IBEW 1245
In Memoriam: Brian Brown 

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Work outlook is good

Outside Report: Work outlook is good

by Ron Cochran

Ralph Kenyon is currently on staff as a temporary business representative to help with the increased work load. He has hit approximately 60 job sites throughout our jurisdiction, appointing shop stewards and handling issues as they arise.

The current solar projects are ramping down at least on the civil and racking portions. Rumor has it that PG&E has accepted bids for the next round of solar projects; we expect those to begin sometime late spring or early summer.

IBEW Local 1245 Outside Construction

There are several very large current infrastructure projects that are still being constructed. In 2012 we estimate we will work close to the same amount of man-hours as we did in 2011.

The construction season has started early this year; a couple reasons being, the good weather and the roll over work from last year. Some of the utilities are planning to use fewer construction workers this year, but will have a longer construction season. By doing this, the crews operate more efficiently with less overtime, using local members longer and with less need for travelers. By late spring we will have 70-80 crews working in California and Nevada. We estimate six to seven thousand deteriorated transmission poles will be replaced. Some of the work includes substation modification projects with transmission line capacity upgrades, fuse coordination, rural 20 and distribution, Marsh Landing substation and California Solar Project in San Luis Obispo. PG&E said they would only contract 5% of the New Business Work in 2012. There will also be some cable replacement and oil switch replacement in San Francisco.

On the gas side there were nearly 1.2 million man-hours worked. In 2012, the estimated man-hours will be nearly 3 million. Majority of this work will be on PG&E property. Most of the gas work is done through the various trade unions or non-union. We do play a role in the inspection and some pre-work for the hydro testing.

Organizing

We’ve signed the following contractors in the month of January and February 2012:

  • Tulsa Inspection Resources; based in Oklahoma signed the Gas Inspector agreement
  • City Light & Power, based in Long Beach signed the Construction agreement
  • B & B Construction Services, based in Fresno signed the Construction agreement
  • American Power Delivery, based in Pittsburg signed the Construction agreement
  • Elemental Energy based in Phoenix, AZ signed the Construction agreement

Bargaining

In mediation:

  • Asplundh Tree
  • Trees Inc.
  • Utility Tree
  • Wright Tree Service

In negotiations:

  • Windy Tree
  • Eppler & Eppler
  • Henkels & McCoy (start 3/8/12)
  • Western Line NECA (starts 4/3/12)
  • McDaniel Technical Service

Opening letters sent:

  • Abascus Construction, Inc.
  • Lucchetti Excavating
  • AJ Excavation, Inc.
  • Millender White Construction Co.,
  • Alvila T&D, Inc.
  • MJ Avila Company, Inc
  • American Power Delivery
  • Parmeter General Engineering & Services
  • Avtech Construction
  • Paulson Excavating
  • Aztrack Construction
  • Porter & Sons Excavating
  • B&B Construction
  • SJL Construction
  • Byington Welding
  • Source Power of CA LP
  • Curtis & Sons
  • Terra Firma
  • Dave Christian Construction Co
  • Tesla J. Construction Group
  • E.C. Smith, Inc.
  • Underground Construction
  • Greg Schandel Construction
  • Valley Trenching, Inc.
  • Hutchins Paving
  • White Construction
  • J.Jackson Construction
  • Kindness General Const.

Grievances
We currently have some outstanding grievances on pay issues and referral system violations. We hope to resolve those shortly.
2011/2012 Training Schedule

Crane Training will not be scheduled this year.

The JATC will be offering OHSA ETD classes on a Friday-Saturday class schedule, beginning with March 9-10. More dates will be added at a later time.

First Aid & CPR is the 2nd Saturday of every month at our Riverside and Sacramento facility.

Special Events

  • Soccer Tournament : May 12, 2012, Mistlin Sports Park, Ripon, CA
  • Clay Shoot: June 12, 2012, Dunnigan, California
  • International Lineman’s Rodeo: October 10-14, 2012, Overland Park, KS
  • The 16th Annual 9th District Softball Tournament will be hosted by Local 595/Dublin at Big League Dreams Park in Manteca, CA. It will be held August 11-12, 2012. We should be scouting for teams now.

Injured Workers Fund
The balance as of January 2012 was $380,115.13. We paid out no claims in the month of January or February 2012.
Dispatch

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Ron Cochran is Senior Assistant Business Manager, IBEW Local 1245

IBEW 1245