Brothers and Sister of Local 2-232,

I wanted to start by saying thank you to everyone who came out to vote and had your voices heard in both of our ratification meetings. With the passage of this contract we have secured higher wages, additional benefits, and security for everyone for the next four years. I truly believe this contract is one of the best our members have seen and is without a doubt a foundation to build future agreements on.

I want to give additional thanks to Jim Regan and Dan Kempf who did so much work behind the scenes and in caucus to really push the issues important to the membership. Their leadership and insight throughout the whole process made everything work.

I wanted to wait until the ratification of our contract to make the announcement, so my departure didn’t disrupt the negotiations. While we have laid a foundation of securities and benefits for our members with this contract sadly, I will not be continuing with the Local in my current positions. I have been offered and accepted a position with the International Union as a Staff Representative for our Sub-District beginning this Wednesday September 15. It was a difficult decision for me to accept because of the relationships I have made within the Local and pride I have in how much we have grown since I took over in 2015. The solidarity and support from membership that I have had since taking over the grievance representative position has been amazing. It is with that support and trust that our Union has not only remained whole but has grown stronger.

Replacing me in my Unit President role is 2nd Shift Steward Brian Barnes. Brian was endorsed by the Local Executive Board and has already begun his training for the position. Brian was previously a Steward for 8 years and Recording Secretary for 3 with U.A.W. Local 627. He was also a reporter for two Labor papers as well as being published in Solidarity Magazine. Brian also has experience on picket lines and organizing with the Teamsters Union. His associates degree in marketing and Bachelors and Masters degrees in English along with his prior experience in teaching, will be a welcomed addition to the role as we kick off the Joint Union and company training committee.

Replacing the Local President’s position will be Jim Regan. Jim is in his 2nd term as a bargaining committee member and has previously been a Steward for the Local for many years. Jim has bargained 2 contracts with the Local and has been instrumental in the success of this Union. His insight and rational thinking combined with his years of seniority with Strattec in his various company and Union roles will continue the positive changes and growth with the Local.

In addition to replacing my positions in the Local, based on my recommendation and Executive Board support we have again added a 2nd Unit President to the Briggs and Stratton Unit. Erica Jackson who previously held the position has agreed to join Leigh Washington in that role. Erica’s experience and insight to the Briggs Unit will ensure the Unit will continue to grow and regain the membership we once had.

It has been great working with everyone for the last 11 years and I am truly honored to have served as the Grievance Representative/Unit President, Vice President, and Local President. While I look forward to my new position and representing even more great Steelworkers I won’t forget the Local and members who first gave me their support and a chance to get involved with this Union. As always, I am a phone call or email away and will always be there for the Officers and members of 2-232.

In Solidarity,

Tim Reiter