Craftsman Article August 2017

 Brothers and Sisters as I write this article, school began for most kids in Texas. There is an eclipse taking place and Oncor has another potential buyer. What a summer this has been! I will get back to Oncor in a minute.

Our brothers and sisters at WFAA-TV have just ratified a wage increase of 1.5% that went into effect on August 21, 2017. Also, an additional .50% of the unit base weekly payroll, computed as of August 21, 2017, will be distributed as a performance increase to members of the bargaining unit at management’s discretion.

Management at Oncor has offered a labor agreement extension for bargaining unit employees. The Company has offered a one year contract extension with a three percent (3%) wage increase for eligible classifications. The ineligible classifications are the employees the Company calls “Legacy Employees” like Equipment Operators. The Company has also offered a two (2) year contract extension with a three percent (3%) wage increase for each year extending the contract to October 25, 2019. The members discussed which option to accept at the unit meetings held in July. If you were unable to attend a unit meeting in July and would like to express your desire to have a one year contract extension or a two (2) year contract extension, discuss the matter with your steward, email the Local Union, give me a call, or all of the above.

Today, Oncor was scheduled to meet in bankruptcy court in Delaware. As you know by now Berkshire Hathaway was blindsided in the eleventh hour and San Diego-based Sempra Energy announced today (the day of the eclipse) that it has a deal worth about $18.8 billion to purchase Oncor. The proposed merger would need the sign-off of the Delaware Judge overseeing Energy Future Holdings’ bankruptcy, along with the approvals from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and federal regulators.

Sempra Energy announced under their deal Oncor would stay in Dallas under local management and keep its independent board of directors. If Sempra Energy closes the deal, Bob Shapard, Oncor’s CEO, would become executive chairman of Oncor’s board of directors. Allen Nye, currently Oncor’s general counsel, would be named the utility’s CEO, according to a press release. Sempra Energy said it would commit $7.5 billion over five (5) years to expand Oncor’s transmission and distribution network. I hope that means hiring a lot more Linemen!

Until next time may God continue to bless you, your family, and our local union.

July 2017 - Craftsman Article

Brothers and Sisters, I would like to thank everyone that took time to attend a unit meeting this month. There is a lot going on with Oncor Electric Delivery. IBEW Local 69 is supporting the acquisition of Oncor Electric Delivery by Berkshire Hathaway. The parties will await the bankruptcy judge’s decision on how the deal will proceed. Also, Oncor announced a plan to swap assets with Sharyland Utilities in a transaction valued at approximately $400 million. The transaction is subject to approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. When approved by regulators, Sharyland will receive approximately 258 miles of 345 kv transmission lines from Oncor, and Oncor will receive all of Sharyland’s distribution network and retail delivery customers, totaling around 54,000 customers. I understand about 130 Sharyland employees will receive offers of employment to join the Oncor team. Let’s hope they are not in management because, we have plenty of chiefs - we need more Linemen.

The happiest people in Texas are the Sharyland customers. The customers at Sharyland moving over to become Oncor customers will realize a significant rate relief, resulting in lower electric bills. Oncor and Sharyland will file a joint change-in-control filing with the PUCT. When approved, the transaction will be complete before the end of the year.

The Company is in the process of offering a contract extension to IBEW Local 69 members. At this time we have not received an offer in writing. At the unit meetings we discussed whether a one year contract extension or a two year extension would be in our best interest. We have one more week of unit meetings at the time this article is written, stay tuned for updates.

Local 69 and WFAA-TV will enter into negotiations on August 1st for wages only. After we have a solid offer from the station we will inform the membership and schedule a ratification vote at the station. You all know how hot it is. Don’t get too hot and drink plenty of water.

There will be a Steward Training Class on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. at Local 20’s Hall.  Local 20 is located at: 684 W Tarrant Rd., Grand Prairie, Texas, 75050.  IBEW representatives will conduct the Steward Training.  If interested please send an email to our local at ibewloc69@aol.com.  There will be members from Locals 20, 66, 69 and 220 attending the training.

Until next time may God bless you, your family, and our local union.