Secrecy

[Buzz]

Don't worry ... we got 'em right where we want 'em!! 

[Buzz]

Surprise! Another [small] SNAFU. Should be signed tomorrow and we should hear what the main components of the contract are. However, we won't see the MOA until next Wednesday as Michael and a couple of others will be up in Albany pushing for the EPP. (I'm told Neil was there yesterday ... in favor.) He wants for himself and all delegates to be around when the MOA is distributed to answer any questions.

[PROUD MEMBER]

I hate to say it but I'm gonna. When I asked for his presence at the Strike Vote in case I had questions I was told it wasn't warranted. Just give us the copies of the MOA now do we can read it thoroughly and then next week Michael can come it and answer questions that we are prepared to ask. PS: Now all of a sudden we need Michael. For the past 2 years it was ask Ernie which is fine with me. Obviously Michael must think the contract is pretty good if al of a sudden he wants to come to Pioneer.

[Buzz]

Obviously Michael must think the contract is pretty good if al of a sudden he wants to come to Pioneer.

I didn't say or mean to imply that he was coming to Pioneer, just as every delegate won't be "here" ... at Pioneer (ours probably will be). I just said he wants to be "around" ... which would include union HQ.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Thanks for the info Buzz but in my opinion it makes no sense. What is the difference if Michael is in Long Island or Albany? When 800 of us are handed the MOA is Michael going to answer the phone for one of us let alone all of us? In my opinion if the MOA is a done deal give it to us NOW. This way we can read it thoroughly and get our thoughts & questions together. Instead of coming in at 5:30 in the morning and being handed it and being expected to read it, ask questions, have a detailed discussion all within 10 or 15 minutes before our morning run. Is Vinny & Robin going to be here? If so will they be here from 5 to 5 so the majority of Members can discuss our futures? I voted for Michael twice, I stand behind Ernie all the time and it always seems that when it comes to the REAL IMPORTANT matters it's always laxed and then rushed. If it's a done deal stop the BS and give us a copy NOW! Furthermore for the last two years at the yard and on this site it has repeatedly been said we at Pioneer don't need to hear from Michael or our Delegates because we have Ernie and he can answer anything that they can. What's the problem now our Shop Steward can't handle this? I doubt that, he probably can handle just as good if not better!

[PROUD MEMBER]

PS: The bottom line is why tell Members who took a substantial loss in their last contract (a contract that ended 7 months ago) that a new contract has been agreed upon and is ready to be reviewed by the Members but the Members have to wait another week to see it? Here's plain English give me an F'n Break! This is the one time I want to be lied to. We waited this long. Why tell me it's ready but I can't see it? When you're ready to put it before us that's when you do it! What are we little kids?

[Buzz]

I think the point is that if delegates or shop stewards are asked questions about which they need to consult Michael, he wants to be accessible.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Thanks Buzz
Your answer is to some extent understandable but my main point is if it's ready give it to us now and then Michael, Vinny, Ernie or Jesus himself can answer the questions next week!

[Buzz]

I know ... and I agree.

[Buzz]

Sorry to say, but no signing again today. Contractors' lawyers keep slipping wording into the contract that is other than what was agreed upon and Michael catches it. Why they're playing games at this point, I don't know, but we're not going to be sitting still for it much longer. (And if it were up to Ernie, it wouldn't have gone on this long without consequences.)

[yabba]

at what point will the long island guys take a stand and stop this nonsense ... 

[Buzz]

at what point will the long island guys take a stand and stop this nonsense ... 

On one hand I agree with you. On the other hand, something tells me we'd better keep our powder dry until after we finally find out what's in that contract ... we may need it.

[yabba]

true 

[PROUD MEMBER]

Now that the Super Bowl Pool and the Holiday is just about come & gone has anyone heard anything as to where we are in contract negotiations?

[Buzz]

Negotiations have been over for a while. The agreement was supposed to have been signed virtually every day of last week, but there was always a last minute fly in the ointment. I heard tomorrow is the next signing date. Could happen but I wouldn't bet any money on it.