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FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Greetings Brothers & Sisters, I hope you all are healthy and well amid this troublesome pandemic. It is affecting our society tremendously and the day to day activities of our membership. I can assure you that your Local is staying abreast on all the government orders and happenings. We currently have a face mask wearing requirement when inside the Union Hall. So, please respect and abide by those mandates. Thank you!
The Local currently has 3 open calls, 2 Journeyman Lineman and 1 Gas Tech Operator. All book classifications appear light in numbers aside from 40 Groundman signings. Our work picture is going strong with many willing and able members out earning their paychecks. The construction and maintenance season is also ramping up and looking good too. The essential service you all provide is unmatched and without a doubt valuable.
Well, for my first few weeks as your new Business Manager, I have been busy learning the ins and outs of this position. I have basically jumped right into the fire and worked on tackling negotiations, contract issues, scheduling and participating in zoom meetings and venturing out to try to meet as many new people as time allows. I have many goals and aspirations I would like to fortify over the course of representing you all in the days, months and years to come. The most important goal you will hear a lot from me is to work on the level of communication to the whole membership. Effectively communicating is indeed challenging, I plan to reach out to all work groups, and it’s a top priority. I have many thoughts and ideas on how to communicate, so please know I take it very seriously and am always focusing on its improvement. Also, I will be calling on my fellow members to help assist me in developing these lines. Feel free to call, text, email or stop by my office and bend my ear anytime. I welcome all ideas, thoughts, and opinions, new and old alike. Establishing positive relationships with our employers is a must and an ever-changing dynamic. I am committed to continue building consistency, confidence and trust through our actions. You all are highly trained, respected and skilled professionals that represent this Local Union with class. Keep it up and always stay safe!
In Brotherhood,
Scott D. Klungland
Card No. D769197
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
Safety tip. As if COVID-19 hasn’t produced enough headaches now this. FDA is alerting consumers of Saniderm Products and UVT Inc.’s voluntary recall of Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer. Following FDA’s recommendation, two distributors – Saniderm Products and UVT – agreed to recall Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer packaged in 1-liter plastic bottles and labeled with “Made in Mexico” and “Produced by: Eskbiochem SA de CV.”
In other words, essentially bad moonshine the methanol can be absorbed through the skin. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.
- The UVT hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 0530 and an expiration date of 04/2022.
- The Saniderm Products hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 53131626 and “Manufactured on April/1/20.”
Veteran’s if interested in this group, let us know here in the hall either by phone 406-723-3203 or email ibew@ibew44.org if you would like to be added. As always, your service is the only prerequisite to join to be in the Veteran’s group, Thank you for your Service!
Sign up for the web page. There are tabs for: Memorial donations, Upcoming training (Safety Wallet is located there as well). Access classified ads to sell those unused, unwanted items. It just takes a few moments to register for the website(www.ibew44.org), once membership is verified you will have full access to the website. Check out IBEW Local 44 on Facebook. Submit any Pictures, videos, events or anything that you think should be on there.
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose, D988003
406-459-3548 dwight@ibew44.org
RENEW
Montana is still at Phase 2 and since I started talking to the classes back in January the whole world has changed. There has not been a chance to have any gathering since the COVID-19 outbreak has started. I have been able to add most everyone’s emails to the website and make them a part of the RENEW group. Please contact me either at: dwight@ibew44.org or call/text 406.459.3548 if you are 35 or younger because you are eligible and are already a part of the RENEW group. This July marks 2 years that IBEW 44 RENEW has been around. A special Thanks to the current officers: Shane, Rustin, Trevor, Spencer, and Austin! July 31, 2020 at 5:00 pm will be the elections for the new officers. Nominations and voting will take place in a Free Conference Call video chat. Here is the info to call or log in:
Dial-in number (US): (725) 735-9822
International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/dwight673
Online meeting ID: dwight673
Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/dwight673
I will send out an email to everyone that is of eligible age the week of the election. Contact me if you are not receiving emails. If you cannot attend the online meeting, but would like to be an officer please send me an email stating which position you are interested in.
Election for the following offices: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, Sargent at Arms, and 3 Members at large.
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Devin Healy – Operator Transmission 3
Josh McNamer – Journeyman Lineman
Lake Mellott – Journeyman Lineman
Tim Witherow – Gas Tech Operator
Matthew Pribanich – Journeyman Lineman
Great job and best wishes for a great career!
MONTANA LINEMAN’S RODEO RAFFLE TICKETS
The Montana Lineman’s Rodeo Raffle Tickets are now available. You can purchase tickets at the Hall or contact Tab at 406-442-6494. Tickets are $5.00 each or 12 tickets for $50.00. The drawing will be held on August 29, 2020. For more information, check out their website at www.mtlra.org.
Grand Prize: 2019 Can-Am Outlander 450 – Mossy Oak Hunter Edition
1st Prize: Henry Golden Boy 17 HMR
2nd Prize: 110 Quart Permafrost Cooler – Made in Bozeman, MT
3rd Prize: $300 Visa Gift Card
IBEW LIFE SAVING AWARD
Earlier this year, one of our members was nominated for the IBEW Life Saving Award. That member is Brian Godbey, a Journeyman Lineman at Fergus Electric Cooperative in Lewistown. Last July, Brian and a co-worker were travelling together when they stopped to investigate something resembling the tail of an airplane a few yards off the highway. They found the pilot hurt badly and crying for help. They saved that pilot’s life. They also received the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association Life Saver Award for saving the life of another individual. We had hoped to present this IBEW Award to Brian earlier this year, but then Covid happened. One year after the incident, Business Manager Scott and Member Development Organizer Dwight were able to meet with Brian and present this award to him at a Fergus Electric safety meeting. Photos of this presentation will be posted on our website.
There are no Unit Meetings scheduled for June, July or August unless specially called. Executive Board will be scheduled throughout the summer. Have a good and safe summer!
STAY SAFE!
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