The Executive Equity Committee

By Dave Huff

The newest addition to the Joint Labor/Management pool of committees is the Executive Equity Committee (EEC). The EEC is charged with reviewing all inequities filed by Local 18- represented employees.

The committee was formed as a result of our latest contract negotiations with the DWP. The Inequities Negotiating Committee developed the structure of the EEC and its basic ground rules during those contract talks. The EEC consists of eight core members, four from Labor and four from management. Management representatives are from several different areas within the DWP, and this gives the committee a diverse base of experience from which to draw. The committee can rely on a team of experts representing all fields within the Department in order to help clarify issues that are beyond the expertise of the core members.

At this time, the EEC is reviewing inequity requests that were pending prior to the formation of the committee. When these existing inequities are worked into the system, the process will be opened to submittal of new requests. This could happen at any time, but will occur no later than December 1, 2003.

Here is the procedure for filing an inequity: first, contact your Local 18 business representative to obtain a “Request for Inequity Review” form (Local 18 business reps. are the only source for the form, and requests will only be accepted on original forms). Once the form is completed, it should be turned in at the Union Hall. Prior to each meeting of the EEC, the new submittals will be collected from our office and then receive an initial review by the EEC. The committee has 14 days to respond after the initial review.

In most cases, the request will be carried over by the committee for full review. The EEC then has 60 days to thoroughly cover the facts and respond to the submitter. If the committee needs additional information in order to make a decision, a request will be made to the submitter, and when the committee receives the new material, another 60-day review period begins. While the EEC has specific time limits to follow, the submitter may take as much time as is necessary to collect and compile information in support of his or her claim. When the EEC makes its final decision, a response letter explaining that action will be sent to the submitter.

The EEC was formed in order to determine the validity of inequity requests. The committee has full authority to deny requests that are determined not to be inequities. Concerning the requests that are determined to be inequities, the EEC acts as an advisory body to the Joint Resolution Board, which is the final approval authority for inequities.

Please remember that the committee will accept only original “Request for Inequity Review” forms, and that these forms are available through your Local 18 business representatives.