IBEW Local 2067 in talks about Saskatchewan future

News Release - April 3, 2009

Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart and Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff today officially received and released the report of the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) on the future of the uranium industry in the province.

The report, Capturing the Full Potential of the Uranium Value Chain in Saskatchewan, contains 20 recommendations on further development of Saskatchewan's uranium resources focused on further exploration and mining, power generation and research and development.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Florizone and all members of the UDP for all their hard work and commitment to the people of Saskatchewan," Stewart said. "The UDP report has, for the first time in the province's history, put forward a thoughtful, measured and well-researched strategic plan to revitalize and expand Saskatchewan's uranium industry."

Led by Dr. Richard Florizone, a nuclear physicist and Vice President of Finance at the University of Saskatchewan, the UDP committee included strong representation from communities and organizations across Saskatchewan including the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2067, First Nations, the environmental community and representatives from Canada's nuclear industry.

In accepting the report, Minister Stewart said that international concern over climate change is driving world-wide interest in clean energy generation options creating a window of opportunity for Saskatchewan to pursue valued-added development of its uranium industry.

"The UDP has given the province a lot to think about," Stewart said. "The next step is to engage Saskatchewan citizens in a public consultation process that will facilitate thoughtful discussion and consideration about the 20 recommendations contained in the UDP Report."

"Our Province has benefited from its rich uranium resources for many years, and I am pleased to see the Uranium Development Partnership has concluded there are opportunities to add value to Saskatchewan's uranium," Cheveldayoff said. "I look forward to hearing what the Saskatchewan people have to say about the opportunities outlined in the report."

Stewart said the public consultation process will start immediately and will feature several elements including:

o a major stakeholder conference;
o a series of nine community consultation meetings to be held between May 19 and June 5 in Prince Albert, Buffalo Narrows, The Battlefords, Lloydminster, Yorkton, Estevan, Swift Current, Regina and Saskatoon
o an opportunity for individual stakeholder organizations to provide oral and written submissions over two days with an additional day set aside for presentations from First Nations and Métis groups;
o the launch of a website containing the full report, presentation materials, online input opportunities, and ultimately, the results of the public input: www.saskuranium.ca;
o an opportunity for those who do not want to attend a meeting or do not have internet access to provide written submissions: "The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan" P.O. Box 7, Regina, SK, S4P 2Z5; and
o a toll free number (1-877-791-4667) for individuals to leave their name and address to receive a print copy of the Executive Summary.

The UDP report calculates that acting on its high priority recommendations could increase in Saskatchewan's Gross Domestic Product by an estimated $50 billion to $55 billion and could create 6,500 construction and 5,500 long-term jobs.

"I can assure you that no decisions have been made," Stewart said. "The input received will be considered by the provincial government as part of the decision making process. As such, I encourage all citizens to get informed and get involved."

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IBEW Local 949 Asks for Parity

Union Picketers Hit Crosslake

By Paul Boblett, Editor

Union employees from the Crosslake Communications and Union members from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 949 held signs outside City Hall and Crosslake Communications last week to bring attention to the fact that they are still without a labor contract with the City.

The signs held by the union demonstrators stated that the city is treating the workers unfairly. The City of Crosslake employs eight union workers at Crosslake Communications whose wages range from $18.54 per hour to $27.33 per hour.

City Administrator Tom Swenson said that a State of Minnesota mediator is currently handling negotiations between the union and the city, and both sides are still talking.

Swenson said that two meetings between the union and City were held to negotiate a contract, but after the second meeting the union requested mediation because the two sides were too far apart.

The City released a written statement that stated, “We have good employees and we appreciate their right to collectively bargain. We have bargained in good faith, however we believe that bargaining should occur at the bargaining table not in the media. As such we are not going to comment on the proposals which have been exchanged in bargaining.”

“We do believe, however, that our customers and the taxpayers of Crosslake should have accurate facts about our company. We have one of the best, and most costly, wage and benefit packages in the area among comparable employers. We have wage and benefit surveys to document that. During the last labor contract, the wages of our employees increased over 9 percent and the cost of our health insurance benefit has increased 47.54 percent over that same period.”

“If we are irresponsible at the bargaining table, the burden falls on our customers and the taxpayers. The downturn in the economy is affecting Crosslake Communications.”

Swenson said, “In 2009 our homestead tax credit will be reduced by around $33,000 and again in 2010. The phone company is seeing reduced access lines - many people are doing away with the frills. There are probably people that will keep their cell phones and not reconnect their landline when they come up.”

“The economy is having an impact on the company,” said Swenson.

“In December of 2008, the City reduced the management wages by $1,000 for 2009 and all other non union department heads were reduced by $500,” added Swenson. “The City took action immediately with the non union non contract people when we saw this coming and the City and phone company are making every effort with the department heads to reduce wherever we can.”

Rick Oakes is the business manager for Local 949. He was outside City Hall on Monday afternoon and stated, “ We’re here for an informational picket to represent the employees of Crosslake Communications who have still not gotten a contract in place. The only thing we’re looking for is to be treated fairly.”

When asked what is fair, Oakes replied, “To be treated like the non union folks that work here.”

Oakes stated, “In January non union employees received on average, over a of three percent wage increase and they pay nothing for their health insurance. We’re looking for equity.”

IBEW 949 Representative Vince Guerton of Nicollet County was in front of Crosslake Communications last Monday with Ron Schmidt and Bill Gordon, both long time employees of Crosslake Communications.

Gordon said, “If they treated their non union workers like they want to treat us, they would not have a shortfall in their budget. You can see how they treat their non union employees, and if its good enough for them why isn’t it good enough for us?”

The City’s prepared statement closed by saying, “We have to be concerned about how local government will be affected as the legislature deals with the huge projected budget shortfall, and the bills in the legislature to freeze public employee wages dictate caution. The City of Crosslake has already suffered substantial cutbacks in State Aid and in response, the council has cut the budgeted salaries of City managers, but we are not proposing a wage cut or freeze for our employees. We expect the State mediator to convene another meeting, as he deems appropriate.”

Both sides are waiting to hear from the mediator as to when the next meeting will be held.

IBEW Local 98 Sponsors Championship T-Shirt Night

Ring ceremony set for Wednesday

Posted by PAUL VIGNA, Of The Patriot-News April 06, 2009 15:52PM

Categories: Baseball - Philadelphia Phillies

For those of you headed to Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday or Wednesday, here's a schedule of events, courtesy of the PR department.

Atlanta Braves (April 7-8)

TUESDAY: 7:05 p.m. ... Gate openings: Ashburn Alley - 4:35 p.m. (Alley Hour concession specials until 5:35 p.m.); Other gates - 5:35 p.m. ... Broadcast: myphl17, WPHT 1210 AM, WUBA 1480 AM (Spanish).

IBEW Local 98 World Championship T-Shirt Night : All Fans 15 and over will receive a red t-shirt with "CHAMPS" screen print across the chest and a Phillies "P" at the neck, compliments of IBEW Local 98.

First Ball : Maureen Fiocca, representing IBEW Local 98 will be throwing out the first ball.

Color Guard : Will be presented by Temple University Army ROTC.

Powerade Sampling : Samples of Powerade will be given out at all gates following the game.

WEDNESDAY: 3:05 p.m. ... Gate openings: Ashburn Alley - 12:35 p.m. (Alley Hour concession specials until 1:35 p.m.); Other gates - 1:35 p.m. ... Broadcast: CSN, WPHT 1210 AM, WUBA 1480 AM (Spanish).

World Champions Ring Ceremony : The players and coaches will receive their World Series rings in a pre-game ceremony beginning at approximately 2:15 p.m. In addition to the ring ceremony, the Leap Frogs, the US Navy Parachute Team, will parachute into the ballpark pre-game.

Citizens Bank Business Persons Special ... First Ball : Will be thrown by Richard Schiffrin, Esq. Grant & Eisenhofer, ALS Board Member.

Color Guard : Will be presented by the US Navy Color Guard.

National Anthem : Will be sung by the Millersville University Choir, directed by Dr. Jeffrey Gemmell and conducted by Ashley Walker.

IBEW Local 300 Breaks into Solar Energy

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Solar Trailer - DAY ONE.

IBEW Local 300 is at the forefront of "green collar" job creation in Vermont. We have the state's only intensive, year-round solar photovoltaic training program for electricians.

Today, we began building our mobile solar trailer. Once finished, the trailer will feature a fully-functional, off-the-grid solar array. We plan to bring it to career fairs, trade shows, rallies and the like to educate folks about green technology.

The following is a brief video clip of IBEW electricians and apprentices mounting solar panels to the side of the trailer. Work continues tomorrow!
Follow this link to the Local 300 Blog for the full story: Local 300

दुके एनर्जी एंड इबेव १३४७ राच अग्रीमेंट

Duke Energy and IBEW 1347
Reach Tentative Agreement Before Deadline

April 3, 2009


CINCINNATI -

Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 1347 union negotiators today. This five year contract represents over 1,000 electric transmission and distribution employees in Ohio and Kentucky. The current contract will be extended through April 24 for purposes of education, explanation and ratification.

"Duke Energy is pleased to have reached this tentative agreement that is good for our employees, our customers and our company," said vice president of Employee & Labor Relations Jim O'Connor of Duke Energy.

The company and union have been negotiating for several months and the contract was scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. tonight.

Duke Energy is the third largest electric power holding company in the United States, based on kilowatt-hour sales. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky - representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Duke Energy's commercial power and international business segments operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.