Teamster Local 877 News

In one year’s time, we have negotiated successor Collective Bargaining Agreements for all four Bargaining Units in Local 877. Each negotiation was uniquely challenging and our Bargaining Committees were up for the battles. Each of these agreements brings to the respective membership significant contract language enhancements with no retrogression, and the National Oil Bargaining Pattern for wage increases, not a small feat in these troubling economic times.

Thanks to all who came out to honor our Retirees on September 25. Over 40 honored guests including past President and Charter 877 Member Russell Harris were cheered on by 100 active members. Good times were had by all. Special thanks to Ed Burns and Doug Peabody for putting together such a successful event. Our entertainment committee is busy planning our 40th Anniversary party to be held in the summer of 2010. This Local 877 Unity Day promises to be a big event. All members, active and retired, along with their families will be invited. More info to follow.

All members are invited to participate in the Seaside Heights Columbus Day Parade October 11, 2009. We will be lining up at 12pm on Avenue L and Bayside. Food and refreshments will be provided at the Hershey Hotel after the parade. Teamster Joint Council 73 and Local 877 have been active in this annual event for many years. Bring the family along as marchers or spectators, it’s a blast.

Monthly meetings are held according to the following schedule: Executive Board meets first Monday of the month, Shop Stewards meet second Tuesday, General Membership Meeting on third Wednesday. A full agenda is posted prior to the GMM on our website, IBT877.com.

Short Report by Bargaining Unit

ConocoPhillips

We have made great strides in improving our working relationship with Management, and both sides have realized significant gains as a result. These gains are almost overshadowed by some very contentious issues, as cross training and unmanning of operating units are at the forefront in the refinery. These actions by management have caused an inordinate amount of grievances and we spend a lot of time fighting these cost cutting moves; time we could be spending working proactively to improve working conditions and addressing safety concerns. In many cases, the company is covering for the carelessness of their low level supervisors during grievances. This perpetuates problems that should be resolved. We continue to have discussions with management regarding unmanning MVR, relocating FGBW personnel resulting in hindering response, and other similar issues that we are vehemently opposed to. On a brighter note, we had meetings with OSHA and Management regarding VPP and we are trying to address the obstacles to such a partnership. Our involvement in VPP would dramatically improve conditions in the refinery granted both sides are genuine and responsible partners. Polypropylene has seen some improvement thanks to the diligence of the membership and shop stewards and a budding relationship with management. We are currently focusing on making the Joint Health and Safety Committee a high functioning working group. We have a lot of work in front of us as we try to put our finger on the problems with the safety culture in the refinery, as what we see and what we hear don’t always seem to coincide. 

Infineum Linden Business and Technology Center

Contract negotiations went well. New language giving the membership added protections while defining and protecting our work and more definitive seniority language are highlights. Certain contentious issues of the 2009 Negotiations are still being discussed. Management and the Union agreed to post bargaining commitments with a view to discuss some very important issues left unresolved. The Union leadership heard it loud and clear from the membership about the unjust disparity in regard to Safety Bonus payouts; management gets a hefty bonus for our excellent safety performance. We are having productive discussions on this important issue. Another significant issue is enhancing our Lab Tech jobs. During our LTBC contract negotiations the Union and Company agreed to form a Partnership Committee in hopes we can work together to improve our member’s situations. Discussions with Management continue on possible dates and participants for this very important initial Committee meeting. The uprate issue remains contentious. The Union is seeking to negotiate a fair agreement which protects our members’ rights and at the same time does not hinder their ability to advance. We hope Management will see the advantages to using the tried and true up-rate protocol from LBTC and Bayway and not hinder our member’s rights at LTBC. 

Infineum Bayway

Congratulations to the many new retirees effective September 29, 2009. Many Infineum employees, both wage and management, have chosen to take advantage of a favorable 
interest rate and get out while the getting is good. As many as thirty two (wage and management LBTC and Bayway) may be retiring due to a jump in the 30 Year Treasury Bill rates that have an effect on the lump sum distribution. We are concerned at the impact this will have on the membership, as we are already understaffed. We are having discussions with management regarding same. The changes in HR appear to be deeper than just new names and faces, there appears to be an unfavorable philosophical change as well. October will bring us our first arbitration in over 10 years for an unjust termination. 

BP Air Turbo Oil

Arbitration has been scheduled for a termination for safety violations. We find this behavior by management reprehensible, and expect a reasonable resolution from an impartial arbitrator.

For The Executive Board,

Doc