Brothers & Sisters:
Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend, especially Labor Day. Some call it the "unofficial end of summer", but it truly means a lot more that that. With that said, I'm going to point out a few facts about Labor Day: How it came about; and what it means:
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. On June 28, 1894 Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
The first labor union in America was the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers (shoemakers) formed in Philadelphia in 1794.
The first eight-hour day in America was introduced for federal employees in public work projects in 1868.
This nation’s first major sit-down strike, i.e., occupying the workplace but refusing to work, occurred on a mass scale in the rubber factories of Akron, Ohio, in 1936.
The first African-American union was the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, founded in 1925.
Cost-of-living increases were first worked into union contracts in 1948, as a result of negotiations between General Motors and the United Auto Workers.
Hope the history lesson wasn't too painful, now down to business.
The FNFT's working out of state were informed last week that the company is bringing all of them back to Florida on September, 18, 2009. Work has been increasing back in Florida over the last month, and hopefully the trend continues. The company has also asked FNFT's from both the Coast and Eastern to go on loan to the Tampa area for at least 30 days.
I've had several meetings over the last month with Management/Stewards in the EVRC, and it looks like the center could be going to a 24/7 schedule by the end of the year. This should help establish the Florida EVRC as one of the top centers in the country, and hopefully bring us more work and better tours.
Temple Terrace aka "The Palace" has been sold. I've heard nothing official as to a time line for relocating the employees at this location, but I'm hearing rumors that some will be moved by the end of the year. As soon as I get the details, I will report on it.
In COEI, the company is beginning to replace four contractors with company employees. This is more work for members, and that’s a good thing.
We are seeing a trend with Light Duty… Management is sending employees home!!! This is going on in all Depts. Especially outside plant. Some members are already reporting that the company is about to start placing employees on 90 day job searches if they cannot return to full duty in the near future.
Still working with management on the "180 day temporary assignment issue". This is still an issue through out the company; hopefully this will be finalized this month.
The T & P "Circuit Repair" issue is being addressed as I write this, and hopefully soon we will have a report on the web site about this.
Work Safely, and attend your Unit Meetings!!!
In Solidarity,
John Glye Jr.
