Red Edge #4

This week brought the final chapter in an effort to clear up any issues with Red Edge Letter #4. We were involved in a 2 day arbitration over the company's use of employees across headquarter boundary lines. I wish I could tell you the final outcome but that ruling will come from the arbitrator in about two months.



I know a lot of you do not understand why it takes so long to get a ruling, so I will take some time to explain it. Once you hear the case before the arbitrator, it takes a couple of weeks to get the transcripts back from the court reporter. Once you get the transcripts back, you generally have 30 days to turn in a written post hearing brief. Once the arbitrator receives the briefs, they tend to take about 30 days to give us their ruling. That is the short version, but it should help explain why it takes so long to get the answer.



I will post the decision as soon as we receive it. I feel like we presented a good case this week but you never know how the arbitrator received it. In contract interpretation cases the Union has the burden of proof. It is our job to show the arbitrator why our interpretation is the right one. These are generally more difficult than discipline or discharge cases as the burden of proof lies with the company.



I would like to thank everyone that was involved in this case. There was a lot of work that went into it and everyone worked really hard to present a good case. The following is a list of the members who were involved, so take a minute to thank them for their efforts if you get the chance.



Joe Adams Business Manager, SCU-8

David Edenfield Treasurer LU 1412

Mike Matson Member LU 1412

Nick Peden Member LU 682

David Price President LU 1412

Thomas Schiferl Member LU 682

Mac Todd Member LU 1412



Fraternally,

David B Price
President LU 1412

RSO Meeting

The System Committee and the company met today to discuss the company plans to eliminate 21 positions. As you all are aware, the contract gives the company the right to abolish, post and to reclassify. The issue surrounds the reduction in Troublemen positions while we still have Street Light Technician positions.

The Street Light Technician was negotiated in 2002. During talks about the position, the Union had asked and was told that the Street Light Technician positions would not have an impact on the Troublemen classification. The Union left the table with a clear understanding that if Troublemen classifications were to be reduced, than there would be no Street Light Technician positions.

Joe Adams, Business Manager SCU-8, and the System Committee made it very clear today that our stance on this issue has not changed. In order to reduce Troublemen positions, the Street Light Technician positions would have to be abolished first.

I for one believe that a reduction in forces is the wrong way to fix any financial problem we are having. Especially when it comes to highly skilled positions in an industry that is in need of more Journeymen. I would think we would be staffing up and preparing for the future.

I understand that the growth is not like it was the past several years but the key word there is growth. We are not in a declining market. We are still adding customers everyday.

I will keep you informed of any new information as it becomes available. Please continue to work safe and I'll see you at Septembers Union meeting.