As some of you may already be aware, the arbitrator mediating the attendance policy grievance between Solar Turbines and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 389 has made his ruling. Unfortunately, he has ruled in favor of the company and the current attendance policy will stand. Because of the company’s management rights clause in the collective bargaining agreement, the company was able to make these drastic changes to policy outside of the collective bargaining process.
The managements rights clause (Solar CBA 17.01) is something we are hoping to address during contract negotiations. Negotiations have been scheduled for September of this year. Please continue your organizing efforts. Sign up non-members and new hires in the coming months to give us the power and leverage needed as a unit to hold the company to the bargaining processes for unilateral changes to policy that affect discipline, employee status and pay. Visit your stewards to find out how you can help with organizing.