DECEMBER LABOR’S VIEWS 

Sorry about the fact that my article did not get into last month’s Labor’s Views.  I don’t know if it was a computer problem or what the reason was.   I put an insert into each issue of November’s Labor’s Views, but if you missed it, you can log onto our website at www.local1302.com and read any of the previous articles.  Again, I apologize.

IMPORTANT:   Everyone should have received a letter in the mail about health care dependant eligibility verification.  In January the Company plans to have employees verify eligibility of anyone for whom you are claiming health insurance coverage.  This is being done to insure that only those individuals who are entitled to coverage are enrolled.  It is crucial that everyone send the proper documentation to ensure that all individuals entitled to coverage continue to receive health care benefits. 

Road Jobs:  Of the two road jobs which were scheduled to start on Dec. 3, 2007,  only one of them went off on schedule.  Ten carpenters went to Portsmouth Shipyard until January 31.  The work for the twenty carpenters who were scheduled to go to Norfolk, VA, was put on hold until after the first of the year.   The reason we polled everyone was to determine how many carpenters were willing to travel on road jobs.  Out of the 199 people on the road job list, a total of 71 carpenters were willing to travel in December and January.  I think that this indicates to the Company that our department is strongly committed to supporting road work if we are needed.  As of now, we will need the twenty carpenters who will support the road work in January, and in February, we will be asking carpenters to support work in Puget, and any other work which may come up in the new year. 

Raises:  I need to remind members who were laid off and recalled that they may have not received their raises when they were due.  If you feel that you should have received a raise and have not gotten it, you need to let your steward know so that he can check into the situation.  We have had several members NOT receive their raises on time, and they would never have received them if they had not mentioned this to a union steward.  

Assuming that we will receive our yearly holiday turkeys, I will be collecting vouchers from anyone who wants to donate their turkey to the Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson.   For every donated turkey I will add potatoes, stuffing,  and vegetables.  The Food Pantry has been very appreciative of this in the past, and they serve more and more needy families each year in Northeastern Connecticut.  I ask all of my fellow brothers and sisters to think of those less fortunate than us at this special time of year. 

Shoe vouchers:  For anyone who hasn’t used your shoe voucher, be sure to do so by the end of the year, or you’ll lose it.  If you’re not sure, check with your area steward who has a list of people who have not used the voucher. 

     I would like to wish everybody happy holidays.  May the New Year bring good health and safe working conditions for all of us.