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  • September 2017 Communicator
    Updated On: Apr 26, 2018
    The Communicator
    Published by Local 44 of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Located in Butte, Montana
                                                                    http://ibew44.org                                        1-406-723-3203

    FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER

    Labor Day!  It’s here!  That time of year when the air starts cooling down the skies are less and less filled with smoke.  It’s only a short time till the Elk are bugling and the bucks are scraping the velvet off their antlers.  In town some moms are crying, while some are jumping for joy as the little ones go back to school.  Every major town in Montana will be hosting a Labor Day picnic, if you have time stop by the one in your town, enjoy a burger or brat and a good time with other working men and women.

    Now comes the time of season when the crunch is on to get a whole years’ worth of projects done between when the Hoot Owl restrictions are lifted and before snow flies.  Throw in the hunting season, and the NFL and our heads are often in a different spot.  So guys, it’s time to be the professionals you all are.  When we are at work let’s stay there, “both” in Mind and Body.

    As most of you know I am about 20 years from being OLD.  Right now I am enjoying the “just past prime” part of life.  But I do have enough years to reminisce about the good old days. Shortly after I started in this trade (1977) a lineman made around $9.74 an hour, at negotiations they thought that was outrageous “NO MAN is worth 10 dollars an hour”!  Well they were wrong, they also implemented safety training only as an afterthought.  At that time there was only one bucket truck per division at the power company (they did have a couple of ladder trucks that were made of all metal with electric run ladders) but I have to say those days were fun.  Pride in the work, you better believe it, you do quality without saying.  Safety was on you and the people you worked with.  Now I have to say, guys, it still is.  Our employers have taken some tough measures and implemented policy that if not obeyed will get you killed or get you fired.  Don’t get fired.  Follow the rules and stay alive, they want you to and so does your family.  The IBEW and NECA adopted a Code of Excellence.  It is a work and ethics code that the IBEW developed.  One that we the IBEW is pushing, it is an idea we are sharing with our customers and that it is helping us grow.  The IBEW has shown steady growth for the last several years.  We have over ninety percent of the work in our jurisdiction.  But it is your skill and work ethic that can and will keep us there.  Let’s keep our own house in good order, show up early, work 8 for 8, follow the rules, remind your co-workers that this is our trade and we want it represented well and respected.  You are the best.  Lead by example!  Be safe and watch out for those kids heading back to school.

    In Brotherhood,

    Bill

    FROM THE ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER

    I would like to thank everyone that sponsored and participated in this year’s local golf tournament.  It turned out to be a very good time.  Below is the list of the winners.

    1st Place --- Spencer Petersen, Josh Stump, Bob McCormick, Chase Waddell

    Women’s Long Drive --- Amy Marshall

    Men’s Long Drive --- Spencer Petersen

    Closest to the pin 1st shot men --- John Gordon

    Long putt men --- Scott Randles

    RENEW PROGRAM

    ReNew, attendees selected. Several months ago the executive board approved sending two representatives to the National ReNew Conference this September.  Renew is an International Program designed to get our younger IBEW members involved in leadership.  It is a great success all across the nation building community leaders and building our future.  The program is designed for those men and women under 35, and promotes Leadership, Activism and Volunteerism within local communities.  Several members have applied and I would like to thank every one of them.  The names drawn this year were Devin Healy from SOCC and Brandon Cassidy out of Butte Division.  Hopefully they will come back with a wealth of information and we can get the Montana Chapter started.

    PAYING DUES UNTIL RETIREMENT

    “A” Members who are reaching retirement age, or take an early retirement from their local union, must continue paying dues until they are placed on Pension Benefit Fund (PBF) and receive an approval letter from the PBF.  In some cases, members are unaware of the pension and death benefits available to them from the PBF, or mistakenly believe that having reached retirement age for the local union pension plan, are no longer required to pay dues.  “A” members who are dropped from membership forfeit all accrued pension and death benefits from the PBF.  To remain eligible, a member must maintain continuous good standings by paying dues monthly or quarterly until the member is placed on PBF pension.  Please contact the Hall if you have any questions.

    ASPLUNDH TREE NEGOTIATIONS

    There will be a proposal meeting for the upcoming negotiations for Asplundh Tree Services on September 16, 2017 at 10:00am in Butte, Montana.  The meeting will be held at the Local 233 Hall, 156 West Granite.  If you have any questions, please contact James Wood at 406-565-3430.

    LABOR DAY PICNICS

    As is tradition, Central Labor Councils around Montana will be hosting picnics for Labor Day.  Please see the details below and attend one of these free events.

     

    Butte, Montana

    September 4, 2017

    12 – 4 PM

    Stodden Park

    Great Falls, Montana

    September 4, 2017

    12 – 3 PM

    Central Park at Expo Park

    Helena, Montana

    September 1, 2017

    4 – 7 PM

    Laborers Training Center

    Missoula, Montana

    September 4, 2017

    1 – 5 PM

    Bonner Park Band Shell

     

    JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES

    Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:

    Scott Czywczynski – Journeyman Lineman

    Dominic Roman – Journeyman Lineman

    Great job and best wishes for a great career!

    SEPTEMBER UNIT MEETING

    Havre                          Sept. 05, 2017             6:00 PM          MSU-N Brockmann Rm. 209

    Lewistown                  Sept. 06, 2017             5:30 PM          NWE Service Center

    Billings                       Sept. 07, 2017             5:00 PM          NWE Service Center

    Great Falls                  Sept. 11, 2017             7:00 PM          Great Falls Labor Temple

    Helena                         Sept. 18, 2017             5:30 PM          NWE Service Center

    Bozeman                     Sept. 19, 2017             5:00 PM          Bozeman Labor Temple

    Missoula                     Sept. 20, 2017             6:00 PM          Missoula Labor Temple

    Butte                           Sept. 21, 2017             5:30 PM          Local 44 Office

                           


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