I hope everyone had a good 4th.
This was a busy week. As previously posted the week started with the new monthly conference call of all Business Agents and Chief Stewards. A conference call is also being set up for the Safety Reps across the system. Shop Steward training is being finalized. The training will be held on July 16th and both Managers have agreed to allow the Stewards time off for this very important training session.
For the MM Department the ten-hour day schedule has prompted some changes in manpower allocation. I have been asked about permanent swapping of shifts when no opening exists. The answer I gave to the company is the Union has no problem with this as long as the mechanics requesting these swaps are the most senior people with bids on file to the respective shifts.
For the PV GQ departments, I met with Mark Reins regarding issues with the centralized manpower office. I made a suggestion to improve this process. However at this time Mark would like to attempt to fix the system already in place rather than scrap it. We also discussed the canceling of DAT days after they had already been awarded using the MARs system. We also had a discussion of how DATs are allocated currently. Mark agreed his team would try to rectify these issues, and we would further discuss them this fall.
There is nothing new to report from BWI this week.
Currently on the legislative front, prior to the holiday vacation the House passed the Energy Markets Emergency Act of 2008 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House) H. R. 6377
In the Senate two bills are being considered. They are,
End Oil Speculation Act of 2008 (Introduced in Senate) S 3183 Introduced June 24th 2008
Energy Markets Emergency Act of 2008 (Introduced in Senate) S. 3205 Introduced June 26th 2008
I urge you to contact your Senators and ask for support of these Bills.
That is all for this week.
Bob
