ESC Local 20 PG&E Unit

10/31/2022

Hope you all have a Halloween! 🎃

Halloween is just days away! Make sure this year's Halloween is !

10/24/2022

It’s time to vote! Fill out your ballot and turn it in by Nov 8th. Click here for California Labor Federation’s recommendations: https://calaborfed.org/election/

10/24/2022

Join us this Thursday at 5:30 pm for our annual PG&E meeting. We have so many outstanding achievements to share, reports to give on official union business, and many updates for you! RSVP here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/esc-local-20s-pge-annual-meeting-2022?source=direct_link&&link_id=0&can_id=73dd45d1f8465756090affd2688c6bcb&email_referrer=&email_subject=please-rsvp-for-esc-local-20s-pge-annual-membership-meeting-on-oct-27th-530-to-730-pm

12/08/2021

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Alyssa Fernandez, a respected steward of IBEW 1245 and the daughter of ESC member Rhodie Macias. Alyssa worked as both a Customer Service Representative and a Routine Field Clerk for PG&E, and she was well-liked and respected by her colleagues and union brothers and sisters. We offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and everyone who knew her. You can learn more about Alyssa and donate to the family's GoFundMe page on the IBEW 1245 website.

It is with great sadness that we share the sudden death of IBEW 1245 member Alyssa Fernandez.

06/10/2021

We are saddened to learn of the passing of IBEW 1245 business representative of 30 years, Landis Marttila, who died at his home in San Francisco on June 9. Brother Landis worked closely with members and staff of ESC Local 20 in the furtherance of the labor movement to the benefit of the members of both Unions. We cherished his trademark smile, humor and solidarity.

Since 1990, Brother Marttila represented members at PG&E, in Outside Construction, and Line Clearance Tree Trimming. In that time, he could always be counted on to stand shoulder to shoulder with ESC Local 20 members. He was active in many union organizing drives and political campaigns, and was a reliable presence on the picket line when other unions asked for solidarity. He represented IBEW 1245 on the San Mateo Central Labor Council for many years.

Marttila, who retired just last year, had been in good spirits and was enjoying his retirement when he unexpectedly died of natural causes at his home. He is survived by his wife Barbara, sons Max and Joshua, and daughter Anikka, as well as three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

05/28/2021

Condolences to Our Union Siblings of ATU 265 and Victims of the Tragedy at VTA

ESC Local 20 wants to extend our deep and sincere condolences to our union siblings of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 265 and to the families of those who lost their lives today in the tragic mass shooting at Valley Transportation Authority. While the details of the event are still coming to light, it is possible that these workers were at a union meeting when the shooting occurred. No one should have to fear losing their life by simply going to work or attending a union meeting.

There is no excuse for the horror and grief caused by events like these. Yet, in these moments, we can show that solidarity is not a passive phrase and that we mean it when we call each other brothers and sisters. South Bay Central Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA have established a fund to support victims. Donations will be used to help those directly impacted by this tragedy.

Link to donate in the comments.

04/28/2021

We are saddened to learn of Brother “Petey” Miskovich’s Passing.
Long-time steward, bargaining team member, and overall staunch supporter of ESC Local 20, Pete “Petey” Miskovich will be dearly missed by his union family. Pete was a Principal Gas Mapper out of Sacramento and was always there as ESC’s “go-to” for gas mapping-related issues. Pete represented his fellow Mappers at PG&E for decades and always spoke truthfully and powerfully about the importance of their work. His work signature closed with UNION YES!

Pete vigorously protected the profession of Mapping and advocated for mapping work to be done right, as it is essential to public safety. Long before the San Bruno gas explosion cast a spotlight on the vital importance of gas records, Pete spoke out about the importance of having accurate maps of the gas system. After San Bruno, Pete’s voice and expertise was recognized, and he led many efforts to improve record-keeping, training for mappers, and work procedures. He educated everyone at PG&E, from construction foremen to Vice Presidents, that “a job isn’t finished until it’s been mapped.” Pete understood that it is essential for Mappers to keep up with all the changes in technology, meaning both the mapping tools and the construction processes. He was not afraid of change. Instead of opposing new technologies like CAD and GIS, he fought to get proper training for himself and all his colleagues to master the new systems and hold onto their jobs in the constantly changing world of PG&E’s processes. He never stopped learning or sharing what he knew; indeed, he was the lead expert for re-writing all of PG&E’s Gas Mapper training curriculum more than once.

Pete received the Ben Hudnall Award in 2016, the union’s highest honor, for his commitment to and work with the union. He served on the union’s general PG&E bargaining committee — negotiating changes to critical benefits affecting the entire membership, such as health care, retirement, vacation, etc. — for multiple contract cycles. He was the union’s main witness in numerous arbitration cases. His expert testimony won several cases for ESC since it was evident that he knew more about mapping than the management witnesses. He was skillful in resolving issues before arbitration and helped the union negotiate through many changes to the Mapping profession. And as a shop steward, he represented individual members experiencing poor treatment in the workplace. Everyone in the Sacramento office knew that Pete was a fierce union fighter who would stand up to any supervisor or higher-level manager. There is no question his efforts benefited all ESC Local 20 PG&E members and resulted in more fairness in the workplace.

Pete recently retired and was a wonderful person. He leaves behind his dear wife Carol and two children, Tara and Nick. We are so thankful to have known and worked with him.

04/19/2021

Nearly 400 million COVID-19 tests have been processed nationwide, according to the , with almost 58 million in California alone.

Behind every single one of those tests are the skilled hands of a lab professional. These highly trained lab professionals must physically process each test sample to identify this deadly virus enabling us to control its spread and save lives.

This -- and always-- ESC would like to thank Lab Professionals for their contributions to the health of our communities, families, and friends.

03/24/2021

In the middle of World War II, the War Labor Board declared on Sept. 26, 1942: equal pay for equal work.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, an amendment to the National Labor Relations Act aimed at eliminating sex-based wage discrimination.

And yet, women still earn less than men. Women are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. Women in the workplace are undervalued and underpaid.

If you disaggregate the data by race, there are even larger wage gaps for Black women, Latinas, women from certain Asian communities, and Native Hawaiian and Native American women. Transgender women’s earnings drop by nearly one-third after transition.

A union contract can help bridge the wage gap. Hourly wages for women represented by a union are 5.8% higher on average than the wages nonunion women earn with similar characteristics.

The union difference is real.

02/26/2021

Are you a veteran?

As of February 23rd, the VA Northern California Health Care System is offering vaccination appointments to Veterans who are essential workers, regardless of age, including those working in the utility industry (may be asked to show proof of essential work status). Please visit the link below for more details and requirements.

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

02/26/2021

While we strive to celebrate Black history year-round, in recognition of , we want to take the opportunity to feature some incredible Black labor leaders at ESC Local 20. Read on to meet some of ESC Local 20 Black member leaders, past and present, who broke barriers and fought --- and continue to fight--- for economic mobility, stability, and equity on the job.

Find out more at www.ifpte20.org/2021-black-history

01/15/2021

01/04/2021

We are engineers, scientists, nonprofit employees, technicians, lawyers, and many other professions who have joined together to have a greater voice in our careers. Our union is a bottom-up, member-based organization that helps professional and technical employees raise wages, benefits, working cond...

12/07/2020

Congratulations to the following members who were sworn in today to their new two-year terms on the Executive Board!

SECRETARY-TREASURER – Joel Foster
VICE PRESIDENT, PG&E Unit – Rene Vasquez
VICE PRESIDENT, Government, Administrative, Technical Unit – Mark Sims

11/12/2020

Mathew Chin, ESC Local 20 member and Field Engineer on the Gas Construction Engineering team based in the Rocklin office, passed away this week shortly after contracting COVID-19. Mathew was well respected and had a positive attitude at work and beyond. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Mathew was a family man, to which anyone who caught a glance of his laptop or phone screen could readily attest. His proud display of family photos showed his two happy children, 6 and 8 years old, and his wife, who is expecting their third child in just a few short months.

While we cannot imagine the pain and mourning that those close to him are experiencing right now, we can do something to help.

A GoFundMe has been established to benefit Mathew’s family to help ease his wife’s and children’s financial stress during this difficult time. Any donation would be very much appreciated. Contribute now to the Tribute Fundraiser in Memory of Mathew Chin.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/tribute-fundraiser-in-memory-of-mathew-chin

There is currently a vacation sale in honor of Mathew’s life for employees to sell vacation time to benefit Mathew’s family. You can access the vacation sale in PG&E@WorkForMe through “About Me > My Time > My Vacation Sale.” The deadline for the vacation sale is December 4.

This pandemic has left no life untouched. Mathew’s case points out how COVID-19 can affect anyone, even those who appear young and healthy. It is up to us to do everything we can to keep each other safe: please wear your mask and maintain social distance. Losing even one from our ESC Local 20 family is too many. The pandemic is far from under control, and we must stay vigilant in our safety efforts.

If you are able, please give generously to Mathew’s family. As union brothers and sisters, we take care of each other, and this brother’s family dearly needs our care right now.

Our deepest thanks to you.

On Monday, November 2, 2020, we were notified of horrific news. Our coworker… Cierra Moses needs your support for Tribute Fundraiser in Memory of Mathew Chin