John Kent has announced that he will be leaving the peer-to-peer initiative in early November, after stewarding all three peer programs for 2 ½ years. Kent ushered the program into its next phase by expanding the program through speaking engagements throughout the Local 1245 jurisdiction, as well as nationally at IBEW locals in in Alaska, Nevada and Idaho. In 2014, Kent retired as a Troubleman with 37 years of service at PG&E.
Hold the Pull: The HTP committee honored John Kent on September 28, and presented him with a neon sign of a lineman climbing a pole above the IBEW logo in gratitude for his efforts and leadership.
HTP continues to give presentations at the PG&E apprentice and pre-apprentice classes in Livermore. On August 16, Dane Moore and Mike Van Egmond met with a group of 16 pre-apprentices along with two members from SMUD, one of which will be selected to replace outgoing HTP member Spike Roberts. At the September 28 meeting, lineman Garret Gross was selected as the new replacement representing SMUD.
Keep the Clearance: The KTC committee met on September 7 and reviewed two speaking engagements with Trees Inc. in Stockton and Angels Camp that took place in July along with meetings in Jackson and Modesto. Issues that arose concerned management appreciation for the work performed safely instead of focusing on injuries. Another problem was the complaint that the company was not issuing protective gloves, which the union has addressed with Trees Inc. management.
KTC continues to place Close call reports on the IBEW 1245 website. Anyone can report Close Calls anonymously on either the website on the Safety page, call their business representative or report at unit meetings.
Control the Pressure: CTP conducted their committee meeting on August 17. Over the last four months, as issues have arisen with PG&E, committee members or safety stewards have been urged to file a Corrective Action Program (CAP) report and submit a copy to the committee so they can track the efficiency and progress of the CAP program. So far, six CAP items have been reported.
Safety stewards in Ukiah are concerned about lack of cell coverage in outlying areas, as well as no communication in rental trucks. The issue is still being addressed with the company.
There was also an incident with a PG&E crew hitting ‘sense’ line in a regulator pit. A CAP was filed on AMCs not working properly, and the vacuum truck was not used to excavate in the regulator pit.
The PG&E inclement weather policy was brought up, relating to 108-degree weather in one work area causing the crew to seek shelter in a truck with air conditioning. A gas worker requested clarification on the Hot Weather Inclement Weather Policy. Derek Cedars, Safety Manager for gas operations, said the company has a policy which advises employees to look for signs of heat illness while working, take precautions and report any injury involving heat to the nurse report line.
CTP members gave presentations at the PG&E Fresno Service Center on August 23 and Santa Cruz SC on October 5. Each location involved PG&E Division gas groups, and it was estimated that approximately 50 gas personnel were in each group. Committee members Roy Cabral, Adam Weber, Ernie Pena and safety steward David Sagapolo conducted the presentations. PG&E supervision was very supportive of the effort.
— Rich Lane, IBEW 1245 Business Representative