It is hard to believe, that we are already three months into 2008. This year and the subsequent one, promise to be two more busy years for Local 369. This year with four contracts expiring, we will again be working around the clock to negotiate an agreement with three separate employers; National Grid, Distragas and Entergy. By including members directly in all aspects of negotiations, we will insure that the members’ collective voices will be heard. Having negotiated at least two dozen contracts in the last 5 _ years I have seen first hand, the results that have been produced. Once again some of the issues that the committees will be faced with are healthcare, pensions, and job specifications to name a few.

In the Fall/Winter of this year we will begin preparations for three more contracts, Mirant February 28, 2009, Hingham Municipal Power & Light December 31, 2009 and NStar Electric & Gas June 1, 2009. I need not remind you what transpired just three short years ago with NStar. With the same negotiators for the NStar, we can expect another hard fought battle for sure.

If you have not signed up for the Workers Involved In Negotiations (W.I.I.N.) fund, you should. If you are already participating and your contract is settled, then you should again renew and think about increasing your deductions. Negotiations will only get harder in the years to come. Unfriendly legislation that was passed, while the current President has been in office, has directly affected our industry. With the repeal of the Public Utility Company Holding Act (PUCHA) the acquisitions and mergers are far from over. The chances of our companies being purchased or acquired have increased significantly. This translates into more negotiations where attention to details and preparations are paramount.

Around the offices here at Local 369 we are in the midst of replacing the lights in the Vision Center, and the general offices of Local 369. Some of the lights that are being replaced were the original lights and were in desperate need of an upgrade. The good news is that the money that will be spent to replace the lights will be recouped in four years by reducing the electric bill with energy efficient lights. Preliminary plans are also underway for the replacing of the lights in the function hall, entry way and the lounge. Last year, we replaced the existing restrooms and added a handicapped accessible restroom. These projects are all capital improvements to your building that we expect to complete within the next few years. We are still looking to move forward with adding office space to the building, but we will not do any major construction without the approval of the membership.

In closing I would like to wish a speedy recovery to Pat Young. We miss Pat down here at the union hall. Even though Pat retired from NSTAR a few years ago, he continues to give his time, energy and expertise to the members of Local 369 and the veterans of this great country.