FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Hello Brothers and Sisters, warm weather has arrived at least for the day. Since the last time I wrote I see 6 less Lineman on Book One. I think that’s a good thing and a bad thing, but for the last few years I can say it is a common thing. By June there will be more work than we have men. Hopefully with negotiations going on for Outside Line (the end of April) we can get our benefit package and or wages up to where we can compete for workers.
At this time, our Local is currently in negotiations with Vigilante Electric, Beartooth Electric, Northwestern Energy Dispatch/OMS, and as I said, currently starting talks with our friends at NECA. Earlier this week I was in talks with Hill County Electric, we are trying to work out issues there as we are heading toward arbitration. Those poor members across the highline are buried …no… that’s the wrong word, they are DROWNING! The Milk River is as big as the Mo! I swear around Chinook the fields were lakes and there was 4 inches of water crossing Highway 2. I hope they keep getting the cool nights that allow the snow to slowly melt and we won’t get too much flooding.
Last week I had to make a trip out to DC. There are about three trips with required attendance and the Outside Construction Conference is one. Mostly there are schools teaching about new accounting practices or agreements made nationally and usually they are pretty good. This one they spent quite a bit of time on issues that will affect the whole of the IBEW, i.e. labor laws and trends. I along with Ben Dawson from Local 768, scheduled time and met with Rep. Gianforte, Senator Daines and Senator Tester. I have to say we had good discussions with all three. It was good to meet their staff and build those contacts. One interesting fella was the Head of the Irish Labor Movement; he spoke of the capacity now in Ireland to run the entire island off of renewable energy. As a matter of fact they did it for 6 days last year, only he had to admit they were never consecutive days.
As this election cycle heads into the spring primaries, we have a lot of choosing to do. I know you all have school board and school bonds to decide on so please remember to vote. I encourage you to talk to the candidates, talk to your current board members, get answers to your questions and make informed decisions. If you know a candidate call them up, establish a rapport with them, your hall is going to be doing the same thing. This year we will endorse (if we have preference) in the primary. One example of this is Rob Cook for PSC. On the Republican side of the ticket there are several candidates. Rob is a solution finder without an agenda; he strives to make the best decisions for Montana consumers much like he did as a state legislator. So tell your families and friends to be sure and vote, and vote for Rob Cook in District One primary. Watch this newsletter, as we will be endorsing throughout this election as we identify Worker friendly candidates.
In Brotherhood, be safe,
Bill
FROM THE ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER
Hello everyone. I hope you and your families are all fine. It has been a long winter and I for one have had enough of it, so let’s look forward to a nice summer.
I am impressed how well our members know the terms of their agreements when it relates to them but they seem not to know the employer’s rights clause well enough. Please get to know employer’s rights as well as yours.
Here is a save the date, the Local 44 Golf Tournament will be held on August 11, 2018 at Fox Ridge Golf Course, Helena, Montana. Shot gun start at 9:00 AM. There will be more information to follow. Have fun and be safe out there.
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
Greetings! With nice weather upon us I can safely say this has been a winter to remember!
We now have social media accounts and all have been activated.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ibew44
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibew44/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBEW-44-235158420561076/
Snapchat: ibew44
Also, on the web page I have added a section for classified ads. It is on the left-hand side in the member resources section. Click on that tab and select a category, & then write up the ad. It will be reviewed before it will be posted. Also, please register for the website; after your membership is verified you will have full access and advantages.
During this past round of meetings I have been reaching out and talking about RENEW so far there have been over 22 people that have expressed interest in the RENEW program. In the following weeks I will be meeting with each of those groups in their respective cities to get our RENEW program going! Thank you everyone and I look forward to working with you.
From the IO: In response to the convention resolution, “Renewed Commitment to the Code of Excellence,” the IBEW continues to publish The IBEW SPARQ, a quarterly online Code of Excellence (COE) newsletter. The newest edition of the newsletter can be found on the IBEW website at www.ibew.org. Look for the COE-SPARQ tab at the top of the page, and you can download any or all branch newsletters. Each edition focuses on one of the core values of the Code of Excellence: safety, professionalism, accountability, relationships, and quality.
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose (D988003)
406-459-3548
dwight@ibew44.org
LINEMAN’S RODEO LANTERN CEREMONY
The Lineman’s Rodeo is right around the corner, a reminder from those that are working on the plans. If anyone has the name of a deceased member that they would like to Honor in the Lantern Ceremony, please send contact information to this office at ibew@ibew44.org, and we will get it to those in charge. Thank you.
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Robert Ady – Journeyman Lineman
Keith Byrd – Journeyman Operator
Kris Eims – Journeyman Lineman
Riley Moore – Journeyman Lineman
Andrew Newman – Journeyman Lineman
Dan Reis – Journeyman Lineman
Steven Stenberg – Journeyman Lineman
Marty Webster – Journeyman Lineman
Great job and best wishes for a great career!
RETIRED MEMBERS
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following member who has retired from the trade:
Michael Raunig
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
Mountain States Upgrade Schedule
Stan Dupree Training Center
May 12, 2018 - First Aid/CPR - 8:00 A.M.
June 1, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
August 3, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
August 11, 2018 - First Aid/CPR - 8:00 A.M.
October 5, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
November 3, 2018 - First Aid/CPR - 8:00 A.M.
December 1st & 2nd, 2018 - OSHA ET&D - 8:00 A.M. TBD
December 7, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
MAY UNIT MEETINGS
Havre May 01, 2018 6:00 PM Elks Lodge
Malta May 02, 2018 5:30 PM Stretch’s Pizza Restaurant
Billings May 03, 2018 5:00 PM NWE Service Center
Great Falls May 07, 2018 7:00 PM Great Falls Labor Temple
Helena May 14, 2018 5:00 PM NWE Service Center
Bozeman May 15, 2018 5:00 PM Bozeman Labor Temple
Missoula May 16, 2018 6:00 PM Missoula Labor Temple
Butte May 17, 2018 5:30 PM Local 44 Office
|