Posted: March 7, 2008
Environmental
Specialists at Pacific Gas & Electric will be represented by IBEW Local
1245 after a card-check representation election.
The card count,
conducted Feb. 1, showed that a majority of employees working as Environmental
Specialists wanted IBEW Local 1245 to represent them in negotiations with
PG&E. The card count was carried out by a third party, Restructuring
Associates, Inc., under the terms of a “neutrality agreement” previously agreed
to by the union and the company.
The 33 Environmental Specialists, who deal with hazardous waste and other environmental impact issues, first approached the local about representation in December 2007, according to Local 1245 Business Rep. Landis Marttila. Major concerns included lack of control over their work hours in particular and their worklife in general. Compensation was also an issue.
“It’s one of the best informed units I’ve ever dealt with. They’re very self-motivated, assertive and well-informed,” said Marttila.
The new group will be folded into the union’s Physical Agreement with PG&E. Hours, job definition and salary will be determined in separate negotiations.