Strike Update

June 20, 2009

Attention Local Lodge 906 Members

A series of meetings were held today to review the company's modified proposal to the members of Local Lodge 906. After much discussion, the membership voted to accept the company's modified proposal.

"We made the best of a bad situation," Local Lodge 906 Chief Steward Young Ho said. "We voted to accept the company's proposal and live to fight another day."

The company has proposed a return to work date of July 1, 2009. Details will be posted as information is made available.

Strike Update

June 18, 2009

Attention Local Lodge 906 Members

There will be a vote on the company's modified proposal. All Local Lodge 906 members are encouraged to attend.

Location:    IAM District Lodge 725 Headquarters

                    5402 Bolsa Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Date:           Saturday June 20, 2009

Time:          First shift vote at 7:00 am

                    Second vote at 12:00 pm

                    Third shift votes at 3:00 pm 

Please note: You may vote at any of the above listed polling times. Additional details regarding the company's revised proposal will be made be made available.

Strike Update

June 17, 2009

District 725 and Cytec Meet with Federal Mediation

District Lodge 725 President/DBR Gary Holt reported after two days of continuous meetings with the company at the offices of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, the company has refused to change their position. Additional meetings with the company are scheduled for the remainder of the week.

We will post updates on these meetings as information becomes available.

Strike Update

June 5, 2009

Machinists, Cytec Industries to Resume Talks

Members of Local 906 in Santa Ana, CA, will meet with federal mediators and representatives of Cytec Industries on June 16 in an effort to resolve the strike at the Anaheim, CA, facility that began on May 11, 2009.

Among the issues that led members to vote overwhelmingly to reject the company’s final offer on May 7 was a proposal that would exempt Cytec from a California state law requiring overtime pay for any employee working more than eight hours in a single shift.

"The eight-hour work day is not something to be treated lightly nor is it ours to bargain away," said Local 906 Chief Shop Steward Young Ho, who also serves on the union’s bargaining committee. "It is part of the living legacy from generations of union members who sacrificed and sometimes died for the benefits we enjoy today."

In addition to 12-hour shifts and 60-hour work weeks, the company also sought contract language that would erase all past grievance settlements and forbid their use as precedents to resolve future disputes.

"The use of precedents is the foundation of the U.S. legal system and has long been the central ingredient of successful labor-management relationships," said IAM Western Territory Vice President-elect Gary Allen. "It would be a mistake to abandon a practice that provides stability and due process for both workers and management."

Strike Update

June 2, 2009

Solidarity on the Picket Lines

As the labor dispute between IAM Local Lodge 906 and Cytec enters the fourth week, morale is still high and the solidarity on the picket lines is stronger than ever. Local Lodge 906 members voted overwhelmingly to reject the company's proposals that would force them to work longer hours without overtime pay and erase forty years of past practices.

IAM members from the Los Angeles area have made contributions of food and money to help the strikers in their struggle. Please call (800) 725-9588 and ask how you can help.

Strike Update

May 21, 2009

The Orange County Labor Council sponsored a solidarity rally for the striking District 725 members at Cytec Engineered Materials in Anaheim. Over 250 people were in attendance, representing many different labor unions, local politicians and community activists.

Western Territory General Vice President elect Gary Allen was the keynote speaker at rally. You can watch GVP elect Gary Allen's speech on You Tube by clicking here.

Chief Shop Steward and Local Lodge 906 Negotiator Young Ho addressed the participants at the rally. You can see his speech on You Tube  by clicking here. 

Strike Update

May 19, 2009

The following information on COBRA benefits is provided to assist our members during this labor dispute. Congress passed the landmark Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health benefit provisions in 1986. The law amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Public Health Service Act to provide continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated.

Department of Labor:

Frequently Asked Questions

Strike Update

May 11, 2009

For Immediate Release:

On Monday May 11, 2009 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 906 went on strike against Cytec Engineering Materials on 1440 Kraemer Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92806.

The last day of negotiations took place on May 7^th, and the Company’s last, best and final offer was rejected. The final offer from the Company contained major changes that were unacceptable to the bargaining unit. Some of these are as follows:

Forced overtime:  The Company wants the employees to work 12 hour shifts without any overtime. In order to have Sunday off, an employee must now work a minimum of 56 hours per week. If an employee wants Saturday off, they must work a minimum of 60 hours per week. Otherwise, Saturday and Sunday are mandatory work days.

Training:                  Cytec is a company that makes composites for both the airline industry and the military. This is a very sensitive technology, and the Company is not willing to provide the necessary training for its employees to be able to stay abreast of this technology. By not providing the necessary training, the company is jeopardizing the security in a most sensitive area.

 Past Practice:        All past practices and grievance awards are to be erased and not used again in the future because the Management of the Company was unable to control their own Supervisors.

The above listed examples are at the root of the labor dispute between Cytec and the IAM. The Company is trying to use the current economic conditions to squeeze hard earned benefits and practices that the IAM members have enjoyed for a number of years. With their draconian overtime changes, they want their employees to spend more time away from their families, and force their workforce to work around the clock. In addition to this, the Company could actually employ more out of work technicians to insure the safety of the public and our military troops.

For further information, contact Business Representative Al Rosales at (909) 731-8336.