I thought while B was out on strike (hopefully not for long) I would talk about what is going on and how we have been affected by it in the past week.
Week 16
Well it looks like things are actually starting to happen. Remember I only know what the union is telling us and want us to know so this could be what is actually happening or not. B went to a meeting yesterday at the union hall to discuss what has been happening this past week.
At the beginning of the week, it was said that the company kept bringing back new contracts that were worse than the others. Of course, that is believable because they have the upper hand. At this point, most just want to go back to work because they need the money and will take whatever is offered.
Midweek the union submits an offer of unconditional return to work. What does unconditional return to work mean? Simply put the workers would go back to work and the company and union would continue to work on getting a contract they could both agree too. The company has five days to come back with an answer. So hopefully we would find something out this coming Monday. The company can do one of two things, accept this offer, or reject the offer and essentially there is now a lockout.
- If the company accepts an offer, then the workers will return to work and should actually start back in a week or two.
- The company rejects the offer and a lockout is created. If a lockout occurs then the workers are now available for unemployment.
At the end of the week, there was a meeting at the union hall. B finds out that the negotiations are now being dealt with at the corporate level and the company submitted a contract that appears to be satisfactory. Everything needs to be gone over with a fine tooth comb between the company and union. If all goes well this could actually go to vote with the union members.
It sounds like B could go back to work anywhere from as little as two weeks or if a contract is met it could be up to six weeks. For me I hope it is only two weeks. It is surreal to think that this could be over. I have gotten so used to him working crazy amounts of hours that I don’t know what I will do when he is around more. It basically works out when he is working at the refinery that he works 14 days a month. So that leaves him home the other 14 days. I really don’t look forward to B working the third shift again. Not because he won’t be home at night but because we have to be quiet during the day so he can sleep.