As summer draws to a close we see signs of our industry continuing to rapidly change and evolve. In that spirit we are saddened by the end of an era with New Boston Station being deactivated by Exelon. And although the plant is being deactivated we are doing everything in our power to make sure our members are not deactivated along with it. We are working with the Rapid Response unit of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Mass. AFL-CIO. The Local has also contacted other plants in the area in addition to our Generating Utility Contractor, Jersey Boiler to see if there are opportunities. We are scheduling a job fair to be held at the union hall so the members who are being laid off can see first hand any opportunities that these other companies may offer. I am confident that we will be successful in this endeavor.

Looking ahead we are preparing for upcoming contract negotiations. In March 2008 the National Grid call center contract expires, in May of 2008 both Entergy (Unit 1) and Distrigas are due to expire and finally in October of 2008 the Entergy (Unit 2) contract expires. You may ask yourself, how are we going to negotiate all these contracts in such a short period of time? The fact is that since 2004 more and more of our bargaining committees are comprised of bargaining unit members. Just in the last year alone we successfully negotiated five (5) contracts. How was this done?

It should be no secret in looking at our strategic plan; it has been the key. This plan, developed by the membership starting in 2002, which called for membership involvement and a transparency in our negotiating practice has proven itself over the last year. We now have a proven track record of successful negotiations. These bargaining committees comprised of our rank and file members are leading the way. We need to continue along this path of our strategic plan, but to do this we need increased membership participation.

First let me commend our members for their hard work and solidarity in the last few years and second let me challenge our members to not only continue their efforts, but to increase their efforts of participation. Our members are our strongest and most secret weapon. Together we can be a strong political force, legislative force, regulatory force and lastly we can have a stronger voice in our work place. Without this participation we are less effective and less successful in everything we strive to do.

In closing I commit to the members of Local 369 that I will continue to abide by our strategic plan, the strategic plan we all developed of inclusion and transparency and together we will continue our success and strive to improve our efforts.