I would first like to thank all of the members who showed up
for Monday night's meeting at Bear Yard in Newark. The concerns and ideas that were brought to the table by the members at that meeting
were very productive and good for the Local. These concerns are being addressed as I am writing this email. Some of the ideas we even
felt constitute the participation of some of the membership at our next Labor Management meeting. Thanks again for your participation
and support at our Local meeting. This is the type of involvement that brings changes into the workplace for the positive. We had
such a good turn out that we plan to do this again at the beginning of next year.
The second item I would like to mention, unfortunately, is that some of you in Local 837 may have received a letter encouraging and
asking for the de-certification of the union. While I know at times, many question what the union does for them. When I received
my letter and read it, one of the first things that came to my mind was, I didn't remember seeing any of these four gentleman at Legislative
Hall protesting the proposed 8% wage decrease a couple years ago. I don't remember them sitting in Legislative Hall in the wee hours
of the morning when the Budget was being finalized and deals were being made. I don't remember hearing one of these gentleman's names
mentioned when the political fight was on the get our 2.5% back in pay and keep our floating holidays not to mention the paid "furlough"
days we were supposed to have. I wonder who is in there fighting to have a voice at the table when decisions are made regarding our
health care premiums and coverage? Who took the fight to the governor's office after the Winter storms of 2010 to get our time and
a half overtime pay back? I wonder where these gentleman will be when the fight to keep our jobs and pay comes again. If anyone
has concerns regarding these letters, please feel free to email me and I'll be happy to discuss with you. Thank you all for you r
continued support of our Local and have a good week.
Jim Kwasnieski
Local 837 President
