WORK OUTLOOK
The work picture continues to look strong through the end of the year. We continue to run open calls in most classifications. however they generally get picked up by the end of the week. Open calls tend to effect all classifications with the exception of Groundman, which we have been getting into Book 3 on a regular basis and Sub Tech, due to the fact we have several inside wiremen waiting on Book 3 (out of class) for those calls.
Work has been good in both California and Nevada, despite the fact that is usually slows down this time of the year. The work type has spanned just about all covered work, including distribution, transmission, substation and underground. We have several members working in Southern California due to PG&E’s new policy on background checks and pre-approval process prior to starting work. Not many issues have arisen to date with the background checks, however, the pre-approval process has had its issues. We are working with the company on a case-by-case basis when a member gets denied approval to work for a contractor on PG&E property. To date, we have not received any information related to the denied applicants, as the appeals process is time consuming.
Business Rep Richard Ingle visited approximately 50 jobsite visits with 5,500 miles being logged this past month. As usual, we have found some contractors not following the agreement to only use signatory subcontractors. We continue to deal with this issue as we are made aware it.
Mike Cottrell has given 2380 safety orientations since we started this policy in January 2014 for our members and travelers. These orientations seem to be having some positive impact in regard to awareness of on-the-job safety and professional behavior. Most who understand and work in this industry overwhelmingly agree that the current complexion of the trade and the surge in deaths nationwide due to shortcuts and inexperience have hampered our legacy of safe on-the-job conditions and work practices. 99% of the journeymen who sit down for these trainings are in complete agreement that we have to correct our compass and get back to the basics of training properly and we need to take the time to do so without a culture of poor leadership and “hurry up and get-er- done” attitude that can lead to burns and fatalities. We are telling these folks to stand up for safety and we rather see them quit or fired over safety than to be burned or buried. It’s a no-brainer.
ORGANIZING
In the month of November we organized
- Newkirk Electric to the CA Outside Line Construction Agreement
- Western Land Renovators, Master Tree Agreement
INJURED WORKERS FUND
The balance of the fund as of October 31, 2014 was $732, 376.00. No disability claims were submitted this past month.
COMPLIANCE
We are currently running compliance to verify through certified payrolls for tree work for Trinity County PUD and City of Redding for a line clearance tree company, A-Cut Above. A-Cut Above was recently awarded the line clearance tree trimming contract from the City of Redding, unseating the union contractor (Utility Tree Service). The same issue occurred last year in Trinity County, whwew we continue to verify the correct wages are being paid to these workers.
We routinely run compliance on projects that are covered under prevailing wage and are awarded to a non-union contractor. This keeps them honest on the pay and makes sure the jobs aren’t awarded to a non-union contractor that fails to pay its employees the correct rate.
CONTRACTS
We have a handful of contracts we have entered into discussions on that expire at the end of the year. We fully anticipate these agreements to be finalized and ratified by mid-December, since the work groups are very small.
AC RECYCLING PILOT
Will be attending a meeting with one of our AC Recycling contractors in San Rafael and Marin Clean Energy to discuss a pilot program that would involve approximately 80 homes in their service area. The meeting is to discuss the details of the program and the use of IBEW workers to perform the work. The meeting will take place on December 5.
JATC
- We currently have 338 outside line apprentices registered in our JATC program
- We have 9 traveling apprentice in our jurisdiction
- 62 apprentices are working out of Local 1245
- 258 are working out of Local 47
- 3 – working out of Local 396
- 24 are unemployed (5 are eligible to work)
- We have graduated 49 apprentices to journeyman linemen
- We have indentured 58 outside line apprentices in 2014
- We have an orientation/climbing class that began this past Monday, with 21 individuals attending. We are hopeful that all 21 will pass the class and become indentured apprentices.
2014 TRAINING SCHEDULE & SPECIAL EVENTS
- First Aid & CPR is the 2nd Saturday of every month at JATC Riverside and Sacramento facility.