Craftsman Article July 2016

On Monday, July 25th contract negotiations began at WFAA-TV for our brothers and sisters. As negotiations unfold at the station we will keep our membership informed. On Friday, July 8th the Union and Company met for the second quarter meeting. Ross McAuley, Charlie Jackson, Rodney Deleon, Ronnie Killion, Justin Snyder, Don Gray, and Bobby Reed represented the Union. Barbara Gibson, Paul Folger, Tim Burk, Tony Flores, Mark Moore, Mitch Cooley, and Damien Wharton represented the Company. A safety presentation for Distribution was given by Mitch Cooley, followed by a safety presentation for Measurement by Damien Wharton. The safety presentation is the number of employee injuries, vehicle accidents, and opportunities (at risk). Given the circumstances everyone is working under, (long hours, heat, irate customers, etc, etc,) you guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work, stay focused so we go home at the end of the day to our loved ones. The Union asked what OSHA regulation required utility employees to wear face shields. The Company did not know what OSHA regulation required face shields but, they would find out and let us know. The Union then asked if employees would not be required to wear a face shield when the heat index reached a particular temperature. The Company response was, “we have not discussed that”.  Barbara Gibson stated the Company will research for any temperature relief for the face shields. Brothers and sisters if Company representatives have not discussed temperature relief for wearing face shields in the Texas heat by July 8th, how do they look you in the eye and tell you they are concerned for your safety? The Union stated if we had instantaneous on all feeders we would not need face shields. The Company response was that we have 20% of our feeders equipped with instantaneous now.

Members of the Union Committee stated there are office personnel riding around after storms creating work orders. Creating distribution work orders is bargaining unit work. If you are aware of office personnel creating distribution work orders notify the Union Hall with the facts i.e. employee’s name, vehicle number, location, and any other facts you can obtain.

The next topic of discussion was Staffing. According to the Company there are 848 Management employees, 677 Bargaining Unit employees, and 2,113 Non Bargaining Unit employees. On January 28, 2008, Kyle Davis - Director of Employee & Labor Relations - wrote a letter to the Union stating “it is not the Company’s goal to replace bargaining unit employees with non-bargaining unit work groups”. “It is our goal to have a productive and effective work force without regard to whether they are bargaining unit or non bargaining unit employees”. The Staffing numbers provided by the Company on May 15, 2008,  were 726 Management employees, 682 Bargaining Unit employees, and 2, 068 Non Bargaining Unit employees. Numbers do not lie!

We do not have any new information on the sale of Oncor. We hope and pray the new owners and their management does not have a problem working with organized labor. Only you can organize the workforce. Talk to the DOTs and Crew Supervisors at your service center to gain representation before the Company is sold. They need to go on line to our web site at www.ibewlocal69.com  and fill out the Representation Form.

Until next time may God bless you, your family, and our Local Union.

June 2016 Craftsman Article

Brothers and Sisters summer is upon us. Things are heating up so let’s take a little extra time to cool off and hydrate. The kids are out of school so be on the lookout while driving. If you are scheduling a summer vacation with the family, always remember you have precious cargo.

By the time you receive this article you will probably be making plans for the Fourth of July. I wish everyone a safe and fun filled Fourth. Please take time to reflect on the birth of our nation. The men and women of the colonies organized and fought for their beliefs and a new way of life. Everything worth having is worth fighting for. Never forget, what we enjoy today in our country and with our Union was not a gift. Men and Women through the years have fought and worked diligently to achieve the benefits we enjoy today. Do not forget to talk with your Crew Supervisors and DOTs about joining us in our efforts to secure better wages, hours, and working conditions.

The Union and Company are still working on the back pay award for Troubleman James Henry. The latest member that won his job back through arbitration has yet to receive his back pay. However, the parties continue to work toward making Mr. Henry whole, per the arbitration award.

The Union and Company has scheduled the second quarter meeting for Friday, July 8, 2016. The Company has had difficulties scheduling the meetings in the actual quarter it is supposed to be in. If you have any safety concerns or job related issues that need to be addressed with the Distribution Directors of Oncor, at this quarterly meeting, make one or more of the following Union Committee Members aware of the issue that needs to be discussed.

The Union Committee Members are as follows; Ross McAuley, James Chapman, Charlie Jackson, Ronnie Killion, Rodney Deleon, Don Gray, Joe Marquez, Justin Snyder, and Bobby Reed. If you have any concerns that need to be addressed you can always email the union office or call me.

The following is a schedule for our July Unit Meetings;

Tuesday – July 5 – Waco – 5 pm – Hampton Inn – 4259 N Hwy I-35

Wednesday – July 6 – Salado – 5 pm – Holiday Inn – 1991 N Stagecoach Rd.

Thursday – July 7 – Athens – 5 pm - Holiday Inn & Suites – 1119 E Tyler St.

Tuesday – July 12 – Brownwood – 5 pm – Holiday Inn Express – 504 W Commerce

Wednesday – July 13 – Snyder – 5 pm – Holiday Inn – 1305 Coliseum Dr.

Thursday – July 14 – Odessa – 6:30 – Elegante Hotel – 5200 E University

Tuesday – July 19 – Wichita Falls – 5 pm – Oyster Bar – 4214 Kell Blvd.

Wednesday – July 20 – Bonham – 5 pm – VFW Hall #4852

Thursday – July 21 – Lewisville – 5 pm – Select Inn – 200 N Stemmons Frwy.

Tuesday – July 26 – Dallas – 5 pm – 1408 N Washington

Thursday – July 28 – Ft. Worth – 5 pm – Oyster Bar – 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd.

I look forward to seeing everyone that can make a meeting in July.

Until next time may God bless you, your family, our local union, and the United States of America.