LABOR BULLETIN
By
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
APRIL 2024
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
We would like to thank those of you who attended our last class on March 12th. We hope you walked away feeling more informed about the union can do for you and the benefits available. We encourage you and your spouse or significant other attend the next class we have scheduled. Often times during and after many of the attendees have questions that are similar to a question you may have or may be a question that sparks further discussion. We will send notices to those who do not attend the last class, The next class is scheduled for June 11th and notices for rescheduled have gone out. Please keep an eye out for rescheduling.
SPORTMAN’S CLUB
There will be a raffle during the April Union meeting. You can get your tickets at any Union meeting or Club event starting this month up until the drawing at the September 4th Union meeting. Each ticket is $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. The prizes for this year include:
1st Henry Lever Action 30-30 Rifle
2nd USA Made Rod and Reel
3rd PSE Compound Bow
4th IBEW Engraved Buck Knife
If you are unable to attend the meeting or a Sportman’s Club event you can still purchase tickets by contacting Chris Tillery at 916-225-4587 via Venmo.
Thanks and Good Luck from the Sportsman’s Club.
WOMENS GROUP
The Women’s Group is hosting a Bingo event on April 13th here at the hall from 1 PM – 5 PM. There will be raffle prizes, food, fun and more. Come out to show your support for Local 340’s Women’s Group by attending this event.
The have another event currently planned for May, this will be a family event. Please keep an eye out for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about this group or would like to be more involved they hold their monthly meetings the 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Union Hall. Notices currently get emailed out prior to the meeting, if you are not on the list but would like to be added, please contact the hall.
ACCIDENTS/ILLNESSES
We are saddened to report the loss of Brother Bobby Mitchell’s daughter who suddenly passed early March. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with any other Brother or Sister who may be suffering or experiencing any loss.
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:
- The temporary amendment is effective from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
- All normal and early retirees with a pension effective date of December 2022 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.)
- 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.
- Disability pensioners are not eligible (the existing rules applicable to disabled pensioners remain in effect).
- 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 – For Dependents
We are happy to announce this year’s winner is Kayla Fangonlio, relative of active Brother Kenneth Fangonilo. Her amazing essay and numerous recommendations assisted her in being the winner for this year’s scholarship. We look forward to hearing her read her essay at the July meeting.
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 Founders’ Scholarship (ibew.org) . 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). 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, 2024.
OFFICE CLOSURES
Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day
UPCOMING MEETINGS
SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827
REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1st Wednesdays
Chico Union Hall @ 5:30 (Odd Months)
Redding Union Hall @ 5:30 (Even Months)
For Northern Area business and then join in the Sacramento meeting @ 6PM via webinar
SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday April 23rd @ 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 April 18th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.
