Not much has changed in the work outlook moving into 2011. As mentioned in previous reports we expect transmission, substation and solar projects to be robust next year. The distribution work that was supposed to slow through the winter months has a little but not much. A couple winter storms in the month of December may have delayed this slow down a little since several of our outside line crews have assisted in storm restoration work since just before Thanksgiving.
Grievances
There are currently two grievances with one moving to Labor Management and one in Step 2 of the process. We anticipate both of the grievances to make it to labor management:
- Wrongful termination
- Improper use of the referral system and use of classification
Jurisdictional Issues
Although we are under constant attack from other labor groups for our work the issue that was reported last month regarding the Building Trades and the Russell Substation project has been corrected. We attended a work assignment mark-up meeting with the customer and the trades on the 15th of December with no major issues and work that has been traditionally performed by the IBEW was assigned as such.
2011 Training Schedule
- OSHA 10 ET&D will be held four times at the union hall from 6 pm-10 pm on Fridays and 8 am-4:30 pm on Saturdays: Feb. 11/12; April 8/9; July 8/9 and October 7/8.
- Grievance training for Tree stewards: January 24 & 25 — Vacaville
- Crane Certification: February 21-25 – Vacaville
- OSL Shop Steward Training: March 12 – Vacaville
Organizing
E.C. Smith and Abacus Construction, both out of the Redding area, signed the PG&E construction agreement. Luchetti Grading also signed the PG&E construction agreement and they are based in the Ukiah area.
Curtis and Sons Construction Co; signed a project labor agreement for NV Energy Carson Phase of the Sierra Master Communications Plan.
Negotiations
We have reached a tentative agreement with GoodCents: 2-year extension with a 2% wage increase in both years, everything else will remain the same.
Injured Workers Fund
As of 11/30/10 the balance of the fund was $178, 218.27. We made two payments in the months of November and December to the same member.
Apprentice Report
The annual graduation party for apprentices will be held on Feb. 26, 2011 at the Ontario Airport Hilton. There will be approximately 60 apprentices graduating.
Book Status
| Linemen I | 29 |
| Linemen II | 75 |
| Linemen III | 1 |
| Linemen IV | 118 |
| Equipment Man I | 9 |
| Equipment Man II | 7 |
| Equipment Man III | 8 |
| Cable Splicer I | 5 |
| Cable Splicer II | 3 |
| Cable Splicer III | 2 |
| Groundman I | 17 |
| Groundman II | 19 |
| Groundman III | 165 |
| Groundman IV | 166 |
| Fabricator Tech I | 0 |
| Fabricator Tech II | 9 |
Year to Date Referrals
| Lineman | 840 |
| Apprentice Lineman | 119 |
| Equipment Man | 120 |
| Groundman | 284 |
| Fabricator Tech | 125 |
| Cable Splicer | 18 |
Happy New Year from the Construction Team!
Information for this report was supplied by Ralph Armstrong, Senior Bus. Rep.; Liz McInnis, Organizer; and Ron Cochran, Senior Assistant Business Manager.