Building on our strength in tough times

Secretary-Treasurer's Report - December 2010

When the year comes to a close, it’s always a good time for reflection and making decisions about what priorities to set for the future. As I look back on 2010, I see much that’s positive and a number of areas that need improvement.

The recession continues to take its toll and our local has lost too many members as a result. In some cases, the companies remain open but downsize their workforce and lay off workers, hopefully temporarily. However, we have seen several companies close their doors, including companies that we have had contracts with for many, many years. The downturn in the auto industry and the closure of NUMMI was particularly hard on union companies down the supply chain.

We are a diverse local that represents workers in many different industries. Usually, when one industry is slow, another might be hiring. This time however, all of our industries have been affected and the economic downturn has made finding jobs for our sisters and brothers much more challenging.
We are hearing indications that the economy is picking up. I hope this trend continues into the New Year so that we can get everyone back to work.

The challenges we face

We have also had some challenges with our employers in negotiations. For example, VWR has been under contract with our local for more than 50 years, and until they were purchased by a private equity company, they were a decent employer. We have been in negotiations for months, and they have announced that they are closing the facility and moving the work to Visalia, CA. We have been moving to convince their ownership that there are better ways to make the company profitable that include enabling our members to keep their jobs. This fight will go into the New Year.

Also, due to a legal technicality, the armored car company Loomis simply walked away from our members. We will fight until our members see justice in how they have been treated.

Many employers are using the economy to leverage their positions. While protecting our members’ jobs is foremost in this economy, it doesn’t mean that we will allow companies to take advantage of our members. This is where our cohesiveness as a local union is most valuable. Our members follow the lead of the officers and officials and that has and will get us through the tough times. We will work on making sure that the employers know, before they try to take us on, that they will have the fight of their life if they try it.

The good news

On a positive note, our members throughout Northern California, but espe- cially in Local 853, again stepped up. You registered to vote, signed up for DRIVE, and played a big part in not allowing the Republicans to buy the elections in our state. Every candidate that we supported for statewide office won, and that can only help us in the future. You have proved, again, that by participating in the process, we can make a difference.

Another outstanding event was our Membership Appreciation meeting. With nearly 1,000 members, it was our biggest to date. Our members were, as always, attentive and boisterous all at the same time. It is always fun to see the diversity of our members and how well they get along. We are an “army of one,” and that is for sure when you see a big crowd of our members together. It again, speaks to why we are a successful Local. The members make it successful. Thank you!

In closing, I want to wish you and your family a great holiday season and hopefully the New Year will be a better one for all of our members! Happy Holidays!