Brothers and Sisters I would like to thank everyone that took the time to attend a quarterly meeting in October. I realize many of you could not attend due to the Mutual Assistance work you were performing in Florida and Georgia. I thank God that everyone made it back safely.
Local 69’s Attorney has informed Local 69 that on November 1, 2016, NextEra will file an application at the Texas Public Utility Commission in order to purchase Oncor Electric Delivery.
Local 69 President, Ross McAuley, and I attended the 39th IBEW Convention during the week of September 19th. At the Convention, Florida Power & Light (which is owned by NextEra), had an exhibit booth at the Exhibit Hall which showed the newest tools and equipment their employees were utilizing to perform their work.
Ross and I were able to talk with the workers at the booth, which were union members and the local union business manager. The workers expressed how good a working relationship they have with management at their company and NextEra is working with organized labor. They went on to explain that their Crew Foremen were in the Union and they worked two man crews that worked single phase jobs. If the job was more than single phase the two man crews doubled up. They stated they did not have a DOT position and that the work we described a DOT performs at Oncor was crew work at FP&L.
We have not had the opportunity to speak with NextEra representatives regarding any changes that might be coming once the purchase is complete. I have read articles where NextEra has stated there will be no changes for two years after the purchase. I believe this statement is in regards to management. We must remember anything is negotiable.
The one thing I do know is we are better together. If you have not spoken to a Crew Supervisor or DOT at your service center regarding joining the union, please take an opportunity to do so. Inform them to go to our web site at www.ibewlocal69.com and fill out the Representation Form. The form is completely anonymous and does not make them a union member. We need a majority of each classification to sign the forms in order to have a vote for each classification to become IBEW Members. Strength is in numbers.
The only unit meetings left for this year are a Dallas meeting on November 8th beginning at 5:00 pm at the union hall and December 13th beginning at 5:00 pm at the union hall. These two meetings are moved to the second Tuesday of each month because of the holidays.
Until next time may God bless you, your family, and our local union.