JUNE 2008 LABORS’ VIEWS 

A service award to a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America for the month of June was awarded to William Balzer for 35 years.  Bill received this award even though he is retired.  He chose to remain a member of our Union, and we congratulate him on this milestone. 

The Union is sponsoring a cook-out at the Connecticut Defender’s game at Dodd Stadium on July 12, 2008.  All Union brothers and sisters are invited with their families and guests.  Tickets cost $20 for a member of Local 1302, but that $20 will be refunded when you attend the game.  Spouses and non-members pay $23 per ticket while children 13 yrs. and under pay $15.  Each child will receive a $20 voucher which can be spent in the gift shop.  The value of this offer is exceptional for any Union member who brings a young child.  This is a nice summer activity that doesn’t require anyone to travel too far.  Please consider taking part in it.  There is a private picnic area where we are treated to hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, corn, dessert, drinks, and more.  Check your area bulletin boards for the time and other information.   For tickets - on first shift see Steve Adams or Paul Vine, on the back shift see Charlie Miner or Bill Newsom. 

The recent fire at the Peachtree Apartments hit home at EB.  I am sorry to say that one of our members, Mike Hague, lived there at the time of the fire.  Mike lost everything he owned.  Collections were taken up for him, and I’m happy to say that his co-workers along with our Carpenters’ Union were very generous at this very difficult time of need.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness.  We extend best wishes to Mike as he recovers from this tragedy. 

ROAD WORK:  All carpenters have returned from Norfolk, VA, and Puget.  At the end of April, we had a total of 71 carpenters supporting road work.  Right now there are 48 carpenters supporting road work in Newport News, VA., and that is the only road work we have.  Every carpenter should have attended Skip Castro’s briefing on our future work load.  For August there is a scheduled reduction in the work force.  Our department anticipates a reduction of 74 carpenters.  The MTC has met with the Company about getting more road work in August which would continue until March of 2009.   When the Company gets more road work, the planned reduction in carpenters can be avoided if our members continue to support it.  By the way, I’d like to thank the Company for the food and drinks provided at Skip Castro’s briefing.  We also appreciate the fact that the Company has kept us informed about what the future looks like for our department. 

The carpenters who are working at Newport News will be there until August, and their work may be extended until November.  We owe these workers a great deal of thanks because their work is being commended by Management in VA, and that may influence whether or not we get more work on aircraft carriers.  When our workers are viewed as being professional and well-skilled, we increase our chances (and the chances of other trades) of being called upon to do additional road jobs.  I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that we support these road jobs in order to keep everyone employed.

We currently have 15 carpenters on furlough.  All 15 were senior carpenters who volunteered to take a seven week layoff, and they will be returning June 20.  We appreciate the fact that they volunteered because that saved 15 less senior carpenters from losing much needed pay.

OVERTIME:   Lately, our department has not exhausted overtime.  For the individuals who have the opportunity to come in, you need to make sure that you show up, and when you do show up, you work eight hours.  By not coming in when you’re scheduled, or not working the full time, you are depriving another person from earning that overtime. 

When you ARE chosen to work overtime, overtime is overtime, whether you’re assigned to the sub base, a different part of the yard, or the interior of a boat.  If you get one of these assignments, and you know you don’t want to work in that area, you need to inform your boss as early as possible so that the next carpenter in line can be assigned that work.   Ethically, the right thing to do is to work the days that you are scheduled for the amount of time you are scheduled.  Refusal allows someone else to fill that overtime position and to plan his or her weekend accordingly.  Let’s be considerate of the next person on the overtime list.  No one wants to be scrambling at the last minute to figure out if they’re working or not. 

SAFETY:  Not only should safety be our number one concern at work, but it should be our number one concern at play as well.  I emphasize to everyone that safety in your leisure time activities takes on added importance as we enter the summer months.  Ensure your family’s safety near the pool, on the road, in the yard, and everywhere you play this summer. Have a happy and safe summer season.