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95.01 Employees should know that First Aid is the immediate and temporary care given the victim of an accident or sudden illness until the services of a doctor can be obtained.

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METER READERS HELP IDENTIFY METERS FOR REPLACEMENT…At a recent meter reading staff meeting, Dave Mannia, Environmental Affairs representative, was looking for ways to identify and eliminate any remaining natural gas regulators still using a mercury type pressure relief mechanism. Since the recovery program was characterized using a Wild West theme, the suggestion was made to offer a "bounty" for any of this equipment identified by meter readers. The bounty is a Wal-Mart gift card for each regulator identified in the field.

Posters were developed and distributed to each of the meter reading headquarters and the "roundup" began. Thus far, more than 35 mercury regulators have been positively identified and replaced. Upon replacement, the local meter reading department is notified and a gift card will be presented to the meter reader who turned in the "culprit." Wal-Mart gift cards will be distributed later this week.

METER READING – Sponsored by Bob Westfall.938-7550

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CONTRACTOR CONNECT PROGRAM…The Contractor Connect program is set to kick off in early May. This program is intended to generate additional revenue for NIPSCO simply by connecting various contractors with our customers who have energy related home improvement needs. We are in the process of developing a network of qualified contractors who perform services ranging from HVAC, windows and siding, insulation and electrical work. We will then begin to leverage the fact that we talk to approximately 1.75 million customers annually, and many of those customers look to us as a trusted source of energy related information. A group of CSRs from the Central Customer Service Center will introduce the customers with a specific need to two different contractors qualified to fill those needs. The best part is that the contractor will pay NIPSCO a referral fee for all work completed that was initiated by a lead from us at no additional cost to the customer.

We are excited about this program in that it has something to offer everyone involved. The contractor wins because they receive referrals from customers anxious to have work completed for a fraction of the advertising costs. The customer wins because they receive quality work from a trusted source at no extra cost to them. NIPSCO wins because it provides a value-added service to its entire customer base, and gets paid to do it.

For more information about this program, contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-4NIPSCO, or e-mail Contractor Connect in Outlook.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER – Sponsored by Bob Barsic.647-4511

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NIPSCO RESPONSE…is a new department in the Central Customer Service Center for small business customers. This area is dedicated to meeting the special needs of a targeted group of excellent paying small businesses. The expectations of this group will be providing an enhanced level of service while making an increased effort to sell existing products and services.

Six customer service representatives (CSRs) have volunteered for the first rotation within the NIPSCO Response group. They are Carolyn Tate, Trudy Priest, Sandra Williams, Barb Alters, Ollie Lofton and Janice Maddox. The group also has an alternate, Shirley Perry, and is assisted by senior customer service representative Gwendolyn Winton. All the employees in this group are members of the Clerical Bargaining unit and work at the Central Customer Service Center. Additional training in billing and sales was required for participation.

The ultimate goal is to enhance customer loyalty while increasing sales opportunities as we attempt to retain our customers through the re-regulation process. NIPSCO Response has targeted 4,100 customers representing 6,200 gas and electric meters. For more information, contact Michael Suggs at 647-4509

CUSTOMER SERVICE – Sponsored by Bob Barsic.647-4511

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USWA LOCAL 13796 LOCAL OFFICER ELECTION…No election for Union officers will be necessary for election year 2000. All existing officers were nominated and were uncontested. Candidates who were nominated at the nomination meeting on March 21, 2000 filled two unfilled vacancies. The following Clerical Union members, elected at the March 21 meeting, served as tellers: Connie Hawkins, Fort Wayne, Diane Kuskye, South Bend, Becky Hills-McGee, Southlake Complex. The tellers met on April 5 to begin the election process by determining the eligibility of candidates according to the Local Union Elections Manual and International By-laws and Constitution. A report from the tellers was given at a Local Union meeting on Tuesday, April 25. A list of all officers will be posted in all locations. The term of office will be three years.

USWA 13796 – Sponsored by Debra Birkholz.853-5202

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FLEXIBILITY WINS AGAIN…NIPSCO’s sales force has been successful in retaining current customers and adding new non-residential customers who have the ability to use alternative fuel sources, despite the fact that this year’s natural gas prices are considerably higher than in previous years (Approximately 40 percent higher). These alternate fuel sources, such as propane and fuel oil, have the ability to react to market conditions and thus have been a successful competition option for our natural gas customers in the past. However, NIPSCO has had the ability to react to those same market conditions for the past few years. This service (Rate 334A) is a seasonal off-peak rate that is most attractive to grain dryers and asphalt plants. The asphalt plants are gearing up for a new season of road repairs and construction. To date, due to the aggressive efforts of our sales force, we have 30 customers contracted on this rate. We look forward to another successful year in serving our customers in this competitive market.

For more information on this service, contact Jim Matura at 853-4012 or Chad Smith at 853-5354.

COMMODITY AND TRANSMISSION – Sponsored by Mike Gahimer.647-5073

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NISOURCE, INC. STOCK PRICE (NYSE: NI).On Tuesday, April 25, 2000, NiSource, Inc. stock closed at 18-3/16, which is 1.8 percent above the close at year-end 1999 of 17-7/8. For comparison purposes, the average of the top 100 utilities over the same period is approximately 4.8 percent above the year-end close.

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING – Questions – Call Dennis Senchak…647-6085

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Jointly Speaking is published weekly by a joint union/management committee known as the Messengers. All articles appearing in the publication are approved by consensus by the attending committee members. The Messengers meet every Tuesday morning at SLC at 8 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2000.

Messengers in attendance this week included: Debra Birkholz,

Rick Smith, Bob Shudick, Bob Westfall, Mike Gahimer, Bob Barsic, Tangela Floyd, Bert Valenkamph, Barry Veden.