1.  Hawaiian Telcom filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on Monday, December 1st. Although it was not the preferred path of the Union, it was not unexpected. With the delaying of interest payments in the amount of 26 million dollars, the Company has been trying to negotiate, with the lenders, terms and conditions tied to their fiscal situation.

 

The Federal Judge ruled on HT's first motion request on Tuesday, December 2nd, in essence confirming that all provisions and entitlements under the Collective Bargaining Agreement will be maintained.

 

CEO Eric Yeaman and his team have been engaged with the Union throughout this process. The Senior Management Team is committed to working with the Union and not hurting the members. Since discussions began to surface around the possibility of the Company filing for Chapter 11, the Union has been in discussions with our Legal Counsel, Herbert Takahashi, as to what we can expect to happen and how we need to respond. Our International Office has also been monitoring our situation, as we have reached out to our political leaders for support.

 

Our members have been through some of the darkest times and, as we have stated before, we are not out of the woods yet. We ask our members to continue to stay focused on our customers by providing that world class customer service. And on behalf of President Furukado, we'd like to thank our members for their resolve in seeing us through these tough times, and for being the best workforce "bar none" in the nation.

 

2.  We have reconfirmed with PTI CEO Larry Knecht that we will be meeting with the PTI team in January to discuss the following:

• A Performance Incentive Plan

• Performance Policies

• Pension payouts

• Contract possibilities.

Brother Ray Tenorio will be asking our members to please attend your next Union meeting, as the Unit prepares for training by President Furukado and Business Agent Kimi Koge in January. Also, please remind your Brothers, Sisters, friends and family to sign up and join our Union family.

 

3.  IBEW Local Union 1357 has been selected, along with a handful of other Business Managers, to help develop the Code of Excellence Program for the Telecommunications Industry. International Director of Telecommunications Martha Pultar and International President Ed Hill will be meeting with us the week of December 8th to set the groundwork for a comprehensive vision for telecom workers nationwide.

 

We are fortunate to have such a progressive advocate in International Representative Harold Dias, Jr. Brother Dias has presented the Code of Excellence program to a number of Local 1357 groups since taking office, including our Brothers and Sisters on Saipan. The Program will be unveiled to all Telecommunications Business Managers throughout IBEW in a Leadership Forum scheduled for January 2009 in Florida.

 

4.  The holidays are already upon us, and in spite of all the turmoil in the world, we still have so much to be thankful for. So, make time to spend with your family and loved ones, and to give to those in need. And let's not forget what the Christmas season is all about.

 

Have a safe and Merry Christmas, and a joyous New Year.

 

God bless you and God bless our Union.