WE Soda Announces Workforce Changes: What Members Need to Know

WE Soda and USW Local 13214 have announced upcoming personnel changes affecting several positions in the Caustic and Sesqui areas at the Green River facilities. According to the notice provided to the Union, these changes are considered a “reduction in force not involving a layoff,” meaning employees affected will continue to have contractual rights and opportunities under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Company states that approximately 14 represented positions will be impacted as part of this process.

What Positions Are Being Affected?

The following positions are part of the reduction in force:

8 AA Crystal Recovery Area Attendants in Caustic
2 ZA Caustic/Crystal Recovery Relief Operators in Caustic
4 A Crusher Operators in Sesqui

Additionally, four A Baby Sesqui Operator positions will be temporarily reassigned as Mine Utility Helpers for up to 120 days.

The Crusher Operator positions in Sesqui will be combined with existing Dissolver/Cleanup/Relief Operator positions. The Company and Union agreed that four combined positions will remain under the title “A Dissolver/Cleanup/Relief Operator, Sesqui.”

No Layoffs Are Being Announced

One of the most important points for members to understand is that this process is not being handled as a layoff. Both the Company and the Union stated that employees will be able to exercise their contractual rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and related agreements.

That means seniority, bumping rights, bidding opportunities, and recall rights remain in place.

Mine Jobs Will Be Open for Site-Wide Bidding

Before employees are moved through the reduction in force process, all current open mine positions will be posted for site-wide bidding. These openings include positions in Mine Services, Mine Production, Longwall, and Mine Utility Helper classifications.

The Company also agreed to temporarily remove many normal bidding restrictions to allow more opportunities for affected employees and other members interested in transferring.

However, some limitations still apply:

Employees at the AAA classification or higher are not eligible to bid
Employees currently in a surface line of progression program, including Utilities and the Lab, are not eligible
Only one employee from surface maintenance mechanical may bid out
Only one employee per remaining surface production overtime group may bid out in most cases

If mine vacancies still remain after bidding is completed, the Collective Bargaining Agreement allows the Company to move the most junior employees from the Westvaco and Granger Plant departments into Mine positions.

How the Process Will Work

Under the contract, employees affected by a reduction in force without a layoff are moved in reverse order of seniority through the applicable rate classifications.

Affected members will be given time to review their options before making decisions. The process also allows employees to defer their choice until it reaches the most junior employee in that classification.

For employees affected by the temporary reassignment to Mine Utility Helper:

Bid rate classifications will be maintained
Automatic recall rights back to previous positions will remain in effect for up to 120 days
Recall rights end only if the employee successfully bids into another job during that time

What the Union Is Focused On

Changes like these create understandable concerns for members and their families. Local 13214 is actively involved in this process to ensure the contract is followed fairly and consistently.

That includes:

Protecting seniority rights
Monitoring the bidding and bumping process
Ensuring members receive the opportunities guaranteed under the contract
Addressing issues that arise from combining positions or changing job responsibilities
Making sure affected employees understand their options before decisions are finalized
Where Members Can Find the Documents
Members who would like to review the full documents can click below:
Click here to view the Upcoming Personnel Movement notice
Click here to view the Reduction in Force Implementation Plan
Questions regarding the documents and the process will also be discussed during this Thursday’s union meeting. Members are also encouraged to reach out to a steward with any questions or concerns.