🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <XnsA1A0656F7C8D26F089P2473@202.177.16.121>
"Leroy N. Soetoro" <leroysoetoro@usurper.org> wrote:
>
> http://www.jsonline.com/business/union-asks-matc-to-stop-training-
> caterpillar-employees-do956jr-197885401.html
>
> A labor union has asked Milwaukee Area Technical College to stop training
> nonunion employees so they could step in as replacement workers at
> Caterpillar Inc.'s South Milwaukee plant in the event of a strike.
>
> United Steelworkers Local 1343 says Caterpillar has placed about 25
> nonunion employees in the college's welder training program before
> contract negotiations with the union, which are set to begin in April.
>
> Should the talks break down, those employees could step in and replace
> striking workers.
>
> "Please don't allow MATC to be used as a pawn in Caterpillar's union-
> busting games," the Steelworkers said Wednesday in a letter to the
> college's board of directors and President Michael Burke.
>
> The union has asked the college to immediately stop the training and to
> return any training materials to Caterpillar.

Aw, is the poor union scared that they have no bargaining power 
with a work stoppage?

You stupid union fucks.  That tactic was neutered back in the 
80's.

Now it's time to focus on those extortionist dockworkers and put 
those criminals out of a job.

> "Judging from its training of these potential replacement workers, and the
> company's long history of confronting unions, we already know that these
> negotiations will be tough," Local 1343 said in a note to its membership.
>
> The union has represented workers at the mining equipment factory for more
> than 70 years, but this will be the first contract negotiations since
> Caterpillar acquired the plant as part of its $7.6 billion purchase of the
> former Bucyrus International in 2010.
>
> Caterpillar acknowledges putting nonunion employees into the welder
> training program, and it says that's standard practice when preparing for
> contract talks that could break down and result in a work stoppage.
>
> "We do this well in advance of a contract expiring. We train our own
> employees to do specific jobs so that we don't have a slowdown in
> production," said company spokesman Jim Baumgartner.
>
> "This is a normal precautionary plan that we go through in any union labor
> situation," he said.
>
> Milwaukee Area Technical College said it received the Steelworkers'
> request Wednesday.
>
> "MATC does have a contract with Caterpillar for an incumbent worker
> welding assessment and training activity. Part of MATC's mission is being
> responsive to the needs of businesses in our district, and this contract
> is an example of that," college spokeswoman Kathleen Hohl said in a
> written statement.
>
> A union representing the college's faculty members said it opposes the
> training of replacement workers for Caterpillar and putting the college in
> the middle of a labor dispute.
>
> "Clearly they are using MATC and our training program as a bargaining
> chip. I have every sympathy with the Steelworkers," said Michael Rosen,
> union president and economics instructor at the college.
>
> "There's a lot of concern among our faculty about this," Rosen said.
>
> Caterpillar says the training is only for current, nonunion employees, and
> that it has not sought outside replacement workers for the South Milwaukee
> plant.
>
> Last summer, the company advertised for replacements to fill in for
> striking workers at its plant in Joliet, Ill. That strike lasted for about
> three months and involved nearly 800 employees represented by the
> International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
>
> The Steelworkers say Caterpillar has taken other training actions to
> prepare for a strike here in addition to the MATC program. It includes
> training management employees in the plant for blue-collar jobs.
>
> "Our members have been told they are required to train these people on
> their jobs, up to and including allowing them to run their jobs," said
> Ross Winklbauer, a Steelworkers subdistrict director.
>
> "We feel it's an intimidation tactic," he said.
>
> Caterpillar says any preparation for a strike is not an expectation of
> what will happen, but the company will remain in training mode should
> something happen.
>
> "We are hopeful there won't be a work stoppage," Baumgartner said.
>
> Comments:
>
> 1digger - Mar 28 at 2:28 PM - Report Abuse
> 00
> Typical union leadership bilge, always looking over their self interests
> and not the workers. Extort, demand compliance to the almighty union gods
> but not the EMPLOYER that pays the wages! Take your racket and shove it
> where it belongs, where the sun don't shine!
> ReplyPermalink
>
> mr parker - Mar 19 at 6:06 PM - Report Abuse
> 11
> Unions are the scabs that needs to be removed to get real economic
> recovery.
>
> WI does need a right-to-work law.
> ReplyPermalink
>
> CO Bill - Mar 17 at 4:05 PM - Report Abuse
> 10
> Let's see the union go on strike and see how long those operations stay in
> WIsconsin at all.
> ReplyPermalink
>
> xsighter - Mar 15 at 6:21 PM - Report Abuse
> 20
> "Our members have been told they are required to train these people on
> their jobs, up to and including allowing them to run their jobs," said
> Ross Winklbauer, a Steelworkers subdistrict director.
>
> "We feel it's an intimidation tactic," he said.
>
> Uh, like trying to force a public educational institution into not
> educating people is not intimidation!?!?!
> ReplyPermalink
>
> MOTR - Mar 15 at 5:56 AM - Report Abuse
> 02
> To people choosing a career, you can see hear how little your contribution
> will be valued if you choose to work in manufacturing. Get smart and go
> elsewhere.
> Hide repliesReplyPermalink
>
> whackamole - Mar 15 at 5:07 PM - Report Abuse
> 01
> Yeah, because the guy with the 4-year degree working at Pick n' Save
> proves that theory.
> ReplyPermalink

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