September 2007 Labor Views 

     Recently the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a defense appropriation bill that includes the building of two submarines per year.  The US Senate Arms Services Committee has authorized the funding, however, members of the US Senate have not voted on the funding yet.  We are encouraged by this chain of events because, hopefully, the building of two subs a year will stabilize our workforce.   There were three SRA jobs available to us, and Portsmouth was awarded one of them (the 706 boat).   We are hopeful that we will be awarded one or both of the remaining SRA jobs.  In addition to losing the 706 boat, Electric Boat lost the bid on work that would have kept 24 carpenters busy at the Puget shipyard from January until April 2008.  There is a possibility that Puget and Portsmouth lack the manpower to support this work, and if that’s the case, Electric Boat may be asked to help complete it.  It’s interesting to note that at this time, we can’t hire carpenters quick enough to support the current work which we have, and  the Company is  also utilizing all other trades to meet the schedules.   Yet in November we may have very little work if we aren’t awarded the SRA jobs.  It’s either feast or famine! 

As I write this article in the second week of August, we are still waiting for the posting of two joiner positions - one for first shift and one for second shift.   As far as the joiner/upholsterer position is concerned,  the Company is currently evaluating whether there is a need for it.  The Union contends that there IS the need for this position since we only have one upholsterer.  If he becomes sick or takes time off, then the Company is forced to flex someone into that position.   It doesn’t make sense not to have at least two people who can do this job. 

As the Company moves toward a smoke-free shipyard, we have been informed that Union members who are using Chantix to quit smoking will now be provided with a six month supply instead of a three month supply.   Hopefully, this will help some of our members succeed in their efforts to quit smoking. 

Upon return from a road job, some members have been told by Human Resources that they owed money back to the Company (for per diem, gas expenses, or car allowances).  Carpenters have been asked to sign a consent to withdraw this money from their paychecks, however, the consent does not clearly state the exact reason for the repayment.  I recommend that you DO NOT sign one of these consent forms until you notify the Union and allow us to investigate the reason for the repayment.   We had some Union members who signed the consent when they didn’t need to, and now they are waiting months to be reimbursed.