“To a point,” he said. “People ship everything today, and that cardboard we make helps. Paper towels and cleaning supplies aresolid too. But they are not enough. We’re definitely feeling the pinch.”
“I do my job,” Lee declared. “But unlike you, I have a life outside this tower.”
“Lucky for this company I don’t have a life, or we’d already be in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.”
“Why don’t we turn our attention to the union negotiations,” Hughes said, clearly trying to diffuse the tension. “Are we ready?”
He resented the interruption. But it was typical of Hughes, who had no guts for a fight. He was a follower, and of late Hughes had hitched his horse to Lee’s wagon more often than not, resulting in lots of two-to-one votes.
“We’re ready,” Lee said. “Our new assistant general counsel is on the job. Brent Walker started this morning.”
“Has Hank Reed been by to see him yet?” Hughes asked.
“He will, before the day’s out.”
“Industrial relations assures me we have enough leverage with the paperworkers and the machinists to get five-year deals,” Hughes said. “Of course, getting the electricians to agree with that will depend on Reed and how agreeable he wants to be.”
“Hank will work with us,” Chris said. “He always has.”
“It could be different this time. Five years was tough to get last go-round. We had to give an extra percent on wages and even help build that union hall. This time Reed will probably want a swimming pool.”
“Hamilton, these guys are just trying to scratch out a living. We pay them good for the area, but five years of locked-in wages is a lot to ask. Hank knows how to play the game. We should not underestimate him.”
“But that’s why Brent Walker is there,” Lee said, his tone mocking. “Your idea too, wasn’t it?”
“Thank God one of us was thinking.”
“Hiring Walker was good business,” Hughes said, breaking the moment again. “We all agreed on that. He’ll be a valuable asset. But this negotiation is going to be tough.”
“I think we should be prepared to make some concessions,” Chris said.
Lee bristled. “Like what?”
“An adjustment in the medical deductible. Maybe assurances on guaranteed overtime. Perhaps some additional vacation or sick time. Small, relatively inexpensive things to us, but big to them.”
Lee shook his head. “Reed will throw those bones right back in our face.”
“Damn right,” Hughes said. “He’ll want solid wage increases and twist our arms hard to get ’em. I hear he’s already talking with the machinists and paperworkers, getting ready for us.”
“I’ve heard that too,” Lee said. “But I don’t think those discussions will be a problem.”
“Why’s that?” Hughes asked.
“I tell you what,” Lee said. “Why don’t we address the collective bargaining negotiations at a special board meeting next week. I’ll send a memo on the date and time. Right now, we have to talk about the Priority situation.”
Chris laid down his pen. No minutes were kept on this topic. No votes recorded. “Did we not authorize five Priorities out of the eight candidates at the last meeting?”
“We did and they’ve all been processed. But a problem developed. One of the five survived the first encounter and had to be reprocessed.”
He was surprised to hear that.
“Thankfully, the Priority ended up in the Woods County nursing home and was easily handled,” Lee said.
“What of the error?” Hughes said.
“I have a meeting on that subject after we adjourn. The issue for us is the other three from the list.”
“Why is it necessary to authorize more?” Chris asked.
