Newsletter Editor – Ruby BrewerVolume 7, Issue 1 JULY, 2011

LOCAL 7655

InsIde The UnIonInsIde The UnIon

InsIde thIs Issue:

2011 Scholarship Winners Best Wishes to Our RetireesCongratulations Graduates!

A Reason To Come To Work EverydayWomen of SteelUnion Rights

Spend Your Money Wisely USW Political Action CommitteeWork While It’s Day

Our SympathyIt’s Yours

SUPPORT YOUR UNION . . . JOIN TODAY!

From The Vice President

Hello Brothers and Sisters of Local 7655,

I just want to let you know that it has been an honor and privilege serving as the Vice President of one the most respected Local Unions in District 9. I want to take the time out to let you know that this local wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for people like you. I also would like to welcome back all of the employees that have been laid off since 2007. Your recall rights was just one of the contract proposals our great team fought for during our 2009 negotiations. I want to encourage all non-union members to become a member of Local 7655. Carrier Collierville is now ACE Gold, so keep in mind of what that means and pray that by making that huge accomplishment it brings more business our way. Let’s work together and make things happen so that other brothers and sisters can return to work, seeing how the economy is continuing to rise and the housing industry is getting better.

In closing, I am looking forward to serving many years in this union. We should always continue to be consistent in what we do, come to work everyday, say something good about our union, be safe, and always be blessed.

In Solidarity,

– CORTNEY “SID” CANNON

From The President’s DeskGreetings fellow Union brothers and sisters,

I would like to take this opportunity to cover several topics of importance with the membership. First, I would like to express my happiness of seeing Assembly Line 3 return to production with more than 120 employees returning from layoff filling those positions. It has been several years since Assembly Line 3 has run production and most of the employees recalled have been laid off since that same timeframe. Most of the employees returned to work covered under the agreement reached during the 2009 negotiations of employees laid off

more than 3 years having extended recall rights. The extended recall rights allowed the employees to return to work with Seniority, Vacation Pay, plus years of service with the company.

AttendanceI would like to remind

employees to always be mindful of their attendance

points. It is just as important that we make responsible decisions to come to work each possible day. There is always competition inside and outside the company trying to take production out of this plant, always stating that they can make it cheaper and or better. It is always incumbent upon us all to secure our jobs the best that we can.

FMLAIf you have an FMLA

always be mindful of what you can or cannot do as covered under your FMLA as stated by your physician. Also, it is always important to keep a record of when your FMLA expires and to keep copies of your FMLA excuses.

Negotiations 2012Our current contract

expires November 2012, and we should be

making preparation for it is always the memberships support that always makes the difference in a successful

contract. Prior to negotiations we will make contract proposal forms available to the membership for proposal suggestions.

Saving Plan/401kI would like to encourage

everyone to enroll in the 401k Plan. Employees can

currently place anywhere from $2 to $50 a week and have it matched by the company at a rate of fifty percent of employees weekly contributions. Call 1800-243-8135 to enroll.

Picnic 2011Last year we tried

something different of having a Picnic instead of the Christmas Party and it turned out great so we will be trying the same thing again this year. It will take place on Lagoshen’s Church grounds located at 490 Lagoshen Drive on Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

*Laid off members and their families are invited.

In Solidarity,

– WIllIAm E. JONES

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United Steelworkers Local 7655

2011 Scholarship Winners

It is with great honor to announce the Local 7655 Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes the children of our members advancing into or through the college level. Each applicant writes a brief essay about themselves, outlining their school/community activities and experiences shared of having a parent belonging to a Union. So I ask that you join me in congratulating these 13 recipients to receive the Local 7655 Scholarship. Again, I say congratulations and hope that it will help each of you in your educational and life adventures.

William E. Jones, President

Jaleesa BladeUniversity of Tennessee

at Martin

Sierra JohnsonWiley College

Bria SwiftUniversity of Memphis

Heather BergloffChristian Brothers

University

Kianah WicksNorthwest Community

College

Alisha GrandberryMiddle Tennessee State University

Corshay BradleyUniversity of Memphis

Rosalyn PeniltonNorthwest Community

College

Chertivia PerryTennessee State

University

Demario GrandberryUniversity of Tennessee

at Martin

Robert Penilton IINorthwest Community

College

Tarondal PhilipsUniversity of Memphis

Darius BradleyMississippi ValleyState University

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Best Wishes to Our Retirees!

BETTY ALLEN CAROLYN CARPENTER

GLORIA CAMPBELL

JOHN MORRIS

PATRICK WALTON MELVIN WATKINS

HENRY TYNES

LUCY DEAN

FRANK ARNETT

Local 7655 would like to wish all of our retirees the best as they start the next part of their journey in life -- Retirement! Thanks for all of your hard work, dedication and many, many years of service to Local 7655 and United Technologies Carrier. May God bless each and every one of you in your retirement!

NOT PICTURED:JOHNNY BROWN and CLEMMIE WILSON

JAMES PARKER

MARY FOSSETT

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Darius BradleyDaughter ofVera LoganKirby H. S.

Plans to attendmississippi ValleyState University

Kianah WicksDaughter of

Caronda WicksCenterhill H. S.Plans to attend

Northwest Comm. College

Graduates (cont’d)!

Ashley WilliamsDaughter of

Arthur WilliamsSouthwind H. S.Plans to attend

University of memphis

Tanjala MackDaughter of

Georgia Boyce BaskinA.A.S.from

National College of Business

Racquel Spencer, M.D.Wife of

Carlos Spencerfrom

University of TennesseeCollege of Medicine

Local 7655 and the newsletter committee would like to congratulate the 2011 high school and college graduates! May God bless you as you continue your journey through life. Always remember to put God first and he will direct your path.

A Reason To Come To Work EverydayReprinted from: www.usw.org

This is a very important reason to come to work everyday and on time. USW expresses disappointment in announced closing of Goodyear Tire’s Union City, Tennessee plant. According to USW International President Leo W. Gerard, “We are very angered by the company’s announcement yesterday to close its Union City, Tenn. facility

The United Steelworkers (USW) said it was very disappointed to learn that Goodyear Tire issued a WARN notice to its members at Local 878L, informing them that their services would no longer be needed at the Union City, Tenn. facility scheduled for shutdown. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 (WARN Act) is a U.S. labor law which requires most employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 calendar-day advance notification of plant closings and mass layoffs of employees.

According to Gerard, “The harm being done over the years by our government’s inaction and manufacturers’ ongoing deindustrialization of the economy is relentless. Unfortunately, nothing we can say minimizes the impact this decision has on the lives of our members who work there, their families and the community. But we will continue to fight to help them in this tragic situation.”

“We did our best to keep this plant running, but the flood of subsidized foreign product in the marketplace and our stagnant domestic economy were too much to overcome,” said USW International Vice President Tom Conway, who heads the union’s bargaining committee with Goodyear. “Our success in winning a 421 trade case in September 2009 probably provided the plant with two more years of life it otherwise might not have had.” For complete article, visit www.usw.org

A Salute To Wilmar BuckleyMs. Wilmar Buckley has three children and ten grandchildren. She is a member of

Mt. Olive #1 in Fisherville, where she works faithfully as the President of the Usher Board, and she is also the Sunday School Secretary.

What advice would you give to the working women of today’s society? Do the best that you can do on the job, dress appropriately, and treat others as you want to be treated.

How long have you been a Union member and what classifications have you held? I have been a faithful worker and union member at Carrier for 33 years. I have worked as: PTC, Inspector “B”, Run Test Operator, Run Test Audit, Lead B, Lead A Press and Lead Assembly.

Her Legacy Words: Join the Union because in the work force, we as a whole need some help, when troubles arise, we have someone to help us.

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Union riGhtSTake a minute to determine if you are working beside someone that is not in the Union, because

without a Union the workers do not have a voice. Tennessee is a right to work state meaning that the company can hire and fire you at will without any cause and by Tennessee Law there is nothing you can do about it. The Union contract supersedes the law of the state of Tennessee. The company has to abide with the contract and the Union member has a right to Union Representation throughout the grievance procedure.

As you can see the company is tightening up on the employees and putting more work on hourly employees without a fair time study. The Supervisors are standing over the workers and pushing them like they did 43 years ago before we had a Union. If we don’t Unite and Stand together, the company will take back the things that we negotiated through bargaining over the last 43 years.

The Union negotiates the contract every 3 years and have made some big improvements in wages per hours, pension, saving plans, vacation days, bereavement, holiday pay and many others just for being a member of the United Steelworkers Union.

You can not tell me that this local doesn’t do a good job in representing its members. Just talk to someone from a company without a Union. They will tell you what they would give just to have Union Representation because of the conditions such as no insurance, no breaks, no retirement plan, harsh treatments and sometimes being fired without any justification. We have people from other company’s calling us asking how they can get a Union in their place of employment.

The Union has been successful through the Grievance procedure and getting employees problems solved. If you are having a problem or complaint, feel free to talk to your shop steward or myself. I will be glad to assist you in any way.

– lINWOOD DIllARD, Chief Steward, Fabrication

Spend Your Money WiselyWelcome back to all of the employees that were laid off. You can give thanks to the bargain committee

2009 because if we hadn’t got the three year extension you guys would have been terminated in July 2010. Since you are back please take advantage of the 401k, you can deposit $50.00 a week unmatched and the company will match it with $25.00, or you can deposit $90.00 a week unmatched. To all the employees that have FMLA, if you don’t understand something about it please check with Human Resources or the Union. You have rights and responsibilities, it is your job to keep up with your FMLA hours and when your FMLA expire. Keep in mind that some changes were made under President Bush adm. 1-16-2009 regulation (825.215) (c) (2) perfect attendance and production bonuses if the employee has not met the goal due to FMLA then payment can be denied. New regulation (825-2051) when an employee misses overtime work due to FMLA the overtime will be counted against the employee FMLA allotment. New regulation (825-115) Serious Health Condition - the employee must visit the doctor two times within seven days of the first day of incapacity and must see the doctor twice a year. Any changes made in the FMLA policy requires the employer to give a sixty day notice. These are just a few of the changes in the FMLA. Lastly, the contract expires in 2012, so get your minds together. Please come to work everyday and on time in order for us to stay competitive in the market place.

– mO JOHNSON, Chief Steward F/A

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Editorial Policy – The editor reserves the right to determine whether material submitted for the “inside the Union” shall be printed, and reserves the right to edit as needed for space, libelous statements or personal, unwarranted attacks. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the editor or officers of the United Steelworkers and local 7655.

Wear Your T-Shirts Every Wednesday To Show Solidarity and Unity! newsletter CommitteeRuby Brewer ...................... Editor

Henry Albright, Lisa Gulledge, and Caronda Wicks

usW Political Action Committee“Forty-three years ago, on April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was

assassinated in Memphis, where he stood with sanitation workers demanding their dream. Their dream was “The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life”.

Today, around the nation, we are fighting to keep Dr. King’s dream alive as we continue to fight for economic and social justice. While the ultra-rich and big corporation gets tax breaks, working families are being hit with anti-union legislation in several states the elimination of collective bargaining, and big cuts to education, transportation, and other essential programs.

“We’re not just fighting for a voice on the job, but also for an economy that is equitable for all Union – and in particular our union – is the last line of defense against the renegade corporate greed and power that are threatening these rights”, said International President Leo W. Gerard. “The dream Dr. King died for is at risk and it’s up to us to keep fighting to keep it alive.” “USW@Work”

In every state, steelworkers are leading the fight back against corporate-funded politicians who are trying to bust unions while cutting education, healthcare, benefits for the sick and disabled and theirs priorities as they give tax breaks to their rich friends.

We have witnessed Wisconsin and Tennessee aim legislation toward taking away bargaining rights of public employees. We need to fight together to demand that our government protect the right of public employees and all workers.

I would like to thank all members who contribute to the USW’s PAC. These funds are voluntary by Federal law and are used to support labor friendly candidate and their initiatives.

We are asking our members to contribute at least $1.00 per week, and if you’re already contributing consider raising your donation by at least .50 cents weekly.

Anyone needing to register to vote or know of someone, please see me or your shop steward for a form. Also, anyone interested in joining USW Political Action Committee, please see Wilmar Buckley or myself.

– DEBRA DANIEl

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Each day of our lives is like a blank check,God gives with the intent --within the next 24 hours,our time will be well spent.

Imprinted on each check,is today’s date.So don’t try to cash it tomorrow,for it will be too late.

UNIONMEETINGSCome to support

your local and get the facts - not rumors. You will also have the opportunity to get any answers to questions that you may have!!!

The president and staff will be there to address your concerns. Come join us every third Wednesday. Refreshments will be provided.

With Deep SympathyWe were all sadened

to hear of the passing of our fellow Union brother, Earl “Big Earl” Young.

We will continue to keep his family in our prayers, for he will be truly missed.

Work While It’s DayOn the pay to the order line,each name is addressed.Because it’s signed in the name of Jesus,he can handle any need or request.

Each check has a number,representing our days are numbered too.You see, God is keeping a record of --everything we do.

So, work while it is day,make it one of your top concerns.And you will have no regrets,when the Lord returns!

Submitted By: Laverne McKinnie / Written By: Ilene Rowser

IT’s YOuRsIt’s Your Game . . . Win It

It’s Your Dream . . . Interpret ItIt’s Your Ship . . . Steer It

It’s Your Image . . . Capture ItIt’s Your Road . . . Travel ItIt’s Your Role . . . Play It

It’s Your Choice . . . Choose ItIt’s Your Case . . . Defend ItIt’s Your Journey . . . Lead It

It’s Your Decision . . . Make ItIt’s Your Turn . . . Take ItIt’s Your Story . . . Tell It

It’s Your Tongue . . . Tame ItIt’s Your Attitude . . . Adjust It

It’s Your Gift . . . Master ItIt’s Your Mountain . . . Climb ItIt’s Your Battle . . . Conquer It

It’s Your Goal . . . Reach ItIt’s Your War . . . Win It

It’s Your House . . . Rule ItIt’s Your Blessing . . . Accept It

It’s Your Sin . . . Confess ItIt’s Your Spirit . . . Lift It

It’s Your Future . . . Seize ItIt’s Your Life . . . Live ItIt’s Your Soul . . . Save It

Written By: Virginia Strickland