IBEW LOCAL UNION 1357

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT

August 1, 2008

            1. The Union bargaining team continues to negotiate with the Hawaiian Telcom negotiating team.  We are constantly aware of the urgency of our situation, as the Collective Bargaining

Agreement expires on August 31^st. We have reached out to our Stewards, keeping them in the loop and asking

them to stay connected to our members, urging all to focus on the task ahead while we try and reach a fair

agreement with the Company.  To recap, we are asking our members to:

·       Be safe.  Check your vehicle, tools and work station. And if you are going to deviate from

         policy, then you must notify your supervisor.

·       Register to vote, and vote Union

·       Drive sales to our Retail Stores

·       Get as much training as possible and learn whatever you can about our industry

·       Show your Union Pride by wearing your Union apparel every Friday.

2. Senator Barack Obama recently teamed with AFL-CIO President John Sweeny to speak to several Unions

about the challenges facing the country and the values and principles that inspire his campaign.  The Senator talked

about the economy and the rising cost that working men and women face; the need to stop outsourcing and bring the

jobs back from overseas; the current administration’s attitude that “you’re on your own”; when it comes to health

care, “you’re on your own”.  The Senator committed that he will be a champion in creating new jobs in America,

e.g. 5 million new jobs tied to energy, 2 million jobs in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, etc.  The economy has

suffered, the environment is at risk, thousands have died in a senseless war, the gap between the have’s and have

not’s continues to widen.  Let’s elect the champion for working men and women.

3. Unit 10 Chairman Ray Tenorio will be meeting with Shirley Dotts to review the Company’s quality and service

procedures.  Chairman Tenorio will also be recruiting new employees to join the Union team and help improve the

quality of life for the working men and women of Saipan and the CNMI.  Also, PTI CEO Larry Knecht and the

Union will be discussing opportunities for our membership on Monday, August 4^th.

4. GOLFERS NEEDED!  Our scholarship fundraiser is fast approaching.  So, please get your application in for

IBEW Local Union 1357’s Labor Day Scholarship Golf Tournament, scheduled for August 30^th at the Sheraton

Makaha East course.  It is open to the first 144 golfers, and all proceeds go toward providing scholarships for

members and their children.

5. With all the blessings our members enjoy (Pensions, Sick Leave, Medical Plans, 401k, Vacation), we must all take time to reflect on the Labor Leaders and past Union Brothers and Sisters that fought hard for these benefits. So, this Labor Day, September 1^st, spend time with your families and educate them about the blessings we enjoy because of Unions