Union Labor Bulletin

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

JANUARY – FEBRUARY

 

INSIDE WIREMAN’S FEBRUARY 1, 2019 WAGE ALLOCATION

As you were notified, the Inside Wireman’s Allocation Meeting to discuss and vote on the previous negotiated $1.00 increase was held on January 2, 2019. After a very thorough discussion, a vote was taken and it was M/S/C to place $.50 to wages and $.50 to Health and Welfare. Thank you to all who attended the meeting and participated in this allocation vote. All Inside employers have been notified of the February 1^st increase.

 

END OF YEAR DUES STATEMENTS

The end of year statements for basic and working dues have been mailed out to all members who paid dues in 2018. If you did not receive it, call the Hall.

 

BUTTE COUNTY CAMPFIRE

The final count of IBEW members who lost their homes in this brutal fire, is 21. Thirteen (13) were Local 340 members and eight (8) were members from Locals 6, 551, 332 and 234.

At this writing, the donations from the GoFundMe page and the money that came into our LMCC for the 340 Campfire fundraiser totals over $137,000.00. On behalf of the members who will be receiving help from these donations, I want to thank everyone who gave so generously.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the rebuild of some of our member’s homes should call the Hall or email md@ibewlocal340.org to add you name to the volunteer list. Once we are given the go ahead and the weather clears, we will be contacting you.

 

STEWARD TRAINING AVAILABLE – EARN CE CREDITS

There are a few spots left if you are interested in attending Steward Training in February. With the number of large projects coming up in 2019 we’re going to need trained job stewards who can represent IBEW workers on the job. Anyone completing the training will receive 8 hours of Continuing Education credits to be used towards State certification.

The two (2) training classes are scheduled as follows:

Inside Wireman Steward Classes:

Monday & Tuesday February 11^th & 12^th (3 1/2 hours each evening – must attend both nights) beginning at 5PM (Food will be provided)

Government & Single Employer Steward Classes (BAE-Indyne / City of Sacramento / County of Sacramento / NAES-Olympic Power)

Wednesday February 13^th (7 hrs) beginning at 8AM (Lunch will be provided)

If interested in attending this training, call Justine Villasenor at the Hall 916-927-4239 (extension 1001).

 

NEBF – RETIREE TEMPORARY RETURN TO WORK NOTICE

To help with the Journeyman Inside Wireman and Sound & Communication Installer manpower shortage that all IBEW Locals are experiencing, NEBF has once again changed the working rules for Retirees. If you are currently retired and would like to go back to work for about 3 months or perhaps take some short calls, this temporary Return to Work Amendment changes the suspension rules for certain eligible retirees. Following are the features of the amendment:

1. The temporary amendment is effective from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.
2. All normal and early retirees with a pension effective date of December 2018 or earlier will be permitted to return to covered and contributory employment only and will be permitted to work for up to 600 hours during the above period without a loss of NEBF benefits. This amendment applies only to the NEBF Plan. (In order to receive benefits from other funds it will depend on the rules of those funds.)
3. Once an individual has worked for 600 hours in covered and contributory employment during the term of the temporary amendment, the individual will no longer be able to take advantage of this amendment and the normal rules (permitting work in the electrical industry for less than forty (40) hours per month without a suspension of benefits) will apply.
4. Disability pensioners are not eligible (the existing rules applicable to disabled pensioners remain in effect).
5. Only retirees who return to NEBF covered and contributory employment will be able to take advantage of this amendment – this amendment will not apply to persons who work for covered employers where no NEBF contributions are required or to persons who work for non-covered employers in the electrical industry.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS (2)

IBEW Local 340 Harry R. Bain Scholarship Award – Dependents

IBEW Local 340 is once again going to award two college scholarships in 2019 ($1,000.00 and $500.00). These scholarships are available to sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters or legal dependents of members of Local 340. The General Rules and Instructions, as well as the application, can be picked up from the Sacramento Business Office or the Redding Office. You can also call either of these offices to request they be mailed to you. Please note: the completed application must be received in the Sacramento Business Office by March 15, 2019 to be considered.

 

IBEW Founders Scholarship – For IBEW Members only

The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who organized the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on November 28, 1981. Each year the officers of the IBEW are pleased to offer its working members scholarships on a competitive basis. It is hoped that the awards will not only contribute to the personal development of our members but also steward the electrical industry that our founders envisioned. The award is for $200 per semester credit hour at any accredited college or university toward an associate’s, bachelors or postgraduate degree in an approved field. The maximum distribution is $24,000 per person over a period not to exceed eight years.

Any member interested in applying for the IBEW Founders Scholarship can do so by going on-line at www.ibew.org. Click on “Resources and Links” at the top, scroll down to the box labeled “Founders Scholarship”. You will receive information on this scholarship as well as be able to download the application. These applications can also be picked up at the Business Office. This scholarship is for any member who has been in continuous good standing and paid dues (without an Honorary Withdrawal for the four years prior to May 1, 2019). This is not a scholarship for your dependents. All applications and required information must be mailed directly to the IBEW in Washington, DC postmarked May 1, 2019.

10^th ANNUAL 340 SOFTBALL TEAM CRAB FEED

The 10^th annual 340 Softball Team Crab Feed will be held here at the Hall on Saturday February 9^th. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this event call the Hall at 916-927-4239 or purchase online at ibewlocal340softball.ticketleap.com. You can also get in touch with one of the Softball players. Tickets are $60.00 per person for all you can eat crab, pasta, salad and bread. This fun event is known for great food and fellowship, as well as several types of awesome raffles! All members are welcome to attend this Crab Feed.

 

SPORTSMAN’S CLUB DOG TRAINING/SHOOTING HOLES IN THE SKY

This annual event will be held at 8:00 AM on Sunday February 24^th at Yankee Slough Hunt Club, 3805 Highway 65 in Lincoln. This safe, fun event is open to all active and retired members and their children who are interested in hunting and in the training of hunting dogs. Cost is $112.50 per shooter for 5 birds and kids shoot free. If you want to have breakfast beforehand, they will be meeting at Kim’s Country Kitchen, 527 G Street in Lincoln at 6:30 AM. Otherwise, meet at the parking lot of Yankee Slough at 8AM. For more information, contact Brother Zack Collins at zackery_collins@hotmail.com.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – OLD SACRAMENTO – SAT. 03/16/19

Local 340 members and families will once again participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday March 16^th in Old Sacramento. It’s not a long parade route (just a few blocks in Old Sacramento) but it is a great opportunity for the Local Union to get a whole lot of positive exposure in the Sacramento community. We are going to decorate the golf cart and walk behind it handing out to the crowd specially-designed thundersticks that read “IBEW Local 340 – Irish for a Day – Union for Life”. If you and your family members want to join us, we will meet at the Old Schoolhouse yard in front of Joe’s Crab Shack in Old Sacramento between 11:00 and 11:30 AM. The parade starts at 1:00 PM. Remember, this is open to all IBEW members and families. Wear your green & we’ll see you there! For more information, contact Justine at the Hall 916-927-4239.

 

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESSES

None to report at this time but the Safety Committee would like to remind the members who are working that workplace injuries should be reported to the Business Office as soon as possible. If you have a Steward on the job, he can report for you. Thank you.

HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE & TRUST OFFICE CLOSURES

Monday February 18^th – Presidents Day

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1^st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827

 

REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1^st Wednesdays – Redding Union Hall @ 5:30 for Northern Area business and then join in the Sacramento meeting @ 6PM via webinar

 

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday April 23^rd @ 5:00PM – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.

 

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday April 18^th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

DECEMBER 2018 – JANUARY 2019

 

BUTTE COUNTY CAMP FIRE

I am sorry to report that 17 of the 23 IBEW Brothers who were living in the Paradise/Magalia/Concow area lost their homes and all their possessions    in the CampFire.  We have also learned that 2 IBEW employers lost not only their homes but also their places of businesses. No one was hurt in the fire and for that we are truly grateful, but they will need help rebuilding and/or just moving on with their lives somewhere else. Therefore, Local 340 is collecting monetary donations to be disbursed among these IBEW survivors in order to help them. Checks made payable to LU340 Campfire Relief Fund can be sent to the Business Office or you can donate online by logging on to www.gofundme.com/local340-039camp-fire039-relief-fund.

We’re also organizing a group of Local 340 volunteers who will go to the fire site and help with the rebuild after the 1^st of the year.  If you’re interested in representing Local 340 and being part of this volunteer group, just call the Hall and ask to be connected to our Membership Development Department or email them at md@ibewlocal340.org.  Once we meet with the Butte County Officials regarding exactly what we will be doing in the rebuild efforts, you will be contacted with the details.

 

MAILINGS FROM THE HALL

When you receive mail or email from the Business Office, it is imperative you open it up and read it immediately.  Sometimes this correspondence is regarding upcoming new member meetings, ratification votes, late dues payments, member events, etc.  If you make it a habit to read this mail upon receipt, you will save both you and us, time and money.

Also, please be sure we have your current contact information on file. If you have moved, changed your email address or phone number, let us know by either calling the Hall or logging on to our secure website at www.ibewlocal340.org

 

10^th ANNUAL 340 SOFTBALL TEAM CRAB FEED

The 10^th Annual 340 Softball Team Crab Feed will be held at the Hall on Saturday February 9^th beginning at 6PM (Doors open at 5). Tickets are $60.00 each and your purchase enters you into a special door prize drawing and gets you All-you-can eat Dungeness Crab, Caesar Salad, Pasta and Garlic Bread.  This year the tickets can be purchased online at  https://ibewlocal340softball.ticketleap.com/crab-feed.  This fun event is known for their great raffles, as well as awesome food and fellowship. All members are welcome to attend.

 

STEWARD TRAINING AVAILABLE – EARN CE CREDITS

There’s still time to sign up for Steward Training in February. With the amount of large projects coming up in 2019 (See Business Manager Bob Ward’s recent letter to you), we’re going to need trained job stewards who can represent IBEW workers on the job.  Anyone completing the training, will receive 8 hours of Continuing Education credits which can be used towards State certification.

The two (2) training classes are scheduled as follows:

Inside Wireman Steward Classes:

Monday & Tuesday February 11^th & 12^th (3 1/2 hours each evening – must attend both nights) beginning at 5PM (Food will be provided)

 

Government & Single Employer Steward Classes (BAE / City of Sacramento / County of Sacramento / NAES Burney)

Wednesday February 13^th (7 hrs) beginning at 8AM (Lunch will be provided)

If interested in attending this training, call Justine Villasenor at the Hall 916-927-4239 (extension 1001). There are only so many spots available, so don’t wait, sign up now to ensure you can get in.  You do earn Continuing Education Credits when you complete the class.

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS BASKET RAFFLE 2018

The IBEW/NECA 37^th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser raised over $8,000.00. That makes a total of $283,789.00 given to local charities at the Holidays since this fundraiser began.

The 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place winners were:

Sacramento Central Labor Council – $1,500.00 cash

Blocka Construction – Shotgun

Brother Greg Larkins – Lottery Scratchers

Every dollar collected from ticket sales went to help needy Union Families during the Holidays. As always, the three top prizes were donated by our Labor Management Cooperation Committee.

 

TOYS & FOOD COLLECTION

We collected Toys and Food this year to help Local 340 needy families. One of the best stories I want to share with you though is that in early December, Brother Daniel Aceves and his wife Dez called to tell us that they wanted to “give back” this year.  When Brother Aceves was just starting out as an apprentice, he needed a little help and his family received a Christmas Basket of food and toys from us. When they recently told their three children about that time, the kids wanted to help. Mario, Irene and Vincent Aceves (7, 8 and 12 years old) showed up at the Hall with a bunch of new toys that they had purchased to add to our toy drive. Thank you to the Aceves family for paying it forward and thank you to all of the members and staff members for your generous donations of food and toys.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS (2)

IBEW Local 340 Harry R. Bain Scholarship Award –For Dependents

IBEW Local 340 is once again going to award two college scholarships in 2019 ($1,000.00 and $500.00).  These scholarships are available to sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters or legal dependents of members of Local 340.  The General Rules and Instructions, as well as the application, can be picked up from the Sacramento Business Office or the Redding Office.  You can also call either of these offices to request they be mailed to you. Please note:  the completed application must be received in the Sacramento Business Office by March 15, 2019 to be considered.

 

IBEW Founders Scholarship – For all IBEW members (not dependents)

The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who organized the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on November 28, 1981. Each year the officers of the IBEW are pleased to offer its working members scholarships on a competitive basis. It is hoped that the awards will not only contribute to the personal development of our members but also steward the electrical industry that our founders envisioned. The award is for $200 per semester credit hour at any accredited college or university toward an associate’s, bachelors or postgraduate degree in an approved field. The maximum distribution is $24,000 per person over a period not to exceed eight years.

Any member interested in applying for the IBEW Founders Scholarship can do so by going on-line at www.ibew.org. Click on “Resources and Links” at the top, scroll down to the box labeled “Founders Scholarship”. You will receive information on this scholarship as well as be able to download the application.  These applications can also be picked up at the Business Office.  This scholarship is for any member who has been in continuous good standing and paid dues (without an Honorary Withdrawal for the four years prior to May 1, 2019). This is not a scholarship for your dependents.  All applications and required information must be mailed directly to the IBEW in Washington, DC and must be postmarked May 1, 2019.

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS

Brother Ralph Hlawaty just underwent his 2^nd hip replacement and is now home recuperating.

Brother David T Bianco reports that he is doing “just fine” after his recently knee surgery.

Brother John Montgomery and his wife Pam are also both going through some health issues.

 

REST IN PEACE

Retired Brother Frank Z’Berg passed away in November. He was a  62 year member and 88 years of age.  Services will be held after the New Year.

I am also sorry to report the passing of Brother Brian Lux’s wife Kimberly Jo who lost her battle with cancer a week before Christmas.

Please remember all of the families above in your thoughts and prayers.

 

HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE & TRUST OFFICE CLOSURES

Tuesday January 1^st – New Years’ Day

Monday January 21^st – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

 

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1^st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827

REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1^st Wednesdays – Redding Union Hall @ 5:30 for Northern Area business and then join in the Sacramento meeting @ 6PM via webinar

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday January 22^nd @ 5:00PM – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday January 17^th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

 

CAMP FIRE – Paradise & Magalia

We have 21 IBEW members who live in the Camp Fire area. At this writing, the fire has ravaged the homes of 7 of our members as well as destroyed the businesses and homes of two of our Northern Employers, Henderson Electric and Voltage Specialists.

Assistant Business Manager Andrew Meredith is working very closely with the authorities in the affected areas to find our members, as well as helping to determine what the immediate needs of the people are at this time.  I hope to have more details and hopefully, some positive outcomes, to report next month.

If you want to help our members who have lost their homes, you can do so by donating on the gofundme page Local 340 Camp Fire Relief Fund.

We also ask for your continued prayers for the 21 IBEW families and all the people from the Camp Fire area. We, as a Local, are going to do everything we can to help thee members during this time.  If you want to be involved, just give us a call.

I also want to mention that a Crisis Support Line has been created by our counselors Morneau Shepell. They understand that traumatic events or crisis can trigger overwhelming emotional responses. This special Crisis Support Line was designed to specifically ensure that all IBEW Local 340 members and their families receive the counseling they require to cope with this tragic event.  Anyone needing emotional support due to this Camp Fire should call 1-866-885-6540.  Please take advantage of this help. You don’t have to go it alone, especially during the Holidays.

 

THANKSGIVING & THE HOLIDAYS

Speaking of the Holidays, I can’t let the Thanksgiving Holiday go by without mentioning several things that I am extremely grateful for this year. A big change in my personal life is that my wife Miranda and I are once again adding to our home and this time it’s not a major remodel or the addition of a new fur baby.  We are expecting our first child and though we couldn’t have been more surprised by the news, we also couldn’t have been more pleased to learn we have a son due on Valentine’s Day. The pregnancy is going very well, and Miranda and I are quite grateful and excited to begin this new phase of our lives.

I also have many things to be thankful for with regards to Local 340.  In 2018 we experienced a rate of growth not seen in decades, which includes the years’ total so far of 286 new members of all classifications, and the signing of over 20 new IBEW employers.  We’re experiencing a continuous healthy flow of work hours, not to mention that we have a list of upcoming projects for 2019 that are just too many to list. (Now, that’s a problem I love having.)

We’ve also moved into our new Business Offices and Union Hall and every single day when I pull into the parking lot, I give thanks that we made that very difficult, but necessary move.

I am extremely grateful for every one of our Office Staff members, as well as the Local Officers, who show up every day, or for every meeting, to help keep the daily business of Local 340 running smoothly.

Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to once again thank all of you for the support you’ve shown me these last 2 ½ years as your Business Manager.  I love this job and am excited for Local 340’s future.

Wishing you and yours a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas Season.

 

YOU VOTED & IT COUNTED!

The November 6^th Mid-Term Congressional, State & Local Elections results were in our favor this time.  We are very optimistic that with working with our new Governor Gavin Newsom and being firmly represented in both the Assembly and the Senate, we will be able to deliver and defeat legislation in service to our members across California.  Thank you all for voting! Thanks also to the members who stepped up to GOTV by precinct walking and phone banking.

 

MONTHLY BASIC DUES INCREASE FOR “A” MEMBERS:

Effective with January 2019 dues, all “A” membership basic dues will increase by $1.00 according to action taken at the 2016 International Convention. This increase will go towards funding the International Pension Benefit Fund. If you self-pay your dues, or have your bank send in your monthly dues, be sure to increase your monthly payment by this amount.  Any member on automatic dues checkoff or employer checkoff will see the increase with your deductions.

 

STEWARD TRAINING AVAILABLE – EARN CE CREDITS

A job steward is an appointed Union Representative, who represents all IBEW Brothers and Sisters on the jobsite.  They are thoroughly educated in the Rolls and Responsibility of a Union Steward and are able to work with Management on behalf of the member (or members) as issues occur on the jobsite.

I am happy to report we have scheduled Steward Training classes with IBEW Educator Sister Tracy Prezeau for February. With the work we have right now and the new contracts we recently signed, there is a major need for more Local 340 trained stewards.

There are two (2) training classes scheduled as follows:

Inside Wireman Steward Classes:

Monday & Tuesday February 11^th & 12^th (3 1/2 hour each evening – must attend both nights) beginning at 5PM (Food will be provided)

 

Government & Single Employer Steward Classes (BAE / City of Sacramento / County of Sacramento / NAES Burney)

Wednesday February 13^th (7 hrs) beginning at 8AM (Lunch will be provided)

If interested in attending this training, call Justine Villasenor at the Hall 916-927-4239 (extension 1001). There are only so many spots available, so don’t wait, sign up now to ensure you can get in.  You do earn Continuing Education Credits when you complete the class.

 

PIN PRESENTATION –

There is nothing better than looking around a room of retired members and watching and listening to them catch up with Brothers they went to school with or worked on the job with many years ago.  The event we held here at the Hall on October 27^th was a huge success.  Although, only 10 recipients were able to make it this year, they brought their families and their memories, and a great time was had by all.

Office Manager Reyna Kwong did a great job planning the event. Thank you to Vice President Mitchell Newman for officiating and a special thanks to International Representative Brother Michael Meals for helping to present the certificates.

One more time, congratulations to the following who were honored that day:

Fred Kirchubel

Richard Skapinok

Doug Porter

Craig Wick

Art Barker

Elliot LaFreniere

Robert Slover

Donald Walden

Carl “Scott” Vogt

George Zielesch

 

PREPARING TO RETIRE

This year we offered our “Get Ready to Retire” seminar to all members, not just those near retirement age, and it too was a great success.  Over 130 people showed up to learn from our Money Managers and Speakers from all of the Pension Plans including the Social Security Office. Everyone agreed that they definitely learned a lot and went away that day with a better plan than they came in with regarding retiring.

SAEW Trust Office Representative Teresa Raney worked with Local 340 Office Manager Reyna Kwong to coordinate this very necessary retirement event and other than running a little short on chairs and food, due to this every two-year event being too successful, it was very well planned. Thank you.

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS BASKET RAFFLE 2018 –

The IBEW/NECA 37^th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser which will be raffling off $1,500.00 cash; a Shotgun; Lottery Scratchers and more, will be held at the Membership/Christmas Dinner/Meeting on December 5^th @ 5PM. You do not need to be present to win but you do need to buy a ticket! Tickets are available at the Hall, as well as from Local Union Members. Every dollar donated goes to help needy Union Families during the Holidays.

 

TOYS & FOOD COLLECTION

If you are able to donate this year, the Local is also holding a Food and Toy Drive for our own Local 340 members who might need a little extra help at Christmas.  We are collecting non-perishable food items and new toys at the Business Office between now and December 14^th. If you have been a recipient in the past and are doing good now, maybe this year is the time for you to give back. Thank you.

 

HEALTH & WELFARE OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW!

Open Enrollment runs from November 1^st thru December 15^th.

Changes to your current medical plan must be made during the Annual Open Enrollment period. If you wish to make any changes, call Teresa Raney in the Trust Office @ 916-923-0666.

 

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING

Only one Sound & Communications meeting was held in January this year as we had no quorum.  We need at least 7 members to attend in order to have a meeting and we did not have that on the 4^th Tuesdays in April, July & October. Remember, this is your unit.  We prepare for every meeting and if you don’t show up, your voice and your issues cannot be thoroughly addressed.

The next S&C Unit Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 22^nd @ 5:00 PM at the new Hall. Mark your calendars now. Special notices will not be sent as we do not send out special notices for any other classification and they seem to make it to their meetings. Your meeting dates and times are listed on the website www.ibewlocal340.org as well as in this Labor Bulletin every month.

Just since the beginning of this year, Local 340 has taken in 59 new Sound & Communication members and we have a lot of new work coming up in 2019. Come to the January 22^nd meeting to get more information on these items and more!

 

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS

Brother Shirish Gandhi has suffered a stroke. He is doing well and appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

 

REST IN PEACE

Brother John C “Jack” Henry – 62 year member and 82 years of age.

Brother Ira Sharp – 56 year member / 81 years of age

Brother Dannie Wright – 47 year member / 71 years of age

Brother Robert Ennis – 63 year member / 87 years of age – (father in law of Brother David DeSouza and grandfather of Brother Alex Ennis and Brother Robert DeSouza)

 

HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE & TRUST OFFICE CLOSURES

Monday & Tuesday December 24^th & 25^th – Christmas Holiday

Tuesday January 1^st – New Years Day

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS –  The Christmas Union Meeting/Dinner/Raffle will be held on Wednesday December 5^th beginning at 5 PM! It will be held at our new Hall, 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827

REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1^st Wednesdays – No Redding Meeting will be held in December.  Join us in Sacramento for the Annual Christmas Meeting/Dinner/Operation Christmas Raffle Drawing

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday January 22^nd @ 5:00PM  – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday January 17^th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

 

PLEASE VOTE!

If you have not yet cast your vote for the November 6^th Mid-Term Congressional, State & Local Elections, it is imperative you do so. The future of Unionism is at stake now more than ever. If you have not voted and need some help in deciding some of the races or issues, I can tell you that on behalf of IBEW members, we have done our homework.  Local 340 recommended endorsements are posted on our website at www.ibewlocal340.org. Just click on Advocacy and scroll down. Thank you.

 

 

MONTHLY BASIC DUES INCREASE FOR “A” MEMBERS:

Effective with January 2019 dues, all “A” membership basic dues will increase by $1.00 according to action taken at the 2016 International Convention. This increase will go towards funding the International Pension Benefit Fund. If you self-pay your dues, or have your bank send in your monthly dues, be sure to increase your monthly payment by this amount.  Any member on automatic dues checkoff or employer checkoff will see the increase with your deductions.

 

Also, please be sure to have a current dues receipt on you at all times.  If you are on monthly dues checkoff and have not received your dues receipt in the mail by the 10^th of the month, call the Hall.

 

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION CLASS

As I mentioned last month, New Member Orientation classes are scheduled on a regular basis to help new members navigate thru IBEW and Union processes.  I am happy to report that over 110 new members attended the recent class on October 13^th.

 

I want to thank the members and their spouses/significant others who attended.  Everybody learns when a question is asked and answered and many good questions were asked and answered that day.

 

Thank you also to the Local 340 staff members who gave up their Saturday to help the new members get “in the know” when it comes to  our history and the importance of Unionism. We also discuss pension, health & welfare, dues, organizing and dispatch procedures. All of these items cannot be covered in depth when a member first makes application so we feel it is definitely worth the time and effort to offer this class to our new members. Also, when the turnout is as good as the October class was, we definitely feel validated working on a Saturday.

 

STEWARD TRAINING AVAILABLE

I am happy to report we have been able to schedule Steward Training classes with IBEW Educator Sister Tracy Prezeau for February 2019. With the work we have right now and the new contracts we recently signed, there is a major need for more Local 340 trained stewards.

 

A steward is an appointed Union Representative, who represents all IBEW Brothers and Sisters on the jobsite.  They are thoroughly educated in the Rolls and Responsibility of a Union Steward and are able to work with Management on behalf of the member (or members) as issues occur on the jobsite.

 

There will be two (2) training classes as follows:

Inside Wireman Steward Classes:

Monday & Tuesday February 11^th & 12^th (3 1/2 hour each evening – must attend both nights) beginning at 5PM (Food will be provided)

 

Government & Single Employer Steward Classes (BAE / City of Sacramento / County of Sacramento / NAES Burney)

Wednesday February 13^th (7 hrs) beginning at 8AM (Lunch will be provided)

 

If interested in attending this training, call Patty Paterson (extension 1005), at the Hall.

 

PREPARING TO RETIRE – SATURDAY 11/03/18 @ 9AM

This “Get Ready to Retire Seminar” is held every other year. Experts come in from all of the Pension Plans, including Social Security, to share information and answer any and all of your questions.

 

If you are contemplating retiring, come to this 3-4 hour Seminar to get your questions answered in order that when the time comes for you to retire, you can make the right decision for you and your family. Everyone is invited to attend and we encourage you to bring your spouses and significant others.

 

Operation Christmas Basket Raffle 2018 – The IBEW/NECA 37^th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser is now underway. Tickets are available for $1.00 each.  The prizes are as follows: 1^st Prize – $1,500.00 cash; 2^nd Prize – Shotgun; 3^rd Prize – $250.00 in Lottery Scratchers.

 

The drawing will be held at the Sacramento Membership/Christmas Dinner/Meeting on December 5^th @ 5PM. You do not need to be present to win, but since this meeting is open to all active and retired IBEW Local 340 members, we hope to see you there.  It will be the perfect time to see your new Union Hall.

Note: there will not be a Redding Unit meeting that night, so we hope to see our Northern Brothers & Sisters in Sacramento.

 

Local 340 Toy & Food Drive

For the last 10 years, in conjunction with Operation Christmas Basket (which helping Union families of ALL trades), we have held our own Christmas Food and Toy Drive specifically for Local 340 families in order to bulk up the baskets and put a personal IBEW Local 340 touch on them. We are collecting non-perishable food items and new toys at the Business Office between now and December 14^th. Thank you for your continued generosity to this Toy & Food Drive.

 

HEALTH & WELFARE OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW!

Open Enrollment runs from November 1^st thru December 15^th.

Changes to your current medical plan must be made during the Annual Open Enrollment period. If you wish to make any changes, call Teresa Raney in the Trust Office @ 916-923-0666.

 

VETERANS DAY

This year Veterans Day, which is an official Public Holiday, falls on Sunday November 11^th.  Therefore, per our Inside Wireman’s CBA, it will be observed on Monday November 12^th and the Business Offices and Trust Office will be closed. As we honor all Military Personnel who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, a special thank you goes out to all IBEW Veterans for your dedication and service.

 

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS

Brother Don Piroutek has suffered a stroke and at the time of this writing, is recovering in Fremont Hospital.

Brother Herb Cortez Jr. has also reported a recent injury to his arm.

Brother Justin Gomez is still awaiting a much needed kidney transplant.

Please remember each of these members in your thoughts and prayers.

 

HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE & TRUST OFFICE CLOSURES

Monday November 12^th – Veterans Day Holiday

Thursday & Friday November 22^nd & 23^rd – Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday & Tuesday December 24^th & 25^th – Christmas Holiday

Tuesday January 1^st – New Years Day

 

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

 

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS –  November meeting will be on November 7^th @ 6PM – Sacramento Hall, 10240 Systems Parkway

NOTE: The Christmas Meeting/Raffle/Dinner in December will begin at 5:00 PM on Wednesday December 5^th.

 

REDDING UNIT MEETING –  1^st Wednesdays – 5:30 PM – Redding Hall

Note: No December meeting in Redding for the Northern Unit. Join us in Sacramento for the Annual Christmas Meeting/Raffle/Dinner.

 

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday January 22^nd @ 5:00PM  – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.

 

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday January 17^th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

 

LOCAL 340 MEMBERS TURN UP & WIN!

In a major win for the Building Trades in early August, the Sacramento City Council voted 7-2 in favor of a historic citywide PLA for all public works projects over $1 million dollars.

 

We put out a call to action and I want to thank the 30 plus members who showed up that evening to the City Council meeting to show support for this PLA. This PLA guarantees 50% of all the work on publicly funded projects in the city of Sacramento will go to local businesses and construction workers. Apprenticeship hours under this PLA will be kept local and special consideration will be given to veterans.

 

This is great news for Local 340 members as well as members of all the Trades Unions in the Sacramento area.

 

Thank you again to our “army” of supporters. I know many of you came straight from work to help us and we are very appreciative.

 

FIRST UNION MEETING @ OUR NEW HALL!

We had a great meeting on Wednesday September 5^th with close to 150 in attendance.  Local 340 President Mark Steelman swore in over 70 new members that evening and along with the normal business at hand, the Sportman’s club held their annual raffle and we gave away a ton of free shirts, cups, wine glasses etc.  I want to thank all of you for the positive comments about the new facility. We are very proud of it. Just to let you know, we still have some finishing touches to do, but if you haven’t had a chance to see your new Union Hall, just come to the next meeting on October 3^rd, I believe you will also be impressed.

 

MONTHLY BASIC DUES INCREASE FOR “A” MEMBERS:

Effective with January 2019 dues, all “A” membership basic dues will increase by $1.00 according to action taken at the 2016 International Convention. This increase will go towards funding the International Pension Benefit Fund. If you self-pay be sure to increase your monthly payment by this amount.  Those members on automatic dues checkoff or employer checkoff will see that increase with your deductions.

 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP PICNIC AT NEW VENUE

If you missed the picnic this year, you missed another good one. Well over 700 people attended. The picnic held on September 15^th at Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova was a huge success.  The park was packed and once again, thanks goes out to all of Local 340’s Secretaries (especially Reyna, Michelle and Justine), our Local 340 Agents and Organizers as well as this year’s picnic committee members who work behind the scenes for at least  six months planning this event. Our Local 340 Softball players stepped up and we had a lot of new volunteers this year helping to ensure that the members had a great time. A special shout out goes to Brother Michael Adams Jr who was our DJ this year.

 

A very unique thing about this years’ picnic was that former President Tommy Meredith’s family purchased a bench at this park in his honor after he passed away. Our event was held in the Pavilion where his bench sits. This was not planned, but it definitely meant a lot to those of our members who knew him, especially his sons Brothers Matthew and Erik Meredith.

 

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION CLASS

Mandatory New Member Orientation classes are scheduled on a regular basis to help new members navigate thru the IBEW and Union processes.  We use this opportunity to answer questions regarding pension, health and welfare, dues, organizing, dispatch procedures etc.  In the months of June, July and August, our organizers brought in over 130 new members and these members need this class.  If you just joined Local 340 or rejoined Local 340 and received a notice to attend our next New Member Orientation Class on Saturday October 13^th, call the Hall to RSVP now.  Also, if you were scheduled to attend a previous class and missed it, this is your time to make it up.  Call the Hall now.

 

PIN PRESENTATION – SATURDAY 10/27/18

The following names are members who are due their 50+ years of service pins this year.  At the time of this writing (9/19) we have only heard from about 15 of you on whether or not you plan to attend the Pin Presentation being held in your honor on October 27^th.  If you are one of the recipients and haven’t responded, please call the hall. We need to make plans on your behalf. This event will be held at our new Hall and we’ll be giving a tour of the Business Offices as well as the rest of the facility on that day.

 

Please note: All members are invited to attend this event.  We can always use some help and it is nice to show Brother/Sister support for these esteemed Retirees.

70 year members: Fred Kirchubel, John Wiant

65 year members: Richard Nelson, Gordon Snyder, Carl Vogt

60 year members: Bobby Abbott, Brian Boggs, Burt Campbell, Frank Fagnani, Roger Harrison, Arthur Myers, Richard Okamoto, William Roberts, Paul Schmidt, Robert Silva, Robert Slover, Earl Vanatta, Donald Walden, George Zielesch

55 year members: Arthur Barker, Joseph M Bell, Charles Cake, Wilford Haley, Curtis Hall, Elliot Lafreniere, Andrew Perata, Charles Shipman, Richard Sapinok, Duwayne Stillwell, Jim Vance

50 year members: James Broff, Douglas Brown, Randy Moul, Richard Myers, James Plummer, Douglas Porter, James Schooler, Robert Snider, Dennis Stoffel, Michael Uribe, Craig Wick.

 

PREPARING TO RETIRE – SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY 11/03/18

Speaking of Retiring, 30 members have signed up for this Get Ready to Retire Seminar, also to be held at our new facility.  This is where you will get the information you need on how to prepare for retirement.  We have invited speakers from all of our Pension Plans (and even hope to get a speaker from the Social Security office) to share important information that you will need in order to make a well informed decision as to when to retire.  Whether you’re going to retire in 2 years, 10 years or 20 years from now, this event will help you to plan! We do need a count of members attending and we welcome your spouses or significant others to join you. Sign up now! Call Reyna at the Hall with your name and contact phone number and then save the date!

 

Operation Christmas Basket Raffle 2018 – The IBEW/NECA 37^th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser is now underway. Tickets are available for $1.00 each.  The prizes are as follows:

1^st Prize – $1,500.00 cash

2^nd Prize – Shotgun

3^rd Prize – $250.00 in Lottery Scratchers

The kickoff for this fundraiser will be held at the October 3rd Union meeting. Tickets can be purchased at the meeting, at any of our events, at the Hall or from Local Officers and Members who have signed out books of tickets to sell at the jobsites.  Although this has been another great year again for our members, there are still Union families who struggle during the Holidays. Every dollar donated to Operation Christmas Basket goes into purchasing food and toys for all Union members in all the Trades in the Sacramento area. Without this raffle, there would be no Operation Christmas Basket and a lot of families would have to do without Christmas for their kids.  Let’s keep this tradition going which was started 37 years ago by IBEW Brother Lud Larson and Brother Harry Bain. Get your tickets now.

 

The drawing will be held at the Sacramento Membership/Christmas Dinner Meeting on December 5^th @ 5PM. You do not need to be present to win, but this meeting is open to all IBEW Local 340 members, both active and retired, so hope to see you there.  Again, it would be a good time for you to come see your new Union Hall.

 

Local 340 Toy & Food Drive

For the last 10 years, in conjunction with Operation Christmas Basket which helps Union families of ALL trades, we have held our own Christmas Food and Toy Drive specifically for Local 340 families in order to bulk up the baskets and put a personal IBEW Local 340 touch on them. We will be collecting non-perishable food items and new toys at the Business Office. Feel free to drop them off in our Business Office between now and December 7^th. Thank you.

 

MEMBER NEWS

 

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS

We are happy to report that Patty Paterson Local 340 Projects Coordinator, is now off of disability and has returned to work.  She is happy to be back and grateful for all of the support she received this past summer.

 

REST IN PEACE

This was a tough 2 months for Local 340.  We lost 4 retired members:

James Graham (24 year member/69 years of age), Brother Roy Lanham (46 year member/66 years of age), Brother Euell “Ed” McKown (58 year member age/81 years of age) and Brother Dan D. Wright (47year member. 81 years of age).  Rest in Peace Brothers.

We have also been informed that Brother John Dyer’s wife Frances passed away.

Please remember these Brothers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

 

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1^ST Wednesdays @ 6PM – New location! 10240 Systems Parkway

 

REDDING UNIT MEETING –  1^st Wednesdays – 5:30 PM – Redding Hall

 

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the new Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday October 23^rd @ 5:00PM  – Note: 7 members needed to have a quorum.

 

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday October 18^th @ 5:00PM! – Note: 5 members needed. to have a quorum.