January 2012- Chairman's Report

Sisters and Brothers,

I am hoping that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As we return to work, let us not forget to continue to keep our minds on working safely. Since we have accomplished yet another year where everyone was able to return home, let?s continue to strive to work safely.

With the start of the New Year, let?s remember to make sure that our benefit paperwork is up to date. This includes both life and medical insurance beneficiaries and FMLA paperwork. Be aware that when the world starts to cave in around you, there is help. Work related stress, financial difficulties, family problems need help? EAP offers confidential assistance. EAP is not only for Drug and Alcohol problems. If the problems of society, work or family are getting too you, feel free to contact EAP at the 1-800-401-3687. Also available are the in house advocates for the EAP which are Kim Astin (409-392-0425), Joel Clay (409-943-2711), John Madden (409-392-0891), and Mickey Ray (409-392-0664). On each Thursday morning for 3 hours from 9:00 am until noon, Jim Armsworth (Ext. 2-1252) a counselor from APS Healthcare which is our EAP contractor is here in medical. Jim provides financial counseling, family counseling, substance abuse counseling and referral to name a few. You can call his office at 281-336-5191 or contact him by cellular phone at 713-826-2452. If he doesn?t answer, leave a message and phone number so that he can return your call. Feel free to use as needed in what could be more stressful times for some. Go by Medical and pick up a brochure. All contacts with EAP are confidential.

There are many rumors concerning the sale of the refinery. Up to this date, no one has approached the union leadership with confirmation of a sale. As of today we are still in line for the CIP bonus offered for completion of the asset sale.

Last month on the 12th of December, we exchanged negotiating proposals with the company. On Monday, January 9th we will enter into hard bargaining with the company over our proposals and the ones that the company gave to us. This promises to be an interesting set of negotiations. Don?t forget that as a show of solidarity, the request to our brothers and sisters was made to not step-up during the negotiating period which is running from December 12, 2011through ratification of the contract. Also, remember that the company has gone on record that if the Texas City refinery is selected for a work stoppage, we will shutdown and secure the complete facility until an agreement has been reached to restart the refinery between the company and the union. This means that there will be a picket line put in place, but there will be no work available for anyone considering crossing it. We will all be locked out. If you should find a brother or sister continuing to step-up during this period, approach them and ask in the sprit of solidarity whether or nor they had received this e-mail asking them to step down for the good of all of us. It just may be that they aren?t on the union e-mail list and if not get in touch with me so that I can have their name included on the list.

Another thing we have been discussing should it come to a work stoppage is a Strike Kitchen Food Drive. We will be collecting non perishable foods for distribution to our brothers and sisters who may need the assistance. We will set up pick-up trucks in different locations for collection of these items. You can also drop off donations at the Union Hall. If these items are not needed, they will be donated local food pantries after ratification of the contract.

We will begin issuing armbands to be worn during the negotiating period as a show of solidarity. Proudly wear them to show support for the proposals that you have made and that we carry to the bargaining table for you. Also, don?t assume that your steward or workman?s committee members are the only protectors of our contract. If you discover a breach of the contract, you need to make sure that it doesn?t go unquestioned. Find a steward and bring them up to date on what occurred and if necessary, write a grievance to start the process of correcting that wrong. Remember this is our contract and if we won?t stand up to protect it, who will?

As I mentioned earlier, we will start hard negotiating on Monday. During this bargaining time period both I and the negotiating committee will be out of the refinery until we have a document to bring back to the body for clarification and potential ratification. If during this time period, you require contact with either me or any other member of workman?s committee the following numbers are available. Just remember, we may not be able to answer your call at that moment, therefore please leave a detailed message.

We can be reached at:

James Guajardo 409-370-9359

David Jankowski 409-370-7013

Larry Burchfield 409-789-3293

Due to our solidarity, the company has agreed to come to the table and begin to settle the backlog of fatigue grievances. Sticking together is what makes bargaining effective. Not all grievances for the year 2011 have been resolved. We continue to set up meetings with the company to move forward on settling these grievances. One of the things that the union has done for us all, in the last few contracts, is that we have gotten favorable awards from grievances where in the past grievances were rubber stamped Denied. The awards have been numerous and substantial.

Even though we have gotten back a very large number of strike surveys, we are still missing a few. Did you fill out and turn in your strike survey? Get them back to a steward so that it can be forwarded to the CAT committee.

Some may ask what has the Union done for me? What we should be asking each other is, ?Are we ready to take a stand over our issues this contract?? Those who came before us made lots of progress in the past toward making wages, hours of work and conditions of employment better for us. What are we willing to do for those just getting on board recently or those coming in the future? What will you be willing to do for your UNION and your future?

In solidarity,

James Guajardo