OCTOBER 2009 LABOR’S VIEWS 

Service awards to members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and joiners of America for the month of October were presented to: 

Stephen Adams             35 yrs.

Gary Moone                 35 yrs.

Mark Noga                  25 yrs. 

Congratulations! 

At November 12^th’s union meeting we will be addressing by-law changes.  All members will receive any proposed changes from the by-law committee by mail.  Members can also propose changes from the floor at the November 12^th meeting. 

As of this date we have nine carpenters on the road in Newport News, VA.  We do not have any more requests to fill other road work at this time.   Hopefully, other shipyards will be asking for our support in the near future.  As you’ve all heard by now, the Company is saying that carpenters may be hit with layoffs in October.  We will need road work and any other unexpected work to prevent this from happening.  There is another lay-off planned for the first quarter of next year.  That could possibly affect 500 MTC trades people.  Although I am disappointed by this prediction, in the past lay-offs have been planned, and they have been rescinded.  I am hoping that that is the case this time. 

Some of our members did not receive training in all of the aspects of carpentry at the shipyard.  I have learned that some individuals who aren’t trained for staging, have been working staging.  It is critical that, if you are told to perform any job that you haven’t been trained for, you let your boss know that you are not qualified.  Performing work that you are not trained to do may result in an injury to you or someone else. 

This is the month (Oct. 26-Nov. 13) that all MTC members need to opt in or out of the health insurance being offered.  If you take the insurance, you have a choice of either Protection Plus or Account-Based Health Plan.  It is important to know that if you do nothing, you will be enrolled in the Protection Plus plan.   So those of you who have insurance from a spouse will need to opt out.    One other important factor of the benefits offered is that life insurance is available.  The information provided to us states that during “annual enrollment for 2010 dependent life options can be chosen without providing Evidence of Insurability.”  For 2011 and after, EOI will be required to elect coverage or increase coverage by any amount.  I hope that everyone makes the right choice that works best for themselves and their families.  I would like to commend Dan Clancy for doing a good job in the briefings that were held.  I heard nothing but positive comments after people attended those sessions.  I was told that Dan covered the information thoroughly and answers questions precisely.  Thanks for your efforts, Dan.

Recently, the Company offered the flu shot. In the near future, the Company will be offering the swine flu shot free of charge in the shipyard.   This is convenient for us because we don’t have to make an appointment with our own doctor, we don’t have to pay a co-pay, and we are permitted to get this done on Company time.  For those of you who are interested in having the flu shot, take advantage of this benefit that is available to us. 

In September a polling was done for the NSSF jobs at the sub base.  It looks like there may be a couple of changes on first shift.  That is, if the carpenters who polled “yes: with more seniority still want to go to the base. 

New tee shirts are in.  We have ash tee shirts and navy blue ones.  We also still have hats available.  If anyone is interested in either of these items, please ask your area steward.