LABOR BULLETIN
By
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
December 2024
END OF THE YEAR RECAP
What a year it has been, our membership has continued to see growth and we have made constant strides in how far we have come as a local. While the year is not over just yet we are exceeding our number of new members from last year and we are still signing new contractors. As this article is being written we are consistently speaking with prospective new members to help fill a major jobsite with manpower. To date we have sent close to 100 new dispatches out. It goes without saying we are truly thankful for our representatives, clerical staff and our members for helping contribute to such amazing growth, not only in the trade but the union as well.
IBEW PER CAPITA DUES INCREASE FOR “A” MEMBERS
We have been sending notices with dues receipts but in case you missed it, basic dues for “A” members will increase by $2.00 effective January 2025 in accordance with Article IX of the IBEW Constitution. Please be sure that if you pay dues in advance or are on automatic deductions through your personal bank you make the adjustments for the increase.
PIN PRESENTATION
Due to a conflict in scheduling we had to make a late cancellation for our Pin Presentation. This does not mean we are not holding space for our Retirees; we are still looking forward to showing our appreciation for the years of service for our former Active members who helped paved the way. While we do not have a concrete date set for the new brunch, we will be in contact with those of you previously scheduled and hope to catch even more retirees who RSVP’d no.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS BASKET
As this article hits your inbox, we will have had just a few more days until our December Christmas meeting and the drawing for our Annual Operation Christmas Basket. We hope all who wanted to help support this cause were able to purchase tickets. We will announce the winner in the next article. If you find yourself able to donate unwrapped toys or canned goods for our collection bin, there will still be time to stop by the hall and help those members of our in need. Please note this collection is for our members and any support you find
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Newly scheduled and reschedule letters have been sent for our next New Member Orientation class on January 21, 2025. The class will be held in the union hall at 5 PM. If you reside in the Northern area, please note your class will be in the Redding Hall. We encourage you to bring your spouse or significant other as this is a great opportunity for any questions you may have regarding your union membership and understanding the local union.
VOLT – Deck the Hall
We were happy to see both new and longtime members present at our first Holiday/Thank You party for our VOLT committee this past November. We were able to recruit new members and spread knowledge about what this committee does for not only our local but the community as a whole. As mentioned on our flyers, a raffle was held to thank those who showed up throughout the year as we kicked off the relaunch of our community outreach group and our lucky grand prize winner of a new PS5 was Michael Lepore. If you would like to participate in future VOLT events or would like more information on how you can help out please contact us via email 340volt@ibewlocal340.org.
HEALTH & WELFARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
Open enrollment is currently running through December 20th. If you wish to switch your current provide you may do so by contacting Teresa Raney at 916-923-0666 or via email at traney@ibewlocal340.org.
REST IN PEACE
It is with great sadness to report we lost Active Brother Jason Prasad on November 4th. A funeral was held for him on November 9th and the amount of not just loved ones, but also his union brothers and sisters that showed up was a testament to how many lives he touched. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and two kids who lost him way too soon.
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.
OFFICE CLOSURES
Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24th and 25th – Christmas
Tuesday, December 31st – NYE close at noon
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – New Year’s Day
UPCOMING MEETINGS
SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827
Please note the first meeting of January 2025 will be held on January 8th as the 1st is a holiday.
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 January 28, 2025 @ 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 16, 2025 @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.
