THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT:  Making Reauthorization Work for Wisconsin’s Seniors

Please join U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee on Tuesday, September 7 at 1:00pm at a hearing to discuss how to IMPROVE AGING SERVICES FOR WISCONSIN’S SENIORS.

Main Hall of Wilson Senior Center

 2601 West Howard  Ave., Milwaukee, WI                                                                         

LIVE UNITED

You are cordially invited to attend the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO Labor Kick-Off Rally at the Center of Excellence.

3841 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Thursday, September 16th, 2010 at 6:00 pm.  Cocktails & Hors d’ Oeuvres $30.00 per person or 10 for $250.00.

For more information please contact Annie Wacker at: 414-771-9830 or annieaflcio@sbcglobal.net

*****************  NEWS ALERT ****************

Wisconsin PSC Rate Decision Potentially Impacts Wages and Utility Operations

 12/2009

On Thursday, November 12th, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin met and issued its oral order regarding the application of We Energies to raise rates for the 2010 and 2011 rate periods.  The three Commissioners’ oral presentations were at times confusing and contradictory; but in the end there was a collective decision that is damaging for We Energies and all employees.  How damaging is now subject to interpretation by labor and management until a final written order is issued.

 The process will eventually result in a written decision, usually within weeks of the November 12^th decision.  The oral decision, subject to interpretation, included Commissioners weighing in on compensation for not only officers and management of We Energies, but also union represented employees.  The Commissioners substantially reduced the requested rate increase, cut funding for O&M, rejected filling scores of vacancies, and advocated the equivalent of furloughs for all We Energies employees.  The Commissioners deliberations suggested that the labor unions at We Energies, reconsider their wage packages in respect for ratepayers struggling in difficult economic times.  This included advocating that contractual increases for 2010 be renegotiated.

 The decision, unprecedented in its potential impact on employees, is such a cause for concern that the leaders of the three Wisconsin-based unions (IBEW 2150, IUOE 317, & USW 2006) met with corporate leadership on Wednesday, November 18th, to analyze the Commission’s oral decision.  Discussions were professional, but frank.  IBEW Local 510, based in Michigan, is unaffected by the Wisconsin PSC decision.

 Corporate leadership’s interpretation of the Commissioners’ deliberations are that Local 2150 members, who received a contract raise in August 2009, should expect no increase in the contract negotiations for 2010.  While the Steelworkers Local 2006 and Operating Engineers Local 317 both have wage increases due in 2010, corporate leadership stated that they expected these wage increases be sacrificed for at least 2010.  All three Locals responded that while the PSC’s written decision will likely formalize the oral decision of November 12th, we would not respond to corporate leadership until we have analyzed the final PSC written version. 

 The PSC’s decision is a troubling example of a regulatory body imposing its will on the day-to-day operation of an investor-owned utility.  Clearly the national and state economies have played a role in attitudes of taxpayers and ratepayers in their tolerance of tax hikes and rate increases.  Members of each Local Union have much at stake.  Scores of jobs left unfilled for several years have created tensions in a dedicated but stressed workforce, despite our warnings in a report to the Commission and utility management in February 2006 that the issue of an aging workforce would need to be addressed so a new generation of utility workers would be properly trained.  Management’s reaction to this PSC ruling now asks even more of you and your family both financially and in job stress.

 It is the dedicated union employees, our members, of this utility whose day-to-day performance is the driving force behind the successful, safe and reliable operation for our customers.  Your support and patience is crucial as events unfold.  

Forrest Ceel, Business Manager     IBEW Local 2150

Jeff Kaminski, President      USW Local 2006   

Mark Maierle, Business Manager    IUOE Local 317

11/10/09    We are pleased to announce that Jeff Kaminski will be the new Chairman of the Utility Workers Coalition.  Congratulations Jeff!

On 10/15 and 10/16/2009, Financial Secretary Lea Salter and Treasurer Ron Rozell attended Nova Software Solutions computer training in Newport News, VA.  The advanced user class touched on using the financial software, that the USW Local 2006 financial officer’s use, with emphasis on how to complete and file both IRS and Department of Labor forms.