Newsclippings, 1983-1985

[File Folder 1 Title: Christmas Holidays Take-Aways Lodge 690 – USRACO Leaflets + News Releases 1985 Contents: NH Register Article, “‘Honeymoon’ ends at gun plant: No bonus, extended furlough sour union on management” dated November 13, 1985; article, “Repeating Arms workers protest loss of yule pay” dated November 27, 1985; NH Register article, “Gun factory workers protest holiday pay loss” dated November 23, 1985; Bulls Eye newsletter dated November 1985; “Yes I want the IAM” cards; blank meeting announcement sheets; union-company agreement regarding health insurance; handwritten union-company agreement regarding health insurance; grievance reports; IAM Appreciation letterheads (blank); Announcement for Sealectro employees, “to discuss the ramifications of the closing of the Watertown plant and Sealectro moving its operation to its New Britain plant” (2); booklet from the Daily World and Bulls Eye, “Strike At Olin: Test Case for Labor” filled with various newspaper articles about the strike; flier for Special-Called Meeting for Lodge 609 members “to hear a full report from the executive board" scheduled October 27, 1985; sheet informing union members the details of a union-company meeting regarding the shutdown of the plant December 1985; fliers made by Local 609 dated as “distributed at plant gate” on 11-7-85, 11-21-85, and 11-25-85 regarding the closing of the plant for the month of December 1985; letter from Frank Carrano of the Greater New New Haven Central Labor Council asking readers to attend a Solidarity Rally of I.A.M. 609 dated November 20, 1985 for rally scheduled November 26; information regarding the giving up of holiday pay “presented the membership on Sunday October 27, 1985 at special meeting”; USRAC General Notice dated October 15, 1985 and “received 10:00 A.M. October 13, 1985” handwritten on top stating that “all production and maintenance operations at U.S. Repeating Arms Company will cease on Wednesday, November 27, 1985 and not resume until Monday, January 6, 1986” in order “to adjust current inventories and to better forecast actual production requirements”; letter addressed to Louis Romano from Thomas J. Krajewski (USRAC Vice President Administration) dated October 24, 1985 to inform him that, “information [had] been received indicated that certain members of the Bargaining Unit have expressed an intention to conduct and/or participate in a work stoppage on Monday, October 28, 1985. Such conduct would be in direct violation of Article 35 and the Union is hereby notified of its obligation to respond to such actions in accordance with its responsibilities as outlined in Article 35.2a.”; letter addressed to Louis Romano from Thomas Krajewski dated October 24, 1985 stating that statements on a “special called” meeting flier are “considered inflammatory and misleading,” and that “the decision concerning the non-payment of December, 1985 holidays is totally proper and within the terms of our negotiated Bargaining Agreement” therefore Louis Romano was, “hereby notified of both [Romano’s] personally liability and responsibility for such actions as well as the liabilities and responsibilities outlined in Article 35.2 as President of Victory Lodge 609; letter addressed to Louis Romano from Richard Pelton President of USRAC dated October 24, 1985 regarding the “unnecessarily inflammatory” Special Meeting notice and that Romano’s approach “to our problems as exemplified by the meeting ‘notice’ can only lead to unnecessary confrontation with the high possibility of disaster for all of us”; amendments to the Bargaining Agreement between Olin Corp and Victory Lodge 609 due to the sale of Winchester facility to US Repeating Arms Company; notice from the Executive Board of Local 609 dated March 28, 1972 regarding “Olin’s Game Plan” to have non-union members work overtime on jobs that were done by union members who were laid off; “The Saga of the Brass Mill or A Christmas Tragedy at Olin Brass” play which is most likely an analogy to the situation at the Winchester plant regarding the loss of Holiday Pay for employees; handwritten notes on “Special Stewards Meeting Oct 17, 1985 Dist. Meeting Hall”; “The Steward: Key to a successful grievance procedure” stapled packet from the IAMAW with John Palmeri and his address handwritten on top (7 pgs stapled); photocopy of handwritten draft regarding a clause in the union-company agreement regarding grievance procedure; list of names and addresses; USRAC Component Parts Catalog; IAMAW Investigation of Grievance Blank application for “approval of the Executive Council” in order for Local 609 to strike dated June 13, 1983] [File Folder 2 Title: 609 Contents: Victory Lodge 609 News for June 1983, April 1983, flier for Special-Called Meeting scheduled for June 12, 1983 where Article “L,” section 3 is explained and “take our first strike vote by secret ballot”; letter addressed to John Palmieri from James Alteri to inform Palmieri of his fees as lawyer/arbitrator dated May 16, 1983; Victory Lodge 609 News July 1983 (3 copies); Company’s Last and Final Offer for a three year Agreement expiring 07/15/86; handwritten clause regarding seniority; letter addressed to Louis Romano from Georgiana Coleman advising Local 609 of USRAC’s selection of individuals for the 1983 Negotiating Committee dated November 17, 1983; Union Brief of arbitration between Local 609 and Olin Corporation; “Message from the President” dated May 9, 1983 from Ronald Reagan to Mr. and Mrs. Proto “in recognition of 32 years in community affairs”; letter addressed to Louis Romano from Richard Pelton dated May 17, 1983 “delighted to again support [CT State Council of Machinists’] upcoming semi-annual conference with a donation of one of our 1500 XTR shotguns” for fundraiser; letter addressed to Richard Pelton from Louis A Romano dated May 12, 1983 requesting donation of rifle or shotgun for fundraiser at event; Victory Lodge 609 News May 1983 (2 copies); handwritten note]