LABOR BULLETIN
by
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
MARCH 2021
INSIDE WIREMAN’S UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS
As you may know we are coming closer to the end of our Inside Wireman’s agreement on May 31, 2021. We will soon be entering negotiations with the Management side soon. The office recently sent out surveys to all Inside Wireman members, including apprentices, to begin receiving feedback about any changes you the membership would like to see. In the survey we also asked if you preferred mailed correspondence over email, you would need to notify our office in writing so we can make a note in your record. 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.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Our members and staff are classified under the 1C Group for COVID-19 vaccines. We will be working with Sacramento County to help assist our members in getting the vaccine sooner than the expected timeline if you so choose. We want to ensure our members and their family members have every opportunity to get vaccinated and continue to stay safe while heading out to work every day. I would like to send out my gratitude to our members and extended essential workers who have been working long and sometimes extended hours to ensure the necessary work gets completed. Your hard work and selflessness do not go unnoticed.
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”. 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 March 13, 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. We will begin contacting those members who have failed to attend 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
There are still numerous members who have not turned in their Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form to have their monthly deferred savings deposited monthly. The local recently sent emails to those who do not have EFTs on file and requested to get this completed to be sent to Teresa Raney at the Sacramento Area Electrical Trust Office. If you have not yet turned in this form, please do so immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Raney at 916-923-0666 or by email at traney@uastpa.com
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 Local 340 Harry R. Bain Scholarship Award – For Dependents
The deadline for this scholarship will be March 12 and we will announce the winner on the next Labor Bulletin and our website. Thank you to all those who participated.
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.
ACCIDENTS & ILLNESSES
Active Brother Roberto Clark, he was a 35-year member and 59 years of age.
UPCOMING MEETINGS – CURRENTLY CANCELLED FOR MARCH
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.
