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From the trenches...
Reports from your Business Reps Unit 3 (Testers)—The recommendations and agreements that were made through the joint L/M Committee earlier this year are in management’s hands and should be processed ASAP...Those employees who have cases pending should see something on their checks very soon. Unit 8 (Clerical)—Senior Clerk Typists should have received a letter asking for input regarding pay level criteria. We need to make sure we are aware of all relevant issues...The Branch Office Joint L/M Subcommittee successfully changed the way uniform reimbursement checks are distributed. They will now go directly to the employee; previously they were cashed by the supervisors...We have reached an agreement with management for CSR bulletin requirements. The next step is to take our recommendations to the Personnel Dept....We are working on the details of the transition from exempt to civil service for part time CSRs. Units 8 and 18 (Clerical/Supervisory & Administrative)—Ergonomics training is almost finished for employees in ISS and Financial Services. If you are in those organizations and have NOT received training, please call Annemarie or Shawn. The next targeted area for ergonomics training is Power Distribution...The two-day Safety Principles and Leadership Skills workshop held in November for clerical employees was a big success. We have already seen positive outcomes. Anyone interested in attending future workshops should call Annemarie or Shawn...Management had to go out to bid for the Executive Secretary Training Class. Classes should start again the beginning of the year....If you are interested in having a site meeting at your location, call Annemarie or Shawn. Unit 9 (Steam Generation)—We are still fighting with management over winter staffing levels at Valley Generating Station. They are planning to market VGS Unit 3 over the winter. If so, they had better staff the station! Unit 13 (Automotive)—We are meeting with management regarding the February bid list. Unit 14 (Transportation)—Chairperson Robert Saunders is trying to set up a pre-bid-plan meeting so that as a unit we can develop a position on what needs to be bid...There will be a meeting to discuss jurisdiction for the 20-ton crane. Do they belong to the Equipment Operator or the Power Shovel Operator? Stay tuned...We are trying to remove all exempts—drivers and operators—as soon as possible. Units 15/20 (Pasadena)—2000 Negotiations: Your executive committee was to meet in December to set up the process and get ideas and proposals for the upcoming negotiations. Members should think of problems and/or opportunities that may be presented during negotiations to enhance your working conditions and compensation. A method will be devised (e.g., a survey) to get this information to the committee for consideration. Unit 17 (Customer Service Field Units)—We are continuing to work on the Meter Reader bid plan...Issues brought up at the dinner meeting will be addressed by your new rep. Shawn has a list of all concerns and will pass it along...Following a successful grievance, we are working on an agreement to revamp the badge replacement policy to reduce employee liability for lost badges. Unit 18 (Supervisory Clerical/Administrative)—We are still looking at February for our first unit meeting of the new millennium...Grievance regarding the General Manager’s Secretary position has been settled. A bid for the position should be coming out the beginning of the year...The PCU list has been certified. Hopefully, appointments will be made shortly. Unit 19 (Electrical Station Maintenance/Elect. Mechs.)—The Union is processing requests from each area of ESM to change to a 9/80 schedule. Your business rep has contacted each area superintendent and is working out the details...Management (Byron Glenn) has resolved the issue of jurisdiction between ESM and Electrical Construction. Transformer replacement in the Industrial Stations will be done by ESM if the rating on the transformer is 5000 kva or below and by Electrical Construction if it is above 5000 kva. Unit 19B (Mechanical Shops/Generating Station Crafts/FMBG)—Although there are many issues and questions that need to be addressed in this unit, the unit meetings are poorly attended. The same five members are at every meeting. These few members are working hard to address all the problems that concern your future. Please attend and take part in your unit decisions. The next meeting is Dec. 28 at the Union Hall at 4:30 pm. Commit to take an active role in Local 18 in the year 2000. Unit 22 (Electric Service Reps)—The proposal for a new service planning methodology (Service Planning 2000, or SPY2K) that was worked up by Chief Sr. ESR Ron Smith has been rejected by management. Although discussions are ongoing, it appears that the main problem is management’s unwillingness to explore the concept even though it is more in keeping with industry standards than the current process. Unit 24 (Water Supply)—Both Joint L/M Committees are in place and are going ahead very well. The committee members are as follows: LAAFP Water Treatment Operators: Dave Godinez, Don Stone, John Cherry, Mike Madrid, Dave Jimenez Please feel free to stop by and let these people know any concerns you may have about safety and local workplace issues. Unit 28 (Reprographics/Print Shop)—We have reached an agreement with management to form Joint Labor/Management committees to deal with workplace issues. If you are interested in being on a committee, contact the Hall. Unit 52 (Owens Valley)—The joint L/M committees are meeting regularly and communication between labor and management has been very open. If this continues, a lot of gains will be made benefiting both the Department and the Union...The unit meetings have been well attended and active; lets work toward an even bigger turnout in 2000. Unit 52A (Mojave)—The unit has been on shutdown as members have been putting in long days and weeks. The last meeting was cancelled, but we expect to meet in January 2000. Unit 53 (Water Quality and Distribution)—Both Joint L/M Committees are in place. They are the Worker Safety Committee and the Local Worker Committee, which works on local workplace issues and concerns. All five districts are well represented by labor and management. Our representatives are as follows: East Valley Water: Steve Otero, John Amado (alternate) and Robert Huston Please feel free to stop by and let these people know any concerns you may have about safety and local workplace issues. Unit 55 (Communications)—This unit is meeting on an “as called” basis because of a lack of attendance at past monthly unit meetings. There will be a unit dinner meeting in January 2000 and unit members will be sent cards informing them of the meeting. Hopefully, members will be interested enough to attend and bring their issues to the table. Unit 60 (Waterworks Mechanics)—A joint L/M committee has begun meeting for the Water Quality Division...Worker Safety committees are meeting on a regular basis. Safety tours at job sites are being performed by labor and management under this format and are showing how good Local 18 members really are...There are still quite a few grievances to resolve. Unit 64 (Azusa)—Negotiation suggestions are in. The committee has been reviewing and prioritizing them. How was your committee made up? First, Unit Chairperson Lynn Dent made a recommendation to your business rep. After concurrence, the list was sent to Local 18 President Frank Miramontes, who appointed the committee. Lynn Dent, Lamont King and Dave Patterson represent Power; John Szabo and George Gaytan represent Water; Rachel Tapia represents Clerical. Our current contract expires July 2000. Unit 65 (County Sanitation District)—The Tracy Cooper grievance, re: Rovers, was resolved somewhat favorably if you read between the lines. Both Tracy Cooper and Jeff Lambert did a great job with their presentation to management at the grievance hearing. Lambert, who is shop steward and unit chairperson, can fill you in on the details. Ask him about it! |