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Business Representative for Centerpoint HL&P
I have been a business representative for Local 66 since 1997 and a member of the Local 66 for over 30 years. Prior to my job here I worked for what is now called CenterPoint Energy, my classification was a Distribution Head Lineman. My main area of responsibility is the employees at CenterPoint Energy H.L.&P., but I proudly represent all Local Union 66 members.

Centerpoint HL&P Announcements

Rick Childers 7/6/2010

Retroactive Pay
Due to the holiday this past Monday, July 5, the Company was unable to complete the retroactive pay calculations. You will not receive your retro pay this Friday. The Company has assured us that they will be ready next pay period and you will you will receive your retroactive pay Friday July 23.
Thanks.
Rick Childers


Rick Childers 7/1/2010

CONTRACT RATIFIED
The Centerpoint Energy/I.B.E.W. Local 66 contract was ratified today. Of the persons that voted, 64% voted for ratification of the Agreement and 36% voted against ratification. You are now working under a new collective bargaining agreement. Work safe.
Regards,
Rick Childers


Rick Childers 6/29/2010

Voting Sites
Below is a list of voting sites and the persons that will man these sites. At least one person, listed below, from each site must attend the Wednesday night meeting to pick up the ballots and ballot box. Voting hours are from 7:00 am to 5:00 PM. Thursday July 1, 2010. The Company will allow you to vote, so please take the time to cast your ballot. Some of the names below may have to be changed due to vacation or absence, the locations will remain the same.
Thank You
Rick Childers


SugarlandJeff Young/Hector Martinez
CypressEd Allen/Phil Kanaby
GreenspointTim Horace/Mike Goolsby
HarrisburgJason Baggerly/Guy Smallwood
HOC/BzptRusty Conn/ Barry Simmons
South Houston Bld. DKerry Diggins/David Northcutt
BaytownPhil Guest/ Jackie Neubauer
HumbleGreg Pavlicek/Terry Haynes
Ft BendLane Mangum/James Sproles
KatyDavid Hawkes/David Dockery
Spring BranchMike Shepherd/Walter Simmonds
DispatchingCathy Flores/Mike Swan
GalvestonFred Naranjo/Jay White
BellairMike Hruby/Danny Martinez
Union HallRick Childers/Greg Lucero


Rick Childers 6/28/2010

2010 CONTRACT OFFER
IBEW LOCAL UNION NO.66 and CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC
2010 CONTRACT OFFER

1. Increase weight restriction to 310 pounds.

2. Holidays that fall on an employees days off will become floaters.

3. If asked to report to work of called out 4 hours or less prior to the employees next normal starting time the following day, will not be allowed to reschedule the holiday.

4. Holiday changes in #2 & #3 are a trial for the term of this Agreement.

5. When an employee is called out the employee will be paid 4 hours double time for the 1st 4 hours, even if it goes into their normal starting time.

6. Upon ratification meals increase from $10.00 to $11.00 and on January 1, 2012 increase from $11.00 to $12.00 each.

7. Rest periods with 2 hours or less remaining in the next shift, an employee can request the balance off without pay. Company can require the employee to report.

8. Increase shift differential from 704 to $1.50 per hour on straight time.

9. Add the classifications of Meter Technician and Warehouseman to Article 17, Section 2.

10. Term of the Agreement May 26, 2010 to May 25, 2013. (3 Years)

11. No change to the Medical and Dental Plan designs for the term of the Agreement. Rates for the Medical plans for 2011 increase from $4.00 to $20.00 . Dental increases are $0.00 to $1.00.

12. Increases for 2012 and 2013 will be decided in the summer of 2011 and 2012 maintaining a 77/23 split.

13. General Wage Increases of 3% each year with STI of 1% for each year.

14. Replace the Memorandum of Agreement for the Warehouseman Classification from the 1998 Agreement with the new Memorandum from 2008.

15. Warehouseman obtain and maintain a Class A CDL. When they drive vehicles requiring the CDL, they will be upgraded to the appropriate Truck Driver Classification for a minimum of 1/2 day. During the first 6 months of employment these employees will be trained and allowed to obtain the CDL, the same as they do in the T&D Departments.

16. Agreed to add to the Critical Communications section of the Agreement, the document about ASwitching@ from the Switching Committee to M. B. White.

17. Agreed to add to the Critical Communications section of the Agreement, the Letter of Understanding on Field Trainers Assignments.

18. Agreed to change the Mutual Assistance document to, instead of alternate shift other than 8 to 4:30 M-F to a shift that qualifies for shift differential per Article 15, Section 11, and add that Employees will not be excluded from participation in the volunteer list for selection for mutual assistance trips on the basis of their assigned shift and/or schedule.

19. Agreed to add to the Critical Communications section of the Agreement, the toll free numbers for the job posting hot line.

20. Agreed to add to the Critical Communications section of the Agreement, a new Critical Communication for the Discipline Policy that 24 months after an Oral reminder and 36 months after a Written Warning, they will not be used for further discipline.

21. Change the Drivers Policy points for preventable accidents $0.00 to $499.99 = 1 point, $500.00 to $999.00 = 2 points and $1,000+ = 4 points. 1 time per year an employee can take defensive driving to remove 1 or 2 points.

22. In the EOP, support employees will be assigned to all 1 man distribution crews and troubleshooters on nights.

23. The term sheet notes the Agreement for employees on LTD due to industrial injury, the company will protect their job for 36 months.

24. Changes the Call Out Procedure: 1) add helpers; 2) If an employee is skipped the employee will be given the option of either a positive response or a make up opportunity capped at 4 hours double time and scheduled between the employee and supervisor; 3) change 12 hours or less to reschedule vacation to 8 hours or less; 4) calls made 14 hours or more apart on a single storm event will ne counts as a separate call; 5) change duty crew to Z crew; and 6) add new sentences that the company will call out in proper order from the off duty list when the Z crew is exhausted and employees from the off duty list that respond will be paid an Aoff duty reporting bonus@ of $75.00.

25. Head Journeymen and Crew Leaders may allow helpers to drive DOT vehicles during extended hours or call outs.

26. No change to the Overtime Tracking at the Underground S/C.


Greg Lucero 6/25/2010

Special Called Meeting Notice
For all Members working for CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This letter is to inform you of a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of explaining the Company's offer.

The meeting is scheduled for:
Wednesday
June 30, 2010
7:00 pm
At IBEW Local Union #66 Hall


We have also set the date to vote on this offer.

The vote is scheduled for:
Thursday
July 1, 2010
7:00am to 5:00 pm
At IBEW Local Union #66 Hall & At the different CNP Service Centers


Please mark your calendars and make every effort to attend this meeting.

Fraternally,


Greg Lucero
Business Manager
IBEW LU#66


Greg Lucero 6/3/2010

MCM Presents - Preparing for Retirement
MCM Presents - Preparing for Retirement


All Members of the Local 66 are invited to attend this educational workshop on Tuesday June 8th at the Union Hall. It will take place right after the steward meeting at approximately 7:30pm. If you are within 5-10 years of retirement, this workshop is for you!

Food and Drink will be served from a fine local establishment.

Items of discussion:

Economy - where we are, where we are headed
Stock Market - how should you be invested for 2nd half of the year
Social Security - current state of social security
Pension - making sure you get every penny you are entitled to...

MCM is an independent financial planning and investment advisory firm that is union (members of the CWA). MCM dedicates itself to work with union members to help them plan and prepare for retirement. You are encouraged to come out and take advantage of their time and expertise.


Rick Childers 5/26/2010

Negotiation Update
Due to the Company not being ready to negotiate our medical benefits we will not be able to proceed with our contract negotiations until sometime next week. We have been assured that our wages will be retroactive back to the original contract expiration date. We will continue to work on your behalf to get you the best contract that we can. You will be notified by mail when we have reached an agreement with the Company so that we can explain the offer.
Rick Childers


Rick Childers 5/7/2010

Organizing in Arkansas
Our friends in Arkansas are trying to organize again and have asked me to post a web page link on our page Listed below is their letter to me and their web page link, check it out if you get a chance. Lets offer them any assistance we can. Thanks
Rick Childers


Rick,

I am a Centerpoint Energy employee in the Arkansas North district. I received your email from another employee who was on the committee during the last go around. We are organizing another union push and would appreciate any advice or documentation you could send us. I developed a web site to communicate across geographical locations and would like for you to take a look. For now, I would like to stay anonymous due to current management item in place. Everyone is a bit nervous. Please take a look at the site and if you have any ideas please send them. I thank you for your time and expertise on this matter, and hope to hear from you soon.

http://cpunionconnect.wordpress.com


Rick Childers 3/12/2010

Centerpoint Contract Proposal meeting
There will be a meeting of the Master Committee ( All Centerpoint Stewards ) on Thursday March 18, 7:00pm to finalize the proposal we will take to the bargaining table. All Centerpoint Stewards are urged to participate.
Regards
Rick Childers


Rick Childers 3/02/2010

S.T.I. payout for 2009
Many of our members have been calling in to find out about the S.T.I. payout. Below are the payout numbers that were relayed to me by Mr. Ron Pope, Manager H.R. Labor Relations.

Rick Childers


Rick here are the answers to the two questions you asked just before lunch regarding STI:

1. What is this year’s STI payout for the bargaining unit employees? For the 2009 Plan year the Electric Operations group STI achievement was 121%. For employees represented by IBEW 66 that means instead of receiving a 1% target payout, they will receive a 1.21% payout on eligible earnings.

2. How is the STI calculated for an employee who transfers from one group to another within the year? If an active employee has a change in position between October 3rd and December 31st of the plan year which has an impact on the STI target, the change in target will not be made until January of the next year. Changes in position occurring prior to October 3rd will result in the employee’s STI payout being based on the achievement of the group into which he transferred.

Ronald E. Pope
Director, Labor Relations
CenterPoint Energy


Greg 3/02/2010

IBEW 66 Golf Tournament
IBEW 66 Scholarship Fund
2010 Golf Tournament


IBEW Local 66 invites you to our annual tournament benefiting
IBEW 66 Scholarship Fund.

May 3, 2010
River Terrace Golf Course
16777 Wallisville Rd. Between Beltway 8 and Sheldon Rd.
Florida Scramble
1 pm Shotgun Start
$100 / Player
$100 Hole Sponsor

Please come out and enjoy the fellowship - benefiting a worthy cause.
For more information call 713-943-0716 or 281-794-2663.
Entries can be mailed to 4345 Allen Genoa, Pasadena, TX 77504,
fax to 713-943-0162, email to mosteit66@aol.com

Please submit names for your team:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Hole Sponsorship (Name to appear on sign):



Fraternally,



Michael N. Mosteit


Greg 3/02/2010

IBEW 66 Golf Tournement
IBEW 66 Scholarship Fund
2010 Golf Tournament


IBEW Local 66 invites you to our annual tournament benefiting
IBEW 66 Scholarship Fund.

May 3, 2010
River Terrace Golf Course
16777 Wallisville Rd. Between Beltway 8 and Sheldon Rd.
Florida Scramble
1 pm Shotgun Start
$100 / Player
$100 Hole Sponsor

Please come out and enjoy the fellowship - benefiting a worthy cause.
For more information call 713-943-0716 or 281-794-2663.
Entries can be mailed to 4345 Allen Genoa, Pasadena, TX 77504,
fax to 713-943-0162, email to mosteit66@aol.com

Please submit names for your team:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Hole Sponsorship (Name to appear on sign):



Fraternally,



Michael N. Mosteit


Rick Childers 3/02/2010

Local 66 Golf Tournement
IBEW 66 Scholarship Fund
2010 Golf Tournament


IBEW Local 66 invites you to our annual tournament benefiting
IBEW 66 Scholarship Fund.

May 3, 2010
River Terrace Golf Course
Between Beltway 8 and Sheldon Rd. on Wallisville
Florida Scramble
1 pm Shotgun Start
$100 / Player
$100 Hole Sponsor

Please come out and enjoy the fellowship - benefiting a worthy cause.
For more information call 713-943-0716 or 281-794-2663.
Entries can be mailed to 4345 Allen Genoa, Pasadena, TX 77504,
fax to 713-943-0162, email to mosteit66@aol.com

Please submit names for your team:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Hole Sponsorship (Name to appear on sign):



Fraternally,



Michael N. Mosteit


Rick Childers 2/11/2010

Special called meeting
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This letter is to inform you of a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of opening negotiations with the company.

The meeting is scheduled for:

When: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: IBEW LU 66
4345 Allen Genoa Road, Pasadena, TX
For: All Members working for CenterPoint Energy
Houston, Electric

The current contract is set to expire this May. This will be the first meeting we have scheduled as we start negotiations of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please mark your calendars and make every effort to attend this meeting. We will also be soliciting suggestions to pass on to the master committee on this night.

Fraternally,

Rick Childers


February 2, 2010

Special Called Meeting Notice


Rick Childers 2/11/2010

Retirement/Financial Advisor Meeting
The McKinney Capital Management group will be here Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 7:00pm to present a "Preparing for Retirement" seminar. The location is here at the union hall located at 4345 Allen Genoa rd. Pasadena, Texas. Food and beverages will be served please call (713) 888-0841 ext. 103 to RSVP. Don't miss the chance to learn more about your retirement plans and options regarding your retirement. The McKinney Capital Management Group is very knowledgeable in the area of the Centerpoint retirement plans and will be glad to explain everything to you.
Thank you.
Rick Childers
Business Representative
I.B.E.W. Local 66





Business Manager and Financial Secretary:
Greg Lucero

Business Representatives:
Rick Childers - Centerpoint Engery HL&P
Bruce Bettilyon - South Texas Nuclear Project & Lockheed Martin
Eddie Riddle - Outside Construction
Charlie Nelson - Texas GenCo & Reliant Resources
Mike Mosteit - Organizing and Political Advocacy

Office
4345 Allen Genoa
Pasadena, TX 77504
Local: (713)943-0716
Long Dist: (888)943-6110
Fax: (713)943-0162
Rick Childers: Business Rep for HL&P visit the IBEW International Office's website


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International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union #66
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