Hagerstown // October 2019
For Hagerstown Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) employees, consultants, interns/co-ops, short-term assignees, and leaders of on-site services to be shared with their team members. A strike can impact daily routines, even for those who are not members of the UAW. Our first priority is ensuring that we maintain a safe working environment for all people at our facilities.
Update on Monday, October 14 at 1:30 PM:
Preparations have been made for us to safely return to work tomorrow. You may access our campus via the Maugans or Pennsylvania Avenue gates as of 6 AM on Tuesday, October 15.
Be prepared to stop and present your Volvo photo ID to a Security representative at the gate. The Security team has a list of all NBU employees and authorized site service team members. Any authorized guests must be in ivisitor.
The cafe will be open during normal breakfast and lunch hours, and the Family First Medical Center & Pharmacy will be open from 8 AM - 4:30 PM for eligible NBU employees and their dependents.
Employees who are UAW union members have the right to picket during a strike and may do so on public property or on private property with the company’s consent. The picketing must be orderly, peaceful and abide by the law.
Avoid infringing on or recording legal picketing, as this may result in an unfair labor practice charge against the company.
We have added third-party security services, and they are managing security operations during this strike; law enforcement will also be stationed at both gates.
The period of time during which NBU employees cross a picket line is one of particular sensitivity.
We encourage everyone to follow the Volvo Group Code of Conduct, specifically that “We respect one another." The men and women on the picket lines are our colleagues, our friends, and even our family members. A friendly wave or smile is natural for us and absolutely acceptable as we enter and exit our campus.
Please refrain from the following activities when crossing the picket line:
- Making hand gestures towards picketers
- Taking pictures, video, or notes of actions on the picket line
- Throwing/leaving anything behind
Only authorized employees are responsible for handling media inquiries and commenting on behalf of the company. This includes social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
Please refer all media inqueries (including those on social media) to John Mies, SVP Communications for Volvo Group North America at 336-543-9094.
Please direct inquiries from federal and state government officials to Jonathan Miller at 202-536-1550. For local government officials, please direct inquiries to John Mies.
If you have a new question, text it to Belinda Vinson at 301-573-8269, and we will add it to this link.
Continue to safely proceed and park in the parking lot. Please notify your manager right away, and submit an incident report. Arrangements will be made to remedy the situation.
We advise you to ignore that request since any communication may be construed negatively or misinterpreted.
No. There will be security guards with cameras for the purpose of taking pictures. At no time is any employee to take pictures. In regard to watching the picket line, it is unlawful to spy on any legal, or protected, activity.
T.I.P.S. is an acronym for Threaten, Interrogate, Persuade, Spy. These activities are illegal for both union and company officials.
Please respond to the media with: “Sorry, but I’m not the media contact to respond to your questions." Instruct them to contact John Mies, SVP Communications for Volvo Group North America at 336-543-9094.
Yes, however, as a precaution and to help avoid conflict, please do not discuss negotiations, a strike or the company’s plans during a strike.
Your well-being is of utmost importance to us; please notify your manager for guidance on next steps right away and submit an incident report.
No, they do not need proof. They do, however, need proof for an unfair labor practice to be upheld.
It is not a problem as long as the monitoring is in the normal course of your duties and you are following past practices. You must not target certain personnel, and remember to remain consistent in all monitoring duties.
No, they are not allowed to make threats. Please notify your manager and submit an incident report, especially if you feel concerned about your safety. Arrangements will be made to remedy the situation.
That is a gray area and may be construed differently, based on the context and specifics of the situation. It is best to refrain from discussing this topic with employees who are union members, whether at work or at home.
