608                  TABLE TALK              712

   2009   Issue #7                                                             Nov

 Surveys  

  Surveys will be circulated the week of October 26 after Tuesday. There will be a series of surveys coming out so if you do not see an issue on the first survey remember there will be more to come. If there is something you would like to see on them please email the CAT Office.

The purpose of the surveys will be to arm our Standing Committees with data from the union rank & file in order to better form the agenda for our upcoming contract negotiations in just 12 short months. Remember, this is your chance to be heard. Use only a survey handed to you by your CAT Contact.

You can help your CAT team by filling out your survey & returning it as quickly as you can.

Black Liquor Tax Windfall Extended?

A recent article published on tax.com by Martin A. Sullivan indicates that a $1.01 per-gallon tax credit for ethanol produced from cellulose could possibly be in place until the end of 2012.

This was already included in the Farm Bill Congress passed in 2008.

The memo states: “black liquor will still be eligible for an even more generous tax credit -- the $1.01-per-gallon cellulosic biofuel producer credit. It is not scheduled to expire until the end of 2012. By our estimates, this credit will provide the paper industry with $25 billion of additional tax benefits that Congress never intended.”

It should be noted that the income tax credit is non-refundable and can only be applied against cash taxes. You can read the original article here: http://www.tax.com/taxcom/taxblog.nsf/Permalink/MSUN-7WUGPT?OpenDocument

Arkansas Contract  - ARTICLE 23  - Safety
 (a) All employees will comply with established safety rules and safe operating procedures.
(b) There shall be a Joint Safety Committee to make recommendations to the Mill
Manager concerning safety and health subjects. The Joint Safety Committee will meet
at least monthly.
(c) The Company will provide necessary personal safety equipment. Safety
glasses and safety shoes will be provided as follows:
(1) Plain safety glasses will be provided to those employees who do not
require prescription glasses. The Company will provide prescription safety glass for
those employees who require them per the Prescription Safety Glasses guidelines. The
Company will pay for replacement glasses (1) if the prescription changes or (2) if there
is reasonable proof that the glasses were damaged in the performance of duties at the
plant.  The Company shall pay up to $5.00 for the cost of the initial adjustment of
prescription safety glasses purchased through the Company.
(2) Each employee will receive a maximum allowance of $200 per year on
the purchase of safety shoes purchased through the Company-sponsored system.

The Table Talk will be archived at www.usw-608.com. 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.

The Table Talk will be archived at www.usw-608.com. 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.