TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED AT SIERRA PINE
The week of May 24th DBR/Organizer Steve Fluke and BR/Organizer Sonny Hamar assisted the Sierra Pine bargaining committee in reaching a tentative agreement that will be voted on by the Sierra Pine crew on June 9th. The tentative agreement is a four-year contract with continued participation in the Nelson Trust Health and Welfare Plan. Other details will be made available after the crew has had the opportunity to look over the proposal and vote. The Tentative agreement comes with a recommendation from the bargaining committee to accept.
CONTRACT BARGAINING BEGINS AT RABEY TRUCKING
The week of May 24th BR/Organizer Noel Willet began the bargaining process with Rabey Trucking in Local W2 of Aberdeen, Washington.
TALKS CONTINUE ON FIRST CONTRACTS
Negotiations are continuing to move forward at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation in
Montesano, Washington. Bargaining lead by BR/Organizer Wayne Thompson and BR/Organizer Marvin Abbott has progressed and some important issues have been tentatively resolved; however, a final proposal may still be months away.
ORGANIZING
ATK
On May 9th 65 volunteers form all over the United States came together in Lewiston, Idaho, to conduct a Organizing Blitz on ATK, an ammunition factory employing 900 plus
employees. The Blitz generated over 100 card signers and a solid base to continue forward with our efforts to organize this group. Of the employees contacted, fewer than half said they were not interested in having a union, and we still have nearly half of the overall total to contact. We have committed to this group that if they want a union we want to be the union of choice and will continue our efforts.
BARRIER WEST
On May 24th IAM Woodworkers District Lodge W1 won another NLRB election for representation. This one involves 25 employees of Barrier West, a Bio-Mass plant in Local lodge W2 in Aberdeen, Washington. Noel Willet, Business Rep./Organizer for District Lodge W1, along with the help of the local Lodge organizing committee and BR/Organizer Wayne Thompson did a great job putting this campaign together in a short amount of time. We hope to be certified by the NLRB in mid-June and shortly after begin bargaining a first contract.
EDUCATION ABOUT MESOTHELIOMA
Jim Semczuk, the National Awareness Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Center,
has asked us to post on our Website a site you can visit to gain further understanding of asbestos exposure. You can get information at james@asbestos.com
PACIFIC NORTHWEST LABOR HISTORY ASSOCIATION TO HONOR WELL KNOWN LABOR ACTIVISTS
On the evening of Saturday June 12th the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association will honor two Labor Person of the Year Awards, according to the AWPPW newsletter. Former IWA President Keith Johnson and Don Willner, longtime attorney who has represented our District and our Locals for many years through many battles will be honored. The cost to attend is $65 per person an additional $25 per person if you wish to attend the dinner. For further details contact the LERC office at (541) 346-5054.
