March 2004 Labor Views

Service Awards to members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
for the month of March went to:

                        IMPORTANT:  The importance of competent staging cannot be stressed enough. On a job in Hartford, two construction workers fell to their deaths in January due to inadequate staging.  Management should take into consideration that just because an employee went to training for one day, that does not make him/her a competent stage builder.  Management should realize that they should be putting learners with an experienced, qualified mechanic who does this job regularly. Frequently when the safety department employees walk through the job, they don't know what to look for because they're not always trained themselves. We often see poor staging practices such as using a handrail to support pans for the deck or the work platform rather than using the proper trusses to support the weight.  Years ago, daily inspections on staging used to be conducted.  This practice has fallen by the wayside, and we need to get back to our previous practice of daily inspections. 

Staging on the 21 boat was completed by subcontractors.  The Union did not necessarily support hiring subcontractors to do our work, but we felt it was the lesser of two evils.   We felt the other option was to let outside Locals in, and then the Company would use this method to solve their peaks and valleys.  It would be doubtful that additional hiring would be done in the future if the Company had access to temporary workers.  

Recently, one of our Union members was asked to report to the yard hospital to submit to a urine test.  The purpose of this test was not revealed.  If you are requested to go to the yard hospital and provide a sample of blood or urine without an explanation of the reason for the testing, do not submit to the test.  You should request Union representation at the yard hospital so that the reason for the testing can be determined. 

INFORMATION:  People need to remember to poll in the future for overtime and off-shift or there is a good possibility that you will lose the opportunity to work overtime.  This is supposed to be Management's first means of determining availability of employees for overtime.   

GRAVEN DOCK:  I have addressed overcrowding in the Graven Dock area with Management, and I've been informed that the Company will purchase microwaves, add vending machines, and provide benches for the convenience of those people eating lunch there. 

REMINDERS:  Anyone interested in changing shifts must fill out a shift change form.  Ask your area steward to provide you with one if you're interested.  Currently five shift change forms have been submitted.  

If you have a change of address, please contact Dave Comery or your area steward.  It is important that our records of your personal information are accurate.

                                                                     Fraternally Yours,

Mike Malone, President

Carpenters' Local 1302