From the trenches... Reports from your Business Reps Unit 1 – Distribution • We have begun discussing a recent situation, where contractors were working electric trouble during the rain storms. A committee, consisting of Local 18 members David Alarcon, Jack Bell, John Bilich, Richard Boyd, Omar Diaz, Jeff Farr, Tony Perez, John Saathoff, and Mike Traweek, was formed. Senior Assistant Business Manager Russ Butow and I advised the committee, which met with management members, Tom Parker and Greg Mathis, in order to discuss the concerns of our members. We discussed many topics, especially the fact that Local 18 members were not adequately utilized during the storms. We all agreed that there are wide-ranging problems with the condition of the distribution infrastructure. Participants offered a number of suggestions on solving the problem. We suggested several areas where Local 18 members would voluntarily work more overtime. Management countered with suggesting an expansion of contracting-out, including allowing contractors to do “new business” work. Both labor and management are going back to further discuss the issues. If you have suggestions regarding these talks, please discuss them with a committee representative or your Business Rep. Also, please plan to attend unit meetings in order to be updated on this important issue. • There are also discussions in the Street Light Section about setting 30 to 40-foot wood poles. In the past, wood poles have not been set by workers in this section. We also are beginning to address adequate crew complements and other concerns. Unit 2 – ESOs Recently, there has been an increase in the number of on-the-job errors. Like most errors, the cause seems to be a lack of focus. Please remember to read the signs, follow your switching plan, and maintain your focus on the job at hand. With the current staffing shortages, everyone is working more overtime and, consequently, focus on the job can suffer. Although management has not determined whether it will begin any classes this year, we will remain diligent in our effort to bring in two classes by year-end. Unit 3 – Testers • In recent months, many Testers have retired, and we anticipate more will be following suit. Congratulations to those who have retired, and to those planning to do so soon. We all realize that our retirees are taking a wealth of historical knowledge and experience with them. We have not heard any news on backfilling; however, much like what is happening throughout the rest of the Department, new employees are hard to come by. • The Training Committee’s work is progressing; it should have a proposal to submit to the Joint Resolution Board shortly. Everyone’s work so far has been very commendable. Unit 4 – General Construction • I am pleased that many members are showing up for our Unit 4 meetings. Congratulations to newly elected Unit Officers: Chair, Marty Barnes; Vice Chair, Sammy Rujiraviriyapinyo, and Recorder Dan O’Neil. Unit members voted to hold regularly scheduled meetings at the Union Hall, with a new start time of 5:30 p.m., to make it easier for you to attend. With our contract expiring soon, it is very important that you continue to participate in your unit meetings and express your concerns, so that your reps have a better idea of which issues are really important to you. • Now that our unit is more active and interested, we should become more involved in issues that affect our Union as a whole. The Parent Body meeting, at 6:00 p.m., on the last Thursday of the month, is the best place for you to hear about the latest issues affecting our Union and work environment. I encourage every member to attend and hear IBEW Local 18 Business Manager Brian D’Arcy give his report and take your questions. Unit 6 – Stores We had a very successful Unit Dinner Meeting on April 14, at Damon’s. Thank you to everyone who took the time out of their busy schedule to attend the unit meeting. A special thanks goes out to Unit Chair Mark Miller and Shop Stewards Val Fernandez and Ben Jimenez for speaking and interpreting on my behalf because of my laryngitis! We will address the issue of backfilling of positions at our Joint Labor-Management Committee meeting. We also are monitoring the work on the bids. Unit 8 – Clerical • We have received positive feedback regarding the Clerical Unit meetings. In January, we began monthly MOU training sessions; so far, we have completed the first five Articles of the MOU. Your Clerical Unit meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, at 6:00 p.m., the Union Hall. Please make every effort to attend the June 14 meeting. • We have held two clerical-site meetings at JFB, and more are being scheduled. Remember that site meetings are held on your own time, at your work location. If you would like a site meeting at your work location, please call either Shawn (ext. 111), or Geralyn (ext. 105). • The Half-Time/Full-Time Conversion Committee continues to meet monthly. Currently, our discussion includes—but is not limited to—which procedure will be used to allow CSRs to convert from half-time to full-time, what criteria will be used, and how will seniority effect this process, among other issues. We will keep you informed. Unit 8/18 – Clerical Supervisory We have not forgotten about the Clerical/Supervisory Clerical and Administrative Bid Plan. The Steering Committee is still meeting with regards to labor and management concerns. Several of the sub-committees are aggressively working to complete their draft of their bid plan. We expect to have another meeting with main committee members in order to provide drafts from all the sub-committees very soon. Thank you for your patience! Unit 13 – Automotive • We held our first meeting with the Joint Training Institute (JTI) in order to discuss how to formalize the training in your group: specialized training for supervisors and continuing training for all mechanics. There is more accountability in the training program with the involvement of the JTI; whereas before, the training was held when it was more convenient. For those of you who work at night, it was important to arrange more training at that time. • The issue of “A” pay was brought to the Joint Labor-Management Commitee. The question that was raised is: what constitutes “A” pay? Richard Fujimura stated that if there is no supervisor in the shop, then that absence is what triggers “A” pay. • See you at out next unit meeting! Unit 14 – Transportation Our April Unit meeting was well attended. The give-and-take became a little heated at times as we discussed developing training and consolidating classes. However, good information was presented, and we gave the members of the Joint Labor-Management Committee a list of concerns. Armed with this knowledge, we can address them as we develop the training program. Unit 15/20 – Pasadena • We have been meeting with other City labor organizations in order to discuss the cost-sharing for the 2% at 55. The City has appointed a negotiator to informally discuss this issue with the unions. Mohammed Youines and I met with him on April 19. • We continue to meet and confer on the job specifications for the Field Design Technician, Vault Inspector and the Senior Electrical Mechanic. • We sent a letter to the City requesting discussions about the “vacation accrual letter” that has been sent out. • We discussed jurisdictional issues between Electric Test and Electric Mechanics at a recent meeting. Unit 17 – Field Service • Attention all members who use lead seals: we have been talking with CSBU management about replacing lead seals with a completely plastic one. CSBU’s Safety Office will soon send out a memo that will answer questions about safety and health risks associated with continued exposure to lead because of these seals. We encourage you to read this memo carefully and follow its recommendations for handling and disposing of lead seals. In the meantime, we have had substantial discussions at different levels of DWP about how best to coordinate the exchange of lead seals with the recommended plastic ones. • CSBU has made Meter Reader testing a top priority. According to CSBU Management, the Los Angeles City personnel office has already received 10,000 applications from the public for jobs in this classification. Unit 19 – Station Maintenance At our last unit meeting, we discussed the matter of using personal cell phones. Although we understand that there is a need to stay in contact with your supervisor, it is the Department’s obligation to provide its employees with the tools they need to perform their job assignments safely and efficiently. By using your personal cell phone for DWP business, you are relieving management of that responsibility. You are also taking on an expense that the Department can clearly afford, and should be paying for. It is DWP’s decision not to provide a means of communication for its employees, and you cannot be forced to use your personal cell phone for that purpose. If you feel that you are being pressured into using your personal cell phone, then use that phone to contact your Shop Steward or Business Rep as soon as possible. Unit 19B – Generating Station Crafts • I want to thank you for your participation at our meetings, and valuable input into issues that are important to us. Your wealth of experience in the shops has provided me with critical insights. Brother Pierce Watson had been an excellent resource for me, and I know I will miss his sound advice. The retirement of long-time Local 18 Rep Hank O’Neil represents another loss of unit history and knowledge that will be sorely missed. Shops face a loss of knowledge and experience in the next few years that cannot easily be replaced, but we will work to overcome this! • As you know, our Bid Plan has been voted on and approved. Please read the notices carefully and refer to the Bid-Plan language. Some long-standing issues are being addressed, and hopefully we will resolve them in the near future. Please continue to be active in your Union. Your efforts are not just for current members, but for future generations. Thank you again for your support and input! Unit 25 – Landscape I thank Southern Section members for raising a very serious safety concern during the safety tour in April. During work at an IS Station at LAX, questions were raised about how much clearance was required while working near high-voltage equipment. ISS /FMBG Policy requires a 10-foot clearance. Members were in too-close proximity to overhead high-voltage equipment, and should not be working at that IS Station. An Electric Station Operator was on the premises while the work was being conducted—and it was being performed safely, even though the tools that were being used, like metal rakes, were not non-conductive. As a result of this tour, and the concerns that were raised, we held several meetings. We have reached an agreement with management that FMBG policy will be adhered to, and the Landscape Section will not be placed in a peril by working in energized stations without the required 10-foot clearance. Again, I thank the members in the Southern Section for raising this matter. Unit 26 – Custodial Services • We welcome all new members who have re-joined us as emergency appointments. Please note that you will be able to remain on the emergency assignment until the list of eligible candidates for Custodial Service Attendants is certified; then you will only be allowed to remain in your current position for 30 days. According to FMBG management, 26 CSAs will be hired on an emergency basis. We will soon discuss those facilities that will be in each district, as well as their appropriate staffing needs. • I will work with FMBG management to assist in supporting the new CSA structure. The two additional Permanent CSA Supervisor slots have been filled. Congratulations to FelipeLanderos and William Warren on their promotion! I look forward to working with both of you to assure that our members work in a safe and harmonious manner. I encourage you to work with CSA Supervisors as they lead Custodial’s four different sections. • The issue of disturbance calls was raised during April’s safety meeting in the Metro District. The OM& S MOU is clear on what constitutes a disturbance call. You all are encouraged to read and become familiar with Article 9.5. It states what happens when an off-duty employee is called by the Department “to furnish information needed to maintain the continuity of DWP business.” The penalty payment for getting a disturbance call is one hour of overtime pay for each instance. • We also discussed what to do with Department-issued cell phones/pagers after hours. We believe that cell phones and pagers are tools and therefore should not be on after hours. When possible, we encourage you to leave your tools at work sites and not take them home, or when off duty because of vacation, illness, or other approved leaves of absence. I encourage you to furnish your supervisors with an after-hours/emergency/call-out phone number. You decide whether it is a home or a personal cell phone number. If you have any questions about this, please call me at ext. 113. Unit 28 – Reprographics Due to scheduling conflicts, it looks like our Joint Labor-Management Committee kickoff will take place in early May. I will keep you informed. Unit 31 – Professional
• Several months ago, Department management announced that it would suspend the filling of any new Associate Specialist positions until there was discussion and agreement with Local 18 about the policy and procedures for filling these positions. Local 18 then officially introduced this item to the DWP-Local 18 Joint Resolution Board (JRB). Currently, the JRB is in the process of forming a subcommittee to formulate a recommendation to the full Board. At the May Professional Unit meeting, participants voted to create a unit-level focus group to gather and evaluate information about the previous Specialist policy and its administration, and to offer input to the labor participants of the JRB subcommittee. The elected members of the focus group are Ferdo Brkic, Jan Guerro, John Gutenberger, Mark Hanna, Cameron McNeil, Al Medina and Tom Snyder. Please contact any of these members if you have information or issues concerning Specialists that you would like the group to consider. Please be cautious about using Department e-mail, since this is a “meet and confer” issue, and there is no guarantee of privacy. • Pro Unit meetings are always at 5:30 p.m., on the first Wednesday of the month, at the Union Hall. Parent Body (General Local 18 membership) meetings are always at 6:00 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of the month, at the Union Hall. Please plan to attend in order to keep yourself informed, especially during this MOU-negotiations year! Unit 32 – Technical • We will soon begin work on negotiating a new Bid Plan for the Technical Unit. The existing “Bid System” (please see Appendix B of your MOU) is in serious need of re-negotiation in order to be in line with other Local 18 bargaining units. The Negotiating Committee will need your input as we begin this process. Now is a great time to attend your unit meeting and let us know your thoughts and concerns. • I have added a new feature to our monthly unit meetings in order to provide some training on important MOU articles and other topics that need to be addressed. At our April meeting, I discussed the grievance procedure and took a number of good questions. I will continue to have a training component in our unit meetings. I am always happy to hear suggestions about what you want to learn. Please contact me or your Shop Stewards to provide ideas. • With the expiration of your present contract on the horizon, your attendance at unit meetings is more important than ever . Rumors and incorrect information are already circulating. Please attend your unit meetings, and stay in touch with your Shop Stewards, Union officers and me. You will always get the facts from us! When you hear rumors and gossip, please consider the source. Unit 33 – Administrative • I regret to report that there still is an on-going lack of participation from Administrative Unit members. You are the Union! I need your involvement and participation in order to address your issues. There are still no officers in place because there has never been a proper quorum for holding an election. You have a standing opportunity every month to come to the Union Hall and participate in your Union. • With the expiration of your present contract on the horizon, your attendance at unit meetings is more important than ever . Rumors and incorrect information are already circulating. Please attend your unit meetings, and stay in touch with your Shop Stewards, Union officers and me. You will always get the facts from us! When you hear rumors and gossip, please consider the source. Unit 34 – Supervisory Professional • Beginning in June, I will be adding a new feature to our monthly unit meetings in order to provide some training on important MOU articles and other topics that need to be addressed. I am always happy to hear suggestions about what you want to learn. Please contact your Officers (Brad Packer, John Miller, and Jack Waizenegger) or me. • There is a dedicated core of brothers and sisters who attend and participate in our monthly unit meetings. You also have a dedicated group of officers who are doing a fine job of leading the unit. I would always like to see more of you attend our meetings. Please comeand join us and get involved. Several unit members are already involved in Joint Labor Management Committees. Your voice is being heard as you actively participate in Local 18 matters. • With the expiration of your present contract on the horizon, your attendance at unit meetings is more important than ever . Rumors and incorrect information are already circulating. Please attend your unit meetings, and stay in touch with your Shop Stewards, Union officers and me. You will always get the facts from us! When you hear rumors and gossip, please consider the source. Unit 35 – Supervisory Technical Super Tech Unit meetings are 5:30 p.m., on the thirdWednesday of the month, at the Union Hall. Parent Body (General IBEW Local 18 membership) meetings are always at 6:00 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of the month, at the Union Hall. Please plan to attend in order to keep yourself informed, especially during this MOU-negotiations year! Unit 50 – Burbank • On March 31, the City of Burbank held a meeting in order to discuss the budget. Along with members of our Negotiating Committee, I attended the proceedings. • The labor side of our Negotiating Committee met on April 4 and 7. We had our first bargaining meeting with management on April 13. The labor side of our committee met again on April 26. Please be sure to attend your unit meetings in order to keep informed on the progress of these negotiations. Unit 53 – Water • The Water Utility Worker Inequity currently is being reviewed by the Joint Resolution Board. Discussions about this are on-going, and I will alert you when there is more to report. • Worker Safety Tours are in full effect, and they are getting a number of good ideas from field personnel. The Joint Safety Institute is working to implement those ideas so that you can work as safely and ergonomically correct as possible. Keep those good ideas coming! They really are helpful. • Anyone who is interested in participating in a Worker Safety Tour should get in touch with your Shop Steward or call me at the Union Hall (213/387-8274, ext. 139). As always, keep up the good work and be safe out there! • Protective-coating worker training has begun. The first class was held on April 30, at the Ascot Training Facility. I very much hope that that you all will take full advantage of this valuable training. I will have more to report on this in the near future. • Cement-lining projects will finally be coming to a halt by the end of 2006. The last drawings will go out by the end of summer. I have been told by Water Engineering Technical Services (WETS) that there are the last of the cement-lining projects. I have reviewed the last four drawings and was able to have more than 20,000 feet of pipe removed from the jobs, and have the high-leak mains given back to the district for new mainline installation. Currently, there is a 10-year backlog of new mainline installation, so there will be plenty of work to be done. • Through the Joint Resolution Board, we have begun a pilot program for a stretching regimen in the morning before work. The difference here is that it is being done out at the job site, just before you tackle your work. This regimen is similar to what pro and collegiate athletes —and even many of you recreational-league players—do before you play your game; warmup. This is the attitude that we are taking for your own well-being. All we are asking you to do is keep an open mind about this plan. Ultimately, this regimen is for you own good—allowing you to continue to do what you do on your own time without risking injury. This plan has been successfully working in the Harbor District for the past three months. Brother Eddie Ybarbo and Superintendent Joe Luce are asking for volunteers to participate in the stretching regimen. Unit 55 – Telecommunications • I have drafted the first memo regarding creation of a Training Coordinator for the Telecomm Section of ITS. I will finalize it soon, and meet on a selection process. Any member who is interested in this position, or wants to recommend someone, can call me at ext. 113. I want to move this process forward and select a Training Coordinator who will do a great job on your behalf. • I am developing a memo for use within the ITS Business unit to address overtime issues that have been brought to the Joint Labor-Management Committee for review. It will include examples of when a member will be given a declination on the AOTL. Please read and fully understand this memo so that you can appropriately record declines on your unit’s AOTL. Unit 63 – Underground Construction • A number of issues are being discussed at the Underground Construction Joint Labor-Management committee. They include, getting a more durable mixer, higher-capacity generators, training dates for coring and concrete-saw training, fluorescent light sticks, vacuums used in conjunction with concrete sawing, plate pins to hold steel plates in place on the street, EZ-up tents for shade in the summer, and contacting plumbers in order to use their camera for locating hard-to-find collapsed ducts. • The inequity for the Underground Distribution Construction Mechanic and Senior Underground Distribution Construction Mechanic went to the Personnel Committee of the Los Angeles City Council on April 20. Unit 64 – Azusa • As of now, the city has not completed its salary survey. However, it remains optimistic that we should have a successor contract prior to the expiration of our current agreement. We will keep you posted as this sensitive issue develops. • On another successful note, three of the four candidates we supported for elected office were victorious! Under Mayor Chagnon’s leadership, Azusa will flourish, resulting in forward-looking thinking and progress for both the city and our members. |
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