UWUA AFL-CIO LOCAL 69

UNITED GAS WORKERS UNION LOCAL 69

UWUA – AFL- CIO

PRESIDENT: CHARLIE D. RITTENHOUSE VICE PRESIDENT: GERALD POWERS

Executive Board Meeting

GREENSBURG OFFICE July 28, 2008

President Powers called the Executive Board Meeting to order. Secretary Stockdale called roll and found 5 Officers and 10 Representatives present. Absent: Representative Crown (Hopewell) and Representative Chiappino (Northern Stations). Guests: Eric Kosmal (Pitt Street) and Jerry Quiter (Pitt Street).

President Powers asked for any corrections, deletions, or additions to the minutes of the June 23, 2008 Board Meeting. None noted. Motion to accept, Representative Giles, second by Representative Palermo, made the July 28, 2008 minutes. Motion carried.

DATES:

· July 30^th Step 2 Grievance Meeting

· Aug 4^th Step 1 Grievance Meeting Western

· Aug 5^th Step 1 Grievance Meeting Eastern

· Aug 7^th Step 1 Grievance Meeting Central

· Aug 14^th Step 1 Grievance Meeting Northern

· Aug 25^th Executive Board Meeting & J.A.R. Committee Mtg.

· Aug 27^th Step 2 Grievance Meeting

· Aug 28^th Step 1 Grievance Meeting Southern

OLD BUSINESS:

· Work Boot Allowance – The Company has informed the Union that it wishes to re-open discussions over the issue of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) concerning the lack of a footwear policy. There have been a couple of recent foot injuries which have brought the issue of PPE to the forefront. We will keep you informed as more information becomes available.

NEW BUSINESS:

· Sale to BBIFNA – Michael Cyrus BBIFNA (COO) has been to a couple of our locations making a presentation and answering questions about his company (BBIFNA), which, as we all know, is in the process of purchasing Dominion Peoples and Dominion Hope Gas. Most employees have felt the meetings have gone well and are very productive. We are cautiously optimistic that the sales agreement will read as promised, and our issues and concerns will be handled as previously explained. If so, we have stated we will not oppose the sale of Dominion Peoples to BBIFNA with the Pennsylvania P.U.C.

· Union Representative and Safety Coordinator Nominations – President Powers presented Union Representative and Safety Coordinator nomination sign up sheets to the reps. to be posted in the following locations. Kiski, Hopewell, Altoona, Waynesburg, Pitt Street, Central and Johnstown. Nomination sheets should be posted August 8^th through August 22^nd.

· Job Postings on the Webpage – One of our members Dan Gardone (Pitt Street) made the suggestion of putting Union Job Postings up on the website, as well as posting them on the bulletin boards at the shops. This would allow any member who may be away from work due to illness, vacation, etc., to be informed of any Job Postings which they otherwise may have missed. We agreed that this is a good idea and we are in the process of making some changes to the website and will add a Job Postings page as well.

· Suggestion Procedure – Representative McKnight (Central) questioned if there was a procedure in place which allows employees to present suggestions to the Union on any particular issue. Employees should note: there is contact information provided at the bottom of the Division 1, Division 2 and Local 69 pages on the website. This will provide you the means of sending and email to the respective division. As always, any member is also welcome to call or mail the office and/or President Powers with questions, comments or suggestions. The Union Office address, phone number and website address are also listed on our Letter Head, at the bottom of the left side margin, as you can see by looking on page one of these minutes.

*6:30 PM – The Executive Board Meeting was suspended to conduct nominations for the offices of 1^st Vice President and Secretary Treasurer.

Tim Stitt nominated Chuck Flinn for the office of 1^st Vice President, no further nominations were heard, Chuck Flinn was re-elected 1^st Vice President by acclamation.

Cliff Ake nominated Terry Wright for the office of Secretary Treasurer, no further nominations were heard, Terry Wright was re-elected Secretary Treasurer by acclamation.

*6:40 PM – Executive Board Meeting resumed.

COPE:

· 2^nd Vice President Fritz asked that all members be reminded of the sacrifices that many individuals throughout history have endured to keep us a free and democratic nation. Please! Help keep it that way, by voting in the upcoming Presidential Election.

SAFETY:

Jar Committee Meeting – The J.A.R. Committee reviewed 4 accidents. July was not a very safe month. There was an arm laceration, elbow injury, back injury and a neck injury. All employees are reminded to take a little time to “think through” the task you are about to perform to try and visualize the safest way to proceed. That “extra few minutes of planning” could make the difference and allow you to complete the job safely. All employees are also reminded of the need to wear proper PPE when conditions require you to do so. Such as, long sleeve FR on uncontrolled gas situations, reflective “high visibility” clothing when on state roads and hard hats anytime overhead hazards exist.

Accident Reports – All employees are reminded to fill out an accident report anytime and every time you are injured, even if you do not go to the doctor. Even though you may feel fine at the moment, you may experience difficulties down the road, so you should fill out an accident report as soon as you are injured.

Rager Mt. Near Miss – A raccoon crawled up into a cooling fan. It was struck by the 10’ spinning blades and killed. The fan was knocked off balance and a blade was sheered off and thrown through the side of the cooler and out into the yard. Luckily no one was near the fan and there were no injuries. The fan blade guard will be replaced with one that will not allow small animals access to the fan blades.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Letter to the members of Local 69-1 from President Kevin Caruso of United Steelworkers Union Local 1537 at Latrobe Steel, thanking us for the monetary donation to help them with their “Lock Out” at Latrobe Steel. They have since ratified a contract and will return to work soon.

GRIEVANCES:

· Grievance Report – The July Grievance Report was presented to the reps. and should be posted.

· Step 2 Responses - The Reps were given a copy of the Step 2 Grievance responses.

· Arbitrations - We do not presently have any dates picked for pending arbitrations.

TREASURER REPORT:

Secretary Treasurer Wright presented the local representatives with the June Treasurer Report. Motion to accept, Representative Ake, second by Representative McElheny, made the July 28, 2008 minutes. Motion carried.

GOOD OF THE UNION:

President Powers congratulated 1^st Vice President Flinn and Secretary Treasurer Wright on their re-election and thanked them for the work they perform on behalf of the membership of Local 69-1.

The Executive Board would like to express our profound disappointment with the turnout last Monday night to vote on the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement. It seems that some of the most “chronic complainers” do not care enough about their future to take the time to vote. A Union is only as strong as its members and their support. If you did not “take the time” to come to the vote last Monday night, you can “stop whining and complaining” to us! While a handful of you may have had a legitimate reason for not being there, the rest of you 180 no shows should “hang your heads in shame!”

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn, Representative Sallach, second by Representative McKnight. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Doug Stockdale- Rec. Sec. - Div. 1