October 2016 - Craftsman

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.

Craftsman Article September 2016

Brothers and Sisters the members at WFAA-TV voted to accept the three year deal negotiated between the Union and Station. The members will receive a 1.5% wage increase effective August 21, 2016, with a .50% merit component to be distributed at the stations discretion. The three year contract has wage openers for 2017 and 2018.

President, Ross McAuley and I recently returned from attending the 39th IBEW International Convention, held in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 19th through September 23rd. At the convention the delegates from around the United States and Canada passed laws and resolutions that will govern and guide the brotherhood into the future. The delegates re-elected International President Lonnie R. Stephenson and International Secretary-Treasurer Salvatore “Sam” Chilia. The IBEW began in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1891. Therefore, it was the appropriate place to convene the convention while celebrating our 125th anniversary. The IBEW has served their members and communities proudly for over a century and will continue to do so as long as we have good working men and women like you. At the convention the delegates approved a modest increase to “A” member contributions, starting with a $2 per month additional on January 1, 2017, and another $1 per month on January 1, 2019.

A total of 1,938 delegates from 678 local unions were registered and present for the 39th International Convention. Those unions represent a total membership of 632,015 as reported to the convention by International Executive Council Chairman Christopher Erikson. Ross and I were able to make contact with Florida Power & Light employees and their Business Manager. We were able to talk shop and discuss the work place possibilities once NextEra buys Oncor. The employees at FP&L stated the relationship between Management and the Union has never been better. Monday, September 19th the bankruptcy court in Delaware gave its blessing for EFH and NextEra to go forward with the sale. The next step will be the approval of the sale at the Texas Public Utility Commission. IBEW Local 69 will be involved in that process at the TPUC. I would like to relay the information regarding how the crews are set up at FP&L and other working conditions however; we can discuss this at our unit meetings scheduled for October.  The meeting schedules are as follows:

Tuesday – October 4– Waco – 5 pm – Hampton Inn – 4259 N Hwy I-35

Wednesday – October 5 – Salado – 5 pm – Holiday Inn – 1991 N Stagecoach Rd.

Thursday – October 6 – Jacksonville – 5 pm - Best Western – 1659 S Jackson St

 Tuesday – October 11 – Brownwood – 5 pm – Holiday Inn Express – 504 W Commerce

Wednesday – October 12 – Snyder – 5 pm – Holiday Inn – 1305 Coliseum Dr.

Thursday – October 13 – Odessa – 6:30 – Elegante Hotel – 5200 E University

Tuesday – October 18 – Wichita Falls – 5 pm – Oyster Bar – 4214 Kell Blvd.

Wednesday – October 19 – Bonham – 5 pm – VFW Hall #4852

Thursday – October 20 – Lewisville – 5 pm – Select Inn – 200 N Stemmons Frwy.

Tuesday – October 25 – Dallas – 5 pm – 1408 N Washington

Thursday – October 27 – Ft. Worth – 5 pm – Oyster Bar – 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd.

 I look forward to seeing everyone that can attend a meeting in your area.

Until next time may God bless you, your family, our Local Union.