Archives for February 2019

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

MARCH 2019

 

THANK YOU BROTHER ED HILL FOR YOUR LIFETIME OF IBEW SERVICE! – It is with heavy hearts we report the passing of former International President Edwin D. Hill. He was a true Trade Unionist and Visionary. Brother Hill’s IBEW journey is outlined in the January 2019 edition of The Electrical Worker. Brother Hill’s funeral will be held in April in Washington DC right before the IBEW Construction & Maintenance Conference. Donations on Brother Hill’s behalf can be made to a charity that was very dear to his heart the “Electrical Workers Without Borders North America”. For more information on this not-for-profit organization visit their website at www.ewbna.org. Rest in Peace Brother Hill. Note: (If you’re not receiving the Electrical Worker every month, please contact secretary Justine Villasenor @ the Hall.)

END OF YEAR DUES STATEMENTS

The year end statements for basic and working dues have been emailed out to all members who paid dues in 2018. If you did not receive it, call the Hall or log on to the website and go to View Member Docs. You can download the tax statement from there.

 

MONTHLY BASIC DUES INCREASE – ALL ACTIVE MEMBERS

There are still quite a few members who are not mailing in the correct amount for payment of basic monthly dues. Please note: We cannot issue a current dues receipt unless full dues are received. If you are mailing in your checks or having your bank send in automated checks, they must be for the correct amount in order to be posted!

Also, we want to encourage every dues paying member to take advantage of the on-line dues payments at the secure member’s site on www.ibewlocal340.org. It is available 24-7 and is really the easiest way to get your dues paid! Thank you.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS (2)

IBEW Local 340 Harry R. Bain Scholarship Award – Dependents – DEADLINE IS 3/15/19

IBEW Local 340 is once again going to award two college scholarships in 2019 ($1,000.00 and $500.00). These scholarships are available to sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters or legal dependents of members of Local 340. The General Rules and Instructions, as well as the application, can be picked up from the Sacramento Business Office or the Redding Office. You can also call either of these offices to request they be mailed to you. Please note: the completed application must be received in the Sacramento Business Office by March 15, 2019 to be considered.

IBEW Founders Scholarship – For IBEW Members only

The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who organized the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on November 28, 1981. 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 award is for $200 per semester credit hour at any accredited college or university toward an associate’s, bachelors or postgraduate degree in an approved field. The maximum distribution is $24,000 per person over a period not to exceed eight years.

Any member interested in applying for the IBEW Founders Scholarship can do so by going on-line at www.ibew.org. Click on “Resources and Links” at the top, scroll down to the box labeled “Founders Scholarship”. You will receive information on this scholarship as well as be able to download the application. These applications can also be picked up at the Business Office. This scholarship is for any member who has been in continuous good standing and paid dues (without an Honorary Withdrawal for the four years prior to May 1, 2019). This is not a scholarship for your dependents. All applications and required information must be mailed directly to the IBEW in Washington, DC postmarked May 1, 2019.

10^th ANNUAL 340 SOFTBALL TEAM CRAB FEED – The 10^th annual 340 Softball Team Crab Feed was held at the Hall on February 9^th and it was, as it has been for the last 10 years, a huge success! Close to 300 attendees. There were many, many raffle prize winners this year. Local 340 Office Manager Reyna Kwong’s brother, Richie Jimenez, walked away with the grand prize of a 65” flat screen TV donated by our LMCC. You might remember Richie. He is the guy who makes balloon animals for the kids at our picnic every year.

The Local 340 Softball Team thanks everyone who donated a prize or a food item, the volunteers who worked tirelessly and all of those who supported and attended this event. I had a great time and hope to see you all next year!

SPORTSMANS CLUB NEWS:

DOG TRAINING/SHOOTING HOLES IN THE SKY – This annual event will be held at 8:00 AM on Sunday February 24^th at Yankee Slough Hunt Club, 3805 Highway 65 in Lincoln. This is a safe, fun event open to all active and retired members and their children who are interested in hunting and the training of hunting dogs. Cost is $112.50 per shooter for 5 birds and kids shoot free. Meet at the parking lot of Yankee Slough at 8AM. For more information, contact Brother Zack Collins at zackery_collins@hotmail.com.

 

IBEW 340 DAY IN THE BAY – The Annual Local 340 Fishing Trip (Halibut & Striper) is scheduled for Saturday May 25^th. The boats will leave from the Berkeley Marina @ 6:00 AM. The cost is $120.00 each. Note: there won’t be any shirts for this year’s event. Two boats are reserved to accommodate the many members who look forward to this fishing trip every year: “The California Dawn” (contact Jason Green @ (916)716-6845) and “The Pacific Dream” (contact Jason Prasad 916-801-6221)

 

LOCAL 340 IS MARCHING IN THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – OLD SACRAMENTO – SAT. 03/16/19

Local 340 members and families will once again participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday March 16^th in Old Sacramento. It’s not a long parade route (just a few blocks in Old Sacramento) but it is a great opportunity for the Local Union to get a whole lot of positive exposure in the Sacramento community. We will have our banner and march with our decorated golf card. All Local 340 marchers will be handing out gold pencils and very popular specially-designed thundersticks to the crowd that read “IBEW Local 340 – Irish for a Day – Union for Life”. We will meet at the Old Schoolhouse yard in front of Joe’s Crab Shack in Old Sacramento between 11:00 and 11:30 AM. The parade starts at 1:00 PM. Remember, this is open to all IBEW members and families so wear your green & we’ll see you there! For more information, contact Justine at the Hall 916-927-4239 or at jvillasenor@ibewlocal340.org.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

Brother Ray Hughes is a Grandpa for the first time. Mila Marie was born two days after Christmas. Brother Hughes went to work in Las Vegas last year to be closer to his kids. He reports he misses everyone here at Local 340 but is sure enjoying babysitting his “little peanut”.

I am also very happy and relieved to report that my wife Miranda and I welcomed our son, Remington Jett, to the world on Monday February 18^th. (Presidents Day). He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 21.25 inches long. We are all doing great and I am looking forward to raising this little IBEW baby boy!

 

GET WELL BROTHERS!

Brother Brian Folena was in the hospital last month due to a motorcycle accident while working in the Bay Area. After about a week of hospitalization, he was released to recuperate at home. Brother Folena may be looking at future lung surgery as a result of this accident.

Systems Installer Brother Brandon Gollaher was hit by a drunk driver approximately 7 months ago while at a concert. He is now out of the hospital and going thru physical therapy for his injuries. He is hoping to return to work in the next few months.

REST IN PEACE:

We lost two Retired members last month, Brother Richard Hall (62 year member/88 years of age) and Brother Robert Watkins (62 year member / 86 years of age).

Brother Herman Pede was recently in Sacramento (from Montana) to attend a memorial service for his mother, Barbara Fair.

Also, we just learned Brother Brian Bailey’s wife Margarette (at the very young age of 56) passed away after a courageous hard-fought battle with Crohn’s disease.

Long-time Local 340 Trust Attorney Mark Lipton passed away in late December while on his honeymoon in Paris. Mark was instrumental in developing a lot of the SAEW Trust Laws that are still in effect here at Local 340 and also aided many of our members with their pensions during his career. Although he was semi-retired, Mark was always at the other end of the phone when I needed something. He will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the above members and individuals and their families.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1^st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827

REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1^st Wednesdays – Redding Union Hall @ 5:30 for Northern Area business and then join in the Sacramento meeting @ 6PM via webinar

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday April 23^rd @ 5:00 PM – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday April 18^th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.

LABOR BULLETIN

By

BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD

JANUARY – FEBRUARY

 

INSIDE WIREMAN’S FEBRUARY 1, 2019 WAGE ALLOCATION

As you were notified, the Inside Wireman’s Allocation Meeting to discuss and vote on the previous negotiated $1.00 increase was held on January 2, 2019. After a very thorough discussion, a vote was taken and it was M/S/C to place $.50 to wages and $.50 to Health and Welfare. Thank you to all who attended the meeting and participated in this allocation vote. All Inside employers have been notified of the February 1^st increase.

 

END OF YEAR DUES STATEMENTS

The end of year statements for basic and working dues have been mailed out to all members who paid dues in 2018. If you did not receive it, call the Hall.

 

BUTTE COUNTY CAMPFIRE

The final count of IBEW members who lost their homes in this brutal fire, is 21. Thirteen (13) were Local 340 members and eight (8) were members from Locals 6, 551, 332 and 234.

At this writing, the donations from the GoFundMe page and the money that came into our LMCC for the 340 Campfire fundraiser totals over $137,000.00. On behalf of the members who will be receiving help from these donations, I want to thank everyone who gave so generously.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the rebuild of some of our member’s homes should call the Hall or email md@ibewlocal340.org to add you name to the volunteer list. Once we are given the go ahead and the weather clears, we will be contacting you.

 

STEWARD TRAINING AVAILABLE – EARN CE CREDITS

There are a few spots left if you are interested in attending Steward Training in February. With the number of large projects coming up in 2019 we’re going to need trained job stewards who can represent IBEW workers on the job. Anyone completing the training will receive 8 hours of Continuing Education credits to be used towards State certification.

The two (2) training classes are scheduled as follows:

Inside Wireman Steward Classes:

Monday & Tuesday February 11^th & 12^th (3 1/2 hours each evening – must attend both nights) beginning at 5PM (Food will be provided)

Government & Single Employer Steward Classes (BAE-Indyne / City of Sacramento / County of Sacramento / NAES-Olympic Power)

Wednesday February 13^th (7 hrs) beginning at 8AM (Lunch will be provided)

If interested in attending this training, call Justine Villasenor at the Hall 916-927-4239 (extension 1001).

 

NEBF – RETIREE TEMPORARY RETURN TO WORK NOTICE

To help with the Journeyman Inside Wireman and Sound & Communication Installer manpower shortage that all IBEW Locals are experiencing, NEBF has once again changed the working rules for Retirees. If you are currently retired and would like to go back to work for about 3 months or perhaps take some short calls, this temporary Return to Work Amendment changes the suspension rules for certain eligible retirees. Following are the features of the amendment:

1. The temporary amendment is effective from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.
2. All normal and early retirees with a pension effective date of December 2018 or earlier will be permitted to return to covered and contributory employment only and will be permitted to work for up to 600 hours during the above period without a loss of NEBF benefits. This amendment applies only to the NEBF Plan. (In order to receive benefits from other funds it will depend on the rules of those funds.)
3. Once an individual has worked for 600 hours in covered and contributory employment during the term of the temporary amendment, the individual will no longer be able to take advantage of this amendment and the normal rules (permitting work in the electrical industry for less than forty (40) hours per month without a suspension of benefits) will apply.
4. Disability pensioners are not eligible (the existing rules applicable to disabled pensioners remain in effect).
5. Only retirees who return to NEBF covered and contributory employment will be able to take advantage of this amendment – this amendment will not apply to persons who work for covered employers where no NEBF contributions are required or to persons who work for non-covered employers in the electrical industry.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS (2)

IBEW Local 340 Harry R. Bain Scholarship Award – Dependents

IBEW Local 340 is once again going to award two college scholarships in 2019 ($1,000.00 and $500.00). These scholarships are available to sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters or legal dependents of members of Local 340. The General Rules and Instructions, as well as the application, can be picked up from the Sacramento Business Office or the Redding Office. You can also call either of these offices to request they be mailed to you. Please note: the completed application must be received in the Sacramento Business Office by March 15, 2019 to be considered.

 

IBEW Founders Scholarship – For IBEW Members only

The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who organized the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on November 28, 1981. 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 award is for $200 per semester credit hour at any accredited college or university toward an associate’s, bachelors or postgraduate degree in an approved field. The maximum distribution is $24,000 per person over a period not to exceed eight years.

Any member interested in applying for the IBEW Founders Scholarship can do so by going on-line at www.ibew.org. Click on “Resources and Links” at the top, scroll down to the box labeled “Founders Scholarship”. You will receive information on this scholarship as well as be able to download the application. These applications can also be picked up at the Business Office. This scholarship is for any member who has been in continuous good standing and paid dues (without an Honorary Withdrawal for the four years prior to May 1, 2019). This is not a scholarship for your dependents. All applications and required information must be mailed directly to the IBEW in Washington, DC postmarked May 1, 2019.

10^th ANNUAL 340 SOFTBALL TEAM CRAB FEED

The 10^th annual 340 Softball Team Crab Feed will be held here at the Hall on Saturday February 9^th. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this event call the Hall at 916-927-4239 or purchase online at ibewlocal340softball.ticketleap.com. You can also get in touch with one of the Softball players. Tickets are $60.00 per person for all you can eat crab, pasta, salad and bread. This fun event is known for great food and fellowship, as well as several types of awesome raffles! All members are welcome to attend this Crab Feed.

 

SPORTSMAN’S CLUB DOG TRAINING/SHOOTING HOLES IN THE SKY

This annual event will be held at 8:00 AM on Sunday February 24^th at Yankee Slough Hunt Club, 3805 Highway 65 in Lincoln. This safe, fun event is open to all active and retired members and their children who are interested in hunting and in the training of hunting dogs. Cost is $112.50 per shooter for 5 birds and kids shoot free. If you want to have breakfast beforehand, they will be meeting at Kim’s Country Kitchen, 527 G Street in Lincoln at 6:30 AM. Otherwise, meet at the parking lot of Yankee Slough at 8AM. For more information, contact Brother Zack Collins at zackery_collins@hotmail.com.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – OLD SACRAMENTO – SAT. 03/16/19

Local 340 members and families will once again participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday March 16^th in Old Sacramento. It’s not a long parade route (just a few blocks in Old Sacramento) but it is a great opportunity for the Local Union to get a whole lot of positive exposure in the Sacramento community. We are going to decorate the golf cart and walk behind it handing out to the crowd specially-designed thundersticks that read “IBEW Local 340 – Irish for a Day – Union for Life”. If you and your family members want to join us, we will meet at the Old Schoolhouse yard in front of Joe’s Crab Shack in Old Sacramento between 11:00 and 11:30 AM. The parade starts at 1:00 PM. Remember, this is open to all IBEW members and families. Wear your green & we’ll see you there! For more information, contact Justine at the Hall 916-927-4239.

 

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESSES

None to report at this time but the Safety Committee would like to remind the members who are working that workplace injuries should be reported to the Business Office as soon as possible. If you have a Steward on the job, he can report for you. Thank you.

HOLIDAY BUSINESS OFFICE & TRUST OFFICE CLOSURES

Monday February 18^th – Presidents Day

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – 1^st Wednesdays @ 6PM – 10240 Systems Parkway, Sacramento 95827

 

REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1^st Wednesdays – Redding Union Hall @ 5:30 for Northern Area business and then join in the Sacramento meeting @ 6PM via webinar

 

SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4^TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT QUARTERLY S&C MEETING Tuesday April 23^rd @ 5:00PM – Note: Seven (7) members needed to have a quorum.

 

CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3^RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT QUARTERLY CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday April 18^th @ 5:00PM – Note: Five (5) members needed to have a quorum.