Business Manager's Report

November 7, 2008

 

1. Hawaiian Telcom CEO Eric Yeaman has been meeting with employees to go over the Company's Strategic Plan. The plan centers on getting back to the basics: Integrity, Providing World Class Service to both our external and internal customers, and Restoring Pride in our membership and the Company.

 

The financial picture for the Nation, the state and the Company has not been a healthy one. The Company is currently trying to restructure its financials. We should know within the next 6 months the results of the Company's efforts to restructure its debt. The financial relief being sought and the ability to attract new investors will help Hawaiian Telcom meet the needs of our employees and customers. At the end of the day, training, the building of infrastructure, tools, systems, new products, and marketing will better position the Company to compete in the marketplace.

 

The philosophy of getting back to basics is nothing new for our IBEW members. The challenges of the systems, training issues, logistical problems, engineering problems, etc., are all substantive concerns. What our members can and should focus on is continuing to do the very best they can. There is an urgency and groundswell to restore the reputation of the hard-working men and women of IBEW Local Union 1357.

 

2. The volatility of the financial market has impacted some of PTI's financial matters and we are currently working with CEO Larry Knecht to make sure our members are not adversely affected.

 

Unit 10 Chariman Ray Tenorio is working with PTI management to start holding meetings at the Company to better serve our Union members. We ask our Unit 10 members to take time to speak to those employees who are not in the Union and have them join our family.

 

3. The newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement between IBEW Local 1357 and Hawaiian Telcom was ratified on October 4, 2008 by a vote of 592 "yes" to 10 "no". Of the 833 members eligible to participate in the ratification process, 73% voted. The acceptance rate was 99%. I'd like to thank President Ted Furukado and the Negotiating Committee for their hard work during these negotiations. We have much work ahead of us to help get the Company to a more healthy position and to improve the benefits for new employees. So, we urge our members to continue to do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, work smart and work safe, and help your fellow Brothers and Sisters whenever the opportunity arises.

 

4. November 4th. What a proud day; a history-making day! With the election of Hawaii's own Barack Obama as the next president of the United States, the future for working families is no longer dismal. There is finally hope for a better tomorrow. But, it will require not just words of support, but our earnest effort, no matter how small, to help turn the economy and country around. It means becoming and staying informed, and getting involved in the political process. It means educating our families, and especially our children, about the issues facing our nation and our state. And it may even mean sacrificing a little now for a more secure tomorrow. The time has come for us to show what we're made of. Our future is in our own hands.

 

I'd like to thank International Representative Harold Dias, Jr., Local Union Registrar Andie Kahakui, and our Political Action Committee members for the great job they did during the elections.

 

5. Every year, Local 1357 participates in Labor's Community Services Liaison Program's holiday project. This year's project is a giant Garage Sale to be held on December 6th at McKinley High School Cafeteria to benefit the Aloha United Way. This is LCSLP's big fundraiser of the year, and for it to be successful, LCSLP needs lots of donations and volunteers. The deadline for donations is Monday, November 24, 2008. Please kokua! For more information and/or pick-up donations, call Allen Yamashita at the Union Office (941-7761).

 

6. As the holidays approach, we're reminded of all that we have to be thankful for. In one of the worst economic times in our country's history, we at IBEW Local 1357 have been richly blessed. And we thank our members and our families for your continued support.

 

God bless you and God bless IBEW.