SAFETY

    During this challenging time it is ever so important to focus on being safe. We will all be doing tasks that may be out of the ordinary for a lot of us so please take your time and make sure you have everything that is required to do the job. Remember there is not one single QSOP/JSHA or any other procedure out there that says run, go as fast as you can, or hurry up, so please be careful and lets do all we can to make sure each of us goes home safely to our families.  If anyone has any questions feel free to contact us.   Keep up the good work and remember not one ton of steel produced is worth any of our members getting injured to produce it.  If you are in a situation you feel unfamiliar with or feel unconfortable, stop and contact us immediately!

Know Your Weingarden Rights:

They apply only during investigatory interviews.  An investigative interview occurs when:

The employee can request union representation before or at any time during the interview. An example of this type of interview is when we have an incident and you are asked to write a brief description of what happened.  Yes they will say its so they can just have a clear idea what happened but it is also a form of investigative interview so remember don't hesistate to ask for your representation! When in doubt ASK!!!  When the employee asks for representation, the employer must choose from among three options:

If then employer denies the request for union representation and continues the meeting, the employee can refuse to answer questions.  Stewards must be allowed to advise and assist the employee in presenting the facts.

Remember - an employer does not have to inform an employee that he or she has a right to union representation -

YOU MUST ASK FOR YOUR UNION REPRESENTATION

IF FOR ANY REASON YOUR ARE DENIED REPRESENTATION CONTACT ANY STEWARD, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, OR CALL MY CELL IMMEDIATELY!

New Gate Procedures

  The new gates have been installed and the gates for entering and leaving the plant will be open from 5:30-8:30 AM, 11-12:30 PM, 2:30-7:30PM, and 10:30-12:15AM.   Any other times if you are entering and leaving the facility you will need to check through security.  This is a corporate wide mandate and not anything that was decided locally.  You will be required to have your drive in pass and ID Badge available at all times when entering and leaving the plant and security will be checking these during the hours the gates are open.   

Business Conditions/Market/Rockport

We are currently looking toward the end of the year and everything is and still will be subject to change daily.  As updates occur and news becomes available we will make sure to get the site updated.  Please attend monthly meetings as all things will not be posted on the site.  Any questions please contact us at any time. 

Kentucky unemployment states that if you work in another state they will help you with tranfering credits and or getting your unemployment benefits in another state. So it looks like everyone would file through Indiana. Benefits in Indiana max at $390 a week. Web address in Indiana is www.in.gov/dwd/ in Kentucky it is www.oet.ky.gov/   There is a one week waiting period in Indiana that is all the information we have currently.  Check with your local office for further details. 

Updates will occur as they become available. 

Scheduling issues.  We are trying to work with every department to make sure that schedules are being done timely and effectively.  Please be patient.   Currently working with HR to develop a process to obtain your schedule for when there is not one posted when you work off.   

I also want to thank everyone for the encouraging emails and phone calls during this time. We appreciate the feedback and want to do the best job we can for everyone in our local.  I am confident we will get through this, but now is the time we have to look out for each other, work together, and be thankful that things are not much worse than they are.  

   

Note: If you have an email address to add to our list let us know.  Please send me an email with your name and address simply titled add and I will get our list updated.  Thanks 

   

 HR 676  THE UNITED STATES HEALTH INSURANCE ACT

At the recent steel council meeting a representative from John Conyers Jr. office gave the council a presentation on this health care bill.  We will be explaining this in detail at the next union meeting and will be updating the web site with available information.  It is very unique compared to other health care proposals with coverage levels that would greatly benefit everyone of all ages.  More information to come.  Here is the link to the website with information about HR 676.

http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm

CHAPLAINS COMMITTEE

  
The claplains committee has done an excellent job in helping our membership during times of need.  I want to thank all of them in the great work they are doing for our local.  If anyone has anything going on please contact DR Brown  or any committee member.