G-P BARGAINING UPDATE

 

Big Table Issues

Memphis, Tennessee

April 26, 2006

 

IAM bargaining committees representing Local Lodges W349, W475 and W401 along with representatives from the IAM Grand Lodge, District Lodges W2 and W3 met the Georgia-Pacific bargaining team most of the day Tuesday, April 25^th.

The morning session was used to exchange proposals and explain the intent and reason for them.  The parties agreed to reconvene Tuesday afternoon to try settling the local issues that had been referred to the Big Table.  No progress was made!

After a review of those issues it became very apparent that GP was not interested in resolving anything.  GP proposals range from eliminating daily overtime to allowing them the right to set the work schedules any way they want.  They seem intent on taking away your right to have a say in the work rules and work practices.  These are rights we will not bargain away.

Big Table GP issues include letting your supervisor decide how much raise you get depending on how much he decides you are worth!  Imagine that!

 Another real killer to reaching an agreement was GP’s insistence that they wanted to negotiate most of your rights away, then also have the right to impose new rules and a new attendance disciplinary program after the contract is settled and without negotiating it.

After these revelations from G-P, that meeting ended as no progress could be made in the face of these positions.  The IAM is ready to negotiate to a good faith agreement that is good for the members as well as G-P.  We require that G-P come to the table ready to do the same.  No new meetings are set at this time.  Further updates will be published as information becomes available.