July Update
The monthly membership and E&G meetings were held July 2nd. The board did not meet with the company. Topics of discussion were:
Transfer of cleans in HPV The company provided notice of their intention to transition cleaning of graded space in HPV back to the Merck bargaining unit. The 89 series buildings will transition September 1st. Buildings 63 and 64 will transition November 1st.
- IFS Impact The transition of cleans has the potential to impact approximately 13 jobs according to ifs management. We’re actively looking at increasing cleans of non classified areas to offset the workload loss. Merck quality has agreed to Gemba some of those areas with me this week. There is also the possibility that additional jobs could be posted in custodial or glassware positions. Temporary or part-time employees contractually will be let go first. Then any layoff, if necessary, will be by classification and seniority
- Merck impact The transfer of cleans back to the Merck bargaining unit in conjunction with UPLC, the passivation skid, and other smaller job duties has prevented an involuntary layoff within this unit for now. The future is still determined by HPV volumes. Training of personnel on cleaning processes will be led by the bargaining unit trainers from the training center and will begin in the near future. The division of work and principles of job assignments will be sorted out with representatives from each work group and the company.
- Surplus and Job postings There will continue to be folks suplused from Primaxin. The company still intends to post all of the vacancies in HPV with the exception of one in Weigh and Dispense. We are still being promised the daylight vacancies in M&I will be posted.
Driving My Learning A Defensive Driving course will be assigned to anyone who operates a vehicle as part of their job. It is a gap that the audit caught and the training should have been in place a couple years ago. I have taken the course and the only real question I had was about reporting. I have clarification in writing that the reporting the training is referring to applies to company vehicles or while on the clock.
Fast Net operator jobs As the plant transfers from a GVO or vaccine facility to a GPO or pharmaceutical facility the training for operators will look different. Specifically for Fast Net it will look more like training did in Factory 1 or 2 for those that have been here a while. The changeovers are so frequent that the company believes that the current three-step methodology for every change would not be successful. Operators will be trained on a specific piece of equipment and will run variations of batches based on that training. We have made it clear that operators on this side of the plant will have to have the right to bid into the Fastnet jobs or seniority is being infringed upon. For now, I believe we have won that argument.
Memorandum of Understanding We submitted a document to the company asking for an exception for voluntary overtime to be made to allow individuals to work 87.5 hours. We believe it would reduce forcing, cut down on the number of emergencies that the company declares, and allow folks to work more hours if they choose. It would not allow the company to force above 75 hours. Most of the emergencies that the company has declared was to lift this time restraint. When they declare an emergency, it can open a lot of doorways contractually that we do not want open. We are waiting for an answer.
Pension Protection If a Merck employee passes away while employed, their heirs will only receive part of their pension. For someone in a life and death situation there is paperwork that can be filled out that will allow the employee’s heirs to receive the full pension and keep the life insurance benefit. If you are aware of a Union brother or sister who is in a life and death situation reach out to a board member immediately for help.
Trunk or Treat The Trunk or Treat is scheduled for October 30th 5 to7 pm at the Shen-Elk plaza. Please make plans to attend and bring your kids, grandkids, whoever. The event is open to the public. More details will be provided as the date gets closer.
Children’s Christmas shopping trip The children’s shopping trip is scheduled for December the 3rd. Preparations have started, raffle tickets will go on sale early fall.
Deceased retiree JoAnn Dovel passed away June 14th, 2026. She started at the site January the 10th, 1977 and worked in factory 7 and building 5 for the duration of her career. Condolences go out to her family and friends.
The next meeting is August the 6th please make plans to attend.