USW 309 Membership Update 5/30/2025

Brothers and Sisters,

We understand that many of you have been affected by the company’s recent changes regarding shift relief procedures. The Union has formally submitted a demand to bargain on this matter, and negotiations will begin in the coming weeks. Until these discussions are complete, we have informed the company that all practices should revert to their previous state before the recent implementation. We want to emphasize that we do not intend to eliminate pre-shift safety meetings. Our position is clear: these meetings should continue, but employees should be allowed to be relieved when the next shift arrives, as was previously the case.

The company informed us today that they are adding an additional testing date for the CDP-E prequalification class. The new date is June 11th, with sessions at 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM. The deadline to sign up is June 9th at 4:00 PM. To register, please use the kiosk where employee transfer bids are placed. The prequalification class will commence on June 16th at Pellissippi State Community College.

Over the past month, we have experienced significant equipment failures in multiple departments. If you notice damaged or malfunctioning equipment, please report it to your foreman immediately. If they continue to push for operation despite issues, reach out to your Department Chair to initiate the escalation process. Preventative measures, including stopping malfunctioning equipment early, help reduce repair downtime and prevent extended breakdowns.

Safety remains our top priority. If you feel unsafe, STOP! If the equipment is damaged or not functioning properly, STOP! If the quality does not meet expected standards, STOP! Always request and follow written procedures. If a procedure does not exist, inform your foreman that you need the necessary resources to establish one. If you contribute to creating a new procedure, follow up to ensure it has been reviewed by your department’s Safety Committee. You can verify this by consulting your Department Chair or a member of the committee.

We are currently working to expand the Departmental Safety Committees. If you are interested in joining, please contact your Department Chair for more details. Participation in these committees requires commitment, including attending Safety Committee meetings. These committees play a crucial role in driving improvements within our departments and ensuring employee voices are heard.

The company plans to hire several new employees around August. They received multiple employee referrals and will prioritize testing these individuals first. Additionally, letters were sent to laid-off employees from Lafayette, informing them of hiring opportunities. Those interested in transferring under 23D must respond by May 30th. These employees will receive priority consideration before new hires, so the exact number of open positions will be determined after the 23D responses are processed.

The Veterans of Steel participated in the “Ride to Remember,” hosted by Mission Phoenix on May 24th. It was a successful event honoring our military and first responders. Thank you to everyone who contributed and took part in this meaningful occasion.

Next Gen will be holding a meeting on Wednesday, June 4th, at 3:30 PM. We encourage everyone to attend and get involved. Several exciting events are currently in the planning stages, and extra help is always appreciated.

We are proud to announce this year’s winner of the 2024 Henson Click Freshman Scholarship Award: Racheal Hayes, daughter of Finishing MCS Bo Hayes. Congratulations, Racheal, and best of luck as you begin your college journey!

In Solidarity,

Nick McCarter
President, USW Local 309
(865) 254-6252
Nmccarter@uswlocal309.net