡ES NUESTRO MOMENTO DE LEVANTARSE A BMW!!!

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BMW-RDC Update 5/28/2024

Our Union bargaining committee met with BMW negotiators for 8 long hours today and presented our non-economic demands. The company had the audacity to listen, and has presented us none of their own today. Not even a counter. Despite our requests 2 weeks ago for written responses to our proposals, we have not seen a single one. All BMW managers wanted to discuss were their concessionary proposals from last week, which are:

– No holiday pay during scheduled vacations. When called out by the union the company immediately scrambled but had no answers.

– Company overtime policy. More mandatory overtime for non-vital processes.

– Company vacation time. Stricter discipline for attendance.

Today we gave them our members demands which include:

– Reasonable notice for mandatory overtime.

– Overtime exemptions for previous commitments.

– Adequate training for all.

– Additional pay for trainers.

– 90-day hire, no more temps on full-time jobs.

– Improved uniform language with more options.

– Increased safety shoe allowance with real fitted inserts.

– Fair and unbiased light duty policy.

We have a verbal agreement on the continuous improvement committee and have been waiting for the written document for the last 2 weeks. We are still at the table while the company has left. The company is not in a rush to address our member’s demands. This is the respect they have for the workers who are making record profits for this company.

We will return to the table tomorrow May 29th to continue to fight for our priorities including…(record raises and an end to wage tiers at BMW! BMW made more than $20 billion (a 32% increase!) in profit last year. We work hard to earn those profits, it’s time to invest in us! or something similar)

Join us this Thursday, May 30th at 2:30 pm at the flagpole on the hill to show BMW that we, UAW members, mean business!

STAND UP BMW!

Actualización BMW-RDC Español 28/05/2024

Nuestro comité de negociación sindical se reunió hoy con negociadores de BMW durante 8 largas horas y presentó todas nuestras demandas no económicas. La empresa tuvo la audacia de escuchar y hoy no nos ha presentado nada propio. Ni siquiera un mostrador. A pesar de que hace dos semanas solicitamos respuestas por escrito a nuestras propuestas, no hemos visto ni una sola. Lo único que los directivos de BMW querían discutir eran sus propuestas de concesión de la semana pasada, que son:

  • No pago de vacaciones durante las vacaciones programadas. Cuando el sindicato llamó a la empresa, inmediatamente se revolvió pero no obtuvo respuestas.
  • Política de horas extras de la empresa. Más horas extras obligatorias para procesos no vitales.
  • Tiempo de vacaciones de la empresa. Disciplina más estricta para la asistencia.

Hoy les entregamos las demandas de nuestros miembros que incluyen:

  • Aviso razonable para horas extras obligatorias.
  • Exenciones de horas extraordinarias por compromisos anteriores.
  • Formación adecuada para todos.
  • Pago adicional para entrenadores.
  • Contratación de 90 días, no más temporales en trabajos de tiempo completo.
  • Lenguaje uniforme mejorado con más opciones.
  • Mayor asignación de calzado de seguridad con inserciones ajustadas reales.
  • Política de trabajo ligero justa e imparcial.

Tenemos un acuerdo verbal en el comité de mejora continua y hemos estado esperando el documento escrito durante las últimas 2 semanas. Seguimos en la mesa mientras la empresa se ha ido. La empresa no tiene prisa por atender las demandas de nuestros miembros. Este es el respeto que tienen por los trabajadores que están obteniendo ganancias récord para esta empresa.

Volveremos a la mesa mañana 29 de mayo para seguir luchando por nuestras prioridades, incluidas… (¡aumentos récord y fin de los niveles salariales en BMW! BMW obtuvo más de 20 mil millones de dólares (¡un aumento del 32 %!) en ganancias el año pasado. Trabajamos difícil obtener esas ganancias, ¡es hora de invertir en nosotros o algo similar)

Únase a nosotros este jueves 30 de mayo a las 2:30 p. m. en el asta de la bandera en la colina para mostrarle a BMW que nosotros, los miembros de la UAW, ¡vamos en serio!

¡LEVÁNTATE BMW!

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BMW-RDC Update 5/22/24

Our bargaining committee met with the company today and presented more of our demands.

The company wants to move the 2nd shift start time up to 12:00 pm. We quickly reminded them there is a mid-shift opportunity they are not utilizing. Our membership has already shown we are not interested in the change when only 3 volunteered.

We are moving towards a tentative agreement that will provide us with a future voice. We will implement a Continuous Improvement Committee to guarantee involvement with Process changes moving forward. The committee will provide an opportunity to address the unfair quality and production standards that have worsened working conditions year after year. No more changes that put our health & safety at risk.

The company wants a stricter phone policy banning all phones and smart watches from being on the floor. NO CONCESSIONS.

They even had the audacity to ask for a more abusive overtime policy. NO CONCESSIONS.

We will return to the table on May 28th.

Join us this Thursday, May 23rd at 2:30 pm at the flagpole on the hill to show BMW that we, UAW members, mean business!

Actualización BMW-RDC Español 22/05/24


Nuestro comité de negociación se reunió hoy con la empresa y presentó más de nuestras demandas.

La empresa quiere trasladar la hora de inicio del segundo turno a las 12:00 p.m. Rápidamente les recordamos que hay una oportunidad a mitad de turno que no están aprovechando. Nuestra membresía ya ha demostrado que no estamos interesados en el cambio cuando solo 3 se ofrecieron como voluntarios.

Estamos avanzando hacia un acuerdo tentativo que nos dará una voz en el futuro. Implementaremos un Comité de Mejora Continua para garantizar el involucramiento con los cambios de Proceso en el futuro. El comité brindará la oportunidad de abordar los injustos estándares de calidad y producción que han empeorado las condiciones laborales año tras año. No más cambios que pongan en riesgo nuestra salud y seguridad.

La compañía quiere una política telefónica más estricta que prohíba que todos los teléfonos y relojes inteligentes estén en el suelo. SIN CONCESIONES.

Incluso tuvieron la osadía de pedir una política de horas extras más abusiva. SIN CONCESIONES.

Volveremos a la mesa el 28 de mayo.

Únase a nosotros este jueves 23 de mayo a las 2:30 p. m. en el asta de la bandera en la colina para mostrarle a BMW que nosotros, los miembros de la UAW, ¡vamos en serio!

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BMW-RDC Bargaining Update 5-21-24

Your bargaining committee met with the company for multiple hours today and presented the company with some more of your demands.

1st Demand: A Continuous improvement committee made up of our brothers and sisters to work with the company and address the unreasonable Production and Quality standards.

2nd Demand: An additional week of vacation after 15 years of dedication and loyalty to the company. Their response was the current time is adequate.

3rd Demand: A safe place for union activities and dedicated time to perform union duties. It was denied.

The company wants us to give up three Floating Holidays for three Observed Holidays, but there will be no concessions.

The company seems receptive to easier vacation scheduling.

They are still unwilling to provide additional restroom accommodations.

All the company cared about was a 10-minute mandatory stretching period.

We are still waiting for multiple responses & counter proposals and will return to the table tomorrow.

BMW-RDC ESPANOL ACTUALIZACIÓN PARA EL 21/05/24


Su comité de negociación se reunió hoy con la empresa durante varias horas y le presentó algunas de sus demandas más.

1ra Demanda: Un comité de mejora continua conformado por nuestros hermanos y hermanas para trabajar con la empresa y abordar los estándares irrazonables de Producción y Calidad.

2da Demanda: Una semana adicional de vacaciones luego de 15 años de dedicación y fidelidad a la empresa. Su respuesta fue que el tiempo actual es adecuado.

3ª Demanda: Un lugar seguro para las actividades sindicales y tiempo dedicado al desempeño de las funciones sindicales. Fue negado.

La empresa quiere que renunciemos a 3 días festivos flotantes por 3 días festivos observados, pero no habrá concesiones.

La empresa parece receptiva a una programación de vacaciones más sencilla.

Todavía no están dispuestos a proporcionar instalaciones sanitarias adicionales.

Lo único que le importaba a la empresa era un período de estiramiento obligatorio de 10 minutos.

Todavía estamos esperando múltiples respuestas y contrapropuestas y volveremos a la mesa mañana.

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BMW-RDC Update 5/17/24

In negotiations this week, we demanded improved bathroom facilities including hygiene products. After our first powerful UAW rally yesterday, we came to work to find management is now providing hygiene products to our members. Because we are united, this is the first of many changes we will win at BMW!

BMW-RDC Update for 5/15/2024

Your bargaining committee met with the Company for five hours of bargaining and presented the company with three of the members’ demands.

1st Demand:  

New language demands acceptable and adequate restrooms for all employees. Including repairs to the Men’s facilities and additional facilities for Women who only have access to one stall in the facility and are forced to wait in line or walk to the front office.  We also demand access to hygiene products at no charge.

2nd Demand:

              Fix the flawed tardiness policy that allows BMW to discipline us for tardiness during inclement weather.

3rd Demand:

              Address the biased and unreasonable productivity standards being set & enforced by the company that are totally subjective based on the supervisors, without our input.

The company was not prepared with proposals of its own.

In response to our demands, BMW indicated they may be willing to address our concerns about facility maintenance and hygiene products.  But we haven’t received anything in writing yet.

Disappointingly, BMW management seems unwilling to give us meaningful input on quality or production standards. And outrageously, the company is not willing to treat our UAW sisters with basic dignity and respect by ensuring adequate restrooms where we work.

Your committee again reiterated that we are united on the following issues:

THE END OF WAGE TIERS AT BMW RDC – equal pay for equal work – everyone should be brought to Tier One.

HISTORIC GENERAL WAGE INCREASES DURING THE LIFE OF THE AGREEMENT.

COLA WAGE PROTECTION.

REAL PROFIT SHARING, NO MORE COMPANY DISCRETION.

NOT JUST A FREEZE ON HEATH CARE COSTS, BUT A REDUCTION IN OUR COSTS FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE.

ACCESS TO WOMEN’S BATHROOMS.

AND NO CONCESSIONS.

Of course, your Bargaining Committee outlined other priorities to the Company across the board, including health and safety, training, tardiness policy, and dozens of different subjects you have told us are your priorities.

We will return to the bargaining table on Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22 to continue fighting for the record contract we deserve.

SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE A TEXT MESSAGE WITH THESE UPDATES: 

SIGN UP HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS COMING SATURDAY’S MEMBERSHIP MEETING: 

BMW-RDC Espanol Actualización para el 15/05/2024

Su comité de negociación se reunió con la empresa durante cinco horas de negociación y presentó a la empresa tres de las demandas de los miembros.

1ª Demanda :

Nuevo lenguaje exigiendo baños aceptables y adecuados para todos los empleados. Incluyendo reparaciones a las instalaciones para hombres e instalaciones adicionales para mujeres que solo tienen acceso a un puesto en las instalaciones y se ven obligadas a esperar en fila o caminar hasta la oficina principal. También exigimos acceso a productos de higiene sin costo alguno.

2ª Demanda :

              Arreglar la política defectuosa de tardanzas que permite a BMW disciplinarnos por tardanzas durante condiciones climáticas adversas.

3ª Demanda :

              Abordar los estándares de productividad sesgados e irrazonables que establece y aplica la empresa y que son totalmente subjetivos según los supervisores, sin nuestra participación.

La empresa no estaba preparada con propuestas propias.

En respuesta a nuestras demandas, BMW indicó que podrían estar dispuestos a abordar nuestras inquietudes sobre el mantenimiento de las instalaciones y los productos de higiene. Pero todavía no hemos recibido nada por escrito.

Lamentablemente, la dirección de BMW no parece dispuesta a darnos información significativa sobre los estándares de calidad o producción. Y, escandalosamente, la empresa no está dispuesta a tratar a nuestras hermanas del UAW con dignidad y respeto básicos garantizándoles baños adecuados donde trabajamos.

Su comité reiteró nuevamente que estamos unidos en los siguientes temas:

EL FINAL DE LOS NIVELES SALARIALES EN BMW RDC –igual salario por igual trabajo– todos deberían llegar al Nivel Uno.

INCREMENTOS SALARIALES GENERALES HISTÓRICOS DURANTE LA VIGENCIA DEL CONTRATO.

PROTECCIÓN SALARIAL DE COLA.

PARTICIPACIÓN REAL EN LAS UTILIDADES, NO MÁS DISCRECIÓN DE LA EMPRESA.

NO SÓLO UNA CONGELACIÓN DE LOS COSTOS DE ATENCIÓN MÉDICA, SINO UNA REDUCCIÓN DE NUESTROS COSTOS DE SEGURO MÉDICO.

ACCESO A BAÑOS DE MUJERES.

Y SIN CONCESIONES.

Por supuesto, su Comité de Negociación describió otras prioridades para la Compañía en todos los ámbitos, incluida la salud y la seguridad, la capacitación, la política de tardanzas y docenas de temas diferentes que usted nos ha dicho que son sus prioridades.

Volveremos a la mesa de negociaciones la próxima semana martes 21 y miércoles 22 de mayo para seguir luchando por el contrato récord que merecemos.

REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ PARA RECIBIR UN MENSAJE DE TEXTO CON ESTAS ACTUALIZACIONES:

REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ PARA REGISTRARSE PARA LA REUNIÓN DE MEMBRESÍA DEL PRÓXIMO SÁBADO:

BMW RDC Bargaining Update 5/14/2024

Update for 5-14-2024

Your bargaining committee met with the Company for four hours of bargaining and we are pleased to announce our first agreement.  The Company has come to its senses and has relented on its demand that we complete bargaining within twenty-four hours, and instead, the Parties have entered into a letter of agreement ensuring that all five bargaining committee members (or their alternates) will be granted release time from work in order to prepare for and attend all bargaining sessions no matter how long it takes.

With that housekeeping matter resolved, your Bargaining Committee presented to the Company your priorities – and our goals in bargaining, including:

THE END OF WAGE TIERS AT BMW RDC – equal pay for equal work – everyone should be brought to Tier One.

HISTORIC GENERAL WAGE INCREASES DURING THE LIFE OF THE AGREEMENT.

COLA WAGE PROTECTION.

REAL PROFIT SHARING, NO MORE COMPANY DISCRETION.

NOT JUST A FREEZE ON HEATH CARE COSTS, BUT A REDUCTION IN OUR COSTS FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE.

AND NO CONCESSIONS.

Of course, your Bargaining Committee outlined other priorities to the Company across the board, including health and safety, training, tardiness, and dozens of different subjects that you have told us are your priorities.

We will return to the bargaining table tomorrow to continue fighting for the record contract we deserve.

SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE A TEXT MESSAGE WITH THESE UPDATES: 

SIGN UP HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS COMING SATURDAY’S MEMBERSHIP MEETING: 

BMW RDC Espanol

Actualización para el 14/05/2024

Su comité de negociación se reunió con la Compañía durante cuatro horas de negociación y nos complace anunciar nuestro primer acuerdo. La Compañía ha entrado en razón y ha cedido en su demanda de que completemos la negociación dentro de veinticuatro horas y, en cambio, las Partes han firmado una carta de acuerdo que garantiza que los cinco miembros del comité de negociación (o sus suplentes) serán liberados. tiempo libre del trabajo para prepararse y asistir a todas las sesiones de negociación, sin importar cuánto tiempo tome.

Una vez resuelto ese asunto interno, su Comité de Negociación presentó a la Compañía sus prioridades y nuestros objetivos en la negociación, que incluyen:

EL FINAL DE LOS NIVELES SALARIALES EN BMW RDC –igual salario por igual trabajo– todos deberían llegar al Nivel Uno.

INCREMENTOS SALARIALES GENERALES HISTÓRICOS DURANTE LA VIGENCIA DEL CONTRATO.

PROTECCIÓN SALARIAL DE COLA.

PARTICIPACIÓN REAL EN LAS UTILIDADES, NO MÁS DISCRECIÓN DE LA EMPRESA.

NO SÓLO UNA CONGELACIÓN DE LOS COSTOS DE ATENCIÓN MÉDICA, SINO UNA REDUCCIÓN DE NUESTROS COSTOS DE SEGURO MÉDICO.

Y SIN CONCESIONES.

Por supuesto, su Comité de Negociación describió otras prioridades a la Compañía en todos los ámbitos, incluyendo salud y seguridad, capacitación, tardanzas y docenas de otros temas que usted nos ha dicho que son sus prioridades.

Mañana volveremos a la mesa de negociaciones para seguir luchando por el contrato récord que merecemos.

REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ PARA RECIBIR UN MENSAJE DE TEXTO CON ESTAS ACTUALIZACIONES:

REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ PARA REGISTRARSE PARA LA REUNIÓN DE MEMBRESÍA DEL PRÓXIMO SÁBADO:

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UAW, C.E.A.S.E. Claim Casino Smoking Exemption Unconstitutional in New Lawsuit

New Jersey – For 18 years casino workers in Atlantic City have been excluded from New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act – in violation of their Constitutional rights. New Jersey has allowed casinos to knowingly force employees to work in toxic conditions that have caused life-threatening illness and death.

Together the UAW and C.E.A.S.E. (Casino Employees Against Smoking’s (Harmful) Effects) represent workers at every casino in Atlantic City. They ask the Court to void the exemption in a lawsuit which seeks immediate injunctive relief, filed today by Nancy Erika Smith, Esq., of Montclair’s Smith Mullin.

“For almost two decades casino workers have been fighting for the same legal protections that other New Jersey workers have, the right to work in a place free of toxic smoke,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “UAW and C.E.A.S.E. members have fought tirelessly to get lawmakers to do the right thing, but politicians have chosen to protect corporate profits over workers’ health. Today, we put an end to that and ask the court to respect the right of workers to breathe clean air on the job.”

Today’s lawsuit argues that the current exemption for casino workers from the Smoke-Free Air Act violates the New Jersey State Constitution on three grounds:

First, the New Jersey Constitution guarantees that “all persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are… pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.” Casino workers have been denied their right to safety.

Second, the Constitution also makes clear that the “Legislature shall not pass any special laws… or grant to any corporation … any exclusive privilege [or] immunity…” In this case, rich corporate casinos are excluded from the Smoke-Free Air Act, giving them the exclusive right to endanger the lives of their workers.

Third, this exemption from a law designed to protect workers from smoke also denies casino workers their right to equal protection.

“The CDC has found that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that the harmful effects are felt within 60 minutes of exposure. Casino workers have been sickened and died as a result of that exposure while other workers in New Jersey are protected against being poisoned at work,” said the workers’ lawyer, Nancy Erika Smith Esq. “We have taken this fight out of back room ‘money talks’ politics and put it in the courts where we are confident that the judge will find that casinos cannot knowingly poison their employees in the pursuit of profits. It’s immoral and legally indefensible.

“Attorney General Matt Platkin bravely refused to defend an unconstitutional law recently – we ask him to do the same here. We also ask Governor Murphy to restore these workers’ right to safety, which he can do today. Finally, Acting Commissioner of Health Baston enforces the Smoke-Free Air Act and, as the Commissioner of Health, she can refuse to enforce a law that endangers the health of workers.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, with harmful, inflammatory and respiratory effects produced within 60 minutes. 

“For casino executives, if you put on the uniform of a dealer, slot tech, bartender, server, maintenance person or housekeeper, the bosses are fine with you getting cancer and dying. It’s the cost of doing business,” said Daniel Vicente, Director of U.A.W Region 9. “The UAW will never be able to out-spend these executives, some making more than 10 million dollars a year. We can, however, take the fight for working people’s health and safety to a fairer playing field – one unbeholden to campaign donations or big money PACs. We are proud to stand with C.E.A.S.E. NJ and bring this fight out of the legislature and into the judiciary. We look forward to seeing all of you coming out publicly and telling the people of New Jersey why our lives don’t matter as much as yours.”

Statement of support from Senator Joseph Vitale can be found here.

Related economic materials proving there is no financial excuse for casinos to poison their workers can be found here.

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U.S. Department of Energy Announces Final Rule for Distribution Transformers, in Major Win for UAW Members

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced its final rule for energy conservation standards for distribution transformers, preserving over 1,000 good union jobs in Western Pennsylvania, after UAW members spoke out about the impact of the DOE’s actions. 

“Today’s announcement from the Department of Energy is a victory for the 1,100 members of UAW Local 3303 in Butler, Pennsylvania,” said Jamie Sychak, President, UAW Local 3303. “It has been a very long and trying year for Local 3303 and our plant. At the outset of this rule, we faced a plant closure. As they say, that which does not kill us makes us stronger, and we’re a testament to that. We fought to protect our jobs, our plant, and our community. And today, we won. The DOE’s final rule ensures a viable pathway for UAW-made steel to supply the transformer market long into the future. Throughout this process, we worked closely with Cliffs, our UAW leadership, local, state, federal officials, and the DOE to provide feedback on the proposed rule. Because of the strength of our union, labor is recognized today as a key stakeholder on the policies and decisions of our government. We are grateful that the highest levels our federal government recognize that the workers of America — the people that make this country go — have a voice and must be heard on the matters that affect them and our nation.” 

“Today’s announcement of the final rule from D.O.E. regarding electrical steel is an absolute win for U.A.W. Local 3303 and Cleveland-Cliffs,” said UAW Region 9 Director Daniel Vicente. “Labor and Management don’t always see eye to eye — like all relationships, disagreements exist. But when it comes to protecting American jobs and producing U.S.-made electrical steel for our critical infrastructure, UAW and Clevland-Cliffs stand shoulder to shoulder. We thank the Department of Energy for listening to the voices of our members in Butler, PA, and having a willingness to learn from our subject matter experts who actually make these products. When American working people stand together, we win.”

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Saving Butler: UAW Members Fight for the Future of a Pennsylvania Steel Town

Workers at the Cleveland Cliffs Butler Works steel mill in Butler, PA, are speaking out about a proposed Department of Energy rule that threatens good union jobs at the mill.

In a new video, UAW Local 3303 members describe the fight to save jobs for the 1,100 workers at the plant who produce grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) used for electric vehicles and EV chargers.

The video, “Saving Butler,” can be accessed here, and the media is invited to use the footage. “My grandfather worked at the plant, as did my father, and many, many families throughout our community,” said UAW Local 3303 President Jamie Sychak. “It’s generational.”

“This plant is the very heart and soul of this community,” says Steven Gilliland. “This is one of the biggest employers and certainly one of the best-paying employers around here. This is a good-quality union job.”

The proposed regulation would lower demand for grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES), threatening job loss at the Butler Works. 

A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown was introduced in January that would freeze the implementation of the DOE’s proposed rule.

“A strong domestic supply of transformers is crucial to our electric grid and our energy independence,” said Brown. “We need to meet increasing demand for transformers, while keeping this critical supply chain in the U.S. and making sure the Department of Energy gets it right.”

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