I would like to begin by saying how proud we all are that President Sullivan, on behalf of Utility workers and Local 369, was selected to participate in the Workforce Development Working Group as part of Governor-elect Patrick’s Transition Team. This is a tribute to all of the members because of their hard work and dedication to this election. Local 369 pledged support to this campaign from the very beginning and followed through by getting involved. I would like to thank the COPE committee members for all of their efforts and the tremendous amount of time they dedicated to the campaign on behalf of Local 369. Well done!

At the most recent BUW council meeting I noticed a common theme taking shape involving company strategies. It seems they are all using the same play book. There are several different terms being used but is all the same thing and serves the same purpose- to track where you are and what you are doing, “AVL”, “M-Work”, “GPS”- in vehicles and cell phones. Remember the rules are your friends.

In Malden, President Sullivan, Executive Board Member John Tagleri and I met with National Grid Supervisors Mike McCallum and David Waye to discuss the ongoing issues at the Malden Service Center. We are working on resolving these issues; however, the actions taken by the company in the immediate future will determine our next course of action. The officers and leadership of the Local met with members at the Malden Platform to discuss upcoming contract negotiations, strategic planning, and establishing working groups to support our efforts in contract negotiations. We will be scheduling a meeting in Brockton as well.

I welcome Carol Carron to the Executive Board representing NStar workers in Yarmouth and Steve Gonzales as the Chief Steward in Yarmouth. I would like to commend and thank Carol Carron, Wayne Lima, Bill Sylvia, and Steve Gonzales for the continued success of their monthly steward meetings.

Bob Senier and I met with representatives of the NStar Training Department, Steve Driscoll and Pat Carney along with David Durant from NStar Labor Relations to discuss and resolve the problems we are having with training. We are working toward a resolution and will meet with them again in the next couple of weeks.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!