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FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
With the cool morning Fall temperatures in the air, it has me thinking intently about upcoming negotiations. Specifically, NorthWestern Energy Pipes and Wires preparations are at the fore front as are NWE’s Hydro members. I realize we have much time to prepare and get locked in but never too early to get those wheels a turning. As we travel around the State conducting our in-person monthly Unit Meetings, I want to hear from the members in these separate groups. Also, I understand Fall is a very busy time of year for getting jobs completed before winter. You all are out working extra hard with many working overtime hours as well. It is sometimes difficult to attend your local Unit Meeting but if you are able, please try to give us an hour of your time. Let’s start those important conversations and get ideas, thoughts and suggestions put down on paper. Each location and respective work group is very pivotal in playing that key role to the road of future success. Our negotiating team wants and needs that crucial feedback. So, reach out to your local representative, attend a Unit Meeting or shoot me a detailed email.
As of this writing, we have 10 open Journeyman Lineman calls and 1 open Gas Groundman call on our jobs board. Please consider referencing our Local 44 website to stay up to date on all potential open jobs and current happenings. The website goal is to be administered as close to real time as possible. Dwight has also shared and organized lots of pertinent information and useful tidbits for your reading. In addition, phoning 406-723-3203 is always available, during normal business hours, as a valuable resource too. We have also implemented voicemail capabilities on our landline system, so don’t hesitate to leave us a message if your call goes unanswered or if you are unable to call during those business hours. Your calls are very important and will be heard and returned in a timely manner.
In closing, I would like to end my article by saying a BIG THANK YOU to James “Woody” Wood. He recently celebrated 40 years as a member of Local 44, with the last 7 years as Assistant Business Manager and in turn has announced his upcoming retirement. I spent nearly half of my apprenticeship training being mentored by Woody. We go way back, lots of years ago, almost 30 to be exact. And, now to have the privilege to once again work together over this past year, as he is calling it a career. I have been very fortunate to have your experience to lean on. Woody, thank you for your tutelage in the beginning and now at the end. Over this past year, you have helped guide me and educate me, especially when that firehose was overwhelming. It’s been a huge relief knowing I could call upon you in times of chaos and hear you tell me, “Scott, stop trying to fix every problem right away,” give yourself time to evaluate, ponder and sort out all the facts from the hearsay. Exuberance in most cases is a good thing but not necessarily when it comes to making important decisions. I’ve learned a lot and I can’t thank you enough for your role in that ongoing development. I sincerely wish you good health and much happiness as you now get to spend even more quality time with your family. Godspeed my friend and thank you!!
In Solidarity,
Scott Klungland
sklungland@ibew44.org
Cell# 406-565-6839
ROB BUHL’S OUTDOOR CORNER
Well, the trout are biting like crazy in the Missouri reservoirs (Jan Hystad has been spotted out giving Jerry fishing lessons). I might also note that the snagging season opened up at the Helena regulating pond and has been good since day one. They both are smoked goodness when done right and after all this is the season we need to can and pickle our winter treats, so get out and go get them. If you happen to be in the Seattle area the Pinks are stacked like cord wood off Whidbey Island, there was so many damn fish that when we were in the middle of 182 fishing boats, we still caught fish! That was not as bad as it sounds the ocean is pretty big and with out smoke from forest fires I could see a long way, but it still seemed a little bit like combat fishing. So far all I have killed with my bow is a little time, but the Fall days are beautiful, so my walks are worth the effort. Having said that, I have to say Ms. Lilly has already tried to help guide Dad in elk camp, she and her sisters decided to let Dad come along. I promise to post some pictures of her and her mom’s elk on her first hunting adventure on the Local’s website. Her 13-year-old cousin Rudy has been so thick in the elk this year that the infamous “which bull should I shoot” dilemma left him too slow on the draw and he went home elk-less, shaking his head in disbelief. Rudy’s older brother Henry is experiencing an even tougher season, it’s called “football”. This tends to screw up many a young man’s hunting plans but still football can usually be dealt with, that is until the cute girl joins in the conspiracy and then it’s over. With football and girlfriend all is lost! I still have high hopes to see him for some ice fishing, but chances are we might not see him for years. Too bad a nice guy and the kid with successful hunt stats that he put up there was real potential. Everybody let’s get those kids out there hunting and fishing and enjoy Montana’s spectacular beauty!!
Next month a special report from Andy Knapstad, Lineman/ fisherman / hunter extra ordinaire! Be sure to tune in!
In Brotherhood, Rob
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Daniel Anderson – Journeyman Lineman Robby Joersz – Journeyman Lineman
Dylan Anderson – Journeyman Lineman Cole McCanna – Journeyman Lineman
Chase Argyle – Journeyman Lineman Cody Millard – Gas Tech Operator
Matthew Grijalva – Journeyman Lineman Jarrett Pecora – Journeyman Lineman
Nathaniel Hemingway – Gas Tech Operator Steven West – Journeyman Lineman
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:
Daniel Crismore Michael Ferguson Michael Keller
Kurt Keller Robert Knapp Dale Lillejord
Richard Pemberton Roberta Roberts Gregory Shaw
Richard Starkey Tristram Stout
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
IN MEMORIAM
Local 44 mourns the loss of the following retired members:
James Mitchell – Journeyman Lineman – passed away 9/1/21
Patrick Quinn – Locating Supervisor – passed away 9/4/21
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of these Brothers.
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
Brotherhood is NOT a title… It’s a COMMITMENT!
In a continuation of last months last item about the future here is some contact information for those thoughts.
NEBF and NEAP: Both can be found at www.nebf.com
8th District Pension: Go to www.8thDistrictBenfits.org
8th District Annuity/Prudential: Go to www.prudential.com, to find a local financial professional on the home page it is a blue oval tab, click that, type in your zip code to find someone near you.
AIL/American Income Life: Caitlyn Altemus - Cell: 406.241.7858, E-mail: CKALTEMU@ailife.com
AFLAC Supplemental/Disability Insurance: Jaime Valentini – Cell: 406.560.1999,
E-mail: jaime_valentini@us.aflac.com She also is a financial planner (jaime@benefits-solutions.com) more information to follow next month.
Life Flight Network: More information to come about this.
RENEW (Reach out and Engage Next-Gen Electrical Workers) due to COVID-19 this year’s RENEW conference has been cancelled. Still working on some ideas, what we do need are some volunteers from any of the areas in 44’s jurisdiction. Looking to have the first RENEW for each area meeting possibly for Monday night, Thursday night or Sunday night football games at a local brewhouse or sports bar and other venues will work as well. RENEW is for age 35 or younger to be in, but any member can show up and participate. My thoughts are to establish a local chapter for each area to get things going. There is no real structure needed for each area just a group get together, kind of like ELKS or the Lions or the Moose Clubs. These groups may form trap leagues, golf or softball teams, whatever you want. RENEW is meant to start to engage the younger generation.
Next July will be the election for RENEW Officers. In accordance to the IBEW Constitution Article 15 section 14, 4th paragraph, “no apprentice shall be eligible to hold any office in the Local Union, except that a member who was previously eligible to hold office in the Local Union shall remain eligible if he entered an apprenticeship program for the purpose of upgrading his classification.” IBEW 44 RENEW is a separate committee of IBEW Local Union 44, therefore apprentices if they so choose to can run for and become officers of IBEW 44 RENEW. I can only assist and be an advisor to RENEW but I am willing to help out to make this happen for the membership.
IBEW Membership is not a spectator sport!
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose
D988003
406-459-3548
dwight@ibew44.org
ROB BUHL’S OUTDOOR CORNER
Well, the trout are biting like crazy in the Missouri reservoirs (Jan Hystad has been spotted out giving Jerry fishing lessons). I might also note that the snagging season opened up at the Helena regulating pond and has been good since day one. They both are smoked goodness when done right and after all this is the season we need to can and pickle our winter treats, so get out and go get them. If you happen to be in the Seattle area the Pinks are stacked like cord wood off Whidbey Island, there was so many damn fish that when we were in the middle of 182 fishing boats, we still caught fish! That was not as bad as it sounds the ocean is pretty big and with out smoke from forest fires I could see a long way, but it still seemed a little bit like combat fishing. So far all I have killed with my bow is a little time, but the Fall days are beautiful, so my walks are worth the effort. Having said that, I have to say Ms. Lilly has already tried to help guide Dad in elk camp, she and her sisters decided to let Dad come along. I promise to post some pictures of her and her mom’s elk on her first hunting adventure on the Local’s website. Her 13-year-old cousin Rudy has been so thick in the elk this year that the infamous “which bull should I shoot” dilemma left him too slow on the draw and he went home elk-less, shaking his head in disbelief. Rudy’s older brother Henry is experiencing an even tougher season, it’s called “football”. This tends to screw up many a young man’s hunting plans but still football can usually be dealt with, that is until the cute girl joins in the conspiracy and then it’s over. With football and girlfriend all is lost! I still have high hopes to see him for some ice fishing, but chances are we might not see him for years. Too bad a nice guy and the kid with successful hunt stats that he put up there was real potential. Everybody let’s get those kids out there hunting and fishing and enjoy Montana’s spectacular beauty!!
Next month a special report from Andy Knapstad, Lineman/ fisherman / hunter extra ordinaire! Be sure to tune in!
In Brotherhood, Rob
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Daniel Anderson – Journeyman Lineman Robby Joersz – Journeyman Lineman
Dylan Anderson – Journeyman Lineman Cole McCanna – Journeyman Lineman
Chase Argyle – Journeyman Lineman Cody Millard – Gas Tech Operator
Matthew Grijalva – Journeyman Lineman Jarrett Pecora – Journeyman Lineman
Nathaniel Hemingway – Gas Tech Operator Steven West – Journeyman Lineman
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:
Daniel Crismore Michael Ferguson Michael Keller
Kurt Keller Robert Knapp Dale Lillejord
Richard Pemberton Roberta Roberts Gregory Shaw
Richard Starkey Tristram Stout
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
OCTOBER UNIT MEETINGS
Great Falls Oct. 04, 2021 7:00 PM Great Falls Labor Temple
Havre Oct. 05, 2021 6:00 PM Elks Lodge
Lewistown Oct. 06, 2021 5:30 PM Fergus Electric Coop.
Billings Oct. 07, 2021 6:00 PM IBEW Local 532
Helena Oct. 18, 2021 5:00 PM Helena Labor Temple
Bozeman Oct. 19, 2021 6:00 PM Bozeman Labor Temple
Missoula Oct. 20, 2021 6:00 PM Missoula Labor Temple
Butte Oct. 28, 2021 5:30 PM Local 44 Office
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