AEG/Fairview Heights/EEI

 

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AEG/Fairview Heights/EEI
Local 148 Agrees to 5-Year Deal at Scott AFB

Dan Sweet
Business Representative

Our 12-person maintenance group at the Scott Air Force Base hospital overwhelmingly ratified a new 5-year agreement with JanTech this past August. The contract, effective October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2010, includes a wage increase of 21.25 percent over the life of the agreement. This amounts to just over 4 percent per year.

Other notable changes include:

  • An increase in the employer’s contribution toward health and welfare, from $1.97 per hour to $3.60 per hour. The contribution rose to $3.00 per hour effective
     

  • Oct. 1, 2005, with additional $.15 increases in each remaining year of the contract.
     

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  • A new $.55 per hour shift differential.
     

  • An additional day each year for sick leave/personal leave.
     

  • Improvements in the vacation benefit language regarding scheduling and usage.
     

  • Improvements in reimbursement for safety shoes.

JanTech management has proven to be reasonable and fair minded during negotiations. It is refreshing not to have to engage in confrontational talks.

I want to especially thank Rick Paterson, the bargaining unit representative for our JanTech members, for doing a fine job during negotiations.

In case you’re wondering, 5-year contracts are in fact unusual. This is a special situation involving federal government contracts. JanTech’s 4-year agreement with the government expires October 1, 2009. Should another bidder win the maintenance work, our members’ agreement will be in place for another year, so any new contractor would have to honor the wages and benefits in place for that year.

No Deal on 12-Hour Shifts at EEI

There will be no 12-hour shifts for operations at EEI in the near future. Local 148 and EEI had entered into mid-term talks over the issue this past summer and into fall. However, an agreement could not be reached.

The issue of 12-hour shifts arose during our last regular negotiations when EEI proposed them for operations as well as fuel processing (coal yard). The company later withdrew the proposal with the understanding that either party could request mid-term talks over the issue. Last summer’s talks began after some members in operations expressed an interest in exploring the issue further.

Coffeen Makes Op Cuts, Union Seeks Arbitration

Local 148 has filed for interest arbitration over issues surrounding operational cuts at the Coffeen Power Station. The two parties had agreed during the last contract negotiations that AEG could reduce control room operators from three per shift to two per shift once automation was completed. However, this was based on the company being obligated to negotiate over issues surrounding the cuts, such as vacation scheduling and higher pay rates for operators.

This fall, the parties met to negotiate over the issues. Unfortunately, our efforts to reach agreement on the issues were unsuccessful. The outcome will now be placed in the hands of an arbitrator, who will determine which side has the more convincing argument. We are attempting to expedite the arbitration.

Other Arbitrations Coming Up

The union has filed for arbitration involving various grievances at the Coffeen, Hutsonville and Grand Tower Power Stations. The grievances include a termination, subcontracting and seniority. We anticipate that these cases will be heard in early 2006.