Round 1 is Over
With your Negotiations Committee proudly announcing that we have reached a Tentative Agreement on the non-economic portion of the 2023 negotiations, let’s go through a summary of events.
Our Negotiating team began pushing hard on Day 1, the 28th of November, by passing our first Non-Economic Proposal to the company. They than began to finish settling grievances while expecting Lockheed’s first counter the next day.
On Day 2, We saw positive gains. Lockheed agreed that double jeopardy will not continue for attendance violations, but failed to pass their first counter. In the simplest terms for double jeopardy, the company was giving people two write ups for a single incident. The first for the attendance issue itself, (Ex. no call no show.) Then a second write up for misconduct of not calling in on time, two write ups for the same infraction… Double jeopardy.
Day 3, We received our first counter proposal. We had reached several tentative agreements and your Committee would be working into the night to respond to the company’s first counter proposal. At that point, talks appear to be going in a positive direction.
Day 4, We have passed back several non-economic counterproposals to the Company and had again made significant progress by achieving nineteen tentative agreements. Talks continued to be moving in a positive direction, but the Lockheed would be unable to make further responses until Monday. Week 1 came to an end with your committee will be working through the weekend on drafting counterproposals to be in a strong position to respond to the Company.
Day 5, While the previous week moved in a positive direction, Day 5 took a turn for the worst. The Company had taken many positions that are extremely damaging to our membership. 1st and foremost, Lockheed proposed to have the ability to implement any schedule they see fit with no regards to the Union. Next, they wanted to allow the use of non-union personnel including managers and contractors to do our work.
Day 6, 7, and 8 didn’t bring any progress updates as we continued to hash out the damaging position taken by Lockheed.
“Flexibility”; what does that mean? The Company’s proposals tell you what their definition is, which is taking away your seniority and having subcontractors, managers, and temporary workers do your work. We are responsible for the Company’s success, yet their proposals suggest otherwise.
Day 9 brought our view of the company to another word, Disingenuous. Your negotiating team was working in good faith with the Company and proposed language consistent with the MOA we voted on just a few months ago. On day 9, the Company declined the principles of that MOA and instead inserted those principles of that language into a preference bid making a placement request more difficult for you to attain. It became clear that the Company intended to erode your earned rights with empty words. Lockheed continued their roll with an agenda to outsource your work, utilizing outside contractors, and temporary agencies. This brought the week to an end.
Worked long and hard through the weekend drafting proposals and coming up with language to combat the disadvantageous proposals made by Lockheed, your committee came into Day 10. Your committee passed proposals to the Company that would mitigate the outsourcing your work to subcontractors or anyone else that’s outside the bargaining unit. Additionally, they passed proposals regarding discipline, attendance, seniority and bid periods. They then scheduled to reconvene with the Company the next morning having taken an offensive position in the battle to defend your rights.
On Day 11, December 13, yesterday’s update at the time of writing this, Your Committee announced that we have reached a Tentative Agreement on the non-economic portion of the 2023 negotiations. Through many hard-fought battles, your committee was able to corral the Company’s ability to subcontract your work. Other notable gains were achieved in the attendance policy, disciplinary policy and seniority rights. After numerous heated exchanges with the company your committee was able to improve the bid periods/processes.
Your Negotiating Committee is now back at work and getting ready for round 2 next month where they intend to tackle job inequities studies and job description revisions.
Another important note is that if you have questions or wish to discuss negotiations with your committee, they will be at December’s 2nd shift meeting next week on Wednesday the 21st. They will also be at January’s Day Shifts meeting next month on January 4th. Please make it to the meetings if you have questions.
