January 7, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We recently received a letter from our UAW International President, Rory L. Gamble informing “ALL UAW Local Unions” of the following:
“As the persistent surge of Covid-19 cases increase throughout our country, hospitals near capacity and multiple state restrictions, we are requesting that all local union meetings and events continue to be suspended until April 15, 2021, due to these Coronavirus concerns. Local union meetings may be permitted virtual using on-line meeting programs such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. In either case, approved local by-laws must be followed. We will communicate any adjustments or modifications to this policy if encouraging changes occur with the status of this pandemic.”
I will continue to distribute Choppers, attend your Employee Involvement meetings, and walk throughout our plant with Stewards and Committeemen to keep our membership up-to-date on all news related to our Local and our plant. We continue to maintain communication with our UAW International Representatives concerning any “adjustments or modifications” to our current restrictions.
Also, a reminder that Express Scripts is no longer the administrator for our Boeing Prescription Plan. As of January 1, 2021, Prime Therapeutics will administer our prescription drug benefit program. For further information regarding this change, please contact Boeing Member Services at 1-888-802-8776 (Blue Cross Blue Shield), 1-800-421-6022 (Aetna), or visit the website: www.myprime.com/boeing
Furthermore, there will be a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for this quarter in the amount of $0.09 effective January 8, 2021. The current maximum COLA amount for this unit is $0.86.
Lastly, we are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our Brother Eddie Camacho (Assembler-Sheetmetal “A,” H-47 Program) who passed away on December 17, 2020. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Please keep all of our Brothers and Sisters in your thoughts and prayers who are experiencing symptoms or illness, especially Scott Dorrin (Assembler-Sheetmetal “A”, V-22 Program) as he remains hospitalized due to the Coronavirus.
Stand United, Stay Local 1069 Strong
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi
President
UAW Local 1069
January 4, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Welcome back. We hope all is well and everyone stayed safe during the holiday season. While 2020 proved to be challenging, we look forward to 2021 being a much better year, and continue to do what we do best, build the best aircraft in the world.
However, we are very disheartened with our ongoing, downward spiral relationship with The Boeing Company. We certainly believe the UAW Local 1069 Leadership along with our Brothers and Sisters in our factory have been absolutely disrespected and obviously not recognized for the hard work we all have done throughout the years. While The Boeing Enterprise is miserably failing around the world, we here at Ridley Park/Philadelphia continue to “hit it out of the park.” We have watched and witnessed firsthand how this facility, as well as the rest of the enterprise is being mismanaged. We believe during the duration of our current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), The Company has chosen to “change the rules” and break the many agreements we have in place.
Our Table II (Single Rate) pay structure is in total shambles, which the Company agrees with, and yet they choose NOT to remedy or eliminate this disaster all together. Decisions and resolutions on all aspects of business here in Philadelphia are no longer addressed or made by ANY Boeing Leader at this site. This continues to prove detrimental to our members. In addition, poor choices are being made by The Company’s facilities senior manager who we believe is trying to totally dismantle our Maintenance (SSG) classifications, particularly our Janitorial pool, is the ultimate sign of disrespect. If it were not for this membership, this factory would run itself into the ground.
We are now in the process of communicating with representatives from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). We have chosen to file charges on a few issues, most importantly, the sub-contracting of our “Janitor” classification. In addition, we have meetings with Federal Mediators in mid-January to review the grievances. We are also preparing to take many of our issues to arbitration. Again, we are very much frustrated by how we are being treated, lack of respect, and broken agreements by The Boeing Company.
We are now less than two years away from the expiration of our current Collective Bargaining Agreement. We have been working hard for more than a year in preparation for our next CBA. We urge our Local 1069 members to start preparing for October 7, 2022.
Countdown to 10/7/22
(639 Days)
Be Prepared, Stay United
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi
President
UAW Local 1069
November 6, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Lately, we have witnessed a surge of employees being investigated by the Company, being “paraded” over to Central Medical to submit urine and breathalyzer tests (post accident/near miss), and receiving Corrective Action Memos (CAMs) for a variety of alleged infractions. The Company has investigators/fact finders on and offsite who we feel make great efforts to solidify their jobs and who are much too eager to hand out disciplinary action as if they were handing out candy. We once again urge ALL UAW Local 1069 members when participating with any of these actions to promptly request union representation. This is your right. One of us will always be readily available to accompany you when called for. All members will soon be receiving new membership cards via mail. We will also include a “Weingarten Rights” card as well. This card clearly specifies “Employee Rights During Company Interrogation.”
In addition, The Company, our customers, as well as UAW Local 1069 members are very concerned with quality and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) issues that have been in the forefront in our plant as of late. As your UAW Leadership Team walks the factory, we have seen many “undocumented” tools and shop aids being used in our shops. As of now, we speculate a good portion of these tools/aids are being made by employees in our factory who are NOT UAW Local 1069 members. These tools/aids can create many problems moving forward. Undocumented tools in our factory is certainly a FOD issue and could compromise the quality of the products we build. Also, these tools being made, are not documented, and placed out in our factory bypasses and violates our contractual job classifications listed in our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). These job classifications include Breakdown Man, Senior Machine Operator, Toolmaker, Inspector, and Material Support personnel. Please take the time to indentify these tools/aids (plastic, metal, and plaster) before using on your jobs. Tools should have an acronym (AJ, DJ, FME, MIT, etc.) followed by a tool number permanently marked on the tool or on an attached tool tag. The tool should also have a lifetime serial number, unit number, date, and inspection (buy-out) stamp. Aids should have an acronym (PA, SA, and UA) followed by the aid number permanently marked on the aid. There should also be a FOD number, program identifier, end user shop, and a “screen sticker” specifying a 90-day validation period. Please see your manager and/or a UAW representative should you have any questions or concerns regarding these types of tools/aids. Keep in mind, if you encounter a FOD or quality issue using any of these mentioned tools/aids YOU will be responsible, not the people who “secretly” fabricated and distributed these tools/aids into our shops.
Lastly, we are still watching the state’s imposed mandates (COVID-19) to try and determine when we once again can resume our General Membership meetings. As most of you are aware of, myself, along with some of my Leadership Team have been coming to your E.I. meetings to provide information that we would normally provide at our membership meetings. We will continue this practice as to keep all members informed of all new developments in our plant and at your union hall.
NOTE: Please review your “2021 Annual Enrollment” benefits brochure you should have received at your home. Express Scripts will no longer administer our prescription plan. The new administrator of our prescription plan will be Prime Therapeutics. We urge you to please review this entire package thoroughly. This change and if you decide to make additional changes to your health coverage will take effect January 1, 2021. Remember to complete your health screening and assessment.
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi, President
UAW Local 1069
