LABOR BULLETIN
by
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
APRIL 2021
INSIDE WIREMAN’S UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS
As mentioned last month the Inside Wireman’s contract will be expiring at the end of May 2021. Our negotiations committee has been meeting weekly and reviewed the surveys of those of you who turned them in. We will keep you posted as we move along this process. To ensure you are receiving updates and surveys please be sure to double check with the hall that we have your correct mailing and email address on file, so you don’t miss out on any important information.
OFFICE UPDATE
As we enter a new season and new era of the COVID 19, we want our members to know that we are working on gradually opening up the hall. I have been keeping a close look at the County guidelines for us to be able to open up and hold regular membership meetings. Please keep a look out for notifications here as well as our website for up to date information.
I would also like to take this time to welcome aboard Teresa Raney. She will be joining the IBEW Local 340 team. We sent a notification to Inside Wireman and CECWs of her new contact information. She will have the same number 916-923-0666, but her email has updated to traney@ibewlocal340.org. Teresa will continue to be your contact point for benefits and local pension questions.
END OF YEAR DUES STATEMENTS
The End of the Year Dues Statements are available online at www.ibewlocal340.org by logging onto your member account. The statement can be found in the member portal under the Dues dropdown listed as “2020 Tax Statement”. Please note they did not get mailed out this year. If you would like a copy sent directly to you, please reach out to Koy at the office (916-927-4239 ext. 1001). She can mail or email you your copy.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION CLASS
We will be holding our next New Member Orientation on May 8, 2021. This class will be separated into two classes the first is CECW and Sound & Communications and the second class will be for Inside Wireman classification. Notices have gone out to those who have missed 3 or more classes. This is a very important class to attend especially if you are still new or have questions regarding your membership. We encourage members to have their spouses or significant others attend as well. Ensure we have your correct email on file, so you are receiving these notices.
DEFERRED SAVINGS
We recently sent out a mass email to all those members still missing their Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) forms. If you received this email and have not responded or turned in this form, we urge you to get this done immediately. We can send the necessary form via DocuSign or mail it with a return envelope. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Raney at 916-923-0666 or by email at traney@ibewlocal340.org
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, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
- 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.)
- 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 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, 2021.
Five Counties Central Labor Council
The Five Counties CLC announce the college scholarship program for 2021. There will be three (3) $1,500 scholarship winners this year. It is available to members who are family or household members (parents, domestic partners, grandparents, siblings, etc) of graduating high school seniors. Students of deceased or retired members may also apply. The applicant must be graduating high school in the Fall of 2020 or Spring 2021 and plan to enroll in an accredited college or trade school as a full-time student (at least 12 units) for Fall of 2021. Any applicant applying must state their relationship to the Union member, provide proof of the Union membership in a local affiliated with this Labor Council, and write an original essay about how belonging to a labor union benefits their family as well as the Union member in their workplace. Deadline to submit application and essay is no later than April 21, 2021.
ACCIDENTS & ILLNESSES
Active Brother Roberto Clark, he was a 35-year member and 59 years of age.
UPCOMING MEETINGS – CURRENTLY CANCELLED FOR APRIL
SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827
REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1st 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 4TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday April 26th @ 5:00 PM – 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 15th @ 5:00PM – Note: five (5) members needed to have a quorum.
