100% of 340 Members Taking Recent Fitter’s Test Pass
All six Local 340 members who partici-pated in the City of Minneapolis fitter’s program, and met all of the course requirements, passed the program’s culminating fitter’s test. Hats off to Local 340 brothers Paul Bakke and Mark Varney who again did an excellent job as instructors for this successful program.
Another Successful HVAC Course Taught by Masters
Again this year Local 340, in conjunction with the company, sponsored a series of night classes for appliance techs seeking to become HVAC Techs. These night classes, which consisted of 60 hours of classroom and hands on training, were conducted on the employees own time. Local 340 President Ian Brown wishes to sincerely thank dedicated 340 brothers Tim Boettcher, Jon Van Steenbergen, and Bruce Heminger who again helped instruct these classes voluntarily while off the clock.
Local 340 & Company Looking at Creating New Combination Work Positions
Local 340 is working toward the possible creation of two new work positions under the jurisdiction of our union. Although talks with the company are still in their preliminary stages, the goal would be to get more work back “in house” instead of contracted out. The new positions would likely be titled “Collector/Meter Investigator” and “C&M Helper/Meter Investigator”.
A Note Concerning THREE Paycheck Months
Twice each year Local 340 members receive three pay-checks in a given month. (This year it occurs in May and October). Historically the last (or third) paycheck of the month was considered a “free” paycheck in that NO insurance deductions (medical, dental, life, optical) were taken from the check. However 340 Financial Secretary Mark Overman reports that with the company’s current computer system a policy change has occurred. Now it is the middle (or second) paycheck in these three paycheck months that would have no insurance deductions taken out or could be considered the “free” check.
Local 340 and Company Receive United Way Award
Local Vice-President Charles McCoy proudly reports that GasWorkers Local 340 in conjunction with the company have received a 2007 Best of Award from the Greater Twin Cities United Way. The award was presented for the labor management partnership that helped improve lives and strengthen communities. The award was presented at a Local 340/Company LMC meeting. These LMC (Labor Management Committee) meetings were started to improve relations between the union and the company.
Local 340/Company Reach Safety Incentive Agreement
The union and the company have agreed upon a safety award program for 2008. For a Local 340 member to qualify for the safety awards they must NOT have: 1) a Recordable Injury (resulting from NOT following established safety practices); 2) a Lost Time Injury (resulting from NOT following established safety practices); and 3) a Preventable Vehicular Collision.
Each Local 340 member will receive a $20 Target gift card for each quarter that he/she is incident free. In addition if the individual is incident free throughout 2008 they will receive an additional $50 gift card (which would total, if incident free all year, $130 in gift cards for the year). Note that per I.R.S. regulations these safety award gift cards will be subject to tax.
Keep in mind if an individual has one chargeable incident in 2008 they will lose 6.5% of their 2008 variable pay (1/16th of their variable pay). If they have two chargeable incidents in 2008 they will lose ALL of their variable pay for 2008. As already explained any chargeable incident will cause no $20 gift card award for that quarter and the individual will also not receive the additional year end $50 gift card.
Local 340 President Ian Brown urges all GasWorkers to continue to follow safe work practices and to always use personal protective equipment when needed or required.