FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Greetings from the Hall, well we made it through winter or almost, maybe a storm or two left but for the most part I think we are done. That Ground hog was right this time at least here in Butte. It looks like some work is firing up as the snow melts away. A signatory contractor is building a substation for the Bit-coin “mining operation” going up in Silver Bow County. Woody has been on top of things and all their subs have come in and become signatory. Other than that, a couple of transmission jobs will start up or restart as the weather warms hopefully more to come. From what I understand there is still quite a little substation work yet to do in this coming year, we will see what happens.
Before the next letter comes your way we will be in the midst of Outside Line negotiations as well as Vigilante and Beartooth Co-ops. Currently we are in ongoing negotiations with NorthWestern Energy. Hopefully we will have wrapped up OMS and Mobile Dispatch negotiations by then as well.
On another topic we have been Chartered to have a RENEW Chapter here at 44. President Stephenson signed the Charter February 5th of this year. “Purposed to reach out and engage the next generation of Electrical Workers to provide educational, social activities and become knowledgeable about economic and political issues that affect us all, inspiring leadership”. I personally agree with this endeavor and invite all those 35 and younger to be the first to sign the Charter and get involved and become part of a great future.
If you are in the Sacred City this Saint Patrick’s Day stop by my place and enjoy an Irish Coffee and a bite to eat. Then take in Butte’s Parade and get Local 44’s St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts, which now are on sale at the Hall. Shirts are in limited supply so get them quick. We also have steeply discounted rodeo wear on hand.
We Recently had to file a ULP charge against Hill County/Triangle Telephone. He has pulled a lot of stuff and doesn’t seem willing to talk about any of it even when grievances are filed. Hopefully this will get his attention. Those brothers and sisters on the Hi-line have had quite a winter, they don’t need abuse from management on top of it. Keep these guys in your thoughts, they are a great bunch and need everyone’s support, we will be backing them the whole way.
A little food for thought, I just recently went to a retirement party and he was a good hand and a good friend. He went to work for a co-op and his wife also worked. With that he was able to put each raise he received in the bank. 2.5%, 3%, 1.5% year after year, each time the raise went into saving and investing. The wise fella just retired as a very well to do gentleman. Now, I don’t know that I could have done that but most likely I could have put away a portion. He has two and a half years more fishing with his grandkids than I have, as I said food for thought.
Tap-er- lite,
Bill
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
With the winter months it always seems to take forever for the nice weather to return. This year reminds me of the winters from when I was a kid. There is a lot of snow and ice on the roads! I think most of us are looking forward to the spring melt, construction will begin again! As with every new season there is always that anticipation, this year is no different as the possibilities to get out and meet new people and companies is getting closer with each passing day.
Just a reminder if anyone is interested there will be a Stewards Class on March 7th at the Carpenter’s Hall in Butte, 156 W Granite Street. Any Stewards able to attend this class and would like to do so, if you have not already registered please send me an email and I will get you on the list. It is a one-day class. dwight@ibew44.org
As always if you are out on a jobsite and you hear someone asking about joining please do not hesitate to give my contact information out. On this note, I would like to thank Brandon Cassidy and NorthWestern Energy for helping out at the Butte High School job fair.
If you have not checked out your new web site, please go to www.ibew44.org. If anyone is submitting pictures, please enclose information to go along, date, where, who is in the photo(s). Please send them to dwight@ibew44.org. Please register for the website, after membership is verified you will have full access to the website.
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose
406-459-3548
dwight@ibew44.org
SCHOLARSHIPS
The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who founded the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Each year the officers of the IBEW are pleased to offer its working members scholarships on a competitive basis. It is hoped that the awards will not only contribute to the personal development of our members but also steward the electrical industry that our founders envisioned. The application is available on the IBEW website at www.ibew.org/FoundersScholarship. Spouses or children of IBEW members are not eligible for the IBEW Founders’ Scholarship.
Union Plus has a scholarship that is available for IBEW members, as well as their spouses and dependent children. Please visit the Union Plus website at www.unionplus.org for more information about other scholarship opportunities.
NettWorth Financial Group, Donna Castleberry Scholarship Fund, awards thousands of dollars in college scholarships to children of America’s union members. For more information please visit www.nettworth.net or call 1-888-224-5021.
MONTANA LINEMAN’S RODEO
The 26th Annual Montana Lineman’s Rodeo will be held on July 21, 2018 at 6354 Albany, Butte Montana. Raffle Tickets are now available. Tickets are $5.00 each or 12 tickets for $50.00. The drawing will be held at the Rodeo on July 21, 2018. The Grand Prize this year is a 2018 Wildcat Trail side by side, 1st Prize is an Aire Tributary 14ft Raft with rack package, 2nd Prize is a RL Winston Fly Rod 9ft 5wt Kairos and 3rd Prize is a 75 Quart Grizzly Cooler. Please contact Bob McCormick if you would like to purchase or sell any books of tickets. For more information on the Rodeo, check out their website at www.mtlra.org.
LOCAL 44 MERCHANDISE
St. Patrick Day T-shirts and black pocket t-shirts with the elk logo are available at the Hall. They are available in sizes Medium to 3XL and the cost is $20. Grey hooded sweatshirts with the Elk logo are $40 and grey zip sweatshirts are $45. Sizes come in Large and XL. Please contact the Office if you would like to purchase any of this merchandise. We will ship it to you with an invoice if necessary, or you can charge it to a card. Images of the merchandise are available on the website, www.ibew44.org.
The Montana Lineman’s Rodeo brought all their left over merchandise from last year’s event to the Hall. Prices have been discounted so in case you missed out and would still like to buy something give us a call. If you would like us to ship any of the merchandise to you we will send it with an invoice that includes the postage cost.
MOUNTAIN STATES UPGRADE SCHEDULE
All Classes will be at the Stan Dupree Training Center, Helena, MT. Journeyman upgrade consists of transformer theory and connections review. Power factor correction review and various apprenticeship curriculum reviews. All First Aid/CPR cards will be issued the day of the class. OSHA cards will be issued after receipt from the OSAH authorities. Additional class may be held if necessary.
March 10, 2018 - COMET - 8:00 A.M.
April 6, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
May 12, 2018 - First Aid/CPR - 8:00 P.M.
June 1, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
August 3, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
August 11, 2018 - First Aid/CPR - 8:00 A.M.
October 5, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
November 3, 2018 - First Aid/CPR - 8:00 A.M.
December 1 - 2, 2018 OSHA ET&D - 8:00 A.M. TBD
December 7, 2018 - J/L upgrade - 1:00 P.M.
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate Dustin Jochim for achieving Journeyman status. 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:
Edward Hatten – Journeyman Lineman
David Scotten – Journeyman Lineman
James Wheeldon – Journeyman Lineman
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
MARCH UNIT MEETINGS
Great Falls Mar. 05, 2018 7:00 PM Great Falls Labor Temple
Havre Mar. 06, 2018 6:00 PM Elks Lodge
Malta Mar. 07, 2018 5:30 PM Stretch’s Pizza Restaurant
Billings Mar. 08, 2018 5:00 PM NWE Service Center
Helena Mar. 19, 2018 5:00 PM NWE Service Center
Bozeman Mar. 20, 2018 5:00 PM Bozeman Labor Temple
Missoula Mar. 21, 2018 6:00 PM Missoula Labor Temple
Butte Mar. 22, 2018 5:30 PM Local 44 Office
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