Logan Jonas gives an overview and takes questions on the contract extension during a lunch meeting in San Francisco.
Article by Eric Wolfe
Photos by John Storey
IBEW 1245 stewards explained the tentative agreement to extend the PG&E contracts during a series of meetings around the system the week of April 7. Additional meetings are being held the week of April 14.
The extension would provide a 2.75% general wage increase to Physical and Clerical members, but would otherwise leave the Physical, Clerical and Benefit Agreements unchanged. The only exception would be changes needed to bring the Benefit Agreement into legal compliance with the federal Affordable Care Act.
“It’s a really bad time for negotiations,” said Logan Jonas, a Night Cable Splicer who spoke to over a dozen members at PG&E’s headquarters on Harrison Street in San Francisco at lunchtime. Jonas said the IBEW 1245 Bargaining Committee recommended taking the pay hike and waiting until next year to go into general bargaining.
Discussing the contract extension in San Francisco, from left, are Shelley Kamiyama, Fundernella Campbell and Helen Jackson.
“I think a wait-and-see attitude is a positive thing,” said Ed Casco, an Operating Clerk Exp., who favors taking the pay hike now. With the CPUC getting ready to announce a potentially record-breaking fine against PG&E for the San Bruno explosion, Casco said, union members will already have the wage increase “in the pocket.”
Ballots will be mailed to members on April 18. Completed ballots will be counted at Weakley Hall on May 16.