Teamsters Local 166

Business Representative

Jason Hodge

Web Page Update

 January 2012

At Fort Irwin Northrop Grumman I am happy to report that the 401k merger is finally done. This was a long hard fight but your solidarity and patience paid off. As you know there have been rumors of a lot of cost savings cuts and de-scoping of the Army Contract. Some of these rumors are true. The areas so far that have been de-scoped are the 11ths ACR shop, the EAB 2^nd Shift, the Arms Room, and Rotational Support Bldg 808. However the company has been able to absorb all of these approximately 40 + members positions and place them in other shops by seniority.. On January 31, 2012, the Ft. Irwin Public Affairs Office at Fort Irwin confirmed that there is an idea and discussion to end the bus service to Fort Irwin from Barstow and Victorville but has NOT been decided on yet. We are fighting this to try to stop such a de-scope but if the USG approves this at the TMP Yard anyway it could potentially put approximately 24 of our drivers out of work not to mention some of our dispatchers. This also seems to go against the government mandated “go green” idea by placing potentially 600+ more vehicles on the two lane road to Ft. Irwin, increasing pollution, fuel usage, wear and tear on the road and serious safety concerns with the possibility of more car accidents. If you would like to comment on the Army’s discussion as a budget savings option you can please let your voice be heard by going to the Ft Irwin Web Page comments website at; https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=94462&s=443&dep=*DoD&sc=30  On the good news side of things a “Letter of Intent to Extend” the Northrop Grumman prime LSSC Contract to September 30, 2012 has been issued. This covers all of you that work for Northrop, WESTECH, and TSI. But the union is letting you know that the official end date of this contract is still March 31, 2012. There is a small chance that if the company does not receive the official “extension letter” by that date that there would be a mass layoff that the WARN notice talks about. The company does not expect this to happen but they are putting this out verbally so that the WARN notice is fulfilled. We also are expecting an extension of the UCG/LESCO contract to the same date as well. At First Student Barstow we have finally got the union dues issues under control and the company will be only taking out the once a month deductions per the contract. At MV Trans Barstow your “benefits” CBA opener is coming up this summer so we will be announcing a proposal meeting very soon. At Desert Ambulance we will be meeting in a few weeks to take your proposals on your new CBA. There will be a posting on your union board with the exact time and date so keep on eye out. 

 Fraternally, 

J. Hodge

At all the Fort Irwin Companies the following are helpful phone numbers;

Medical Billing Problems-                          PAC FED              1-800-753-0222

Referral Problems -                                    PAC FED              1-800-753-0222

Adding a Dependant to Insurance -            PAC FED              1-800-753-0222

Drug, Alcohol and Marital Counseling -    MHN                     1-800-327-4103

Union Dues Problems -                              Union Main Office 1-909-877-8326

Barstow Office -                                         Barstow Office       1-760-256-0181

The telephone numbers listed here can be called for unemployment insurance services. Please notice that we have separate telephone numbers for English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese speaking customers. A separate telephone number is also available for customers who call using a teletypewriter.

If you are calling to file a claim, you must call by Friday to receive credit for the week.

Before placing your call, review Using the Automated Telephone Information System to learn about our menu options.

Automated Self Service - NEW!

Effective June 8, 2009, a new telephone line is available for check information and One-Stop Career Center locations. The automated self-service system can be used by customers who do not need to speak to a representative. Information is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Thank You,

J. Hodge

Vice President/Business Representative