First I would like to say that we have conducted 8 Membership Training classes so far, 1 per week, and 280 members have attended these classes. The classes have been well received and all the members are saying that they enjoyed the class and have learned more about our local union. We have also received some good feedback in these classes and also have had members volunteer their time to get more involved.
We posted a request for volunteers to serve on a Solidarity/Membership Involvement Committee Wednesday evening and this committee will be coming up with suggestions on ways we can bring the members together, outside of work or the union hall, to build solidarity amongst us. If you would like to volunteer for this committee, please call the hall.
With Verizon changing the BCBS administrator from Alabama to Anthem, it looks like there are more doctors and hospitals to choose from. I was reminded by Sherry Waters, Chief Steward in the E-Center that we had some issues relating to deductibles earlier this year, so we were proactive in talking with the Company to hopefully not have the same issue rise again. If you do have any issues, please let us know as soon as you can so we can resolve the problem.
A couple of weeks ago, we were notified that the company was going to solicit volunteers from the FNFT workgroups in Eastern and in the Upper Suncoast to go on loan to West Virginia. They also canvassed the Cable Splicers company-wide to go as well. The reasons they asked these classifications specifically is due to a lack of work for these members. By doing so, we were able to avoid having a headcount reduction for these groups in the 4th quarter. I’ve had several CZT II’s call me and let me know they were not happy that they were not offered to go and let members from the other classifications backfill for them while they are gone. Since the Company laid off FNFT’s in Tampa and Southern, FNFT’s in Eastern and the Suncoast would not be able to come into the affected areas should they not have work in their own areas so it made sense to canvass the members in those areas.
November 23rd is the date that all the members affected by the last surplus are supposed to move to their new locations through the bumping process. In most cases, the affected members have no idea right now where they will be reporting and what job title they will be holding. We are meeting with Labor next week to review all the bumps and hopefully resolve any issues before the move date.
It looked like the SOM investigations were finally over, but a couple more members were investigated this week. We had 2 members terminated about 5 months ago, and several management employees have been terminated as well. Members who have been under investigation for months, have had their accounts frozen so they could not redeem any points and it looks like their accounts will soon be unlocked. If you participate in the SOM program and have any questions on the rules and regulations, make sure you get everything in writing up front, before you participate.
I reported several months ago about the backlog in termination grievances that were pending arbitration, dating back several years. We have almost caught up on the backlog and are now reviewing discharges beginning in 2008. There are about 12 grievances that are being further reviewed and we are trying to contact the members to make sure they want their jobs back. We have had a small handful of members tell us that they have moved on and do not want to pursue their case any longer. Hopefully, by the end of December, we can be totally caught up on all the discharges through the 1st quarter of 2009.
During a specially called Chief Steward’s meeting in early October, we discussed the surplus conditions we have in several classifications and also the ability to bring work into Florida from the states that may soon become Frontier properties. The Chief’s and Officers decided that the message to the membership should include: perform your job as the Company has trained you to do and give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage. This is the UNION way! We have to be the best option for the Company, and by WE, we mean Florida.
Finally, I would like to report that after bringing in quite a bit more job responsibilities to the SRC in St. Petersburg, the Union and Company have agreed to upgrade the Service Representative classification from wage schedule D1 to D1-1. At the top scale, that amounts to $.85 more per hour. This is the same wage schedule as the Account Associates and the Consumer Sales Consultant, which is in the CSSC.
I hope that every member has a SAFE, but HAPPY THANKSGIVING and look forward to seeing you at the next General Meeting on Friday, December 4th.
In Solidarity,
Robert
