Line Clearance Tree Trimmers
Northern Area
We have met with almost all the tree units to explain the “Keep the Clearance” tree peer-to-peer program. We had no trouble at most of the meetings recruiting Safety Stewards. Temporary Business Rep. Rich Lane is leading this effort.
We have had issues with Wright Tree recently concerning overtime, rest period and sent-home-after-emergency-call-out work issues. We continue meeting with the company to work through these issues.
Eight Davey Tree Surgery crews have been working up to 16 hours a day assisting PG&E’s efforts to restore power lost in the Ponderosa Fire.
We continue to struggle with progressions at Davey; these issues are mostly resolved now but the delays regarding progressions have a negative effect on morale in the work place.
We continue to have problems with penciled tree terminations. These are clerical errors mostly and driven by PG&E. If the tree company is fond of an individual they, the tree company, will go to bat with PG&E investigating the accusation; otherwise the tree company goes along with PG&E and a termination results.
Southern Area
Grievance Review Committee met in August for the following companies: Asplundh Tree, Trees Inc, and Windy.
We reached a 2-year agreement with Windy Tree that is currently out for a vote.
Master Agreement
The Trees Master Agreement campaign gained tremendous momentum in August.
We held two meetings with the “YES Committee” at Weakley Hall in Vacaville. Tom Dalzell addressed the group and recognized the historic significance of the Master Agreement.
Business Representatives Carl Lamers and Junior Ornelas, along with temporary representatives Justin Casey and John Simms, have worked with the 42-member YES Committee to inform members about the merits of the Master Agreement through extensive yard visits, unit meetings, and one-on-one conversations.
In addition, the union organized three special meetings on Saturdays for members and their families to learn more about the agreement: breakfast meetings at Weakley Hall and at St. Theresa’s Church in Fresno, and a BBQ at Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa. About 46 members and family members participated.