It has been a long and sometimes contentious process but we finally have a new 3 year Agreement in place. The membership voted by a 4 to 1 margin to accept the tentative agreement between the Company and the Union dated January 31, 2009.

The Company and the Union started meeting the first part of June and continued through mid October. You soundly rejected the Company offer. The Company waged a furious campaign trying to convince the membership their proposal in October was fair, and a better deal in some areas than the current Contract.

The leadership of the Chemical Workers is extremely proud of our members. They completely understood the Company’s proposals and saw through all the rhetoric. You all came together in a record breaking meeting and gave the Joint Steering Committee the strike authorization we thought we needed in order to get a fair and equitable Agreement. This Agreement could not have been possible with out your help and support.

These negotiations saw an unprecedented spirit of cooperation and solidarity between the Utility Workers Union and the Chemical workers Union. We appreciate the efforts of everyone in both Unions for making these negotiations not only about fair and equitable, but about SOLIDARITY as well.

I want to personally thank Jackie Allen, President of ICWUC Local 995, Marvin Turner, President of Local 350, Rick Lankford, President of Local 47, George Garcia, Treasurer of Local 78, and Jim O’Donnell, President of Local 78 for all their hard work, long hours and dedication to their members during this long and trying process.

Again, I thank each and every one of you for all the support you gave, you should be proud of yourselves.

In solidarity,

John Lewis, Vice President/Regional Director Region 1