Dear ESC Local 20 Members at PG&E,

Last week some of you may have seen an email communication that was circulated containing some erroneous information about the future of Service Planning at PG&E. We have taken steps to correct the misinformation and you should check the PG&E page on our union website for the latest, accurate information.

Part of last week's communication however, is true, I will be retiring from PG&E employment effective sometime early this Summer. I have made this decision after 38 years of service to PG&E and its customers and after many years of service to ESC members as the President of the PG&E Unit and as the President of the Local.

My retirement raises the issues of how succession to the offices of President of the PG&E Unit and President of the Local will occur. As each of you should know, nominations for certain PG&E Unit Board positions, including the presidency, are currently underway. Elections for these offices will occur in April and May. Given my imminent retirement, I will not seek re-election as the PG&E Unit President. Instead I have endorsed the candidacy of Distribution Engineer John Mader, Treasurer of the Unit Board and Secretary/Treasurer of our Local. I believe John Mader has the potential, the vision, the commitment, the demeanor and the experience to lead our PG&E Unit at this delicate juncture.

In the meantime, I will remain President of our Local through the election for this office which will occur in the of Fall 2009. My intention at this point is to serve out my current term and to not seek re-election in the Fall as I will be retired from PG&E employment at that time.

I have enjoyed my career at PG&E and I have no regrets about my employment. But I have really enjoyed my time and opportunity to serve the membership at ESC Local 20. The meetings, the time spent after work, the negotiations, and last but certainly not least meeting with the members of Local 20.

I would like to thank each of you for the opportunity to serve in elected office on your behalf. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have been entrusted by each of you with the responsibilities of elected office and I have made a conscious effort every day to represent fairly and fully the interests of our diverse ESC Local 20 family of almost 5000 trade unionists throughout Northern California.

In solidarity,

Major Norton, Jr.