At the January 14th union meeting our employee representatives were chosen. Individuals from the varying workforce were selected to sit at the bargaining table.

As there are many among us who are not familiar with the responsibilities of the negotiating team, it should be pointed out that one of the main requirements of our selected members is confidentiality of discussions at the negotiating table.

We must all understand that though we may be chomping at the bit to be informed of what is happening during negotiations, we can not be made privy to such details. This is a basic rule during negotiations and in a perfect world is honored by both management and labor.

Why the secrecy?

Below, you will find information regarding the new Cell Phone Law that went into effect on January 3rd, 2012. The bottom line is that any CDL licensed driver operating a vehicle requiring a CDL license can face a fine of $2750 if caught talking on a cell phone while driving. While CIU 20 already has a policy of no cell phone use while driving, be aware that a much harsher financial burden may be imposed by law enforcement.

The next union meeting will be held on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 and will begin at 12:00 noon. This meeting will take place at the Wind Gap Fire Hall, located at 111 North Broadway. The Fire Hall is located directly across from the Post office and adjacent to the VFW where the original organizing meeting was held last year.

Please try to arrive on time.

This will be the last meeting before negotiations begin. Bring with you (in writing) any final suggestions regarding what you feel needs to be addressed in the contract.

Also, nominations for employees to serve on the negotiation team and alternates will be asked for at this meeting and voted on. Only those who are in attendance can be nominated and/or vote on nominations.

Other matters and information will be discussed at this meeting.

The Wind Gap location was selected in order to make the meeting more accessible to all employees working both north and south. The weekend was also chosen so that all employees would not be restricted from attending due to work requirements during the weekdays.

It is important that all union members attend this meeting.

With the negotiations expected to begin in February, CIUnion20.com will now be changing direction and taking a new course.

Though it was necessary to point out the problems with management, policy, and decisions made over the last couple of years at CIU 20 as we campaigned for our union, the webmaster of this website will no longer be reviewing management decisions in future postings, beginning January 1, 2012.

After a scathing post it’s a pleasure to write something positive happening at CIU 20.

Somebody at CIU 20 must have grabbed the bull by the horns and realized that what was first set in motion had to be given a closer look. While we don’t know exactly who might have doused the fuse leading to the powder keg, because we aren’t privy to the decision making, we are all appreciative that more thought was given to it.

Among the reasons that resulted in an overwhelming union installation vote was the belief that CIU20 management would not honor its’ promise of paid vacation days this year. The simple reality is that management can not be trusted to fulfill promises they make. Many of us anticipated that without a union in place that someone in a leadership position would simply remove another benefit promised to us, knowing there would be little we could do about it.

When the filing for a union vote was submitted to the PLRB,  they were locked into that promise. Most of us assumed management wouldn’t try to circumvent the PLRB in an attempt to withhold paid compensatory days – that CIU 20 would follow the same prerequisites that they had set in the previous year, to qualify for those paid days this year.

The December 10th union meeting went well. Though attendance was surprisingly low compared to the expected number, due to the many who seemed anxious to attend and had asked about the first meeting, it was still well represented by each job classification.

The union leadership who conducted the meeting were extremely pleased that a good number of the custodians, maintenance, and other job classifications were in attendance.

Note: Edited 12/10/11 for corrections.

CIU20 has sent us a letter informing all CIU 20 employees that those who opted for direct deposit will no longer be receiving a written statement of our pay. It was stated in the letter that we can access our statements online through the CIU 20 website.

A few employees have made their concerns known that they do not have Internet access and called Human Resources. Mr. Pidgeon’s response via a Human Resources employee was that we can go to the library, or use a friend’s computer to print out our statements.

Seriously, Anthony?

You should have received a mailing from our Local 282 President, Michael Walsh, informing everyone that a meeting will take place on Saturday, December 10th. The meeting will be held at The Holiday Inn Express located at 90 Kunkle Drive, Easton. We had hoped to get a meeting together sooner and in a more “central” location of Wind Gap, but this being the holiday season, finding a place with suitable space on a weekend was difficult to accomplish.

The room has been booked for 4 hours and the meeting will begin at 12:00 noon. While you are not obligated to stay the entire 4 hours it is advised that you be there for the start of the meeting. With the amount of concerns to be discussed it is expected that this meeting will be a long one.

After our recent union election you would think that some people, both in management and among those who voted no, would have gotten the message that the old ways of doing things are coming to an end, knowing as they do that contract negotiations will be starting. The main message being, adapt, accept, and start acting accordingly.

Apparently not.

Union Plus benefits serve the interests of today’s working families. TWU is proud partner with Union Plus in order to bring discounts on union made goods and services to TWU members. Below are just some of the benefits you have access to as a TWU member. For a complete list please