Essar's in big trouble DAT PRAT demanding

[KWB]

This idiot still loves grandstanding,does anyone really care

[TPK]

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news...ryNumber=35125

Tell us something we didn't know....

[bluekrissyspikes]

makes sense to me to keep as many jobs as possible by cutting over-time.

[crazymamma]

better than all at once~

[Madmax]

I agree with this statement.

"If there are layoffs," Da Prat said, "there should be no overtime. Our people that may be in jeopardy are our first priority. In no way can we condone people working overtime or contracting out if there are layoffs."

[Chester Field]

I agree with this statement.

"If there are layoffs," Da Prat said, "there should be no overtime. Our people that may be in jeopardy are our first priority. In no way can we condone people working overtime or contracting out if there are layoffs."

They said that before too, but the members still worked enough overtime to keep 20% of their "brothers" out on the street. Once they aren't collecting their dues from you, your significance fades rapidly, as does their memory.

[The 6th Member Of AC/DC]

Its contractual and I dont see anything idiotic....

[lotsagifts]

how sad...and scarey

[GRUMPY]

They must have used a wide angle lens to get his whole face in the picture. Why is it that the union big shots all gain 50-60 pounds after they get in? They must hold all their meeting around the kitchen table.

[gimli]

Da Prat is an i d i o t

[Muffin]

Check out this link...I posted in a new thread a few minutes ago though..sorry. What has changed in such a short time?

http://www.essarsteel.com/steel/news/2008_10_10.htm

[gimli]

i dont even know the guy and i hear bad things about him all th e time

[GRUMPY]

It is very easy to be the head of a union when the company is making a profit ,any loser could do it as DaPrat has proven numerous times but its a totally different program now.

[gimli]

its a totally different ball game now

[GRUMPY]

USW Local 2251 President Mike Da Prat advised its members to "make no major financial commitments" in light of possible layoffs reported by SooNews last week. He was addressing a special membership meeting held at the Great Northern Hotel and Conference Center Thursday night.

The evening meeting came after a 2:00 PM meeting between 2251 and Essar Steel Algoma. As a result of that meeting Da Prat confirmed there are job cuts planned but that there were no specific numbers attached. He added "things are very serious." and that the situation has the potential to be "worse than it has been in a long, long time.

Da Prat layed out his suggestions to Essar Steel Algoma, which included eliminating overtime before cutting jobs. He also suggested utilizing laid off workers in place of contract workers for jobs such as maintenance.

On Friday, SooNews.ca reported that layoffs could number over 1,000 employees. Armando Plastino, CEO of Essar Steel Algoma issued a letter to all employees confirming that Blast Furnace No. 6 would be shut down.

The meeting also covered subjects that Da Prat felt were violations of the current collective bargaining agreement. Essar Steel Algoma enacted a hiring freeze and ceased posting new positions. He added that members are not receiving job and shift preferences that they are entitled to and that some contract employees are working the day shifts, forcing union workers to work nights.

Also at issue was a proposed change to the Union member benefits, which include a reduction in the amount of local pharmacies that can be used to dispense drugs. "This is a significant reduction in our benefits," said Da Prat. "You may enjoy the flowers and the grass they (Essar Steel Algoma) have planted on the way in but remember what happens to you on the way out".

[GRUMPY]

I love the "You may enjoy the flowers and the grass they (Essar Steel Algoma) have planted on the way in but remember what happens to you on the way out." part. This coming from the guy who betrayed all the retired steelworkers.

[TPK]

I think we need someone who is more willing to work with the company and not just look at "them" as outsiders.

[riggs]

I think we need someone who is more willing to work with the company and not just look at "them" as outsiders.

In order for one side to bend the other must do the same to reach any form of compromise.Essar to this point has only broken the contract they agreed to when they purchased the corporation hundreds of times.A contract they were willing to abide by as one of the "conditions of sale".Arbitrators have sided with 2251 hundreds of times and Essar has just ignored the arbitrators rulings and continues to break the contract on a daily basis.At this point the employees are only wanting what was agreed to and have asked for nothing more.

I'm not a big fan of Da Prat,but I don't see how he can be more flexible with people who show little respect for the terms and conditions they agreed to.

[kodak57]

This coming from the guy who betrayed all the retired steelworkers..where did this come from?,as a pensioner you know the facts and you had a choise,you could have turned down the restructuring agreement but you never!!!!All the pensioners are crying now about their "indexing"well at least you have a basic minimun pension in case essar folds,we still working there now are not entitled to that benifit,essar folds we have nothing.The ontario liberal government at the time made that clear,we cannot even bargain for pension gains till 5 years after the pension fund is fully funded and the plan for that is 2016,fully funded it'll be 2021 till we can even try to get an increase.just in case you need to read it for yourself.......................................... ....................................
http://www.canlii.org/on/laws/regu/2...821/whole.html

[Ultra54]

zzzzzzzzzzzz...we keep seeing the same info passed back and forth...there is no new info. We have been having meetings with our FLS's and such telling us that as long as #7 is making steel the tradesmen will be working.