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FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
I hope you all got what you wanted for Christmas as Santa has left the building and the New Year is here. For some of us it is merely the middle of winter, for others we are headed for Spring. It is all how you look at it. Whether you are skiing, ice fishing, or going for the high mark on your new sled, get out and enjoy the winter. If all you do is work and shovel snow then the season will get awfully long.
A Look Back; we are starting a New Year so I looked back at the past year to see where we were compared to where we are. Figuring I might be able to gage where we need to be. The long and short of it is, we have a long way to go, and our goals should remain the same. I made a list of the last year of resolutions. Good ones and looking at them now I can see most of them should stay on the list because they are worthwhile and should always be strived towards. Such as better contracts, increasing the Brotherhood Fund, improving outreach to the membership, increasing participation, keeping or retaining contact information with those who retire, and increasing educational opportunities for our members. I still resolve to work on all these in the coming year.
Hopefully the work in this New Year will be robust. I received word of a couple larger projects for you line hands here in Montana, ie subs with attached transmission, not necessarily all in 44 jurisdiction but at least in the state. I know the sirens song from Cali is calling but this is a much better spot to live and work. This year we had the largest number of open calls in the history of the local. The way that is figured is the number of Open Calls times the days they remain on the board. This year “2019” we had at least 2,500 days of work that went unanswered. Not to mention all the job openings at our friends in the Utility business. On the bright side, we do have 246 line apprentices at Mountain States that will be soon able to help fill the need. Besides outside line our gas program at Mountain States is being asked to do more and more. I am currently working with Vicki Neill to beef that program up, stay tuned, it is a great career path. One thing that would really help is any of you retired JL’s, Metermen or Gas Journeymen could call up Tim and Vicki at the Training Center and share your knowledge with the younger guys.
We just received a letter from Asplundh Tree Service saying they are going to Electronic/Mobile time clocks. What the Hey, pretty soon they will just have a satellite over head to see if you step away from the job to pee. Most everyone is tracked one way or another, keep that in mind as they offer to give you a phone. What their letter says is that they will have tablets/time clocks for every Foreman to carry, and they want you to face time in and out as you report to work! What the world is coming to… we will keep you posted.
Everyone be safe, and have a prosperous and Happy New Year.
In Brotherhood,
Bill
Fishing and Hunting by Rob Buhl our Outdoor Editor
Well, before you hear it from somebody else, I was out shot by everyone on the pheasant trip to the Dakotas. I spent way too much money on a fancy shotgun for the results of this great adventure. It was about 700 miles and 700 dollars per bird. Fortunately, duck and goose season is still going I might have a chance at redemption. But right now, it is time to turn your thoughts to ICE FISHING! Nelson Reservoir is hot as is Fort Peck, Lake Francis and Fresno. I did hear of a couple guys from Billings that got skunked first trip out, don’t let that get you down it was me and I do occasionally catch the fish off guard. The Perch, Pike and Rainbows are said to be “where you find them” and I can help with that, contact me, Rob Buhl, if you have any questions. As a matter of fact, if you line up in front of my house 5 a.m. most any Saturday and Honk Your Horns I will gladly lead the way to great ice fishing spots!
Rob
HOLD THE PRESS
I would like to announce that Missoula Electric Cooperative has reached an Agreement with Local 44 on a 3 year contract. The contract was approved by more than a 3-1 margin, and I would like to thank Val, Holly, Beau and Conor, our team, for all their hard work. Missoula is a very fast growing area and MEC is a good place to work. We have a fair contract, and now we need to make sure we show that we are the best, the IBEW. Be safe, be professional and take care of the members we serve.
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
Happy New Year! Hoping the New Year will bring good health and prosperity to you and your family.
The Career Fair season is well under way, if you know of a career fair let me know so we can get either me or someone from RENEW there to represent the Mountain States Line Program as well as any area Cooperatives. At the last fair I was able to meet from Beartooth Electric Cooperative Karen Robbins, Jimmy Grooms and Jake Wright. A job well done, they had a lot of students stopping by to visit with them! We are always trying to make the display interactive with information and hands on with some of the equipment, tools and books for the schooling, and now we will be adding a video as well. Any thoughts or ideas are always welcome so let us know when and where.
Veteran’s group, IBEW 44 is still gathering names together for a Veteran’s Group. The only qualification is that you are a veteran. Please contact the Hall either by phone 406-723-3203, email ibew@ibew44.org, or just let any of us know that you served and would like to be a part of the Veteran’s Group. Thank you for your Service!
Sign up for the web page, check out the added tabs for: Memorial donations, Upcoming training (Safety Wallet is located there as well), and RENEW tab on what is going on with RENEW. Take a few moments to register for the website (www.ibew44.org), when membership is verified you will have full access to the website. IBEW 44 has social media accounts. We have been trying to get more content on Facebook (IBEW Local 44) check it out.
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose, D988003
406-459-3548
dwight@ibew44.org
RENEW
The next RENEW meeting will be in Great Falls with a date to be determined. We are hoping to schedule for January. During the month of January at the Mountain States Training Center, I will be there to answer any questions about RENEW. There is no cost and no application, the only requirement is that you are 35 or younger. If you are not getting notices about RENEW, please send me your email: dwight@ibew44.org.
DUES INCREASE REMINDER
The Delegates of the 39th IBEW International Convention, which was held in 2016, approved amendments to Article IX of the IBEW Constitution. Accordingly, there will be a Basic dues increase of $1.00 for both “A” and “BA” members starting after you have paid through December 2019. The new Basic “A” rate will be $44.00 monthly and “BA” rate will be $25.00 monthly. Remember if you are on dues deduct with your employer, they will not start to deduct the extra $1.00 until January no matter when it is due for you. So please pay attention to the receipt that is mailed to you and pay any difference that you may owe. Printed at the top middle of the receipt will be a negative balance if you owe money, and it will print a positive balance if you have credit.
LOCAL 44 OFFICE
Pictures of Local 44’s merchandise can be seen on the website. You can place an order on there or call the Hall to have it shipped to you. New hats should be in by late January.
Local 44 will be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2020.
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman Lineman status:
Kevin Corwin
Casey Kombol
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:
Philip Hamblock
Larry Hoyer
Dan Johnerson
Kenneth Johnson
James Lloyd Rice
James Sullivan
John Westby
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
JANUARY UNIT MEETINGS
Great Falls Jan. 06, 2020 7:00 PM Great Falls Labor Temple
Havre Jan. 07, 2020 6:00 PM Elks Lodge
Malta Jan. 08, 2020 5:30 PM Stretch’s Pizza Restaurant
Billings Jan. 09, 2020 4:30 PM NWE Service Center
Helena Jan. 13, 2020 5:00 PM NWE Service Center
Bozeman Jan. 14, 2020 5:00 PM Bozeman Labor Temple
Missoula Jan. 15, 2020 6:00 PM Missoula Labor Temple
Butte Jan. 23, 2020 5:30 PM Local 44 Office
Line Construction Jan. 25, 2020 11:00AM Helena Labor Temple
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