November 14, 2025

USW Local 309 Membership Update 11/14/2025

Brothers and Sisters,

SAFETY

If you are working and need to perform an LTV (Lock, Tag, Verify), please follow the full procedure. Ensure all paperwork is completed and verify that the Lock Out was done correctly. Taking 5–10 minutes to double-check could save your life. We’ve had several recent incidents where Lock Outs were done incorrectly, and the workers performing the tasks didn’t catch the errors. Fortunately, no one was injured — but we can’t count on luck. If you notice a problem during Lock Out verification or while performing the job, report it immediately. Reporting helps us correct issues and protect others. Not reporting is equivalent to failing to report a mobile equipment incident and may result in disciplinary action.

Bargaining Updates

Local Negotiations are set to begin on January 6^th, 2026. We will be bargaining 3-4 days a week through March. The CAT team will be communicating out important dates and events that will be happening. We will also be using this text line as a main source of information and will be getting some signup cards out ASAP. If you know of anyone that isn’t getting these texts, please encourage them to sign up.

Hall Upgrades

At today’s Union meeting the body approved the money for a much-needed remodel of the basement bathrooms. This will make both bathrooms handicap accessible and give them an upgraded look too. Also, the body approved today new pricing for renting the space out. This change will take affect starting January 1^st, 2026. It will now be $75 deposit with $50 being returned for individual rentals and the groups that rent monthly will have a monthly charge of $50, except for 2 of our retiree groups that will remain free of charge. These new charges will be going to help pay for the upgrades and we’re going to be increasing the frequency of cleaning that occurs for the basement to bi-weekly.

Donations Needed

We are currently taking donations for the Foster Children’s Christmas. If you would like to donate, please get in contact with any Plant Chair, Department Chair, E-Board Member, Michelle James, Lorri Reynolds, Ronnie Amos, or myself. Every little bit helps and if you would like to be involved with helping at the December 5^th party, please contact either Michelle James (865) 850-6684 or Lorri Reynolds (865) 566-3077.

Upcoming Events

December 3^rd, 3:30pm: NextGen Meeting
December 5^th, 6pm-8pm: Foster Children’s Christmas Party
December 11^th, 12pm and 3:30pm: Union Meetings
December 13^th: Wreaths Across America (meet up time to be announced ASAP, please contact Pam Nuebert for more information)