Rod Russell

   Black and McDonald:  The parties met at the Union Port Coquitlam office and initiated bargaining.  Agendas were exchanged and discussed.  The parties are now reviewing discussion and will be setting future dates.

   Pattison Sign Penticton: Rod is discussing Article 16 with the employer.  This article pertains to seniority and lay off.  It was determined that the employer is unable to comply with the terms of the collective Agreement regarding the seniority list.  The parties are discussing revising Article 16 to be based on date of hire and come to an agreement on a proper and accurate seniority list.  Employees will be kept updated.  The current Collective Agreement expires September of this year.  Members should submit proposals to their local Shop Steward or send them directly to Rod via e-mail.  Rod wants to remind members that it would be helpful for there to be more than one shop Steward and if you are interested please notify Rod and Shelley.

   City of Penticton: The parties will be meeting March 2ndto discuss how to proceed with negotiations.  The parties have discussed all aspects of the bargaining agenda and have come to tentative agreement on many articles.  The remaining issues will be discussed with the intention of agreeing on a package that can be recommended for ratification.  Penticton is now bargaining independently of Summerland.

   District of Summerland:  Rod met with the interim Chief Administrative Officer and will be finalizing the details of the package with an intention of reaching an agreement to take to the members and council.

   City of Kelowna:  The parties met to exchange proposals and begin the negotiating process.  The parties will be scheduling additional dates to engage in bargaining.

   FortisBC:  In preparation for bargaining Rod wanted to remind members to review their Collective Agreement and forward any proposals to their local Shop Steward and or directly to Rod.  Proposals should not be sent via the Company e-mail.  Rod will be looking for representatives to participate on a “steering committee” which will meet to review proposals and create a bargaining agenda.  The bargaining committee and alternates will be selected from the steering committee.  Members are also reminded that they need to be aware of the Automatic vehicle Locating technology in Company vehicles and understand what the technology is capable of tracking.  Rod is currently working on the issue of using Company vehicles for standby.  Rod is attending bargaining with the FBC Energy group.  Rod understands the Company has not yet filed it’s application for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project but that they still intend to do so.  Discussions between the Union and the Company will continue regarding the future of those employees in the Meter Reading group.