Mainline Report
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Mainline Report
2009 can be summed up as a very slow year. I pre-jobbed 28 projects with a total of approximately 34,000 man-hours, compared to 2008 when we worked 69,491 man- hours. The out-of-work list has moved slowly, if we were not able to travel to
BP and Williams performed less than normal maintenance work in
At the Pipeline Conference in the spring, Local 798 reported that man-hours would be down for 2009 compared to 2008 and indeed they are. We have all seen the growing out- of-work lists and the effects on the membership. It’s important that we hire Local members within our jurisdiction when all things are equal. If you travel and go to work in another jurisdiction, it is important to contact the Business Manager or Agent when you arrive. Do not assume the contractor will do that for you. We are guests and should be treated as such.
Mainline Training
I recently went to Fairbanks, Local 375, to review training curriculum they use in the mainline industry. One of the obvious differences in Local 375’s training and Local 32 is that Mainline Helper Training is part of their Apprenticeship Program, where it is not in Local 32.
Going forward, consideration will be taken to incorporate Mainline Helper Training, as a pre-requisite to taking the journeyman test, along with additional classes needed to become Journeymen. We are not going to lower our standards; any changes proposed have to be reviewed through our Fitter Exam Board and our Executive Board, if we expect our contractors to pay the best wages and benefit packages and we do! We, therefore, need to have training in place that produces the best Mainline Welders and Journeymen. It is my intent in 2010 to work with the Training Office and our members to accomplish this goal.
Out of Work List
In 2009, we changed our hiring hall rules so you can call in to be added to the out-of- work list. As a reminder, I am outlining the section on the out- of- work list for review. Note: It’s not the entire list, just the section regarding calling in (Section 1 and Section 2).
1. When an applicant is out-of-work and available for work, it is their responsibility to contact the hiring hall and register their name on the out-of-work list. No one else can do this for you. The applicant has the option of contacting the hall by phone to have the agent register his/her name on the appropriate out of work list. The applicant can only have his/her name registered by the agent to the out of work list after receiving layoff notice and/or notification by the Steward, the applicant has been laid-off.
2. No applicant shall register availability for work at more than one (1) hiring hall during any one period of unemployment. Applicants on travel card from Local #32 are unavailable for work and must contact the business office during regular scheduled work day for information regarding work. Only the applicant can obtain information from the Pipeline Business Representative concerning his/her position on the out-of-work list.
New members:
The Local Union has accepted the transfers of the following members in 2009.
v Curtis Ary- Welder
v Aaron Hoffman- Welder
v John Fladebo- Welder
Brother Rick Ary has decided to hang up the hood. He has worked in the industry for over 40 years and decided it was time for a new challenge and this past October, he removed his welder from his rig. (Above picture)
Rick began his career at age 15 as a Welder Helper. He was a helper for three (3) years and began welding for ARB in 1974, in
Rick will retire with his wife, Cristine, whom has faithfully been by his side since their marriage in 1979. They have one son in the trade, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
Respectfully submitted
Jeffery J Owen
Assistant Business Manager
Local 32
