On July 16,2009 the Quality Assurance Inspectors Ratified the Company`s Last,Best and Final Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In July 2008,the Quality Inspectors;voted to organize and join IAM Local Lodge 1133. August 21,2008 the National Labor Relations Board granted us Certification.Case No.15RC-8756.
Negoitations began on 12-10-2008 and ended on 7-15-2009. Now during this 8 month period of time;we only negoitated 23 days.So on 7-10-2009 at negoitations,because we were not making any progress.The Union,told the Company;that we wanted their Last,Best and Final Proposal on 7-15-2009.And that the Company`s Last,Best and Final Proposal;would be presented,explained and voted on 7-16-2009.And the Union Membership would decide outcome of Company`s Last,Best and Final Proposal.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement that was ratified is liveable and equable.Did we get all that we wanted or expect? No! But,we achieved our first Bargaining Agreement.Which is the hardest to accomplish.And we now have a foundation to grow and build off of in the future,at renewal of Bargaining Agreements.
On this agreement,we gain a training program to be put in place by Quality Department and Company.Which,is what Inspectors;have been asking Quality Upper Management for,for over the last 4 to 5 years. And this training program will be monitored by the Union;to make sure,that this training program doesn`t fall into the old practice of nepotism,etc.As experienced in the past in the Quality Department.And this training offered to each Inspector , will give the Inspector a chance to improve and better his or her inspection skills; as well as increase his or her pay scale, by participating in the training and testing to help the inspector advance from Inspector 2 all the way to Inspector 5 and obtain certifications and receive a pay increase.
We,gained;a voice and representation by going Union Represented.Which, we didn`t have as Non-Represented Employees (who are at will employees).Example of what this means:
Management,instructs you to accept an inspection;that doesn`t meet the drawing requirements,Ship Spec`s,MIL-Std`s,Inspection Procedures,etc. set down by the Customer and Company in the Contract with Customer.The Inspector,accepts the inspection as instructed by his or her Management.So,6 months,1 year,2years,etc;as the ship progresses,and a quality problem arises on the inspection accepted at the instruction of management.Now,management has amnesia;the inspector is left holding the bag.This is where the Union comes into play on your behalf.The above practice has occurred in the past and is still in use today by Quality Management.
We,gained a more affordable medical insurance as represented;compared to Non-Represented.
We,gained a more affordable Retiree medical insurance as represented;compared to Non-Represented.This insurance premium will be locked in at that rate for 5 years.Depending on what year of the bargaining agreement you retire.
We,gained a good wage increase for the Quality Inspectors.
I want to thank all the Unions at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Gulf Coast,Pascagoula;IAM Local Lodge 1133 (for taking the Quality Assurance Inspectors under their wing);for all of the support and willing to stand in Solidarity;to help the Quality Assurance Inspectors to achieve our goal to become Union Represented.And with your help and support,we succeeded.
I want to thank,my Co-Negoitation Committee Members; Mike Ruckart and Leroy Case. This was our first time to negoitate a Bargaining Agreement.We went into theses negoitations with our co-workers concerns,at heart;as to what they wanted on this Bargaining Agreement.The Negoitation Committee after trying to negoitate a bargaining agreement,that would address our co-workers concerns and what they wanted.
We the Negoitation Committee,came together as ONE and realized;that we can only try and get the best Bargaining Agreement possible.And let the Union Membership make the Final Decision.
And the Negoitation Committee did their best,and Bargaining Agreement was ratified.
To my Union Brothers and Sisters in Quality Assurance Inspection;represented by IAM Local Lodge 1133.
In July 2008,we set out to climb a mountain;by choosing to become Union Represented.Why? Because,we had no backup or representation out of our own Quality Assurance Inspection Upper Management.
On July 16,2009;at ratification of our Bargaining Agreement.We have reached,THE MOUNTAIN TOP!
Now,beginning July 20,2009;We must begin to descend from The Mountain Top,and bring with us the jubilation;we all felt at the ratification of the Bargaining Agreement.
We as Inspectors,can now make a difference in Quality Inspection Department by being Union Represented.Because we have a voice and representation now.We, now have a Grievance and Arbitration Procedure in place,to try and turn our Quality Inspection Department around;as it was years ago,when Quality Management and Company wanted to produce a Quality Product.
On July 17,2009; "Bunky" Boswell, Chief Steward,Machinists Union Local Lodge 1133 appointed the following Union Stewards for Quality Assurance Inspection Unit:
Gerald Slade - Senior Union Steward
Joey Garner - Union Steward
Ruth Allen - Union Steward
In closing,I want to extend a very special Thank You to:
Ron Ault,President;Metal Trades Department,AFL - CIO,for his support and authorizing the support of Metal Trades Council,and membership;Pascagoula.
William "Chico" McGill,Director;Government Employees Department,International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,Washington,DC
Louis Bond,Asst.Business Agent;IBEW Local 733.
Marty Akers,Regional Business Agent;United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO).
Bruce Cochran and Charlie James,Pipefitters - Steamfitters Local 436.
David Porter,International District Representative,Southeastern District.IAMAW.
Robert Wood,Communications Representative,Southern Territory.IAMAW.
Joe Harrington, International Representative,IAMAW.
Robert Bolware,President,IAMAW Local Lodge 1133.
"Bunky" Boswell,Chief Steward,IAMAW Local Lodge 1133.
For your support and advice in helping the Quality Assurance Inspectors achieve their first Bargaining Agreement.
Thank You,
Gerald E.Slade
Quality Technician Inspector
Negoitation Committee
