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The Communicator |
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August 2008 |
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Politics and the Election Process Brothers and Sisters once again it is that time in America to listen to all the campaign ads and all of the hype that each side has to try to influence your vote. There are a lot of people out there that think that none of it matters, that no matter what you do your vote doesn’t count. I am not one of these people. I think that our vote counts no matter what election process we are involved in. One thing I can guarantee you is that if you do not register and cast your vote, then it doesn’t matter how you feel. A question I ask myself from time to time is how many people in the world have fought and died, and still are, for a right that we are born with? Another question I ask is how many of those that are born with the right to vote never exercise the right? There are actually places in the world today where they still cut off peoples’ hands to influence their vote, yet we have people in America that are born with the right to vote and never exercise that right. What does all of this have to do with us as members of the IBEW and Local 44? I have a good friend and Brother of Local 44 that has told me many times over the years that he is sick and tired of the Union telling him who to vote for. That is not what I am trying to do here. What I want is for every member in the IBEW and Local 44, their families, friends and anyone else that you know to register to vote, and I mean 100 percent. With approximately 750,000 members in the IBEW, you do the math, and then tell me that your vote does not count!! The next thing that I want is for you to know the issues, and I mean all of them, not just the social issues that “they”, meaning both parties, use as a smoke screen, in my opinion, to divide us. Take a look at what is going on with our trade deficit, take a look at how much money we borrow everyday and from who. Take a look at what the U.S. dollar is worth and how this relates to the price of gas at the pump. Take a look at the NLRB and the court system and appointed judges as to how they relate to labor and especially to organized labor. You may be shocked. The IBEW members are at the top of the food chain when it comes to workers in America. We make decent wages and have good benefits and working conditions. Remember that no one just up and handed these things to us, and there are many that would like to take them away from us. Listen to the right to work ads on the radio and television, and tell me what you think these people have in mind for us. I like the one where they outright LIE about spending your Union dues on candidates without even asking the members who they want to spend it on. For the record, it is illegal for us to spend your dues money in this manner, and if we do, I would probably be in the slammer. The only money that we can use for candidates is totally VOLUNTEER money from COPE or VOLUNTEER PERSONAL money, not your Union dues money. Now that you know that, let others know the truth and that right to work is not above lying to do damage to the Unions. We all know too well the importance of money in the political world, and if you want to donate to COPE contact your Shop Steward or the Local 44 office. Give $10 a month and let us put it to work for you. Next question, who gets the COPE money, and does it coincide with your political views? These decisions are once again made by people that you elect to the Local 44 political positions with the best interest of the members and working people on all the issues in mind. So you see, once again your vote does count. Do we always spend the VOLUNTEER money on the person that you support? The answer is probably not. We try to use it to support the issues that affect wage earners and the working class and organized labor everywhere. In closing, please help us to get everyone in the Local and everyone that we know registered to vote. We need your help, we cannot do it alone. Know the issues and vote accordingly. Thank-you!! BE SAFE BE UNION!! YOUR UNION BROTHER, Chuck
NEWS TO USE Montana Lineman’s Rodeo The Montana Lineman’s Rodeo was held at Hardy Creek on July 18 and 19, and it was a huge success. I would like to thank Ron and Sandy Hendrickson one more time from all of us for inviting us to their home. I would also like to thank Boyd Andrew and his wife Bobby one more time from all of us. Boyd is our Rodeo Coordinator, and without him this event would simply not happen. A special thanks to all the judges and event coordinators, to all the people that donated money, and to all you people that kept raising your hand at the auction. You are also a huge part in making this event happen. And let’s not forget the spectators and all of the participants. It is a great event, and once again it takes all of us working together to make it happen. Thank all of you!! Now on to the results of the Rodeo. TEAMS Top Overall: Team #2 NorthWestern Energy Utility Division
Construction Division
Mixed Division
REC Division
APPRENTICES Top Overall: Buck Bonser Utility Apprentice
Construction Apprentice
REC Apprentice
Tree Trimmer Rodeo
Backhoe Rodeo
Ladies Pole Climb
The raffle winners are as follows:
Congrats to all of you!! OUTSIDE LINE CONSTRUCTION On June 22 a new three year agreement was ratified by the Outside Construction members of Local 44 and Local 532. This same agreement had been ratified by Local 768 at an earlier date, and we now have a statewide agreement between NECA and the three Locals. The proposed agreement passed by a wide margin in Local 44. It included a significant wage increase, increases to subsistence and changes to the free towns. There were also changes to the retirement. For members that are currently participating in NEAP, you need to get with the Local 44 Office and get registered on the ERTS system. Make sure that you get this done so that everything continues the way that you want it to. If you have any questions concerning NEAP or the ERTS system, give the Local a call. I want thank the negotiators from each Local for their efforts in putting this agreement together. BRESNAN COMMUNICATIONS On June 19 the members of Local 44 that are employed by Bresnan Communications ratified a new two year agreement. The members got a wage increase, and we also added a warehouse position to their agreement. I thank the negotiators for their efforts on this agreement. In Memoriam Local 44 mourns the loss of our Union Brother John Killham. He was 91 years old and passed away in June 2008. John was initiated into the Union in April 1946. He was a Journeyman Operator who retired from MPCo. Hydro in 1985. Our sincere condolences go out to John’s family and friends. Local 44 Golf Tournament The 9th Annual Local 44 Golf Tournament has been scheduled for September 6 at the Helena Fox Ridge Golf course. Contact the Local Office to register your team or just yourself. The entry fee is $60.00 per Golfer. The cost includes a good time, possibly a few good prizes, a good meal, and maybe a drink or two. Golf carts are extra. You can also sponsor a hole for $100.00. A sign will be placed on the hole that you sponsor. For more information contact the Local Office. Unit Meeting Schedule for September Labor Day - September 1, 2008 - Attend your local Labor Day Picnic Great Falls Unit Meeting - Cancelled due to Labor Day Holiday Havre Unit Meeting - September 2, 2008 - Havre Labor Temple - 7:00pm Lewistown Unit Meeting - September 3, 2008 - NWE Service Center - 7:00pm Billings Unit Meeting - September 4, 2008 - NWE Service Center - 5:00pm Bozeman Unit Meeting - September 16, 2008 - Bozeman Labor Temple - 6:00pm Missoula Unit Meeting - September 17, 2008 - Missoula Labor Temple - 7:00pm Helena Unit Meeting - September 18, 2008 - Helena Labor Temple - 5:00pm Butte Unit Meeting - September 25, 2008 - Local 44 Office - 7:00pm |
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Copyright ©2006, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 44. All rights reserved. |
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