Why Are The Younger IBEW Union Members Getting Shafted While Over 50 Yr Olds Are Not!

[madcowboy33]

Hello I was just wondering why is it that the IBEW, as well as other unions Internationals are allowing local unions to negotiate one contract for all union members, but have a varying degree of fairness to them. It appears that contract after contract, the over 50 crowd are getting better retiree medical benefits, a secured pension etc. While the under 50 crowd are being asked to vote on a contract that is screwing them. What kinda of crap is that!!!

I heard from a friend of mine that works at a Utility in the Midwest Iowa that their IBEW local is or has been recommending packages that favor the over 50 crowd but disfavors the union members under age 50.

This friend of mine told me that their were some union members that were hired at the company at age 18 and that some had over 30 years of service which made them 48 at the time of contract vote and after the contract being voted in, lost out because they were not over 50 years old or older.

He said they also didn't get credit for 18 years of service, where the company didn't have to give any cash for those 18 years.


This friend who works at this company told me that their are some contractors that worked on the property for this utility that were hired away from contractors, and only had 3 or 4 yrs of seniority but because they turned 50 before the contract was signed they were going to get the benefits of the 50 year old or older members.

One guy had 30 years Paying IBEW dues, the other 3 years and because he turns 50 before contract is signed, he is entitled to reap the benefits. Needless to say the guy with 30 years feels betrayed by the people ie. the negotiating committee that sold him down the river as well as many others that didn't hit the magical age before signage.

IS THIS WHAT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING HAS BECOME? NEGOTIATE FOR SOME, AND FORGET THE REST!!!!!!!!!!!![/COLOR]


I noticed someone started a thread on the Free Choice Act. Unions need to start getting their act together, before they go out and start seeking new members. They need to regain their position, and not pit older workers against younger workers as well as vice versa.


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, because their are alot of younger members becoming greatly dissatisfied when this stuff is allowed to continue.

Are you talking about the u-9 system council with one master agreement and several other local agreements?

[BigClive]

This is happening every were. Not just to linemen either. I just do not know what to say. Some day you can take these guys retirements and medical benefits for a nickle an hour when they retire. Everyting is unwinding and wages are being cut. It is bound to hit the utility industry sooner or later. Right now there is a shortage of linemen so we are OK for now. Not many want to do our job you know. I notice most are not pushing the company's against the wall they just take the young guys wages and benefits. Its easier. This is the 60's generation what do you expect? I always thought the union would stand up for all its members young and old alike. Guess I was wrong on that.

You're right Bulldog, this IS happening everywhere around the world. In the Uk they have systematically slaughtered the pension systems by offering the younger generation of voters frivolous incentives to vote for plans that not only destroy their own future security, but also destroy the security of those who are old enough to need it.

It may hearten you guys to know that one of the corrupt bankers over here who is involved in creating this mess has had one of his houses trashed. No problem, he can afford to buy as many new houses as he likes, but I get the feeling that more is about to happen. It sums up how most Brits feel about the current situation and the parasites that caused it.

What this world needs more than anything else at the moment is a cull of non-productives.

[Boomer gone soft]

It's the "FAULT", Asshole....of your "blessed Ibew".

Linemen, ain't SHIT in the "Brotherhood" of IBEW. They been suckin hind tit for YEARS.

"Strength in Numbers". Yeah, right.

Numbers of meter readers, clerks, warehouse personel, and EVERYBODY, EXCEPT, the Men who shoot the trouble at night.... and keep the lights on, and BUILD, repair and maintain the fuc$in lines. LINEMEN.

"Teamwork" is one thing...but LINEMEN SHOULD be top of the Food Chain in the ibew. But...the "union" is about numbers, not importance of "Trade".

The Ibew is shit. your union is shit. The IBEW, as founded by LINEMEN, has turned into a suck ass Political organization. And your fu$kin EFCA bullshit, is just another gambit to try and expand the MEMBERSHIP of Union.
You don't care WHO or WHAT trade they are.....just so they're Union.

I said it Years ago, and I'll say it again....Fu$k "Strenght in numbers" bullshit....
How's that workin for LINEMEN?

A LINEMANS Union, where LINEMEN can negociate as, and FOR LINEMEN,....instead of suckin hind tit to a Union that LINEMEN Created, and has gone.....all "Brotherhood" and shit.

Nice rant.

It's our fault--THE LINEMEN.

We need to become more active in our locals.

Opera non verba- DEEDS NOT WORDS.

[the DEMON]

Sometimes these negotiating comittees are tradesmen with not a whole lot of training in the profession of negotiating.God bless them but these companies hire pro lawyers to do there homework & negotiating, some of our union comitties in the utilities of weeker union areas do what they have to to get the contracts passed. I don't want to assume but so i'll ask do these younger members go to there union meetings get involved and run for some of the offices change & education is a good thing! As for the swamprat ah never mind why waist my breath!

[crazylegs]

It's the "FAULT", Asshole....of your "blessed Ibew".

Linemen, ain't SHIT in the "Brotherhood" of IBEW. They been suckin hind tit for YEARS.

"Strength in Numbers". Yeah, right.

Numbers of meter readers, clerks, warehouse personel, and EVERYBODY, EXCEPT, the Men who shoot the trouble at night.... and keep the lights on, and BUILD, repair and maintain the fuc$in lines. LINEMEN.

"Teamwork" is one thing...but LINEMEN SHOULD be top of the Food Chain in the ibew. But...the "union" is about numbers, not importance of "Trade".

The Ibew is shit. your union is shit. The IBEW, as founded by LINEMEN, has turned into a suck ass Political organization. And your fu$kin EFCA bullshit, is just another gambit to try and expand the MEMBERSHIP of Union.
You don't care WHO or WHAT trade they are.....just so they're Union.

I said it Years ago, and I'll say it again....Fu$k "Strenght in numbers" bullshit....
How's that workin for LINEMEN?

A LINEMANS Union, where LINEMEN can negociate as, and FOR LINEMEN,....instead of suckin hind tit to a Union that LINEMEN Created, and has gone.....all "Brotherhood" and shit.

so true swamprat too many different groups with different issues, somewhere along the way we too forgot what the word union means. Same shit here, up north we have clerks, mechanics, stores keepers, river rats, operators, you name it and oh yah lineman the guys that fought for the good benefits they all enjoy and does anyone treat us with any respect. sure they do when the f@#$ing lights go out!

[Boomer gone soft]

Thank you.

Yeah...Ya'll become more "Active" in your Locals.....

What's with the ..... "Opera non verba" shit?
Is that your "college education"?

If ya haden't followed it up with the "English translation".....nobody would have known what the fu$k you were sayin. Damn....your college education, has really payed off hasen't it? :-)

It's paid not "payed".....

You rant and bray like a jackass eating cactus about the union.

You know nothing of the union, or of service for another, or of linework for that matter.

You know plenty of running off at the mouth.

Too many union members complain and do not attend meetings, or volunteer, or serve as a steward. Too many of those who do attend meetings don't show up sober or use it as a forum to whine, piss, and moan.

Too many would rather be like you and run off at the mouth rather than do something about it.

So, yes.

OPERA NON VERBA

[Patriot]

Our company took a customer survey. And the customers were asked, "who do you trust the most"?

Vast majority of the consumers anwered, "the lineman"! They get the lights on, answer our questions, usually the first to respond to customer needs. Great to hear, and I think it has been that way for years, and we never expected a pat on the back, but then management treats us like two-year olds, no respect and no appreciation. Go figure!

We have become a necessary liability to management. And as the workforce ages, we simply want to go out the door and retire., And not have to respond to the 2 a.m. calls, on weekends, holidays, days off, in the wind, snow, and cold, or lighting and rain, miss family birthdays, baptisms, church, school programs,weddings, trips with the family, time with the family, meals, sleep, etc; simply to get the d@mn lights on! After 28 years, all I want to do is retire and enjoy. So, that is one reason the 50+ year olds are selling the young ones down the toilet!

Many went to work for utillities for a pension, now it is going away, corporate America has whittled away at every benefit and wants to end 401k matching and pensions and insurance benefits. Ceo's have ruined 401k accounts, and we were force fed 401k's! Whats left? Social Security? Respect is gone, pride is fading, do more work with less help, equipment is being run in the ground. But the bottom line looks good!

[joensie]

Hey Weevy,
Never done this before, so I might mess this up.

Seems you have some gripes with your union that you like to air. The tone of your messages causes me to wonder what your intentions are.
The time to bring these things up is not when your union is in negotiations. The company brings these postings to the table as indications of disunity within the union. If you want to change things, run for election and present your case to the brothers. If your thinking is correct, your brothers will back you up. If your brothers do not agree with you, perhaps your thinking is wrong.

I am one of the union members that lost out in that contract. Being 49, I was cut out of the RMA. The negotiating comittee did not do this to me. The company figured out the break in ages they needed to get that contract passed. It was the older (over 50) members and the younger members who were not benefiting from RMAs who took the bait and passed that contract. The committee was obligated to bring the contract for vote and did not push for passage.

We are now negotiating the next contract wherein the company is seeking to cut off our pensions. To me, the timing of your grievances is suspect. If you really are a member, I was probably at the same union meeting you were at Mon. night. If so, this is not a good time to be stirring brother against brother.

Or are you a plant from the company attempting to erode support from the union membership?

Respectfully, joensie

[Boomer gone soft]

Well, like I've said for a Long time,
I'd Love to see a LINEMANS ONLY Union....break off from the beloved ibew.

But, most of the "brothers" I see postin here, are like boomer. Just die hard "complete" Union, "strength in numbers bullshit".

SO....How's that workin for LINEMEN??

Who are you trying to fool?

It would STILL be a UNION, AND WE KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE SOCIALIST IDEAS.

[Pootnaigle]

The actual answer to your original question is that Just as unions try and do the best they can for everyone involved they also seek to limit the damages to as many as possible. So when its a factual deal that retirements and bene's are gonna be phased out they try and save the older guys that dont have the time to form a plan B and could not possibly recupperate from losing their benefits. I am sure its no more pleasurable to the union entitys involved than it is to the membership.