The Federal Election IBEW 213

On October 21st, Terasen Gas Inc. (“TGI”) and the Union signed a LOU, which if ratified will allow Distribution Apprentices to complete their apprenticeships in as few as 24 months. Given that the members who will ratify this LOU are throughout TGI, it is impractical to schedule a series of ratification vote meetings. Accordingly, Gord will conduct the vote by mailing a letter, the LOU and a ballot to each of the Crew Leaders (CL), Distribution Mechanics (DM) and Distribution Apprentices (DA). This will happen after they have had an opportunity to debate the issue at or immediately following the Unit meetings in November. If you are a CL, DM or DA, please attend your closest November Unit Meeting and ensure the Union has your current home address.

On October 20th TGI announced it will replace a Building Operation & Maintenance Leader (“BOML”) vacancy and two Shop Mechanic 1 vacancies in the Facilities Department with two Facilities Service Technicians (“FSTs”) and one Building Maintenance Worker. The qualifications for the new FST classification will be a “B” Gasfitter’s Ticket and a Refrigeration Mechanic IP. It was apparent TGI had not turned its mind to the effect placing two more bargaining unit positions beyond the reach of incumbent employees will have on morale, the jurisdictional implications of moving some former BOML duties to a manager or COPE 378 employee, or the possibility of hiring one FST and one apprentice FST. Gord is investigating the implications and will respond to TGI soon.

When the July 31, 2006 MOA was signed, the new post-retirement benefits were to apply to any employee retiring after January 1, 2009. After bargaining, the parties agreed the new scheme would only be mandatory for employees retiring after January 1, 2011. Labour Relations Manager Jeff Marwick has since confirmed employees wanting to retain their 2006, post-retirement benefits must apply for retirement on or before December 1, 2010 to ensure their retirement date is on or before January 1, 2011.

An issue about what courses and examination fees TGI will reimburse employees for has also been raised. Jeff Marwick has confirmed TGI will not pay for private Gas Utility CQ preparation courses if the LOU allowing DAs to complete their apprenticeships in as few as two years is ratified. Under the LOU, TGI must provide each DA with four (4) hours per month of training on Company time for six months to help the DA pass the Gas Utility CQ examination. TGI must provide this training whether or not some DAs take the training elsewhere. In addition, TGI will not reimburse private course and/or examination fees to employees who obtain their Class B CQs unless they have their Utility CQ or Class 3 when they take such training.

Randy Loski has resigned as Trustee of the TGI Pension Plan, and the Union needs to appoint a new trustee. If you are interested, please contact Gord or Rav Ghuman as soon as possible.

At Pacific Northern Gas (“PNG”), the grievance concerning PNG’s obligation to provide one-half hour of overtime pay plus a meal ticket has been referred to arbitration.