LABOR BULLETIN
By
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018
PLEASE VOTE!
If you have not yet cast your vote for the November 6th 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 10th 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 13th.
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 11th & 12th (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 13th (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 37th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser is now underway. Tickets are available for $1.00 each. The prizes are as follows: 1st Prize – $1,500.00 cash; 2nd Prize – Shotgun; 3rd Prize – $250.00 in Lottery Scratchers.
The drawing will be held at the Sacramento Membership/Christmas Dinner/Meeting on December 5th @ 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 14th. Thank you for your continued generosity to this Toy & Food Drive.
HEALTH & WELFARE OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW!
Open Enrollment runs from November 1st thru December 15th.
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 11th. Therefore, per our Inside Wireman’s CBA, it will be observed on Monday November 12th 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 12th – Veterans Day Holiday
Thursday & Friday November 22nd & 23rd – Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday & Tuesday December 24th & 25th – Christmas Holiday
Tuesday January 1st – New Years Day
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – November meeting will be on November 7th @ 6PM – Sacramento Hall, 10240 Systems Parkway
NOTE: The Christmas Meeting/Raffle/Dinner in December will begin at 5:00 PM on Wednesday December 5th.
REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1st 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 4TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday January 22nd @ 5:00PM – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.
CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday January 17th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.
