There will be a 2.5% increase to the Local Union portion of our union dues for “A” and “BA” members: BA goes to $21.36; A goes to $25.05 and All Others goes to $15.62.
We were notified by Boston Gas Utility workers Local 12003 for NGrid that their contract was voted down and if necessary would we support leafing if they were to be in our territory. I have agreed and told the company that we do not cross picket lines or will not take any Gas calls because of a strike and they were in agreement.
ENTERGY:
We had two days of effects bargaining. Company was not prepared and left still owing us some answers. We are now trying to set up additional dates to continue negotiations. We will have 300 members possibly losing their jobs.
We are still meeting and lobbying for the plants as a whole. We have placed on the Local 97 Web Site a link to the Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition to be able to submit comments on the importance of keeping plants open. Please visit our web site and submit your support.
NGRID:
Transmission upgrade has finally come thru and now dealing with staffing on who gets the work. We are pushing TRANSCO which is a combination of utilities. We want the work. We did a PLA (Project Labor Agreement) and a MOA to try and capture this work.
The issue with temporaries on progression in Line, because of the Affordable Care Act was able to offer them Medical benefits. They will be offered the same medical benefits they would be entitled to but no dental.
We are dealing with the issue of Fire Retardant Clothing and trying to get more money. The company feels they are already reaching the OSHA requirements. We are going to try and define OSHA requirements.
Dealing with issue on storms and when it ends when you should return vs. rest time. Reality is they can send you home after the storms ends. Under safety we can ask for rest time if you are too tired to drive. I still want to get a letter out to our membership.
We should be settling the TLS issue with more money an hour when you go to training at two year mark. Once you get your two years and six months will get you there and if not you will get paid.
We had an IPAD issue in the East in the Gas Department. It ended up to be used for a PSC mandated pilot and also to update our procedures. It can be updated nightly. Agreement will be written up shortly. If you see that they are using it for something else, please let us know.
We had an arbitration win in the Central Division in Fleet. Member had been out over 15 months. We got him back to work. He will serve a six month suspension and then get back pay. It was a very good win.
We had Labor charges in the East in Fleet which we were able to settle. An issue also came up with uniforms. In the contract we are provided uniforms. We should wear them. We will address the issue with the comfort of them.
We met with the new Vice President of Labor, Keith Hutchison. He seems to have a good common sense approach and wants to work together.
NRG:
Some of the Warn notices have been hit and members are leaving the property. Some of them have gotten jobs with NRG on some of their other properties. Having an issue with the Utilities Workers Union that they will not recognize their seniority for vacation and want them to start as day one. I will be reaching out to the union.
PSEG:
We met with the company about a possible contract extension. Their Local 94 in New Jersey has accepted an extension. They came in with benefit changes that did not make sense for us. They left with more questions than they had answers. They will be getting back to us.