FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
Hey Brothers and Sisters, while we stand back and watch the political show unfold before our eyes, we must be careful to not lose sight of some of the others things that are taking place while we watch. I just took a quick look at some of the happenings around the states and there are no less than 143 bills in the state legislature’s hat that will have direct impact on our every day lives. Everything from lowering the minimum wage to the big tax bill that stripped all a construction workers travel deductions. If you are a lineman working away from home your taxes probably just went up by a third.
Another side story going on is Trump’s budget proposals would eliminate Bonneville and WAPA by selling their hydro and transmission to private entities. Can you imagine what would happen to those Co-ops that count on that power? Let alone the good jobs of our Union Brothers and Sister that keep them operating.
Speaking of good Union Brothers and Sisters, a group of them went out to help with the big Nor’easter that hit the east coast. Well as the number one storm ended, number two showed up, then number 3 and after her they headed for home. But wait, half way back Number 4 showed her face and the hands got turned around and headed back to New England once more. Storm work is a beast that demands the best of a hand. It is tiring and brutal. Keep these guys in your thoughts and prayers.
Negotiations are still, as of news time, going on with Northwestern Energy for the Mobile Dispatch and OMS people. Give them all the support you can. We had good negotiations with Vigilante Electric Co-op, as soon as some wording is finalized that will be out for a vote. Big Flat Electric is up for the wage opener, as you read this we should have that worked out. Next up is Beartooth Electric, I think highly of the new manager and hope things go good there as well. Later this month we will start Outside Line negotiations. We will keep you all posted.
We are currently going through the arbitration process with Hill County Electric over a dispute on the Triangle Communication side. We had to file a ULP because they refused to meet with us over these issues.
As spring arrives, everyone keep your mind on the work at hand, be safe and be proud you are the best workforce on the planet!
In Brotherhood,
Bill
FROM THE ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER
Hello Brothers and Sisters, I hope all is well with you and yours. I would like to thank our members listed below for recently completing the Job Stewards Class held in Butte. It takes a special person to step up to the plate and do the work of a Steward. The Stewards are the eyes and ears of our union, making sure that our contracts are followed by management and our members. It is not an easy job so thanks to all the Stewards. Be safe out there and have fun.
- Brandon Cassidy
- Josh Dixon
- Mistie Fagone
- Heather Fleming
- Nancy Fleming
- Kyle Hintz
- James Pearston
- Chad Sheehan
MEMBERSHIP & EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT
RENEW - I will be sending out an email to everyone that is 35 and younger looking for volunteers to get OUR Local’s RENEW chapter going! Shane Bykonen is out of state working, so the next round of meetings I will be attending as many of them as I can to talk about RENEW, to get interest in it and discuss what RENEW does. If you would like more information before the meetings, please send an email to renew44@ibew44.org. The Facebook link for RENEW is: https://www.facebook.com/RENEW.IBEW. The Mission statement/goal of RENEW is to get younger members involved in YOUR UNION.
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.
I encourage everyone to submit any ideas, respond to the email and reach out to me so we can make IBEW 44 the Best Local in the state of MONTANA!
If you have not checked out or registered for 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
D988003
406-459-3548
dwight@ibew44.org
JOURNEYMAN UPGRADES
Local 44 would like to congratulate the following members for achieving Journeyman status:
Austin Higgins
Joshua King
Spencer Petersen
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:
Ray Cordeiro – Journeyman Lineman
Chris Obenauer – Journeyman Lineman
Danny Villa – Journeyman Lineman
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!
IN MEMORIAM
Local 44 mourns the loss of Gus Aaberg, a retired member who passed away on October 2, 2017. Brother Aaberg joined the IBEW in September 1963 and was a Journeyman Lineman. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
Local 44 mourns the loss of James Umber, a retired member who passed away on November 10, 2017. Brother Umber joined the IBEW in April 1973 and was a Groundman. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
Local 44 mourns the loss of William Abt Jr., a retired member who passed away on February 4, 2018. Brother Abt joined the IBEW in February 1964 and was an Assistant System Dispatcher. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
Local 44 mourns the loss of Ted Jorgenson, a retired member who passed away on February 19, 2018. Brother Jorgenson joined the IBEW in October 1962 and was a Journeyman Lineman. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
APRIL UNIT MEETINGS
Great Falls Apr. 02, 2018 7:00 PM Great Falls Labor Temple
Havre Apr. 03, 2018 6:00 PM Elks Lodge
Lewistown Apr. 04, 2018 5:30 PM NWE Service Center
Billings Apr. 05, 2018 5:30 PM NWE Service Center
Helena Apr. 16, 2018 5:00 PM NWE Service Center
Bozeman Apr. 17, 2018 5:00 PM Bozeman Labor Temple
Missoula Apr. 18, 2018 6:00 PM Missoula Labor Temple
Butte Apr. 19, 2018 5:30 PM Local 44 Office
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