STRATTEC - PREPARING FOR THE 2021 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
As we get closer to the expiration of our current contract (September 17th, 2021) your Union wants you to begin preparing for the uncertainty of negotiations. While all parties involved hope negotiations go smoothly and a new contract is ratified by the previous expiration date, that is not always the case. This means several things including preparing your finances, reflecting on what you would like to see changed eliminated or improved and making sure you are communicating and receiving communications with the Local.
Your Bargaining Committee has laid out a “Road Map” for contract preparation starting with this update in August of 2020. It is important to begin this early so our members have time to prepare their finances in the event of a strike or lockout by putting a little away each week from their paychecks. This communication is not to scare our members or to make you think that there is any inside information about the negotiations next year, but so our members can be prepared to take whatever action is needed to secure a fair contract that works for everyone. If our members begin saving small now, the impact of a strike or lockout can be minimized without affecting your current day to day life. Saving $20 a week from now until expiration of our contract will give our members over $1,000 in the event of a work disruption. Once negotiations begin, the Union will put out more information on things to do or consider prior to the expiration of the contract. The message now is simple, save and prepare for the worst and work hard for the best possible outcome. We all understand that these negotiations will be stressful just like every contract expiration before but being prepared and starting that process early will ease a lot of that stress. Hopefully the money you set aside will be used for a vacation or special purchase and not needed for a strike or lockout.
The next item for the Local will be to rebuild and reactivate the Local’s CAT team. These are members, Stewards, or Officers that are in charge of communicating with members on each shift in different departments. During negotiations communication is key and this team is vital for getting and spreading information. We will be looking to add volunteers to the previous CAT team we used in the last contract so keep an eye out for an opportunity to help the Local during negotiations. Once the CAT team is established the Local will begin distributing Membership Surveys. We will give our members the ability to fill out paper forms or submit suggestions digitally. I cannot stress enough how important that these surveys are filled out. Your Bargaining Committee is here to fight for what you want and although we have our ideas we need yours to get the fairest contract for everyone. The Bargaining Committee reviews each and every one of the suggestions and in most cases will follow up with members on their suggestions. Please, take the time to fill these out with meaningful suggestions and do not hesitate to follow up with anyone on the Bargaining Committee to discuss your issues or recommendations.
Finally we want to make sure that our members are receiving information in real time. The Local will continue to use the text message program to provide immediate updates on our progress, action items for our members, and sum up each day of negotiations or proposals. Make sure that you sign up the Local’s text program by texting the number 63566 with the message 2232STRATTEC. You should get a confirmation text back that you have been enrolled. The Local is asking that once you get that text that you reply with your first and last name so we know who each number belongs to.
Contract negotiations are always stressful. The level of uncertainty can make our members anxious. Your Union is doing everything in our power to make sure our members are prepared financially, informed, have their voices heard, and stay involved in this process. There is strength in our numbers, and power in our knowledge. The Bargaining Committee looks forward to fighting for an even better contract and wants you to know, never hesitate to reach out to us with questions or concerns. We are here for you.
In Solidarity,
Tim Reiter – Grievance Representative
Jim Regan – Bargaining Committee
Dan Kempf – Bargaining Committee
