Brothers and Sisters,
The contract was passed by the membership today. The following are comments from SCU-8 Business Manager Joseph Adams:
The results are in and I want to let everyone know that the contract was ratified tonight. I will contact the Company to confirm the exact day the new contract will be implemented. I do not want the same fiasco that we had after the 2005 negotiations when the Company implemented a portion of the contract over a period of time. Thanks to all of the members who voted and keep checking back for further updates on the implementation of the contract.Fraternally,Joe
# posted by Joe Adams, Business Manager IBEW SC-U8 @ 9:01 PM
I also want to thank all of the Officers who spent their day and most of the evening at the hall to make sure that the vote went off without any problems.
Fraternally,
David B Price
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
01/21/2009 Update
Brothers and Sisters,
The System Committee was given the Company’s final offer on January 19, 2009, around 1:00 pm. The package you will be voting on next week does have modifications from the previous version. I want to take this time to address those changes.
The grievance process was changed to allow payment for the grievants to attend third steps. The grievance process as a whole will change to some degree but the System Committee feels that we can still be effective with the proposed language. The Committee has changed the current grievance form to address some of these hurdles. The new form will be available upon ratification of the new contract.
Mandatory on-call was another area that has changed since the last vote. The new language takes away the right of management to place employees on the mandatory on-call list. The only provision to allow for mandatory on-call is upon a majority vote of the employees within the headquarters. If the mandatory is voted in by the employees, they will remain on-call for a twelve month period. The details of voting to go on mandatory have not been discussed yet.
The Union was able to obtain a phasing out of the opt-out credits rather than the originally proposed language by the company. Under the final offer, employees who opt-out of medical coverage will receive a $65.00 credit in 2010, a $35.00 credit in 2011 and a $10.00 credit in 2012.
On a personal note, I want to voice my displeasure in the negotiation process. The Union worked very hard to find a middle ground on most of the company proposals. Unfortunately, the company was not willing to reciprocate. The vast majority of the proposals brought by the Union were never entertained by the Company.
Additionally, I do not feel that the company has the level of respect for the Union workers that they should. The Union workers on this property are some of the best out there and should be treated as such. It appalls me that the company will not offer retiree medical to future employees or negotiate an enhancement to the current retirement package.
All of the proposals were not tentatively agreed to by the System Committee. There are several proposals remaining that we could not agree to but are included in the company’s last best and final offer. It is unfortunate that the company was not willing to continue to finish the negotiation process and meet on some middle ground. The company would not settle for anything less than the originally proposed language on several of their proposals.
The decision by the System Committee to unanimously recommend a “Yes” vote on this second offer was not taken lightly or an easy one. We fully understand the impacts of the proposed language. We took action to recommend this package due to the climate we are currently enduring. Today is not the day to take the hill or die trying. We will be back at the table again in three years.
I do want to remind you that this vote will be a little different than the last. A “NO” vote on the package being offered this time will authorize the System Committee to call for a strike. The current contract is in effect until February 19, 2009.
In conclusion, Local Union 1412 will have an information meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2009. The meeting will take place at the Bear Lake Clubhouse and will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. The Vote for the proposed contract will take place on Monday, January 26, 2009. Local 1412 will be open for voting from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse.
Please continue to work safely!!
In Solidarity,
David B. Price, President
The System Committee was given the Company’s final offer on January 19, 2009, around 1:00 pm. The package you will be voting on next week does have modifications from the previous version. I want to take this time to address those changes.
The grievance process was changed to allow payment for the grievants to attend third steps. The grievance process as a whole will change to some degree but the System Committee feels that we can still be effective with the proposed language. The Committee has changed the current grievance form to address some of these hurdles. The new form will be available upon ratification of the new contract.
Mandatory on-call was another area that has changed since the last vote. The new language takes away the right of management to place employees on the mandatory on-call list. The only provision to allow for mandatory on-call is upon a majority vote of the employees within the headquarters. If the mandatory is voted in by the employees, they will remain on-call for a twelve month period. The details of voting to go on mandatory have not been discussed yet.
The Union was able to obtain a phasing out of the opt-out credits rather than the originally proposed language by the company. Under the final offer, employees who opt-out of medical coverage will receive a $65.00 credit in 2010, a $35.00 credit in 2011 and a $10.00 credit in 2012.
On a personal note, I want to voice my displeasure in the negotiation process. The Union worked very hard to find a middle ground on most of the company proposals. Unfortunately, the company was not willing to reciprocate. The vast majority of the proposals brought by the Union were never entertained by the Company.
Additionally, I do not feel that the company has the level of respect for the Union workers that they should. The Union workers on this property are some of the best out there and should be treated as such. It appalls me that the company will not offer retiree medical to future employees or negotiate an enhancement to the current retirement package.
All of the proposals were not tentatively agreed to by the System Committee. There are several proposals remaining that we could not agree to but are included in the company’s last best and final offer. It is unfortunate that the company was not willing to continue to finish the negotiation process and meet on some middle ground. The company would not settle for anything less than the originally proposed language on several of their proposals.
The decision by the System Committee to unanimously recommend a “Yes” vote on this second offer was not taken lightly or an easy one. We fully understand the impacts of the proposed language. We took action to recommend this package due to the climate we are currently enduring. Today is not the day to take the hill or die trying. We will be back at the table again in three years.
I do want to remind you that this vote will be a little different than the last. A “NO” vote on the package being offered this time will authorize the System Committee to call for a strike. The current contract is in effect until February 19, 2009.
In conclusion, Local Union 1412 will have an information meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2009. The meeting will take place at the Bear Lake Clubhouse and will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. The Vote for the proposed contract will take place on Monday, January 26, 2009. Local 1412 will be open for voting from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm at the Bear Lake Clubhouse.
Please continue to work safely!!
In Solidarity,
David B. Price, President
Friday, January 16, 2009
1/16/2009
The parties met today with the assistance of a Federal Mediator. We exchanged several counters across the table today and some movement was made.
All indications lead me to believe that the Company will be giving us a "LAST, BEST and FINAL OFFER" on Monday afternoon.
Please check back Monday for additional updates and continue to work safe!!!
Fraternally,
David B Price, President
All indications lead me to believe that the Company will be giving us a "LAST, BEST and FINAL OFFER" on Monday afternoon.
Please check back Monday for additional updates and continue to work safe!!!
Fraternally,
David B Price, President
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Update 01/15/09
Yesterday the parties met seperatley and with the help of a Federal
Mediator have come to an agreement over the grievance process. This is the first of several issues thast needed to be addressed.
Today the parties are working on the Line Department issues. I do not forsee an agreement today over these issues but as the saying goes "tomorrow hasn't been touched yet". I am hopeful that we can come to some sort of agreement over these.
I understand that management is still out riding around trying to familiarize themselves with the areas and work duties. Please do not be disrespectful as they are only doing what their "bossman" wants them to do. If you feel that your supervisor is making remarks or taking actions that are inappropriate, please contact your Local Union Representative.
Please continue to work safe and check back here for further updates.
Mediator have come to an agreement over the grievance process. This is the first of several issues thast needed to be addressed.
Today the parties are working on the Line Department issues. I do not forsee an agreement today over these issues but as the saying goes "tomorrow hasn't been touched yet". I am hopeful that we can come to some sort of agreement over these.
I understand that management is still out riding around trying to familiarize themselves with the areas and work duties. Please do not be disrespectful as they are only doing what their "bossman" wants them to do. If you feel that your supervisor is making remarks or taking actions that are inappropriate, please contact your Local Union Representative.
Please continue to work safe and check back here for further updates.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 13, 2008
The System Committee met with the company and a federal mediator today. We gave the company a list of the issues the membership has with their current offer.
The majority of the day was spent working on M-19 (Grievance Process). There were no agreements made today but some progress was made.
Tomorrow we plan on discussing M8, M11, M12, M14 and M17. All of these Company proposals have a major impact to the Line Department.
The parties have tentatively set January 14th and 16th and possibly the 19th and 20th for meeting dates. I am hopeful that we can get through the issues in such a short amount of time. The System Committee continues to maintain that we are available to meet as often as needed to negotiate a fair contract.
In closing, I want to say "THANK YOU" to our Brothers and Sisters in the Plants. Thanks for standing side by side with your Brothers and Sisters in the Line Department. We are only successful when ALL of us stand together in solidarity.
The majority of the day was spent working on M-19 (Grievance Process). There were no agreements made today but some progress was made.
Tomorrow we plan on discussing M8, M11, M12, M14 and M17. All of these Company proposals have a major impact to the Line Department.
The parties have tentatively set January 14th and 16th and possibly the 19th and 20th for meeting dates. I am hopeful that we can get through the issues in such a short amount of time. The System Committee continues to maintain that we are available to meet as often as needed to negotiate a fair contract.
In closing, I want to say "THANK YOU" to our Brothers and Sisters in the Plants. Thanks for standing side by side with your Brothers and Sisters in the Line Department. We are only successful when ALL of us stand together in solidarity.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Contract News
I just wanted to update all of you with some news.
The System Committee and the Company will be meeting this Tuesday. There will be a federal mediator at this meeting and I look forward to discussing the issues.
There are a lot of rumors out there right now, so please check back with the blog often. I will be posting updates as they become available.
Please continue to work safe.
In Solidarity,
David B Price
The System Committee and the Company will be meeting this Tuesday. There will be a federal mediator at this meeting and I look forward to discussing the issues.
There are a lot of rumors out there right now, so please check back with the blog often. I will be posting updates as they become available.
Please continue to work safe.
In Solidarity,
David B Price
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Contract Vote
Brothers and Sisters,
The Contract offered by the Company was overwhelmingly rejected by the membership today.
I want to thank all of you for such a good turnout. I am proud of all of you for standing up and leaving no doubt about where you stand on the company's offer. Additionally, I want to thank all of our Brothers and Sisters around the system (LU's 433, 626, 682 and 1491)for their turnout. Great Job!!
I also want to thank Brothers David Edenfield, Mark McGuffee, David Koczan, Gary Dotten and Darrell Reeves for helping out today. I know it was a long day but you all did a great job.
The final results for the vote was 982 "no" votes and 186 "yes" votes.
I will be updating everyone on the next steps as soon as that information becomes available.
Please take a minute and read Brother Joe Adams' remarks at http://ibewscu8.blogspot.com/
Please continue to work safe.
In Solidarity,
David B. Price
President/F.S.
IBEW LU 1412
The Contract offered by the Company was overwhelmingly rejected by the membership today.
I want to thank all of you for such a good turnout. I am proud of all of you for standing up and leaving no doubt about where you stand on the company's offer. Additionally, I want to thank all of our Brothers and Sisters around the system (LU's 433, 626, 682 and 1491)for their turnout. Great Job!!
I also want to thank Brothers David Edenfield, Mark McGuffee, David Koczan, Gary Dotten and Darrell Reeves for helping out today. I know it was a long day but you all did a great job.
The final results for the vote was 982 "no" votes and 186 "yes" votes.
I will be updating everyone on the next steps as soon as that information becomes available.
Please take a minute and read Brother Joe Adams' remarks at http://ibewscu8.blogspot.com/
Please continue to work safe.
In Solidarity,
David B. Price
President/F.S.
IBEW LU 1412
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