Month: May 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters, COVID-19 pandemic has changed our workplace forever. While GKN has made strides in keeping IAM members safe, the implementation of safety practices, supplies, and policies has been chaotic. Frankly, we have elements of management who still can’t even adhere to the most basic contract language, much less treat IAM members with the respect they deserve. In only 6 months, we will begin negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement with the company. The experience of a worldwide pandemic has revealed many more contract issues that will need to be addressed. Now is the time all of […]

Thursday, May 21, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters, The company has introduced numerous additional safety guidelines around the requirements to wear a mask while at work. I have urged the company to use common sense in its enforcement. Managers must involve your union representative over issues arising due to the mask-wearing policy. At this time, there is no end date for this requirement. Another safety requirement implemented at the guidance of St. Louis County Health, is the requirement that all employees check their temperature before arriving at work. Since this action is  considered work-related, I have secured an agreement with […]