Talks are still ongoing and continue to be civil and professional. There has been a lot of discussion concerning the nuclear and line department proposals and some discussion about benefits.
Yesterday the Union discussed the supplemental benefit portion of Union Proposal #1. The folks from National Group Protection were here to explain to the company exactly how this proposal works. This is a no cost, or minimal cost, proposal. The only requirement the company has is to provide access to the employees for open enrollment and provide payroll deduct to allow the employees easy payment of the premiums if they choose to enroll. We will be providing a flyer that will capture the benefits of this program and will answer any questions at the next union meeting on November 3rd. The supplemental insurance that NGP is offering is a great product and would help many of our members.
The Union has actively engaged the company over M8 (SL CREWS), M11 (Rest Time), M12 (On-Call), M14 (Red Time) and M17 (Red edge #4). I look at these proposals as a SEARS Catalog book for management. In some cases they went shopping for a 9/16 socket and are trying to buy the whole damn store to get it. Well, maybe "buy" isn't the proper word but I am sure you all will insert one that is better suited. Either way, you get my point. It is taking a lot of discussion to get to the root of the problem the company seems to be having but we are getting down to the real issues. Wholesale changes make for a messy outcome and we can not afford that, nor do I think the company really wants to have that happen. The Proposal, as written by management in the original form, provides no benefit to the employees. Furthermore, it destroys the spirit and meaning of Article VI, Section 6. All of these proposals intermingle in some form or fashion and would have a direct and negative impact to the membership.
I want to take some time here and let you all know that both sides have issues surrounding the current call out process in the line department. Rather than change everything in the COORS book, the System Committee has countered with another option that management can utilize. We have asked for a one week on-call that gives the company 24-7 coverage and provides employees reasonable compensation for being available. This proposal would eliminate any perceived game playing of the call out list (by either side), ensure response to emergent calls for a seven day period, allow the employee who is on call to actually be called and not by-passed and provide compensation if the company chooses to enact the on call status. I am hopeful that the company will be open to thinking a little "outside of the box" on this. It would definitely help solve a lot of the issues the company has concerning call outs without negatively impacting the membership.
We approached the company about raises a couple of weeks ago and have not gotten a response to our proposal as of today. Generally the company likes to address this issue last. The System Committee truly believes that you all have spoken loud and clear about raises, so we have expressed just how important our wage proposal is.
Please continue to stay informed about the ongoing negotiations. I know a lot of you have concerns about the on going rolls. I have fielded a lot of calls concerning the rolls and the System Committee is addressing the problems when they are brought to us. If you are having a problem, please do not wait until the last minute to let me know. I can not help you out if I do not know about it. I am easily reached by email (dprice@ibew1412.org).
I look forward to seeing all of you Monday,November 3rd. Please continue to work safe
Fraternally,
David B Price
President LU 1412
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Update 10/16/2008
Please check the October 2008 newsletter for an update on negotiations. It can be found at http://d943626.u38.infinology.net/downloads/october2008.pdf . I have also posted the proposals that have been tentatively agreed to. They can be found on the locals web site www.ibew1412.org
I want to remind all of you that the next union meeting will be held on Monday, November 3rd. We will start at 7:00 pm.
I want to remind all of you that the next union meeting will be held on Monday, November 3rd. We will start at 7:00 pm.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Update 10/13/08
Brother Adams, BM SCU-8 has an update that all of you should read. I will publishing another update later this evening or tomorrow.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Negotiations Update
The first three weeks of negotiations has evoked many discussions over the majority of the proposals from both parties. There have also been quite a few counters back and forth across the table over some of the proposals. We have just started negotiating some of the Line and Production Departments’ proposals. I will try and update everyone very soon concerning proposals agreed to or those withdrawn.Please remember, some proposals from either side may not appear anything similar to the original proposals and some are only slightly changed. The System Committee has been working very hard on negotiations and will continue to do so throughout.One of the proposals discussed last week, that could severely impact the Line Dept., was Company proposal M-17. It was a very lively discussion. This week, I understand the Company has been reading M-17 and discussing “talking points” to M-17 with the members during morning crew meetings. The System Committee is aware of these meetings and we have been given several copies of these “talking points”. In some yards, we feel the Company has crossed the line in dealing directly with employees. We are investigating those situations and will take the appropriate action, if needed, in the near future. The action taken by the Company resembles the action of a used car salesman trying to sell you a “lemon”. I am sure there will be more sales pitches in the future by the Company on other hot issues on the bargaining table. I ask you all to, please, be professional in these captive audience type meetings and remember when the Company is reading these proposals to you, it is still hot outside so enjoy the air conditioning.
# posted by Joe Adams, Business Manager IBEW SC-U8 @ 4:41 PM
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Negotiations Update
The first three weeks of negotiations has evoked many discussions over the majority of the proposals from both parties. There have also been quite a few counters back and forth across the table over some of the proposals. We have just started negotiating some of the Line and Production Departments’ proposals. I will try and update everyone very soon concerning proposals agreed to or those withdrawn.Please remember, some proposals from either side may not appear anything similar to the original proposals and some are only slightly changed. The System Committee has been working very hard on negotiations and will continue to do so throughout.One of the proposals discussed last week, that could severely impact the Line Dept., was Company proposal M-17. It was a very lively discussion. This week, I understand the Company has been reading M-17 and discussing “talking points” to M-17 with the members during morning crew meetings. The System Committee is aware of these meetings and we have been given several copies of these “talking points”. In some yards, we feel the Company has crossed the line in dealing directly with employees. We are investigating those situations and will take the appropriate action, if needed, in the near future. The action taken by the Company resembles the action of a used car salesman trying to sell you a “lemon”. I am sure there will be more sales pitches in the future by the Company on other hot issues on the bargaining table. I ask you all to, please, be professional in these captive audience type meetings and remember when the Company is reading these proposals to you, it is still hot outside so enjoy the air conditioning.
# posted by Joe Adams, Business Manager IBEW SC-U8 @ 4:41 PM
Thursday, October 2, 2008
U8 Update
Brothers and Sisters,
Here are a few comments from SCU-8 Business Manager, Joe Adams:
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Line Department Downsizing Update
As most of you are already aware, the Company has rescheduled the date to issue roll papers due to the storms in Texas. The new date is now scheduled for October 14th. They have also extended the time to fill out your reverse severance selection. If you originally checked ‘no’ and want to check ‘yes’ for reverse severance, you now have until this Friday, October 3rd to make the change. Ask your supervisor for another severance form if you are changing your selection.I want to thank all of the members who traveled to Texas for the storm restoration efforts due to Hurricane Ike. I have heard over and over about your dedication to the job and safety under such adverse conditions. It is great to hear how our Union labor is appreciated in other parts of the Country! I commend all of you!In the past few weeks, I have received numerous calls from Local Unions looking for Lineman and in some cases Apprentices. I spoke with Brother Mike Bell, Business Manager, IBEW Local Union 222, and he has assured me that if he is unable to find work for you locally, he will find you work elsewhere across the country. Brother Bell also informed me that Local 222 accepts applications for Apprentices on a daily basis. IBEW Local 222 is an outside construction Local, so you are required to have an “A” card to travel there. If you do not currently have an “A” card and would like to go to Local 222, please contact your Local Union’s Financial Secretary to make the change to an “A” card.I also received a call from IBEW Local Union 1439 in Saint Louis, MO regarding our job cuts and wanted me to pass on their employer’s website. Their employer is Ameren and the website is www.ameren.com or you can contact Local 1439 for more information. I will also update everyone very soon on the ongoing contract negotiations.
Job prospects:
IBEW Local Union 222
Mike Bell, Business Manager
17850 US Hwy. 441
North Reddick, FL 32686
Ph: 352-591-3332
www.ibew222.org
IBEW Local Union 1439
2121 59th Street
St. Louis, MO 63110
Ph: 314-644-6111
www.Ameren.com
# posted by Joe Adams, Business Manager IBEW SC-U8 @ 11:53 PM
Here are a few comments from SCU-8 Business Manager, Joe Adams:
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Line Department Downsizing Update
As most of you are already aware, the Company has rescheduled the date to issue roll papers due to the storms in Texas. The new date is now scheduled for October 14th. They have also extended the time to fill out your reverse severance selection. If you originally checked ‘no’ and want to check ‘yes’ for reverse severance, you now have until this Friday, October 3rd to make the change. Ask your supervisor for another severance form if you are changing your selection.I want to thank all of the members who traveled to Texas for the storm restoration efforts due to Hurricane Ike. I have heard over and over about your dedication to the job and safety under such adverse conditions. It is great to hear how our Union labor is appreciated in other parts of the Country! I commend all of you!In the past few weeks, I have received numerous calls from Local Unions looking for Lineman and in some cases Apprentices. I spoke with Brother Mike Bell, Business Manager, IBEW Local Union 222, and he has assured me that if he is unable to find work for you locally, he will find you work elsewhere across the country. Brother Bell also informed me that Local 222 accepts applications for Apprentices on a daily basis. IBEW Local 222 is an outside construction Local, so you are required to have an “A” card to travel there. If you do not currently have an “A” card and would like to go to Local 222, please contact your Local Union’s Financial Secretary to make the change to an “A” card.I also received a call from IBEW Local Union 1439 in Saint Louis, MO regarding our job cuts and wanted me to pass on their employer’s website. Their employer is Ameren and the website is www.ameren.com or you can contact Local 1439 for more information. I will also update everyone very soon on the ongoing contract negotiations.
Job prospects:
IBEW Local Union 222
Mike Bell, Business Manager
17850 US Hwy. 441
North Reddick, FL 32686
Ph: 352-591-3332
www.ibew222.org
IBEW Local Union 1439
2121 59th Street
St. Louis, MO 63110
Ph: 314-644-6111
www.Ameren.com
# posted by Joe Adams, Business Manager IBEW SC-U8 @ 11:53 PM
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