FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
March has been another busy month and April is projected to pick up as well. Here is the latest report on the ongoing negotiations for NorthWestern Energy, Beartooth Electric Coop, Vigilante Electric Coop, Outside Line Construction and Triangle Communications.
NorthWestern Energy and the Local 44 negotiating team met, via zoom, on Wednesday March 24th to further discuss a possible one (1) year contract extension. As previously communicated, this proposed one year extension will strictly cover a wage increase. It has become fairly complicated to reach an agreement, because of various factors, but we are working hard to negotiate a fair increase for the membership. More to report next month.
Beartooth Electric Cooperative and Local 44 met, on March 8th, over a mediation session and it turned out to be a positive experience for both parties. We concluded the meditation with a tentative agreement that recently had those BEC members vote on. The vote has passed and so Beartooth members now have a new three (3) year contract. Thank you to the negotiating team members who spent a lot of personal time and energy securing new and improved working conditions and a better wage package. Your hard work paid off, and I believe you guys are set up for future success.
Local 44 also negotiated with Vigilante Electric Cooperative management on March 12th, and after an afternoon of cordial productive discussions, we parted with a couple of unresolved topics. However, on March 25th, both parties were able to hammer out our differences and the couple topics of contention got resolved, and the members will now vote on a new three (3) year contract. Again, many thanks to the Vigilante negotiating team and also the whole membership for meeting with me to go over topics, exchange thoughts and ideas. I really enjoyed meeting with you guys and game planning.
Outside Line/Gas Construction negotiations are scheduled for the first week of April and they will be held, in person, at the MSLCAT Training Center in Helena. Woody and LU 44 President Mike LaFountain, along with a dedicated negotiating team, are busy organizing topics to present. They have gathered, via zoom, 2 different times to prepare and discuss strategies with Locals 532 and 768. All three Locals need the entire memberships input, ideas and support for a successful negotiation outcome. Please choose to get involved and lend support to all these individuals who are working hard to represent the Construction members. We will have additional information to report next month.
Finally, we can excitingly report that we have reached an agreement with Triangle Communications up in Havre. With the exceptional assistance from our 8th District International Representative, Local 44 held a ratification zoom meeting with the Triangle membership on March 23rd. We went through the agreed upon tentative agreement, held a question/answer session and then a member vote for ratification. It has been a tumultuous sixteen months of negotiating with a lot of stressful times and situations. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the negotiating team for their dedication and perseverance throughout the whole process. You guys experienced many highs and lows and hung in there to see this negotiation to the end. Thank you to everyone who was involved and contributed to this contract conclusion.
Just a quick reminder to please attend your local unit meetings. Attendance is simple and convenient via the Zoom App. We look forward to communicating further during the month of April. Please see the Unit Meeting schedule on the back of this newsletter.
Work safe, stay healthy, and remember to always work and buy union!
In Solidarity,
Scott Klungland
406-565-6839
sklungland@ibew44.org
ROB BUHL’S OUTDOOR LIVIN
Good Morning! Happy Spring! It is a great time of year! April is here but the month of March did not disappoint, it was good fishing, the ice was good and the rivers open just enough to not only catch some walleye and perch, but a 32 lb brown trout was drug out of the Marias River! The guy who caught it was fishing in the evening with his 14-year-old daughter. So, the moral of that story, take your kids fishing! The more kids the luckier you are! Rumor has it Rob Buhl got lucky and is getting another fishing partner this summer! Congratulations Rob!
I recently heard on the Outdoor radio shows that in the last twelve months 4 state record fish have been caught! Damn, must be time to go fishing! (You though, have a good day at work! Be safe keep your mind on the job, let us, the retirees, handle the fishing and frolicking.) This summer I personally am looking to target variety. I do not know how many species there are in Montana but all of them are on my hit list. Montana is a great place; we have some of the best fishing on earth. Also, April brings spring turkey hunting, spring bear hunting, fishing out of a boat, and then some of our precious daylight is moved to after work! You can fish then as well!
Speaking of fishing, we all need to safeguard or rivers. The Missouri is our biggest and longest river. It needs our help. UMOWA or Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance, a great organization is a group that’s efforts are all scientific. They do things like river clean up and vegetation restoration (getting rid of noxious weeds and planting natural trees and shrubs) but the most important thing they do has been establishing baselines for insects, nutrients and plants in the river. Then tracking these simultaneously with the water flows with NorthWestern Energy and our local government agencies. The Mo is an extremely healthy river, but it has changed and keeps changing as all of our waters are. Anyway, UMOWA’s dedication to tracking the health of the river is bringing an effective voice and ending the finger pointing, by bringing science into the conversation. You can join by buying a $25 membership, learn more at www.UMOWA.org. It is a great organization.
Stop by the Ryan house at Craig, bring your favorite beverage or have one on me, sit a spell and enjoy the river I speak of.
In Brotherhood,
Bill
EIGHTH DISTRIC ELECTRIC PENSION FUND AND ANNUITY PLAN
AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE FORM
If you are not vested in the 8th District Pension Fund it is recommended to participate in the DC to DB program. When you work in Annuity only Locals and you reciprocate your funds everything will go to your annuity account (DC), but nothing goes into your pension account (DB), which means you might not get vested in your pension fund unless you sign the Authorization & Release Form. It takes five (5) years of contributions to vest.
If you are already vested it will continue to add a portion of your benefit to your pension fund. Currently at retirement time you may draw a full pension at the age of 62 when you have 30 vesting credits. If you do not have 30 vesting credits at the time you would receive a 9% reduction.
You can contact the Hall for this form or if you have any questions.
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
There is no R or D in MONTANA
This is what I have learned at the legislature this session. With the help of both Democrats and Republicans House Bill 251 was voted down 62-38. This was done by members of all labor unions making calls to their representatives in the house urging them to vote no on this bill. When one of the freshman reps was asked why he voted no? His response was because he had a bunch of electrical workers call and asked him to vote no on HB 251, it is truly that simple! Thank you to everyone that contacted their Representative and urged them to vote NO. Please if you have not done so already please contact them again to say Thank you. There is a link that you can click, find your name and click on their email. Thank you.
The second half of the session is looking to be more business only with a couple of worker bills. There is HB 201, SB 346 and HB 448 that may need some calls to Representatives. Please check the web page for any Rapid Response Items to assist with any important legislation.
If we are to keep right to work out of Montana, we need to make friends across the Aisle, there is no reason why we will not invite both sides of the aisle to IBEW 44 functions from here on out. We need members that if they personally know a legislator to develop that relationship. If you are so inclined for public service, PLEASE consider running for the legislature. If you want to help a campaign, Help them, at the same time let them know you are union, you are a member of IBEW 44!
Grass roots: We have open delegate positions for all the Montana Central Labor Councils. The CLC’s are the local area political action for each area. If you are interested in serving as a delegate to a CLC let me know so I can let President Mike LaFountain know to appoint you.
IBEW 44 is forming a local VOC (volunteer organizing committee) group; this group would help the local to reach out to Local 44 members. Primarily to notify members of call-to-action needs. To help with legislative items, internal organizing, help volunteer with any local functions. Please consider becoming an important part of the IBEW 44 VOC. Contact me for information or to become part of this committee.
Brotherhood is NOT a title… It’s a COMMITMENT!
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose D988003
406-459-3548 dwight@ibew44.org
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Jayme Beauford – Journeyman Lineman
Brandon Block – Journeyman Lineman
Kamron Jones – Journeyman Operator
Great job and best wishes for a great career!
IN MEMORIAM
Local 44 mourns the loss of the following retired members:
James Hutchins Sr. – Journeyman Lineman – passed away 2/19/21
Ronald Loesch – Groundman – passed away 3/6/21
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of these Brothers.
APRIL UNIT MEETINGS
We will be holding Unit Meetings, on video, for the month of April via the Zoom App. You can easily access Zoom by downloading the app onto your home computer, laptop, iPad, tablet or cell phone. Please see the schedule below and use the login info to access Zoom and attend the meeting per your Unit area. The call-in number to join by phone is (253) 215-8782 for all meetings.
Great Falls Apr. 06, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 995 3701 8841 Passcode – 997608
Havre Apr. 07, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 954 5393 1523 Passcode – 131126
Lewistown Apr. 08, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 919 5833 2935 Passcode – 117536
Billings Apr. 13, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 927 6525 5444 Passcode – 406716
Helena Apr. 14, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 979 8678 4553 Passcode – 191553
Bozeman Apr. 15, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 963 6115 0184 Passcode – 558711
Missoula Apr. 20, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 947 7615 5134 Passcode – 732197
Butte Apr. 21, 2021 7:00 PM ID – 924 1779 4691 Passcode – 046919
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