December 11, 1999

Hyatt Hotel

Valencia, California

Meeting called to order by President Dennis Zukowski at 10:06 A.M.

Flag salute waived.

Officers Present: President: Dennis Zukowski

Vice President: Newell Collins

Secretary-Treasurer: David Brown

Trustee: Roy Bozarth

Jim Shirley

Area Officers: Butch Hamilton

Bill Kimble

Max Sommers

Tim Wells

Junious Greene

Ron Necessary

Absent: Tony Espinosa

Dave Baldwin

Guest: Robin Downs

New Trustee, Bill Chrissakis sworn in.

Item 1. Unfinished Business:

Butch Hamilton presented an update on the Ventura Instrument Groups’ grievance. Butch met with all individuals involved, including management. Sherry McDonald, from the Employee Assistant Program (EAP), met with the group. The Instrument Group would like to continue meeting with the EAP counselor. The group feels Bill Soper should be included in all future meetings. The Instrument Group feels a written response to safety grievance is warranted.

Item 2. Decide on Vice President:

Two letters contesting the Vice President election was sent to the Secretary –Treasurer, President and the National Office. Fifth Region Officer, Barney Garcia, believes that since the two members contesting the election could change the result, the election for the office of vice president should be rerun. Donald Whiteman, President of the National, was also notified. He agrees with Barney Garcia, the election should be rerun. Motion by Bill Kimble to rerun Vice President election. Second by Newel Collins. Motion carried.

Executive Board members are to come up with three names for the election committee. It will be the election committees’ responsibility to mail out ballots, as well as counting the votes.

Item 3. Automation:

The question was asked, “How should we deal with automation of Gas Company facilities?” After a period of in-depth discussion, a motion was made. A motion by Butch Hamilton that President, Dennis Zukowski, should file as an intervenor with the California Public Utility Commission. Dennis should also seek legal counsel, and pursue all legal avenues to fight automation of Company facilities. Motion second by Bill Kimble. Motion carried.

Item 4. Secretary-Treasurer report:

Financial statement for the first quarter of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999 was handed out to Executive Board Members, along with the minutes of the last meeting. Motion to approve Secretary-Treasurer reports, by Butch Hamilton. Motion Second. Motion carried.

Empowerment Update:

How do we elevate issues to the facilitator? It was agreed that four of the five of the members of the Oversight committee could decided if an issue should be elevated to a facilitator. The Oversight Committee should render a decision all issues within two weeks of being heard by the Oversight Committee. First, issue should be resolved at the lowest level. The TSO team will be disbanded. Motion by Butch Hamilton. A letter to the TSO Team for Appreciation. Second by Bill Kimble. Motion carried.

The Empowerment hierarchy will consist of the following Executive Board Members, on the Oversight Committee, the President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer. While the current Secretary-Treasurer, David Brown, is in instrument training, area officer, Tim Wells, will substitute. Underneath the Oversight Committee, will be the Area Officers who will be responsible for their individual locations. Area Officers should work with the self-directed work team at their individual locations of responsibility.

The Oversight Committee will determine the training requirements needed to become a self-directed work team. Executive Board Members will have to assume more responsibility of Empowerment training. It is highly recommended that the Oversight Committee utilize the resources that the TSO team can provide.

Division of Duties by Officers:

The Executive Board needs to establish a committee to handle grievances. Motion by David Brown to form a committee of three. The committee to be headed by the Vice President, Butch Hamilton, and one Executive Board Member, to be chosen at a later date. The committee to create a database of grievances. The committee will be in place for one year. Motion second by Bill Kimble. Motion carried.

Dennis Zukowski asked the Executive Board members to purchase a lap top computer for him so that he could post information daily, while in negotiations. Motion by Max Sommers to buy a laptop computer. Second by Tim Wells. Motion carried.

Open topics:

Blue Cross and Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic in negotiations. If an agreement has not been resolved, the solution may be that the members in Lompoc will use the out of area provisions in the medical and dental agreement.

Dennis Zukowski will be on vacation until January 5, 2000. Members are encouraged to contact the Secretary-Treasurer or Vice President for any immediate concerns.

Area report:

At Blythe, two employees are sick from pigeon droppings. Grievance is still pending.

It was brought to the Executive Board’s attention that the Taft base is planning to contract out painting in the area. It was recommended that if this takes place, a grievance should be filed.

Tim Wells raised the issue of union meetings held at non-union Hotels. He strongly recommends that we make every effort to hold our meetings at union Hotels.

Next meeting to be held on, February 12, in San Bernardino, CA., at 10:00 A.M. Executive Board members to supply Secretary-Treasurer with names of union Hotels for next meeting.

Roy Bozarth made a motion to adjourn. Motion second by Max Sommers. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 2:15 P.M.