To: All Whiting Employees
The purpose of EIB #3 is to answer key Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Company’s job structure proposal for the Maintenance craft lines and the proposed 4X10 work schedule for the Maintenance department.
Question 1: The Company’s Operations proposal is based on the use of a duty station job qualification model, is this the same for Maintenance?
Answer: No. The duty station job qualification model is proposed for Operations and Laboratory Technicians only. For Maintenance, the Company has proposed a competency-based model with a progression through defined learning curricula. Entry-level new hires in a Maintenance craft line would progress through Technician 1, 2 and 3 level curricula with proctored assessments at each step to advance to a fully qualified Maintenance Technician 3.
With respect to experienced new hires, they would be assessed by an independent third party and placed in the Technician level curriculum associated with their demonstrated competencies and then receive training to advance to a fully qualified Technician 3. This dual entry-point model would strengthen competency by linking learning to responsibilities, with classroom, on-the-job, and performance checks built into the structure.
Question 2: How long would it take for a new hire to reach the proposed Maintenance Technician 3 top rate of pay?
Answer: For new hires the Company’s proposal anticipates a 36-month progression beginning with entry level and progressing through Technician 1, 2 and 3 learning curricula to become a fully qualified Technician 3. The Company’s model, as proposed, could facilitate employees reaching top rate of pay more quickly than today’s 5-year progression.
Question 3: How would current craft line maintenance employees be upskilled to become fully qualified Technician 3s?
Answer: Current employees within each craft line would be assessed by an independent third party and placed into the curriculum level associated with their demonstrated competencies and then receive training to advance to fully qualified Technician 3. All Maintenance employees would be required to become and remain fully qualified Maintenance Technician 3 under the Company’s proposal (employees may not remain at a Technician 1 or 2 level). In terms of the timeframe to become upskilled, we expect this could take up to 36 months.
Question 4: Can you provide more details on how the proposed 4X10 maintenance schedule would work?
Answer: The Company has proposed a split 4X10 schedule with one crew working Monday through Thursday and a second, smaller crew, working Wednesday through Saturday to provide greater Maintenance coverage and better align with the Operations schedules. This schedule would also enhance employee work-life balance by reducing core work schedules by one day per week as well as having an established Maintenance crew cover weekend needs.
We will continue to share more updates as negotiations progress.