Brothers and Sisters,

Shortly after coming back from our Christmas Holiday I began to reflect on the many years that I spent working in, what is referred to as job shops. Of course the phrase “job shop” is a polite way to describe the low pay, no benefits, and harsh working conditions that are a common way of life outside of our plant. The fact that I have experienced places that would work an individual seventy plus hours a week, non-voluntarily of course, and then expect a good attitude really made me so very appreciative of the job that I’ve had the last twenty years. It is absolutely amazing what the majority of businesses and bosses expect for what they offer in return.

I then began to think of the reason why this employment is so much better than the others. THE UNION. Looking back, had I never had the opportunity to work in a Union Shop I would still be working for $14.00 to $16.00 an hour, no retirement, no COLA, no GWI, no health insurance, no dental, no Christmas shutdown, no double time, unsafe work conditions, and on and on. Also let us not forget, UNION REPRESENTATION. The collective bargaining process which we go through each and every negotiation is what allows us to have the consistent rules of engagement that govern the conditions of employment we have. Whether we like some of them or dislike some of them, thank God they are there. Let us remember that us standing together as one in solidarity is the very fabric that allows us to accomplish our goals.

As we have all seen the posting boards throughout the plant it is certainly a wonderful sight to see job openings. As of this article, there are some twenty jobs posted. There are three in Quality, two in ICS, three in electrical, and twelve in manufacturing. If you are aware of someone that would like to apply, it could be beneficial for you to download their resume in the system before the applicant actually puts in for a specific requisition number. These jobs should go outside around the 23^rd of this month.

In solidarity,

Herbert R. Brand Jr.