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FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Greetings Local 44 Members,
Well, another month is creeping up on us and business at the office is holding strong as we transition into the upcoming winter timeframe. We are preparing and planning for 4 different negotiations to round out the year. On the docket are negotiations for Asplundh Tree Expert, ELM Locating and Utility Services, The Montana Line Clearance Contractors Agreement, and Beartooth Electric Cooperative. I have secured our respective negotiating teams, and we are in the process of developing and identifying contract topics of interest from which negotiating proposals will then get drafted up from. I’m looking forward to working with our members and negotiating a fair respectful new contract with each of our employers. As most of you are aware, negotiations can be tricky for many obvious reasons, but they don’t have to be contentious either. The term “good faith” in bargaining is a concept to always keep at the forefront of all conversations. Bargaining in good faith is something I always try to maximize when drafting proposals to present to one of our employers. My intention is to be realistic, respectful, honest, and diligent, all at the same time. I know and realize what we can control and what we can’t control. Also, we have multiple resources available to assist us if need be. Negotiations are a team effort and member participation are crucial and key to being successful. Our negotiating members are responsible for providing critical content to back up proposals and then also as valuable conduits of communication back to their coworkers. With that being said, please choose to support and communicate respectfully with your negotiating representative. These individuals are your day in and day out coworkers who are committed to doing the very best job they can for you.
In closing, best of luck to all the game hunters out there. I hope you bag the big one.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
In Brotherhood,
Scott Klungland
sklungland@ibew44.org
C: 406-565-6839
FROM THE ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER
In the last article I touched on our RENEW Curling event and I’m hoping the word is spreading. Once again it will take place at the Butte Community Ice Center on November 11, 2023 from 1pm-3pm. It’s coming up quick. This event is for all ages, all members, family and friends, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED just show up. Step outside the old comfort zone and come on down to Butte, it should be a heck of a good time.
As for the RENEW Raffle, we have completed two so far and our winners were Scott Marxer for the Springfield and Matt Campbell for the Kimber. Congratulations to both of you. Thanks to everyone else who participated and better luck next time. Numbers are up at our Unit Meetings (just saying).
Moving on to other events, I attended NWE’s Journeyman Banquet not too long ago and was able to thank the former Apprentices, current Apprentices, and the Journeymen as well as all the people involved who help in their training. I would also like to thank everyone who wasn’t at the banquet for the role they play and the sacrifices they make to train our future Journeymen, THANK YOU!
Your Brother,
Kyle Hintz
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Derek Doane – Journeyman Lineman
Mackenzie McGrath – Operator System Electric Level III
Great job and best wishes for a great career!
RETIRED MEMBERS
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members who have retired from the trade:
Chris Risser
Don Welling Jr.
Michael Zilch
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
UNIT 104 CHRISTMAS PARTY
Unit 104 will be having their annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 2nd in Great Falls. The party will start at 12:00pm at the Labor Temple located at 1108 7th Street South. Hope to see you all there.
UNION DUES EXPLANATION
In the September issue of The Communicator, we explained the value of choosing A membership and how those members get the extra Pension and Death Benefit. This month we want to explain the different union dues rates. There are 2 types of dues that are required to be paid by everyone; Basic Dues and Working Assessments. Basic dues are set by the IBEW Constitution and the Local Union Bylaws and are the dues that are required to maintain your union membership. Working Assessments are set by the Local Union Bylaws and are only paid if you are working.
All dues and required payments are collected by the Union and then forwarded at the end of every month to our International Office. Below is the reference taken in part from the Constitution to explain the Basic Dues Rates paid to the I.O. plus the added portion paid to the Union from the Bylaws.
Effective January 1, 2023:
A members BA members
$22 monthly Per Capita Tax $22 monthly Per Capita Tax
$21 monthly Pension Benefit no contribution to Pension Benefit
$5 monthly Local 44 dues $5 monthly Local 44 dues
$48 total monthly “A” Basic Dues $27 total monthly “BA” Basic Dues
Now let’s get into the different Working Assessment rates from the Bylaws. Outside Construction and Tree Trimming Classifications all pay a working dues rate that is 1.5% of gross wages every month. This rate only applies to working in the jurisdiction of Local 44. All other classifications pay a working dues rate that is 2 times their straight time hourly pay rate every month.
Utility members have the choice to be A or BA members, and all of their monthly dues (Basic plus Working) are deducted from their paychecks and sent to the Union monthly. Construction members must be A members per the Constitution, and only their Working Assessments can be deducted from their paychecks. The reason that their Basics cannot be deducted is that Construction members can be traveling members from other Locals, and the employers have no way of knowing where a members’ Basic dues should be paid. Therefore, Construction members must pay their Basic Dues to their home local themselves.
In summary, if you are not working then you only pay the required Basic Dues to maintain membership. If you are working, then you pay Basic Dues and Working Assessments. If you are a Utility employee, then all your dues should be deducted from your paychecks. If you are a Construction employee, then only your Working Assessments are deducted, and you have to pay your Basic Dues.
You can contact the Office at any time by phone or email if you have any questions regarding your dues payments. We would also be glad to send the Constitution and Bylaws to anyone that requests a copy. We do give both to every new member every time along with their Company working agreement.
NOVEMBER UNIT MEETINGS
Great Falls Nov. 06, 2023 6:00 PM Great Falls Labor Temple
Havre Nov. 07, 2023 6:00 PM Elks Lodge
Lewistown Nov. 08, 2023 5:30 PM Fergus Electric
Billings Nov. 09, 2023 5:30 PM NWE Service Center
Helena Nov. 13, 2023 5:00 PM Helena Labor Temple
Bozeman Nov. 14, 2023 6:00 PM Bozeman Labor Temple
Missoula Nov. 15, 2023 6:00 PM Missoula Labor Temple
Butte Nov. 16, 2023 5:30 PM Local 44 Office
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