June 2013 Craftsman Article

Brothers and Sisters summer is upon us. This means the kids are out of school and we need to be especially careful when driving in neighborhoods where the kids might be out enjoying their summer vacation. I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.

Our brothers and sisters at WFAA-TV began contract negotiations with the Company on June 6, 2013. The two (2) parties met again on June 19th and reached a tentative agreement for the membership to vote on. The proposal to be voted on is a three (3) year extension on the contract language and a one (1) year wage increase of 1.5% for everyone with a .5% merit component. There will be wage only negotiations in 2014 and 2015. Remember, Unions provide employees a legal right to bargain collectively over important workplace issues such as wages, benefits and working conditions. Without a Union, employees can only act as individuals with no legal support. Unions were developed to help bring a balance of power to the workplace. Without a Union, the employer makes 100% of all workplace decisions, 100% of the time.

Union Representatives and Oncor Representatives are scheduled to meet July 12, 2013, for the Second Quarterly Meeting between the parties. The topics for discussion at the quarterly meeting areSafety and Health - (page 40 in our contract), Joint Task Force to Review the Benefits Programs - (page 50 in our contract), Labor Management Team - (page 60 in our contract) and Resolution Action Committee (page 65 in our contract). The following is a list of Local 69 committee members and their e-mails that are scheduled to meet with the Company at the July 12th Quarterly Meeting. If you have any comments, concerns, or ideas that you would like to be discussed at the meeting, please contact one of the committee members so that we may address your issues at the upcoming meeting.

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Covington Doan.

May 30, 2013

Brothers and Sisters by now most of you have heard that SB 241 did not make it to the Senate floor for a vote. Senator John Carona wrote this:

Smart Meters:
I have worked throughout this legislative session to pass a bill that would prevent smart meters from being installed on the property of those who do not want them, but the unfortunate truth is that the votes to pass the bill simply have not been there. Although we believed we had the support needed, our one-on-one communications with members have not produced the minimum 21 votes needed to bring this legislation to the floor.

I want to thank all who have worked this session to pass this important legislation. I have been amazed by the depth and effectiveness of the grassroots effort, and I greatly appreciate all of your hard work. Though we raised public awareness, much work remains to be done.

I want to personally thank all of you that contacted your Senator during the session for their support for SB 241. We MUST continue to be active in local, state, and national politics to be successful as a Union. Many of you have received e-mails from our office like the one below asking you to contact politicians. If you have not received an e-mail similar to the one below and you would like to be an active member, contact our office by phone or email and request to get on the email list. The following issue was sent to us from the AFL/CIO and needs action by the membership.

Anti-worker politicians in Washington and their corporate donors are striking at the rights of workers. Again.

They’re threatening to shut down the National Labor Relations Board, the independent agency that protects workers’ rights, by holding up President Barack Obama’s nominations to the Board.