IBEW LOCAL 1049 AND NATIONAL GRID TENTATIVE AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Message From Chief Negotiator Bob Shand & the 1049 Main Negotiating Committee

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

I am pleased to advise you that at about 6 PM last night your 1049 Main Negotiating Committee concluded contract negotiations with National Grid. The recently completed negotiations with National Grid were difficult and complex; however, due to the hard work and dedication of your Main Committee and Sub Committees, we are able to present to you a settlement that acknowledges your value and the contributions you make as highly skilled and dedicated workers.

I would also like to thank our Sub Committees, listed on the following page, for their perseverance working through some very difficult and intricate departmental issues. Ultimately, I would like to thank you for your continued solidarity and support throughout these challenging weeks. It was because of your strength, support and confidence that we have been able to achieve this tentative agreement which is unanimously endorsed by your Officers, Executive Board Members, your Main Negotiating Committee and Business Staff.

These Highlights have been prepared to provide you with a snapshot of the key elements of our tentative agreement with National Grid. A complete “Summary of Matters” is being compiled and will be available at the scheduled Information Meetings and will also be mailed with your contract ratification ballot. We look forward to seeing you at the Information Meetings scheduled for Monday, November 1, 2010 at 7 PM at the Smithtown Sheraton, Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, and at 10 AM at the 1049 Union Hall.

Fraternally,
Your 1049 Main Negotiating Committee
Robert Shand, Donald Daley, Edward Conklin, Robert Delaney, Thomas Dowling, Thomas Devlin, Thomas Russo

INFORMATION MEETINGS
Monday, November 1st at  7 PM at the Smithtown Sheraton, 110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Smithtown
Monday, November 1st at 10 AM at the 1049 Union Office, 745 Old Willets Path, Hauppauge

Listed below are the highlights of our tentative agreement with National Grid;

I. TERM OF CONTRACT
Four (4) years
February 14, 2011 through February 13, 2015.

II. WAGES
A general wage increase in each year of the contract
February 14, 2011   2.5%
February 14, 2012   2.5%
February 14, 2013   2.5%
February 14, 2014   2.5%

Listed below are examples of the hourly wage increases over the term of the agreement

IV. MEAL ALLOWANCE
Effective February 14, 2012, the meal allowance for the tenth (10th) hour meal increased to $17.00.
Effective February 14, 2014, the meal allowance for the tenth (10th) hour meal increased to $18.00.

V. ZONE MILEAGE PAYMENTS
Effective February 14, 2011, the Zone Mileage payments will increase by 10%.
Effective February 14, 2013, the Zone Mileage payments will increase by 10%.

VI. GAINSHARING AWARD PROGRAM
Effective fiscal year April 2011-12, the Company and Union agree to implement an annual Corporate Gainsharing Award Program. Regular full time and part time employees who have at least a satisfactory performance rating will be eligible for an award between 0% and 3.5% of actual annual base wages.

V. HEALTH AND WELFARE
Medical Insurance & Prescription Drugs
The Company shall continue the current Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) POS medical plan.
Weekly employee pre-tax payroll contributions for full time employees who elect coverage under the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Plan will be as follows (not including dental coverage):


The Company shall continue the current prescription drug plan provided by Caremark. Effective February 14, 2011, the non-formulary brand drug co-payment will increase to $35 for each retail prescription.
Effective January 1, 2011, the Aetna HMO plan will be eliminated
Effective February 14, 2011, the medical opt out payment is eliminated.

Dental Insurance
Effective January 1, 2011, Delta Dental will be the new carrier with the same plan design as the previous MetLife dental plan.
Weekly employee pre-tax payroll contributions for full time employees electing coverage under the Delta Dental Plan will be as follows:

Effective February 14, 2011, the dental opt out payment is eliminated.

Post Retirement Medical and Pharmaceutical Coverage
No change - If you retire during the term of this Agreement (February 14, 2011 to February 13, 2015) you shall pay the employee contribution in effect at the date of retirement for the duration of your retirement.

VI. PENSION
Beginning January 1, 2012, the Plan will be amended to provide a more accurate calculation of shift premiums that are included in pensionable pay. At the end of each calendar year, the Company will capture the shift premiums earned for the entire year.

VII. CHANGE OF STATUS
The Company agrees not to layoff any member of Local Union 1049 hired prior to February 14, 2011, during the period of February 14, 2011 through February 13, 2015.

VIII. FIVE PART CRITERIA
Changed to reflect “Previous twelve month (12) period.”

IX. EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
Employees will now be permitted to displace junior employees in the organization, if needed.

X. TEMPORARY INDEFINITE EMPLOYEES
A temporary indefinite pool will be established to provide additional security for our members.

XI. NEW EMPLOYEE PROBATION
The probationary period for new employees is extended to twelve (12) months.

XII. UNPAID PERSONAL LEAVE
Employees will now be able to schedule in advance up to five days of unpaid personal time each year.

XIII. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Added language to refine the selection of arbitrator in Streamline Arbitrations

ELECTRICITY OPERATIONS
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the filling of Lineperson First Class positions in the ED&C department, which covers calendar years 2012-2014.
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the creation of T & D Utility Worker position to enhance work readiness.
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the Associate Planner/Customer Planning Representative B/Customer Planning Representative A career path.
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the seniority units affecting power plant Operators.
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the seniority units affecting power plant Technicians.

GAS DISTRIBUTION
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of a new career path in Customer Meter Services.

CUSTOMER CARE
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of a voluntary Home Agent Program.
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of a voluntary furlough program.

CREATION OF SERVICE COMPANY
The Company and the Union have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of a new, wholly-owned service company, which will employ bargaining unit employees affected by the Long Island Power Authority Operating Service Agreement.

Download and print the above highlights here

Today the Main Committees met for a full day of bargaining at the offices of IBEW Local 1049 in Hauppauge. Opening the session, Business Manager Shand stated that he wanted to continue with the pace of the last session and was prepared to present the company with the several redrafts of the Union’s proposals. The company’s Chief Negotiator Greenbaum stated he was prepared to do the same.

The parties exchanged and discussed the revised proposals and agreed to many of them leaving the proposals regarding economics such as; term, wages and medical to be discussed at the very end. In the afternoon session, a review of the subcommittees on CMS, Customer Service, EDO and Generation were discussed at length. Several of subcommittees have concluded, however, there are some remaining items that need additional discussion. When it appeared that the unresolved subcommittee’s issues could not be settled today by the Main Committee, the parties agreed to reconvene the subcommittees on Thursday and then report back to the Main Committee.

Overall today’s session was productive and the next meeting date will be scheduled as soon as practicable. It is important to note that the parties are committed to meet until they reach a successful conclusion. We will continue to keep you apprised as negotiations continue.

Today the Main Negotiating Committees met at the Business Office of IBEW Local 1049 to continue discussions on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The company’s Chief Negotiator Robert Greenbaum opened with a review of their proposals and spent a considerable amount of time discussing their proposals.

Chief Negotiator Shand requested clarification on many of the proposals and submitted several counter proposals. Chief Negotiator Shand stated that the parties need to completely understand the intent and application of these proposals as the parties sitting here today may not be the same in future years. The language needs to be as clear as possible from the beginning, so we do not leave it up to interpretation by others in the future.

Chief Negotiator Greenbaum asked for clarification on the union’s proposals and submitted several counter proposals as well. Chief Negotiator Shand explained that the union is sensitive to the company’s desire to be flexible in today’s utility business, however, we still need to balance those needs with the job security of our members.

Today was a productive bargaining session, and several proposals were concluded. Some of the remaining issues such as medical, seniority preference and economics will be discussed at the next session. Overall, the union and the company continue to bargain to reach a settlement that will recognize the outstanding job IBEW 1049 members do day in and out.

In addition, the sub-negotiation committees of CMS, Customer Relations, EDO, Generation and Shift are nearing completion and will be ready to submit their final products to the Main Committee. The members of these committees have worked tirelessly to work through some very difficult and complicated departmental issues. We would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all of the committee members throughout this process. A full listing of the committee members is available on our website, www.ibew1049.org.

Another meeting of the Main Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5, 2010. We will continue to keep you updated as we proceed. Please post and discuss.

FIRST UPDATE
Chief Negotiator Bob Shand has completed assembling negotiating committees for the present talks with National Grid US. Some committees have already met and discussed issues that are important to our membership. We will keep you updated as to the progress of the negotiations. Please post your copy of the HotWire and the Contract Negotiations Update at your workplace to help spread the word. If there are any members who wish to receive up to date reports on the process, please sign up for the HotWire on this website or by contacting the Union Office at (631) 234-1800.