IBEW Local 465
Imperial Irrigation District

Unit Chair Cesar Perdomo

IID UNIT OFFICERS (2007-2010):

Unit Chair:                         Cesar Perdomo

Vice Chair:                         Jeffrey Zinn

Recording Secretary:           Paul Kovacic

Executive Committee:          Lupe Estala
                                          Darryl Dees
                                          Todd Marzolf
                                           Frank Silva

Executive Board Member:   Jeffrey Zinn

 

 

 

I.B.E.W. LOCAL 465

 

IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT

UPDATE

MAY 2008

 

 

May Unit Meetings: La Quinta, May 21st – El Centro, May 22nd.

The El Centro meeting this month will feature another “Candidate Forum” for IID Board of Director. Last month’s meeting featured challengers Bruce Kuhn, Mike Cox and Tony Gallegos.  This month’s meeting will return the three challengers, along with Stella Mendoza and John Menvielle.  The business portion of this meeting will be from 4:00-4:30 p.m.  the Candidates will be available from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.  Make sure to come to this meeting and show your interest in this very important election.  Non-members and card signers are welcome to attend the Forum.  Officers of the Employee Association are NOT eligible to attend either the business session or the Candidate Forum.

 

The La Quinta meeting will be held in the IID Board Room at headquarters from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.  There are two sessions one starting at 3:30 p.m. and the other at 5:00 p.m.  Even if you can’t stay for the whole meeting, drop by to pick up the latest information on District property, and meet your Stewards and Officers. 

 

Members at the April Imperial Dam Mtg.

 

 

Meet and  Confer:

Our committee met with District negotiators on April 23rd.  At that meeting the Union countered the District’s proposed “Wage Survey” with descriptions and narratives of different classifications value to IID’s operations.  Service Reps, Basin Operators, Water Construction, Relay Techs, Generation Mechanics, and Scada Techs were discussed.  Next meeting, the Union will continue the same discussion on other classifications.  As you know, some jobs were targeted for Zero or Negative wage adjustments by the District.  The Union also presented information on the increased cost of living (4.4% February 07 – February 08) for both Indio and Imperial Valley, and other IBEW Municipal contracts that were settled with positive Base Wage increases as well as supportive Wage Adjustments.  Our next two meetings with the District are May 15th and 29th.  Danny Amparano and Matty Carmona will be invited to these meetings.  Terry Lorona and Eddie Gill will be invited in June.  Thanks to standing committee members Perdomo, Zinn, Rose, Castro and Cruz for their continued hard work.

 

Membership Development:

The V.O.C. will change its name to the L.A.C. “Leadership Action Committee” starting next month to more accurately reflect its role on District property.  May starts the first split of the L.A.C. group into two separate bodies, the El Centro and La Quinta committees.  In July we will again be splitting into a separate “Water” committee.  Our future hope is to have independent groups reflect like duties and job classifications within the IID structure.   Future splits will involve Clerical, Power, Generation and more.  It takes volunteers. As we grow, anyone interested in representing their area may contact Cesar Perdomo at 1-760-315-7402 or John Hunter at 1-619-246-4653 for more information.

 

Complaints:

We resolved an issue with regards to a Rubber Gloving premium.  Another employee’s merit raise was returned after initially being denied.  A variety of Complaints are being carried through various levels by Officers and Stewards.  Settlements made on behalf of employees sometimes are helped by the relationship we have with management. Others are because the employee was denied or disciplined inappropriately.  While IID’s grievance system is inherently flawed due to no independent consideration or judgment for cases, until a Contract is obtained we will continue to pursue employee interest in the fairest possible way.

 

Stewards Training:

May 17th will mark the second annual “Public Stewards” training class in El Centro.  This class will be held at the Moose Lodge from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch and refreshments will be served.  Jerry Fecher and John Hunter with assistance from Unit Chairman Perdomo will present this class for the Public Sector, which is very different from the International’s “Basic Stewards Training” last given in January of 2008.  Spaces are open to Stewards, Officers, and members interested in gaining knowledge in representing Public Sector employees.  Call the Union office at 1-800-339-4969 to register.

 

April 23rd Candidates Forum in El Centro

 

 

Final Thoughts:

Anyone wishing to submit ideas or articles for publication may contact John Hunter at the Union Office.

 

Most IID employees have a unique advantage over private sector workers, the ability to vote their future: Board of Director elections.  While Politics are sometimes an enigma, they can determine your job, benefits and future.  While Board members have to balance the needs of the Public with running a responsible organization, they cannot ignore the needs of the employees for “fair and reasonable” wages and benefits.  IID is no different that L.A.D.W.P., City of Riverside, Turlock Irrigation, Modesto Irrigation, S.M.U.D. or countless other Public Utilities in California, their employees are “Utility” workers. One difference is all  these properties are I.B.E.W. represented.  These are not one way relationships, the Employer must prosper in order for the employees to prosper. But, not having benefits, wages and working conditions and a dispute procedure defined and included in a binding M.O.U. gives the employer every advantage.  Some employees can make every excuse for not caring, but it will cost them in the end, especially in their pocketbook.