IBEW SCT-7

MIFA#2 negotiations resumed on May 1, 2012 at 11:30am. The union presented the following proposals: IN-4, Job Posting and Award Notification; IN-5, Seniority, exempt management upon return to bargaining unit; IN-6, bidding of schedules vacated for military leave; IN-7: Temporary reassignment of work location; IN-8, Basis of Compensation Normal Workweek, limit split tours to 3 times in a 13 week period, penalty for Saturdays in excess of 3; IN-9, Selections of Work Schedules, penalty for schedules not completed by effective date, default to M-F 8-5;  IN-10, Wage Schedules (clean up progressions); IN-11(CBA25): Seniority Reconciliation for new hires by birth date; and IN-12 (CBA 25) Layoff and Rehiring (clean up reference to article deleted in previous negotiations).  The company presented a response to IBEW Proposals MIFA 2-8, IL 19-1, IL 20-1, and IN-3R1 covering Bereavement Provisions, adding step relationships to Illinois contracts and eliminating step-parent exclusion. Discussed in minor detail were Frontier Proposals: 1-A: Principles for the Assignment of Work, 1-B: Combine and/or Standardize Titles, 1-F: Vacation Time-General Provisions, 2-C Performance Recognition Plan, and 3-A: Probationary Employees.  The meeting adjourned around 1:45 pm and the committees remained in caucus for the rest of the afternoon.

The committees were in caucus in the morning on May 2nd and met at 11:45am.  Bill Zielke came in and discussed the state of the business in the state of Indiana.  The following company proposals were further discussed: 3-H: Residency, 2-B: Business Attire, & 3-F: Disciplinary Timelines.  After more brief discussion the union Tentatively Agreed to the following proposal the company the Company’s response to union proposals MIFA #2-8, IL 19-1, IL 19-2, IL 20-1 & IN-3R1 covering bereavement. The union presented Proposals IN-13 (CBA 25) Compensated Availability (language correction), IN-14 (CBA 122) New Harmony Clause, IN-15 (CBA 122) Notice of Schedule Change, IN-16 (CBA 122) Bulletin Boards, & IN-2, Revision #1: Union Security.  The meeting adjourned at 5:53pm.

Negotiations resumed on May 3^rd at 9:30 am.  Brian Carlo from Corporate Benefits presented on the proposed benefits package including but not limited to Health, Dental, Vision, Pension, Retiree Healthcare, and 401K.  The meeting adjourned at 12:21pm, the committees remained in caucus for the remainder of the day.

Negotiations resumed on May 4^th for the Indiana Local 723 at 11:30am.  There was more discussion on the Residential and Business Call Centers as well as Departmental Scheduling.  No new proposals were submitted at the time.

MIFA#2 negotiations adjourned for the week at 1:15pm.  The Indiana and Illinois Committees were in caucus for the remainder of the day.  Negotiations will resume the week of May 21^st in Fort Wayne, IN.

MIFA#2 negotiations resumed on April 24, 2012 at 2:45pm. The parties discussed funding levels for the pension- they are 87.5% funded and written notification is to be sent out the members mid-week.  There was more discussion on company proposal #1-E: Creation of New Job Classification.

The union presented proposals on MIFA #2-8: Bereavement- adding vacation language, CBA #19-3: Meals on Overtime, and Request to delete existing contract language for CBA#19-4: Residency.  The company submitted a new updated agenda.  The company presented proposals on #1-B: Combine and/or Standardize Titles, #2-C: Performance Recognition Plan, #3-F: Disciplinary Timelines and #3-H: Residency Requirements.  The committees adjourned at 5:45pm.

The committees were in caucus in the morning on April 25 and met at 3:51pm.  Company notified the Union that benefits would be discussed next week in Fort Wayne.  The union requested the presentation ahead of time if possible to review and formulate any questions, they company is going to try and have it ready early.  Company Proposal #1-A was discussed more. The company presented a revision to company proposal #2-B: Business Attire, they added language to give consideration to obtain clothing from a US Manufacturer.

After more brief discussion the union Tentatively Agreed to the following proposals the company submitted:

#2-A: Incentive Compensation and Sales Activities

#1-E: Creation of New Job Classification

#5-B: Duration of Agreement

The union submitted Proposal CBA #19-5: Delete Wage Schedule P4B and move remaining Cable Technicians to P5 Wage Schedule, change remaining Cable Techs to Sr. Cable Tech title, and CBA #19-6: Training Differential Pay.

MIFA#2 negotiations adjourned for the week around 5:45 PM.  Indiana Local 723 met after negotiations to discuss Buried Service Wire and Frontier Benefits Dependent Verification with Bob Costagliola, Mike Kruger and the Frontier Benefits Department via conference call.

On Friday April 27 the Indiana and Illinois Committees were in caucus for the day.  Negotiations will resume on May 1, in Fort Wayne, IN.