LEADERSHIP UPDATE
NOVEMBER 14, 2016
Correspondence
- Approved purchase of new copier for union office ($7,000) via phone poll of Executive Board.
- Pension request for P. Ulman reviewed and approved.
- Midwest Co-operative LAMPAC Meeting, December 1-2, Denver, CO. Approved necessary expenses to send up to one delegate to conference.
- 2017 Annual Construction and Maintenance Conference, March 31 – April 1, 2017, Washington, DC. Approved necessary expenses to send up to eight delegates to conference.
Mileage & Expenses
Reviewed.
Lost Time
Reviewed.
Financial Report
Report for October reviewed and approved.
Old Business
None.
New Business
- 2017 Standing Bills listing reviewed and approved with no amendments to items/dollar amounts from 2016 listing. Membership will vote on the listing at upcoming union meetings (non-membership appreciation meetings), with voting to be completed by January 31, 2017.
Business Manager's Report – M. Follett
- L.U. 2150 will be presenting public testimony in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, December 16 regarding the rule-making that the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has proposed. The legislation involves nuclear plant site access issues and the ability for unions to arbitrate those issues. The International Office of the IBEW and other locals will be involved as well to try to maintain the rights we’ve affirmed through the US Court system.
- Line Construction – Tentative agreement has been reached with NECA for a three-year extension to the existing Power Agreement for outside line construction (3% ea. year). Terms will be available as the details of the agreement are finalized. Members will be voting on the tentative agreement in December.
- ATC has agreed to the creation of a Safety Liaison for its vegetation management (Line Clearance). Will continue to work with ATC and Line Clearance employers on position and selection of the individual. Expect a joint nomination, interview and selection process early next year similar to the construction safety liaison.
- We Energies Line Mechanic Retention Bonus – Have talked with K. Fletcher regarding this issue and L.U. 2150 should be hearing from the company in the near future with what it plans to offer to bridge the time in 2017 until the contract expires. Average callout response rates in the overhead occupations are satisfactory. M. Follett continues to push for wage increase rather than bonus, however, the company has not indicated a willingness to adjust wages outside of contract negotiations. Discussions so far indicate that the company’s proposal will be for a bonus contingent on callout response rate to cover Line Mechanics, Leading Line Mechanics, Line Crew Leaders, and Troubleshooters. No company offer will be accepted without a vote of membership in covered occupations.
- Donald Trump was elected to be President of the United States on Tuesday, November 8, essentially splitting the popular vote with his main opponent. Everyone needs to band together, as a union and a country, and support the President, regardless of the individual elected to the office. Our ability to be successful depends on us not allowing differences to divide us.
- S. Kirchoff, We Energies Troubleshooter, won a trophy Whitetail Deer hunt from USA, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance.
- L.U. 2150 Website – Members are reminded and encouraged to visit the local’s website www.ibewlocal2150.org and register as a member via their own personal computers or cell phones. New features of the website will be used extensively for contract negotiation information specific to each employer, have the ability to submit questions or issues for answers from the union office and many other features.
- We Energies/SPX Contract Negotiations – L.U. 2150 is on track to have the bargaining committees formed by January 1, 2017. As the committees meet, information will be shared with the affected members via the L.U. 2150 website.
- Attended the We Energies Quarterly Leadership Update Meeting. The company is on track with almost all of its 2016 goals, including safety. While the safety numbers will not be better than the 2015 numbers, the company is appreciative of employees’ safety efforts. All employees are reminded to continue working safely.
- M. Bellcock attended meeting regarding the proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad project. The project would construct a railroad (260 miles) running from LaPorte, IN, through central Illinois, and ending east of Milton, WI. The project could lead to a lot of work for the IBEW.
President’s Report – B. Stone
- Elections – Members are reminded of the need to support the President, regardless of who was elected.
- Solidarity Committee:
- Six $500 hardship grants were awarded to L.U. 2150 members who recently experienced some very serious conditions. They are all wished better days ahead. Expanded hardship award eligibility to issues regarding members’ immediate family.
- Five sponsorships were awarded (youth football and basketball leagues, K-9 Veterans’ Memorial, golf outing, and a children’s snowmobile race league).
- A $200 award was given to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association in an effort to help end Veteran suicides.
- Two ice fishing derbies will be held in 2017. The northern derby will be held January 28, 2017 at Kettle Moraine Lake. The southern derby will be held February 11, 2017, at Eagle Lake in Racine County.
- 2017 Solidarity Picnic will be held August 5, 2017, at Greenfield Park in West Allis, WI.
Vice President/Safety Liaison – J. Zauner
Good of the Union
- Happy Veteran’s Day to all veterans and members of the military service. Thank you for your service.
