January 19, 2024: The Union requested a rescheduling of the January 25 bargaining session. In response, Tree House proposed maintaining the session but shifting it to a virtual format to adhere to the scheduled date. The Union agreed, and as a result, the January 25, 9 a.m. bargaining session will proceed as planned in a virtual setting.

January 25, 2024: The parties held a virtual bargaining session. During this session Tree House provided a written proposal (via email) to the Union relating to ground rules for the parties to follow during the collective bargaining process. The Union verbally explained its proposal for ground rules during the session and then following the session sent written notes regarding the same. Tree House offered the Union the opportunity to hold a caucus during the bargaining session on the proposed ground rules, and the Union chose to postpone discussions until the next in-person meeting. The Union proposed meeting dates in February and a meeting location of their attorney’s office in downtown Chicago. Both parties will review the ground rule proposals and Tree House will review proposed dates and location and confirm the next meeting’s details.

February 7, 2024: The parties confirmed the next bargaining session for February 29, 9 a.m. in downtown Chicago.

February 29, 2024: The parties met for a bargaining session, which lasted from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. During the session the Union shared initial non-economic proposals with management. The parties discussed these proposals at a high level. Management explained that at our next session Management will provide initial responses to a number of the Union’s proposals as well as make some initial proposals of its own. The parties agreed to meet again on March 26 and April 22.

March 26, 2024: The parties met for a bargaining session, which lasted from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Evanston. During the session, Tree House provided counter proposals to a number of the Union’s initial proposals as well as shared some initial proposals of its own with the Union. The parties discussed these proposals at a high level. The parties have tentatively agreed to the Preamble of the contract. The parties agreed to meet again on May 13 and May 14 (in addition to the scheduled April 22 meeting) in downtown Chicago. At the end of the session, the Union took a guided tour of the facility.

April 8, 2024:  GOOD NEWS FOR EMPLOYEES! Starting later this month, employees will begin to receive information regarding the healthcare renewal process. The good news is that there will be no changes at all to employee contributions for healthcare. While the cost of the healthcare plan increased by 5.5%, Tree House absorbed these increased costs so that there would be no increase to employee contributions. This includes a 100% Tree House-covered medical plan. Additionally, there will be no plan design changes to the healthcare plan. Accordingly, there is no change to employee’ terms and conditions of employment as a result of this renewal. Tree House has advised the Union of this development.

April 23, 2024: The parties held a bargaining session on April 22, 2024. The parties exchanged proposals regarding the following topics: Management Rights, Automation/AI, Security Cameras, Timekeeping Procedures, Nondiscrimination, no-strike/no lockout, Labor Management Committee and Safe Environment. The parties also reached tentative agreements on a recognition provision as well as a provision regarding dignity and respect. Notably, the dignity and respect provision applies to employees’ treatment of one another as well as employees and managers interactions. Violations of this provision can result in discipline. The bargaining session began around 10am and ended at approximately 4:30pm. The parties are next scheduled to meet on May 13 and 14th.

May 15, 2024: The parties participated in negotiations on May 13 and 14. The parties discussed topics including: safe work environment; management rights; continuous service and seniority; layoff, recall and reduction of hours; remote work; job descriptions; subcontracting; security cameras; and automation/AI. The parties did not reach tentative agreements on any of these topics. The parties did, however, reach tentative agreements on a no-strike/no lock-out provision and a non-discrimination provision. The parties are set to meet again on June 17 and June 18.

June 25, 2024: The parties held a bargaining session on Monday, June 17th in-person; Tuesday, June 18th and Monday, June 24th virtually. The parties traded proposals on timekeeping, relief workers, volunteers and temporary vacancies. Tree House received responses from the Union regarding Safe Environment, Continuous Service and Seniority; Layoff Recall, and Reduction of Hours; Remote Work, Job Descriptions, Subcontracting/Relocation Work, Security Cameras, Automation/AI and Timekeeping. The parties are set to meet again on July 17th virtually.

July 22, 2024: The parties met for a bargaining session on Wednesday, July 17th. During the session the parties exchanged counter proposals and Tree House submitted new counter proposals on Promotions and Personnel Files, as well as asked for additional information regarding the Union’s proposal for the Machinists Custom Choice Benefits. The parties reached a tentative agreement on Timekeeping. The parties are set to meet again on Monday, August 12th in-person and Tuesday, August 13th virtually.

August 15, 2024: The parties met on Monday August 12 (in person) and Tuesday August 13 (virtually) to continue negotiations toward an initial collective bargaining agreement. The Parties discussed a number of issues such as Safe Environment, Remote Work, Automation, Timekeeping, Personnel Files, Management Rights, Layoff and Recall, Job Descriptions, Use of Relief Workers, Temporary Workers and Volunteers, Security Cameras, Promotions and the Machinist Custom Choice program. The parties were able to reach a number of tentative agreements on these issues but still remain apart on many topics. The parties are scheduled to meet next on September 10, 2024.

September 20, 2024: The parties participated in negotiations on September 10, 2024. The parties discussed topics including: layoff, recall and reduction of hours, job descriptions, use of relief/temporary workers and volunteers, security cameras, promotions, discipline and discharge and union rights and representations. Notably, the Union proposed that all employees be required to join the Union as a condition of employment. This would mean that if an employee decided that they did not want to be a member of the Union, the Company would be required to terminate them. The Company rejected this proposal and explained that the Company believes that employees should be free to choose whether or not they wish to be members of the Union. The parties are set to meet again (virtually) on October 1, 2024.

October 14, 2024: The parties met on October 7 and 8, 2024 to continue to bargain toward an initial collective bargaining agreement. During the session the parties exchanged a wide range of proposals including topics such as management rights, layoff and recall, job descriptions, relief workers, security cameras, promotions, discipline and discharge, union rights and grievance and arbitration provisions.  The parties made some progress on these topics but remain far apart on others. The parties are next scheduled to meet (virtually) on November 11 and 12.

November 14, 2024: The parties participated in virtual negotiations on November 12, 2024. The parties exchanged proposals regarding a variety of topics. Specifically, Tree House made proposals to the Union regarding Drug Testing, Background Checks and Successorship. The Union made counter proposals to Tree House regarding Management Rights, Layoff and Recall, Job Descriptions, Use of Relief, Temporary Workers and Volunteers, Security Cameras, Discipline and Discharge and other topics. The parties did not reach any tentative agreements during the session. The parties are set to meet again, in person, on December 2 and 4.

December 16, 2024: The parties participated in virtual negotiations on December 4, 2024. The Union explained that moving forward after this session, the Union’s lead negotiator will no longer be Attorney Amanda Clark. Instead, the Union’s lead negotiator will be Machinist Business Representative, Vanessa Calderon.

During negotiations, the parties exchanged proposals regarding a variety of topics including Drug Testing, Background Checks, Management Rights, Layoff and Recall and other topics. The parties are set to meet again, in person, on January 27 & 28, 2025.