President:                      Jim Savage

VP Philly Refinery:       Nancy Minor

VP Eagle Point Docks: Rick Zimmerman

Financial Secretary:     Mike Olsen

G&N Chair:                  Brad Takacs

Recording Secretary:   Tim Gildea

Sgt. at Arms:                 Gabe Swartz

Trustees:                       Regina Vicario         Charlie Wilson

                                       Dan Ozdowski              

G&N Committee:         Joe Grosse               Mike Olsen

                                       John McGrath          Charlie Wilson

Joint H&S Committee: Joe Grosse               John McGrath

                                       John Garrity              John Henninger

BUY AMERICAN RALLY

Workers Hit Capitol Hill in Support of EFCA - 03/15/09

Three hundred fifty worker lobbyists from 34 states hit Capitol Hill.

Last week as this important labor law reform bill was re-introduced in Congress. These workers had 125 meetings with members of Congress uring support for the reform that takes employer intimidation out of workers’ choices to form unions. Bill Samuel, Legislative Director for the AFL-CIO, says the corporate reign over the workplace and worker’s lives cannot continue because it takes an enormous financial toll on working families.

[Samuel]: “They’ve had thirty years of basically unchallenged power in the workplace and we’re all suffering as a result of that - stagnant wages and growing income inequality. I think Congress is ready to deal with this.”

Larry Mishel of the Economic Policy Institute says this reform is vital to allow workers to once again share in productivity gains so they can consume and drive the economy to full recovery.

[Mishel]: “Since 2002 we’ve had eleven, thirteen percent productivity growth but there has not been any movement whatsoever in the hourly wages and hourly compensation of workers, whether you have a high school degree or a college degree.”

Market Scan
Sunoco Slims Down
Lisa LaMotta, 03.13.09, 1:10 PM ET  

Call it a "business-improvement initiative" or call it cost-cutting -- either way -- it means people are going to get laid off.

In the most recent round of layoffs from a major U.S. company, Sunoco announced Friday that it was cutting a fifth of its (non-contract) workforce, or 750 jobs, in the first round of what it likes to call its business-improvement initiative.

"It is never easy to take steps that impact the lives of employees and their families," said Chairman Lynn Elsenhans. "While the company has enjoyed several years of strong financial performance, we are now facing a different - and more difficult - economic reality. Like many other companies across a variety of industries, Sunoco is taking steps to remain competitive."

Shares of the refiner dropped 6.7%, or $1.96, to $27.15, in late-morning trading on Friday.

The Philadelphia-based energy company said that it expects to save $300.0 million in 2009 due to the initiative. It will take a charge of $30.0 million to $45.0 million in the first quarter related to the cuts.

Sunoco has been affected by the severe drop in demand for oil over the last year as the price per barrel reached record highs last July and then fell below $40 per barrel in recent months. The global economic downturn has economists predicting that the demand for oil will continue to decline in 2009.

A recent report from the Commerce Department showed that imports have declined more than exports, pushing down the trade deficit to $36.0 billion. The slowdown in imports can be attributed to the slowdown in the importation of oil. ( See "Trade Deficit Hits Six-Year Low.")

Sunoco's full-year 2008 income dropped 12.9%, to $776.0 million.

Take Action: Help Turn Around America and
Rebuild the Middle Class

No matter how strong an economic stimulus plan we enact, it will not result in broadly shared, lasting prosperity unless we also restore workers' freedom to join unions and bargain with their employers for a better life.

That's why we need the Employee Free Choice Act - to turn around America's economy and rebuild the middle class.

President Obama said he will sign the Employee Free Choice Act once it lands on his desk. 
Now WE need to get it there.

Call Senator Specter today toll free at 1-866-207-2060
and urge him to co-sponsor and support the Employee Free Choice Act.
 
AND

Write a letter to Senator Specter today

and urge him to co-sponsor and support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Click here for sample messages and an easy way to send your letter online.

Tentative agreement is signed!

Informational meetings Thursday and Friday this week, Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

All meetings at 4 pm

Vote next Friday 5am to 8pm.

Thanks for staying Strong!!!

Details on info meetings and ratification vote will be sent this afternoon once agreement actually signed.

 STAY STRONG!

 The regularly scheduled Stewards Meeting for the first Tuesday of the month has been cancelled.

The Negotiating Committee would like to thank all of you for your support and continued defense of our contract.

 Info meeting tonight is cancelled.

Further details on info meetings and votes will be communicated ASAP.

Verbal Agreement @ 6:55 pm

24 hr extension to review language before signing.

More information tomorrow on meetings and vote.

Thanks you all for staying strong!!!