LABOR BULLETIN
By
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
DECEMBER 2018 – JANUARY 2019
BUTTE COUNTY CAMP FIRE
I am sorry to report that 17 of the 23 IBEW Brothers who were living in the Paradise/Magalia/Concow area lost their homes and all their possessions in the CampFire. We have also learned that 2 IBEW employers lost not only their homes but also their places of businesses. No one was hurt in the fire and for that we are truly grateful, but they will need help rebuilding and/or just moving on with their lives somewhere else. Therefore, Local 340 is collecting monetary donations to be disbursed among these IBEW survivors in order to help them. Checks made payable to LU340 Campfire Relief Fund can be sent to the Business Office or you can donate online by logging on to www.gofundme.com/local340-039camp-fire039-relief-fund.
We’re also organizing a group of Local 340 volunteers who will go to the fire site and help with the rebuild after the 1st of the year. If you’re interested in representing Local 340 and being part of this volunteer group, just call the Hall and ask to be connected to our Membership Development Department or email them at md@ibewlocal340.org. Once we meet with the Butte County Officials regarding exactly what we will be doing in the rebuild efforts, you will be contacted with the details.
MAILINGS FROM THE HALL
When you receive mail or email from the Business Office, it is imperative you open it up and read it immediately. Sometimes this correspondence is regarding upcoming new member meetings, ratification votes, late dues payments, member events, etc. If you make it a habit to read this mail upon receipt, you will save both you and us, time and money.
Also, please be sure we have your current contact information on file. If you have moved, changed your email address or phone number, let us know by either calling the Hall or logging on to our secure website at www.ibewlocal340.org
10th ANNUAL 340 SOFTBALL TEAM CRAB FEED
The 10th Annual 340 Softball Team Crab Feed will be held at the Hall on Saturday February 9th beginning at 6PM (Doors open at 5). Tickets are $60.00 each and your purchase enters you into a special door prize drawing and gets you All-you-can eat Dungeness Crab, Caesar Salad, Pasta and Garlic Bread. This year the tickets can be purchased online at https://ibewlocal340softball.ticketleap.com/crab-feed. This fun event is known for their great raffles, as well as awesome food and fellowship. All members are welcome to attend.
STEWARD TRAINING AVAILABLE – EARN CE CREDITS
There’s still time to sign up for Steward Training in February. With the amount of large projects coming up in 2019 (See Business Manager Bob Ward’s recent letter to you), we’re going to need trained job stewards who can represent IBEW workers on the job. Anyone completing the training, will receive 8 hours of Continuing Education credits which can be used towards State certification.
The two (2) training classes are scheduled as follows:
Inside Wireman Steward Classes:
Monday & Tuesday February 11th & 12th (3 1/2 hours 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.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS BASKET RAFFLE 2018
The IBEW/NECA 37th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser raised over $8,000.00. That makes a total of $283,789.00 given to local charities at the Holidays since this fundraiser began.
The 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners were:
Sacramento Central Labor Council – $1,500.00 cash
Blocka Construction – Shotgun
Brother Greg Larkins – Lottery Scratchers
Every dollar collected from ticket sales went to help needy Union Families during the Holidays. As always, the three top prizes were donated by our Labor Management Cooperation Committee.
TOYS & FOOD COLLECTION
We collected Toys and Food this year to help Local 340 needy families. One of the best stories I want to share with you though is that in early December, Brother Daniel Aceves and his wife Dez called to tell us that they wanted to “give back” this year. When Brother Aceves was just starting out as an apprentice, he needed a little help and his family received a Christmas Basket of food and toys from us. When they recently told their three children about that time, the kids wanted to help. Mario, Irene and Vincent Aceves (7, 8 and 12 years old) showed up at the Hall with a bunch of new toys that they had purchased to add to our toy drive. Thank you to the Aceves family for paying it forward and thank you to all of the members and staff members for your generous donations of food and toys.
SCHOLARSHIPS (2)
IBEW Local 340 Harry R. Bain Scholarship Award –For Dependents
IBEW Local 340 is once again going to award two college scholarships in 2019 ($1,000.00 and $500.00). These scholarships are available to sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters or legal dependents of members of Local 340. The General Rules and Instructions, as well as the application, can be picked up from the Sacramento Business Office or the Redding Office. You can also call either of these offices to request they be mailed to you. Please note: the completed application must be received in the Sacramento Business Office by March 15, 2019 to be considered.
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, 2019.
ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS
Brother Ralph Hlawaty just underwent his 2nd hip replacement and is now home recuperating.
Brother David T Bianco reports that he is doing “just fine” after his recently knee surgery.
Brother John Montgomery and his wife Pam are also both going through some health issues.
REST IN PEACE
Retired Brother Frank Z’Berg passed away in November. He was a 62 year member and 88 years of age. Services will be held after the New Year.
I am also sorry to report the passing of Brother Brian Lux’s wife Kimberly Jo who lost her battle with cancer a week before Christmas.
Please remember all of the families above in your thoughts and prayers.
HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE & TRUST OFFICE CLOSURES
Tuesday January 1st – New Years’ Day
Monday January 21st – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
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 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.
