DynCorp union negotiations impact

[Pyrotech]

Originally Posted by BernieP

Depends on the labor laws. In some areas you cannot replace striking workers with non-union workers. In some states/cities every other trade union would honor their picket line and a job would be closed down.

Don't know what Marlyand law is and what federal laws might apply (since the job site in on federal property).

All I'm trying to say is "replacement" workers might not be an option. (unfortunately)

I for one know for a fact that in quite a few instances, trying to replace these workers will never work. For one, My job mandates that you have attended certain schools while originally on active duty with the military, so as you can imagine, that thins the herd quite a bit. As of right now, the shop is short and cant find anyone to fill the need. Now just where are they going to get 900 of those people just like me?

No, we are not ditch diggers nor day laborers, and this isnt something you can just hop out of High School and start doing. 99% of DynCorp employees are ex military for a reason. Partly because the Navy would seriously frown on anyone else touching their multi-million dollar aircraft because of the training involved. As far as getting locked out of the base? It wouldnt matter to me or quite a few others like me because Im a retiree, so they HAVE to let me in.

Anyone ever work for a company that doesnt give ANY sick days? DynCorp doesnt. They make you take vacation time instead. What if youre in your first year and dont get any vacation time yet? Tough, you dont get paid. Heres another little catch 22- they can punish you for taking too many unpaid days off. Sound fair? Not to me either. I dont think its whining to want something the general public already has.

[Jigglepuff]

Originally Posted by Pyrotech

I for one know for a fact that in quite a few instances, trying to replace these workers will never work. For one, My job mandates that you have attended certain schools while originally on active duty with the military, so as you can imagine, that thins the herd quite a bit. As of right now, the shop is short and cant find anyone to fill the need. Now just where are they going to get 900 of those people just like me?

No, we are not ditch diggers nor day laborers, and this isnt something you can just hop out of High School and start doing. 99% of DynCorp employees are ex military for a reason. Partly because the Navy would seriously frown on anyone else touching their multi-million dollar aircraft because of the training involved. As far as getting locked out of the base? It wouldnt matter to me or quite a few others like me because Im a retiree, so they HAVE to let me in.

Anyone ever work for a company that doesnt give ANY sick days? DynCorp doesnt. They make you take vacation time instead. What if youre in your first year and dont get any vacation time yet? Tough, you dont get paid. Heres another little catch 22- they can punish you for taking too many unpaid days off. Sound fair? Not to me either. I dont think its whining to want something the general public already has.

First off...thank you for your service to our country.

I know allot of great people who work for Dyncorp and many other contractors in the area. You guys do a great job.

There are companies who are better at benefits and there are some that are worse. We can definitely keep slicing this either way.

Are you suggesting a Union is the solution?

[Ronin]

It's interesting to read the posts that people of the local community make concerning something that most don't even know about.

Union labor is not something old around here, in fact it is still very young to the Southern Maryland area. Unions employ a Democratic principle that allows employees to strive for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Frankly after living in this area for close to 20 years I don't understand why more of you out there haven't Unionized.

Everyday I see people who drive cars that should be in the junk yard, live in homes that are in bad need of repair or just can't afford some of the better things in life. Unions, drive the wage up in areas where they are established. The AWD (Average Wage Determination) for the area responds in growth based on the prevailing wages. So, if the wage goes up for the Union worker so does the wage for everyone else who works a job that receives compensation based on the AWD.

As an example of what a Union can do, lets examine the DynCorp facility at Solomon MD. Three (3) years ago a Union drive was made there (at the same time the DynCorp folks at Patuxent River Unionized). That drive (Solomon's) failed by a very narrow margin, but because of the success of the Pax River folks, wages at Solomon's went up $6.00/hr over night. Now I am no math expert but that equates to $12,000+ dollars more a year in income based just on a fear of Unionizing (imagine where they would be today in pay if they had Unionized).

Everyone benefits, infact are you aware that most Civil Service workers at Pax are Unionized and have been for a long time.

Don't beat down the Union just because you don't understand it. I for one am glad I am a part of the IAM and I fight everyday to make it's position even stronger.

If you work in a trade that could be Unionized you should be asking for representation. Why would you settle for a lesser wage or benefit, one designed to keep you enslaved to your employer just so you can make ends meet, when you could be making better wages and benefits that will afford you a better life style.

Hea, if you want to live in the basement that's your choice, me I prefer a room with a view.

[Gilligan (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Pyrotech

Anyone ever work for a company that doesnt give ANY sick days? DynCorp doesnt. They make you take vacation time instead. What if youre in your first year and dont get any vacation time yet? Tough, you dont get paid. Heres another little catch 22- they can punish you for taking too many unpaid days off. Sound fair? Not to me either. I dont think its whining to want something the general public already has.

Many do and many more soon will work for companys that have only one kind of leave. AS I mentioned in another post on this thread or the other on the same topic, my own company is soon scrapping the separate leave model (sick plus vacation) and going with the comprehensive leave approach. The only thing still not settled is one of the two issues you raised; how many total days comprehensive leave we should offer. We are not going to simply eliminate sick leave without adding 'some' hours to the overal comprehensive leave package*. As for what happens during first year?...same as most companies; leave without pay.

What is the punishment for taking too many unpaid days, btw?


* said number of days being based on a review of the data we've been able to get our hands on; data that shows clearly how significant a drop in missed work days occurs immediately anywhere a company has changed from dual-leave to comp leave model. We are going to eliminate sick leave and add a number of days to the vacation we had and call it comprehensive leave...and the final number will reflect the natioanal data plus probably 8 hours on top.

In practical terms, if the data shows that people took 2 sick days on average with comprehensive leave where the average was 5 with regular sick leave..we will probably add 3 days to existing vacation benefit and call it good.

[SoccerMom2]

I think I.A.M stand for I'm A Moron. I.A.M needs to stop being greedy. DynCorp has great benifits. At least they have vacaction. Most jobs don't. They get paid great. If they go on strike is I.A.M going to pay for my health insurance, rent, groceries, and etc... No they are not.

[CrashTest]

Originally Posted by Pyrotech

Anyone ever work for a company that doesnt give ANY sick days? DynCorp doesnt. They make you take vacation time instead.

Yea - it's called PTO. Most companies have changed to PTO. Paid sick leave + paid vacation is going the way of the dodo bird. When we first changed to PTO almost 10 years ago, I whined like you guys but just like you, I had an alternative but chose not to take it.

[Gilligan (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Ronin

If you work in a trade that could be Unionized you should be asking for representation. Why would you settle for a lesser wage or benefit, one designed to keep you enslaved to your employer just so you can make ends meet, when you could be making better wages and benefits that will afford you a better life style..

Where does the money for all those increased wages and benefits actually come from?

And if you really have been in So Md for 20 years, you would know that the 'trades' are all small companies...tiny companies. I can see Tommy's HVAC installers or Bobby's drywall hangers organizing now..LOL. No..wait..I got it. The IBoCFC....International Brotherhood of Charter Fishing Captains.

[PrchJrkr]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Unions suck and kill companies.

[Jigglepuff]

Originally Posted by Ronin

It's interesting to read the posts that people of the local community make concerning something that most don't even know about.

Union labor is not something old around here, in fact it is still very young to the Southern Maryland area. Unions employ a Democratic principle that allows employees to strive for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Frankly after living in this area for close to 20 years I don't understand why more of you out there haven't Unionized.

Everyday I see people who drive cars that should be in the junk yard, live in homes that are in bad need of repair or just can't afford some of the better things in life. Unions, drive the wage up in areas where they are established. The AWD (Average Wage Determination) for the area responds in growth based on the prevailing wages. So, if the wage goes up for the Union worker so does the wage for everyone else who works a job that receives compensation based on the AWD.

As an example of what a Union can do, lets examine the DynCorp facility at Solomon MD. Three (3) years ago a Union drive was made there (at the same time the DynCorp folks at Patuxent River Unionized). That drive (Solomon's) failed by a very narrow margin, but because of the success of the Pax River folks, wages at Solomon's went up $6.00/hr over night. Now I am no math expert but that equates to $12,000+ dollars more a year in income based just on a fear of Unionizing (imagine where they would be today in pay if they had Unionized).

Everyone benefits, infact are you aware that most Civil Service workers at Pax are Unionized and have been for a long time.

Don't beat down the Union just because you don't understand it. I for one am glad I am a part of the IAM and I fight everyday to make it's position even stronger.

If you work in a trade that could be Unionized you should be asking for representation. Why would you settle for a lesser wage or benefit, one designed to keep you enslaved to your employer just so you can make ends meet, when you could be making better wages and benefits that will afford you a better life style.

Hea, if you want to live in the basement that's your choice, me I prefer a room with a view.

"Free Cake and Ice Cream!!!" NOW YOUR MAKING ME HUNGRY!!!!

[Merlin99 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Pyrotech

I for one know for a fact that in quite a few instances, trying to replace these workers will never work. For one, My job mandates that you have attended certain schools while originally on active duty with the military, so as you can imagine, that thins the herd quite a bit. As of right now, the shop is short and cant find anyone to fill the need. Now just where are they going to get 900 of those people just like me?

No, we are not ditch diggers nor day laborers, and this isnt something you can just hop out of High School and start doing. 99% of DynCorp employees are ex military for a reason. Partly because the Navy would seriously frown on anyone else touching their multi-million dollar aircraft because of the training involved. As far as getting locked out of the base? It wouldnt matter to me or quite a few others like me because Im a retiree, so they HAVE to let me in.

Anyone ever work for a company that doesnt give ANY sick days? DynCorp doesnt. They make you take vacation time instead. What if youre in your first year and dont get any vacation time yet? Tough, you dont get paid. Heres another little catch 22- they can punish you for taking too many unpaid days off. Sound fair? Not to me either. I dont think its whining to want something the general public already has.

But what are you going to give up for this? Negotiations are give and take, if you want something without giving up something else you're now making demands.