Approved by the
Board: November 18, 2008
_________________________
Wednesday, October
29, 2008
_________________________
The Board of Commissioners met at the Executive Offices of 1232 Haco Drive, Lansing, Michigan.
Present: Commissioners Robert Cochran, Tony DeLuca, Semone James, Frank Lain, Julee Rodocker, Tracy Thomas and Sandra Zerkle.
Absent: Commissioner Peter Kramer.
The Secretary declared a quorum present.
Chairperson Lain called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
THE CHAIR ANNOUNCED THAT
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON ANY AGENDA SUBJECT
AND ANYONE WISHING TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER NOT ON THE AGENDA MAY DO SO IMMEDIATELY
PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT.
There were no public comments.
Collective Bargaining Agreement between the
WHEREAS, on October 9, 2008 the Board of Water and Light and IBEW Local 352 entered into a Tentative Agreement to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreement for four years;
WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of the Tentative Agreement are in accordance with the direction and authority that was delegated to the Board’s negotiating team by the General Manager; and
WHEREAS, the Tentative Agreement was submitted by the IBEW Local 352 negotiating team to the IBEW membership for its approval and was ratified on October 17, 2008.
RESOLVED, that the attached “Final Tentative Agreement” (dated and signed October 7, 2008) is hereby approved.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Chair and Corporate Secretary are hereby authorized to sign the Agreement incorporating the settlement changes.
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Staff Comments: The Board and the
In addition several changes to health care benefits were agreed upon including increasing emergency room co-pay from $75.00 to $150.00, requiring $20.00 office visit co-pay for chiropractic services, increasing annual individual deductible from $100.00 to $150.00 and annual family deductible from $200.00 to $300.00, and offering employee paid group vision insurance that will be paid for with pre tax dollars.
Effective January 1, 2009, in the event a surviving spouse remarries; the subsequent spouse of the surviving Spouse shall not be eligible for Spouse Benefits under the Post Retirement Benefit Plan. Benefits shall not be withdrawn from spouses of Surviving spouses that are/were receiving benefits under the Post Retirement Benefit Plan as of December 31, 2008.
Eligible Employees hired after January 1, 2009 shall receive the same level of coverage, and be responsible for health care premium sharing, and co-pays at the same level as other active employees. To the extent the eligible Employee, who is hired after January 1, 2009, is eligible for benefits under the Post Retirement Benefit Plan, their respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium sharing as a retiree through retirement shall be at the same level it was as of the date of retirement. In the event the retiree dies and is survived by a spouse or eligible dependent, the surviving Spouse and/or eligible dependent shall continue to be responsible for the same level of health care premium sharing as the respective retiree. Upon retirement, active employees hired on or before December 31, 2008 will continue with the same health care benefit level of coverage, co-pay, and premium sharing as retirees pay as of September 15, 2008, and the provisions of the Post Retirement Benefit Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
Finally, the parties agree to changes as proposed by a Board
and
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Final Tentative Agreement
October 7, 2008
Extend Collective Bargaining Agreement, Attachment and MOUs by a term of forty-eight months. All provisions will remain in effect until Midnight, October 31, 2012. As outlined in Article XV, page 46, of the CBA, except as follow:
1. Effective November 1 2008: 3% wage increase to all bargaining unit classifications
2. Effective November 1, 2009: 3% wage increase to all bargaining unit classifications
3. Effective November 1, 2010: 3% wage increase to all bargaining unit classifications
4. Effective November 1, 2011: 3% wage increase to all bargaining unit classifications
5. Effective January 1, 2009, in the event a surviving spouse remarries; the subsequent spouse of the surviving Spouse shall not be eligible for Spouse Benefits under the Post Retirement Benefit Plan. Benefits shall not be withdrawn from spouses of Surviving spouses that are/were receiving benefits under the Post Retirement Benefit Plan as of December 31, 2008
6. Eligible Employees hired after January 1, 2009 shall receive the same level of coverage, and be responsible for health care premium sharing, and co-pays at the same level as other active employees. To the extent the eligible Employee, who is hired after January 1, 2009, is eligible for benefits under the Post Retirement Benefit Plan, their respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium sharing as a retiree through retirement shall be at the same level it was as of the date of retirement. In the event the retiree dies and is survived by a spouse or eligible dependent, the surviving Spouse and/or eligible dependent shall continue to be responsible for the same level of health care premium sharing as the respective retiree. Upon retirement, active employees hired on or before December 31, 2008 will continue with the same health care benefit level of coverage, co-pay, and premium sharing as retirees pay as of September 15, 2008, and the provisions of the Post Retirement Benefit Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
7. Emergency room co-pay will increase from $75.00 to $150.00; co-pay will be waived if admitted.
8. Chiropractic services will now have a $20.00 office visit co-pay
9. Increase annual individual deductible from $100.00 to $150.00 and annual family deductible from $200.00 to $300.00
10. Offer employee paid group vision insurance that will be paid for with pre tax dollars.
11. The parties agree to the Attachment L subcommittee changes and report
12. The parties confirm that all provisions agreed to by this tentative agreement and memorandum of Understanding become part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and have full force and effect.
_____________________________
IBEW Local 352
BY: _________________________
Dated: _____________, 2008 Its: __________________________
_____________________________
By: __________________________
Dated:_____________, 2008 Its: __________________________
Discussion: Commissioner Zerkle advised that she was given responsibility for overseeing the negotiation process and found that there was minimal work for her to do. Reaching agreement on the new bargaining unit contract was a testament to both parties willingness to sit down with one another and workout the contract. It was also advised that the 4-year bargaining unit contract is a benefit to the employees and a cost savings to the BWL.
Commissioner Lain thanked General Manager J. Peter Lark, the
Action: Carried unanimously.
Additional discussion:
Commissioner Cochran complimented IBEW Local 352 Business
Manager
General Manager J. Peter Lark thanked the Board of Commissioners and Commissioner Zerkle in particular for their support. It was also noted that previous contract negotiations had taken significantly longer to resolve. As such, Mr. Lark noted his appreciation of the Board’s timely approval.
Moved by Commissioner
Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Cochran to enter into closed session to
discuss a pending litigation matter with Attorney Scott Mandel of Foster,
Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. as protected
by Open Meetings Act exemption MCL 15.268(e).
(9:13 a.m.) The roll was called.
Yeas: Commissioners Cochran, DeLuca, Graves
Nays: None.
Absent: Commissioner Kramer.
Carried unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner
Cochran, seconded by Commissioner Thomas that the Special Board meeting return
to open session.
Carried unanimously.
The Special Board meeting
reconvened in open session at 9:17 a.m.
Upon conclusion of closed
session, the Board of Commissioners took the following action:
Motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner
Cochran to approve the agreement as put forth (and consistent with the Board
resolution passed October 16, 2008).
Action: Carried
unanimously.
MANAGER’S REMARKS
Solar Array
Groundbreaking. General Manager J. Peter
Lark thanked those in attendance at the Solar Array Groundbreaking ceremony
held October 22, 2008.
Granger Landfill Gas
Ceremony. The Granger Landfill Gas
Ceremony is scheduled for November 18th. Invitations are forthcoming.
Energy Efficiency
Program. The BWL is scheduled to
announce an aggressive energy efficiency program in early 2009.
COMMISSIONERS’ REMARKS
Commissioner Lain
introduced the concept of going paperless whereas, the Board of Commissioners
would no longer receive paper copies of committee or board meeting
materials. Instead board members would
receive their materials electronically unless paper copies were deemed
necessary. It was noted that other
entities are moving in this direction and, it is also greener and in alignment
with BWL energy efficiency goals.
Depending on the need, notebook computers maybe essential to have at the
meetings to access the materials as necessary.
In addition, Commissioner Lain also advised that he receives several
questions from the community asking what the board members are doing and what
they themselves can do to save energy.
As a result, Commissioner Lain suggested the need to create a pamphlet
that would provide information on how to save energy within one’s own
household. The paperless initiative and
the pamphlet project would also allow the Board to take the lead in becoming
more energy conscious. In addition, Go
Green Initiative Coordinator
In response to
Commissioner Lain’s comments regarding electronic committee packets, Ms. Heins
advised that the first step in the process is auditing the kind of documents
that the Board receives, as everything will not be paperless. In addition, General Manager J. Peter Lark
also advised that from his perspective he thought it a good idea.
Commissioner James noted
that she would like to continue receiving paper copies, as she does not have
the opportunity to sit at a computer and read through documents. As such, paper copies will allow her the
occasion to review said materials during and/or between meetings.
After brief discussion, it
was noted the Board of Commissioners were supportive of the idea, as it will
save time, paper and money. It was also
confirmed that all board members with the exception of Commissioner James would
start to receive electronic meeting packet materials in the near future. It is estimated that the new process will
begin December 2008.
Commissioner James departed the meeting at 9:24 a.m. due to
a prior obligation.
Commissioner Thomas noted
that he appreciates relationships because they are really powerful. He also advised that even during difficult
times one must have good relations.
EXCUSED ABSENCE
On motion by
Commissioner DeLuca, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to excuse the absence of
Commissioner Peter Kramer.
Action: Carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public
comments.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner Thomas,
seconded by Commissioner DeLuca, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
/s/ Rhonda Jones, Corporate
Secretary
Filed with
November
3, 2008