IBEW L.U. 532 CHRISTMAS PARTY - Date:  Friday, December 19, 2008, Time:  3:00 PM - 8:00 PM at IBEW Training Center. Brotherhood, Snacks, Food and Beverage of one’s choice will be served. Stop in and spread the Christmas Cheer!

INTERNATIONAL DUES INCREASE  Effective January 1, 2009.  Delegates to the 37th IBEW International Convention approved amendments to Article IX of the IBEW Constitution. Accordingly, effective Janaury 1, 2009, there will be a per capita increase of one dollar ($1.00) for all members.

“A” Members                               “BA” Members

Per cap $12.00                             $12.00

Pension $13.00                                $ .00

Total     $25.00                             $12.00

This increase applies to the International portion of the dues only; there has been no change to the Local portion of the dues or assessments.  Note:  Members paid $33.00 per month now pay $34.00 per month effective January 1, 2009.  BA Members - Your dues increase by $1.00 effective January 1, 2009.

AGREEMENTS AND ASSENTS: 

Rosebud Operating Services, Inc. has agreed to a two year agreement

Asplundh Tree Service has agreed to a three year agreement

Statewide Teledata Agreement - has been voted on and ratified

Davey Tree Surgery Company has signed a letter of assent between them and IBEW LU 44 and 532 to perform work in Montana.  They have employees working in the Billings area.

20th ANNUAL IBEW 532 / UA 30 GOLF TOURNAMENT:  IBEW/UA hit the links in late August and the IBEW continued their dominance of the Plumbers/Pipe Fitters yearly affair.

2009 NEGOTIATIONS:

MT State Sound and Communications Agreement - Opens 2/28/09

Tri-Chapter - Opens 5/31/09

Bozeman Residential - Opens 5/31/09

Bozeman Inside - Opens 5/31/09

University - Opens 6/30/09

Big Horn REA - Opens 11/30/09

Park REA -  Opens 12/31/09

Yellowstone REA - Opens 12/31/09

8th District REA - Opens 12/31/09

RETIREE’S DINNER:  On September 6, 2008, LU 532 put on a dinner honoring the retirees of the Local. The event was attended by 142 individuals and was a rousing success.  Dinner, dancing and socializing highlighted the evening. Red O’Connell won the grand prize - Big Screen TV. Special thanks to all the contractors and business vendors who donated prizes for the evening. Thank you also to organizers of this event:  Jim Hayes, Greg Culp and Frank Neiss.

SUPPLIES:  The local has t-shirts at $12.00 each, and Tic Tracers for $12.00 for sale. The Local also has 2009 pocket planners, conduit bending cards and can coolies.

WWW.LINECO.ORG:  The trustees are happy to present this new comprehensive website with complete information and tools to help you get the most out of your benefit programs.  * The Benefit Summaries:  provide concise summaries of your benefits for the Plan.  *  The Find Provider Page lists the websites for plan carriers, the carrier’s contact information, and links to the Benefit Summary or SPD for more information.            * The Summary Plan Description lists the table of contents, including all major document headings. You can browse through the sections to find information on eligibility, plan benefits, and more.  * The Forms section contains forms you will need for enrollment, designating a Life insurance beneficiary or for changing your address. You can fill these out online and print out the completed forms for mailing to the Fund office.  *The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section contains numerous commonly asked questions answered in plain language.  * The Links section connects you with resources available on external websites such as plan carriers, government agencies, or health and retirement information sites.  * The LifeEvents section provides you with helpful information on what you need to do regarding benefits when any major event happens in your life; positive events such as Marriage, Birth, or Retirement and negative events such as Death, Disability, Unemployment or Divorce. In addition, the section contains general financial planning information you might want to be aware of and links to external sites that might be of interest to you if you want to do further research about the event affecting you.

HUNTLEY PROJECT SCHOOL:  On the morning of September 18, 2008 a fire destroyed Huntley Project School. Many of our members live in this community, graduted or have family members attending the high school. As of Saturday morning through Sunday night, Local 532 members volunteered to lend a hand providing temporary power and communications to the new trailers so as class could resume Monday morning. IBEW LU 532 would like to acknowledge the following members involved in this event:  Jason Krum, Justin Kopp, Marty Wollenburg, Jeff Neitzel, Michael Rudio, Jeff Hudson, Snuggy Beck, Neil Danielson, Paul May, Wayne Laferriere. Also Yellowstone Valley Co-op had crews working long hours:  Dan Shaules, Mike Stookey, Jared Haworth, Cody Inabnit, Mike Teeter, Tom Bowen, Nick Ostrem and Steve Erb.

Fraternally,  Jason Krum

5th ANNUAL SICK AND NEEDY PICNIC:  Thank you to all the Local and Traveling brothers that attended this event. For once Montana was relatively safe and healthy.  We had only 4 people from Montana and one brother from California reported from brothers needing help. Thanks again to all the help from my brothers in making this Sick and Needy Fundraiser a success.  It’s a lot of work but well worth it for our brothers.

Fraternally,  Rik Gruel

POLITICS:  Another political year has come and gone. This election cycle the Montana Senate is controlled by the Republicans 27-23. The Montana House of Representatives is split 50-50.  A special thanks to Ron Burke and Tom Curry. The last month of the election, International Rep. Ron Burke and Tom Burry, LU Registrar spent endless hours making phone calls, combining lists and walking neighborhoods in the areas represented by Local 532.

THANKS TO LANE LARSON:  Local 532 would like to send special thanks to Senator Lane Larson for his four years of tireless campaigning and the political fight for the working men and women and families of Senate District 22 and the state.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:  The JATC has all the updated classes approved from the state. An individual will need a minimum of 16 CEU’s - (8) code and (8) industry related or all (16) can be code, to be completed by July 15, 2010. Classes will be scheduled after the first of the year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS:  The staff of IBEW LU 532 would like to wish members and their families a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.