From the trenches...
Reports from your Business Reps
Unit 1 (Electrical Distribution)—Is the wolf at our door? The OSHA Standards Board has granted PG&E a variance to perform live-line barehand work techniques on energized high-voltage systems. The variance was expanded to allow PG&E employees to work on systems owned and operated by other electricity providers. We are concerned that this variance could set up PG&E as a contract bidder with an unfair advantage, which could potentially affect our work force.
Unit 2 (Electric Station Operators)—Management wants to expand the Switch and Leave Policy to include System Protection. We are meeting to explore what activities should be allowed under the policy. As always, worker safety is our primary concern.
Unit 3 (Testers)—L/M committee reached an agreement with management regarding 12 testers working above DDR. The agreement will be forwarded to the Joint Resolution Board for approval. Unresolved issues will be considered when the committee reconvenes after the first of the year...September unit meeting has been changed to Sept. 22, 4 pm, Main Street Test Lab.
Unit 6 (Warehouse/Stores)—The Stores L/M Committee will be reestablished to consider backfilling of vacancies from the SRP and FSP and the proper filling of current positions by DDR. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should contact Ernie Vega at the Hall.
Unit 8 (Clerical)—Mark your calendars: Dinner Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 12. Details to follow...Part Time--We are working with management to allow part time employees to participate in the Retirement Plan. CSBU will be certing the CSR list to fill Part Time Civil Service positions as soon as new DDRs are approved and benefit schedules are finalized...Clerks/Clerk Typists—A proposal is going to the Joint Resolution Board to allow for all positions in these classifications to be paid at the “A” level...Sr. Clerical—The Clerical Realignment Committee is working on determining the appropriate number of pay levels within each class, and what the corresponding duties should be. Please submit your ideas to Annemarie or Shawn at the Hall.
Units 8 and 18 (Clerical/Supervisory & Administrative)—There will be a walkthru by members of the Clerical Worker Safety Committee and the ergonomist to view ISS work stations at GOB, Main Street, Temple Street and Miramonte. The ergonomist will then develop training specifically for ISS clerical employees who work on computer work stations. There will be additional training for employees who wish to receive it and are willing to help other employees with ergonomic concerns in the workplace. Model work stations will be set up at GOB.
Unit 9 (Steam Generation)—We’ve been making money for the Department all summer, but we should have been making more. Bad planning has led to the under-utilization of Valley Generating Station...More money slipped through the Department’s hands at the Marine Tank Farm, where Berth 181 had to be closed because of lack of personnel. Tank Farm Operators are needed. A new test—this time open as well as promotional—will be offered soon.
Unit 13 (Fleet Maintenance)—The long-awaited 9/80 alternate work schedule is being implemented on a voluntary basis in all shops.
Unit 14 (Transportation)—We are waiting to see what will be done about the disputed Heavy Duty Truck Operator exam. It appears that the whole exam may be thrown out...We have talked to DWP management about the upgrade of the class “C” drivers to “B,” and we are looking into more “A” Level Equipment Operator bids to be put out...Local 18 and ISS Business Unit management will be working jointly to form a Worker Safety Group for Fleet Operations...Drivers and Operators be aware of being ticketed by the Police or Highway Patrol. If it is your fault, you will pay the fine. You are responsible for your vehicle...Trying to set up a meeting with Mike Coia regarding various issues that were discussed with Jack Sharp, Fleet Manager.
Unit 17 (Customer Service Field Units)—The Union and Management are discussing the Meter Reader Bid Plan...9/80 has been approved on a voluntary basis for Field Investigation and Revenue Security Senior CFR’s...The annual dinner meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6 pm. Call the Hall for details and reservations.
Unit 18 (Supervisory and Administrative)—Two grievances have recently been resolved which result in opportunities for our membership. A bid recently went out for the “A” level PCU in the Health Plans Office, and a Letter of Agreement to reinstate the “A” level Pr. Clerk Steno position in the GM’s office is awaiting Freeman’s signature.
Unit 19B (Mechanical Shops/Generating Station Crafts/FMBG)—Due to functional transfers between FMBG and the General Shops sections of ISS, the joint L/M committees were temporarily discontinued. New committees will be formed soon and begin meeting on a regular basis.
Unit 24 (Water Supply)--We had a quorum and were able to hold Unit Chairperson Elections. The successful candidate was Terry Jarvis, who was acting as interim Chairperson ...The grievance on 9/80s for continuous shift in the Aqueduct Division has been resolved and hopefully we can resume the 9/80s for continuous shifts...Looking into upgrades for “B” Operators once they have been cross-trained...Reservoirs are now a hard-hat area. Remember to wear your hard hats and safety vests in the field.
Unit 24 and 53 (Water Supply/Water Quality and Distribution)—We have formed Worker Safety Groups both in Water Quality and Operations and Water Distribution. First meeting of the Joint L/M Worker Safety Committee was a two-day workshop for both groups. The vision/mission of these groups is to continuously improve workplace health and safety in order to prevent injuries and to promote open communication and mutual trust and respect between labor and management on issues of health and safety.
Unit 25 (Gardeners)—The L/M Subcommittee on Landscaping Issues is now in fact-finding mode, determining what type of work needs to be done at every DWP facility. A report will be forwarded to the Priority Staffing Committee for action... Dinner meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 5, 3:30 pm. Call the Hall for details and reservations.
Unit 26 (Custodians)—The Subcommittee on Custodial Issues is assessing a proposal to institute team cleaning at three Department facilities in the downtown area which are not now maintained by DWP custodians...Dinner meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 12, 4 pm. Call the Hall for details and reservations.
Unit 28 (Reprographics/Print Shop)—Mark your calendars! Dinner meeting will be held Friday, Oct. 8, 5-7 pm at the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Cantina. Please call the Hall for directions and reservations.
Unit 50 (Burbank)--Unit officers are lobbying City Council members to vote against “Open Access.” This issue will be reviewed at the Sept. 21 council meeting. If possible, please attend this very important meeting.
Unit 52 and 52B (Owens Valley/Mojave)—Three joint labor/management committees have been formed. They are the Owens Valley Generating Committee, the Owens Valley Distribution Committee and the Owens Valley Aqueduct Committee (which includes Mojave)...The Department has signed a letter of agreement to implement alternate work schedules on a voluntary basis for aqueduct and reservoir shift-workers...New L/M committees for employee safety and training have been formed for the northern and southern districts...Next unit meeting will be Sept. 29, 5:30 pm, in Big Pine.
Unit 53 (Water Quality & Distribution)--One of our unit members, Jessie (Jose) Mercado, recently had a heart attack after work. He is presently doing fine and his recovery is very positive...Still trying to staff up where needed. Water picked up two Cement Finishers at Harbor and Central...Working on a L/M Water Quality and Distribution Safety Committee ...D.O.T. Random Testing still going on at Department of Water & Power for employees with Commercial Driver’s Licenses.
Units 60 (Waterworks Mechanics)—We are finalizing alternate work schedules. The grievance load has increased ten-fold in recent months because of management’s unwillingness to resolve grievances at the lowest level...Please report to Hank O’Neil any time you observe exempt building trades workers doing any form of maintenance...Needed positions in ISS are slowly but steadily being backfilled...Units 19B and 60 will resume unit meetings Sept. 28, 4:30 pm, at the Hall.
Unit 64 (Azusa)—Next Unit meeting will be Sept. 21, 5:45 pm, at the Eagles Lodge. Don’t forget to bring your wish list for our next negotiations, coming soon...We now have a “Letter of Agreement” for part-time employees...Lamont King fell and broke his collarbone. He is doing fine...The final amount raised for the Library was $3,780.
Unit 65 (County Sanitation District)—We have one grievance going on at this time. The issue is that an employee was not given the opportunity to transfer, as provided by the MOU...Everyone should have their new MOUs. Please read them and help protect your working conditions.