April 2004 Labor Views

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

INFORMATION:   The Company tells us carpenters how valuable we are and how diverse our work load is, yet they are not hiring new carpenters to fulfill their need.  Instead of hiring more carpenters, the Company has employed the following tactics: interchangeability, subcontracting, and enticing our membership with pizza.  It is difficult for me to accept the fact that, when orientation occurs for new hires, I see twelve new painters and a number of electricians being hired, and the carpenters have only one new employee.  How can the Company justify having thirty painters, ten electricians, and twenty-two steel trades doing our work, and yet they recently hired only one carpenter?  Why should we be asked to accept this?   When I have addressed this situation with personnel, I've been informed that carpenters have one boss on second shift doing interviews for our department while other trades have a number of bosses conducting interviews for their trades.  The Company needs to process carpenter applicants more quickly so that carpenters are in a position to do their own work.  It doesn't serve us well when other trades are completing our work. 

In the February Labor Views article I wrote, I informed carpenters that there would be a lot of overtime available in the near future.  I commend those members who have been working 10-12 hours a day, six or seven days a week.  I know how hard this can be on the worker and his or her family, but those of you who are taking advantage of these overtime opportunities serve our Union proud. 

Website:  If you have a computer at home, and you haven't accessed our website, I encourage you to.  John Algiere has set it up so that it is easy to use and enables each of us to access information such as the road job list, seniority list, and the history of Local 1302.   If you check these lists, and you question any of the information found there, let John know.  The Union is looking for feedback from members who have logged onto the website and used the links available there. 

  Regarding the situation at the Graving Dock, I am pleased that John Azzinaro has followed through on each of our requests.  He has assisted in providing us with microwaves, benches, vending machines, and water coolers.  This makes a much more comfortable situation for those carpenters who eat in that area.  We appreciate John's efforts on our behalf.

Reminders:  Are you interested in changing shifts?  Ask your area steward for a shift change form.

Our road job list has been updated, and it is posted on our area bulletin boards 

                                                                                    Fraternally Yours,

Mike Malone, President

Carpenters' Local 1302