JANUARY 2008 LABOR’S VIEWS

Service awards to members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners for the month of January were presented to:

     Herbert Matteson                30 years

     Giuseppe Defranco              25 years

     Daniel  Manville                       25 years

     Paul Niedman                      25 years

     Charles Ward               25 years

Congratulations! 

OVERTIME:  Overtime was zeroed out, and everybody will start with zero hours in January.  It is important to come in when asked because it looks like overtime will not be as plentiful as it was in the past.  I need to remind people that “no-shows” are charged as triple hours.  One “no-show” could cost someone the opportunity to work a couple of weekends.  When one of us agrees to work overtime and then neglects to show up, that may keep a fellow Union brother or sister from having the opportunity to earn that much needed extra money if the overtime is not exhausted.  I also want to mention that people who are chosen to work at the sub base are picked based on the number of overtime hours they’ve accumulated.  The person with the least number of overtime hours will be chosen before the person who has a higher number.  Also, in the future, it will be important to check the overtime list on Friday to see if you’ve been added if you weren’t on it earlier.  Your name might be added late because someone else cancelled out or the work load has increased meaning that more people are needed to work.  Again, I stress the importance of checking the overtime list at the end of your shift. 

ROAD JOBS:  As I write this article, we have ten carpenters in Portsmouth, NH, and fourteen carpenters in Norfolk, VA.   In February we will also be supporting work in Puget.  I understand that it’s frustrating at times when dates are changed for road jobs or the number of people requested is changed.  I want my Union brothers and sisters to know that those changes are made by the receiving shipyard, not Local 1302 or the Company.  I can’t stress enough how important it is that we support the road work which is offered because our department doesn’t have enough work for the number of employees that it has.  That’s why the Company is also using versatility to keep people gainfully employed.  

DONATIONS:  Thirty two turkeys were generously donated by carpenters to the Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson.  When asked what other items they needed, the food coordinator listed several health and beauty aids saying that people rarely donate those during the holidays.  I normally add potatoes and stuffing to go with the turkeys, but this year I added soap, toothpaste, and shampoo as requested.  I think that we all need to realize how fortunate we are that we don’t struggle to acquire the simple things like health and beauty aids on a regular basis.   Again, I’d like to thank the Company for the turkeys and my Union brothers and sisters who donated their vouchers for the needy people of Northeastern CT. 

SAFETY:  Wasn’t it nice to receive the bonuses totaling $1150 (especially during the holiday season?)  The Union and the Company will be negotiating next year’s requirements for the bonuses.  I will keep you informed when the numbers are finalized.  In the meantime, everybody needs to work safely in order to protect our health and earn our next safety bonus.  

WEBSITE:  I encourage members to log onto our website at www.local1302.com for road job lists, seniority lists, merchandise for sale, and other interesting information.