May Update
The monthly membership and E&G meetings were held May the 7th. We did not meet with the company. Topics of discussion were as follows:
- Retirement packages The 27 Union folks who have put in for packages will be leaving the end of July. It seems almost certain a few additional packages will be offered to the bargaining unit at the end of the year. The company has not committed to this, but they have alluded to it.
- Jobs and Postings The current jobs that are due for awarding all required testing. They are the mechanical trainee program, utilities jobs and bargaining unit trainer. Most of the testing is complete. There are a few more folks that need to test for the mechanical training program and these job awards will be coming out. Previously we communicated that all jobs that were vacated would be posted unless they came from antibiotic. That direction was communicated directly from the company, and we expect to hold them to that. There are elements within SLT that are trying to change that direction.
- Rahway Negotiations USW Local 4-575 in Rahway ratified a contract early this week. They signed a five-year deal. In it they kept around 30 jobs that the company was trying to cut and received raises from %3.00 to 4.75% .
- Passivation work A passivation skid was purchased to reduce the amount of this work being contracted out. It looks like a savings of over $20,000 per vessel for the site and in excess of $300,000 a year for a typical year. The company approached Union leadership with a proposal for us to assume this work. We readily agreed to take the work, but the company seems to be trying to find a way out of giving it to us or delaying the implementation. It would appear to be too much of a cost savings for them to simply ignore.
- Area clearance log This is a global initiative handed down from above site Merck. There has been confusion on whether removing the trash infringes on the contractual rights of our IFS bargaining unit. After looking into this, their contract actually does not cover removal of production trash. It is just something extra Merck and CBRE have been getting from them.
- GWI increases Raises went into effect April 29th. What you will see on this week’s check is a blend between days paid at the old rate and days after the 29th at the new. The following check should reflect the new rate in its entirety.
- Safety We have had three safety incidents in recent weeks resulting in members being injured. One was on slick floors in factory 7. The problem was identified and 2 workers were actually injured trying to clean the floor. Safety was consulted and signed off on the plan that was being executed. The second instance was a salary individual put a ultraviolet bulb into a desk lamp. It resulted in a Union member receiving burns to the face and eyes.
- Contract Prep Our contract is up May 1st, 2027. We will meet with the attorneys and international this October to set negotiation dates starting in early 2027. Contract proposals for negotiations will be accepted from the floor starting in October. I urge you to start attending Union meetings when you can. There are a lot of things that can be said in that forum that cannot be put into print. Solidarity will determine what type of contract we receive.
- Highway Clean up We will pick up trash on Rt 340 May the 22nd. Volunteer time does apply. We will meet at the Union office at 8am. Lunch will be provided.
We lost a retiree since the last update. Robbie Kyger passed away April 15th 2026. Robbie came to Merck in February of 1974. He worked here as an Electrician. Condolences go out to his family and friends. The next Union meeting will be June 4th. Please make plans to attend