California
Work picture remains strong throughout Local 1245’s jurisdiction, and we expect this trend to continue for many years to come. The amount of work to be done, in addition to the regular system maintenance work, is phenomenal.
We are at the beginning this year’s inspections, with close to 300 journeymen (mainly from Source Power) performing this work, which is intended to identify potential issues on the utility assets that could increase the likelihood of a failure that could result in a fire. This is a critical process that prioritizes what work needs to be done in the field by our members. This year, the customer has implemented a proficiency training program, and everyone who performs this work must successfully pass the training.
System hardening is still going on, with the installation of covered conductors and rebuilding those sections of lines in high fire threat districts as an example. PG&E’s announcement that it will be undergrounding 10,000 miles of overhead lines in some of the high fire threat districts has added a new dimension to the work picture. PG&E has included this work in their wildfire mitigation plans, with 175 miles of overhead line in some of the northern counties of its territory to be done in 2022, and double that in 2023. The numbers they are hoping to hit almost double each year, with 2025 goals of around 1,200 miles a year in some of the roughest terrain in the state. This is a major undertaking that will reduce the risk of utility-owned equipment fires, and we need to be prepared to perform it. There is a lot of pressure to meet these goals, so we need to be ready. We are working in subcommittees to address what training may be needed for our current members, as well as future members in the coming years, so everyone is successful.
As we approach fire season (which almost seems to be year-round now), we also need to be prepared Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, which require inspections and repairs before lines can be energized. There is also a large cathodic protection program being launched that will impact thousands of transmission towers over the next several years. Tower painting will also return in full swing in 2022 after a break last year, with at least one new contractor in the fold. Par Western Line Contractors, Michels Pacific Energy and Tower Power are all potential contractors to perform this work.
Nevada
Wasatch still has the NV contract for all dock work. There are crews supplementing on NV property in Elko, Winnemucca, Carson City, and numerous dock hands supplementing NV crews all over the system. Sturgeon still has a crew working on NV property as well in the Winnemucca area currently. All NDPP (National Disaster Protection Plan) must be completed by beginning of June on NV property, so work has picked up slightly.
Wasatch has the contract at Liberty as well, with three crews currently working on fire hardening Liberty’s system (although they also are running into material shortage problems). Liberty’s budget did go from 30 to 50 million dollars this year, so we are awaiting a strong push on their property shortly.
PAR WEST has a decent size transmission job at USA parkway outside of Reno that will last until the end of May.
CVE (Cache Valley Electric) has been doing substation work throughout Northern Nevada as well. They are currently in Elko due to material shortages for the scheduled jobs. They will be headed back to Utah if the material shortage does not get any better.
Contract Negotiations
On April 15, 2022, IBEW Locals 1245 and 47 came to terms on a tentative agreement with Western Line Chapter of NECA on the California Outside Line Construction Agreement.
The current agreement expires on May 31, and we are pleased to announce that, after several rounds of negotiations, we’ve secured a new tentative agreement that contains some significant enhancements to the total compensation packages.
The Tentative Agreement includes notable increases to wages and total compensation for the Journeyman classifications (intended to bring parity for Journeyman classifications across the state), with a total compensation package of 25.87% over five years, an average of 5.17% a year. All other classifications would receive a total compensation package of 16.76% over the term of this agreement, with an average annual wage increase of 3.35% a year.
This Tentative Agreement represents the largest total package increase to this agreement ever bargained, and, if approved by the members, will be the largest compensation package for construction agreements in the country.
Any classification that is paid at the same wage rate as a Journeyman Lineman or above will receive the following:
- June 1, 2022: Wages: 7.00%; NEAP: $0.35
- June 1, 2023: Wages: 4.50%; NEAP: $0.50; HRA: $0.10
- June 1, 2024: Wages: 4.25%; NEAP: $0.50; HRA: $0.10
- June 1, 2025: Wages: 3.00%; NEAP: $0.50; HRA: $0.10
- June 1, 2026: Wages: 3.00%; NEAP: $0.50; HRA: $0.10
This five-year agreement would bring the Journeyman Lineman rate to $74.43 an hour, NEAP to $14.33, and HRA to $1.40 an hour through the term of this agreement. Apprentice rates will continue to adjust to the current step percentages of the journeyman lineman.
All other classifications will receive:
- June 1, 2022: Wages: 4.00%; NEAP: $0.35
- June 1, 2023: Wages: 3.50%; HRA: $0.10
- June 1, 2024: Wages: 3.00%; HRA: $0.10
- June 1, 2025: Wages: 2.25%; HRA: $0.10
- June 1, 2026: Wages: 2.00%; HRA: $0.10
In addition to the wage increases, the tentative agreement also contains the following changes:
- Clean up and clarification language for 3.5 EPR reporting, 4.11 Lineco and HRA, 4.12 NEAP
- Modification to 4.1, adding additional 15-minute break periods at 4-hour increments after the initial 8 hours.
- 4(a) Change the two (2) hour notice to a six (6) hour notice before the scheduled workday.
- Renew several Letters of Understandings (LOU)
- Category 1 Substance Abuse Testing language. Tied to Safety Red Book violations and preventable incidents.
- Modify 6.21 to include the use of Safety Wallet track training from employer to employer
- Modify 3.9 addresses not returning PPE that was issued and ability to recover cost. (FR Clothing not included)
- Extend all the current addendums through the term of the agreement.
- Modify Article VI, Section 6.9(e) as follows: The parties to this Agreement encourage all Employers to employ at least 1 (one) Cal-Nevada JATC Line Apprentice on every crew when practical.
The parties agreed to meet, discuss and address three additional items at a future date — helicopter work and insurance policies with Lineco; a statewide traffic control agreement; and a pilot program for journeyman training.
Ballots are slated to be mailed out with the list of all the changes, modifications and enhancements on Monday April 25, and ballots will be counted on May 23 at 1 pm.
Dispatch
The IBEW 1245 Union Hall is currently under construction. The front desk and Dispatch have been moved into one of our conference rooms in the back of the Hall. Please follow the directions to the East side of the building where our Lineman sign is. As you enter the building, please follow the signage. If you’re coming to sign the books, you will have to fill out a half sheet of paper that will include your name, email address and phone number. Please write clearly, as that is the only way to get your application to you. If your information is incorrect, it will delay your re-signing. When uploading your documents, please make sure you are sending us the most current and valid information. Please do not re-enter Dispatch until you receive an email to do so. If you have any questions, please call our main office number, 707 452-2700.
Safety Campaign
In March of this year, 1245 launched its Outside Line safety campaign. The 1245 Outside Line Rep have begun having in-person safety conversation with everyone dispatched through 1245. Most of these interactions will be in larger yard visits, company safety stand downs, and training days, but some will be done in a small group setting like a crew visit.
The goal of this campaign is to make our members and travelers aware of the importance of following the safety and contractual rules. We stress the importance of how doing the right thing will help you return safely to your family at the end of each day. As part of the campaign, a sticker will be given out that has a QR code on it so individuals can scan it and be taken to the OSL section of 1245’s web site. The OSL site will include accidents, news, reports, how to’s, dispatch policies, wages, paying dues, Outside Line contract and the Redbook. You will be able to register your sticker number on the web site for future drawings and possible giveaways.
All the Business Representatives continue to pass Red Books and Contracts to each member they visit which have amounted to several thousand books to each member they come across. There has been significant increase in discussion around different Red Book rules. By all of us questioning and clarifying, we will continue to get better together.
A large portion of our contractors were on storm, off and on, during the entire fourth quarter. There have been many questions around inclement weather and rain gear requirements.
Accidents and Safety Focus Items
Driving incidents continue to be our largest short coming. If unsure of HOW to drive in a particular situation, stop and evaluate.
We have experienced quite a few neutral mis-markings, or lack of markings, that have resulted in property damage, including a house fire. Please ensure that we are focusing on safety and quality of work on EVERY task that is performed.
All the OSL Reps have been involved and Serious Incidents Fatality (SIF) investigations which is taking up a significant amount of time. Many of the accident and incident we are experiencing here are resulting in these investigations.
SIF investigations so far this year:
- Driving incident in North Coast region (Truck tipped over, no injuries)
- Pole fell over in Sierra region (Pole snapped at ground level, two members injured, full recovery from event)
- Debris fall from helicopter (Crossarm fell from helicopter line, no injuries)
LaborPower Mobile App
The IBEW Local 1245 “Labor Power” can be downloaded to mobile devices, allowing members to check their position on the books, update contact info, pay dues, etc. You can find it in the app store.
Examining Committee
The Local 1245 examining committee continues to be extremely busy dealing with issues related to safety or other wrong doings by IBEW members in the local’s jurisdiction. This is not a good trend, and we as a membership must do better. The committee meets the third Tuesday of each month.
Cal-Nev JATC
The apprentice application period was opened April 4-14, and in that 10-day period, the JATC received more than 1,400 applications that are eligible to move on to the next step, which is the interview. The first round of interviews is scheduled for mid-May, with additional rounds to be held monthly until all applicants have completed their interviews. This year, we have the opportunity to bring on a large number of new apprentices, with a goal of having 1,000 apprentices in the program by the end of 2022. Best of luck to all applicants.
Current apprentice report as of 4/5/2022:
- 695 outside line apprentices registered in our JATC program.
- 7 traveling apprentices in Cal-Nev’s jurisdiction.
- 227 apprentices working out of local 1245.
- 389 working out of 47; 30 working out of 396.
- 26 are unemployed, 14 are not available to work for various reasons and 4 are on a leave.
- 36 apprentices graduated to Journeyman Lineman in 2022 so far.
- 39 new apprentices indentured as outside line apprentices in 2022.
First Aid & CPR is the second Saturday of every month at our Riverside and Woodland facilities.
Injured Workers Fund (IWF)
You can now obtain Summary Plan Description and Application on the Union website under the “Outside Construction” tab.
When submitting an IWF application, please make sure to read ALL of the eligibility requirements and submit with the appropriate documentation. To request an IWF application, please email IWF@ibew1245.com or text (707) 452-2720 with your name, email address, or mailing address if you prefer to receive this document through the mail.