LABOR BULLETIN
By
BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
FEBRUARY 2022
SOUND & COMMUNICATION’S MARCH 1, 2022 ALLOCATION
By the time this reaches you we will have closed voting on the upcoming allocation for the upcoming $2.25 increase. We would like to thank all those who attended the Special Called Discussion meeting on January 20, 2022, were we unanimously agreed upon 3 choices to vote on for the upcoming increase. We emailed our S&C members the following day, January 21, 2022, to vote on those 3 choices. Once the polls close a new wage sheet will be distributed and posted on our website. Thank you again for your participation.
INSIDE WIREMAN’S FEBRUARY 1, 2022 PENSION INCREASE
There will be an increase to pension effective 2-1-2022. This was previously agreed upon in our negotiations when the 5-year agreement was ratified. Once signatures are collected and we receive the International stamp, wages will be posted on our website and notifications will go out to the contractors.
LOCAL 340 OFFICE NEWS
AS you may or may not know we recently hired former JATC Training Director Matt Nootenboom. One of the roles Matt will take on is representative of the Northern Unit as well as other units within the local. He will host monthly membership meetings in the Redding Hall (900 Locust Street) starting February at 6 PM. Please feel free to stop in and say hello.
340 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP PICNIC
After much debating and delay due to the current pandemic, we are excited to announce we are in the process of planning for our Annual Membership Picnic. Plans are underway to hold our picnic on September 17, 2022, at the Hagan Community Pavilion. We hope to see improvements on the current COVID conditions so we can proceed with plans. Look for more details to come as we get closer to the anticipated date.
END OF YEAR DUES STATEMENTS
The end of year statements for basic and working dues are posted on our website. You will need to log on to view your statements. These can be found under the Dues tab (a dropdown menu will appear) then select 2021 Tax Statement. If it is your first-time logging onto the website, you will need to activate your account.
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, 2022, through December 31, 2022.
- 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 – 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 11, 2022, to be considered.
IBEW Founders Scholarship – For IBEW Members only
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, 2022). This is not a scholarship for your dependents. All applications and required information must be mailed directly to the IBEW in Washington, DC postmarked May 1, 2022.
12th ANNUAL 340 SOFTBALL TEAM CRAB FEED
The Softball Team is happy to announce the return of their 12th annual 340 Softball Team Crab Feed will be held here at the Hall on Saturday February 19th. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this event, call the Hall at 916-927-4239. You can also get in touch with one of the Softball players. Tickets are $60.00 per person for all you can eat crab, pasta, salad and bread. This fun event is known for great food and fellowship, as well as several types of awesome raffles! All members are welcome to attend this Crab Feed.
1st ANNUAL RENEW CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Please come out to support the RENEW group as they host their first annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, March 19th at 1 PM here at the Union Hall. First place prize is $500. There is a $20 buy in but free to 1st/2nd year apprentices as well as CW I- III. For more details or to reserve your spot please reach out to Joseph Miller at (530)761-1096.
ACCIDENTS/ILLNESSES
Retired Brother Roy Zimmerman passed on January 13, 2022. He was a 76-year member and 100 years of age.
HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE CLOSURES
Monday, February 21st – Presidents Day
UPCOMING MEETINGS
SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827
REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1st Wednesdays – Chico 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 @ 5:00PM – 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 21st @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum
