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  • February 2018 Newsletter
    Posted On: Mar 01, 2018

    FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER

    Happy Ground Hogs Day!  Did he see his shadow or 6 more weeks?  It is this time of year when things are slow and the ice fishing gets good, so along with some coyote calling a person can stay pretty busy.  I personally like a little cross-country skiing and sledding with the grandkids.  Bob Buhl a line hand from Billings just sent me pictures of some big Walleyes (11lbs) and Northern he is taking from Fort Peck.  I think he would be happy to show you where and how.  I hear snow machines roaring to life, so winter is here!  Anyway, if you haven’t gone South for the winter get out and enjoy it, learn to like winter and it won’t seem so bad when you must work out there.  

    As of the time I write this letter we have no calls on the board and only a couple of projects firing up just after the first.  Negotiations were completed with ELM and Asplundh.  Both contracts were voted on and approved by the membership.  We have two “change of jurisdictions” on the E-Board.  Brothers Casey McGowan and Shea Forkan, both resigned and were appointed to the seat the other one held.  So now Shea represents the Helena area from what will be his home in Lincoln as he starts his NorthWestern Energy career, and Casey will represent the Construction Unit he continues to work in. 

    On another topic it raised some questions when I published the E-Board opinion that two men should be in the bucket when rubber gloving under the Northwestern Energy Contract.  This was not an effort to change anything in the agreement and was only meant to let everyone know how the Board felt about it.  Most importantly do every job with Safety first and foremost.  No cutting corners, no working outside the agreement, read it and know it.  Agreements are two party efforts to assure a fair and safe work place. 

    In other E-Board news Shane Bykonen sat in as a substitute and gave the Board an update on the RENEW Conference that he attended last fall.  Shane and Devin Healy attended and have been OK’d to start a Local Chapter.  They have a lot of fun ideas and energy.  I would personally invite all of those under age 35 to talk to one of them and see what you can do.

    Many members have retired in the past year or two, now is the time to get involved in your grandkids future by being active in the political arena.  We need people to run for the legislative seats, giving labor a louder voice, learning a lot, build lifelong friendships, have your health care paid for, give back to this great state.  The rewards are great, but ignore it and the penalties last for years.

    In Brotherhood,

                           Bill

    PREFERRED METHOD

    Due to a recent concern brought to us by a member, a grievance was filed and resulted in the clarification of expectations.  When off duty with short or long term disability, some “release to work” documentation is required.  Although the “preferred method” can vary by area and supervisor, an employee should always contact the supervisor in advance of returning and clarify expectations directly with the supervisor.  Generally, they are okay with employees bringing the Return to Work certification with them on their first day back if the employee will have no restrictions upon return.  In the event the physician has placed restrictions or limitations on the employee’s work activities, the employee or their physician should submit the certification (via fax, email or hand delivered) to the supervisor prior to their anticipated return so that potential accommodations can be evaluated before reporting to work.

    MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT

    The past couple of Communicator’s I have asked for information about different groups, I do appreciate the information and the contacts that have been made available to me.  I thank you for the help!  If you ever hear someone asking about joining please give them our information.

    Our new Brothers and Sisters from Outage Management System Distribution Dispatchers have been in negotiations with NorthWestern Energy to finally get a working agreement!  Wish them well in their pursuit for a fair agreement.

    If you have not checked out your new website, please go to www.ibew44.org.  Registration only takes a minute to complete.  Once membership has been verified you will have full access to the website.  Please do not use the “Contact Us” form to complete your monthly resign.  In the “Job Board” tab is a link for monthly resign.  If anyone is submitting pictures, please enclose information to go along with it (date, where, and NAMES of who is in the photo).  Please send them to dwight@ibew44.org.

    Fraternally,

    Dwight Rose

    D988003

    406-459-3548

    dwight@ibew44.org

    CHILD ID KITS

    The Local still has Child ID Kits available for free to members.  The Child ID Program is a worthwhile program that has the potential to reduce the numbers of unfound missing children.  The kit allows you to easily record physical characteristics, DNA, and fingerprints on an identification card, which is kept at home in a safe place until needed by authorities in the case of an emergency.  Call the Hall and let us know if you would like to have a kit or two sent to you.

    RENEW

    Shane Bykonen and Devin Healy were IBEW Local 44’s representatives for the RENEW Conference in Pittsburg, PA on September 21st – 23rd, 2017.  The mission of the Reach out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers (RENEW) initiative is to inspire the next generation of IBEW workers to become active in their local union by focusing on issues important to younger workers, providing education about the IBEW and the labor movement, and fostering relationships with members and local union leadership.

    Part of the hurdles to overcome in setting up a RENEW charter is the expanse of IBEW 44’s jurisdiction, and the ruralness of Montana.  One of the goals Shane would like to see is to get the younger generation involved, to promote brotherhood.  The second goal is to reach out to Montana’s youth and educate them about apprenticeships.  Shane is a Journeyman Lineman who turned out in August 2016, and he is now a part time instructor at Mountain States and works for Rocky Mountain Contractors. 

    RENEW is for everyone 35 and younger, although anyone over 36 can participate in RENEW activities, RENEW is for the next generation of IBEW leaders.  RENEW can be used as a tool to educate members as well as an outreach of the local itself.

    JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES

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

    Tyler Geertsen

    Josh Keimig

    Schaun Lingohr

    Austyn Paulsen

    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:

    Michael Campbell – Journeyman Lineman

    Keith Frydenlund – Line Foreman

    Mark Johnerson – Journeyman Lineman

    Duane Smedsrud - Lineman

    Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!

    FEBRUARY UNIT MEETINGS

    Shelby                         Feb. 01, 2018              5:00 PM          Marias River Electric

    Line Construction         Feb. 03, 2018              10:00 AM       LU 233 Butte Office

    Great Falls                   Feb. 05, 2018              7:00 PM          Great Falls Labor Temple

    Havre                          Feb. 06, 2018              6:00 PM          Elks Lodge     

    Lewistown                    Feb. 07, 2018              5:30 PM          NWE Service Center

    Billings                         Feb. 08, 2018              5:00 PM          NWE Service Center

    Helena                         Feb. 19, 2018              5:00 PM          NWE Service Center

    Bozeman                      Feb. 20, 2018              5:00 PM          Bozeman Labor Temple

    Missoula                       Feb. 21, 2018              6:00 PM          Missoula Labor Temple

    Butte                            Feb. 22, 2018              5:30 PM          Local 44 Office


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