jennings
Registered: 01/10/09
Posts: 11
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| | 01/10/09 at 09:14 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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I am sure everyone is aware that Escanaba and Luke are both currently working without a contract. We both have received the expected initial company offers of 0% raises, $1 on the pension and Lumenos (salary insurance). Make no mistake about it these are concessionary contract offers. A family with $22,000 in medical claims and prescriptions will have to spend $4,000 out of pocket. If your lucky this may only happen once in a great while, but those with spouse or child with a chronic illness may have to spend $4,000 out of pocket year after year. I wish everyone the best of health! Our salary personnel, much to the chagrin of senior leadership, tell us our insurance is far and away the better plan. Escanaba, Luke and Wickliffe are the only mills where Lumenos is not a part of the hourly insurance plan!
At the NewPage Council meeting in Detroit both Escanaba and Luke voiced their concerns to the international about healthcare. We believe the international heard us and are working on a much better alternative to Lumenos insurance. The Wickliffe membership has a strong vested interest in these healthcare discussions. Loss of your current healthcare plan is a giant step backwards! If Escanaba and Luke fold on healthcare is there any chance that Wickliffe will be the only remaining mill able to maintain their healthcare? 2010 is right around the corner and you can count on the company coming after your healthcare!
The NewPage Council will be holding a meeting in Luke on January 22. I don’t expect the international to have a complete healthcare alternative at this meeting but I am sure the topic will be discussed and it will be a valuable time to ask questions and voice your concerns. Furthermore it is possible every contract in NewPage will be open in 2010. Action plans, strategies and scheduling of further meetings and events will be kicked off at Luke!
We recognize that it is expensive to send representatives to every event or meeting that comes along. In fact some of the unions that made the meeting in Detroit will not be sending a rep to Luke. However Wickliffe may have a greater vested interest in the healthcare discussion. Building Power training will be held on the 20 and 21 but if you can only make one day I would shoot for the 22. Whatever your decision we will try to contact you and keep you abreast of what is happening.
Good luck and if we don’t see you in Luke we are confident we will see you in the near future.
Jennings Lambert
President, Local 8-676
Luke, Maryland
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wick680
Site Administrator
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 131
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| | 01/11/09 at 06:06 AM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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All I can say here is very well said. You put it very plain. I know that in 2010 the company will come after anything that is costing them money and Insurance is a big cost to them. We have to do everything in our powers to keep that from happening.
I have probally already have a noose around my neck here, but if this is what it take to try and get the membership involved so be it. As you can see here on our message board no one participates. Until Bryon and mike came along we had only 1 other member who helped tried to get this site up and going, now after a yead and a half this is what we are down to. So anything that you add here may help wake up the membership and we can start getting involved in the battle our sister mills are in.
I can only say thanks for taking the time out from your night to add your thoughts.
David Bramlett
PS, does your local have a website, if so would you mind sending it to me and also would you mind if I added the link to your onto our website as I have done with the Escanaba website and message board.
Thanks again
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Bryon
Registered: 01/10/09
Posts: 25
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| | 01/11/09 at 07:54 AM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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Just wanted to take a quick minute to thank Jennings for coming on board. Jennings and his committee are very much on top of their game when it comes to being prepared at the table.
You must remember these guys are all new committee men, 5 out of 6 are new, so they had their work cut out for themselves and they have done a terrific job of getting ready in a short time.
I don't believe they have a web site for their local yet as they needed to concentrate on negotiations first. It's unfortunate the past committee didn't establish one years ago as it's a great tool when you're at the table.
I know I don't need to tell you Dave, it's a big job creating a site and an even bigger job keeping it going by continually monitoring it and adding information. I promise you it's worth the effort once it takes off. It will start feeding itself. Thanks for letting us be a part of it.
__________________
Bryon Branstrom
President Local 2-21
Escanaba, Michigan |
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wick680
Site Administrator
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 131
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| | 01/20/09 at 12:05 PM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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Well I hope things are going well at the NewPage Council meeting this week. I hope that everyone will be updated (which I know we will) on what is going on at the meetings.
I also hope that you had a good turn out from all the sister mills. I know that I keep harping on this issue but to me its a very important issue.
Anyway I'll be quiet for now 
Hope to read an update on the meetings this week.
Thanks
David
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tdl
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 19
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| | 01/20/09 at 12:33 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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You going to get that update from Luke or Escanaba  |
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MillFreak
Registered: 12/25/08
Posts: 28
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| | 01/20/09 at 09:47 PM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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Local 680... where were you today... maybe Thursday....
That's ok.... Local 2-94 drove 15 hours through rain,sleet,snow,ice and they made it...
How far is Wickliffe from Luke again?
MF
__________________
If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people. Tony Benn |
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tdl
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 19
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| | 01/20/09 at 11:21 PM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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Just waiting on the coming elections.........
Sorry our group was a no show... just can't figure it out
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wick680
Site Administrator
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 131
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| | 01/21/09 at 04:11 PM | Reply with quote | #8 |
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Not one to start no shit, but....the update I was given for not showing up was "cost too much" so how does everyone like the answer....I know I didn't since I was told they were sending a couple.
What we need is a site where everyone can go to find out what kind of meetings are planned for the Locals along with dates and times. This way no excuses for not knowing. So does anyyone know how we can accomplish this task...I'm all ears.
Hope to hear some feedback |
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MillFreak
Registered: 12/25/08
Posts: 28
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tdl
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 19
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| | 01/25/09 at 01:10 AM | Reply with quote | #10 |
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I cant wait to see some of the information that comes out. Hopefully soon we will become a part of this too! |
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wick680
Site Administrator
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 131
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| | 01/26/09 at 10:03 AM | Reply with quote | #11 |
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MillFreak,
Thanks for the update on the NewPage Council meeting as this will be the only updates that we here at the Wickliffe mill will get...
I am hoping that there is a way to get my name on the list to get the Newsletter and the meeting dates. If this happens, I can assure you that our Exec. will be kept updated on the meetings for the NewPage Council.
I would also like to take the time to once again thank Bryon and Jennings Lambert for all the information and help they have given us. It takes alot of commitment to keep everything going and updated and they have accomplished this feat.
Thanks
David
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jennings
Registered: 01/10/09
Posts: 11
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| | 02/11/09 at 02:58 PM | Reply with quote | #12 |
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It was great to have Wickliffe on the conference call today! Without going into details I think Dave can share with the committee and the membership the challenges and difficulties we will all face in the future. Union Council solidarity is best defense and opportunity for us to maintain a decent and fair standard of living. We look forward to your continued participation and wish you a speedy return to full operation.
Jennings
Luke Local 676 |
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MillFreak
Registered: 12/25/08
Posts: 28
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| | 02/11/09 at 10:38 PM | Reply with quote | #13 |
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Nice Job on the conference call today. We really appreciated you being there and enjoyed your input. Keep up the fight. We will keep in touch.
__________________
If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people. Tony Benn |
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wick680
Site Administrator
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 131
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| | 02/13/09 at 04:06 AM | Reply with quote | #14 |
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Quick question, I received an email letting me know about the conference call we had on the 11th, I was also looking it over and it said something about having the calls every 2nd Wednesday of the month. The question that I have, is this correct? Will there be another call on the 11th of March.
Thanks
David
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jennings
Registered: 01/10/09
Posts: 11
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| | 02/13/09 at 06:55 AM | Reply with quote | #15 |
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| Yes, Dave that is correct. The plan is to have them on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. In the event that something important comes up and information has to get out to the council immediately an emergency session could be called. |
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