August 2009 Labor’s Views 

A service award to a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners for the month of August was presented to:

                        William Stevens   30 years

Congratulations! 

In last month’s Labors’ Views, a distasteful article was written by one of my fellow MTC brothers.  I believe that each person who writes an article should write about professional issues which are relevant to the membership.   This is not the forum in which to voice personal opinions which are unrelated to the workplace.  I feel that statements such as the one made in last month’s issue are out-of-line, and reflect poorly on this publication and the trades it serves.  In the future, I hope that these articles will be edited so that they cause no more embarrassment to the MTC.  I would like to apologize if last month’s publication offended anybody. 

New seniority lists are out.  If you’d like to see one, ask your area steward. 

Overtime was zeroed out the week of July 5, 2009.    It is important that people who work overtime keep an eye on their hours when they are posted on a weekly basis.  People should know that, if you clock in on weekends more than 45 minutes early, you get charged for that on the overtime.   If you have  a  .7 or a  .8 at the end of your hours, chances are that you were charged the time without pay.   This additional time puts you higher on the overtime list, and it may keep you from working the following week when overtime is offered because you may be too high on the list.  In addition,  I noticed that there are still no-shows every weekend.  It is important that, if you agree to work overtime, you show up to work it.  It is unfair to deny someone else the opportunity to earn much needed money by agreeing to work overtime and then not showing up. 

Accidents and sickness benefits:  People should know that under our planned provisions, in order to be eligible for accident and sickness benefits, before being treated by a chiropractor, the patient must have been referred by a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy. 

Effective August 2, 2009, employees will only be permitted to smoke on EB property during their lunch periods.   Effective Sept. 12, 2009, all tobacco use in the shipyard is prohibited.  Any employee who is caught using tobacco after this date will be sent to the medical director, Dr. Hurley, for counseling or the employee may seek help through the Employee Assistance Program.  No disciplinary measures will be taken for this offense for the rest of 2009.   As of January 1, 2010, however, any employee caught using tobacco will be subject to a five step disciplinary process.   For those of you who are trying to quit using tobacco products, I wish you good luck. 

We will be polling in September for the NSSF job at the sub base.  This is a yearly practice, and the people are chosen by seniority.  Smoking is still permitted on the sub base so that may be a consideration for some senior members who are unable to quit smoking.  

The MTC is working with the Company on the informational packages for medical insurance which will go into effect January 1, 2010.  They also will be setting up times and dates for people to attend informational meetings.  The MTC is hoping to schedule meetings for members’ spouses.  I am recommending that if you have any medical issues that need to be taken care of,  you should do that by the end of 2009.