Members force DWP Commission
to do the right thing
On April 18, 2000, the DWP Board of Commissioners deferred the Open Enrollment
for Health/Dental Plans. This was done in an attempt to overturn the Binding
Order of the Employee Relations Board to abide by the Agreements reached
between DWP and Local 18 over healthcare.
Friday afternoon, April 28, we sent out a “member alert” to notify the membership of what was happening and to urge your attendance at the Board meeting. You responded by the hundreds!
Although the Board originally tried to duck the issue by deferring the health care items for an additional two weeks (because the City Council, on a motion by Councilmember Goldberg, seconded by Councilmember Galanter, was poised to take jurisdiction of the issue), Local 18 members were insistent that they do the right thing and do it now!
Ultimately, the Commissioners changed their minds and agreed to approve the healthcare resolutions and a new open enrollment period.
Thank you all for your time and effort spent on this critical issue. Without such a presence, we would not have been so successful.
We were saddened by the untimely death of long-time Local 18 shop steward Steve Baird. Steve, who was an elevator mechanic at the GOB, was among the most active and dedicated shop stewards in the system. He was always there when we needed him. Steve will be sorely missed.
It was great to see so many of you at the Annual Family Picnic at Griffith Park. This is always a great event, and this year was no exception. I know that everyone who came out had a really good time. If you’ve never made it to the annual picnic, you should really try to get out to it next year. A good time for all is guaranteed.