June 2004 Labor Views

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

A Service Award to a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America was awarded to: 

                        Michael Rourke              25 years

Important:  When you need to file a disability form from your doctor to the insurance company, it now possible to expedite the process by having that form faxed by your doctor.   You may still use the conventional method of mailing the form in, however, DO NOT do both (faxing and mailing).  The fax number to use is:  1-866-888-2308. 

Overtime Polling:  If you are interested in working overtime on a weekend, you need to poll by Wednesday.  This will be the first means of determining who is available.  Also, members need to be reminded that everybody may not have the opportunity to work overtime because we will not have exhausted our job title.  Not showing up for overtime work when you have been scheduled to work it will affect your future chances of being offered overtime.   

New Hires:   It has been brought to my attention that new hires are disappointed about the fact that the Apprentice Program is in jeopardy.  There is a question about whether or not the funding is available to continue running it.  New hires were led to believe that they would have the chance to participate in the Apprentice Program, and now it seems that opportunity is not available.  Hopefully, this matter will be resolved, and the Company will continue to place new hires in the Apprentice Program.   

Recently carpenters who are qualified to do rigging were issued orange stripes for their hardhats.  This signifies to Management and the crane operator that these individuals are qualified to do rigging.  Slowly riggers have been taking our work from us, and we need to get back to doing our own rigging.  This may be an issue for overtime especially when our job title has not been exhausted.  When riggers fly our materials and carpenters have not been asked to work overtime, it is a violation of our contract.  Therefore, it is important that we do our own rigging in an effort to maintain our membership.   

Road Jobs:  The last section on the 726 Superstructure should be completed by the first of July.  Twelve members of our Union will be asked to complete this section.  The Company was more than pleased with the work and the amount of time it took to complete the first three sections.  It's going to be interesting to see how we compare with the other company doing similar work in Virginia.   

Hats:   We just received new Union hats which will be for sale to members at our cost believed to be $8.00 each. 

Address changes need to be provided to Dave Comery or your area steward.   

                                                                                    Fraternally Yours,

Mike Malone, President

Carpenters' Local 1302