Business Managers Report

 

I missed last month’s meeting because I attended an organizing conference. The International is putting strong emphasis on organizing.

 

We were successful with organizing Bear Swamp in Massachusetts and will be starting negotiations shortly. We will be meeting with the company this Friday.

 

Ginna Nuclear Plant in Rochester has also approached us about organizing. The International has assigned to me. They want to organize but the company also wants to shut the plant down. First thing we are trying to do is keep the plant open. They had a power purchase agreement that has expired. A reliability study has come back that they need the power. Visit our website to a link supporting keeping Ginna open.

 

Local 101, Transportation workers for NGrid out of Brooklyn for Gas only, have reached a tentative agreement. They were on the doorstep on taking a vote strike.

 

Solidarity picnics were held in all three divisions and were well attended.

 

New Member Orientation was also a great success. Since January we have over 300 new employees across all properties. We will evaluate to see if we will continue on a quarterly or biannual basis. Thanks to everyone who were involved.

 

Pension seminar was held in all divisions set up by Jim Zabinski and was very beneficial.

 

Phil Wilcox and I met with the PSC Chair regarding the PSC REV (Reforming the Energy Vision) initiative, Ginna and staffing issues. It was good conversation.

 

We sent delegates to the Women’s Conference. Ideas were shared on starting of a women’s committee along with solidarity among our union brothers and sisters.

 

It is open enrollment for benefits on all properties. Remember to update beneficiaries. If you opt out of benefits, you need to re-enroll along with flex benefits.

 

Do not forget to vote on November 4th. It is your right. You can go on our website to see recommendations from the AFL-CIO.

 

 

We were successful in organizing Bear Swamp out of Massachusetts.

 

 

They filed a lawsuit on a pension issue against the union and wanted to hear it in the Southern District of White Plains. We filed to have it moved to the Northern Division which is in Syracuse and won. We are now going to try and settle it.

 

 

The pilot for vending machines ended and they are supposed to be removing them. Also issues in some of our areas with storeroom items being dropped off in the parking lot bypassing the warehouse. Supervisor is opening and distributing without checking in or doing safety checks. We put them on notice we will go further with that.

 

 

Tom King has sent a letter that by next summer we should be back to normal. There was an article that it cost the company over 945 million because of flawed implementation. It will be coming off of the shareholders back.

 

Met with the new VP for TDC, Doneen Hobbs. She seems hands on and recognized the flaw in payroll. We captured all our issues with SAP.

 

Gas received results of North Star audit. It basically says need to set up Board of Directors differently. They are saying do not give Ken Daly, NYS President, enough power and should have more authority to make decisions. It further stated there is a lack of a management system to manage the workforce or identify performance improvements.

 

Several agreements have been reached over the last few months:

 

1. Customer Order Fulfillment out of Central Division 

Captured auto progression with increase of two pay groups with a one year lock-in when you first come into the department.

 

2. Eastern Division

Posted one Design Representative for Gas and clarification on use of contractors and overtime.

Gas Central Division – agreed to two year lock-in of anybody off the street into the series. Will have a total of 19 jobs posted.

 

3. Fleet

Two year lock-in of new hires off the street. Most are now hired off the street. Will post one entry level in each division to see if anybody interested with 14 jobs total. Hopefully will be posted by November 3rd.

Managed Accounts area in the Call Center in Syracuse – captured work at a pay group 18 which was being done by management. Will now be a pay group 19. They will post one job.

 

Pension spot rates are out and if you are in the transition group it will be more advantageous for you to wait until next year to retire. The cash balance rate is 5.04% which is the third spot blended rate.

 

 

Huntley – DEC did a water study and claims there is too much mercury in the water from the plant. Looking to limit the company to 15% capacity. Not sure what the company will do. Company will be looking at the feasibility of the plant.

 

 

Sierra Club has filed a lawsuit saying it will be unjust and unreasonable rates for the conversion on the customers. Also National Fuel now wants to supply gas to the plant which will delay this project further. They previously showed no interest and NRG proceeded with the project and shovels are ready to enter the ground. The PSC will be holding a hearing on October 23rd at the Fredonia Opera House. Please show up and support.

 

We were notified via e-mail they are implementing changes to the health and welfare benefits. Sue Sweeney and Andy Pacos went thru the changes and found some discrepancies. Some bump into our negotiations with the contract next year. Have put the company on notice reserving our rights.

 

Company is co-mingling pension funds with GenOn. We have our attorneys looking at it. It might be a good thing and put everyone into one big plan. Have put the company on notice reserving our rights.

 

Issue with asbestos at the plant today. Still evaluating and see what is going on. A lot of missteps with the company.

 

 

Their contract is up in February. Asked for a meeting on the 31st to discuss pension and benefit changes.