Over the past few months the 812 "HANDS OFF OUR WORK" campaign has attracted a lot of attention. Not only by members, but also from the companies themselves.
First, at Pepsi. Shop Steward Ray Higgins and Business Agent John Visconti discovered non-union merchandisers doing bargaining unit work on weekends. Ray and John documented each occurrence, with the company conceding that they violated the collective bargaining agreement. As a result, 812 members received a huge monetary settlement for loss of overtime and work.
812 has been very active educating members on why it's important not to allow any management to pack out product in the stores or perform any other Local 812 bargaining unit work. The local has posted an instruction sheet and flier on its website, training members on what to do if you see a manager doing our work.
There is never a reason for supervisors to do "Bargaining Unit Work". All members have to be involved in order to stop it because it will spread and result in the loss of 812 union jobs. Coke has been a major violator and the union has filed numerous grievances to end it. The union obtained photos of violations and demanded layoff information. Local 812 union leaders believe they are on the verge of eliminating the problem with Coca Cola once and for all, gaining all 812 work back and creating even more jobs. An announcement is soon expected.
Business Agent Larry DeBellis summed up the union campaign, "We take our work very seriously, there should never be a manager or supervisor doing our work. We need to protect our jobs and way of life everyday. Members have to realize, if you let them do it once, they will keep doing it. Stop it now and it will not happen."
Companies, both soda and beer, try to move work so they can hire less people to save money. Over the past year one beer facility (Lobo Beer Dist.) was constantly short-handed, resulting in an increase in driver injuries and sick calls. In the past, when managers were challenged for taking trucks out, the excuse was always "drivers called out sick and we need to run the business " WELL NO MORE!
Recording Secretary John Ulrich filed a grievance following reports that company managers had been performing work normally and regularly handled by drivers. The company was not properly staffed to meet sales needs, thereby causing numerous injuries and increased use of sick time.
Lobo Driver Shop Steward Joe Sangriocoli documented each offense and kept accurate notes of who, what, where, when, why, and how.
A hearing was held on March 19th for an Arbitrator to hear the case and award a decision on the grievance. We recently received the award in the Union's favor.
"Shop Steward Joe Sangriocoli and Assistant Steward Paul Tringale did a great job of keeping accurate details of what was going on. They could tell you the day, time and what the supervisor was doing on each offense. Joe would call me everyday that it happened. We had a very solid case. Joe and Paul won this case for their men," said Recording Secretary John Ulrich.
The Arbitrator wrote, "There is very plain and clear language in the agreement's recognition clause, the parties have set forth their intention and have agreed that all work performed in the named job categories must and shall be Union work only. The company is, therefore, ordered and instructed not to have non-union supervisors and managerial personnel perform such bargaining unit work."
Now the company is hiring like mad knowing that they can no longer get away with what they were doing. Not only have we created jobs for new 812 members, current members now have greater job security. Supervisors now understand that there are stiff penalties for bargaining unit work.
Congratulations to all those involved, especially Ray, Joe and Paul. Great Work!
