October Update
Greetings 94c! Both the monthly membership and the E&G meetings were held Oct. 1st. We did not meet as a board with the company. A small group did meet with HR and the Plant Manager over Safety Tool reactions from the company.
Topics of Discussion were:
Steward School A steward school will be held November 4th . The International will be providing the instruction.
Contract Prep and Proposals Contract proposals are being accepted in writing, at Union meetings and on the website through the month of December. Negotiation dates that have been provided by the company we were vetting them with the international and outside counsel. A full list of proposals received will be shared at the November meeting. We are going to utilize the lawyers in writing the formal proposals.
Involuntary layoffs Layoffs In both bargaining units may be a reality next year. Barring anything additionally happening the plant manager has given his word that there will not be an involuntary layoff in the Merck bargaining unit in 2026. The possibility of layoffs within the IFS bargaining unit are dependent upon what quality deems necessary to keep open in primaxin and for how long. We’re actively looking at bringing more work in to prevent layoffs. The addition of the cleans and some other manufacturing processing has already had a significant impact on reducing the number of people that will be affected by this. In the event someone is laid off they have recall rights for 54 months.
Data Integrity Investigation The company gave us notice today that they were launching a data integrity investigation focusing on cleans. They have pulled badge records and are pulling video footage in HPV.
OT Vote A proposal passed the over time committee on a split vote to charge for all eligible overtime hours regardless of your opportunity to have seen the needs. Currently you are only charged for those hours you could have seenor have knowledge of. Since this is a rule change it needs to be voted on by membership. The vote will occur at the November 5th meeting.
Trunk or Treat Drug retreat is October the 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Shen Elk please encourage any children you know to come out and participate. This event is open to the public you do not have to have ties to the Union. If you would like to set up a car to hand out candy please be there at 4:30 if possible.
Christmas Shopping Trip Raffle tickets are available to sell or for purchase at the site Union office to fund the annual Christmas shopping trip for underprivileged children . The trip will take place December 3rd. Volunteer time does apply. Please consider buying a ticket and volunteering to take a child shopping.
The next union meeting is November the 5th please make plans to attend.