Brothers and Sisters I hope this month’s article finds you and your family healthy, wealthy, and wise. There have been rumors of IBEW Local 69 members contracting COVID-19. Our local is required to submit confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the International Office each week. This has been extremely difficult because, companies will not divulge this information due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are willing to share that information our office can confirm cases without releasing anyone’s name. I have been told that hospitals are inflating the COVID-19 numbers because they are receiving government funding for every case they report. Therefore, the number of cases are spiking and the new norm continues such as social distancing, masks, etc.etc. Oncor has stated since the COVID-19 cases are increasing employees are not allowed to swap overtime calls at this time. The Company has no problem with employees eating at restaurants as long as it’s no more than one crew and you can maintain distancing.
IBEW Local 69 has a grievance meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2020. The grievance meeting will be a teleconference to keep everyone safe. There are two (2) grievances to be heard. The first is in regards to an employee not being allowed to transfer and the second is an employee was sent home without pay pending the outcome of an investigation.
The Executive Board met and voted not to have Unit Meetings in July. During these trying times remember how blessed we truly are. We will get through this.
Until next time may God bless you, your family, and IBEW Local 69.
Bobby W. Reed
Business Manager