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What is going on with S-K Tools?

BB26

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Geez i worked 3 years without a contract when i was a conductor because the union and company couldnt get together, but i also got paid backpay for the 3 years.

You received retro pay because it was part of the new agreement. Not because your employer did not follow an expired contract. Once an agreement is reached, it is very typical for the contract to include wage increases retroactive to when the previous contract expired. Employees then receive back pay for that duration.

You don't always get the full story from media soundbites and internet quotes. Believe what you want. I am done with this topic and this thread.
 
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Hiball

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haha:thumbup:



Once our contract is up, it's up. there is no following the old one.

That being said, the national labor relations board is crooked as hell, I would be very surprised if they sided against a union.

Labor Relations isnt known for siding "with" the union very often, Only in cases where blatent unfair labor practice occurs and the media has a strong presense. There favorite position is Neutral.
 

Hiball

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You received retro pay because it was part of the new agreement. Not because your employer did not follow an expired contract. Once an agreement is reached, it is very typical for the contract to include wage increases retroactive to when the previous contract expired. Employees then receive back pay for that duration.

You don't always get the full story from media soundbites and internet quotes. Believe what you want. I am done with this topic and this thread.

I never said that wasnt the case and the only reason that is the case in my sitsuation is because they cant hire people off the street to do my job, it takes lots of training and that is mandated by the Government, Im done talking about it also, When the results of the hearing are made public and/or the workers are back working we can continue talking about tools, this union/employer talk is giving me a headache.
 
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nissan_crawler

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Labor Relations isnt known for siding "with" the union very often, Only in cases where blatent unfair labor practice occurs and the media has a strong presense. There favorite position is Neutral.

95% majority vote to remove union, they said no. Not crooked?
 

pjcforpres2020

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I am surprised this is still going as well...

Personally, I like SK, and have a fair amount of their stuff... good prices, good quality(not the best, but good). I was going to order up a socket set, but my dealer told me to hold off until the dust settles and their future becomes clear. They are a premium dealer of SK, and are still warranty swapping, but they were told by SK that stock level are limited, and orders may take several months to fill until the strike is resolved.
 

Danglerb

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the sad part is it's being caused by the rising cost of healthcare but ya'll will still blame the union instead of correctly identifying the issue.

Standing in front of Sears and turning away customers pegs the meter on the stupid scale. Walk in thinking SK, walk out with Craftsman.
 

Merkava_4

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I'd advise you guys to forget about SK for awhile and look into Armstrong, Proto, and Williams for non-truck brands. Just sayin'....
 

Moose-LandTran

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I keep scrolling past my posts; I gotta have something up there. I wish I could find an animated Merkava tank like that Abrams one I had.

How's this?

merkava-ii.gif


I like the ******** logo better.
 

Fedwrench

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I've ordered a few SK items recently online and had no problem getting them in 2-3 days. As for SK stuff in Sears stores, unless you want a 1/4 drive flexhead ratchet, I don't think there is anything else on my store's rack that's branded SK. There may be tools made by SK stamped Craftsman but, most people aren't aware of that. No one knows what the future holds for any tool company (other than a partly rice diet). However, if everyone just stops buying SK tools because we can't look into our crystal ball and see the future, they might as well close up shop and sell off the manufacturing equipment right now. If you need decent tools, get the SK.:wtf:
 

danski0224

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Why doesn't the union provide their own health insurance for their members? How much money in union dues are they collecting every month?

In my experience...

Union health insurance is funded through a hourly amount that is in the wage and benefits package.

In order to maintain coverage, the union member must work a minimum number of hours per quarter, and insurance monies are paid in advance (ie: the member must work 90 days before coverage begins).

Members do not receive an equal amount of "credit" or "banked hours" for any time worked over the minimum. So if you work tons of OT one quarter and get laid off, you can lose coverage quickly.

It is easy to see that funding the insurance pool through a number of hours is better for the bottom line of the union compared to the actual cost of the individual policy with a group rate. This is why unions want to bring in cheap apprentices (they work lots of hours, hours = $$$ for the funds)... and those apprentices are usually young and do not need a bunch of health care.

The cost to self pay for health insurance in a union I am familiar with is right at $1000 a month... doesn't matter if you are healthy and single, married with 10 kids or anything inbetween.

Union dues typically fund administrative expenses (BA pay and whatnot).

As an unemployed union member, I have my own health insurance at just over $200 a month because I lost the insurance through the union (no hours worked since the beginning of this year) and I will not pay them $1000 a month.
 

danski0224

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Lol, My BLET union dues are $120 a month and my portion of the wage benefit package for healthcare is $140 a month, The company was putting out that it costs them $800 bucks a month for every agreement employee to cover there portion of the negotiated benefits. I dont want to get into a ******* match over who's fault it is but if these employees are working under a negotiated contract that provides them health insurance then the company needs to hold of there end of the bargain, Also for the guy who pays $18 grand a year for health care that is REDICULUS.... I have awesome Benefits, NO co-pay, Been to the doctor probably 15 times in the last 12 years and never paid a dime, scripts are 2 and 8 dollars respectively, Definitely some of the best insurance out there. Either you have 15 kids or sounds like you need to shop around. Would like to add im not a big fan of global healthcare for everyone, Where people get off thinking they are owed healthcare i dont know but with that said i think it should be affordable and $18k a year is far from affordable. My fiance is a architect and her father provides her insurance along with his wife and even there insurance is only like $250 a month for 3 adults and its not bad insurance.

Have you priced out insurance? Tried to buy coverage comparable to the coverage you have through the union?

What is the Health and Welfare portion of your pay and benefits package? Look it up, multiply it by the number of hours worked, and you will see what your employer is paying for your health coverage.

Don't forget workers comp and disability.

The Union buys coverage at group rates, but does not pass the savings along. They gotta make money too, ya know....
 

Hiball

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Have you priced out insurance? Tried to buy coverage comparable to the coverage you have through the union?

What is the Health and Welfare portion of your pay and benefits package? Look it up, multiply it by the number of hours worked, and you will see what your employer is paying for your health coverage.

Don't forget workers comp and disability.

The Union buys coverage at group rates, but does not pass the savings along. They gotta make money too, ya know....

As i stated in my comment the company already stated what it costs per agreement employee per month and its 800 bucks a month + the my cost of $140 a month. But my future father in law runs a architectural company, employs my fiance and a another girl and currently provides insurance for Himself, His Wife and my finance and it runs him $250 a month and its good insurance Blue Cross blue shield. Yes... INsurance is expensive and this is no secret. As far as Workmans Comp i have no idea what it runs as im covered by the FELA as a Railroader.
 

rhandwor

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Just look at the US auto industry health care was a major problem. Look at Medicare health care is breaking them and they only pay 20% of cost.
 

danski0224

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As i stated in my comment the company already stated what it costs per agreement employee per month and its 800 bucks a month + the my cost of $140 a month. But my future father in law runs a architectural company, employs my fiance and a another girl and currently provides insurance for Himself, His Wife and my finance and it runs him $250 a month and its good insurance Blue Cross blue shield. Yes... INsurance is expensive and this is no secret. As far as Workmans Comp i have no idea what it runs as im covered by the FELA as a Railroader.

So, the true cost of your insurance is $940 a month, or $11,280.00 a year.

Costs that your employer must pass along to consumers.

Of course, you do not know what your union is paying- could be much less or more than that for your policy, depending on your health and risk factors.

If you add a child or two... maybe a chronic medical condition... smoking... trying to get a policy with a preexisting condition... it would be easy to get to $18k a year.
 

Hiball

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If you add a child or two... maybe a chronic medical condition... smoking... trying to get a policy with a preexisting condition... it would be easy to get to $18k a year.

In my experience...

The cost to self pay for health insurance in a union I am familiar with is right at $1000 a month... doesn't matter if you are healthy and single, married with 10 kids or anything inbetween.

.

The 2 above quotes from you confuse me,Im not sure what your asking, or what your trying to explain. Yes Insurance is very expensive everyone in this country is aware of this im sure. Im sure my employer passes the cost of its employees benefits onto its consumers, as do any and all business's and my employer still makes 100's of millions of dollars of profit every year. They wouldnt be in business if they wasn't making money.
 
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danski0224

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The 2 above quotes from you confuse me,Im not sure what your asking, or what your trying to explain. Yes Insurance is very expensive everyone in this country is aware of this im sure. Im sure my employer passes the cost of its employees benefits onto its consumers, as do any and all business's and my employer still makes 100's of millions of dollars of profit every year. They wouldnt be in business if they wasn't making money.

In one post, you commented something to the effect that $18k for an annual insurance bill was out of line. It is not, as you are near $12k a year in your union "group" plan.

I am making an assumption that your plan is at least based loosely upon a flat fixed monthly cost or a cost based upon a number of hours worked for each member, rather than the true cost of the policy. This way, all members pay the same rate, with the low risk members subsidizing the high risk members... and the union keeps the extra :)

Yes, the employer passes the cost on and still makes money.

The thing is that the employer always wants more money, and if the company is public, so do the investors. In addition to the rising cost of healthcare, which is rooted in the insurance structure, companies want to turn health care expenses into profit by reducing/eliminating coverage. That plan will backfire as the people that need coverage turn to forms of public aid, which is funded by taxpayers... and businesses have all kinds of loopholes that the regular working Joe does not. Regular Joe keeps being outsourced by companies seeking more profit... subsequent jobs pay less... so there is less tax revenue.

Insurance is a big shell game.

The policies the doctors/hospitals must carry are underwritten by the same companies that underwrite Joe Public. As the doctor/hospital policies increase in price... those entities pass the cost to the consumer (patient)... which results in higher costs for services... which necessitates higher payouts for the insurers to the service providers... and results in higher premium costs for the patients.

The insurance companies are making it from both ends, and there appears to be zero checks and balances in place. You want coverage? OK, you pay the going rate. Un/underinsured legal citizens of the USA eventually pay for their hospital stays, unlike illegals that work together to work the system.

The company wants more profit.

Healthcare costs are rising out of control.

None of that is a result of being "union" or not. <<< just making a statement, not directed at you personally.
 

trackwelder

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I am making an assumption that your plan is at least based loosely upon a flat fixed monthly cost or a cost based upon a number of hours worked for each member, rather than the true cost of the policy. This way, all members pay the same rate, with the low risk members subsidizing the high risk members... and the union keeps the extra :)

http://www.bmwe.org/News/2009/07JUL/SENATOR_LETTER_HELP.pdf

The Unions do not provide our healthcare. The above link will explain our healthcare if you are interested.
 

FastKat

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Any update on S-K Tools situation? I am torn between a set of S-K SuperKrome and Craftsman Pro combination wrenches. I am leaning towards the S-K, but if they're going out of business, returning broken tools in the future will be a problem.
 

Merkava_4

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Any update on S-K Tools situation? I am torn between a set of S-K SuperKrome and Craftsman Pro combination wrenches. I am leaning towards the S-K, but if they're going out of business, returning broken tools in the future will be a problem.


That's like being torn between one evil step sister and the other evil step sister. Both have big-*** ugly feet that don't fit in the glass slipper. :spit:
 

FastKat

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That's like being torn between one evil step sister and the other evil step sister. Both have big-*** ugly feet that don't fit in the glass slipper. :spit:

If those step sisters can at least cook, well that's better than what I have now! :) I like those high-maintenance pretty sisters a lot (Snap-On) but am not willing to pay their way!

I picked up the vibe off some news website that the S-K strike recently broke - is that true?
 

krusty the clown

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If those step sisters can at least cook, well that's better than what I have now! :) I like those high-maintenance pretty sisters a lot (Snap-On) but am not willing to pay their way!

I picked up the vibe off some news website that the S-K strike recently broke - is that true?

the strike has been over for a while now........


the high maintenance step sisters are paying my bills:lol_hitti
 

Merkava_4

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If those step sisters can at least cook, well that's better than what I have now! :) I like those high-maintenance pretty sisters a lot (Snap-On) but am not willing to pay their way!

I picked up the vibe off some news website that the S-K strike recently broke - is that true?


The strike is over, but now you have to send in $5 along with each socket to cover the new warranty charges. Send in 5 sockets, you better enclose $25. :D
 

Mr.Nutcase

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Seriously?

yes............. read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.sktools.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=8&fusecode=01

Warranty Policy Guidelines and Parameters

Warranty Policy Guidelines and Parameters

Limited Lifetime Warranty

S•K Professional Tools, unless otherwise specified, are unconditionally guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for the expected life of the tool. S•K, at its option, will repair or replace any tool that fails to give satisfactory service, on condition that the tool (in S•K’s sole judgement) has not been misused, abused, modified or worn out from use and that it is returned to an authorized warranty station.

Agents of S•K Hand Tool Corporation have no authority to make representations of any sort beyond those contained in this warranty. No S•K employee, distributor or person other than an authorized officer of S•K may extend the S•K Warranty. Any such alteration must be in writing and signed by the authorized officer.

The foregoing limited warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, whether oral, written, expressed, implied or statutory, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability.

Tools returned to SK Hand Tool Corporation for warranty replacement will be assessed a shipping, handling, and processing fee of $5.00 per tool. SK reserves the right to modify the fees at its discretion. When sending tools to SK Hand Tool for warranty replacement include a check, credit card information, or money order for the shipping, handling, and processing fee along with your return address. Allow eight to twelve weeks for warranty replacement processing. Tools should be returned to the following address for warranty return processing:



SK Hand Tool Corporation

Attn: Warranty Department

3535 W. 47th Street

Chicago, IL 60632
 
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dieseldodge01

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But they still send out free rebuild kits for ratchets. They are sending me one sometime within the week. I have a at least two dealers that will warranty my tools, so I'm covered.
 

krusty the clown

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or just return them to your dealer at no charge. the 5 dollars is for shipping and handling. the dealer will not charge you five dollars and sk won't charge them either.

you had better REREAD..........

Tools returned to SK Hand Tool Corporation for warranty replacement will be assessed a shipping, handling, and processing fee of $5.00 per tool.
 

rhandwor

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Management is a large part of the blame. They pay Hugh salaries to themselves and this makes the employees mad. A lot of this would buy new machines to improve productivity and quality.
I purchased some torx plus bits and they were sent in five UPS shipments which cost more than the bits.
 

sk farmer

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Where are you finding a walk-in SK dealer? Around here, all the prior SK dealers have replaced their inventory with Performance Tool.

farm city supply, breckenridge minn. 218-643-8401 approx.15 min drive.
acme electric, fargo,nd 701-476-4600
berg auto supply, fargo nd 701-232-8821 both about 40 minutes away

now why would i bs you merk? i don't make things up. north dakota probably has fewer people living in it than you do within thirty miles of you. you are a smart guy. you can't tell me that you can't find an sk dealer somewhere. the 15 minute drive is the area where i get many of my supplies and where my kids go to school. if i can find a dealer you can to. look!!!!!!!
 
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sk farmer

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you had better REREAD..........

Tools returned to SK Hand Tool Corporation for warranty replacement will be assessed a shipping, handling, and processing fee of $5.00 per tool.

okay krusty, i will bite. i missed the "and processing" i phoned the company and was assured that no charges would be made to dealer returns or retuns that dealers made. what did i miss? i reread it and see what you mean. i askrd and i was told that it was just 5dollars. i talked to someone high enough up the ladder to have their name in the catalog with a picture. they said that they were part of decision. have you talked to someone farther up the chain?
 
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bry@n

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I have personally never had an issue with a SO dealer saying he wouldn't warranty something. I have personally gotten on a foreign truck, just to see what the response would be.

They all have QC issues but w/ SO it's easier to warranty IMO and now, it will be cheaper to warranty.
 

GeorgiaHybrid

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acme electric, fargo,nd 701-476-4600
berg auto supply, fargo nd 701-232-8821

That's amazing !!! In a state with 10 people, 6 of whom live in Fargo and they have two supply stores!!!

Just kidding.... I have a customer with a division there and I always get a kick out of seeing the temps there in the winter. I hate the cold here until I see what you guys put up with. It makes Georgia's mid teens look balmy. :)
 
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