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 6th 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 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 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 27th 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 37th 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 5th @ 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 14th. 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 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.
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 4th 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 22nd @ 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 22nd 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 24th & 25th – Christmas Holiday
Tuesday January 1st – New Years Day
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – The Christmas Union Meeting/Dinner/Raffle will be held on Wednesday December 5th beginning at 5 PM! It will be held at our new Hall, 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827
REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1st 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 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.
