FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Happy New Year Local 44 Members! I trust everyone had a great Holiday Season and Santa Claus was very good to all. We are currently working diligently on preparing for upcoming negotiations with NorthWestern Energy. The Pipes and Wires side and the Hydro contract negotiations are both on the horizon. In the interim, the Electric Transmission Operators and the EIM Operators are currently working through the possibility of combining job functions into one new group, per the interest of NorthWestern Energy. The Union and the Company are mutually negotiating the complexities of creating such a position for the betterment of the Company operations and employee health and safety. As of this writing, we have begun initial discussions and so I will have more to report on the progress of these gatherings at our monthly unit meetings. Please reach out to your respective negotiator, or me, with your thoughts, ideas and concerns. We need and welcome the entire memberships involvement.
Also, we are working through a cell phone use requirement with Hill County Electric and Triangle Communications members. Recently, Triangle Mobile sold its business to Verizon and now a new phone use burden has cropped up for our brothers and sisters at HCE/TC. Local 44 is working with HCE/TC management to establish a new MOU agreement for both the electric and telephone members respective contracts. So far, negotiations have been difficult and complicated but I’m hopeful we can have an agreement in place soon. Thank you to all the Cooperatives union members who have helped assist the Hall throughout this process. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
In closing, one very important concept that has come up recently, more than once, is channeling the lines of respectful communication toward leadership. Since becoming Local 44’s Business Manager, a couple important goals of mine from the beginning have been to earn the confidence and trust of the membership and to establish harmonious relationships with all of our employers. It takes baby steps and time to create this sort of culture but I am committed to working as hard as possible to guide our Local in a positive direction. Conflicts are a part of life and sometimes a necessary event in order for change to take place. Conflicts are a given and a reality, no doubt about it. How we choose to respond and tackle conflict is what I’m most concerned and referring to. I take my leadership role very seriously and I’m asking members to allow me to be your captain. Every organization needs a strong willing leader to guide the ship, and I’m trying hard to earn your confidence. Also, I know I’ve begged this membership to take on an active role and become more involved, which you certainly have done. I appreciate members participation, I really do! However, please allow me to be your spokesperson. If you become frustrated over a particular situation at work, call and vent at me first or at least run your thoughts by me before going to company management. Let’s work side by side to solve problems instead of sending condescending emails to our supervisors out of frustration. Together we can accomplish much success and greatness. As the ole saying goes, “there’s no I in team, only me.” I’m extremely grateful and proud to be your leader. Thank you for all your hard, safe work and together let’s make 2022 the best year yet.
In Solidarity,
Scott Klungland
(406) 565-6839
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
Brotherhood is NOT a title… It’s a COMMITMENT!
Happy New Year! May you be safe, happy, and prosperous!
RENEW - July there will be an election for new RENEW officers. The formal election of officers and the associated meetings with that will be a bit more formal, but they will be at the discretion of the officers. For these informal RENEW gatherings it is a way to get people excited at the possibility of what this can be for each different area. All I am asking you to do is show up, have a tasty beverage and see where this can go. As a way to get people used to what RENEW can be I came up with an idea to get things rolling. Adopt a brewery! Come to Bozeman, Missoula and Butte meetings in January (dates and times are on the website as well as on the last outer page on this mailing!). Under “Good of the Union” we will talk about which, when and where to have the first meeting for those areas. RENEW truly will be what you make it especially for these gatherings. These will be at the discretion of those that show up and decide what to do. At the first meeting, we can discuss what you think RENEW can be and should be for that area. Anyone can show up, but those 35 and younger will be the decision-makers. Any IBEW Local 44 member can be a part of this, and it doesn’t matter if you’re an apprentice, dispatcher, tree trimmer or a locator, groundman, operator or install meters for example. RENEW is for you! The International set this up, so again anyone can participate but you must be 35 or younger and an IBEW 44 member to have a say in the direction of IBEW 44 RENEW. Those are the only stipulations from the IO. This is not a part of the traditional sense of the local itself. This is more of a community service group if you will, a social club, a gathering of friends, sisters and brothers, to have a good time, make new friends, maybe take on some group activities such as sledding, skiing, golf team, skeet, really anything. Just asking you for a chance to give it a try.
STEWARDS - Anyone that is a Steward please update your contact information with the Hall: non-work email and cell phone. Stewards are needed for NWE Hydro - Thompson Falls, Kerr, Madison and Holter.
ELM - Kalispell, MEC - Missoula, Vigilante - Whitehall.
Safety Item: Stay warm, stay safe, stay hydrated. Be aware of your footing. Ice slips result in back strains & pulls which can lead to all kinds of lower-body issues. Protect what you have now for the future.
FUEL Fitness has changed how to cancel your membership: go to www.myclubonline.com and follow the prompts.
IBEW Membership is not a spectator sport!
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose
D988003
406-459-3548
dwight@ibew44.org
IN MEMORIAM
Local 44 mourns the loss of the following members:
Harry Miller – Journeyman Lineman – passed away 11/16/21
Francis Fisher – Journeyman Lineman – passed away 11/28/21
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of these Brothers.
ROB BUHL’S OUTDOOR CORNER
As I write this, I have to go North and East to find ice. 3 inches on Bailey’s Pond and 3-4 inches in Miller’s Bottom. But, 25 to 75 mile per hour winds to go with the ice. (I say go, but if you’re going, you are going by yourself, so send me a report!) Up toward the Northwest I hear they have some ice but lots of moisture to go with it there, which means slush on the ice. Hopefully as you read this, the ice will be 12 inches thick and the wind will quit blowing. The bite should be on from Flathead to Fort Peck to Georgetown! Remember when that happens, just pull up in front of the Buhl house at 4 am, honk your horn and I will lead you to the hot spots.
On to the shooting sports. My uncle Jim was taking advantage of the thousands of ducks and geese now on the Missouri. Rowdy, his golden retriever was getting bored watching ducks fly in and then fly safely away, so Rowdy’s next trip out of the blind he made a retrieval. It was December 8th and he found a painted turtle that was out sunning!! Now that’s goofy! I will send a photo into the website so you can verify. Oh well, wonders never cease. Speaking of wonders, one of the greatest outdoorsmen, Local 44’s Kyle Hintz, accepted a job in our hiring hall. You will undoubtedly see him out on the unit meeting tour, so fill him full of your hunting adventures as I am going to let the new assistant BA write a few of these articles for the outdoor corner!
Happy New Year!
Be safe and good fishing!
Rob
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Logan Davis – Journeyman Lineman
Aaron Hartsock – Journeyman Lineman
Richard Hedstrom – Journeyman Lineman
Devon Hildreth – Journeyman Relay Tech
Nicholas Jones – Journeyman Meterman
Zachary Svingen – Journeyman Lineman
Nathan Veit – Journeyman Lineman
Zachary Walker – 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:
Leo Haynes
Robert Rice
Rick Sholey
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
