OVERTIME ISSUES, 10-HOUR SHIFTS

Tree Report: Southern Area

Members at Davey Tree Surgery, Central Coast and Los Padres, voted to work 10-hour shifts. Due to scheduling we are expecting to hold the next labor-management meeting late June. We are getting complaints on certain crews being allowed to work all the overtime days in Santa Cruz. We are asking for the company to respond to these concerns.

Other issues include management performing bargaining unit work and favoritism in the way work is handed out.

In Mission Division we are getting complaints of no company-issued phones in Oakland.

In Diablo Division the members voted down the 10-hour days. Members were angry with the lack of notice by management. The vote was not even close. The members want at least a one-week notification prior to any vote. Also, the company failed to list the expected cancellation date of the 10-hour shifts. Another problem is the pressure by management to try to get guys to change their vote. The company needs to stop these tactics immediately. We will be discussing this matter at the next labor-management meeting.

All headquarters at Trees Inc. are now working 10-hour shifts. In Fresno Division, we are having complaints regarding meal tickets for storm-related work and overtime pay. Crews worked 90 hours in one week. CPR & First Aid cards are expired at Chestnut & McKinley. Vacation tallies are being requested. We are also having a few progression issues.

In Trees Inc. Stockton Division there is concern over lack of equal treatment when it comes to progressions. Family members are given non-essential positions with the company. The majority of the Stockton crews have been sent to work in Jackson for the time being.

We are having pay issues at Trees Inc./SMUD. Deductions somehow changed in the take-home pay. The company is looking into the matter.

Utility Tree’s Yolo & Solano crews are still working in West Sacramento, Vacaville, and Williams, CA.

Wright Tree is taking the position that the all grievances are untimely because the grievance committee meeting was not held within 30 days. We disagree with that position and will attempt to provide evidence that correspondences had been taking place all along with the Area Manager and the union. After this we will forward the grievance before a third party Arbitrator for a ruling of the arbitrability of these grievances.