September 18th, 2023 Monthly Meeting

The regular monthly meeting of Local 433 on August 21st, 2023 was called to order at 7:32pm by President Ryan Shea.

There was a moment of silence for soldiers throughout the land who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Mark from American Income Life Insurance Company was present to give information.

Secretary’s Report- Accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report- Dave had a report for both July and August. Accepted as read.

No new members sworn in.

Chief Steward: Outstanding Grievances

MIS-02-21: Harry Fuchs denial of job bid. (Analyst Programmer) Authority states employee does not meet requirements. Letter of understanding from 2001 states that computer operators can move into this position under certain circumstances. Denied by Authority. Arbitration date is September 27th.

UWUA-04-21- Unilateral change of work requirements for implementing Covid Vaccine. Pending Arbitration.

UWUA-03-21- Requiring a negative test to RTW from Covid. Authority is violating guidance in testing. All employees get time back or paid for unpaid days off. Resubmitting information to Authority, requesting formal letter of acceptance or denial.

CST-01-22: Unjust termination of Terrel Vause. Met with Authority, denied. Waiting on Arbitration decision.

McK-0005- Company did not call in to fill spot due to call off. Waiting on Arbitration opinion from Attorney.

M-02-2022- Gabe Kish Jr sent home after reporting yes to Covid question and negative test provided by Authority. Waiting on Arbitration opinion.

M-10-22- Journeyman posting. Union believes the Authority is continuing to circumvent our contractual apprentice program. Denied by Authority. Working with Attorney on newly found documents.

M-11-22- Denial of job bid for Ryan Coleman. Authority using vague language in Journeyman posting to deny bid. Denied. Waiting for Arbitration opinion.

UWUA-04-22- Direct dealing with employees. Authority violated the CBA and is direct dealing with the exempt employees in denial of pay for travel to obtain Covid testing. Sent requested info to Authority. Waiting for reply.

OPS-02-23- Placement of previously qualified employees back at utilities after 2 years. There is no existing language in the CBA stating as such. Union seeks employees be placed at Field Operators rate and possession in progression. Going to Arbitration.

RC-01-23- Requiring boat operators to obtain crane license and operate crane outside of job description. Going to Arbitration, waiting on date.

M-01-23- Driver’s license not accepted for Joe Baker. Provided 10 day temporary license, which the Authority refused to accept. Employee took half day to get a new license. Union seeks employee be made whole for 1/2 day lost. Authority denies grievance. Sent to Attorney for opinion.

RC-05-23- Employee was late on weekend all call. Was used in progressive discipline and lost grace period. Employee was then late again and was suspended. Authority has not used weekend lates as part of progressive discipline in past. Union seeks employee be placed in proper progressive discipline spot and made whole for time lost.

UWUA-04-23- Authority refusing to provide health care coverage for retiree spouse until they are aged 65. Violation of CBA at Article 2, Section 8, subsection B. Union seeks Authority cover spouse as language dictates in CBA and make retiree whole for all monies spent. Denied by Authority, sent to Attorney.

KS-04-23- Kittaning Authority in violation of past practice by unilaterally changing reimbursement of employees for frees associated with obtaining license to operate plant. Union seeks that the Authority meets to discuss the policy and until such time, continue to follow past practice.

SO-01-23- Authority issued excessive punishment for employee. Punishment does not reflect what previous offenders have received. Union seeks employee be made whole for lost time and record reflect a documented verbal warning.

L-01-23- Authority in violation of CBA at Article 2, Section 2 in not paying employee at lab chemist rate Class 9. Employee previously worked in lab for 6 years in position requirement. Union seeks employee be placed at Class 9 and made whole for all monies lost. Waiting on opinion letter.

M-07-23- Authority failed to keep 2nd employee for OT when power equipment was used. Union seeks Gary Brooks be paid for the 4 hours of missed OT.

M-05-23- Authority contracted out the repair of the tugboat before exhausting all resources in house for repair. Union seeks employee be made whole for any time lost.

M-06-23- Authority posts Welder Journeyman position. Union seeks Authority follow the CBA Apprenticeship program.

OPS-06-23- Erica Wilkes not offered OT before less senior employees. Union seeks Authority make up 8 hours of OT.

MCKEESPORT:

WHITE OAK:

PLEASANT HILLS: Starting contract soon

ECONOMY BOROUGH: All good

BROWNSVILLE: 1 year contract extension with 3% raise

NORTH STRABANE:

SAXONBURG:

MANOR TWP:

NORTH VERSAILLES: All good

WESTERN ALLEGHENY:

EAST WASHINGTON: Revolving door of hiring and firing

KITTANING: Contract settled.

CREW A:

CREW B:

CREW C:

CREW D:

Regional Conveyance: T.Pisano went from Camera Crew driver to Wet Weather. J.Pekarovich went from Camera Crew laborer to Camera Crew driver. B.Stillwagon accepted and kept Camera Crew laborer. R.Coleman went from RC Spotter to WW. Tracey Thompson went from RC helper to Camera Crew laborer. V.Bartello went from RC helper to Journeyman Welder.

MAINTENANCE:

PR/SCH-Outreach-

Lab:

CS&T:

IW: Fact finding meeting for employee who clocked out for FMLA and did not notify management. Monica Younger and Mike Foley on light duty.

MIS, ENIGINEERING, PURCHASING, AND PAYROLL: Network Analyst posted, but no decision yet. Lots of responses.

Safety Committee: Concerns about access doors not being repainted after an Operations vehicle hit them.

Cope Fund:

Old Business: Ongoing discussions with the National regarding the $80,000 in monies from taking on satellite unions owed to Local 433.

New Business: Contract proposal read. Craig Romanovich approached for a sabbatical on behalf of the National in regards to organizing Columbia Gas in Ohio. 5 week period starting September 5th.

Selling of excess Union t shirts to whittle down supply

Next negotiations: August 28thth

32nd UWUA Constitutional Convention was July 26th through the 29th.

Labor Day parade was on September 4th.

Motion to adjourn by Ryan Coleman, seconded by Craig Romanovich.