By now, you should have received a ballot pertaining to the bid cycle that will start September 24th. Because one week of the bid period will fall before October 1, the CBA requires that all bids be a minimum of forty hours per week. The Company has approached Chairman Duggan regarding a letter of Agreement to adjust the effective date of October 1 to September 24th, allowing the thirty hour minimum bids for the upcoming bid cycle.

As this language is specifically covered under the CBA, our Constitution - Article 82 -forbids the Chairperson from altering work rules without a vote of the membership. Article 85 of the Constitution requires this be a mail referendum vote. 

Under normal circumstances, we would not be afforded the opportunity to have such an election, although the timing is still tight. It is imperative for you to decide what works best for you and mark your ballot accordingly. Please do not make any additional marks on the ballot - simply mark the appropriate box. Then place the ballot into the small envelope marked "A". Again, make no marks on this envelope. Place the "A" envelope into the self addressed stamped envelope included, and drop into the mail as quickly as possible. Ballots will be counted on September 11, in time to bid accordingly, whichever way it  goes.