Local 1077 Contract Updates May 2014

Negotiating Committee Elected! Drivers from across the state mailed in ballots to

elect their own representatives to serve on the Contract Negotiating Committee, and the results are in. This democratically chosen group (on the right) will meet with the company to negotiate a fair contract on behalf of all California Renzenberger drivers.

This May, the Committee will receive training from UE Staff on how to work effectively to reach the best agreement. UE Field Organizers will assist the Negotiating Committee of elected rank-and-file members throughout the negotiation process.

Negotiations with the company will begin on June 11 and 12 with more dates to follow in June.

Please give the committee members your support by thanking them for their participation and showing your solidarity by taking part in our upcoming contract actions. Also remember, the committee doesn’t know your issues until you share them. Please fill out your contract negotiation survey today, or talk with a committee member directly.

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS.

The way to win a great contract is to have active participation from the members of the union. We’re asking all California Renzenberger drivers to be ready to “Fight for Fairness” in our contract negotiations. Fair Treatment. Fair Wages.

Fair Benefits. Fair Safety Practices.

2014 Negotiating Committee

Statewide Representatives:

John Anguiano Ricardo Rodriguez Marcy Stoeven East LA UP Barstow Roseville Yard Driver Road Driver Road Driver Regional Representatives:

Kandyce Johnson Pete Fields Region 1 (North) Region 2 (Central Valley Stockton UP & High Desert) Yard Driver Bakersfield BN Yard Driver

Frank Osby Connie Montoya Region 3 (LA-Area) Region 4 (Inland Valley Glendale Taylor & San Diego) Yard Driver West Colton Road Driver

Communication is Key to Our Success! Let us know how you’d like to receive member information:

• Email us at uelocal1077@gmail.com to be added to our email list.

• Like us on Facebook at UE of America, California Local 1077.

• Text FIGHT to 24587 to receive weekly text updates.

• Join the Contract Support Committee (see other side).

These are the faces of a

member-run union!

25000 Avenue Stanford Suite 213—Valencia, CA 91355—661.702.9667 (p)—661.702.9668 (fax) uelocal1077@gmail.com

Members Needed to Win a Great Contract!

Contract Support Committee (CSC) members are communicators with other drivers. They get updates from the Negotiating Committee to pass on to members, and they also let the committee know what members are thinking.

CSC members do things like pass out literature and make phone calls to a small group of coworkers, about 5-10 drivers. It’s like a phone tree. If we have an action, such as wearing buttons or stickers, CSC members participate in the action and provide materials for other members to participate too. They keep workers united and informed during the negotiation process.

Unlike being an elected steward, the union does not inform the company who is a CSC member. Also, once the contract negotiations are complete and a contract is in place, a CSC member’s responsibilities end.

Want to join the CSC? Let a Negotiating Committee member, Steward, or UE staff know.

The CSC works like a phone tree.

Come Discuss Contract Demands

From the end of May through the first week of June, UE will be holding yard meetings around the state to discuss the Union’s first contract proposals. These proposals will be based off of the information members provided in their Contract Negotiation Surveys.

Contact your Contract Support Committee (CSC) member to find out when and where your closest meeting will take place. Not sure who your CSC member is? It’s probably the person who gave you this newsletter!

Interim Grievance Process in Place

UE and Renzenberger have agreed to an interim grievance procedure that will help us resolve disputes between now and when we reach an agreement on our contract with the company.

In our interim procedure, grievances will be submitted to the General Manager who works in or near the yard where the problem occurred. The grievance will be discussed via a telephone meeting within 14 days of when the grievance is filed.

The General Manager will provide a written response to the grievance within seven days of the meeting.

Those who are elected and trained as UE Stewards will have the right to file grievances during this interim period. Stewards also have rights to request information from the Company for grievance related purposes. If you are a steward, contact your staff member to learn more about this new process. What is a grievance?

When a contract is in place, a grievance is a violation of the contract. This means if the company paid someone differently, disciplined someone inappropriately, or failed to hold up their end of the contract in any way, the Union can file a formal complaint to talk to the company about resolving the disputed matter.

Without a contract, such as in the period we’re in right now, a grievance would be a case in which the company disciplined someone unfairly OR changed any company policies or practices without bargaining over it first. We have rights to say and do something about problems now.

UE Staff Members Working with Local 1077:

• J Burger (773.263.4341): Region 1 and Negotiating Committee

• Fernando Ramirez (323.572.4668): Regions 3 and 4

• Kari Thompson (661.702.9667): Region 2 and Communications