Earlier today the System Committee and the Company met to discuss the pending job cuts. The meeting was requested by the Union for the sole purpose of exploring alternatives to a layoff. The System Committee proposed several areas where work could be performed by bargaining unit employees within the distribution area.
The first area addressed was urd trenching and make-up crews. The Union proposed changes to item 48 of the 1986 MOC. This language was a "must have" by the company in 1986 to reduce the cost of urd trenching. The Union updated the language to reflect the conditions we have now in 2008. The Company responded by saying that this was not in their "business plan" and had no interest in bargaining unit employees doing this type of work or "tree trimming". All of this urd work is routinely performed by the bargaining unit and the proposal would only expand the amount of this work being performed by bargaining unit crews.
The next area was under build on transmission projects. This work at times was performed by contract resources due to the lack of resources available. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this should not be an issue.
In discussions about the TRIP program, the company stated that the first phase was nearing completion and the second phase of this program would be worked by the bargaining unit. The amount of work in the second phase is minimal but would be scheduled in with regular work.
The actual implementation of the layoff was the last item on the agenda. The Union offered at the first meeting several weeks ago to allow the layoff to be offered by reverse seniority. The company has tentatively agreed in principle to do that. The Union and the company will be working on a Memorandum of Understanding in the near future.
The company and the System Committee will be meeting next Tuesday afternoon to discuss the actual number of positions being cut. I would assume that the information will be given to all of the employees the next morning.
I will post any changes or updates to this information as soon as it becomes available.
Fraternally,
David B Price
President
