ATTENTION LOCAL 532 COSTCO CARD HOLDERS:  Costco is no longer offering a price break in our annual membership fees.  We will be discontinuing this program in 2012.  From this point on, you can renew your card directly as COSTCO.  Thank you all for participating in the past. 

SPECIAL MEETING:

A special meeting was held March 30, 2012 at Local 532 involving all construction members of Local 532 and was attended by IVP Ted Jensen.  We would like to thank those members who attended the meeting for their support of the Local. The minutes of this meeting were read at the regular meeting of the Local on April 11, 2012 and are  available for review at the hall during business hours. 

REFERRAL RULE CHANGES EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2012

At the IBEW 38^th International Convention held September 19-23, 2011, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Resolution No. 35 called for parity among locals for all re-sign procedures.  The Resolutions Committee had first recommended non-concurrence based on the difficulty to devise a system that provided complete parity in locals’ re-sign procedures.  The motion of non-concurrence failed and after floor debate to standardize the day of the month, the original motion carried.

 Therefore, effective June 1, 2012, the following changes will be implemented in Local 532’s referral rules:

 Re-sign shall be required monthly beginning on the 10^th and ending on the 16^th of each month.

Re-signs will require the following information:  Name, address, home local #, and IBEW card # or if not a union member a driver’s license or government ID.

 Local unions are also to immediately initiate a policy requiring individuals who receive two discharges for cause within a twelve month period to be suspended from future referral  privileges until they appear before the Appeals Committee for a determination as to their continued eligibility for referral.

COORDINATOR’S CORNER

 April, 2012

The Montana Electrical JATC is in the final weeks of apprentice training of the 2011—2012 related training schedule.  On May 24^th, we will graduate 24 apprentices in Helena.  In addition, we are entering the final stretch of Continuing Education training for this year.  Anyone holding a Montana Electrical license will be required to have their 16 hours of CE credits completed before license expiration in July.

Included in upcoming CE training are pole-mounted solar system installations at Local 532 and Local 768 in Kalispell.  The permitting process and the system design have provided for a couple of setbacks, but we have finally surmounted that.  Our recently commissioned Building Automation and Solar Training Trailer will also be on the road for training.  The trailer will be in Billings for classes on Saturday, April 28^th.

 The Automation/Solar Trailer is the flagship of the ETP Grant.  With the exception of the sheet metal work, the trailer was fabricated entirely (and wired) by the MEJATC.  

 The trailer and the equipment inside represent the very latest in both solar and building automation technology.  The trailer will also be used for outreach and promotion as opportunities arise.

 In July of this year, the ETP Grant will sunset.  In the last two months, we have been shifting training costs from Grant funding to our normal funding sources to begin the close-out process.  The Grant has provided the JATC with some amazing resources and opportunities—much of this will carry us far into the future.

 Finally, thanks to all of you who have taken the time comment on our evaluations at the end of each training session.  These have been very helpful in improving the training deliver.   

 Respectfully,

John Colley

LINECO  Trustee  Meeting  Minutes: 

(Submitted by Mike Byrd, Bus. Mgr. Local 111) The LINECO Trustees met on March 22^nd and 23^rd, 2012.

We heard 34 appeal cases with 18 of them being associated with Worker Comp situations. As I have told you in the past if at any time during the process a member, a spouse, a nurse or the doctor says the injury was work related LINECO will not pay the bills. You need to watch what they write down.

 The number of employees covered by the trust exceeded 30,000 members for the first time in January 2012.

 There were 4.4 million hours worked in January, this is the highest total ever, an increase of 13.8%.

 Our months of Operating Surplus went up from 20.4 months to 20.7 months. As you know the Plan Administrators like to have a surplus of 6 months.

 The Utility Group made a nice cash gain in 2011, they were $736,000.00 over expenses or 9%; where the Construction side of the trust was up 18%.

 Some yearly stats from the staff are as follows:

1. 178,013 calls per year or 706 call per day
2. Claims paid were 773,200 an 8% increase
3. We had 204 claims paid that were over $50,000.00 for a total of $23.4 million
4. Number of paper claims fell to 152,581 down 8%
5. The average age of a retiree is 70
6. The average age of an active employee is 40
7. Average number of retirees stands at 1674 an increase of 2%
8. The Trustees heard 157 appeals in 2011
9. In Patient Blue Cross/Blue Shield usage is at 99.3% in Network
10. Out Patient stands at 98.6% in Network
11. Professionals/doctors used In Network is at 99%
12. There were 849 Newborns in 2011 with a 20% increase in C Sections
13. There were 6 premature newborns that have cost between $400,000.00 and $1.2 million each
14. The Blue Cross/Blue Shield In Network Dental Dentists have increased from 2136 to 2616 in 2011 or 480 new dentist have signed up. There is now 188,132 In Network Dentists in the USA saving members 18.6% of costs. Ask your dentist to sign up
15. LINECO is going paperless with their new computer system. This should move documents to your files a lot faster
16. A LINECO Health Reimbursement Account has been established to start in June. Details are to follow.

 CJ Construction has made LINECO whole for all owed money.

North Western Electric has some outstanding debts.

The next LINECO Trustee meeting is scheduled for June 18^th and 19^th.

Annual Building Corp. meeting:  Saturday February 11, 2012, 9:00 AM.   Place: 5200 Midland Road.

 TAXES – IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN – Call or stop by for your 2011 Yearly Dues and Assessments Report for taxes from the hall.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR /L.U. ORGANIZER

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Stolp as Local 532’s Assistant / Membership Development Coordinator.  Kelly has lots of ideas and enthusiasm for strengthening  Local 532’s membership numbers.

MEJATC APPRENTICESHIP SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS

LABOR:

Daniel Oderifero                480-307-1612  

Snuggy Beck                          406-672-5831

Trent Sampson                    406-628-5821

If anyone else is interested is serving on this committee in the future, please contact the Local, President Krum, or one of the Labor committee members.

MANAGEMENT:

Kevin Titus          YECO     406-281-1384

Dave Hawkins     T.S.E       406-256-8200

Brent Burton      CEI          406-748-4048

SUPPLIES

2012 Pocket planners are available at the Local.

We still have hats in those Griz and Cat colors for $15.

No-Dogs are available for $13.50 and we have more Mag-Levels on order.

UPCOMING PROPOSALS MTGS:

Proposals for the  Billings Inside and Residential agreements will be on February 11^th, after the  Local 532 Building Corporation meeting. Proposals for the Bozeman Inside and Residential agreements will be following the regular Bozeman Unit meeting on February 15, 2012. REMEMBER*** All Proposals must be submitted in writing prior to the start of the meeting. 

 Upcoming Agreement Opening Dates:

Asplundh Tree–Negotiations Ongoing

Montana Line Clearance – Ongoing

YVEC – Ongoing

Billings Inside – Opens 3/1/12

Billings Residential – Opens 3/1/12

Bozeman Inside – Opens 3/1/12

Bozeman Residential – Opens 3/1/12

 I.O. PER CAPITA INCREASE 2012

Delegates to the 38th IBEW International Convention approved amendments to Article IX, Section 2 of the IBEW Constitution. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2012 and effective January 1, 2014 there will be a per capita increase of two dollars ($2.00) for all members. The amendment is as follows:

Section 2.  The monthly per capita tax for each member, including each member on participating withdrawal, shall be as follows:

1/1/11             1/1/12             1/1/14

$13                 $15                 $17

The amendment further states that there shall be an additional one dollar ($1.00), effective January 1, 2016 should the IBEW fail to meet membership growth projections (1% annually) as of June 30, 2015, as reported in the Calibre CPA Group, PLLC Financial Forecast and Projection.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:  The JATC has all the updated classes approved from the state. An individual will need a minimum 16 CEU’s – (8) code and (8) industry related or all (16) can be code, to be completed by July 15, 2012. If you are interested in a class please stop by the hall or call to get your name on the signup sheet.  You can find a list of upcoming classes on the local’s website.  The following classes are currently scheduled:

Lead Renovation, Repair & Painting Certification – 8 Hours Industry – Billings – Class Date TBD

CSTOP Refresher – Billings – January 7, 2012

Asbestos Awareness – 8 Hours Industry – Billings – January 28, 2012  8-5 P M

NEC 2011 Significant Code Changes Part 1 – 8 Hours Code – Billings – Changed to:  Thursday and Friday,  Feb. 2 & 3rd,  5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Class Full – Sign up for waiting list or 2nd class to be scheduled)

Understanding Freq. Drives – 8 Hours Code (Good for WA Credits) – Billings 2/4/2012 – 8 AM – 5 PM (Class Full – Sign up for waiting list or 2nd class to be scheduled)

NEC 2011 Significant Changes Part 1 – 8 Hours Code – Bozeman – 4/7/2012 – 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Coyne First Aid – 8 Hours Industry – Billings – 4-28-2012 8 AM – 5 PM

Stand Alone Solar & Building Automation – 8 Hours Pending – Bozeman – 4/28/2012 – 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Stand Alone Photovoltaics – 4 Hours MT/WA Pending – Billings – 5/5/2012 8 AM – 12 PM

Building Automation Intro – 4 Hours MT/WA Pending – Billings – 5/5/2012 1 PM – 5 P M

IBEW Chili Cookoff/Feed:   January 21, 2012 at the Local 532 Training Center from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.    $10 per entry,  payouts to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place.  Open to all members, family members and retirees of Local 532.    If you are interested in entering, please contact the hall to sign up.  All members and family members and retirees are welcome to come down to sample and vote on their favorite, even if you don’t have any entry… Beverages will be provided.

2011 LOCAL 532 BIG BUCK CONTEST Results:

1st Place:  Jason Krum; 2nd Place:  Russell McNeel; 3rd Place:  Wade Michaels.   Thanks to those who participated.  We hope to have more entrants next year!

NEW WAYS TO PAY:  Local 532 now has ACH (automatic check holding) services available to our membership. This means no worries about remembering to pay your union dues every month and no need to write a check.  Call Shelly if you are interested in signing up.

Local 532 also accepts payment by credit/debitcards(VISA/MasterCard/Discover) for your union dues and merchandise purchases.  A transaction  fee  of  $2/per $40 charged will be added for this convenience to cover the credit card companies’ fees. 

 ATTENTION LOCAL 532 COSTCO CARD HOLDERS:  Costco is no longer offering a price break in our annual membership fees.  We will be discontinuing this program in 2012.  From this point on, you can renew your card directly as COSTCO.  Thank you all for participating in the past. 

MEJATC – Gary Pemble will be retiring as Director of MEJATC in January of 2012. Mitch Hegman will be taking over that position  We thank Gary for his many years of service and wish him well in his retirement. Gary will be working for the JATC as a consultant in the coming year.

Coordinator’s Corner

December 20, 2011  – Montana Electrical JATC

As we head toward the New Year many exciting Journeyman upgrade classes are on the schedule. Understanding frequency drives is one that will start on January 7^th in Helena, then other cities around Montana. This class will have many modern frequency drives that will be modulated by various sensors and controlling different size motors. Each frequency drive will need to be programmed for these variations which make for a real world application. Ultimately to make for an enjoyable JW class!

 With the convenience of the Montana Electrical JATC website you can see the classes, dates, and the credits available for Montana and Washington State. To get to the schedule visit our website at http://mtelectricaljatc.org then go to the JW Upgrade tab on the left. We also post the CEU classes coming soon on the home page. There will be additional classes scheduled for Photovoltaic install in Billings and Kalispell soon. I want to thank everyone that has registered with our website, this will help us keep in contact with you for the latest developments at the MEJATC.

 A few other projects are in the early stages of development while some are coming to completion. One project we are particularly looking forward to is the wind and dual axis pole mount photovoltaic system that is currently being designed for construction at the MEJATC. The wind portion is a 2500 watt turbine called the energy ball that stands approximately 48 feet tall and has a unique design. Projects currently under construction are the MEJATC building for Craft certification and the Solar mobile trainer. Both of these projects are wrapping up and will be ready for use in the next few months.

 John Colley

 MEMBERSHIP DATABASE:  We are updating our database to add email addresses.  Please contact the hall if you have an email address. 

Thanks to all of you and we hope you have a safe and happy 2012.