BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT

March 6, 2009

 

1.  Employees of Hawaiian Telcom are suffering some of the worst times in the history of telecommunications. The Secured lenders are still trying to ascertain the value of Hawaiian Telcom, as they drive toward a settlement with the Unsecured lenders to move Hawaiian Telcom out of Chapter 11. Here are some updates:

• HT was recently able to negotiate the significant reduction of its interest payments with the Secured lenders.

• The Company's Cash Balance is approximately 95 million dollars.

• Capital expenditures continue for Next Generation TV, with issues such as training, infrastructure, back-office related support and customer support being addressed on a daily basis.

• TPA/Bonus payouts will need to be reviewed by the Bankruptcy Court. The next hearing date is not until April.

• The Pension underfunding liability is now surfacing with the Secured and Unsecured creditors, and the Union is fighting to hold the line.

With all of the uncertainty going on with the Company, IBEW 1357 members need to pull together. Managers continue to leave, customers continue to leave, systems continue to be a problem, contractors, a new Senior Management team, etc. The survival of this Company still falls on the shoulders of the working men and women of IBEW. More will be asked of our members and we must respond immediately because ultimately, in spite of decisions that we cannot control, we need to protect jobs. We continue to ask our members to stay focused, be responsible, take care of the customers, and if there are issues you cannot resolve with management, PLEASE call the Union Office.

 

2.  IT&E continues to try and grow its business in Saipan, looking to get more contracts from Verizon, T-Mobile, Mobi, etc. With more work being driven into Saipan, this means more revenue for the Company, which translates to job security and benefits for our members. Unit 10 Chairman Ray Tenorio and Executive Committee member Hector Venus continue to do a great job in signing up new members and helping to solidify the IBEW. Mahalo for all of your hard work.

 

3.  In spite of some of the toughest economic times in the history of our industry, IBEW 1357 members still have much to be thankful for. Unfortunately, there are others in our community who are suffering. IBEW 1357 and Hawaiian Telcom will be combining our efforts to support the "Hawaii Food Bank". Business agent Kimi Koge and Vice President Thomas Grogan will be scheduling multiple events throughout the state, culminating in a fundraising golf tournament on September 5, 2009. We ask all our members to kokua others during these tough times, and call the Union Office if you have any questions.

 

4.  Nominations for Local Union, Unit and Convention Delegate positions are coming up this December, with elections to follow in February 2010. For those interested in serving your Union, please familiarize yourselves with the duties and responsibilities of each office so that you can make an informed decision as to how you can best serve. Details of the election process and a schedule of nomination meetings will be published in the November 2009 Kelepona Leo. Candidate profiles will be published in the January 2010 Kelepona Leo, and ballots will be mailed in January.

 

5.  Finally, Easter is approaching, and during this holy season I ask that we focus our attention on helping those in our community who have fallen on hard times. In spite of our own troubles, God continues to provide all that we need. So, I encourage you to be a blessing to others as God continues to bless our Union and our families.