2013 Summer - UA Local 32

HVAC/Refrigeration Reportby Erik PoundBrothers and Sisters,Work has definitely picked up in the 2nd quarterof 2013. Hiring has picked up as well, but not enoughto get everyone back to work. Many of our contractorsare expecting it to stay busy through summerand don’t see the workload dropping off until fall.However, we are still experiencing a bit of underemployment;some of our members are workingless than 40 hours per week, or are on furlough.As of July 3rd, 2013, there are 25 Journeymenon the out of work list, with ten (10) unavailable.That’s down from 32 at the time of the last newsletter,and the lowest number in two years. All availableapprentices are working.Local 290-Portland-will be hiring again for theIntel project soon. All travelers are required to take aHigh Tech Culture class prior to dispatch. Those ofyou who are interested please contact me.Our next quarterly Shop Steward meeting willbe Wednesday, November 13, 2013. We decided toskip the summer as it is our busiest time of the year,and as a result attendance for the summer meetinghas dropped off a little the past few years. Pizzasshow up around 4:30 and the meeting starts at 5pm.I would like to thank our Refrigeration Shop Stewardsfor their excellent participation since we’ve startedthe quarterly meetings.During May’s Union meeting, we allocated $1.00for our raise effective June 1st, 2013 as follows:• $0.85 to the check,• $0.05 to the WSA, and• $0.10 to Health and Welfare.Seattle UniversityWe just finished a wage opener with the University;our members there saw wage increases this yearaveraging 3.9%. We negotiated a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the University through the BuildingTrades in 2011 outlining our wage increases forMatt Lockwood, Local 32 HVAC/R member at work.the life of the agreement. This is the 3rd year of a 3year agreement which expires June 30, 2014.Building Trades Refrigeration & HVACHVAC work continues to be steady. We’re startingto see building trades construction work pick-up.There are several projects downtown installing VariableRefrigerant Flow (VFR) systems that should geta few members off the out of work list. These projectsare starting soon.Our HVAC service shops are picking up as well,although we haven’t seen much hiring. I’m hearingthat most of the membership is back to work fulltime.But I expect things to get quite a bit busier onthe service side soon.With our recent stretch of warm weather supermarketservice is extremely busy. I’m hoping for along hot summer.10 32 CONNECTIONS SUMMER 2013