2010 Issue #16                                                                                         August

BARGAINING UPDATE

   This week we met with the company and exchanged agendas and have gone over a few non-economic items with some movement in some areas.  We have not talked on any economic issues at this time.  We will continue to move towards some type of agreement for our membership and will keep all posted with any important updates on negotiations.  The next time we will be sitting down with the Company will be August 16 for two full weeks. 

 Thanks to all the membership for your support,

Presidents John Dugger & Dennis Lebold

Please note that we will be publishing any Bargaining updates as we get them. We will do our best to keep you as informed as possible.

TEE-SHIRT DAY

  Please show your solidarity & wear your Union tee-shirt on the first day of your rotation or every Monday if you work days. These shirts are beautiful & send a nice message.

HEALTHCARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS (HRA)

            Prior to 1996, Potlatch retirees and their spouses received retiree health care for life. Typically, the plan you retired on was the one that stayed with you. During the 1996 negotiations, however, Potlatch announced they wanted out of the retiree health care business. The agreement negotiated continued retiree health care for those employees who in 1996 were at least age 55 and had ten years of service. Those who were between the ages of 40-55 and had ten years of service would receive health care until age 65, if they retired early. Those who were below the ages of 40 would not receive or be able to purchase the Potlatch medical plan once they retired.

            To help with retirement medical costs, HRA’s were negotiated and set up in each employee’s name. Starting in 1996, the company contributed 45 cents per hour for the first 2,200 hours. The employees’ contribution started at 10 cents per hour, for the first 2,200 hours worked, and was gradually stepped up to 30 cents per hour, pre-tax.

            During the 2002 negotiations the company said they needed a $5 million giveback to help the company stay afloat during an economic recession brought on by the” dot-com” bubble burst and 9/11. We agreed to make those concessions, which were detailed in Table Talk, issue #9.

            Toward the end of those negotiations when the value of all our concessions was added up, it was discovered our givebacks added up to $6 million, not $5 million. We asked for the million back, which lead to a lengthy discussion of how to give that money back. The company wanted to give it back in the form of across the board raises for CPD employees only. In return, the company wanted to prevent employees from bidding between divisions.

            The Locals rejected this plan, saying they believed it would ultimately divide the two unions. Eventually, the two sides agreed that the money would come back in the form of HRA contributions. Initially, the company agreed to set aside $1.46 for each hour worked by CPD employees in an account. At the end of each quarter, that amount is divided by the number of hourly employees at IPP & CPD. Each employee’s portion is then posted to his/her HRA’s.

            In 2002, by negotiated agreement, the company boosted their hourly contribution rate to $2.02 where it has remained to this day (see contract, page 93-94).

            It should also be noted that the $2.02 is not deducted from the CPD employees’ wages. This is extra money.

            What happened to the original contribution rates of 45 and 30 cents per hour? The company dropped their 45 cents per hour when the quarterly contribution plan was negotiated in 2002. Our 30 cents per hour contribution rate has been gradually increased to where it is now 38.2 cents per hour.

LABOR PICNIC

   This August 29^th will be the annual Labor Picnic. It will be held at the Nez Perce County Fair building from 11am to 7pm. Please stop by & show your solidarity & feel free to wear your Union tee-shirt. Bring your family & have dinner & fun!

SUPPORT THE BARGAINING EFFORT

   One of the best ways to show our unity is to go to your union meetings. This gets you in on the happenings at the Hall & sends a strong message to the Company that we are united.

This is what gets their attention, a unified workforce. Their strength is built on you being complacent & not taking an active role in our own union.

Let’s take this away & show them we are united & deserving of our fair share of the company we helped to build!