All tree trimmers are looking forward to a 3% wage increase in August of this year!
Sadly we have recently experienced heavy layoffs in many areas, greater in the South and less in the North. Well over a third of the tree trimmers in Napa and San Rafael have been laid off. These layoffs have affected those that do not have commercial driver’s licenses more than those that do.
The tree agreements allow the tree companies to terminate employees that do not have commercial driver’s licenses–we have been spreading the word about that for years. The companies have to one degree or another not enforced the requirement but with layoffs they can and are being more selective. We are being told the layoffs are temporary and most will be rehired.
The work picture is starting to slow In the Sacramento Valley as well with the change in forecast from PG&E. The drought has also slowed tree growth more so in the South where the effects have been more severe.
We had a meeting with our members at Mountain Enterprises to discuss contractual issues system-wide. Our expectations are to meet with Management and address all layoffs, pay & progression issues and working conditions.