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Post by ktploner on May 21, 2010 1:06:49 GMT -5
Since coming from LAP last year, I have heard a lot of comments about the union at KTP. Some good, some bad. I agree with some and disagree with some. However, I think it is important to point out someone who is doing a great job so everyone is aware. BRENT ESKRIDGE DESERVES MAJOR PROPS! He is not even my committeeman, but stops by every other day to shoot the shit for a few, drop off papers if there are any, see if I need anything, and update on what is going on. The other night I called the union office to ask a question, and the next thing I knew he was standing on my job (not close to the union offices). He tells it lie it is, will definitely go the extra mile for someone, and doesn't take any shit from management, which is something that you don't see much of anymore!
He has been a committeeman for several years now. I also feel strongly that he would make an excellent addition to the bargaining committee when elections are held. As a former LAP'er, I am not familiar with many committeeman at KTP, but appreciate all of Brent's efforts.
If anyone else has props to pass out...do it! That we some of us can learn who the good committeeman are versus the ones who may be replaceable. Elections will come up eventually!
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Post by TonyV on May 21, 2010 1:14:27 GMT -5
Nice to hear positive things about anyone in the union. Many that are in trim are looking for more to vote for.
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Post by lgnikko on May 21, 2010 15:44:09 GMT -5
Well I am in paint on days and haven't had a good committeeman yet!! Much less actually SEE a committeeman
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Post by kessinger on May 21, 2010 19:57:19 GMT -5
Ty for giving props to one of the guys. I'll make sure Brent reads this.
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Post by trinitus on May 22, 2010 1:40:23 GMT -5
I can understand why you want to give props to Brent Eskridge, he comes by shoots the shit gives you information and was there when you called the union office. Hell who wouldn't want a committeeman like that. Problem is this, he is not your committeeman and when shoots the shit with you then doesn't that take away from the people he is suppossed to represent? Don't misunderstand what I say, I a happy to hear something good about a union rep but I question why would someone who he doesn't represent want's to give him props. Let the ones who he represents make this statement. The only thing that goes through my mind is Brent wants to run for Bargaining Committee and either you are him or he has somehow convinced you to put his name out for this position due to the fact that so many people are still upset with the letter Allan Hughes put out about supporting the last contract modifacations.
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Post by rockyt on May 22, 2010 6:59:13 GMT -5
Most people seem to be happy with a committeeman if he shows up regularly, talks to them, and hands out information. Unfortunately that really isn't a very good measure of how well he understands the contract and what he does if or when you have a problem. From what I have seen from the committeemen and bargainers that I have run into is that they either don't have the desire or the ability to truely help you when you need them. I have seen so management get away with so much bullshit at KTP, that we might as well not have a union or a contract because it is rarely enforced.
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Post by JoePieper on May 22, 2010 12:40:36 GMT -5
I worked on the line with Brent. And I can tell you he knows his shit when it comes to the contract. And he cares deeply about ALL of the membership. And if he does run for BC hes got my vote. As for bad union reps, I can name many. I had one guy sit there and fuck around on the computer while me and the supervisor discussed my writeup. I got an R and W when I should have gotten a day off. So That rep was useless and I basically took care of it myself. I wont say who it was but he has been voted OUT at least twice since I have been here.
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Post by ktploner on May 23, 2010 15:53:56 GMT -5
Gimmie a break trinitus! I have only been at KTP for just over a year. There is no conspiracy theory going on here so lay off the x files reruns. He does his job, kows his shit, and takes care of the membership. Remember...we are all one union! The committeeman are there to represent union members. There is no law that says he can't help someone else out. Besides, stopping for a minute or five between running from fork to fork isn't going to take away from someone else's needs. Believe me, if your job was away from everone else, you would be happy if someone went out of there way to get you the information everyone else gets on a regular basis.
As to my main point...Brent is a good committeeman, knows the contract, and stands up for the membership. That is nowhere near as common as it used to be. In my personal opiion, he would make a good addition to the bargaining committee. And as for me, I will be leaving KTP ASAP 4 LAP! There is nothing for me to gain by posting this, but making our/your union stronger!
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Post by trinitus on May 23, 2010 21:56:04 GMT -5
Gimmie a break trinitus! I have only been at KTP for just over a year. There is no conspiracy theory going on here so lay off the x files reruns. He does his job, kows his shit, and takes care of the membership. Remember...we are all one union! The committeeman are there to represent union members. There is no law that says he can't help someone else out. Besides, stopping for a minute or five between running from fork to fork isn't going to take away from someone else's needs. Believe me, if your job was away from everone else, you would be happy if someone went out of there way to get you the information everyone else gets on a regular basis. As to my main point...Brent is a good committeeman, knows the contract, and stands up for the membership. That is nowhere near as common as it used to be. In my personal opiion, he would make a good addition to the bargaining committee. And as for me, I will be leaving KTP ASAP 4 LAP! There is nothing for me to gain by posting this, but making our/your union stronger! For starter's I was not I repeat WAS NOT going to comment on this. But after reading again I felt I needed to get something straight. 1. I never said anything about a conspiracy. Hell I never even made a statement that would even be close to this. Oh wait, I did say that I was unsure if you were in fact from LAP or if you were Brent himself. Sorry, but that is not a conspiracy, that is a valid question as to who you say you are and nothing more. 2. I never said he didn't know his shit, or that he didn't do his job. I did in fact say that I question why he would stop by and shoot the shit with you while he is supposed to represent other area's. It really doesn't matter if he stop's by and talks for a minute or half the shift, for every minute he spends with you someone he represents is waiting that much longer for him to come by. Now come on here, if your Union Rep, were to spend the time with someone else that he doesn't represent and less time in your area wouldn't you feel the same way. I have never even had Brent has my Union rep so I can not say one way or the other how good or bad he is. If he is in fact representing Stock like you say, then I can't see him having anytime to stop by and shoot the shit with you since Stock is such a big area to cover. I will say you ARE RIGHT ABOUT IF I WAS WAY OUT THERE and not seeing my Union rep, I would be grateful to have someone like Brent coming by to get me the info everyone else is getting. 3. get over the X-Files, that show has done set it sail. Where in the hell did this come into play LOL. Nah I get the connection you were talking about but that isn't the case here. 4. Yes, I do see a new Bargaining rep next year when the election is over. I do not see Alan Hughes back in there. You could be right, Brent very well could be our new Bargaining Rep, but he will be up against some other good people running for that position. I tend to keep an open mind on all people who run for the top jobs here. I then make my decision based on question's I ask them if they do indeed decide to come by and talk to me. I just vote I don't beg for the job. |
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Post by ktploner on May 24, 2010 7:56:35 GMT -5
I kind of see where you are coming from, but I can promise you my name isn't Brent, and no one put me up to this. He has done an excellent job in my opinion and goes out of his way a few times each week to make sure that I am up to date and informed on the latest details when others pass me by. For that, I am grateful and thought I would let others know. Even when I have asked him things, he isn't afraid to give me the answers even if they aren't exactly what I want to hear. I have had smoke blown up my arse from both sides (company and union) since the day I hired in. It is nice to have someone tell you the truth, without the bullshit.
I don't think the total of ten to fifteen minutes a week is going to hurt the time he has for his own people. He drives around most of the night looking for them anyway. I just happen to be on the way.
Since at KTP, I have heard quite a bit of complaining about the reps, and I have no basis to agree or disagree from the short time I have had to soak it all in. Personally, I think Brent deserves some props for doing a good job, especially when considering a few others that I have had in the past. I don't know what others think of him, nor did I ask anyone. My post came from the simple fact that he has gone above and beyond his duties for me and I appreciate it! That's all! No ulterior motives or anything else!
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Post by ktpking on May 24, 2010 12:17:35 GMT -5
so many people are still upset with the letter Allan Hughes put out about supporting the last contract modifacations.
Who cares. Allan had the nuts to tell the membership how he felt. Wrong or right. That was his position. I respect that. I see Allan Hughes on the floor all the time! I have seen him drive by and waved him down to ask a question several times. He has not appeared to be put out or in a hurry to "Facebook" on company time while the membership is holding their own with mgmt. We have several good elected members and we have several that just sponge the system.
I still believe that the committee people should work the line. I see the benefit of both the company and the membership by doing this. We have awol coverage people to relieve the rep when an instance comes up.
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