For those who bad-mouth SPSE/UTPE, take time the time to read this!
Lab says it will recognize union
# LIVERMORE: Agreement avoids a possible protracted dispute with unit of 170 skilled workers
By Betsy Mason
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 02/29/2008 03:12:48 AM PST
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory reached an agreement with labor organizers Thursday recognizing a bargaining unit that includes 170 skilled crafts workers such as plumbers and mechanics.
In return, the Society of Professionals, Scientists and Engineers, which led the unionization campaign, agreed to drop two unfair labor practice charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board and one internal grievance.
"We're jubilant," said lab computer scientist Jim Wolford, a leader of the organizing drive. "We were looking at a rather protracted struggle."
Just before an Oct. 1 change in lab management from the University of California to Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC, the California Public Employment Relations Board approved the skilled crafts unit.
But the new manager refused to recognize it and sought to move the matter to the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees labor issues at private companies.
The NLRB requires a one-day election for employees to choose whether to accept the union, usually a more difficult hurdle than the signature collection the state permits.
In response, organizers filed the unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB.
Reach Betsy Mason at 925-952-2056 or bmason@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Lab says it will recognize union
# LIVERMORE: Agreement avoids a possible protracted dispute with unit of 170 skilled workers
By Betsy Mason
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 02/29/2008 03:12:48 AM PST
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory reached an agreement with labor organizers Thursday recognizing a bargaining unit that includes 170 skilled crafts workers such as plumbers and mechanics.
In return, the Society of Professionals, Scientists and Engineers, which led the unionization campaign, agreed to drop two unfair labor practice charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board and one internal grievance.
"We're jubilant," said lab computer scientist Jim Wolford, a leader of the organizing drive. "We were looking at a rather protracted struggle."
Just before an Oct. 1 change in lab management from the University of California to Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC, the California Public Employment Relations Board approved the skilled crafts unit.
But the new manager refused to recognize it and sought to move the matter to the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees labor issues at private companies.
The NLRB requires a one-day election for employees to choose whether to accept the union, usually a more difficult hurdle than the signature collection the state permits.
In response, organizers filed the unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB.
Reach Betsy Mason at 925-952-2056 or bmason@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Comments
I didn't think so.
Victory does not come all at once;
it will take years and acts of congress to change how the National Labs are managed!
SPSE may not have given you anything directly but its success speaks for itself; did you know, for example, that the original language of the LANL RFP did not include TCP1; it just had a "comparable" 401K for everyone and did not require the new company to offer employment to those who freeze their UCRP?
Read their latest newsletter at www.spse.org and let me know if you still think the same way.
You are too blinded by anger at LLNS to see SPSE success; SPSE is made of volunteers who continue to fight for you and I even though "we "bad-mouth them!
sincerely,
We're on a war footing with LLNS, stop playing patty-cake with them.
Did you vote last summer for SPSE to represent us? or are one of the ones that ignored SPSE plea and their insistence on the importance of colective bargaining?
The reason SPSE represents only a small unit at the lab is that the rest of the units played dead all of last year!
How can they "break" knees of you did not vote to give them union status?
The answer to that is. They're use to being under UC, a much better and more productive organization than LLNS will ever be. After they get screwed really well they may come alive but I'll bet that most of them just want to get by for the next 5-7 years and realistically don't care what happens after that. It is however what occurs between that time that's going to affect them to the point where they may never reach their goal.
Don't assume that just because someone is critical of SPSE they were by-standers.
Like most of these situations, it is complex enough that a short letter can't cover all the facts. I have set up a web site at: http://home.comcast.net/~jrequa/retiree.htm which explains the situation. I am seeking support from other retirees to help address the issue.
Our most critical need is to find a law firm to help us. So far, I have been unable to find one which will evaluate the merits of our case. I have been advised by two law firms that immediate action is necessary in order to protect our legal options. If you, your lawyers, or any of your members can recommend an appropriate firm please let me know.
jrequa@comcast.net