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News and Announcements
Negotiations set to begin
Brothers and Sisters, today we prepare to capitalize on the years of hard work and successful completion of our dissaffiliation campaign. In moments the Company will join us and once again the true majority will represent the best interests of workers in Covington. The negotiating committee is both confident and optimistic that we will be able to deliver an equitable Labor agreement capable of carrying our membership forward and rebuilding Solidarity among doubters. We look forward to updating you on the progress here in Lexington. Thanks, Roy
posted on 19 Jan 2010 by R. Hall
CHRISTMAS GATHERING POSTPONED
The Holiday Gathering scheduled for tomorrow night, Saturday, December 19, at the Hotel Roanoke has been postponed until January.
If you have a room booked tomorrow night, you may keep it at the rate quoted. If you want to cancel your room, you must do so by 2 p.m. today.
1-540-985-5900
posted on 18 Dec 2009 by R. Hall
CPU Local 675 STD/LTD Plan
Proposed CPU Local 675 STD/LTD Plan
Notice - December, 2009
CPU Local 675 Executive Committee began to review, in early December 2009, the option of moving the current short-term/long-term disability plan with Liberty Mutual to Lincoln Financial. This would be a new two-year contract with a proposed effective date of March 1, 2010. All current participants (CPU, USW, IBEW) who continue forward with coverage on 3/1/10 would not have to do anything to transfer into this new plan. Everything would happen automatically for current participants. All pre-existing rights earned would transfer into the new contract. This change would allow for an open enrollment for the dates of January 6, to January 31, 2010 for those who do not currently participate and wish to get into the plan.
One new big advantage built into this plan is the coverage of arrearage premiums during the short-term disability benefit period. The CPU plan would cover the cost of the member’s premium when he or she is out on short-term disability. Example: A claimant is out for three months on a short-term disability claim and payroll deductions for the premium are not taken. In the past, the claimant would return to work and have to catch up the arrearage. Now the plan would pay the premium for the claimant and he or she would not have arrearage. Note: Premium is always waived when drawing long-term disability benefits.
Plan Highlights:
- STD Plan pays 60% of weekly income minus A&S benefit based on a 45-hour work week
- STD benefits are tax-free
- STD Plan has a maximum benefit period of 26 weeks
- LTD Plan pays 60% of monthly income based on a 45-hour work week
- LTD benefits are tax-free
- LTD minimum benefits remains $100 monthly
- LTD Plan pays for a maximum of 2 years
- STD/LTD Plan combined savings of 15%
- STD/LTD arrearage premium paid by plan
- Two year rate guarantee
- Plan would continue to be serviced and administered by Allison-Brock, Inc.
New enrollees who would come into the plan during the open enrollment and after would not have a pre-existing condition clause for short-term disability. A pre-existing condition clause would be applied to the long-term disability coverage. If this plan is approved by the Executive Committee, during the January 5, 2010 meeting, and you do not currently participate and would like an application, just call Allison-Brock toll-free 1- (877) 347-7687.
posted on 11 Dec 2009 by B. Booth
CPU 675 Update
Job Evaluation
Multiple requests have been made of the USW in attempt to obtain information relevant to open job evaluation issues. The USW have not been forthcoming with this information. While we hope to acquire the documents in the future, our members deserve representation, now. If you have knowledge of open JE items in your area, please notify the union hall at 962-5799, or email Bob Booth at bbooth@local675.com.
By-Laws Committee Update
Our By-Laws Committee has been tasked by the membership to draft four amendments to the CPU 675 By-Laws. After the By-Laws Committee has drafted the new language, a special advertised meeting will be held to allow the membership to vote its pleasure to either accept or deny incorporating the new language into the By-Laws. The items concern:
- Regulating the Union’s ability to officially endorse a political candidate.
- Allowing for elections by the membership when the Executive Board appoints an officer in the event a position becomes vacant.
- Creating a provision for absentee balloting.
- Establishing a 12:30 meeting to accommodate shift workers and a procedure to vote on issues that may arise.
Current By-Laws Committee Members are Steve Rice, Steve Gilbert, Randy Lawson, Missy May and Nita Gibson.
Bell Ringers Needed
The Salvation Army is in need of bell ringers at various locations. You can volunteer for this worthy cause by calling 962-6206.
Christmas Mother Bucket Drop
A sign-up sheet for people who wish to help with the Christmas Mother bucket drop on 12/16/09 is located at the union hall. If you would like to volunteer, please notify the union hall (962-5799) as to which gate and shift change you can help with.
Leonard Rickett
A spontaneous movement of individuals wishing to donate money to support Leonard Rickett has developed in the mill. If you are sympathetic to this cause and would like to volunteer to help with collection in your area, you can bring the collected money to the union hall.
Attention Shop Stewards
CPU 675 is developing a list containing contact information for union stewards. Please, call the union hall and give your preferred method of contact(phone, text, pager, etc.), so the union can ensure that information can be exchanged in an efficient manner.
posted on 08 Dec 2009 by B. Booth
CPU 675 Christmas Parade Float
We are looking for CPU 675 members and/or their family to help with the CPU float for the Covington Christmas parade.
Heather Williams has prepared all of the props for the float. Swing by the hall tomorrow at noon if you would like to help apply the float decorations on the trailer. Set up will take place in the parking lot behind the union hall.
We also need people to ride on the float and others to walk along side the float and pass out candy. Parade assembly begins at 5:00pm in the west mill parking lot. The parade starts at 6:00pm. Please, call the union hall (962-5799) or Heather (958-0361) and let us know that you plan to participate.
Additionally, the union hall will be open to members who prefer to watch the parade from a warmer vantage.
posted on 04 Dec 2009 by B. Booth
Schedule Change For Day Workers
The union and company met this morning to discuss schedule changes for day workers that were implemented earlier this month. The following workers who began working 6:30am-3:00pm the first week in November will be scheduled 6:00am-2:00pm effective next week:
Environmental Services Utility Assistant
No. 8 Paper Machine Utility Assistant
Woodyard Utility Assistant
Unbleached Pulp Mill Clean-up Utility
Bleach Room Clean-up Utility
Stocks & Additives Clean-up Utility
No. 1 Paper Machine Clean-up Utility
No. 2 Paper Machine Clean-up Utility
Finishing & Loading Clean-up Utility
Finishing & Loading Day Shift Loader Shipper
No. 1 Paper Machine Day Shift 4th Assistant
No. 1 Paper Machine Loading Utility Assistant
Power Lead Janitor
Power Laborer
Recovery Laborer
Quality Assurance Product Int Coordinator
Subject Matter Experts Assigned to Production
Oilers
Carbon- Day Shift Tour Grader, Warehouse Operators, Bulk Loader, Power Sweeper, Laborers, CP3rd, Janitor/Custodian, and Safety Facilitator
The union will procede with the 10 hour vote for affected jobs in GMS&S and the Store Room in the near future. We will meet with the company to discuss concerns with the proposed schedule in the Store Room(and explore alternative resolution) prior to holding the election.
posted on 11 Nov 2009 by B. Booth
Job Related Issues
In job related matters, The Covington Paperworkers Union and MWV Representives discussed several current issues.
*Postings for hourly fill-in foreman will be extended 15 days and requirements for a resume will be dropped.
*10 hour shift votes will be held in the areas of GMS&S, Stores and Salvage in the very near future.
*Issues pretaining to language around dayworkers and tour workers which led to modified shift schedules for many members may be remedied as soon as next week.
*meetings will be held in the near future to discuss a plan to transition Trena Critzer, Safety Officer Elect, into her new duties.
posted on 06 Nov 2009 by Roundhead
Covington Paperworkers Union Meets With Company Representatives
On Friday November 6th the majority elected officers of The Covington Paperworkers Union met with representatives of Mead Westvaco Corporation to outline the path forward for Covington Workers. In the near future The Covington Paperworkers Union will be submitting a formal request to facilitate such. During the meeting, the company indicated they would be taking thier "cues" from the Covington union. Accordingly the negotiating committee proposed that we return the negotiated language to the "RED BOOK CONTRACT" in order to expedite negotiations by focusing energy on key issues such as Healthcare, Attendance, Pension and Wages.
Be on the lookout in the next week for membership surveys and plan to attend "YOUR UNION MEETINGS" the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month @5:00PM to stay informed.
posted on 06 Nov 2009 by Roundhead
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