plaindealer THIS ISSUE Golf Tournament 2

Direct Pipeline 4Editor’s Note 5

union newsthe

VOL. 93 ISSUE 35 September 2013A Voice for Working Kansans Since 1919

The PlainDealer

(316) 529-8513 3830 S. M

eridian Ave. W

ichita, KS 67217–3704

Spirit’s ‘severance agreement’ for laid-off employees draws Unfair Labor Practice charge from SPEEAPress Release by www.speea.org, August 7

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WICHITA, Kan. – Spirit AeroSystems was charged with Unfair Labor Practices (ULP)

on Wednesday (Aug. 7) for direct deal-ing with hundreds of employees who are represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001.Spirit abruptly laid off 221 SPEEA-rep-resented engineers, technical workers and other professionals on July 25. As part of the company’s process, man-agement tried to coerce employees into waiving their rights by offering sever-ance agreements to each employee. The action is a direct violation of their union collective bargaining agreements.“Spirit continues to do whatever they think they can get away with, includ-ing disregarding the contracts they negotiated and signed with their own employees,” said Bob Brewer, SPEEA Midwest director.Filed at the Region 7 office in Kansas City of the U.S. Department of Labor, this latest ULP charge reads: “Since on or about June 25, 2013 the employer has engaged in direct dealing with members of the bargaining unit with respect to severance agreements given to laid off employees.”This latest charge is in addition to two previous charges against Spirit that are now before the National Labor Relations Board. Spirit drew the other unfair labor practice charges for failing to answer relevant questions in meet-ings held expressly to discuss retention ratings and for managers refusing to answer questions during formal, “step 3,” grievance meetings regarding the company’s abrupt and arbitrary firing of 38 employees in March. The NLRB will rule on the merits of the charges

and determine if, and what, are the remedies. A local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical En-gineers (IFPTE), SPEEA represents 26,400 aerospace professionals at Spirit and The Boeing Company in Kansas, Washington, Oregon and California;

and at Triumph Composite Systems, Inc., in Spokane, Washing-ton.

2 — The PlainDealer September 2013

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SECOND ANNUAL ROBERT MARTINEZ, JR.INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

BENEFITING

Date: September 29, 2013 Where: Hidden Lakes Golf Course 6020 S. Greenwich, Derby, KS

Four-person scramble format. Mulligans will be available for purchase. 12:00pm – 1:30pm Registration & Lunch, 1:30pm Shotgun start, $125.00 a person or $500.00 per team

1. Players may register as a complete foursome or on an individual basis.

2. Players registering as an Individual will be paired to form groups of four.

All participants receive:

1. Green Fees and cart

2. Range balls

3. Lunch

4. Various contests and door prizes including, Longest Drive, Longest Putt, Closest-to-Pin and tier Flight Champions. (TBD by number of teams)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REGISTRATION Mail registration & check to:

Players Name Phone number Amount1. 2. 3. 4. Total Payment

District Lodge 70 3830 S. Meridian Wichita, Kansas 67217

September 2013 3 — The PlainDealer

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Monday, September 2Labor DayThursday, September 5Operating Engineers LU101— Reg. Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaSaturday, September 7Machinists Local 639— E-Board, 8 a.m., Reg. Meeting, 9 a.m., WichitaLL733— E-Board, 8:30 a.m., Reg. Meeting, 10 a.m., WichitaMonday, September 9Plumbers & Pipefitters LU441— Reg. Meeting, 7 p.m., 1330 E. 1st, WichitaTuesday, September 10Machinists Local 708— Reg. Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian,WichitaWednesday, September 11Machinists Local 1989— E-Board, 3:40 p.m., Regular Meeting, 3:50 p.m. 2005 Kansas Ave., Great Bend, 67530Thursday, September 12Wichita Area Union Label— E-Board, 5:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m.Saturday, September 14 Machinists Local 834— Reg. Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMachinists Local 839— Reg. Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMonday, September 16 NALC Branch 201— 7:30 p.m., NALC Br 201 Union Office 227 S. Pattie, Wichita USW Local 01350— Reg. Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Union Hall 427 N. Main, Hutchinson, 67501 SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— Membership Recruitment / Organizing Commit tee 973 S. Glendale, WichitaCWA Local 6402— E-Board, 5:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, Wichita Stewards, 7 p.m., 530 E. Harry, WichitaFriday, September 20APWU Local 735— Reg. Meeting, 8:00 a.m., 6920 W. Pueblo, WichitaSaturday, September 21 Machinists LL2799— E-Board meeting 9:30 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita Reg. Meeting, 10:30 a.m. Machinists Local 774— 10 a.m. Reg. Meeting, 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaThursday, September 26SPEEA— Midwest Council Meeting, 973 S. Glendale, WichitaWichita/Hutch Labor Fed— E-Board, 5:30 p.m.; Reg. Meeting, 6:30 p.m.District 70 Retirees— Luncheon, 11:45 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita

Local Union Bulletin Board

LL834 MemberAppreciation PartySeptember 7http://www.ll834.org

When: September 7 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.Where: All Star Adventures 1010 N. Webb Wichita, KSRSVP: By August 26 (see form online)

This event is open to current and retired members of Local Lodge 834 and their families. Everyone who attends the event is eligible to win some cool prizes. Food will be served from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and again at 5:00 pm until 6:30pm. Members will be allowed eight hours of unlimited play on outdoor rides.

The Plaindealer (ISSN 0898-4360)Periodicals Postage Paid at Wichita, KS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Plaindealer 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704 (316) 529-8513Vanessa Whiteside, Editor editor@plaindealerlabornews.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judy Pierce, President, Labor Fed.Terry Haskins, Vice Pres. LL 639Tim Franta, Sec./ Treas. LL 733Kathy Petersen LL 839 Dan Rutherford LL 834 Brian Alexander LL 774Jarrod Lehman LL839

Founded in 1919 by Tom Tilma, the Plaindealer covers news of inter-est to working people.Advertising and stories are due by the 15th of each month. Subscrip-tion rates are $15 per year. Special rates available to union members and locals subscribing as a body.Story suggestions and letters to the editor should be sent to: The Plaindealer, 3830 S. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS 67217–3704; editor@plaindealerlabornews.com or call (316) 529–8513. To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must be signed, include the author’s telephone number and less than 500 words. Views expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily the views of The Plaindealer, its board of directors or affiliated unions.

Published monthly by Plaindealer Publishing, Inc.

at 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS, 67217

Dash & DineSeptember 7http://unitedwayplains.org/dash-dine

When: September 21 10:00 a.m. Where: Old Town Square Wichita, KSCost: $30/individual

This 5K run/walk event, sponsored by Cargill and benefiting the United Way, is a loop starting at Old Town Square and passes by Exploration Place and the Keeper of the Plains. It features delicious food at the finish line inside Runner’s Village in Old Town Square where vendors will hand out samples. Early registration ensures that you will receive a t-shirt.

Union News Daily

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4 — The PlainDealer September 2013

What do you think of our new magazine? Tell us editor@theplaindealerlabornews.com

Direct PipelinePLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LU441Richard L. Taylor, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer

LOCALLYAt the beginning of 2013, it was predicted that this was going to be a very good year for Local 441 in regards to hours worked. As we now pass into the second half of the year, it appears those predictions were right on track. Work across the state continues to produce much employment for the members of Local 441 and for many members from surrounding locals. As of this writing, Local 441 is currently host to 175 traveling UA members, some from as far away as Florida and Arizona. Obviously there is still a lot of unemployment throughout the UA and Local 441 is fortunate to be one of the hot spots in the nation. Thank you to the membership and Local 441 Dis-patcher Bill Urton for your efforts in manning this work and continuing to provide the skill and knowledge necessary. This is what is expected by owners when they hire Union contrac-tors and Local 441 is ready to meet that challenge.Take time to enjoy the Labor Day weekend with your family =and friends. NEW ITEM…. Take time to visit the new Local 441 website. The new website is easy to navigate with added information and uses for the membership. The address is www.ua441.org. New t-shirts with new design and logo are in. Designer sunglasses with UA Local 441 engraved above the lens. We also have golf shirts and camp shirts and stainless steel pocket knives with Kansas Local 441 engraved on them. And as always, don’t forget Local 441 golf balls, t-shirts (long sleeve and short sleeve), and hats are available for the membership to pur-chase. Come by and get outfitted with Local 441 apparel.

DEATHS We are sorry to report the death of Brother George Coyne, 92, retired Steamfitter, residing in Topeka, KS, passed away on July 12, 2013, Brother William H. Schneickert, 71, retired Pipefitter Welder, residing in Parsons, KS, passed away on July 18, 2013, and Jim E. Majors, 58, Plumber, residing in Wichita, KS, passed away on July 19, 2013. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.

POLITICALThe 2013 political session was not a good one for working class. In my opinion this was just an example of what they can do. Next session has the potential to be much worse. Now is the time to contact your legislator and let them know you do not appreciate all the negative labor bills that were pushed through the House and Senate this pass session. Direct con-tact with your legislator is the best way to relay concern or a

Richard Taylor

voice of support and does have an impact

MEETINGSLocal Union 441 meetings are being conducted on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Union Hall located at 1330 East First Street in Wichita. If other meetings are scheduled, you will be duly notified.NOTE: Please take the opportunity to attend Union meetings in your area. At the July Union meeting the membership voted to upgrade the video conferencing equipment to provide much bet-ter video and audio quality. The upgrade has been complete.Please plan to attend.Richard L. TaylorBusiness Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Local Union # 441

RETIREES CLUBThe next Retirees meetings will be on September 4, October 2 and November 11 at 10 a.m. at the Hall. Please come and join us!Breakfast is the second Wednesday at 9 a.m., at Village Inn, 7020 W. Central from January through November.All retired members and their families are invited to join us. Come enjoy the fellowship!

Help us reach 100 followers on Twitter and see daily news updates! @theplaindealer1

September 2013 5 — The PlainDealer

LABOR DAYGREETINGS

from the

Building and Construction Trades Council of Central & Western Kansas

Boilermakers Local 83

Bricklayers Local 15

Electrical Workers Locals 271 and 661

Elevator Constructors Local 12

Glaziers Local 558

Insulators Local 15

Iron Workers Local 24

Laborers Local 1290

Operating Engineers Local 101

Painters & Allied Trades District Council 3

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 441

Sheet Metal Workers Local 29

Sprinkler Fitters Local 669

Teamsters Local 795

Dear Readers,

It is an exciting time for the Plaindealer as we continue to update the look and feel of our publication. We heard great feedback about our magazine launch last month.

What a bonus! There was not a change to our subscriber rate either. We appreciate your patience during this time of positive change. Send comments to editor@plaindealerlabornews.com

From The Plaindealer Editor

Daily Union News @theplaindealer1

Happy Labor Day from The Plaindealer

6 — The PlainDealer September 2013

Labor’s 2013 United Way Campaign KickoffPlease join the Wichita-Hutchinson Labor Federation of Central Kansas at

Thursday, September 5Best Western Wichita North

915 E. 53rd Street North11:00 a.m. lunch

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. program

RSVP with Mario CervantesAFL-CIO Commuity Services Liaison by August 30316-267-1321 ext 4209mcervantes@unitedwayplains.org