Allied Waste GM Confirms Lockout in Effect

[Docker]

Press reports indicated that Union members requested to vote on our last, best, and final proposal at their meeting 5:30 pm CDT Monday, May 7, 2012. Allied Waste Services presented this offer to the Union on April 26, 2012. Press reports later indicated that at yesterday's meeting, the Union informed the members that a vote would not occur, and they were not given a date when a vote could occur.

As a more stable alternative to the Central States Pension Fund, Allied Waste Services offered to provide our Union employees with a 401K retirement plan. As part of our contract proposal, we would make a total initial contribution of
$1.4 million. The specific amount for each Union employee was based on their age and years of service.


Allied Waste GM Confirms Lockout in Effect

[Boilerpeddle]

If I read that right the union leaders did not let the rank and file vote on the contract, I think because they wanted out of central states pension fund and into a 401k.

[Docker]

If I read that right the union leaders did not let the rank and file vote on the contract, I think because they wanted out of central states pension fund and into a 401k.

That's the way I read it too Boilerpeddle...I'm curious to see how this plays out as I am sure others are going to watch also.

[Docker]

Teamsters Local 215 has been in negotiations for a new contract with Republic since March 2, 2012. Republic stated in yesterday's letter that it will lock out its workers unless they agree to give up their pensions.

"It is outrageous that in the middle of negotiations Republic would start making threats to the jobs of 80 loyal workers," said Local 215 President Chuck Whobrey. "Our members provide a public health service to the city of Evansville, and they deserve to be able to retire with dignity. We are committed to the bargaining process, and these threats are uncalled for."

Read more here: Republic Services Threatens Teamsters In Evansville - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

[ABFer]

It sure is getting ugly out there isn't it? I am sure this move is being watched by other companies. Best of luck to those workers.

[okeydokey]

I agree abfer best of luck to all involved....

[Docker]

The labor dispute between Allied Waste and Teamsters Local 215 is revving up. We're learning both sides are filing charges against the other with the National Labor Relations Board. The 79 unionized workers were locked out Tuesday night after a disagreement over changes to the company's pension plan.

The complaint states the union made frequent statements saying it would not negotiate with the company over changing the pension plan to a 401K. The union denies that claim. The union has also filed two charges against Allied Wastes claiming they didn't bargain in good faith. Union President Chuck Whobrey says the company told them one thing during negotiations, and the complete opposite in a letter to union members.

Allied Waste and Union Workers File Charges

[bigtruk_us]

Wish we could retire with dignity at YRC.plus better money.im not at the age to retire.i see my coworkers who could retire.but they have to keep chugging along till they die

[mikey]

I would be willing to speculate here and say the employees just might be looking for something better than the CSPF for retirement....

Maybe Ken Hall shoulda put the UPSF guys there to revitalize it like he said he would.

[canaryinthemine]

Gentlemen: Stewards make sure you're getting copies of your pension and health and welfare payments that are contractually required. Here in Western Penna., about 2 months before YRC had their employees vote on the first MOU, the pension fund threw YRC out because they hadn't made any pension payments in the preceding 3 months. No Union official in the 8 or so locals that had YRC people in them had filed a grievance on non-payment, no Steward had questioned why they had gotten thrown out of the fund, and of course, no Local involved had filed a notice of 72 hours to strike because of non-payment to the fund (one of the few remaining things we can still strike over.....). Our Local, at the time, had no YRC people in it, so it seemed a little out of place when I asked whether anyone at the other Locals had questioned why YRC had gotten thrown out of our pension fund without a grievance, strike notification, or a breach-of-contract Labor Board suit. I still haven't got an answer to my question two years running. I guess it's regarded as a "moot point" once the YRC guys voted in their MOU. I do know, however, that it seems to be a constant struggle in the last year to have ABF send us our copies in a timely fashion. I've threatened grievances, pestered Fort Smith, got the Labor man for ABF involved, and it still seems that we get the reports in 3 month batches. Oh, and since I made a stink about these reports, for the last 3 months, my terminal manager is now getting a company copy of the pension and H+W payments, apparently for the first time since he's been made Terminal Manager several years ago. My point is, if somehow we at ABF fall asleep at the switch, and ABF, in the 270 individual pension funds that they are involved with nationwide, gets "thrown out" of at least half of these funds similar to the way YRC got thrown out here, then they would be going into the contract negotiations with a position of strength, at least as far as pensions go.......and we all know that's an issue that's near and dear to their hearts. After all, what kind of a contract will you vote on if your pension fund has kicked you out 2 or 3 months before the contract vote? Be kind of desperate to salvage any sort of pension the company offers? We've got to be vigilant prior to the end of the contract and make sure that ABF is making their contractually required payments and that we are physically receiving receipt of the same.....also as contractually required. In hindsight, the YRC guys in this area are being told that a grievance is now pointless since they voted and accepted the MOU conditions on the pension. But, as I understand it, since they were thrown out 2 months prior to the signing of the MOU, the pension fund ,in this area, regards YRC's 25% payment as past due payments, and partial ones at that. Stinks on ice, don't it? Remember, Brothers, we've got to demand those monthly payment receipts. We're all sure ABF is an honorable company......but negotiation tactics may be regarded as "All's Fair in Love and Labor Wars".