Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Labor topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HPU combines instrumentation and electrical functions, awards technician postings and abolishes plant electrician job after long negotiation
Summary
The commission approved restructuring to combine instrumentation and electrical functions, awarded two internal technician postings, abolished the plant electrician classification and authorized an external journeyman posting.
The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission voted March 20 to move forward on a long‑running effort to combine the instrumentation and electrical crews into a single Instrumentation & Electrical (I&E) department, awarded two internal postings to current employees, abolished the plant electrician job classification and authorized posting externally for a journeyman I&E position.
Commissioners and union representatives debated the plan at length. Mr. Peterson and Commissioner Sandstedt described a collaborative proposal worked on by management and AFSCME Local 94 leadership. "I don't see a contractual issue here," union representative Mr. Kamsela said during discussion, while other union members raised concerns about posting procedures, prior letters of understanding and which employees had the right to fill or bump into positions.
Commissioner Babich moved to approve appointing Warren Camping and Brent Isaacs to the combined I&E technician positions; the motion was seconded and carried. The commission then voted to abolish the plant electrician job; Chair Hart moved and Commissioner Babbage seconded that motion, which carried. Commissioners also authorized an external posting for a journeyman Instrumentation & Electrical technician to fill remaining staffing needs.
Several commissioners emphasized that two internal applicants had followed posting rules and should not be delayed, while union representatives and at least one commissioner noted the process had been delayed since last year and earlier, causing frustration. Peterson said the utility needs a "robust combined skill set" for upcoming projects including the Southern interconnect and expanding energy‑management needs. The commission asked staff to continue discussions with the union about accommodations and apprenticeship pathways for employees who want additional training.
No roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes for these personnel actions; each motion was approved by voice vote.
