How Merck discriminates against union employees

Discussion in 'MyPharma' started by anonymous, Aug 22, 2015 at 11:40 AM.

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  1. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    The following is Union President Dan Bangert’s response to Merck CEO Ken Frazier’s Appreciation Day announcement on July 28th. Mr. Frazier granted all Merck employees a global holiday – September 4, 2015. However, Merck employees governed by a CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) were excluded from the Day of Appreciation. Translation: Union Members would not receive the day off for a job well done.

    My name is Dan Bangert. I am the President of USW Local 10-00086, the Union at Merck’s West Point, PA facility. We are a union of 1,800 members. We are a small but critical part of the 80,000+ employees that work for Merck. Before I share my comments today, I want to make sure that I thank all Merck employees for their hard work. We have all endured the pain of the cutbacks that Merck has experienced over the last few years, and the additional work. All of us have stepped up. I also want to be clear that this is not a Union-versus-Company issue, as many may want to make it. We are all Merck employees, and we all work hard. Now let me get to the point. Mr. Frazer, you are the CEO of one of the greatest companies in the USA. I am proud to say that I work for Merck. When I tell someone that I work for Merck, they almost always say that it is a great company to work for. But things have changed, and I am troubled by it. We were once a family. I have lived that and experienced it in my 29 years of work at Merck. But by putting money and profits above all else, including the people that work for you, you are tearing that family apart. (Not what the GREAT George Merck had in mind.) Today, I work for a Company that lays workers off, then forces (YES – FORCES) other workers to work constant overtime to fill in for the laid off workers. Worse, if you do not show for your mandatory overtime assignment, you receive discipline up to and including termination. I dread but expect the day when someone forced to work a double shift of work (16 hours) gets in their car after work, drives home and falls asleep at the wheel, hurting themselves, someone else or someone else’s child. Now, you have evidently it in your heart to give Merck employees the day off on September 4, 2015. Lord knows they have earned it. Even better, for those that cannot take that day off, you give them a chance to use it on another date. But here’s what troubles me – YOU SAY IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE UNDER A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, YOU DO NOT GET THE DAY OFF. 80,000+ employees at Merck, maybe 3,000 are unionized, and you choose to exclude them. Can you please explain why you felt you needed to exclude Union employees? Do you feel they do not work hard enough to warrant the day off? Do you feel that Union employees are less a part of the Merck Family? Or, do you just not care about Union employees at all? We are the same employees that are forced to work because your cutbacks have left our West Point plant with inadequate personnel. Unfortunately, I no longer get that feeling of pride when someone asks me where I work. I still hear from others that it is a great place to work, but only because of GEORGE MERCK’S legacy. It will take time for this news to reach outside world, and God help this Company when it does. I wonder what your legacy will be. I do still love this company; that is why I felt I needed to share these comments with you. It’s not too late for you to do the right thing. In the meantime, I, like all employees, union and non-union, will continue to work hard to turn this falling company around. P.S. Do you even know what LABOR DAY is all about and why it is celebrated?

    Daniel Bangert President USW 10-00086 215-652-0184

    July 30,2015 04:58PM

    The following is Mr. Frazier’s response to President Bangert’s email and blog:

    _____________________________________________

    From: Frazier, Kenneth C.
    Sent: Friday, July 31, 2015 2:28 PM
    To: Bangert, Daniel J
    Subject: RE: I care what people think about OUR Company.

    Dear Mr. Bangert,

    Thank you for your email about the history of Labor Day. I share your appreciation for the significance of this holiday that celebrates workers and their achievements.

    I also read with interest your post on Sync. Merck’s Executive Committee and I appreciate and recognize the hard work of the dedicated employees across Merck. We value the contributions of every employee regardless of the nature of their employment relationship with the company.

    As you know, there are constraints on implementing unilateral changes – for better or worse – for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The union contract identifies a set number of recognized holidays and paid days off. I understand that in the case of USW 10-00086 this includes the Friday before Labor Day.

    Separate from your comments regarding the additional day off, we want to ensure that we are addressing the other concerns you have raised. Merck goes to great lengths to protect the safety and well-being of our employees. Leadership from MMD and Human Resources will work with local site leaders to address your concerns directly.

    Thank you for your continued dedication to Merck and its mission.

    Sincerely,

    Ken Frazier