Centerpoint HL&P

Stewards Training
Local 66 will hold a Stewards training class May 31 at 8:00 am. Call the office to register, we will accept registrations on a first come first serve basis, seating is limited so register early. If you have not been to one of these classes you should make an effort to attend this one, it will be taught by our lawyers and is a great course. As always, donuts and coffee will be served in the morning and lunch will be provided as well. The class normally takes about 4 hours so you should be out shortly after lunch. All members may attend, but Stewards will be given priority seating. Thanks.
Rick Childers

4-10 vote
485 of our members voted on the 4-10 proposal. The proposal failed by a count of 286 no votes to 195 for votes, with 4 members casting neutral votes. The Union has heard our members and we will not revisit this issue during the term of this contract. Thanks to all who voted.
Rick Childers

Lineman's prayer
A Prayer for Lineman
IBEW Locals New York

Dear GOD, We come to you
with grateful hearts for those
who are dedicated to serving
their fellow man and to those who
show their love for you by risking
their lives to do whatever they can.
A lineman is taken for granted until a
convenience, we must do without.
They work until the job is done,
of this there is never a doubt.
Please Dear God, watch over them
and protect them with Your
Almighty Hand.
And return them to their homes
with blessings for their families.
Help their loved ones to understand
that a lineman’s time is not his
own and his schedule not one
he chose for the day,
but a service that You have
instilled in him as You
guide him in your kind
and loving way.

In loving memory of Phillip Howard Hardin
IBEW Journeyman Electrical Lineman
February 19, 1963 – March 22, 2008

4-10's update
The Company has modified their 4-10 offer and we will be rolling the changes out to you starting this week. They have adjusted some starting times and given us a better letter committing to negotiate prior to placing any others on 4-10's. We will be allowed to vote on site and I will be educating the Steward at your site on how to hold a vote. This should all take place prior to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. This is the time to ask all questions and express all concerns, the persons who designed the schedules will be the ones rolling it out. I will attend all meetings to make sure that all information is properly discussed. Thanks and look for us soon.
Rick Childers

4-10 vote
April 15, 2008 Today we voted on the Company 4-10 offer. The offer failed, 59% of the members that voted, voted against the offer and 41% voted for the offer. The members have decided not to accept 4-10's at this time. Thanks to all of you that took the time to show up and vote.
Rick Childers

4-10's update
We will have a meeting the morning of April 15 at 10:00 am for those of you that work alternate shifts. We will discuss the Company 4-10 proposal and allow you to vote after the meeting. Again this meeting is for the Distribution group only. Thanks
Rick Childers

4-10's
Representatives from Local 66 met with representatives of Centerpoint Energy today to discuss the possibilities of creating 4-10 schedules for alternate shift Distribution employees. The Company came to the table with an offer that we intend to explain to our members on the evening of April 15, 2008 at 7:00 pm. The Union will mail out notices to those member that are in the Distribution group. We will discuss and explain the proposal and allow those present to vote to accept or decline. Please plan to attend this meeting if you are in the Distribution group. This will include Troubleshooters.
Thanks
Rick Childers