1.  We have spoken to IT&E Labor Relations Director Shirley Dotts to start discussions on early bargaining. Although the contract does not officially expire until January of 2012, it would be in the interest of both parties to start the discussions now.  We have asked Executive Board Member Hector Venus  to start soliciting the membership for their concerns on the contract.

We have also been working with Vice President Larry Knecht, introducing him to a vendor that could help the Company grow its business by at least 50%. Details on infrastructure, product support, costs, etc. will be part of the discussions.

Assistant Business Manager Andie Kahakui will be heading to Saipan next month to do some training and recruiting new members.  She will be engaging the Company on bargaining issues, as well. Hafa Adais!

2.  The Union continues to deal with various issues at Hawaiian Telcom. Since the new Executive Team has taken over the Company and the launching of their Branding/We GO FAST messages, living up to those messages has been a challenge for them. There have been different pressures put on the Executive team with Bankruptcy, the launching of new products, maintenance of a deteriorating Company, training, old Board/new Board, an erosion of revenues and landlines, etc.

The Union has prided itself on basic fundamentals:

• Be responsible

• Learn as much as you can (what will delineate us)

• Be safe and provide great quality work

• Sell and use HT products

• Help your fellow Sisters and Brothers

• Legislative reform (FML, Sickness Disability, Pension Protection, Workers Comp, Davis Bacon/Project Labor Agreements, etc.)

• Union Pride

• The best workforce bar none in the nation (5 straight years, region of the year)

The Company has its Fierce/Aloha/Superior/ Trustworthy back to basic branding principles; however, the behavior does not always support the values:

• The servicing of Benefits (FML, Sickness Disability, etc.

• Misrepresentation on the Sick Leave Bill

• In spite of the Union’s numerous request to stop outsourcing, more contractors are being used

• Fast Friday’s/Brand Champions versus Union Friday’s/Cross Functional Teams

• White Glove Service (some employees are good; some not so good

• Fair and equal treatment for all employees (management not held to the same standards)

• We will honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Education and Life Long Learning).

This is not an us versus them revelation, but rather making the membership aware of the challenges we face.  With the constant volatility that has gone on since 2004, the Union continues to focus on strong, stable values and not chase the flavor of the day.  But, the bottom line is that we are only as strong as our members. Thank you all for your continued support and God Bless You All!

*A pension note:  The Company has put approximately 6 million dollars into the Pension Plan this year and will make a payment of approximately 14 million in September and another 3 million dollars in October, for a total contribution of approximately 23 million in 2010.

The certification for the funding requirement for 2009 will only include the 14 million dollar payment.  If you have any questions,  please call the Union Office.