To: All BMRF/B&P Employees
The purpose of this note is to keep you updated regarding the bargaining between the Company and Union.
On the evening of Tuesday, April 27, the Union Committee Chairman asked to meet with the Beaumont HR Manager on Thursday, April 29. The Company agreed to meet to bargain with the full bargaining committees at 9a.m. on Thursday, April 29.
This morning, approximately five minutes before the meeting, the Union called the Company to inform them that the Union Bargaining Committee would not be attending the scheduled meeting, but two international representatives from the USW would like to meet with the Company’s Area HR Manager. The Company agreed to meet with whomever came from the Union.
The international representatives stated that the Union Bargaining Committee had a proposal, but would not be presenting it to the Company during this meeting. The Company implored the Union to provide any offer for consideration that could prevent a work stoppage as soon as possible.
This afternoon the Union provided the Company a proposal via email. As we told the Union, this offer still includes items that significantly increase costs to the Company and that we have consistently expressed cannot be accepted over the last 108 days of bargaining. This is extremely disheartening.
The Company has rejected the Union’s proposal, but our latest offer as of April 20 remains available. Once again, it is our hope that the Union will recognize the months of bargaining that have resulted in the Company’s offer that is currently available to our employees and put it to a vote. The Company has made, and will continue to make, itself available to meet with any USW representatives for these purposes. To be clear, a ratified contract would still avoid any work stoppage.
To maintain our commitment to communication with our full workforce until and throughout any work stoppage, all Employee Information Bulletins moving forward will be posted on our external website at https://embeaumont.com/.