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From the trenches
Units 8 and 18 (Clerical/Supervisory & Administrative)—Ergonomic training is being conducted for the Power System. The in-depth “train the trainer” classes were held July 27, with the one-hour training for all clerical and supervisory clerical scheduled for subsequent Thursdays. If you are in Bulk Power, Generation, or Power Distribution and have not yet been scheduled for (or received) ergonomic training, please call Donna Davis, x70603 (Bulk Power), Patricia Rogers, x70700 (Generation), or Albert Guzman, x73013 (Power Distribution). If you are in ISS or FSO and did not receive the training when it was offered in your Business Unit, please call Annemarie at the Hall. Water System training should be scheduled by October. • Please take a look at the article on the IBEW Women’s Conference. Those of us who were delegates will be sharing our notes from the workshops and round table discussions in future issues of The Surge. Unit 9 (Steam Generation)—Thanks to all who attended the dinner meeting on July 19; we had a good turn out. The information brought forward at that meeting was very helpful. • Part of the training committee is visiting each plant and discussing the new training program with all journey-level people. The feedback we have been getting has been very constructive. It is our intention to make this the best training program in the country. Keep the ideas coming. Unit 13 (Automotive)—In our joint L/M committee we have been discussing the call-out procedures. There is a memo being distributed, soliciting volunteers to be included on the call-out list. All those interested in call-outs should let your supervisors know and fill out the information needed. We hope this will distribute the call-out overtime more equitably than in the past. Unit 14 (Transportation)—We met with a number of DWP representatives on the use of appropriate personnel for crane operation. Discussion was also held on Crane Operator Certification that is being explored by OSHA. • Local 18 and management are trying to set up a joint L/M subcommittee to discuss and resolve issues in the Valley and Metro Fleet Operation Group. Units 15/20 (Pasadena)—2000-2003 CONTRACT RATIFIED! On Aug 9, 2000 the unit 15 ex-board counted the ratification ballot for the new contract. By accepting this package the members have secured a 9% wage increase over three years retroactive to 7/3/00, special wage adjustments for 7 different classifications with a salary survey for 4 of those classes to be completed by 7/01, an additional day off, increase in the city’s contribution toward health insurance, tuition assistance up to $500 per year, increase in reimbursement for safety glasses up to $200, increase in temporary assignment pay to at least 5.5% or the lowest step of the classification they are replacing, a “gainsharing” program, the ability to convert your unused sick time at the time of retirement to service credit towards your PERS retirement plan, contract re-openers for increases in health and dental plans and to attempt to establish a post retirement medical plan (trust fund). A special thanks to unit chairman Metric Edwards and the entire negotiating team for their many hours of hard work and dedication through this very difficult process and to the members for their support and approval of the committee and the contract. Unit 19 (Electrical Station Maintenance/Elect. Mechs.)—The Electrical Mechanics’ shop stewards meetings that were originally established by Hank O’Neil and Byron Glenn as a forum to discuss and remedy various issues are being replaced by a new joint L/M committee under the MOU. There will be fewer participants, but the L/M structure will give the committee more ability to solve those tough issues as they come up. • The movement to secure a 9/80 schedule is proceeding; management has assigned ESM Superintendent Tim O’Neill to handle the discussions on this issue. The ESM 9/80 committee has asked for a meeting with O’Neill to work out any problems that that may hinder the implementation of the new shift. • The bid plan for the Electrical Repair Shop is going to be used to fill new vacancies. They will be hiring five Electrical Repairers. Under the bid plan, Elect. Repair Shop employees can put in a bid for any and all reporting locations that the shop offers, but you must have your bid on file with shops management at the time of the appointment. The positions will be filled soon, so get your bids in. • The Electrical Shop joint L/M Shop Committee will be set up within the next month. If you have any shop issues that you have not been able to solve, please give them to a Shop Steward or your Business Rep so they can be brought to the committee for resolution. Unit 19B (Mechanical Shops/Generating Station Crafts/FMBG)—The next Unit meeting will be Sept. 26 at 4:30 pm. We will be finishing up a long summer, and there will be many important topics to discuss. Please plan to attend. Unit 22 (Electric Service Reps)—The ESR district boundaries are at this writing being assessed by Supervision. We’ve been told that there will be changes because of the new Lead ESR’s and the new ESR Trainees that will be hired. This is in compliance with the ESR Bid Plan. The Chief Sr. ESR has assured us that changes to the boundaries will be fair and will be brought to each ESR, and if they feel that the area is not right, then there will be more discussion about that area and adjacent areas to resolve any issues. Unit 24 (Water Supply)—We met July 27 to discuss the Distribution Operator Certification training program, which will be announced soon. • The Water Quality Operators Worker Safety Group will send out a Safety Survey to solicit input on how the group is doing and where we need to go from here. Unit 52 (Owens Valley)—Unit Chair Kevin McDonough will be leaving at the end of August to take a position in Los Angeles. He chaired his last Unit 52 meeting on Aug. 23 in Big Pine. Kevin has been an active Unit Chair and Shop Steward, as all Owens Valley personnel who have ever needed the support of the Union know full well. There are no words to express the appreciation he deserves for the many hours he has worked on your behalf. • As we go to press, we are looking forward to a lot of activity in the Owens Valley this month. In addition to the Unit meeting, which will include a pin presentation and will be attended by Business Manager Brian D’Arcy and President Frank Miramontes, we also have scheduled the All Owens Valley & Mojave Joint L/M Committee meeting, Safety Peak Performance classes, and several joint L/M committee meetings. Also, all outstanding grievances were to be heard on the 24th. Come back next month for an update. • As you all know by now, Bishop Patrol Shop Steward Dick Rude was injured while riding his bike home from work. His elbow injuries required surgery, an he also suffered a broken collar bone. We all wish Dick a full and speedy recovery. In the meantime, please contact Ron Angst, Shop Steward for Lone Pine Distribution, for any issues or information. You can reach Ron at (760) 876-6011 Unit 53 (Water Quality and Distribution)—The Water Quality and Distribution Joint L/M Committee is trying to resolve various issues that arise in the field. • A committee for Water Service Worker-Water Utility Worker class consolidation is being formed to study concerns raised by both groups. Local 18 and management will establish the committee with representatives from both groups and all the Water Districts. Unit 55 (Communications)—Many thanks to the members who attended the Unit Dinner Meeting. Many issues that could affect Local 18 jobs were brought to light by those in attendance. These issues will be addressed, but those who stayed home should realize that it’s your future that is being discussed and crafted…shouldn’t you be involved? Unit 64 (Azusa)—Negotiations have concluded. Your committee held firm on what is good for the entire unit. These negotiations were not easy and at times were very frustrating, but your committee has done a great job. Ratification letter has been sent out; ballots will be counted Aug. 22. Unit 65 (County Sanitation District)—The One-Man Shift L/M Committee is continuing to study this issue. Local 18 and your committee have been insisting to management that we do everything possible to promote and protect worker safety. |