AUGUST LABOR VIEWS

      Service awards to members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners for the month of August were presented to:

     Rex Richardson               30 yrs.

Stephen Toper            30 yrs.

 Stephen Snow            25 yrs.

                     Unfortunately, our department has laid off 104 carpenters in the month of July. We don’t have any definite numbers for the month of August, and we’re being told by the Company that the third wave in September should be furloughs in the carpenter department.  

 A total of 367 people were laid off.  Out of the 757 people on road jobs or working at the sub base, 91 of them were laid off in the first wave.  That’s approximately ¼ of the all people laid off.  In July, eleven of our members were called back from Norfolk, VA.  This cut their road job work by more than two months.  Some of them leased apartments and rented furniture believing that they would be down there until the end of September.  Without notice, they were told they had to return to Groton within a few days.  This gave them no time to settle their affairs in Norfolk.  The Company led us to believe that they were out looking for road work to save Groton employees from being laid off.  It’s difficult to ask our members to put their lives on hold in order to work a road job, and then have their lives uprooted again when they are called to come back home early.  I hope that this doesn’t discourage people from supporting road jobs in the future. 

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters has training facilities in Millbury, MA, and Yalesville, CT.   The Director of the Massachusetts facility recommended that our members get trained in areas where the most work is available.  He named metal studs, concrete, scaffolding, and dry wall as the three areas currently in demand.  Members who are being laid off have the opportunity to take advantage of this free training that the UBC provides.  In order to participate in this training, union members must continue paying union dues and be a member in good standing.  A letter will be sent to anybody who is affected by the layoffs providing information on the training and stating how to keep current with union dues.  Also, it is important that laid off members take advantage of the Transition Center.  They will assist with resume writing, and they’ll even teach you how to use the computer to write your own resume.

IMPORTANT:  For any members who have sustained an injury and are involved in the lay off, I recommend that, before you leave, you go to the yard hospital and ask for your medical records.  If you have any outstanding medical problems which are work related, you need to file an LS-201 form which holds the Company responsible for any treatment for the injury in the future.  

 Members should be aware that, if they haven’t used their $80 shoe voucher, they should do that before the end of the year.  Laid off members should take advantage of this opportunity to get a new pair of steel toed boots before their last day at EB.  

Defenders’ Game:  The Carpenters’ Union is sponsoring a cook-out and baseball game at Dodd Stadium on August 26, 2006.    An all-you-can-eat buffet will be available in the  picnic area with all of the basic cook-out items on the menu.  Union members need to make a $20 deposit, and that is refundable upon arrival at the game.  Ticket prices for non-members and children are not yet available.   Tickets may be purchased through Steve Adams, the Union Hall, or your area steward.  Hopefully, members can find the time to enjoy a game and a meal together on August 26. 

On a personal note, I apologize to anyone who has been unsuccessful getting in touch with me by calling my cell phone.  It has been in the repair shop, and I have been unable to receive calls for a few weeks.  Members can always email me or page me using the number below.