Summary Of Discussions

Last week and Monday of this week discussions were held in the Power Systems, Nuclear, Power Generation, Master and Benefits sections of the Contract. The following is a summary of those discussions:

 Nuclear

• Maintenance staffing at PSL and PTN.

·        Discussions to post and fill maintenance vacancies at PSL.

o       Allow bidding and awarding of jobs by seniority

o       Delayed assignment dates if necessary

o       New Hire transition employees onto Special Crew above minimum staffing levels

o       Post all future vacancies at PSL and PTN until all transition employees’ seniority allows them to be awarded a job thru J-Post at which time this agreement becomes a matter of record.

o        Current Journeymen J-Post qualified utility workers at PSL will be relieved until seniority allows them to bid and be awarded a job.

 ·        Paragraph 35: Special Crew premiums equal to operator and 35(c) employees for peak shift and midnight shift employees.

·        Paragraph 44: Training programs for maintenance classifications in order to create a career path to advance into journeymen classifications.

• Paragraph 50: Provision to post job for temporary relieving assignments outside the Bargaining Unit if employee is not returned within specified time period
• Ex”A”: Increased shift differential premium amounts.
• Ex”A” Misc: Lump sum payment for employees who inform the company of a date they intend to retire.
• Ex”A”Misc: Increased welding premium for certified welders.
• Ex”A”Misc: Transition to cotton clothing for operators.
• Tentative agreements previously reached:
  • RPT’s and I&C Digital to receive a premium to direct or lead two or more bargaining unit employees.
  • RPT’s to get an increase in NRRPT premium.
  • Establish a per-diem for temporary employees.     

Power Generation

• Paragraph 50: Provision to post job for temporary relieving assignments outside the Bargaining Unit if employee is not returned within specified time period.
• Ex”A”Misc: Increased welding premium for certified welders.

 Power Systems

• Paragraph 44: Paid rest day off earned on the thirteenth day of storm work and one hour paid time to pack with less than twelve hours notice.
• Ex “A”:  Create new entry level training classification to provide for a career path for higher classifications including Apprentice.

 Power Delivery

• Paragraph 35:  The Company had proposed allowing Substation and Transmission employees to work under Paragraphs 35(c)(1) and a modified (c)(2) schedule which included work on weekend schedules.  After much discussion the Union had no interest in the proposal.  As a result, the Company withdrew their proposal and expressed no interest in the following Union proposals.

·        Ex “A” Notes: Proposed a premium for substation employees who hold a badge at nuclear facilities.

·        Ex “A”: Increase Substation Lead Electrician hourly rate to Senior Substation Electrician.

·        Ex “A”: Create Substation Construction Crew.

Master

• Paragraph 4: Discussions continue on the amount of time that a ROD remains in an employee’s file. 
• Paragraph 20: Changing the J-post system to an electronic “post and apply system” as the jobs become vacant, instead of the current application system. Team is currently developing an on-line transfer process to comply with provisions of paragraph 20(q).
• Paragraph 44: Discussions continue on the definition of make-up OT
• Paragraph 47:  Increased F/R Clothing allowance.

 Benefits

The Company’s counter wage offer fell short of the Union Negotiating Committee expectations based on IBEW industry trends.  As part of their proposal the company also offered a pension credit for employees with thirty years of service or greater which would be placed in the employee’s pension in years two and three of the contract.  We had hoped for a better offer but we were extremely disappointed at the percentages and options offered.

 The discussions pertaining to the medical plan have generated some movement by the Company in changing their original proposal. The Union has spent a considerable amount of time researching and discussing the medical plans with our actuary in an effort to mitigate the rising costs of medical and prescription drugs. We are looking at cost effective alternatives for the plan without shifting all of the cost to the employees or raising premiums. It is hopeful that this coming week will lead to further discussions to address the Union’s concerns. 

 Another disappointment last week dealt with the Union’s Benefit proposals. The Company showed little interest in any of the proposals with the exception of a slight raise to the refractive eye surgery allowance.

 Monday, the Union voiced its displeasure with the Company proposal on wages.  After doing so, the Company expressed no desire in continuing discussions and left the table. Tuesday, the Company contacted the Union to discuss the differences and committed to return to the table on Wednesday.  During this time the Union Committee continued to research and develop counterproposals for the remaining issues on the table.

 Carry Over Vacation

 The Company and Union reached agreement on Tuesday concerning the carry-over vacation issue.  Bargaining Unit employees will be allowed to carry-over more than 120 hours of vacation this year, however, employees who have vacation scheduled this year will be expected to take their vacation as scheduled and those employees who have more than 120 hours of carry-over are encouraged to take as much vacation as possible between now and the end of the year.