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Rod Russell

Black and McDonald members have resolved an issue that saw a misunderstanding of a safety issue result in disciplinary letters. The letters have been removed and communication about safety issues between the parties will be improved in future. Rod is awaiting information on previous benefits from the members.

Pattison Sign Penticton members are reminded they are welcome at Unit 5 Union meetings. One member attended the last meeting in Penticton. Members are encouraged to read their collective agreement and contact a shop steward or Rod if they have any questions.
Rod met with management at the City of Penticton for a general discussion. The meeting was good with the employer not anticipating any changes affecting the electric utility department.

Rod also met with members working at the City of Penticton and the District of Summerland. There are some concerns of the future and discussion were primarily about improving benefits.

City of Kelowna, City of Penticton and District of Summerland members should be thinking of upcoming negotiations and desired improvements to the current collective agreement. Rod has not been able to ascertain whether the municipalities will be negotiating together or separately. Rod met with the National Representative for CUPE and had a good discussion regarding the need for our members to continue to work together and not be subject to employer created problems. CUPE is negotiating with the Cities separately.

Members at FortisBC are aware the Union met with a committee to discuss the four day work week. The discussions were cordial and the Union and the Company came away with a better understanding of the other party’s position. The Company requested a meeting to deliver further information and the Union committee will be discussing the Company information. Both party’s agreed to confidentiality of the meetings while discussions continue.

Changes to the Project Leader job summary have been agreed to by both parties and postings have already been released. The only change to the summary was the removal of the twelve month minimum posting time. With removal of this it has been agreed that all Project Leader opportunities, regardless of length of time (including for less than four months) will be posted and filled as per the collective agreement.

The Benvoulin contracting out grievance has been settled prior to going to arbitration. The Company declared the erection of steel to be Union work and has agreed to a settlement amount.

The Company has agreed with the Union regarding the interpretation of marginal paragraph 14.05 (b). Employees may utilize banked time and vacation time to defer the date of layoff (termination for temporary employees).

The Operator (previously Floorman) job description has been agreed to and postings should be forthcoming.

The Jim O’Brien and Steve Akune discipline arbitration will be held the first week of July. The four day work week arbitration will be held August 31st and September 1st. The Senior Dispatcher arbitration will be held October 26th and 27th. The Ray Gausdal selection arbitration will be held November 16th and 17th.

Members are reminded to have any disciplinary letters removed from their Human Resources file and must request this in writing. You must have two years discipline free service.

The Company has informed the Union they are re-evaluating their position regarding the desire to add a Diploma of Technology to the Meter Technician and potentially new Meter Technician job descriptions.

Rod has still not received any information regarding the AVL /GPS System the Company said they are proceeding with. The Company is aware of the agreement between the parties signed at the Labour Relations Board.

Rod would like members at FortisBC to consider an additional payment to augment their strike fund. If members were to contribute approximately $20.00 per pay period beginning in September they would be able to increase their weekly strike fund payment by approximately $100.00 per week. This is calculated for a period of twelve weeks. The hope is that it will be unnecessary to utilize such a fund and the details of re-imbursement can be discussed further. This augmentation fund would be specific to members at FortisBC. There is an opportunity to save for the future which members should consider as prudent. There will be more discussion and details at the September Unit meetings. A vote would be taken to create the strike fund augmentation.

Members are also reminded that safety is of utmost importance and all members should work together to support safety in the workplace.

There will be a Shop Steward course held in Castlegar on September 20th. It will be held in the evening beginning between 16:00 and 16:30. Interested members should contact Rod.

Rod will be attending the Utility Conference in July so will not be attending the Unit meetings this month as they are during the same week. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!