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FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
We have ten calls in the Hall at this time, with lots of work coming in the next few weeks. We still have a lot of our members working out of state, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. While at a LAMPAC Meeting in Idaho we heard there is going to be work all across the nation. The subsistence now being paid in California, used to be what daily wage was, nearly $73,000 a year. It looks like to get our work done here at home companies and contractors are going to have to get creative. Let’s face it Lineman love their work, but they do it to support their families and their dreams. It would only make sense to make the place they work part of what they love. They need to be respected for the professionals they are so it ain’t all about the wages. Another thing at the conference that stuck with me was a safety presentation. There a wife of an injured lineman told us to close our eyes and think of the five people you would do anything in order to keep safe. Then she asked, “were you on that list?” If not, think again because all those people count on you. Their lives change drastically if you get hurt. They then become care givers, bread winners, kids instantly grow up when you can’t be dad. Don’t do that to them. Take care of yourself every day for them.
I went to the Utility Conference in Detroit. That city is changing for the better in dramatic ways. Construction is going on all over the downtown area. Detroit Edison is planning on spending 1 billion a year for the next 10 years upgrading their system. We heard a lot about changing types of generation. From my hotel window I could see three coal fire plants and huge wind farms off in the distance. We heard about a great program, the Carbon Capture sequestration program at Boundary Dam project in Canada, new technology, if we can get it in place will really help. I found out currently we have 98 clean nuclear plants in the US, and some are scheduled to be moth balled while 4 new units are being built in Georgia. Of the 867 million mega watts we use, the most is natural gas, then coal, then oil, nukes, hydro, wind, wood, biomass, then solar. As of this time, the green new deal is impossible to do; we just don’t have the technology or money. They also had an interesting panel talking about politics. It’s not all bad, but where we have been hurt most is in appointments to the NLRB. It is designed to be a go between for labor and management, but the past four years a lawyer, who previously represented our President in his business dealings, was appointed to head it and the results have been harsh. But the fight is never over; they will never beat us, for we are right. The fun fact of the day was that there are currently 719 people who have filed for President of the United States this cycle! 213 Democrats, 89 Republicans, and the rest are Libertarians or Independents. Gives me hope! Got to be a good one in there somewhere!
Everybody, have a good summer, stay safe and enjoy Montana!
Bill Ryan
Rob’s Report: Rob says “Golf has started up in the Billings area and I broke 120. I hit the little ball with the driver, then I hit with a hybrid, then a wedge, then a putter, and then it fell into the little hole! It was Great!” (this message will repeat from now until golf season gives way to hunting, sincerely your outdoor editor Rob Buhl). As was mentioned in last month’s letter, we may need guest contributors for the outdoor news. This month guest contributor Ronny Davis called in, (via the phone tree), to report on the walleye fishing in North Central Montana. It seems that while fishing on Lake Frances his boys encountered a couple of grizzly bears swimming past the boat! If you are headed anywhere on the east slope of the Rockies take precautions, those big boys don’t care whose lunch it is, they’re gonna eat it! (I’m talking about the Davis boys not the bears.) In other areas of the State, rivers are starting to recede and fishing is getting good, the Mo at Craig dropped from about 12,000 cfs to around 8,000 just this last week. Warm weather could bring it back up, but fishing should remain good. If you get out in the woods or on the water, let the Hall know, or tell Jerry or Chicken and I will hear about it.
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
Bargaining class is scheduled for July 23rd – 25th, in Helena at the new Stan I Dupree Training Center. The next contracts to negotiate will be Hill County Electric, Missoula Electric and NorthWestern Energy. If you are interested in being on your Negotiating Committee this class is invaluable insight into negotiations. Contact me at 406-459-3548, dwight@ibew44.org or the Office 406-723-3203. Please let us know also if you need a hotel room. Donuts, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Bargaining training class is a 3-day class. Negotiating books will be there for the class for any necessary adjustments.
The career fair season is over, it has been busy this past year for IBEW 44/Mountain States Line Constructors; we have been getting the word out about the apprenticeship program as well as IBEW 44 membership. I would like to personally thank Tim Newman the Instructor/Assistant Director at the newly finished Helena facility. It is a great looking training center! Scott Klungland for taking the time to answer my questions about linework, tools, parts, techniques, and the why it is done this way questions, thank you for your patience! Lastly to Mike Glueckert for as long as I have known you, you have always treated me fairly, answered my questions, given me insight, your passion for linework and the history has made learning about linework an inspiration. I thank all 3 of you Brothers for taking your time to help me to learn and understand the Linework Trade. Thank You!
If you hear of any career fairs out there that we should be in, let me know and IBEW 44 members will be there!
Fraternally,
Dwight Rose D988003
406-459-3548 dwight@ibew44.org
RENEW
RENEW T-shirts and hats are at the Office. You can view them on the web page under the RENEW module. We are still in need of representatives for RENEW, Outside Line Construction is represented as is the Great Falls area. If you are interested in getting involved, or have questions feel free to contact Shane Bykonen at 406-750-0511.
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Logan Mendenhall – Journeyman Lineman Curtis Thresher – Gas Tech Operator
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:
Patrick Leary James Yates
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
IN MEMORIAM
Local 44 mourns the loss of retired member Erick “Del” Erickson who passed away on 4/19/19. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
YEARS OF SERVICE
Following is the list of Years of Service Pins for 2019. We will once again have a pin presentation at the Montana Lineman’s Rodeo on July 20th at the Butte Vigilante Saddle Club. Please RSVP to the Hall at 406-723-3203 if you would like to receive your pin at the rodeo. If you do not RSVP for the rodeo, then your pin will be mailed to the address that is currently on file in the Hall. If you think you have a pin coming and you are not on the list, please contact the Hall and we will look into it for you. Thank you for your cooperation and congratulations to all of you.
25 Years 30 Years 35 Years
Michael Gillespie Richard Anderson Steven Bartels
Lynn Heggen Richard Curry William Beckman
Pat Kanta Dale Lillejord James Leding
Lance Kidder Mathew Mahan Bryon Stillwagon
James Leary Duane Mellinger Kerry Thorson
James Lee Delwyn Moe
Tater Shows Charles Romerio
George Tregear Brian Schweigert
Marvin Vaughn John Zacha
40 Years 45 Years 50 Years
James Babst Douglas Amos Charles Arbizzani
Larry Clinton Rocky Clark Bill Banfield
Kimball Cook Mark Dickhausen Clarence Eide
Don Craig Chuck Dixon Dennis Gibbs
Daniel Crismore Kenneth Estep Neil Horne
Steve Daer Kenneth Ferguson James Isaacs
Terry Doble John Finn Donald Kude
Bryan Finkbeiner Francis Fisher Ronald Mitchell
Timothy Glueckert Robert Florea Terry Richardson
Doug Hayes Leslie George Richard Soha
Leo Haynes Gordon Guffey Larry Steuben
Dan Johnerson Jerry Hystad Richard Williamson
James Krick Kenneth Kaufman
Calvin Long John Kougioulis
Richard Martin Dean Lawson
Tim Parcel Richard Maynard
Michael Semmens Harry Miller
Gary Stearns Joseph Piazzola
Trace Sweeney William Russell
George Tolliver
John Westby
John Whitaker
Craig Yost
55 Years 60 Years 65 Years
Robert Bergstrom Ronald Guisti Jack Altimus Sr.
Frank Campbell
William Warnke
JUNE UNIT MEETING
Lewistown June 5, 2019 5:30 PM NWE Service Center
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