Your Comments

Hey Everybody:

Gozzi is using Chinese Communist Internet Censorship Practices. He is not allowing selected people to post, based on their IP addresses... I outsmarted him and am using another address.

Union people keep saying that salary has no balls, and that they don't do anything to fight for their raises and healthcare only because we fear being fired.

That isn't true. Salary vote with their feet. People leave this company all of the time because of pay, etc. But you know what? A lot of the times, those very people come back.

Sikorsky is a great company to work for. The only problem is that it is in CT. If it were in any other state, nobody would ever want to leave.

The big difference between salary and hourly at Sikorsky is that salary aren't afraid of leaving their jobs, because they know they can get a job anywhere else outside of CT and get paid MORE. Hourly, on the other hand, can never make more money anywhere else, so they are scared to death to leave.. which explains all the 20+ yrs of working men and women out on the line.

Who has the Ace in their hand, obviously not the hourly. I'd come back as soon as I could, if I were you, and thank God that Sikorsky hasn't moved the plant yet, or probably won't, for at least another 10 years.

Here's a FACTUAL observation, within Mr. Gozzi's 10%:
When entering the plant I often here vulgarities coming from the crowd. I've even heard supposed grown men calling women vile names, like "Dirty Wh***e". I wonder how these men would feel if their mother, wife, girlfriend, or daughter was called those names at the office by strangers? And is that how they talk to the females in their lives?

How does that type of inexcusable behavior bolster any support?

I hear Mr Calo may not be at the meetings today, they are probably using the excuse of he's trying to put together a counter offer. Well you know what I say, TO LATE !!! Let's go everybody, before there's nothing to go to. I know for a fact there was another 40 people brought into the main plant yesterday and they will continue to enter in drove's. Hurry.

Why did Hoffa receive $45k, of UNION Dues to Speak?

Who Pays HOFFA's salary????/ The UNION DOES!!!

DEMAND! a revote today! this means take a vote on the contract sikorsky has just offered us. This is our revote. Take it! We the members must be heard today!

http://www.weddingchannel.com/wedding_websites/PersonalWebsite.action?view=home&occ=566781636

Copy and paste this link into your web browser it's Dennis Jackson A scab worker getting married.Good luck you scab and don't invite any of us you scab

First I find it hard to believe that Goz would censor anyone on this blog and I doubt he has the capability to do so.
Second I agree that there is no place for the vugarity of those on the line. It just goes to show the lack of respect some people have for others and the union should do more to rein in their goons. The Captains should control the situation better.
Third and the real reason I wanted to post. To those that are going to the meeting today with plans to voice your opinions on this most recent offer by the Co. and other issues that have been brought up both here and on the line. Now is the time for us to be strong. Be ready to be told "just hang in there a little longer". Be ready to be possibly shouted down, not by the leadership, but you know others will not agree with your opinion.
Don't give in until your questions are answered and you are satisfied.
This leadership has alot to answer for and today is the day we get to ask the questions. Lets get this disaster over with and get on with our lives.

If its true that Rocco isn't coming to the meeting today, I would think that would have to be all anyone needed to know that he and the union are not looking out for you. He has been asbsent from the line since day one. He is a coward. He hides behind other people. He is afraid because he knows he made a horrible mistake with your lives. Ask yourselves some questions before you go today...

1. How would a leader show his support for his troops? By hiding?
2. What would be the reasons for now showing at the unemployment hearing? If he knew he didn't have a leg to stand on. If that were so, why did he lead you on saying that it was an unfair labor strike?
3. How many times has he lied or let you down?
4. Why hasn't he been on the line showing support to you and answering questions?
5. Why doesn't the union keep you totally informed?
6. why is their website not updated frequently enough?
7. What can they have to do that is more important than this situation they created?
8. Inside there are more meetings with upper management and even SF (before leaving)to answer questions from the employees, and they aren't out in the cold (literally and figuratively)Why?
9. Why does Rocco fear being with you and having to answer the hard questions? Because he doesn't have any answers and he knows once you see that, you'll all resign and go back to work. He has to try to hold on to as many of you as he can by stonewalling you.
10. Why are you loyal to someone who treats you and your family this way?
11. Why do you blindly follow when the facts show you that you are less than a number with the union? When they will use scare tactics (Wall of Shame, we know where you live, your life will be a living hell, scab, etc.) tactics to try to keep you in line, so you are too frightened to stop and think about what is really best for you?

The list goes on and on. Please turn off the rhetoric you've been fed. Find a quiet place alone and think. Think about the situation and what is truly best for you and your family.

Good luck.

Doesn't anyone think Sikorsky's position is DISCRIMINATORY?

How many union members have been with Sikorsky for over 20 years? Why aren't they bargaining in good faith?

They realize that all of you are getting old and are going to need more and more heathcare. So if they keep you all on strike and move jobs, etc. than who benefits the most?

I believe there is definitely a Class Action Suit Case here. It must be on their mind that's why they included an early retirement package in the new contract. Think about. Any lawyers out there, what do you think???

If the Union members want to vote on a package, speak up today at the meetings.

The grasping at straws to validate a losing battle is getting old and very sad. Wake up. Do what you need to do for your family. Go back to work. Ask yourself... why did Rocco call for a strike instead of working without a new contract while negotiations continued? Lots of unions do it. Strikes don't work anymore. Why didn't he know that? Let go... move on. Go to work... some of you still have jobs to go back to.

March 15th, 2006 may go down in the history books as "The Day locall 1150 Died". Mark my words, if there is nothing of substance at todays meeting, People WILL leave the Union. Believe that.

I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV, but I am a paralegal. Sikorsky made a business decision to cover all employees with one health plan, rather than continue bearing the cost of administering two separate plans. So no, there's no basis for a lawsuit here. Look at it from the converse... was it fair for the company to make it's salaried employees pay more for less health care while hourly employees paid less for more?

I am familiar enough with the workings of UTC and other large businesses to know that everything they do is combed over thoroughly by a legal staff prior to implementation. There's no lawsuit potential here, in my opinion. Sorry!

Gozzi's an excellent writer. Thanks for the (excuse the term) "entertainment".

As for the comments, as long as someone can post anonymously, then it doesn't mean a thing to me. It's nothing more than entertainment. Literally.

Class action suit? No one is forcing you to strike.

Offering an early retirement package is generous. You dont have to accept that either.

If an older employee finds his/her job has been replaced, they have no one to blame but themselves.

In Reply To...

http://www.weddingchannel.com/wedding_websites/PersonalWebsite.action?view=home&occ=566781636

Copy and paste this link into your web browser it's Dennis Jackson A scab worker getting married.Good luck you scab and don't invite any of us you scab!...

YEAH... TIMES ARE TOUGH SO I HAVE TO CROSS THE PICKET LINE AFTER MY $75,000.00 WEDDING RECEPTION AT TAVERN ON THE GREEN IN N.Y.,
GIMME A BREAK!

Great topic for a new thread. I agree with the 90/10, only it may really be closer to 95/5 and even that may be optimistic. Even when it is the "facts" being reported, the WAY they are reported can be enough to alter one's perception of those facts. It all depends on how you look at a situation and we all need to make sure we look at it with our heads screwed on straight.

Look beyond the metaphors, the adjectives and the adverbs at the actual facts and base your decision based upon that. If it is a "bad" health plan, then what are the facts and figures that make it so? Don't rely on the descriptions you get from others or their opinions, make decisions based upon cold, hard facts.

One important cold, hard fact we all need to remember is that life is change and change is life. I long for the days when everything was cheaper, wives could stay at home to raise the kids, the kids actually respected their parents and we could, with a little hard work, provide our families with everything they need and want. But it's a different world we live in today. Part of the reason health care is so expensive is that people are living longer now. I'd gladly trade a few extra bucks each month for a few extra years with my loved ones. I think we all would. Maybe change isn't such a bad thing, after all. Maybe it's all about how we deal with that change.

People love conflict. Plenty of that here. I want to see the butt head bullys try their attitude inside the building. Never happen as they would loose their job. Well if you dont think the bosses are remebering who you are, you are mistaken. Stand up for what you believe in but for God sake, stop acting like an ass on the line. After all your stupidity reflects on the Union as a whole. Not all members are bullys and beasts. Maybe their parents raised them to be that way and they know no better. You have the right to strike but a responsibility as a Union member and a human being to be respectful of others and their beliefs and choices.

Things are not getting better when workers enter the gates. The man who used to yell, "I know where you live" at my husband is now yelling, "I hope your house burns down."

Nice job, 1150. Letting the lunatics run the asylum, are we?

If someone yelled "I know where you live" I would have called the police and had that person arrested for threatening!!

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Ya, it's been like that for 2 days, and I never used slurs or profanity, so I am def being censored.

to ANON at 10:16:

Dennis Jackson is a bigger man than you. At least he wasn't intimidated by 3600 other people who may or may not have agreed with him His name is out there, he's the real man.

Oh ya, also, being called a scab by some jobless guy walking in circles at 6-7am isn't very insulting. At least Mr. Jackson is contributing to society right now, instead of draining its resources.

I think my husband is actually enjoying his running of the gauntlet twice each day! Sometimes all that dirty language creates the necessity for him to wash his windshield as he drives through, causing a refreshing mist to spray the picketers who dare to get too close. Sometimes he makes faces at them or blows them kisses. Sometimes he smiles and waves. Sometimes he pretends like he's picking his nose and flicking boogers at them. Silly? Yes. Sometimes he is worse than our kids. But at least he is trying to keep his sense of humor through this. He's also trying to remember that sometimes good people can be overcome by the mob mentality and is giving each of his employees who wants to come back the benefit of the doubt. All salaried people are not evil. All hourly people are not evil. Whatever happens with this situation, lets all keep in mind that sometimes you just have to let it roll right off of you and go on. When this situation ends, let's all let it really END and leave the hostilities at the gate.

Okay, y'all, it's meetin' time! Make sure you come back to your PCs and fill the rest of us in on!

Hmmmm, class action suit? It does not surprise me at all that a union person would think they can now sue the company even though it was THEIR decision to walk out! Just another example of blaming others for your own actions! The company made you an offer, you rejected it and left your job. That is it! No one told you to leave! Your decision! You cannot blame the company for any of this! And you cannot blame those who went back for doing so! Many of them voted for the contract. Why should they have to be forced to not work even though they did not want a strike. Again, take responsibility for your OWN actions and stop blaming others for your mistakes!!!!

Remember what "they" said...you know the one's your parents and their parents told you countless stories of and "what THEY said..." or did. "THEY" don't and never knew us...."THEY" don't live in our times...It definitely isn't the world your parents told you about, nor is anything "...they always say" applicable for the most part anymore. It was good advice then...this is now! Read in between the lines, you see how much you paid Hoffa Jr. to be here...Rocco on a cruise while you miss house, car, tution payments....Unions are just another entity living off a great name and reputations of the past. Just like many business' out there...just pulling in money off a name their fathers and fathers fathers spent a lifetime building...but without putting any work or effort into it...Do you want to continue doing what "THEY" tell you to do...or are you truely going to make a STAND, for yourself...Do what you want to do, make your own decisions...be a true American and live YOUR life YOUR WAY! Stop being a follower, everyone's situation is different....YES, these are very hard times...no two people walking are in the same situation...Do YOU really care what anyone has to say about your decision and if you cross or not...be your own person...DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO and not what "THEY" want you to do...YOU HAVE ONE LIFE, LIVE IT with no regrets!!!

I do not understand why people can't understand going past the picket line in this day and age!! Unfortunately money makes the world go round and not for nothing it is to damn cold to be losing your home!! So get over it and worry about yourself not what the other guy is doing!!

I agree with sick of insanity. This is such a different time. People cannot afford to not work these days. Times are much harder. If you lose your job because of a strike, it is not so easy to just go out and get another one. Especially considering that alot of these hourly workers have no college education. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, I don't have one either, but it is harder now to get a great paying job if you don't have one! Everyones situation is different, and no one should judge. Cross that line if you need to. Be the bigger person and do what is right for your own situation. Take a stand, just like the picketers are doing. You all have rights!

There is nothing wrong with demonstrating, picketing or protesting, whatever you want to call it, for something you believe strongly in. And lowering the ridiculous cost of health are in this nation is certainly an important issue. I just question the sanity of giving up one's job and security to do it, especially when the target of the strike is one company. One company doesn't have the power to impact this national crisis much. Personally, I think it would've made more sense to organize a series of rallies to take place in Hartford and in DC to demand our government do something to lower the cost of health insurance in this country and to lower the cost of living in this state. You could have agreed to work under the old contract until a new one was agreed upon and still kept your jobs while fighting your fight.

Hey 10:50, give the guy getting married a break! If you had any brains you would know that that wedding was planned long before you idiots decided to strike. Plus, most of the time when people get married they get financial help from the parents, and if you are REAL lucky the parents pay for it all!!! Who are you to even comment on something like that! Obviously more sour graping!! Get a life!!!!!

Yes, organizing a rally in DC would have made more sense, but this is not really about health care. It is about sticking it to the company, and the union getting their own control of the hourly workers health care. That is what this is really all about!

Well, that's true, too, 11:29. Unions are famous for getting people geared up to "stick it to the man." Unfair used to mean an unsafe work environment or not hiring someone because they are black or Irish or Catholic. Now unfair means your company doesn't pay 100% of your medical expenses, doesn't pay you $90m a year and actually makes you work when you're at work. How fair is it for a compay to have to pay for your chemo, radiation, surgery and other cancer treatments when you have been smoking like a chimney for forty years? Did the company put that cigarette in your mouth? Just one example. Fair just depends on how you look at it. I think Sikorsky is probably as good as if not better than any other company in this country one could work for. A lot of what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. Most of the complainers are probably the ones who don't put much in. You get what you give.

This vote and strike were so mismanaged it's sickening. I know hindsite is 20/20 but I have said these things before the vote.
If this 80/20 is the plan we are going to have to accept, then work on issues to get us more money to cover the cost, it wasn't done.
Give us the option, as stated above, to vote no and continue working, that also wasn't done.
It's like this union leadership had one eye open and one ear open. All they heard from the membership was NO to the 80/20. Instead of thinking of ways to deal with it, they dug in and forced this strike.
Now after thousands of dollars lost, friendships in jeopardy, jobs at risk of being shipped out of state, NOW they try to work around the issue.
How much longer are they in office?
God help us.

I really think Sikorsky has been wanting to move some of its major operations out of state for some time. For them to announce it during the strike was just great timing, but they had to have been preparing for this for at least a couple of years. Corporations never do anything quickly. That's probably why, in recent months/years, not too much has been said to hourly employees with regard to absenteeism, discipline, working too much OT, etc. They knew it was just a matter of time. The company didn't make this strike happen, but I do believe they are taking advantage of it. If they wanted to move out of state, this is the perfect time. And who could blame them, really? CT is just too darned expensive to live in, let alone do business in.

My spouse works at Sikorsky and has been told that AFO and majors are definitely two, among many others, leaving Stratford.

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lets face it .we all know healthcare is rising but when all of utc's vp's are pulling in millions don't you think healthcare should be a bit cheaper than all the smiyhs in connecticut,?

Talking to my neighbor this AM, he is a Senior VP at drug teting supply company. They received a request for 3300 test kits, just the other day. He knows for a fact customer is Sikorsky Aircraft. I just thought it was a interesting tidbit.

i am an hourly worker at sikorsky's and i know a few guys who went back to work ,but i have no i'll will toward them every man or woman has to do what they have to do .were all suffering they say but some people are suffering more like losing ther aaa credit ranking and possibly losing out on money for there kids college tuition.i want to return to work but i will not quit the union .

oh i know things will be different when we go back .drug tests misuse of company time etc!!

I have spoken with Mr. Gozzi, it is not him blocking the posts. its a security measure in place for bafoons who abuse this board and others. Contact the ConnPost to get it cleared.If i am not mistaken its the number of posts not the content.But the post has the right to refuse anyone who gets out of line on here, this is a "service" to all. If it is abused they can take the privligages away!

This can't be true!!!!

The state Department of Labor on Tuesday rejected striking Sikorsky Aircraft workers' petitions to collect unemployment insurance, as the union representing them prepared for a general membership meeting to discuss proposals and options for a contract resolution.

But the adjudicators in the matter noted that the decision was based solely on telephone records and documents submitted by Sikorsky because "despite repeated efforts to secure a statement from the Teamsters Local 1150, the Union did not return telephone and electronic messages during the week following the scheduled hearing."
http://www.connpost.com/business/ci_3603639

i'm proud to say no-one in my area crossed the line.

It wouldn't surprise me if everyone had to take a pee test as soon as they come back in. That would be a good way to eliminate a few of them. More will be fired for cause, which hasn't happened much before. Others will be let go due to the fact that their jobs are just not there, anymore. Of course, this could just be a routine purchase that someone forgot to cancel, too.

Why does everyone bash Rocco? He is doing his job and the membership voted 2:1 to strike. He had only one vote. The rank and file blew this one because they never realized SIK will never budge on health care - too many other bargaining units under UTC to allow this.

well the guy who threw nails crossed and he's working every day so i here

i think if the union members had a day to think over the contract there would have been a different vote

What's more important? Saving a few bucks a month on your health insurance or saving your job? I think that is what this boils down to. For Sikorsky, I don't think this was ever about the medical plan. I mean, they wanted everyone on the same plan, so they made a business decision to put everyone on the same plan. But whether the union chose to strike or not, I believe they still would have proceeded with the outsourcing and relocating. The strike gives them the ability to focus on it and make it happen more quickly rather than piecemeal it here and there. They can do it now much more easily, since there is no contract to violate with all of these changes. You can't violate a contract that doesn't exist.

true oh how true

Regardless of whose fault it was - and I place some of the blame on leadership and some on individual union members - the bottom line is that most people just did not have all of the pertinent facts prior to making the decision to strike. Would it have mattered if they did? Well, being that the WILL STRIKE IF PROVOKED shirts were being worn well before the contract was even offered, maybe the outcome would have still been the same. Once you get people hyped to the point of no return, they are just going to keep going. Even if it is to their own detriment.

Dam Straight

yes it seemed like the some union members were pumped up befor we even took a vote

i just want to go back to work now. i thought the contract was fair put a few bucks away with all the overtime and there would be no hardship.

Striking Sikorsky workers denied unemployment benefits.

Yesterday, the Connecticut Department of Labor Office of Program Policy denied unemployment benefits to striking Sikorsky workers. Hearings on the unemployment claims began two weeks ago.

In a letter to the company, the labor department stated that its decision was based solely on records and documents submitted by Sikorsky because "despite repeated efforts to secure a statement from the Teamsters Local 1150, the Union did not return telephone and electronic messages during the week following the scheduled hearing."

Celery:

There was a glitch in the blog system as the server was being transferred within the Quest super user servers. At least 6 IP addresses were affected. Whichever 'anon' mentioned that Gozzi probably does not have the permissions to block IPs - you're right!

BTW: Bloggers all - IF you mention a person by name please have the courtesy to sign the comment with your real name. Thank you.

well you can't collect cause the company says you can work what there not saying is that in ordewr to come back to work you have to quit the union and pay a fine over 500.00

Is there a meeting going on now?

Can't wait to hear about the first meeting.... who showed up? How many people? what questions were asked? etc. etc. etc.
As soon as its over, please let us know.

meeting in progress another meeting at 4 but there can't be a vote taken there

I'm confused... why would you have to pay your supreme leader to come out and talk to you? Not that he had much to offer for the $45,000.00. Wow! How much per minute is that? If I were you, I'd worry about how much your union leadership is making off of you. That's really your $$. Don't worry about GD and SF. That's company $$.

i don't follow you 45.0000 ? what

What does the union stand for?

U is for the undividedness you are experiencing.
N is for the No Pay you are receiving
I is for Idots in office right now
O is for the the Ogar leading them
N is for the Numsculls who voted for the slate.

Do you still want to belong? Fair is Fair, and Roco Calo has proven to be everything but.
Holding back information, Not being available, for questions or comments, Mis leading its members, Controling people to no end... The troll should go back under the bridge where he belongs.
Every week that goes by and you are not working, you are loosing at least $700. a week, With the moeny that you lost, you could have paid for your insurance on the 80/20 split. Your thought for the day......

After the meeting, we need to have another meeting to vote for a revote.

there is no sense in union bashing we have to stand on the vote

It was reported on this blog that Jimmy Jr. was paid $45,000.00 to appear at the "BIG" rally. If its true, I wanted to know why he had to be paid to come out and support his strikers.

and by the way i'm losing 1400.00 a week my friend

You have to resign from the union OR be subject to the possibility of a fine by the union. Not AND a fine. I call HR yesterday

no he wasn't pais 45 grand as a matter of fact he gave money to the union

belive me anyone who crossed will be fined

How much $$ did he give tothe union? and can it be documented?

Here's another question... if you resign from a union, how can they fine you, when you are no longer a member?

They can't fine you if you resign first

if i went to the meeting i would have asked but do to family problems i could not attend

That's what I thought. Use common sense people. Stop insisting that things will happen just because you want them to happen.

mr. sasso told me himself that the union could fine you if you resign and they will m h.r

I think the union should have rented a place where all the members could fit and only have one meeting. How will the people at 4 pm know what went on at 12 pm? People learn a lot from hearing other people's point of view. Was it designed to divide and conquer?

no this was just a monthly meeting

Do you mean to tell me that you can't even quit this union when you want to? And you were worried that you were being treated like slaves by SIK? Wow.

Am I wrong? Under these circumstances wouldn't it have been right to change the regular monthly meeting to be more responsive to the membership?

GET INFORMED!

Taken from the National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc....

Should you resign from membership if you work during the strike?

Yes, if public employee strikes are legal in your state. Nonmembers are not subject to a union's constitution and bylaws and cannot be fined or otherwise disciplined for working during a strike. If you have not yet crossed the picket line and wish to avoid all fines, do not cross the picket line until after the union receives your resignation. Once the union is on notice that you have resigned, it cannot lawfully impose any form of discipline on you for anything you do after you resigned. That does not mean that someone might not try to bring internal union charges against you for post-resignation conduct; it does mean that the union's attempts to fine you will be unsuccessful. If public employee strikes are illegal in your state, you probably do not have to resign to avoid union fines for working, but resignation would make it certain that you could not lawfully be fined.

Can the union constitution prohibit you from resigning during the strike? No. A decision of the Supreme Court in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977), a Foundation-supported lawsuit, makes clear that you cannot constitutionally be prevented from resigning from your union. Some states, but not all, also have statutes that guarantee public employees the right to resign.

sikorsky never treated me like a slave as a matter of fact i personally was treated great just do your job and there will be no room for harrassment

This is what I was told by HR. If you want to come back to work, Send a registered letter to the union telling them you want to resign. The letter has been posted here a few times. After they receive the letter you can go back to work and the union can't fine you.
If you were told otherwise, perhaps we should call HR and have them get it right.

Thank you 1:03 for clarifying that for everyone. Finally, some info on here.

SORRY, COPIED WRONG STATEMENT. HERE IS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES...

fine upon and then suing you to enforce the payment of the fine. If you wish to avoid consequences like that, you cannot remain a member of the union and cross the picket line.

A series of questions and answers about a strike that apply to almost every private sector employee covered by the National Labor Relations Act follow.

Should you work during the strike? That is a personal decision and none of the Foundation's business. Under the National Labor Relations Act you have a right to strike as well as a right not to strike. If the employer continues to operate during the strike, you need to decide what to do based on your own needs. Don't let anyone coerce you one way or the other.

Can the union fine you if you work during the strike? Probably, if you do not resign from membership before going back to work. As a union member, you are bound by the union's constitution and bylaws, which in most unions provide that members who work during a lawfully-called strike can be fined. Such fines can be expensive and may be collectable in state court.

Should you resign from membership if you work during the strike? Yes. Nonmembers are not subject to a union's constitution and bylaws and cannot be fined or otherwise disciplined for working during a strike. If you have not yet crossed the picket line and wish to avoid all fines, do not cross the picket line until after the union receives your resignation, or until the day after your resignation is postmarked if you send it by mail (use certified mail so that you can prove the date of the postmark). Once the union is on notice that you have resigned, it cannot lawfully impose any form of discipline on you for anything you do after you resigned. That does not mean that someone might not try to bring internal union charges against you for post-resignation conduct; it does mean that the union's attempts to fine you will be unsuccessful.

Can the union constitution prohibit you from resigning during the strike? No. The federal courts are unanimous in holding that union restrictions on the right to resign are unlawful and unenforceable under the National Labor Relations Act.

What about the union shop agreement? Doesn't it require you to be a member to keep your job? No. Under the National Labor Relations Act, you do not have to be an actual member to keep your job. You need only pay the amount of the union's dues or, if you notify the union that you object to use of your money for other purposes, that portion of the dues that is used for collective bargaining and contract administration.

Moreover, if you are employed in a Right to Work state, a union shop agreement is unenforcable and you cannot be required to pay anything to the union if you are not a member (unless you are a sailor or work on certain federal installations). Click here to see a list of the Right to Work states.

For an explanation of your rights as an employee in a Right to Work state, click here.

If you worked during the strike before resigning, does resignation protect you from all fines? No. The union can fine a nonmember for pre-resignation conduct, but not for anything done after it receives a resignation. Fines usually are based on the number of days that a member works during a strike. The courts generally hold that a fine cannot be excessive. What is excessive is open to question, but you would have a good argument that the fines are excessive if they exceed the amount earned during the period before you resigned.

If you resign, what rights will you lose? You will not lose any rights under the collective bargaining agreement, for example, seniority. The union must represent you fairly in bargaining and grievance handling whether you are a member or not. You will lose any rights under the union's constitution which are available only to members, such as voting in union elections and on ratification of the collective bargaining agreement. You may also lose your right to continue in any union pension plans, but not pension plans funded partly or completely your employer under the collective bargaining agreement.

If you resign, can you rejoin the union after the strike is over? This depends upon the union and its constitution and bylaws. The union is not required by law to permit you to rejoin. Quite often unions refuse to permit so-called strikebreakers to rejoin. We are aware of situations where unions have required strikebreakers to pay large fines to rejoin. You should assume that, if you resign and cross the picket line, you will not be allowed to rejoin the union. However, if you do not rejoin, the union still must continue to represent you fairly in collective bargaining and contract administration, and you will have the same rights as members under the collective bargaining agreement.

How do you resign? Click here if you would like to see a sample union resignation letter. You may eventually have to prove when your resignation letter was received, so you should either send it by fax and retain the confirmation slip from the facsimile machine or by certified mail, return receipt requested, or deliver it to the union officer designated in the union's constitution to receive resignations (for example, the Teamsters constitution designates the Secretary-Treasurer of the local union) by hand with a friendly witness present.

What rules apply if the union attempts to fine you? Under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, which contains a Bill of Rights for union members, you may not be fined or otherwise disciplined unless you have been served with written specific charges, given a reasonable time to prepare your defense, and afforded a full and fair hearing. Within these limitations, the rules with regard to disciplinary action are determined by the constitution and bylaws of each union.

What should you do if specific charges are served on you by the union, if you resigned before you went back to work? If you have clear proof that you resigned prior to going back to work, immediately make such evidence available to the union and ask it to dismiss the charges before the hearing. If the union persists under those circumstances, it will violate the law, and you should notify the Foundation immediately so that a Foundation attorney may further advise you how to proceed.

What should you do if specific charges are served on you by the union, if you did not resign before you went back to work? If you went back to work during the strike before resigning, or worked and never resigned, you should attend and raise any defenses you might have at the hearing scheduled by the union. You should also exhaust any appeals that might be available under the union's constitution and bylaws. Possible defenses are that the proposed fines are excessive or that you were told that you could not resign during the strike. You should consult an experienced attorney to determine what defenses you might have.

How can the union collect its fines if it finds you guilty for working during the strike while still a member? The union cannot have you fired if you refuse to pay fines. The National Labor Relations Act prohibits discharges for nonpayment of fines and penalties. The union's only recourse is to sue for the amount of the fine in state court, which it could lawfully do. You would have a right in such a lawsuit to raise any defenses you raised in the union's internal proceedings, provided that you exhausted your internal union appeals.

What should you do to protect yourself from harassment and violence? Whatever your decision with regard to resigning and working during the strike, you should keep as low a profile as possible and attempt to maintain existing cordial relationships with your fellow workers on both sides of the picket line. Avoid the zealots! Should you return to work, keep in close touch with other employees who are working during the strike and give each other support and share information. Also, if you work during the strike, you should get an unlisted telephone number, keep a diary of all strike-related threats and incidents of harassment and violence (who, where, what, when, names of witnesses, etc.), and take photographs of your private property, such as home and car, so that you can document any damage should you become a victim of union violence. If you begin to receive harassing phone calls, you should consider installing Caller-ID on your home phone and learn how to use any call-tracing services of your local phone company. You should report all threats and incidents of harassment and violence to your employer and, if threats of or actual violence are involved, the local police. If you are the victim of threatened or actual union violence, please notify the Foundation if you would like to have help.

Anyone who reads a blog like this and expects to glean any truth from it is fooling themselves. I read it once early on in the strike and saw that immediately. I just read some more of the comments today, and nothing's changed. A total waste of time.

Just a "heads up" for those of you who are actually believing any of this stuff.

UPS driver beaten and stabbed by fellow union "brothers"
In 1997, Teamsters Local 769 in Miami ordered a strike against United Parcel Service. One driver, Rod Carter (a former star linebacker for the University of Miami), announced that he did not support the strike and intended to continue working to support his family. His wife received a threatening phone call, but Rod went to work anyway. While driving his route, he was stopped and stabbed with an ice pick. When Carter sued the union, another unionized UPS driver testified in a court deposition that the violence had been approved of by union officials.

wow impressive

I agree for the most part, but I think there are some true feelings coming through all the name calling etc. Its a facinating study of human behavior at any rate.

It amazes me how few of you blame Sikorsky. You really think the majority of the work force are paying $73/week for an 80/20 healthcare plan?

Did Sikorsky inform their employees of the Healthcare plan being offered in the contract. NO, they presented their firm contract according to the Union website 6 months ago and the Union told them it was unacceptable and they were going to recommend a strike. The company was well aware of the Unions position but still did not thoroughly inform their fellow employees or the union for that matter of the plan. Sikorsky is definitely NEGLIGENT from my standpoint for not informing their dedicated, long term employees of what they were presenting. IT REALLY ANNOYS ME THAT SO FEW PEOPLE SEE THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THEIR EMPLOYEES OF WHAT THEY ARE PRESENTING. That is of course if they wanted them to remain employees, which I don't think they do thus the decision not to bargain. I have seen no investigations on the cost of healthcare but have done my own with a few friends and noone pays as much as SIK wants, granted that's a small number but I have written to reporters to investigate and they haven't. KEYSTONE PAYS $1.00 - $9.00 A MONTH DEPENDING ON THE PLAN. GO TO THEIR WEBSITE.

YES, UNION MEMBERS VOTED NO BUT THE COMPANY KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO AND WANTED THEM TO DO IT. THEY DID NOTHING TO TRY TO PREVENT IT. THAT'S DOWNRIGHT WRONG.

I'm not an employee, just someone very interested in the injustice going on here.

3 cheers for 1:10 i like you man

IT would have been nice if Sikorsky did give us a class about their proposed contract, just so some of us could have had a chance to hear from the other side about what was going on. I'm sure if we were slightly educated on what was on the table, and we had a chance to actually think about it, the vote for the strike would have been different.

i agree 100% my friend

Discrimination - You've got it right. SIK was probably happy that the union gave them 6 months warning that they would strike. It gave plenty of time to put their plan into effect. Why do you think everything picked up so quickly and new workers were in place right away? They had been training and planning for this. Its too bad the union didn't use the time to get more organized.

If you were SIK and wanted to get rid of a lot of workers by outsourcing and you had a union and a contract to contend with, wouldn't it work for you if they left? Then you'd be free to impliment all the changes without interferrance. Many have said that the union played right into SIKs hands. That doesn't mean they did anything wrong. The union people are represented by the union. The union knew what was going on and didn't share it with the people they are paid to represent. Instead they incited them to strike. The company would have only spent the time, effort and money to educate them, if they wanted them to stay, which they didn't. Besides, how many union workers would have believed the company over the union leadership? Probably not many.

Sikorsky's position may have been wrong, but it was a great business decision. The union was more wrong getting everyone riled up with misinformation to force a strike. They were also stupid because their egos were so big, they couldn't see what the company was doing. At best, you have ignorant representation. At worst, its criminal.

Sikorsky did educate your leadership with details of the health plan. Obviously, your leadership did not share those details with you. Your leadership just assumed you wouldn't want it and recommended you strike. And you struck. Are you all inflicted with the same rotator cuff injury that prevents you from raising your hands to ask questions?!

I think there is a lot of great information, as well as genuine opinion, posted in this blog. Yes, sometimes you have to wade through a lot of BS to get to it, especially when the flamers and trollers come out to play. It became pointless yesterday afternoon to participate because I could type a word in edgewise with all the bickering and one-liners going on. Ya get sick of scrolling after a while. But I do think there's some good info here, if you take the time to look for it. Lots of people post weblinks and their personal experiences. You just have to use caution and make sure you get the facts before making decisions.

when it came down to questions from the members half the people had left

Well, it certainly isn't the company's fault if people left without getting their questions answered.

If I cross, will I be given cement shoes and then thrown of the Sikorsky bridge?

I work on 3rd shift, and by the time the info given on day shift was passed down to 2nd shift, by the time it got to my shift, it was just turned into rumors. Had the company, set aside 30 minutes in the conferance room, to give us a full detail of what they offered to the table for a contract, then I bet we could have been better informed on what was up for grabs.

I just want to work, make money, and live normal. I pay the union their dues, I pay taxes, and I pay for anything that is required to be a normal person living in todays society. I just want to work.

oh i agree. but when the union tops said they told sikorsky tops that they would recomend that we do not except the contract the place went crazy ??????? why i do not know i have been there 22 yrs and i thought they jumped the gun

i agree im on 3rd also and all we hear is rumors

I have no stake in this whatsoever. I'm just a news junkie. My husband's been making fun of me, asking me what I'm going to do when this strike is over. I think there are probably many of us who follow this blog for that reason, because it's NEWS. It's just very interesting to hear all the various comments people have, their personal narratives, what they think and how they feel. And I think it's important, too, for Mr. and Mrs. Joe Average to know about this event. Many life lessons can be learned from following this event.

I think what this comes down to is you have to be able to look at things objectively in order to make a clear headed decision.

SIK has been making very good business decisions. Many people on this site have said that you are just a number. In business everyone is just a number. You have to understand the game to be able to play... never mind if you want to win.

The game is that nothing is personal... just business. If it makes more sense to move jobs out of state it will be done. If it makes sense to move the entire company, it will be done. As much as the company can be grateful right now from the help of loyal employees, they can be tossed aside tomorrow, if it makes business sense. The people who do well at the game know this. The salary people know this. You can't fool yourself into thinking that you are irreplaceable or of any more value than that to the company. "The company" is an entity. They do not operate like people, with a heart or compassion. Some from time to time do. That's a bonus, but can't be expected. SIK was one of the best. An education plan like they offer is unheard of anywhere else in the country. To be able to have them pay for a degree that you can take anywhere else with you is unbelieveable. That should have showed everyone that they do value their employees more than most. But.... business is business and when you spit in their faces (literally and figurtively) you can't expect their good will to continue indefinitely.

lol ya one lesson i learned is how to manage money lol

I find it amusing that the SCAB list appears to be very selective. I know for a fact that there are many more people who are back in working, and their names are not on the "Wall of Shame". What are the reasons for not listing everyone who has returned to work?? Fear perhaps? Will it lead to a mass exodus from the union? Would 1150 actually be booted from Sikorsky? One would only hope. I would urge all of you whose names are on that list to view it in a positive way: the "Wall of FAME" Kudos to all of you who are LEADERS, not followers. You've chosen to do what you need/want to do for yourselves and your families. You have not succombed to the intimidation and the selfish mentality of the union leaders who are looking out only for themselves! I am blessed to have the priviledge of knowing several of you, although not an employee myself, I would be proud to be a co-worker of people of such integrity. We need more people in the world who will stand up for what they believe in!

It is YOUR responsibility to find the truth and ignore the rumors. It was YOUR LEADERSHIP'S responsibility to provide you with that truth. During negotiations, your union is the one that does the bargaining on your behalf... the company must work through the union to get to you. They were not permitted to speak to you directly. That's how it works when you are in a union. If you don't like it, then get out.

i'm a firm beliver in doing what i have to do but you have to stand together thats america

i have a neighbor with 4 kids he has no insurance banks are calling him bill collectors are calling him .but he belives in standing together and maybe falling together we all have morgages and bills the line crossers are no different just have no backbone.

Here is your union hard at work for you...

Striking Sikorsky workers denied unemployment benefits

Yesterday, the Connecticut Department of Labor Office of Program Policy denied unemployment benefits to striking Sikorsky workers. Hearings on the unemployment claims began two weeks ago.

In a letter to the company, the labor department stated that its decision was based solely on records and documents submitted by Sikorsky because "despite repeated efforts to secure a statement from the Teamsters Local 1150, the Union did not return telephone and electronic messages during the week following the scheduled hearing."

thats a little old there

we are teamsters mighty mighty teamsters people forget it was the union that made america not scabs

I disagree. I think it does take backbone to cross the line, especially when you have a bunch of thugs threatening you as you cross it. Maybe this isn't a matter of who is right or wrong, braver, stronger, etc. Maybe it is just a matter of priorities, personalities and definitions. You think it is wrong to abandon your union. Maybe they think it is wrong to abandon their jobs. When you look at what the union has given vs. what the company has given, well, what the company gives you can be put on the table to feed your family. What the union feeds you is just a line of bullshit.

Any word from todays meeting?

Unions made America?! Oh, holy Jesus, please read up on American history while you're on "vacation." Maybe take a book to read around the barrel.

no word yet i'll let you know when i hear anything

What union did Thomas Jefferson belong to? Was George Washington a Teamster? What about William Penn? Hello? Anybody...?

Outside looking in... right on the $$.
The union started the Wall of Shame as a scare tactic to control its members. Now that the numbers are growing, if they keep an accurate list, it only shows that they are losing the control. That's why the other day they were saying come back and all will be forgiven. Most people who take an objective look at all of this will see that the union is behaving in a very desperate way. They are flip flopping on what they are saying and doing in a desperate effort to maintain what control they have left.

They are avoiding their membership. That makes no sense. Its an obvious desperate act so they don't have to fumble for answers they don't have. They have misread this situation from the beginning and SIK has played it perfectly.

The membership needs to ask the tough questions and be sure you get honest answers. Although, I have to say if you looked at how much your leadership has lied vs. SIK, I think you'll see that SIK hasn't.

Even the returning workers. They were asked to come back. period. No one has reported any promises made to them. Again, business is business. Once you know the rules, you can play the game. The union leadership didn't know the rules. They were drunk with their own perceived power. They are learning too late for the majority of the workforce, that they were very wrong.

Labor unions were first formed to prevent exploitation. And at the time they were probably needed and performed a valuable service to their members. But who is being exploited today?!

ANON 1:32
That is exactly correct, it is up to the leadership of the union to inform the membership as to the status of the negotiations, not Sikorsky. Just Another duty the leadership failed in. They said be ready, be ready, but I realy think more info should have been passed onto the members

just renember all our fighting men are in helicopters union made the best aircraft in the world

Oh, definitely, more information should have been made available to members. It amazes me that the union is not required to show you the actual contract prior to your voting on it. I would never in a zillion years consent to vote on a contract if I were not made fully aware of the terms.

Just remember all of our military men and women whose lives are in jeopardy flying Teamsters-made junkmobiles in a combat zone. Thanks for nothing.

ahh ha i see i hate munger in our mist calling sik heli junk you just proved to me you no nothing at all about aircraft lol

Gravois Road may get busier with a proposed development
By Clay Barson
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/14/2006

A proposed development by UTC has area residents worried that an already troublesome stretch of roadway could become dangerous.

In the next few weeks, the St. Louis County Council is expected to take up the issue of the construction of a 1.5 mil sq.ft. office and factory. On a 294-acre development across from Grant's Farm.

The proposal, approved by the county's planning commission earlier this month, would add more than 2 mil in tax revenue, and roughly 4500 jobs, to an area that already wrestles with unemployment and poverty.

"Sometimes you just sit there and cross your fingers and hope some big corporation will come to the rescue of this dilapidated area before it becomes unbearable." said Louise Shanchesca.

Gravois Road is four lanes in the development area. The speed limit is 20 mph. Residents say those factors, combined with the region’s overpopulated and dense housing are one of the majors concerns of the minority population also a concern is the crime and drug trafficking.

According to the Missouri Department of Commerce, they had been approached by UTC officials about not only the factory building permit but also for a 70 acre airstrip for helicopters, making it one of the latest large acquisitions in St. Louis County, with Augusta-Bell being the other.

But according to Tom Miller, a spokesman for MoDOT, those numbers are not enough to warrant designation as a high-hazard area. MoDOT saves such labels for roads that have a large amount of crippling or deadly crashes.

"That section seems to have more of the rear-end crashes and fender-benders," Miller said. "Which is understandable, given the fact that there is no turn lane."

Officials with the company handling the development, Gravois Company LLC, said the traffic problems can be resolved.

Gravois attorney John King said the company submitted a traffic study conducted by a private firm that concluded traffic in the area would be "acceptable" with some improvements. King said the company would pay for the improvements needed, including the addition of a turn lane to Gravois Road.

"Look, traffic is an issue everywhere you go," King said. "But we do not feel it will be a big problem here."

Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County, represents the district. He said he was just becoming familiar with the project, which has been in the works since October. "I don't think I'll be looking at any of that for two or three weeks," he said.

But Council Chairman Kurt Odenwald, R-Shrewsbury, said he has already started researching the proposal and is concerned about potential problems. Odenwald's district sits directly across Gravois Road from the proposed development.

Last year, Andrew Bush sold the property to the Gravois Co., which is a holding company led by J.H. Berra LLC and includes the builders Fischer and Frichtel, Mayer, Chesterfield Development Co., and McBride architects.

I understand loyalty. It is one of my biggest issues. People are not loyal enough. However, having said that, I also believe that blind loyalty is detrimental. The union leadership was not loyal to you. They did not represent you well and still aren't. They didn't keep you informed, they riled you up for their own agendas. I believe they were trying to justify their existance at your expense. If you feel that you have been treated with respect by the union. That they have told you the absolute truth during all of this. That they are truly looking out for your best interest. That they are capable of making these decisions that will affect your lives... then you should continue to be loyal to them. But, if you feel as most do, that you were misled and lied to, that you were manipulated, etc. then you don't owe them anything, despite their attempts to make you feel guilty. You loyalty should be with people who are there for you, like your families. They depend on you. Think about everything that you have learned this last month. Think about your own situation. Think about where your loyalty should be placed... with you and your family or with inept leaders with their own plans, which may have nothing at all to do with you.

Good luck. Misguided loyalty can ruin you.

This has absolutely nothing to do with Sikorsky, Teamsters or the strike, but I thought it was interesting and wanted to share.

The Boeing CH-46E (or "phrog") is finally, after forty amazing years, being retired from the Marine Corps arsenal. They are being replaced by another Boeing product, the Osprey. The first operational Osprey squadron was activated on March 3rd. They are funny to look at and had their share of ups and downs along the way, but they seem to be an awesome machine, now that the kinks are being/have been worked out.

The skies over Lejeune will seem strangely different without the phrogs flying overhead.

oh 1:53 are you in the union ?

i'll bet your not

And for those that say Go to the meetings, that's not always possible for family folks. What's so hard about posting the minutes of the monthly meeting on the weg site? If they can take the time to post 60 or more names of people that have crossed the line, DON'T tell me you don't have time to post the minutes of the meetings

"It amazes me how few of you blame Sikorsky. You really think the majority of the work force are paying $73/week for an 80/20 healthcare plan?"

YES!

The national average employee portion of a premium is 28%; family coverage typically costs between $1,200 to $1,400 per month depending on workforce health, extensiveness of coverage..28% of $1,200 is $336 divide that by 4.33 average wks/month = $78 per week. The $1,400 premium at 28% employee is $91 per week.

And most of those at the lower tier feature co-pays simialr to SAC offer.

Next question, please!

they can't post minutes from meeting that meeting is for union members only not all the weirdos on here

Wouldn't worry. If you couldn't attend today's meeting, you can probably see it tomorrow on Sikorsky's site.

Oooooh, wonder what they need to hide from us weirdos?!

Interesting comments that are being made about the healthplan! I find it funny that when my family member went to vote, they took the time to READ the contract and what was being offered. However, when someone saw that my family member was READING the contract, they were asked "why are you bothering?" My family member was astounded, and shocked... doesn't everyone READ what is being offered so that they may make an INFORMED decision? My family member was prepared to vote to reject the contract based on what UNION LEADERSHIP had told the members, until they READ the contract! It was at that point that they changed their vote. Hmmmm sounds like some people need to start thinking for themselves, and educating themselves! Besides, don't you know how unions and companies operate? The company cannot go directly to you with the contract... it could be viewed as coercion, and that my friends is a violation of labor relations law! It HAS to go through the union. Stop trying to place blame on anyone but yourselves and the union.

Why can't they email the minutes to the members who submit email addresses? Again, if you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing.

i don't give a hoot about the national avg. sik and utc are making billions we are not a mom and pop factory we made them what they are and they owe there employees a better insurance plan than the national avg geeeeesh

I see no reason for not putting it on the site, too, if there is nothing to hide. I mean, it's not like it's a matter of national security or anything.

You Post the minutes on the UNION web site NOT here! Geeze...

As many have stated before, if you are so against Sikorsky, if they are such a bad employer, then why not find yourself another job?

why do you need to know anybody who works at sikorskys will be informed not the outsiders who are bashing us come on now get a life will ya

2:03 - Again.... learn the rules... they don't OWE you a thing! Nada, zilch, nothing! That's why there are those of you who will never get this and you are doomed to lose your jobs. Business is business. That's all. It is what it is, not what is could be, not what is should be, it just is what it is.

If you continue to approach this as a personal thing, you will keeping fighting logic. You must put your feelings aside and look at facts.

The fact is your union had an obligation to let you know what was in the contract. Fact - you had an obligation to find out what you were voting on or to refuse to allow the vote until such time as the questions were answered. Fact - SIK has done well by you all these years in comparison to other companies and what they offer to employees that do not have college educations in this day and age (I know that's not all of you). If you can let go of your anger and ego and look at the facts, you'll see... SIK doesn't owe you. They don't owe salary either. They are running a business whose sole purpose is to make as much money for the stockholders as possible. And they are doing that. Just because you can't accept the reality of that, it doesn't mean that the reality will change. Know the rules so you can join the game. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

We need to vote Rocco out or were all lost!!!!!

"i don't give a hoot about the national avg. sik and utc are making billions we are not a mom and pop factory we made them what they are and they owe there employees a better insurance plan than the national avg geeeeesh"

Thats nice. I hope the wealthy stays nice for you.you'll be walking around outside forever.

If you don't know about the average costs, you are uneducated in digressing a contract offer in a competitive environment.

SIK South coming soon!

Should read "weather" not wealthy

man oh man 2:06 you sure can type fast what do you do for a living work in human res.?

Great post, 2:06

go ahead make my day move south i'll get by i for one am an experinced machinist with papers i can get a job anywhere

Lets see, 2:16..Ct has lost 120,000 mfg jobs in 10 years. That creates a few tens of thousand fewer machinists jobs!

And no one pays SAC contract rates!

Are we going to start all the posturing again? Maybe its time to leave this for the evening. The children are coming out to play.

no they do not whats your point

i can see that no one here is with the union so i will depart but just one thing to all you bashers you can kiss bolth cheeks on my butt lol looosers

I believe the point is.. if I may be so bold...that even if you are one of the lucky ones who can get another job, it won't be as good or as lucrative as the one you just walked away from.... so how does that make personal sense to you?

Bring back Bruce Peters!

"i can see that no one here is with the union so i will depart but just one thing to all you bashers you can kiss bolth cheeks on my butt lol loooser"

We can't. We have to go back to work, or else our paycheck will look like yours lately.

Just came back from the 12:00 0clock meeting. I'm numb. Rocco is a bully. so are the members of local 1150. It was a waste of time if you wanted to ask a question that had anything to do about going back to work or the purposal that sikorsky gave us you would be hissed at. I'm so embarrased to be a teamster at this moment. god bless you all. we will need it with that mobster union on our side.

that shows your education level SIK of CIRCLING..@2:13... the proper spelling of "there" when using it as a possesive pronoun is "their" dipshit

Anyone else out there with comments on the noon meeting? Inquiring minds want to know...! (And just because we all don't work for Sik doesn't mean we are not interested parties. Some of us are paying the taxes that are paying the cops and will soon be paying your unemployment when you get laid off.)

what is this a classroom i'm sure you get his point education is what you make of it not spelling jerkoff

ROCO
ROCO
ROCO
ROCO

IN 2008 WITH hILLARY cLINTON AS HIS RUNNING MATE

Precisely 2:29..the natives are getting tired of circling. They know its pointless.

Bring back Santamaria!!!

ROCO
ROCO
ROCO
ROCO
HE IS OUR MAN HE CAN FU**K,US LIKE NO ONE ELSE CAN

cross, cross.cross.cross.cross the line

SIK of Circling here...Well this just proves another point, SOMEONE has nothing better to do than "spell check" here and deduce one's education level...isn't there something better you could be doing right now for us??? And are you trying to say that because someone works on the floor, they couldn't possibly be educated? Undecisive in their own decissions?

Today was payday for Sikorsky salaried folks... The extra overtime pay in our paychecks was terrific.

I think it is a good thing that the hourly people are on strike. Walking around in circles is the most work they've done in years.

Plus the salaried work force are getting paid for the laps that are running outside. It really sucks getting free lunch in a nice warm building with a fat wallet and a happy family life.

If nothing happens this week i'm quite sure the crossing will begin big time. have to swallow some pride and think of your family because god knows the union won't pay your bills.

I heard Rocco said at the meeting that the teamsters have got management on the run! Welcome to fantasy island!!

Well we'll be good for Lappers in the next Olympics...plenty of training here...well except for those just shy of "WALKERS" out there hobbling along...

2:19
Good comeback, should have used UTC for a better education.

Please remember - if you feel after your meeting today that you cannot speak or ask questions, resign your union membership and go back to work while you still can.

resign
resign
resign
resign

well i never went to college and i can't spell for crap but i'm making sure that my 3 kids are going to college and all are honor students so i think ive done well dumb maybe but a proud dad and a good husband college dosen't teach you that.

I wish all the bashing would stop. Nothing being gained by talking about spelling, big paychecks (low blow by the way) etc. After all is said and done IF you're lucky enough to go back to work, you're all still working for the same company. Just get out there and get things settled for God sake!

I agree with you, 2:45. My father never even graduated H.S. and he was one of the smartest people I've ever known. He was self educated. He made sure that he stressed education to the kids. Being a good person and doing what's best for your family is the real test of a man. Some strikers should remember that. Most of the spelling errors are really typing errors. I've made several myself. Its just because we're typing quickly and not checking. That's not the point of this.

Any real news here or just attacking each other like yesterday?

thanks 2:48 i know

Again... a little confusion on my part... if the meeting went the way it was reported on this blog, why aren't more people ready to resign. I thought this was the union's last chance to do right by you and to give you real answers and not rhetoric.

If that report was accurate, your loyalty is definitely misplaced. They are just stonewalling and bullying you. Get out while there is a job to go back to. For your own sakes and your family's sake.

What happened at the meeting?

Rocco mooned the crowd.

Where is everyone who was at the 12 pm meeting? We need some info as to what went on.

exactly 2:48...Can't we all just get along! One company, one vision! Stop taking it out on other people just because we can't get in direct communication with the source or real players...STOP THE HATE!!!

please 2:50 stop doing this if you were in our shoes you would know its not that easy

while I fel bad for the members getting this unfair contract from SIK it has come time to face the facts. This strike is costing you money everyday and the company is not going to budge. The people inside are laughing at you. They will use this against you. You need to ask yourself is it better to have a nice, high paying job and have to pay for a large chunk of care or is it better to have no job at all. Even if they let you back the days of loafing around are done. Management is going to crack the whip once the strike ends and the union has lost all leverage..... "look before you leap".....the union would have done well to head that.

The committment we all made to our families (to love, honor, in sickness and in health) should come first. Taking care of each other, through good times and bad. Well enough of the bad, let's get back to the good. Too much time has gone by, bills will be coming due. Money (lack of) will be the demise of a lot of couples. It will destroy you if too much more time passes.

wow i bet that took you all morning to think of i'm impressed NOT

thats where your wrong 2:54 if you have made the right choice of spouse she will stand by you in bad times also its so easy to be good

Just common sense 2:55, and I'm NOT looking to impress YOU of all people!

oh belive me you do not impress anyone except your mirror

2:57
Statistics my dear.....

RRR

MEMBERSHIP MEETING REPORT...

I just returned from the 12:00 membership meeting. Contrary to the absurdities posted here, there was no riot... No one hung Rocco... There was no call for a re-vote... There was no dissention among the membership... And everyone supported the Executive Board's rejection of Sikorsky's latest contract.

The meeting was informative and conducted in a professional manner. All concerns of members were addressed in the "question & answer" period following Rocco's oration. I was glad that I attended and pleasantly surprised by the extreme unity which is more evident than ever.

If any Local 1150 member did not attend, I would highly recommend stopping at the Uion Hall for the 4:00 meeting today (Wed. 3-15) Arrive a little early if possible. The place was packed at noon.

90/10 is 100% true. I just came from the union meeting, it went off well. I was waiting for all you people who said they stand up and blast Roco and the rest of the union, well I am still waiting, nothing was said, no union bashing. The union members left the meeting STRONGER than ever. So all of you company blogers have FAILED.
Union bashers had the chance to blast the union, but I guess you left your balls home. Maybe you don't even belong to the union.

commitment does not mean crossing the line greed does

For some, being "right" is what this is all about. Even if all is lost in the end, they want to be able to say they are "right". They don't want to "lose face". They would rather commit "hari kari" (not sure of the spelling, so don't point it out). The company doesn't think like that. They think in practical terms, not personal. They don't care about "right" or wrong... just the bottom line. That's why they can make clear decisions in their best interest.

There's an old saying...."Would you rather be right or happy?" Sometimes, you can't have both. I think its time for you to choose. Me? I've learned with age to choose happy every time.

DAILY UPDATE: 3-15-06 2:30pm

Day 24 of the strike.

Teamsters Local 1150 members attended the 12:00pm meeting today and sent a resounding message of continued support to the Executive Board. The message from Secretary Treasurer Rocco Calo to the membership was one of disappointment that the company has failed to come back and bargain in good faith. The membership's message to the Executive Board and to the company was this: WE ARE HERE, WE ARE UNITED, WE WILL NOT QUIT UNTIL WE GET A FAIR CONTRACT!

Discussion of the company's weekend letter asking members to call them and come back to work resulted in a demand by the membership to call the company during the meeting. The call was made on speaker phone and the members left a message for the company: a long resounding "BOO".

Local 1150 leadership continued to meet with the federal mediator on Wednesday. No more proposals have been passed since the company's latest insult on Monday. The union, its members, the community and the elected officials of Connecticut and beyond continue to urge the company to return to the table and bargain in good faith.

STAY STRONG, STAY UNITED... TOGETHER WE CANNOT LOSE!

DO THE MATH YOU PEOPLE ALREADY LOST..

the union may be "strong"....but continueing to knock your head against a wall is "stupid"....all this strike is doing is costing you is money, jobs, and your work environment......you may be united now, but what good will that do when your union and none of you are at the plant in a year?

27 years... I'm sorry to hear that no one asked the tough questions. Even die hard union supporters should have had some questions to ask. It's a shame that once again all you got was the rah rah speach to hold on and you could beat down the "man". The union just bought itself more of your time and the company just got more ammo.

I AM CROSSING TODAY I HAVE VACATIONS PLANNED

" the company is running scared "

" the local is united "

" everything is going great in Iraq "

-learn to question what you are told members

They WILL I MEAN WILL LEAVE THIS CRAP STATE

"The call was made on speaker phone and the members left a message for the company: a long resounding "BOO"." - - -

VERY childish and quite freakin' gay.

If the meeting went the way it is being reported, then you all get what you deserve. If the people on this blog who had issues with the union leadership did not turn up and voice their concerns, that's now totally on you. You can no longer blame anyone else.

Many people on this site were here to try to reason with you and give you some good accurate info. I know some were not, but I have inside info from a good source that agrees with most of what I have seen here. So, I know I'm for real and I have to think many others were too.

At any rate, there no longer seems to be a point to trying to help you or give you info. or perhaps a logical perspective. All you have to do is be in Rocco's presence and you believe all the crap. It sounds like he didn't say anything. Just fed you more lines..."the company's on the run"... I would have asked why he thought that, no jumped onthe bandwagon and started cheering!! Its sad to say but you all deserve whatever happens. Even those who claim to want to go back. You had your chance to make a difference at the meeting. So, unless you resign and go back now, you get what you're "entitled" to.

I vividly remember all the company posted propaganda regarding todays meeting as well...

"Rocco better have some answers!!!"
"I'm demanding a re-vote!!!"
"They better have Police at the meeting!!!"
"There's going to be a riot!!!"
"They'll probably hang Rocco!!!"

The bottom line is that each and every underhanded, dirty attempt at intimidation and coercion on Sikorsky's part has FAILED to affect the Local 1150 membership!

Who cares how educated someone is. I'm salary, but I'm embarrassed by how people keep using the education and bad-spelling cards. I stink at spelling too.

My grandfather is probably less educated than any person walking that line. Does that make me respect him any less? No! Sure, he may be a little off in some of this ideas, but who isn't.

It was him that taught me how to work hard, earn an honest dollar, do your best for all of your work, hold doors for women and your elders. If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be some punk, like most of teenagers in this dirty a$$ state.

Most business type people that I kn