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This is out of desperation. I spent an hour typing a response only to hit the wrong key and delete it all. If you were
referred to this page it is in hopes that something that I have said here answers one or more of the comments and or questions
that I have been asked. I would like to give a short history. I got started in the whole process by default. I entered the
negotiations in the middle of the process. After we had a contract then CWI returned with the desire to develop language for
the D&D process. CWI presented language to the negotiating team and said we have to have this or as close to it as we can
get. We were reminded that they had promised us 600 jobs until the next contract in April 2007. They wanted us to do the work,
but at the same time they presented the same language to construction "force account". Our choice was sign on and do the work
or face an uncertain future in 2007. Either way CWI was going to get the work done. As the results a D&D agreement was arrived
at.It was not a total package in as much as there was only part of the ICP that it would include. We then had language for
D&D workers and the rest of the different crafts. Then CWI jumped the process and turned all of the ICP areas into D&D. Now
the question became what to do? Stay with a craft and hope or go D&D to do the job CWI wants done? We were promised 600 jobs.
But, what after 2007? The majority went with D&D. The problems intensified after this time. There was confusion spread by
some foreman about when you were hired into D&D setting your seniority. During the initial discussion we had arrived at the
idea that there would be no seniority in D&D. Turning all of the ICP into D&D changed that. We still did not have any seniority
in D&D but we needed to be able to account for the order of D&D workers. Originally it was my desire to have the seniority
by hire date. That presented too many dificulties. Were we to make a new section then that date would be the date you went
into D&D. That was not an option in as much as the company was making that decision not we as union members. The date that
everyone had was a unit date, that seemed to be a good fit. Now the problem that entered into the mix was the bypass rule.
We have a number of members that had a strong desire to advance in their respective units. During such advancement is there
was someone senior to them that did not work as hard (ie. advance) then they were bypassed.I had no desire to change that,
however that was a set-up for specific craft/job type of work. CWI changed all that when they placed us into one of three
catagories. The official line became we (CWI) have no desire to train Heavy Equipment Operators ( for example) all we want
are D&D Skilled Workers or one of the other two divisions. Was that fair or right? No, it was just the direction that the
company wanted to go. My view is rather than being one of a single craft we individually are one of the larger mix of crafts
and lay-offs would be from that larger mix by unit seniority. The intent of the language was never meant to take away any
seniority. It is my contention that when all is said and done and a layoff comes about the number remaining will be those
who had seniority standing in the union at the time CWI came on site. As a result of the manner in which the company has established
the D&D positions layoffs have to be by hire/unit date. Anything other than that would make a mockery of the Working Agreement.
I was one of those responsible for barganing this language and as a result have inherited the resulting confusion and problems.
Was this a case of opening the contract? I do not know. There is language in the working agreement that allows the company
to establish D&D. Should we have left the who and how up to the company? I do not think so. Could we have stopped the process?
Perhaps, but then we would be batteling force account for the jobs (our work). At this point in time my main concern is what
do we do now? I have contacted the regional director about negotiation of the next contract.We do not have time to sit back
and mull over all of the decisions that have been made. Now we have to fight for our survival. I do not know if this rambling
helps you to understand how we got where we are now or not. I am dedicated to providing the best that I am able to this local.
Any input will be considered and appriciated. Woody
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