GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

NOTAM   # 2 - 2010

 

 

July 1, 2010

 

 

TOUGH TIMES REQUIRE STRENGTH THROUGH SOLIDARITY

 

 

From the President

 

 

Fellow Members,

 

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fellow Members;

Chris Bingham, Pete Catalano, Nathan Stowell and I just attended the OPEIU tri-annual convention in Washington, DC.   Nathan attended as an at-large member selected by the Executive Board.

 

OPEIU is now the seventeenth largest union in the AFL-CIO with almost 120,000 members and is one of only a few unions still adding members and growing.  We’re fortunate to be associated with the OPEIU, a progressive organization with great leadership provided by President Michael Goodwin.

 

One of the new organizations to join the ranks of OPEIU is the professional minor league umpires, so next time you’re at a minor league baseball game, let the umps know you’re also with OPEIU but you’re still going to boo bad calls.

 

A lot of the daily business of the convention is submitting, editing and approving resolutions.  Local 107 submitted two such resolutions, one dealing with the Jones Act, which stated that The Act should be lifted by the President of the United States in order to allow foreign vessels to aid in the oil spill clean-up.  The other resolution dealt with the drilling moratorium and how economically devastating it will be to the Gulf Coast region.  Pete did an outstanding job representing Local 107 in drafting these two key resolutions.

Our future in the GOM is uncertain, tenuous at best, catastrophic at worst.  Only the best will survive.  Now, more than ever, is the time for each of us to step up and prove, not only to our own company, but to every operator in the Gulf of Mexico that we are the best-compensated for a reason;  we are the best, the most professional, and the most dedicated.  We must show that the quality of our work is superior to the competition in every way; safety, dependability, flexibility, professionalism, and all done with a smile.  

The Executive Board anticipates many meetings with the company as this situation develops.  The company recognizes the Executive Board to be an asset in decision making and planning.  We have developed a relationship with the Company based on respect and veracity.  We are fortunate that, in these difficult times, this relationship has allowed us to “be in the room” to ensure your best interests and those of the company are mutual.

 

As of today, no layoffs have been discussed.  As you know, the company must give us thirty days notice of such.  I’m confident that if the time comes to discuss cutbacks, we’ll be at the table during those discussions.  You’ll know it when we know it. 

 

Don’t get involved in perpetrating rumors.  If you didn’t hear it from the Local 107 Executive Board, it’s a rumor.  If you have a question about something you’ve heard, send it to eboardlocal107@gmail.com.  We will do our best to get an answer for you. 

 

Those of you flying for BP, show them what they’ve missed out on by not having us fly them before now. 

 

How we do our jobs in the coming months will be critical in determining our future and the future of the Company.  Let’s make it an easy decision--do your best!  That’s all I ask.

 

Fly Safe,

Ken

 

 

 

$$$                     SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT                   $$$

 

 

Local 107’s funds are organized into three categories, as follows:

 

1.     Cash & Short-Term Investments

·      Checking Account            $   49,580

·      Money Market # 2                  208,948

·      Petty Cash                          162

                                                                         

2.     Long Term Investments                          

·      Certificate of Deposit #1            $ 112,802

·      Certificate of Deposit #2                  105,580

 

3.     Other

·      Emergency Fund (Money Market # 1)      $      4,747

·      Credit Card                                       0

 

Please note the following:

 

Ø    The Emergency Fund is not a part of the Local’s operating budget and is not funded by Union dues.  This fund consists entirely of donations from individual members.  The Executive Board uses this fund (at its discretion) to make donations and more recently a loan to Members who, for various reasons, find themselves in financial need.  Please consider sending a contribution (whatever you can afford) to the Local 107 Emergency Fund.  Simply mail a check made out to “Emergency Fund” to the Union Office.   Members Helping Members

 

Ø    As previously reported: Following CBA Negotiations and, pending the result of those negotiations, the Executive Board will begin deliberations regarding the earmarking of both Certificates of Deposit.  At the request of OPEIU President, Michael Goodwin, the Board will  consider dedicating both CD’s for the purposes of a Building Fund and Supplementary Strike Fund

 

Ø    On June 21, the Local 107 Delegation to the OPEIU Convention in Washington, DC was proud to offered two resolutions for consideration.  Both resolutions were accepted by Resolution Committee and subsequently ratified on the floor of the convention.  Copies of both resolutions are attached to this NOTAM

 

Ø    As always, if there are any questions about the office of Secretary-Treasurer or the Local’s finances I would be happy to answer them. 

 

Pete Catalano

 Secretary-Treasurer

(337) 344-5722       Lafeyat@gmail.com

Galliano Base   /   Sch. II

RECORDING SECRETARY ERICA GREEN:

 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the minutes from the EBoard/Company meeting regarding the S92 Cadre reduction on 6/29/10 will be published at a later date (soon). We’ll get them to you as soon as we can. The Joint Communiqué is attached.

 

 

 

 

Chief Steward

 

No new business

 

 

Erica Green

Recording Secretary/Chief Steward

Local 107 OPEIU

        

 

 

 

 

TRUSTEES:

A grievance has been filed in re: IFR captain bid positions and the ATP requirement.

The other grievance is currently before the three man board.

The next audit of the Local’s books is due August, this year.

 

 

 

STRATEGIC BARGAINING COMMITTEE:

Your SBC has met twice this month in order to prepare us for the tough negotiations that are upcoming. Surveys are being formulated and will be posted to your email address shortly. This is a departure from the previous surveys in that this will be over the web, rather than by mail. Watch for it, and make your voice heard.

 

President Ken Bruner and I are traveling to Alaska this weekend in order to meet with our members there. We plan on spending three days with this important part of our local in order to better understand the challenges peculiar to the Alaska operation. I’ll report to you in the next Notam the results of that.

 

I’ve been told that the contract workbooks are now at all of the bases, except Alaska. I’ll be carrying one with me when I go there. The best way for you to comment on the contract in Alaska, however, is the online site at:

 http://www.autorotate.com/portal/LOCAL107Forum/tabid/471/Default.aspx

That, by the way, is the best place for everyone to go to, rather than the paper workbooks. Your comments are seen immediately, you don’t have to physically be at work to enter your thoughts, etc.

 

Once again, if you haven’t sent us your email address-even though you are getting this, and believe that you are current-please send us a confirmation email at eboardlocal107@gmail.com

If you’ve moved since the last contract, update me with your current information..

 

 

Questions or comments can be directed to any of the E Board or to eboardlocal107@gmail.com.

 

I can be reached at 601.209.0205 any time

 

Kent Bollaert

Trustee/Chairman, Strategic Bargaining Committee 2010