Utility Operations and BBI Bargaining Report #20

Bargaining Report: BBI & Utility

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

We have been constantly fighting with the company for a fair and equitable contract. Our bargaining proposals have included many suggestions to make the livelihood of our members better. In addition to substantial improvements to our wages and healthcare, we have been fighting for:

• Bereavement enhancement
• Additional holidays
• Population of existing titles to grow our membership and get rid of contractors
• Increasing the base pay of all Machine Operators
• Differential for directional Bore Machine Operators
• Reducing the overtime cap
• Double time after 49 hours
• Increasing personal paid time off
• Elimination of the company-designated personal day (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Clear definition of what Unlimited Overtime is
• Hands-on Health & Safety training
• Personal time counting towards the 40 hours
• Increase travel expense
• Increase Layoff allowance
• Differential for fiber cutover
• Increase for uniform allowance including boots
• Sick Days
• Introduction of Permanent Restriction (PMR) process
• Pay for training new hires
• Increased time for Union Officers
• Increase pay for using meters

 The company believes that the Utility Operators are unskilled workers and do not deserve the improvements that we are fighting for. The company believes that it is ok to continue to add additional work to the Machine Operators’ scope of work and not compensate them for it. The bargaining team has consistently informed the company of how technical the job of a Machine Operator is and the dangers that come along with the job. The company was amazed at the knowledge the bargaining team had about their job and the health and safety aspects of it, However, they are unwilling to compensate the Machine Operators for their knowledge and skills.

Machine Operators have taken on additional responsibilities that are not in their scope of work trying to help out the company, but the company has used and abused them. The company has the attitude of why should we pay them more for what they are already doing. We do the extra work because we want to provide good customer service and it’s the right thing to do but we need to be compensated for our efforts. We have been put on the back burner for too long, we know our worth, and demand to be compensated for it. We will continue to fight for a fair and equitable contract.

When We Fight, We Win!

We demand more in 2024!

Thank you all for your continued support

In Unity your Bargaining team

Johnita Tolbert

Gail Bubba Shewalter

Eric Adams

Isa Shabazz