September Update
Both the monthly membership and E&G meetings were held September the 3rd. Gerry Setley, Vice President of the ICWUC was in attendance for the E&G meeting. We did not meet with the company.
Topics of discussion at the meetings were:
- Retirement packages 12 members put in for enhanced separation packages. They have all been approved. It seems almost certain that there will be more offerings next year to prevent or limit an involuntary layoff.
- Retirees vacation pay The retirees who left in July were shorted vacation pay. We are in the process of getting that corrected. A large number have been denied unemployment benefits. It appears to be scrutinized a lot more than it has been in the past.
- IFS The cleaning of graded spaces throughout HPV is transitioning to the Merck bargaining unit from IFS. As of now enough jobs have been found to prevent a layoff within the IFS bargaining unit by adding additional cleaning in unclassified spaces and some buildings that were not in scope previously.
- Cleans The Merck bargaining unit assumed cleans of classified space in the 89 complex September 1st. The transition in 63 and 64 will take place November 1. There have been some issues with the MES system, but for the most part the cleans are moving forward. A few rooms that were overlapped were not clear on who is to perform the work, we will get clarity on that at Tuesday’s meeting. The company will be transitioning away from Spor Klenz in February and that should do away with having to wear a PAPR.
- Job Postings and awards After a lot of back and forth the company has agreed to move forward with posting the vacancies that they had promised. All back fills for HPV will be posted with the exception of one job in weigh and dispense that was vacated over a year ago.Several additional jobs will be posted. A lot of those will be in the utility division.
- Involuntary layoffs This seems to change daily, but as right now we do not believe that any 94C member from either bargaining unit will be laid off involuntarily this year. When we cease cleaning the Primaxin buildings there will be a problem finding enough jobs to prevent a lay off within IFS. If HPV volumes do not turn around it seems increasingly likely that a lay off within the Merck bargaining unit is probable. Future enhanced separation packages could limit or even prevent this happening depending on how many people take them. Recall rights for the Merck bargaining unit are 54 months. For IFS it is 3 months.
- Additional work Talks with the company about pulling work back in from salary or contractors are ongoing. We are making some headway. If we gain work, it will likely transition after production for this year is done.
- Steward school A steward school will be held November 4th. If you are a steward and have not been please reach out.
- Contract Proposals We are accepting contract proposal ideas for 2027 negotiations. They can be submitted in writing as long as they are signed or you can submit them verbally at the Union meeting. We are working on the way that they can also be submitted through the website. If we are successful directions will be provided. We will collect proposals through the month of December.
- Upcoming events The Trunk or Treat will be held October the 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Shen Elk Plaza. This is open to the community, please encourage anyone with children to bring them out. The Children’s Christmas shopping trip is scheduled for December the 3rd. Tickets are available now for purchase or to sale. If you’re interested stop by the Union office.
Deceased Retiree Bert Fidler passed away Aug. 24th. He came to Merck in May of 1977 and was an operator in bldg. 5 for his entire career. Condolences to his family and friends.
The next Union meeting is October 1st Please make plans to attend.