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$14 Million for Utility Giant Who Wants to Cut Workers’ Pensions
For several months, members of the Utility Workers (UWUA) have been holding the line on givebacks and demanding a decent contract at Southern California Gas Co. (SoCal). But rather than recognizing the value of its workers, management is trying to lower pensions, jack up health care premiums and cut sick leave.
It’s not that SoCal, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, can’t afford to treat its employees well. In 2007, Sempra had more than $11 billion in revenue and its CEO Donald Felsinger raked in more than $14 million in salary and benefits.
Yesterday, thousands of SoCal workers rallied in Pasadena, Calif., and voted by a four-to-one margin to authorize union leaders to call a strike if necessary. The 5,000 workers are members of four UWUA locals and four locals of the International Chemical Workers (ICWUC), an affiliate of the United Food and Commercial Workers.
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, who spoke at the rally, said the workers sent a message to SoCal and Sempra:
You may own the gas company. [You] may own the tools I use, the truck I drive and the phone I answer. From the moment I clock in to the moment I leave you may own my time.
But you don’t own my union. You don’t own my family. And you will never own me.
And if you don’t want to settle this contract at the bargaining table that’s fine—we’ll just settle it on the picket line.
UWUA Vice President John Duffy, the lead negotiator, says the SoCal fight is critical in today’s economic environment:
There is a lot at stake here. We are trying to preserve our members’ opportunity to stay in the middle class. These kinds of radical changes to the contract would shut out any chance for them to stay there.
After workers rejected the company’s last offer in October, both sides extended the contract—which was set to expire Sept. 30—until Jan. 31, 2009. Duffy says for the past three months the company has been “trying to scare people” about the impact of a strike and sending workers copies of the last proposal.
Trumka says the AFL-CIO will help the UWUA members in any way it can because:
the bottom line is that it doesn’t matter whether your job is reading meters in California or digging coal in Pennsylvania, the simple truth is that there’s only one way working people have ever won in the past or are ever going to win in the future: It’s by organizing and mobilizing together.
That’s what it takes to win together. We will do whatever it takes to win and when we do, Felsinger and Sempra and SoCal will have learned that when you pick a fight with any union, you’ve picked a fight with every union and when you push us, you better run because we’re pushing back.
You can read Trumka’s entire speech here.
The range of speakers at the rally demonstrated the strong support SoCal workers have gained throughout the union movement and the community. In addition to UWUA President Mike Langford, speakers included UWUA Executive Vice President Steve VanSlooten, Duffy, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, two ICWUC officials, President Frank Cyphers and Vice President John Lewis, and Southern California radio host Margaret Prescod.
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13 Comments
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One of my former co-workers is now employed by SoCal Gas Co., and is not yet a member of a union—he doesn’t know which union he should join, hasn’t been contacted by a steward or representative,and to the best of my knowledge, it’s been almost a year that he’s been on the job.
He said that when he worked for our company, it was easy, because I gave him all the information right away as his steward. I told him he needed to talk to his co-workers as soon as possible, and find out who to contact—and not to cross any picket lines; just show up ready to work and let your supervisor know you are honoring the strike.
But the point is, if you’re willing to call for a strike authorization, you’d better have your bargaining units secured! How many workers are floating around out there who are not yet union members? How many of them will be prepared to honor a strike?
Long term Union members = People that don’t know what a real job is like! The last time I checked a real job / career relied on myself and my performance, I didn’t have to go to the Union for help, come on now, we are all adults here!!! I’m sure there are people out there that would love to work for the GasCo and not even give a damn about signing up for the union because they probably know what it’s like to depend on themselves.
We are in a recession people!! WTH are you thinking? We make so much money within this company and you are griping about small percentages that you can actually cover out of your own pocket?
132 has done NOTHING for specific job classes that should be higher than normal. Where is the unity in helping EVERYONE out, not just specifics…..
I’m disgusted that I pay dues to a Union that doesn’t help people out unless it makes them look good
Grow a pair, go on strike, stop throwing threats at the company….
The union members with IBEW Local 1245 never speak-out against their Employer.
Is it because they kept them in the dark or threats of termination?
why would someone fear about being kept in the dark or threats of termination if all they have done is advance within the company? The company has made tremendous offers for advancement opportunities, the union members should look outside of the box, and secure themselves rather then have the union secure them……
From what Trunka says “You may own the gas company. [You] may own the tools I use, the truck I drive and the phone I answer. From the moment I clock in to the moment I leave you may own my time.
But you don’t own my union. You don’t own my family. And you will never own me.
And if you don’t want to settle this contract at the bargaining table that’s fine—we’ll just settle it on the picket line.”
Well yeah that’s fine and all, but eventhough the company doesn’t own you, the union obviously does.
When we think that working as an individual is better than a group. When we think that as a individual you can get a better break then working as a group I say the company has done a better job with the workers than the union has. With in the union ranks there are always a few who are weak and look to the company for their welfare.
If you truly want better wages and a better life then union will get you there. That is not a myth try working where there is no union anywhere and buddy you are on your own. Subject to the whims of the employer. Afraid that if you say any thing you will be the next one to go. The person who says they don’t have to go to the union for help I ask you this when was the last time you went to your employer and asked then to help someone else or are you in it just for your self and to heck with anyone else.
Poor union workers, the Gas Company is trying to cut their vacation. They get 9 weeks of sick leave a year. Seriously, who needs 9 weeks of sick leave a year. That’s on top of their normal vacation time which is a minimum of 2.7 weeks and more the longer you’ve worked there. With upwards of 10% of Californians unemployeed, you’d think that they’d be greatful to have a job and that they are paid more than than contemporaries and that the get higher increases each year than inflation and cost of living. If I was willing to move, I’d take that job in an instant. I’d love to get time and a half for over time and double time for evenings and weekends. They make a killing.
Commenting on “Catbear’s” post: Meter Readers are not represented employees. Part timers pay reduced union dues and are hung out to dry if they get into the slightest bit of trouble.
Commenting on “so_what’s” posts: I don’t know what base you work in but in our base most of us work pretty hard. I agree we’re way better off financially than most. The union is telling us what we are supposed to think. In economic times like these, I find it hard to trust a man with my paycheck who calls me “brother” but doesn’t know my name. Especially when my “brother” will be collecting a paycheck whether or not he decides we’re striking.
By the way, I really enjoyed the meeting in Pasadena. What better way to spend a Sunday than to listen to someone’s dog and pony show sell their point of view like some crazed televangelist? The first speaker was the best – dropping names like Martin Luther King… Too bad Mr. King wasn’t alive as he’d likely tell her she was crazy to her face. “I have a dream.. That one day we’ll have jobs that pay $70,000 / year for lighting matches and hanging Home Energy Guides on people’s doors… Oh they’re already getting that?!? So why are they striking again?!? They want $71,000…? HUH?!?”
But seriously… We’re all on this crazy train whether we like it or not. Control over our livelihoods is in the hands of a stranger who assures us he knows what’s in our best interests. I’ve been debating on whether or not I would cross the line if it comes down to it. I think a lot of guys will, but I still don’t know. I feel like the union is playing poker with a 2-7 off suit in their hand. they’re all-in and its my chips.
Seems to me it would be better to fight when the economy is good. Make a few little concessions now, but when the economy is better take them back.
I cannot understand so_what’s logic in that he states when a worker does not think that a company’s refusal to bargain means that he/she owned by the union??? In case he doesn’t know the law, companies and unions alike are required to bargain in good faith. Please tell me why any company should be allowed to refuse to agree unless they get their way totally? Binding arbitration should be applied in all such cases, and not by stooges appointed by republicans such as the Bush/Cheney administration who used the dept of labor to look out for business interests. It has truly ruined our economy over the last 8 years.
I actually have a friend that had a chance to advance WITHIN the company on a represented job. Due to all the issues with this strike, they cancelled his advancement just so they could train non-represented employees in case of a strike. So I’m wondering how many people the union screwed? Did they even think of that ahead of time? Personally it’s upsetting to see that you pay dues and when your time comes to advance, the group you pay dues to does something which puts a halt to it. How would you like it if you were in that situation?
to mwee – I was basically making a point that the company doesn’t own anyone, the guy is right, but to a certain extent. All who are represented are owned by the union. We pay union dues just as we pay taxes, and who owns us? The government just as the union does.
to aidasmith – you are a prime example of someone who would be dedicated to jobs within the company. Get your resume ready!
So_what is correct! Think about it, how many members are there? 4000? How many on the Negotiating Committee? It is like a jury deciding the fate of your future. The union is not following the by-laws like they should. Funny thing, they write them!
I was one of the few that was not able to attend the mass meeting because I was obligated to work. There were a total of approximately 165 employees working that day. I asked the union if they would be sending out absentee ballots to those who are obligated to work on that day and they said no because the by-laws say that we can’t and that I would have to attend the mass meeting to vote. Well, no where in the by-laws did it say you couldn’t! The by-laws also say that you will have a mass meeting in conjunction with regional meetings for a strike vote which also didn’t happen. So yes, they are controlling the whole show.
I would like to know how they got a 4 to 1 strike vote. So, 2,200 or so members voted for 4,000 go figure. Oh yeah, I forgot, because they showed up to the mass meeting!!!
There is so much confusion. You talk to half of your work group and they have a different perspective on what the vote really meant. Some are under the impression that it was just a “pre-authorization” vote and others say it is an actual strike vote. They don’t even know what they actually voted for.
Times are very hard. I have friends that work 2 part-time jobs just to live and give food and shelter to their families. I do feel very fortunate and if it could get better we all would be very happy with that. The economy is very bad right now for every one and if we strike we would make life difficult for the members while trying to make it better.
Southern California Gas Co is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy. Sempra had more than $11 billion in revenue. 5,000 employees of Southern California Gas Co are members of four UWUA locals and four ICWUC locals. If they get $70,000 / year for lighting matches and hanging Home Energy Guides on people’s doors as Mech on says they do. So we take 5,000 employees x $70,000 per year = $350,000,000.00. Throw in $150,000,000.00 for benefits and that comes to $500,000,000.00 or 1/2 billion dollars. So those 5,000 employees cost Southern California Gas Co. and Sempra Energy 1/2 billion dollars in wages and benefits and they in turn generated 11 billion in revenue for them. So maybe these employees are well worth the money that they are being paid and even a little bit more.
smallcastle,
There’s more to the math than strictly wages. Sempra owns SDG&E and they obviously have many employees as well. Also, and most critically, the company doesn’t get gas or electricity for free. Even still, you’re right. The company can afford more, but will they give it away? Certainly not without a fight. The question is, is this the time to fight?
In a few days we’ll be voting on an amended contract. The so-called concessions do not amount to much. 1/4% increase in first year’s raise and an “attaboy” for having good attendance are nice and all, but I’m not sure the people who voted “NO” to the first contract will be all excited about this one. There’s no real gamechanger here, so we may be headed towards a strike anyway.
Even still. I’m voting “YES” on this contract and most people I talk to are as well. There are NO OTHER JOBS out there that pay close to this with all these benefits. I feel many people have lost sight of this and think they are irreplaceable. Maybe its never occured to them that it took only a few weeks to train them to do the job they are doing now. If we strike, the first thing the company will do is lock the doors to us and train people eager to do our jobs for less money. It would be rough for supervision at first, but after a few months they really wouldn’t need us anymore and the strike would basically backfire like the supermarket strike not too long ago. Remember how that one turned out???