Personnel Policy Committee
Meeting

Wednesday, March 8, 1995
Key Polymer, Lawrence, Massachusetts

The Northern Textile Association Personnel Policy Committee met on March 8, 1995 at Key Polymer in Lawrence, MA. In attendance were: Mike Schwotzer, Key Polymer Corp.; Dan Brown, L. W. Packard & Co., Inc.; Linda Swanson, American Fiber & Finishing, Inc.; Leslie Dietrich, Raffi & Swanson, Inc.; Sandee Muzaca, Crown Yarn Dye Company, Inc.; Kathy Skala, Malden Mills Industries, Inc.; Joe Maziarz and Paul Dempsey, Easthampton Dye Works, Inc.; Michele Parrett, Warren Corporation; Mickie Richardson, Homestead Industries, Inc.; Lexy Paskevich, Dorr Woolen Company; Brenda Perry, Cascade Woolen Mills, Inc.; Carol Clark, Warwick Mills, Inc.; and David Trumbull, NTA.

Key Polymer president Bob Baker presented a brief overview of Key Polymer. Key is a 31 year old company producing water-based adhesives. Key is a supplier to several companies in the American Flock Association, an affiliate of NTA.

Mr. Trumbull reported on wool import issues, with particular attention to Ukraine and Russia.

Mr. Trumbull presented the results of piloting of the Personal Protective Equipment survey. Four companies had responded with suggestions for improvements in the survey instrument; those changes have been incorporated and the final survey form is ready to mail out.

Mr. Trumbull informed the group that OSHA has proposed an updated Respiratory Protection Standard and that the final rule for the Family and Medical Leave Act has been published in the Federal Register. NTA has the full text of both these documents available to mail to interested members.

Distribution of the annual NTA Wage Adjustment Update was followed by a discussion of contract negotiations. Wages is the number one issue facing most companies, with health insurance second. Only one company has an issue regarding pension. There was much discussion of time and attendance issues, in particular how to motivate employees to be self-disciplining. Mickie Richardson emphasized the importance of understanding the Dept. of Labor rules for distinguishing exempt from non-exempt employees.

Kathy Skala commented on the “Human Resources Library” published on CD-ROM by BNA. Linda Swanson reminded the group that April 27, 1995 is “Take Our Daughters to Work Day.”

Lunch, provided by Key Polymer, was followed by a plant tour.

Business conditions were reported to be improved from the slowdown in the fall. Packard reported purchases of new equipment; new hires; and purchase of land for expansion. Malden reports expanding with new plant to be built in Görlitz, Germany. Other companies reported good business conditions. Dorr Woolen and Malden Mills both report that they are up for contract negotiation.

The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, May 24, 1995 at the Ramada Inn in Woburn. For the next meeting it was suggested that a private investigator be invited as speaker.