FEBRUARY LABOR’S VIEWS

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

     Herbert Matteson                30 years

     Giuseppe Defranco              25 years

     Daniel  Manville                       25 years

     Paul Niedman                      25 years

     Charles Ward               25 years

      Scott Rapoza             25 years

Congratulations! 

OVERTIME:  Overtime was zeroed out, and everybody started 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 before you leave the shipyard.  Your name might have been 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, and five carpenters 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 at this time.  That’s why the Company has used versatility to keep people gainfully employed.  The alternative would be layoffs. 

SAFETY:  Last year we received a total of $1150 in bonus money.  What a pleasant surprise to receive at Christmas time.  The Union and the Company will be negotiating this year’s requirements for the bonuses.  I will keep you informed when the numbers are finalized.  In the meantime, I encourage everyone to work safely in order to protect our health and, hopefully, earn bonus money this year. 

SHOE VOUCHERS:   The Company reports that 72% of members of the MTC took advantage of vouchers granted for safety shoes.  That reflects an increase in the number of people who were reimbursed for safety shoes from the previous year.  Hopefully, in 2008 we can increase this percentage even more.  Purchases don’t only have to be made from the Shoe Mobile.  Shoes may be bought at outside retail stores as long as they pass the ANSI requirements.  After buying your steel toed boots, bring your receipt to the Safety Department to receive your $85 reimbursement. 

WELLNESS RAFFLE:  I’m sure that some people aren’t aware that in February or March the Electric Boat Benefits Office will be holding a raffle awarding over 100 prizes.  In order to be eligible for one of the prizes, an employee must have had a medical physical during 2007.   Spouses are also eligible if they had a physical exam regardless of whose insurance paid for it.  At this time we know that prizes include cash awards and big screen TV’s.   If you or your spouse had a physical exam in 2007,  I encourage you to contact the Employee Benefits Office at 2990 to verify that they have a record of it.   You may be required to bring documentation of the exam especially if an outside insurance company covered it.  

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.