Transco, an offset of NGrid, upgrade for transmission lines is going forward. We are trying to get the head of Transco to help us to get some of the work. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have a signed agreement. There are three other proposals still in the mix so hopefully Transco will get the bid.
On the organizing front, we are still negotiating with Bear Swamp. We have agreed on 20 TA’s but now their Management Rights Clause unfortunately will undue what we have accomplished. It guts our whole contract. We have filed unfair bargaining charges with the Labor Board. We have sent the company a bulleted information request and are scheduled to meet with them on April 18th and 19th.
We had labor charges filed against us from a member in Central. It is a human rights charge but she stated in her statement that she was let go per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. She knew what she did was wrong. We will have to answer the charges and see where it goes.
We had a lobby day in Albany mainly for the Fitzpatrick plant; trying to get movement on it. We are waiting for a call from the Governor’s office to see where we are at.
Youth Caucus Committee met in Syracuse. They came up with a logo and a mission statement and are planning events. We appreciate the younger members getting involved.
The Women’s Committee also met and is planning events as well.
We held Stewards Training in Syracuse put on by the International. It was a five hour course and we are looking at possibly bringing it to the East and West. It was well received.
Please visit our Local 97 web site for Fitzpatrick plant; asking you to send a letter to the PSC.
On the political front, please make sure you are registered to vote and remember to vote. We have paperwork at the hall to register to vote if you need it.
Verizon went on strike. Company does not expect it to impact our properties. I told the company that we do not cross picket lines or work with non-union contractors. Notify the hall if you run into them. Anywhere you would normally tie off, just let them hang. If it is an emergency and you are ordered to clear it, just cut and clear. I offered them if there is anything they need to let us know; maybe a letter to show our support and we can walk picket lines after hours. It has gone all the way up to the International for support.
NGRID:
I had a one-on-one with Keith Hutchison the new VP of Labor. He seems to be an upfront guy. We had conversation and he agrees we need to bring back to the supervisor and steward level and get it settled there. His task is to get to each line of business and see what he can do.
We held a Gas Project Review in East and Central; seeing a drastic reduction in contractors which is good for us. We want the work and are committed to it and we need to show the company we can get it done.
We did have an issue in Regional Control in Central where one of the Line guys got in trouble with a DWI and bid into Regional Control. The company is sick of them bidding in until they get their license back and then bidding back to Line. Wanda Grace wanted them to have a CDL D license in order to bid into Regional Control which is ridiculous since they do not even need a license; they can take a bus to work. She did not want to award the job and for us to grieve it. I told her I would not grieve it but would file a Labor Charge for violating our contract.
We settled an IPAD grievance in the East which they gave Gas crews but never discussed with us. It was for a mandate from the PSC and for the updating of procedures which we have been asking for.
Transmission Line grievance in Central on discharge; waiting for settlement.
Having a meeting on April 26th on the Sobo/Robo agreement we reached with the company. Found out was not what they thought it was so have to see what we can do.
Temporaries after six months will now be receiving medical benefits because of the Affordable Care Act. Our issue is we really would like them to go regular.
Project Reviews are happening now in all divisions. The first preliminaries I am seeing they are getting rid of contractors.
PSEG:
We have met several times with the company on benefit changes and if we can reach agreement a possible contract extension