This week Trane Company celebrated its 100th anniversary and along with IAM Local 21 and IAM Local 1115 of IAM District 66 signed a new High Performance Work Organization agreement in La Crosse, WI.
(front left - Martin Gaul, DBR IAM District 66, R. Thomas Buffenbarger, International President IAMAW
Keith Sultana, Vice President Global Integrated Supply Chain Climate Solutions-Ingersoll Rand,
Bradley Tacheny, General Manager Climate Solutions La Crosse, WI USA Manufacturing Operations,
back left - Rich Hauser Lodge 21 Shop Chairman, Scott Seibert Human Resources Manager
Climate Solutions La Crosse WI Ingersoll Rand, Dennis Leis Lodge 1115 Shop Chairman)
IAM International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger who attended the events said, "We have shared the good times and we've endured the bad times." Buffenbarger envisioned a strong "future between the union and the company."
International President Buffenbarger toured the Trane facilities, met IAM members there, participated in the signing ceremony and attended the 100th Anniversary celebration as a guest speaker.
IAM District 66 has two locals at Trane in La Crosse, WI. Local Lodge 21 members work in production and maintenance. Local Lodge 1115 members are tool and die makers.
IAM District 66 Directing Business Representative Martin Gaul proudly said, "I would give full credit to Rich Hauser, Shop Chair of Local Lodge 21, Mike Osley, Past President of Local Lodge 21, and Rod Perry, Committeeman of Local Lodge 1115 Toolroom all of whom were on the HPWO steering committee. They were instrumental in reaching the HPWO agreement that was signed by the Union and Company."
The HPWO program is currently working on a trial basis in a portion of the facility with the parties working out the possibilities for a wider implementation in the other La Crosse plants.
IAM and Trane representatives sign the HPWO agreement
1st row; IAM Midwest Territory SR Rick Mickschl, IAM IP R. Thomas Buffenbarger
IAM District 66 DBR Marty Gaul, Rich Hauser (LL 21 Shop Chairman)
Rod Perry (LL 1115 Shop Committee), Brad King (LL 21 President),
2nd row; Tony Diersen (LL 21 Shop Committee), John Davis (LL21 Shop Committee)
Dennis Leis (LL 1115 Shop Chair), 3rd row; Mike Olsey (outgoing LL 21 President [retiring])
Steve Jacobson (LL 21 Shop Committee), Don Kennedy (IAM HPWO Director)