Members of the IAM Local 2053 Bargaining Committee, representing approximately 180 production and maintenance employees at Maysteel, LLC in Allentown, WI, attended the Negotiation Prep program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
Members of the IAM Local 2053 Bargaining Committee, representing approximately 180 production and maintenance employees at Maysteel, LLC in Allentown, WI, attended the Negotiation Prep program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
Committee members were presented with information from instructors on topics such as how to write and present contract proposals, legal issues in collective bargaining and membership communication. Representatives from the IAM Strategic Resources Department, as well as IAM pension and health care experts, provided the committee with information to assist them as they prepare for bargaining.
“In my opinion this is one of the most important classes we can offer to bargaining committees in these tough times,” said IAM District 10 Assistant Directing Business Representative Scott Parr. “This class not only puts our committee on an equal level of preparedness with the company, but it helps us surpass them.”
The committee worked tirelessly to develop proposals and address issues identified by Maysteel workers in their bargaining survey. Near the end of the busy week, the committee participated in a negotiation simulation with IAM Education Representative Rhonda Rogers playing the part of the company at the bargaining table. The group topped the week off with a strategic plan to assist them in communicating and preparing Local 2053 members for their March 4, 2015 contract expiration date.
“I am impressed with the resources available through the IAM to assist us in negotiations,” said IAM Local 2053 Bargaining Committee member Jeff Liegl. “I have been a member for over 31 years and did not realize how much information was available until I came here.”
