FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
June 22, 2006
Bargaining Update
We are still awaiting the Company’s response to our June 16 comprehensive contract proposal.
NLRB Election
Today the NLRB conducted a pre-election hearing in Cincinnati, Ohio. AEIF and IAM representatives attended. Representatives from AK Steel and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (they call themselves the “Steelworkers” or “USW”) also attended. The hearing itself was only necessary because AK Steel refused to stipulate to an election. The purpose of the hearing was to resolve certain “nuts and bolts” procedural and jurisdictional issues to clear the way for an NLRB election, and not to establish the precise details of the election itself. Nonetheless, AK Steel and USW representatives both attempted to argue details of the election, and both insisted upon filing post-hearing briefs. Any attempt to delay an election, however, was cut short when the hearing officer gave them only 7 days to file their briefs.
After the briefs are submitted, the Regional Director is expected to issue a Decision and Direction of Election (D & D), after which the date(s) and time(s) of the election will be set, as well as all other details of the election. Despite the efforts of others to delay, delay, delay, we will continue to press for your right to a timely election.
- Your Executive Committee