November 2009 Golden Lodge News

Volume 56, No. 10

November 2009

New agreement ratified 1,320-280 Pact rolls-in COLA, increases wages last three years of agreement By Chris Tunney Associate Editor Ratified and Satisfied On a windy fall day, 1,600 of our 2,200 plus membership trekked out to the McKinley Room at the Canton Civic Center, Sunday, November 1, 2009 to exercise their right to vote on the newly proposed 2009 Basic Labor Agreement.

Opening up the process at 7:30 a.m, our negotiating team, union leadership, and dedicated volunteers, began their long day’s work. Two informational meetings were held at 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., to explain the provisions and address any questions or concerns that interested brothers and sisters would have. Closing the doors promptly at 6:30 p.m., ended the voting, and

began the counting. Final results, with approximately 73% of eligible members voting, had the proposed agreement passing overwhelmingly. The tally showed that 1,320 voted to accept the new agreement, with 280 rejecting. That represented 83% to accept. Marty Kirsch, HSP Controller, felt that “for the economic times, this was a great contract.” He then added that many people in our community are receiving cuts. HSP Machinist, Dan Kieffer, simply said, “”It’s better than what I expected.” HSP Processor, Ron Benamati told the committee, “The new proposal had some very good points. (Continued on Page 2)

Nearly 400 members in the McKinley Room at the Canton Civic Center November 1 hear from the Golden Lodge Negotiating Committee and ask questions about the tentative four-year agreement.

....ratification (Continued from Page 1) The negotiating team worked very hard, however, the new hire language would affect us down the road.” RPP Maintainer Frank Cirone, thought it was an “okay” agreement, and that “we can’t please everyone.”

Retirees lump sum payment will come from pension fund No Social Security, Medicare or city taxes will be deducted Joe Hoagland President

Calvin Davis, from FSP, also said it was a good deal. “I agree with the negotiators,” he said Congratulations to President Joe Hoagland, Vice President Paul Muller, Staff Representative Joe Holcomb, District 1 Director Dave McCall and Sub District Director Dennis Brommer, and especially to our dedicated Negotiating Committee, who tirelessly labored on our behalf to reach this successful agreement in these troubled times. The division negotiators included: Mike Poole; Gamb Steel, Bill Webler; Harrison Steel, Ron Roberts; Faircrest Steel, Bill Crawford; Gamb Bearing/RPP, and Bob Seward; Canton Bearing. We can now all relax, and move forward to reap the benefits of our new contract. We can, and should, hold our heads high, as all of our Union Brothers and Sisters, working together, stronger, smarter, and safely move towards the goal of a better tomorrow for everyone. This is a very proud moment in our local’s history. “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” Plato must have been a Steelworker too. 2

We have an agreement on a new contract. The new Basic Labor Agreement took effect November 1 and will expire at 12:01 a.m., September 30, 2013. The new S.U.B., 401(k), Insurance and Pension agreements start January 1, 2010 and expire on December 31, 2013. Two exceptions to the above are retiree healthcare and the $5,000 lump sum payment. The changes in retiree healthcare will start January 1, 2011 and only those members who retire on or after January 1, 2011 will be affected. The $5,000 lump sum payment became effective November 1, and will be available to any member who retires before January 1, 2014. Lump sum payment comes from pension fund Regarding the $5,000 payment, I was asked a question at the afternoon ratification meeting as to whether this money came from the pension fund. I answered that I felt (and the rest of the Bargaining Committee agreed), it was a payment from some other source.

We all felt that since the Company was adamant about not increasing pension funding costs, that it would not be coming from the pension fund. So much for assumptions. The $5,000 lump sum payment for retirees will come from the pension fund. This means there will be no deductions for Social Security or Medicare tax or for City taxes (if you reside within the city limits). If you are under age 55 when you retire, there will be a 10% federal income tax penalty since this is a lump sum distribution from the pension fund. Healthcare benefits extended three months Another area I want to explain is the extended healthcare benefits (three months) for anyone on layoff who has, or will, exhaust their Company-paid healthcare. If your benefits are about to run out, the additional three months will tag right on to the end automatically. If your Companypaid benefits have expired and you elected to continue benefits with the Company at your own expense (COBRA), you will be converted back to Company-paid benefits effective December 1, 2009. For those whose benefits have expired and did not elect to continue Company health benefits at their own expense, the Company November 2009

will contact you by the end of November and offer the opportunity to re-enroll in Timken benefits for an additional three months. You will be asked to make that decision by no later than December 31, 2009, with the Company-paid extension becoming effective February 1, 2010. Many “thanks” to the members who volunteered to count votes and work the check-in tables at the Civic Center. For many of you, it was a very long day. Also, I would be remiss if I did not thank all members for your continued patience and support during the negotiating process. So, from the entire Bargaining Committee, “we thank you.” We arbitrated the case concerning supervision and salary doing our work on October 28. The Company maintained their stance that no saleable product was produced and that they were operating their equipment. We held fast to our position that the work is ours to perform and the equipment, as defined in our job descriptions, should be op-

erated by bargaining unit employees. It was a proud, and to me, historic day as four past presidents of Golden Lodge testified in the proceedings. “Thank you” to Joe Kostic, Art Maurer, Stan Jasionowski and Randy Feemster. A decision on the case should arrive around midJanuary. We also had an arbitration concerning the 500 hour security payment at Harrison Steel. The facts of the case went undisputed by either party. The sole issue is what makes up a month when the language calls for a 13-week quarter and the quarter starts approximately one week into the month. This arbitrator’s decision is expected sometime in January, also. If you are working voluntary overtime and there are members laid off in your occupation or department, consider how you would feel if the roles were reversed. I know as Americans, we have been taught to better ourselves and

GOLDEN LODGE NEWS GOLDEN LODGE NEWS STAFF Tom Sponhour, Editor Joe Hoagland, Managing Editor Ron Roberts, Associate Editor Chris Tunney, Associate Editor

LOCAL 1123 OFFICERS Joe Hoagland, President Paul Muller, Vice President Pat Eslich, Recording Secretary Greg Cushman, Financial Secretary Kathy Boyd, Treasurer James Schweitzer, Trustee Susie Camper, Trustee Keith Strobelt, Trustee Paul McKenzie, Guide Bill Webler, Outside Guard Bob Seward, Inside Guard Published monthly, except July, by the United Steelworkers, Golden Lodge Local 1123, AFL-CIO, in the interest of its members and to further the aims and programs of the Union. USW Local 1123 represents bargaining unit workers at the Canton, Gambrinus, and Faircrest plants of The Timken Company. USW Golden Lodge Local 1123 1234 Harrison Ave. S.W. Canton, OH 44706 (330) 454-6137 Fax (330) 454-3461 Email - [email protected]

our station in life through hard work. How about if we make this a better America by caring about our brothers and sisters?

Surviving Spouse Lump Sum Payments It was agreed during negotiations for the 2009 labor agreements to continue the special annual lump sum payments to surviving spouses. The payments will be made in September, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 to surviving spouses of employees who retired prior to January 1, 1994.

November 2009

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Don’t wait too long to ask for financial advice Call 211 to get recommendations Paul Muller Vice President

As much as we wish the economy were fixed, I am sure we are all very aware that it will be a long haul back. At some point, I honestly believe we will return to prosperous times. I am happy that we were able to negotiate extended S.U.B benefits and an extension to the health insurance for those who are near or have run out of health insurance. I do not intend to do a rundown of the contract here, but rather talk a little about some of the things that should be done while waiting to get called back. One of the hardest things to do is admit to someone when we start

running into financial difficulties due to unemployment. Often times we wait until we are buried to seek out help. For those with mortgages, car payments, and credit card debit, we need to call and make terms BEFORE the phone starts ringing, or the mailings start coming, or the threats start piling up. I realize not all institutions are easy to deal with, but in these unusual times, they would much rather deal, than have someone bailout on a mortgage or loan. So the quicker we react in being up front, or trying to make livable terms with a lender, the better the chance of survival through this. Do it early enough and you may find a lender willing to deal with your honesty. We have had a few people call to say they are running out of un-

employment. Be sure to check into any extensions. If somehow you unfortunately got into overwhelming debt, check into some of the Credit Counseling offered in the community. It is a way to help protect your credit rating, while taking care of getting back on track. The Untied Way 211 number operators can help you with your needs by recommending agencies that may be of help to you in difficult times. There are churches that offer food sales and at reduced prices that can save you money on your food needs. Doing something as quickly as you can may save you huge amounts of grief in the long run. Union Plus offers a “Save My Home Hotline, that offers free counseling to union members worried about their homes. That number is 866-490-5361, or on the Web at Union Plus.org/SaveMy Home, they also offer a series of credit counseling services. The number for that is 877-833-1745 or by visiting: UnionPlus.org/ CreditCouseling. Remember you can check your credit report once annually for free at: annual creditreport.com.

Volunteer tellers count the ballots after the Information & Ratification meetings November 1 at the Canton Civic Center. The tentative agreement was ratified by a count of 1,320 - 280.

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Hopefully, things will turn around soon and we can all get back to earning the living we want for our families. November 2009

Injuries don’t stop member from voting on new contract The highlight of the busy afternoon of the ratification meeting was the addition of a very strong and dedicated individual, who made the strenuous effort to exercise his right to vote. Rick Riffle, who was severely injured on the job last January, accompanied with his loving wife, Connie, having just returned from arm surgery Wednesday, drove to the meeting to attend the afternoon session. Having lost his job at the Hoover Company after over 28 years of service, he had only been

Connie beamed,” He is my hero, for being able to survive something like that.”

Rick Riffle casts his vote on the tentative agreement at the Canton Civic Center. Rick was severely injured on the job in January at the Gamb Steel Plant.

employed by Timken for 15 months when his accident happened. What was his opinion of the proposed agreement? “Pretty good, considering this economy.”

Time to sign-up or re-sign for Shift Preference Under provisions of the new 2009 Basic Labor Agreement, everyone must sign-up again if they wish to remain on the shift preference list. The dates to sign-up or re-sign for the new shift preference lists is November 16-30, 2009. You may file a written application for assignment to a shift or shifts that is different from what you are now working. This application will remain in effect as long as you remain on your current occupation. (But no longer than the 2009 Basic Labor Agreement.) After the first sign up period, shift preference will remain the same as before. For the fifteen day periods after May 15 and November 15, you are able to apply for assignment to a different shift on the occupation that you are working. Your name is removed if you leave the occupation. If you transfer into another occupation, you will be placed at the bottom of the shift preference list for six months. After six months, your name will be arranged on the list on the basis of continuous service. You may at any time request that your name be removed from the list. When a new shift is created, the vacancies will be filled by canvassing, on the basis of continuous service, in the occupation for which the new shift is being created. November 2009

A vision of inspiration, Rick attended the informational meeting, clearly interested in what is happening for our membership.

She added that Rick just wants to be independent. We can all follow his progress on their website, which is: www.caringbridge.org/ visit/rickriffle

October 7 Meeting Greg Clayton Shawn Lindner Mike Andreotti *Rob McCabe *Fran Eversole October 21 Meeting *David Huberty *Chris Saling Tom Croston Tony Wojtasek **Penny Shearer *Donated to Rick Riffle **Donated to the USO

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? (Address changes, too)

Contact Golden Lodge by email at:

[email protected] 5

Former Golden Lodge Presidents testify at grievance arbitration hearing Four former Golden Lodge presidents re-united to bolster the Union’s argument at a grievance arbitration hearing October 28, 2009. The grievance concerned Timken salaried personnel operating equipment while our members were on lay off. All of the individual grievances from all the plants filed in this matter were rolled into one grievance. The outcome of the arbitration will be binding for all. These former presidents joined with our current administration to drive home the point that salary has never operated our equipment to make product. The combined experience of these gentlemen, past and present, was coupled with research into negotiation transcripts, previous grievances and other arbitration rulings to define the Union’s position. The union is now waiting for the arbitrator to hand down his decision.

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Golden Lodge presidents, going back to 1997, at the arbitration hearing held in Canton on the issue of Timken salaried personnel doing bargaining unit work. Pictured left to right: Art Maurer (2000-2003), Joe Kostic (1997-2000), current President Joe Hoagland, Stan Jasionowski (2003-2006), and Randy Feemster (2006-2009).

Recent Retirees Golden Lodge congratulates the following members who have recently retired and will now enjoy their union-negotiated retiree pension and healthcare benefits. Richard H. Barkan David L. Carlson Ronald W. Carpenter Richard G. Caughey, Jr. Victor H. Clark, Jr. Ronald L. Coleman Daniel C. Cordes James J. Couto Joseph S. DiGiacomo Roy G. Dowdell Daniel L. Everetts Thomas D. Falls Frank A. Garcia Ronald C. Geiselman Raymond A. Hall Jimmie Hibbitts Ronald L. Hurner Carey R. Linerode Daniel Mariol Thomas L. Martin

Ronald E. May George H. Oliver, Jr. David A. Poling Dana E. Powers David B. Reed Ronald D. Ritter Harry E. Sell Kenneth R. Smith Michael L. Solomon Joseph A. VanFossen Arthur Y. Williams, Jr. Charles P. Winemiller William G. Withers, III Dennis C. Wuske Stephen F. Zaleski

November 2009

SOAR NOTES

I.W. Abel Chapter 1/27

Healthcare is theme of SOAR District Conference By Jim Reed SOAR members from around the state recently met in Columbus for the 14th Annual SOAR Conference. Sub-District Director Dave Caldwell welcomed the delegates. He outlined some of the issues that face us and what needs to be done. “We must make political leaders do what they promised when they were elected,” he stated. “If not, then they should be voted out of office, and elect the right people.” Caldwell told the audience that we must pass progressive legislation. It was nice to see Bill Burga again, the retired president of the Ohio AFL-CIO, address the conference. He spoke about health care and money. “The CEO’s of large corporations in the 1970s made about 35 times that of workers’ pay. Now, they make about 400 times the workers’ pay. The average wage today is about $50,000. The wealth in this DECEMBER LUNCHEON Pork Chops AuGratin Potatoes Succotash Tossed salad Pie November 2009

country needs to be redistributed,” he said. “We also must have fair trade. A tariff must be placed on tires coming from China,” Burga stated. Also addressing the conference, was Norm Wernet, Field Director for the Alliance for Retired Americans. He told the audience that health care is bankrupting an average of 750,000 people a year! Prescription drugs are up 30 to 50%. People 55 to 64 years old, and too young for Medicare, who have lost their jobs and insurance are suffering. He spoke of a couple who are in such a situation, who had to buy insurance. With their situation, they must pay $48,000 per year for coverage. The U.S. is ranked 37th in the world of socialized countries in health care. Just one a head of Cuba. Our country has a hodgepodge of systems competing against each other, while it’s citizens suffer. Reform is needed NOW, not later! We have to STOP watching the Fox News Network, and the Rush Limbaughs. They profess news that is fair and balanced, while in reality, what they put out, is just the opposite and keeps the country in a state of unrest!

SOAR membership declining The membership of SOAR is about 70,000. It is slowly declining, as older retirees pass on. Younger retirees do not choose to become active. They either get another job, or play with their computer and iPod. Many have never been on a strike or know what it is. Society has changed, and it has not been necessarily for the best. They do not seem to remember who fought to give them what they have today. SOAR hopes that there are those who do remember, will join, and help us to carry on the fight for the retirees who gave their best for us! If you were a member of SOAR at one time, and dropped out, think about coming back! You can only sit around the house for so long. If you were never a member, think about joining! SOAR member celebrating birthdays: James Trawick, Ruth Slay, and Stan Thomas.

Just a Thought Even doctors make mistakes - mine asked me to take my clothes off!

OTIS L. WATKINS, 88, Dept. 82, 8450 Cleveland Ave., Magnolia, passed away October 16, 2009. Brother Watkins joined the Union in 1944 and retired in 1982.

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PERMIT NO. 973

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

NON-PROFIT ORG.

CANTON, OH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Kids of all ages will enjoy the popular movie Doogal, an animated children’s adventure film (rated G.) with popcorn, soft drinks, a bag of candy and a visit from ole' Santa Claus himself!

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Palace Theatre 6th & Market Ave. N., Canton

Canton, OH 44706

Doors open 11:00 a.m. Kilgen Organ music begins at 11:30

1234 Harrison Ave. SW

Saturday, December 5, 2009 12:00 noon

Steelworkers Local 1123, Golden Lodge

Children’s Christmas Party

December 2 Regular Union Meeting 7:30 p.m.

December 5 Children’s Christmas Party Palace Theatre 12:00 Noon

December 9 Stewards Classes 9: 00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

December 16 Regular Union Meeting 9: 00 a.m.

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November 2009