GKN Speed Facts

Dear GKN Brothers and Sisters, The Union recently made a request of GKN Aerospace to allow those of our members wishing to leave work early on December 23, 2021, to waive the charging of attendance points on this day.  The Company responded to the Union’s request with a firm “no”, they would not be able to meet the Union’s request at this time. It is disappointing to the Union that the Company refused to accommodate this modest request during the holiday season as you have diligently reported to work throughout the ongoing pandemic. District offices will be closed December 24, […]

Boeing Speed Facts

Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Company has agreed to allow employees to leave early from work on Thursday,  December 23, 2021, without any charge to your attendance; provided you arrive at work on time and remain at work for at least four (4) hours.  All other absences will be counted as usual under the Attendance Policy. District offices will be closed December 24, 2021, through January 3, 2022, returning to business as usual, Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Enjoy you Union negotiated holiday break with family and friends and please be safe. On behalf of your Business Representatives, Plant Chairmen, and […]

Boeing Speed Fact

Dear Brothers and Sisters:                                                                                            November 15, 2021      The Union and Company met again on Friday 11/12/2021 to discuss the vaccine mandate and the effects it will have on our membership. As I have said all along this is a fluid situation and changes/updates are continuously being made by the administration and the Company. We feel some of the changes made are a positive step to keep our membership employed and safe while we work through this process. We are hearing of members who received their accommodations and are hopeful everyone who has requested an accommodation is approved. We […]

Boeing SpeedFact

Dear Brothers and Sisters:                                          November 01, 2021      These have certainly been some of the toughest times for our members, as we have all been impacted by the COVID pandemic. First and foremost, we are continuing to engage in effects bargaining with The Boeing Company. We are not close to reaching an agreement and will continue to schedule meetings in the future. It is important for us to communicate today, as we understand the anxiety and stress this vaccine mandate has caused for our members. We want to encourage members that are considering submission of a medical or religious exemption […]

Boeing SpeedFact

Boeing Brothers and Sisters, The Union was notified by Boeing over the weekend of a flier circulating on the shop floor regarding a possible work stoppage that would take place this week by some of our members in protest of the recent vaccine mandate.  I want to be very clear in my message, the Union strongly encourages the membership Not to Participate in this activity.  By interception of this flier, the Company has been made aware of the intent of those who participate.  Article 20 Section 1 of the collective bargaining agreement states: A. There shall be no slowdowns, picketing, […]

Boeing Speed Fact

Brothers and Sisters, We were officially notified yesterday (October 12, 2021) that Boeing would be moving forward with a vaccine mandate in line with Executive Order 14042 and President’s Biden’s COVID-19 action plan. The Company announced they will require all U.S. based Boeing employees to either show proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved reasonable accommodation (based on a medical or religious belief) in place by Dec. 8, 2021. This morning we demanded to bargain the effects of this decision. The Executive Order includes the ability to request religious and medical exemptions for those unable or […]

GKN Speed Facts

GKN Brothers and Sisters, DISTRICT PICNIC: The IAM District 837 picnic will be held on Saturday, September 18, from 11am – 5pm in the park at the union hall, 212 Utz Lane, Hazelwood, MO  63042.  Beverages will be served (for beer – must be 21 and have ID) and food will be served from 12pm till 3pm.  There will be many activities including coed washers and bags tournaments,  a dunking booth benefiting Guide Dogs of America and kid’s activities.  This is a great family friendly event with pony rides, petting zoo, arm painting, balloon twister and bounce house.  Members can […]

Boeing Speed Facts

Boeing Brothers and Sisters, CONTRACT SURVEY: The first contract survey was distributed throughout the shop this month and you; the membership did an excellent job of expressing to your bargaining committee the issues that are important to you.  So, what happens next?  When the survey results are completed your bargaining committee will use those results to formulate a strategy that will provide the opportunity to meet your contract expectations during negotiations.  If you have not returned your survey, they must be returned to your shop steward or plant chairman by Friday, September 3, 2021. With less than 11 months before […]

Boeing Contact Update as of August 3, 2021

Recently, your Negotiating Committee completed their week-long Bargaining class in preparation for the Boeing contract negotiations that will happen next year. A major takeaway from this training is the importance of the role you, the membership, will play throughout the coming year. Your negotiating committee can only be as effective at the table as the membership’s solidarity is on the shop floor. We know that a majority of the membership have never been through a Boeing contact negotiation in St. Louis and therefore many may not know how the bargaining process is accomplished. Over the next year, your negotiating committee, […]

GKN SpeedFacts

I.A.M.A.W. DISTRICT 837212 UTZ LANEHAZELWOOD, MO 63042(314) 731-0603 January 19, 2021 Sisters and Brothers,Your IAM Local 387 bargaining committee has been working hard to secure a contract offer from GKN Aerospace that meets the demands of our members. On Friday, the Company was not prepared to provide a final offer and requested more time to address the union’s proposals. Both parties agreed to a contract extension until midnight February 21, 2021 in order to continue working toward a successful agreement. If there is continued progress from the Company, your bargaining committee believes it’s better to bargain at the table rather […]

GKN SpeedFacts

I.A.M.A.W. DISTRICT 837212 UTZ LANEHAZELWOOD, MO 63042(314) 731-0603 January 08, 2021 SIGN UP FOR STRIKE DUTIES Dear Brothers and Sisters, The expiration of the current contract is rapidly approaching. Your Bargaining Committee has been formulating our Union proposals and negotiations are underway. Thank you for your continued support. The Bargaining Committee fully recognizes the fact that it is the solidarity and support from each of you that enables a successful completion to the negotiating process. Must return by Friday, January 15, 2021. If not returned by 01/15/21, you will be assigned appropriately. Name___________________________________ Building # _ Clock Number _Address________________________________ City […]

Boeing Speed Facts

Most Essential Wednesday, June 10, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters, As our communities and our states begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Boeing decided to make the wearing of face masks in the workplace a requirement across the enterprise beginning, June 15, 2020. I encourage all members to adhere to this policy and use common sense, social distancing practices. Please address any safety concerns you may have with your manager and union representative. For over two months IAM 837 members have continued to come to work as designated “essential workers”, making a profit for the Boeing Company during […]

GKN Speed Facts

Back To Business Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week during a (3) hour conference call with GKN leadership, the Union discussed many topics. One was the continued efforts to keep employees safe despite political decisions to open up our state for business. We encouraged continual cleaning practices, access to sufficient safety supplies, and improved communication about COVID-19 related incidences in the shop. We discussed current grievances and the need to select arbitrators on multiple grievances where we are unable to reach an agreement. As a result of the pandemic, all arbitrations have been postponed until it […]

GKN Upcoming Negotiations

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 […]

Boeing Safety, Seniority and Charity

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 […]

Essential Worker SpeedFact

         Dear “Essential” Machinist Member, As you have witnessed, the Worldwide Pandemic we have endured the last 2 months has changed our workplace safety practices.  We now live in a very different world that requires each one of us to adopt new safety measures as we move forward.  While some of these changes may seem challenging, a safe work environment is what we are expecting from the company.   Being designated as “essential employees” during this pandemic I have continually pressed the Company to recognize the dangers of exposure to my members.   I continue to appeal for hazard pay, appreciation […]

(GKN)Safety First

Dear “Essential” Machinist Member, We continue to see progress being made with regard to the company providing adequate safety supplies, however, your union continues to press for more improvements. I am frustrated by the company’s refusal to relax attendance and LOA guidelines and its practice of forcing employees to quarantine without pay or forced to use available PTO. Common sense dictates that employees should not have to choose between potentially exposing coworkers and getting a paycheck. It ‘s already stressful enough to be forced to be working in a potentially unsafe environment because of strict attendance and LOA rules. The […]

Emotions Run High

Dear Brothers and Sisters, With every day that goes by it seems the world changes before our eyes. Right in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, District 837 members must still go to work. On one hand we still have the opportunity to earn a paycheck, while on the other is the need to be safe and the fear of contracting a potentially fatal virus. Never before have we faced such a stressful dilemma. This pandemic has raised known and unknown issues of safety and company policy that need to be addressed and/or negotiated. While both companies portray an image […]