| Local 876 used the opportunity presented by its
light 2009 collective bargaining schedule to devote
additional time and resources to increased steward
training. While the overall goal of the professional
training was to better equip stewards to handle the
day-to-day demands of their job, conducting the
training in 2009 was critical as Local 876's
rigorous 2010 bargaining schedule loomed.
"Having an unusually light
bargaining schedule in 2009 gave the local the
opportunity to focus on developing other aspects of
the organization, including steward training," Roger
Robinson, Local 876's president, said. "It is vital
to train stewards in 2009 in order to have a skilled
and confident steward group in place to assist with
our extremely demanding 2010 contract bargaining
schedule."
With the contracts of over 14,750
members at 17 employers expiring next year Local
876's already strenuous 2010 bargaining schedule is
made more difficult by the tough negotiating
environment.
"The sheer volume of contracts up
for negotiations in 2010 would be challenging in any
year," Robinson said. "However, with Michigan's
economy still faltering and the state's unemployment
remaining high, bargaining will be extremely tough
in 2010. To varying degrees, some of our employers
have been negatively impacted by the economic
downturn to varying degrees. Others, continuing to
do well, will attempt to use current conditions as
leverage against their workers. I fully expect all
employers to come to the bargaining table looking
for some type of relief."
Local 876 will be looking to
negotiate the best possible contract and for
stewards' assistance in the effort.
"More than ever, in our 2010
bargaining, we will be relying on stewards to use
their one-on-one and other skills to help us secure
the best possible outcome to each negotiation,"
Robinson said. "Active and involved stewards will be
key to our success at the bargaining table."
|
2010 Contract
Bargaining Schedule
| Dearborn Sausage |
01-09-2009* |
| Provincial House LPN |
03-31-2010 |
| Kroger |
06-09-2010 |
| Polly's |
06-19-2010 |
| Provincial House
Support |
06-30-2010 |
| Continental Coatings |
06-03-2010 |
| Continental Plastics |
06-30-2010 |
| Kessel/Kroger/New
Market |
08-07-2010 |
| Hiller's Supermarkets |
08-29-2010 |
| Hollywood
Supermarkets |
08-29-2010 |
| CVS |
08-31-2010 |
| Plumb's |
08-31-2010 |
| Oleson Food Stores |
09-25-2010 |
| Beaver's Supermarkets |
09-29-2010 |
| Society St. Vincent
DePaul |
10-02-2010 |
| Cygnet Financial |
10-10-2010 |
| A. Koegel Sanitation
Meat |
11-20-2010 |
|
*Negotiations complete,
contract ratified 12-17-2009.
|