Dear Wayne Sanderson Members,
Your bargaining team made up of members just like you has been negotiating with Wayne Sanderson Company representatives since the decertification vote concluded last year in September, working hard to secure a fair 3-year agreement you can support and rewards your hard work and we need your support!
The Company representatives have given up on the negotiating process and issued an offer to the Local and its members that falls short of the promises they made to you and is less in wages than they have recently given to other plants in your Company. For some reason, they expect you and your families to accept and live on less.
The Company has also failed to negotiate in good faith surrounding your attendance program that was newly changed by the Company.
We know this process can be frustrating, but that is what the Company is counting on. If you give up and take less then they have to pay and give you less. This plant does not operate without you. Hammond workers do not deserve less than any other plant the Company has and in our review our plant would be receiving the smallest increase out of all the plants the Company has if we accept the Company’s offer in Hammond.
Below are the areas of your contract we are apart on
Union Offer
Wages (3-year deal)
$1.00 upon ratification/ Year 2 – $.90/ Year 3 – $.90 or no less than what Company gave other plants recently
Wage Backpay
Full backpay on first year wage increase (4 months)
Attendance
Will accept new program with conditions.
Doctor notes cover multiple day occurrences
Side letter signed capturing positive changes in writing so workers have guarantees.
Seniority Premiums
Increases of .30 for each seniority bracket upon ratification.
Anti Union Activity
Side Letter signed securing legal protections for behavior, workers from Company anti union activity will go on violating your rights
Company Offer
Wages (3 year deal)
$.55 upon ratification/ Year 2 – $.50/ Year 3 – $.40
Wage Backpay
Partial backpay on first year wage increase (3 months)
Attendance
Not open changes to attendance / will not negotiate over changes
Seniority Premiums
Not open to increasing pay for senior employees
Anti Union Activity
Not open to changing Company behavior
The Company needs to make a change in Hammond and it starts by not treating you as less by giving you less. We know you deserve more and the truth is the Company can and should do more. Bottom line is you have earned a contract with stronger guarantees than what the Company is offering. We urge you to support the Union in its efforts to help secure a stronger agreement for you and your coworkers. We hope you join us on to come together and vote to reject the Company’s offer and vote to provide your Local Union with strike authorization. Meeting location and voting details will be released in the next bargaining update. Our goal is to get back to the table and continue bargaining for you in hopes a strike can be avoided.
Your Union Stewards and Union Staff Representatives will be working hard to spread the word, reach out to provide education and additional updates, and answer questions from our members. We know these times can be hard, and we are here for you. If you would like to get more involved and help your Union secure agreements with the Company, reach out to your Union Representative.
In Solidarity your Wayne Sanderson Bargaining Committee, Stephanie Nichols ,Dwayne Cyprian , Carl Cummings, Connie Coleman, Shirley Rome, Kevin Pechacek, Hip Arriaga, Connie Coleman, Christi Bradley & Local Union President Brandon Hopkins
