608                    TABLE TALK            712

2010                                                                                                                                                                               August 26

Bargaining Update

   UNION NEGOTIATIONS NEWS USW 608/712 & IBEW 73

            We are now about through with week three of negotiations.  During the first two weeks we worked mainly on the non-economic issues with most being hammered out to some type of agreements that we can all live with, and some remaining proposals that we have so far been unable to reach agreement on, so at this time we have moved those items in with the economic proposal to continue bargaining over those issues.  One of the big ticket items on our non-economic agenda is improving our Safety processes to drive a continuous review of potential hazards and accountability for fixing them. Our first proposal was a Comprehensive plan in which the Company came back with a definite, absolute no!  We then modified that with a more simplified, but demanding Basic Plan for safety, and again the Company said they had no interest by countering with a watered down version that has no teeth and attempts to shift accountability for a safe work environment onto the backs of employees. In light of recent tragic events, the issue of safety is more important than ever. Providing us with a safe work place is Clearwater’s responsibility, and we have to have the tools, such as our Safety proposal, to hold the Company’s feet to the fire for ensuring best efforts are used to secure the safest work place that can be achieved.

     There are numerous proposals that are being considered by both parties, many of which will require additional information to understand the overall impacts on the bargaining unit. Many of the Company proposals would have significant adverse impacts – but these are their initial proposals, and we have just begun the economic bargaining, so listing them at this point would be premature. At this point, Safety is a key focus for us in bargaining, and we would encourage you all to keep safe as you go about your daily activities. Bargaining is stressful for all of us, and the uncertainness of what’s to come can be very stressful.  Please stay focused on working safely, as going home in the same condition you arrived should be our top priority. Please stay with us in this fight, when we all stand together as one, it is far more powerful then standing in separation.

The Table Talk will be archived at www.usw-608.com/c_a_t_.htm. If you have any ideas for future issues, please feel free to send them to our e-mail address: catoffice@cableone.net If you would like the Table Talk sent to your home computer, email the CAT office with your home email address.