IAM- Jacobs TOSC Negotiations

Sisters and Brothers

Your negotiation committee and the company met again this morning and again this afternoon. There is no progress to report for today's sessions but we will continue to press forward.
At the company's request, we will resume negotiations on September 9, 2013 at 9 am.

At this time your Union committee would like to extend a warm Labor Day wish to you and your families. Remember, Labor Day is the worker's day and those who came before us fought hard for it and the companies didn't give it up without a fight.

In Solidarity,
Your Union Negotiating Committee

IAM-Jacobs TOSC Negotiations

Sisters and Brothers

Your Union Negotiating Committee again met with the Company early this morning and into the afternoon. Modest progress was made.
Your committee will continue to meet with the company and press forward with our non economic proposals.
Some of you may ask why the pace is so slow. The reason; your committee and the company are starting from the beginning with similar but differently formatted language, Article by Article. The process is very meticulous. Therefore, it is imperative that nothing falls through the cracks.
When it is all said and done your negotiating committee is striving to bring forward for vote the best possible contract that can be negotiated between your Union and the company.

Your committee and the company committee will meet again tomorrow morning.

In Solidarity,
Your Union Negotiating Committee

Brothers and sisters all the orders for tshirts and hats are complete and have been turned into the vendor.  I appreciate everyone that has participated in this fundraiser for the IAM Christmas fund which exclusively benefits the  Brevard Family Partnership.  I look for a 2-3 week turn around time before I have them back and ready to distribute. I apologize for the delay but it is very difficult to get with all the stewards who cover 3 shifts and the entire space center.  Your patience is greatly appreciated

IAM-Jacobs TOSC Negotiations

Sisters and Brothers
Your Union committee met with the company committee this morning. Even though the process is moving along at a slow pace, some progress has been made on some non-economic issues. We will be meeting again tomorrow morning and the remainder of the week to try and finalize some proposals.
We are still a long, long way from reaching any type of agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. Every Article of the new CBA has to be proposed and negotiated, which takes much time and effort. We haven't yet begun to propose our economic proposals to the company. We believe we will be getting into that portion sometime in the near future, but that time will be contingent on the progress of the non-economic portion.
Please stay strong and patient during this process as your Union committee is committed to bringing back the best contract possible.

In Solidarity
Your Negotiating Committee

IAM-Jacobs TOSC Negotiations

Sisters and Brothers

Today your Union negotiating committee again met with the company. The company finally began to counter our proposals. We are far from any agreement but today was the first positive step. Your Union committee is attempting to establish decent contract language and will continue that endeavor throughout the process. We will counter  the company's proposals tomorrow morning that were presented to us today and are optimistic that they will do the same with our proposals.
Please check back tomorrow for further updates.

In Solidarity
Your Negotiating Committee

IAM-Jacobs TOSC Negotiations

Sisters and Brothers

Today a representative from the IAM Pension Plan gave a presentation to the company committee.
Your Union committee continues to work on proposals and counter proposals to the company's proposals. The process is slow but your committee continues to push forward with a positive attitude. There has been nothing of significance to report at this time. Your Union committee will not meet with the company again until Monday morning. Please check back on the blog at that time for any further updates.

In Solidarity
Your Negotiating Committee

Sisters and Brothers

Today your Union Negotiating Committee met with the company to review the proposals that were passed on Monday. There was modest movement on the non-economic issues but no agreements were reached. No economic issues were  discussed as your committee wanted to focus on non economic priorities.
This is going to be a methodical process so we must all be patient. Your Union committee is working hard and will communicate progress when it is made.
Tomorrow your Union committee will again meet with the company committee.

In Solidarity
Your Union Negotiating Committee

IAM-Jacobs TOSC Negotiations

Sisters and Brothers

Today, your Union Negotiating committee met with the company negotiating committee. In attendance at the opening ceremony for the Union was General Vice President of Headquarters, Bob Martinez, and General Vice President of the Southern Territory, Mark Blondin. The message delivered to the company by them was "the Union will not go backwards. We need to preserve our wages, benefits and working conditions and implement the IAM Pension Plan for our members".

Initial proposals were exchanged with your Union's proposal reflecting the wishes of the membership derived from your surveys.

The company presented its proposals, which were asking for "extreme concessions" from the Union. These concessions struck at the heart of our most strongly held beliefs; seniority, benefits, working conditions and wages.

Keep in mind that this is only the company's opening proposal,  so more time is needed to determine the company's actual course of direction.

Your Union committee will continue to work on its proposals and review the proposals passed by the company today. Negotiations with the company will resume on Wednesday, August 21st at 9 am. Check back on the blog at approximately 6 pm Wednesday for further updates. Please keep in mind that there will be no further updates until then.

In Solidarity

Your Negotiating Committee

Local Lodge 2061 Tshirts and hats now available!

Brothers and sisters Local lodge 2061 Tshirts and new hats are now available!  The design on the shirts will be the same as the last ones sold.  It is the one with the Shuttle and alligator on it.  The front pocket has the IAM  logo with the Local Lodge number on it.  These tshirts are American made with the union label.  The hats are embroidered with the IAM logo. Please contact your steward to order yours today!  Orders will be picked up from the stewards as soon as they have contacted every one of his/her members.  All proceeds will be deposited into the IAM Christmas fund benefitting Brevard Family Partnership.  Thank you for your support.

Steve Ching VP
Local Lodge 2061

Employment Positions for the TOSC Contract

Jacobs Technology currently has several jobs posted for the TOSC contract on their special TOSC website:

www.jacobstechnology.com/tosc

The direct link to the postings can be found at this link:

http://www.jacobstechnology.com/tosc/employment.html

After clicking the link, select the blue box  that says "To apply for employment with the TOSC Team, click here"

The information given at the Town Hall meeting at KSC, was the applications would be open until shortly after the Town Hall meeting at the Visitor Complex. They did say to be considered for any open positions YOU MUST APPLY!

Town Hall Meeting by Jacobs technology at KSC Visitor Center

"Jacobs will be hosting a Town Hall meeting at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex IMAX theater on Tuesday January 22, 2013. The meeting will start at 6:30 PM and seating is limited."
http://www.jacobstechnology.com/tosc/whats_new.html

In the recent Town Hall meeting it was said that there was 450 or less seats at the IMAX theater. They also said the gates would open at 5:30PM for entrance to the IMAX theater. If you plan on attending, plan on being there early.

Congratulations to Jacobs Technology

www.floridatoday.com

Florida Today is reporting that Jacobs Technology has been awarded the TOSC contract. Stay tuned for updates and information.

Jacobs Technology's Homepage

And from NASA:
TOSC NASA Link


CONTRACT RELEASE : C12-062


NASA Awards Test And Operations Support Contract


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has awarded its Test and Operations Support Contract, or TOSC, to Jacobs Technology Inc. of Tullahoma, Tenn. Jacobs will provide overall management and implementation of ground systems capabilities, flight hardware processing and launch operations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. These tasks will support the International Space Station, Ground Systems Development and Operations, and the Space Launch System, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and Launch Services programs.

The contract begins March 1, 2013, following a two-month phase-in period beginning Jan. 2. The contract has a one-year, seven-month base period and options to extend the work through Sept. 30, 2022. The maximum potential value for the nine-year, seven-month cost-plus-award-fee contract is $1.37 billion if NASA exercises all options.

Jacobs will provide services to meet NASA requirements, including support to the agency's programs, commercial entities and other government agencies. These services include launch vehicle, spacecraft and payload integration and processing; operations and development of associated processes and ground systems to support integration, processing and launch; servicing and testing of flight hardware; and launch of development and operational flights at Kennedy.

Subcontractors working with Jacobs on the contract include Engineering Research and Consulting Inc., or ERC, of Huntsville, Ala. and Aerodyne Industries LLC, of Oldsmar, Fla.

With the award of this contract, Kennedy is positioning itself for the next era of space exploration. Kennedy is transitioning to a 21st-century launch facility with multiple users, both private and government. A dynamic infrastructure is taking shape, designed to host many kinds of spacecraft and rockets sending people on America's next voyages in space.

For more information about Kennedy, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy

Elections Completed

Elections are complete and the Executive Board for the next three years are as follows;

President:  Murray Caldwell
Vice President:  Steve Ching
Secretary / Treasurer :  Linda Donahoe
Recording Secretary :  MeriBeth Chewuk
Conductor Sentinel:  Carson Yates
Trustee:  Jay Shaw
Trustee:  Ed Cox
Trustee:  Mike Saltsman

Machinists Rally for President Obama

Northeast corner of US Highway 1 and SR 520 at 4:00 p.m. Wear your T'shirts.

Nominations for Local Lodge 2061 Officers

Nominations for IAM&AW Local lodge 2061 officers and delegates will be conducted at the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, November 6, at the IAM&AW hall in Cape Canaveral. You must be present to be nominated. If you wish to accept a nomination and cannot be present, you must (prior to nominations) send a letter to Recording Secretary Karen Houston stating you will accept the nomination for the applicable office. Positions to be nominated are as follows;

President
Vice President
Financial Secretary
Recording Secretary
Conductor Sentinel
Trustee (3)
Auditor (3)
District 166 Delegate (12)
Central Labor Council Delegate

Make sure you vote in the national elections before you come to the Union meeting. The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. Executive Board begins at 2:30 p.m.

Cracking Down on China.

There has been much said from the candidates over the past months but one quote from Mitt Romney floats to the top. In this video Romney (during a Republican Primary Debate) talks of China and how we have to get tough. He has said he will "crack down on China" in the past few weeks.


 Most of us would agree with the statement except Romney is saying one thing and doing another.

                                                                  www.bainport.com

 Bainport is the name of the protest site across the street from Bain Capital's company Sensata in Freeport, Illinois. Romney is still in ownership of  Bain Capital yet he has remained quiet over these workers jobs being shipped, along with the manufacturing equipment to China. He talks of getting tough on China but has the chance to do it now,  instead he is choosing profits over Americans.

 Fox News even has a story on their website:

Sensata (sen-SAH'-tuh) Technologies is owned by Bain Capital and in the process of moving its Freeport manufacturing operations to China. That'll cost Freeport 170 jobs.

Read more: www.foxnews.com Sensata

Romney has flip-flopped on many issues but on this one he is flat out lying. Romney can't say he is getting tough on China while profiting from outsourcing American jobs to China. Truly if he was to do the things he says, in regards to trade with China, Bain would not be shipping more production jobs to China as certainly their profits would fall. If Romney is elected, and "cracks down" on China, Bain Capital stands to lose a lot of money. If Bain Capital loses money, Romney loses money. If Romney was unconcerned with losing money, he would move his hundreds of millions of dollars he has stashed in offshore accounts back to the US, and pay taxes on them.

Romney's defense is his funds are in a blind trust.

Yes, his position on Blind Trusts has flip-flopped also.

Joni Howkins Services

Longtime LL 2061 member Jim "JJ" Howkins lost his wife, Joni last week after a long battle with cancer. Joni was an employee with USA. Many IAMAW/USA members were well acquainted with Joni in her role as USA GSS/GO Key Coordinator and Shop Scheduler. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to JJ and his family during this time. Services for Joni will be held Monday morning, October 15, 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5135 US Highway 1, Port St. John.

Local Lodge 2061 Meeting & BR Nominations

Nominations for IAM&AW District 166 Business Representative will be conducted at the regularly scheduled Local Lodge 2061 monthly meeting Tuesday, October 2, 2012. The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the IAM&AW hall in Cape Canaveral.

Nomination and Election of IAM&AW Local Lodge 2061 Officers and District Lodge 166 Business Representatives

Nominations for IAM&AW District 166 Business Representative will be conducted at the regularly scheduled Local Lodge 2061 meeting of October 2, 2012.

Nominations for Local Lodge 2061 Officers will be conducted at the regularly scheduled Local Lodge 2061 meeting of November 6, 2012.

The election of District Lodge 166 Business Representatives will be conducted December 4, 2012.

The election of Local Lodge 2061 Officers will be conducted December 4, 2012.

Nominations and elections will be held at IAMAW District Lodge 166 Hall located at 271 Taylor Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Local Lodge 2061 meetings begin at 4:30 p.m.

Polls will be open for the December 4th election from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Absentee ballots will be made available for those members who qualify.

Local Lodge 2061 offices to be contested in the December elections;

President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Secretary Treasurer
Conductor Sentinel
Trustees (3)
Auditors (3)
District Lodge 166 Delegates
Space Coast AFL-CIO Central Labor Council Delegates

Regular Membership Meeting August 7th 2012.

Monthly Membership Meeting for LL2061. Meeting starts at 4:30PM for members with a Steward meeting directly after the membership meeting ends. Tue Aug 7 4:30pm – 5:30pm Eastern Time 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-3025