Michigan State Utility Workers Council, AFL-CIO
Volume XII, #3 July 31, 1997

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When the Council moved from Jackson to Lansing, one of the purposes was to get more involved with the day-to-day legislation that affects our lives. In 1995 Secretary of State Candice Miller changed Public Act 117 disallowing the Council and other unions to have Political Action Funds. With the help of the State AFL-CIO, the changes were contested and overturned to allow the Council to begin a new Political Action Fund with the understanding that it must be voluntary and must be done each year. The money collected will assist us in getting support from certain state senators and representatives with legislation pertaining to deregulation, safety and home house calls, etc.

Please contact your Local President to obtain a form and sign up for the weekly payroll deduction. While you are at it, you may also sign up for the National Political Action Fund to assist the National Union in our efforts on a national basis. Thank you for helping us, help you.

Big Rock Point closing

By now you are all aware that Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant in Charlevoix will cease operations on August 29, 1997. The shutdown and subsequent decommissioning of the plant presents us with some unique challenges and opportunities. It appears at this time that the Company is willing to use current OM&C employees for a portion of the decommissioning work. This is really the only sensible thing for them to do, in light of the provisions of Appendix Letter #46. They have also indicated a desire to utilize a number of TRC employees instead of contractors, provided some of the issues dealing with travel expenses can be negotiated. The Council Executive Board has been exploring the possibility of negotiating an acceptable agreement with the Company under the terms of Appendix Letter #53.

Members of the Council Board have met with representatives from the East and West TRC and have put together a committee at Big Rock to look at some of our options. Progress so far has been slow, as it probably should be, but it looks like we may have a proposal that is mutually beneficial before the end of August.

Accident investigations

The Council assisted in three accident investigations the month of July:

· Local 106-Battle Creek involving a Tree Trimmer In Charge sustained a severe cut to his leg while assisting another employee during a brushing operation.

· Local 254-Macomb involving a Street Utility Worker received a severe back injury as a result of getting struck by a backhoe bucket while retiring a gas service line.

· Local 144-Karn 1&2 involving a Mechanical Repair Worker A Special who fell approximately 12' from an elevated catwalk adjacent to the mud drum to the basement floor and sustained multiple injuries to his facial area and left arm.

All employees are in the recovery process and still off the job and we wish them a speedy recovery.

National UWUA calls for Michigan Deregulation Summit- Sept 30-October 1

Plans are being finalized for a state deregulation summit to be held on September 30-October 1, 1997 at the Holiday Inn, South in Lansing. Council President and State Deregulation Coordinator Gary Ruffner is currently working with the State AFL-CIO, George Manoogian - President Local 223-UWUA, our National Union and other interested parties to make this summit a huge success.

Join your UWUA Brothers and Sisters, other union workers, families, concerned citizens and organizations from across the state. We're going to Lansing to tell the politicians that if deregulation of the utility industry is not done properly, it will undermine our jobs, our families, our communities, our whole way of life! It's a power outrage!

To ensure room accommodations and the proper room rate at the Holiday Inn in Lansing call (517) 694-8123 or 1-800-Holiday - the cutoff date is August 30, 1997.

As soon as the agenda is complete it will be provided to your Local Union President.