Craftsman Article February 2018

Welcome back to all the brothers that went to Puerto Rico to restore power. I was very pleased to hear there were no injuries and everyone returned in good health. I pray the second wave of IBEW Local 69 members going to Puerto Rico to work returns healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Last year, IBEW Representatives were trying to schedule steward training for all interested IBEW members that could attend a meeting at Local 20’s Hall.  They are located at 680 West Tarrant Road in Grand Prairie. The person conducting the training had medical issues and the training was put on hold. It looks as if the steward training has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 28th at 9:00 am. I will relay any information we receive on the training the closer we get to the date. If you are interested in the steward training scheduled for April 28th please email the office so I can send a head count to the International Representative.

This year Fox 4, WFAA-TV, and Oncor are up for contract negotiations. If you have any ideas or areas of concern regarding contract negotiations please contact your shop steward so we can address those issues at the negotiating table. If Oncor has not been sold and remains in bankruptcy proceedings, we will probably be looking at another contract extension. I have no new information regarding the sale of Oncor, if you do let me hear it.

We have an arbitrator selected for the grievance regarding Oncor using office personnel to perform bargaining unit work. If you have any instances or evidence of office personnel working in the field to restore power after a weather event please email what you have to the union hall so we can discuss the event.

Work safe and stay in touch. Until next time may God bless you, your family, and IBEW Local 69.

Bobby W. Reed

Craftsman - January 2018

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters of IBEW Local 69, another year has passed and 2018 is already flying by. I would like thank everyone that took time out of their busy schedule to attend a unit meeting for Local 69 in January. I realize how busy life is however, communication is vital for the success of our organization. As we discussed at the meetings there are issues that will not be written about in this article and is best discussed at the meetings.

At the unit meetings the new contracts were distributed along with the National Child Identification Program Kits the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is offering to members. The National Child Identification Program is a great idea and comes with a letter that explains how to utilize the kit. The letter in the kit states “There is nothing more important to the International Brother of Electrical Workers (IBEW) than our members and their families’ safety and well-being. Every year, approximately 800,000 children in the United States go missing, and another 50,000 go missing in Canada. To help protect their children and grandchildren, the IBEW has joined the National Child Identification Program, to provide the enclosed free Child ID Kit.

A child ID Kit is simple, yet effective tool to help families maintain current descriptive information about their children. The kit allows law enforcement authorities to scan the child’s fingerprints from the completed Child ID Kit into the National Crime Information Center database, to assist in locating a missing child. Completing the kit is simple – fill out the fingerprint identification card with the most recent information and follow the instructions for the fingerprint and DNA sections. Store the card in a safe place and only turn it over to the authorities in case of an emergency.” If you have not gotten a kit and would like one, ask your steward if he has any kits. If your steward is out of the kits email the office at ibewloc69@aol.com and we will try to get you one.  There are just a few kits remaining.

Oncor has enough volunteers to fill the first trip to Puerto Rico for restoration efforts. The Company has emailed the details to employees such as 16 hour days for time and one half for all hours worked, the duration of the stay, etc. etc. When you guys get there and have worked for a few days, someone please contact me advising me of the conditions.

It saddens me to inform you that we lost a Brother on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Brother Robert “Bobby” Luna (Serviceman - Midland) was at home when he went to be with the Lord. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. That is the reason I write in many of these articles to never take your family for granted and always tell them you love them, they can’t hear it enough. The jobs we have require us to be away from our families for extended periods of time. When you are with your family cherish every moment. Please keep the Luna family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Until next time may God bless you, your family, and our local union.