SOCIAL EVENTS:
BURGERS & BEERS… We will continue to serve barbecue hamburgers through the September Regular union meeting at 5200 Midland Road (weather permitting.) Come on down and have dinner with us and then after the meeting concludes we will open the coolers to enjoy a frosty beverage or two.
FAMILY PICNIC & BASEBALL…Thanks to all those who participated. We had just over 50 people sign up for this event and although a few didn’t show up, we had a great time. Next year we may reserve the 329 Club for a game which provides tables with umbrellas for shade in an area you can watch the baseball action while enjoying a beverage and dog or two.
Retiree Pin Luncheon…The Local invited this years’ 50+ service pin recipients to a luncheon at Montana’s Rib and Chop, in Billings. I.O. Rep. and former Bus. Mgr. Don Herzog was there along with his retired Office Mgr. Jean Smith, and the current office staff. This years’ recipients are: Donald Mortenson – 50 yrs; Palmer Hundtoft, Clement Kopp, Donald (Red) O’Connell, William Roswadovski – 55 yrs; James Herzog , A.M. Strobbe – 60 yrs. Congratulations to you all…Those who did not attend will receive their pins in the mail.
Christmas Party Date: The Executive Board of Local 532 will be setting a date for the Christmas Party at the upcoming monthly meeting. We will post on the website, and in the next “Current Affair” when it has been set so stay tuned!
LOCAL 532’S NEWEST APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATES:
INSIDE: Congratulations to the following members for their successful completion of the Montana Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program and graduating to the status of Journeyman Wireman (Electrician).
Jerome Bailly, Brannon Butcher, David Carroll, Leonard Cochran, Todd Higgins, Tad Hoke* (top apprentice award winner) Jamie Koch, David Morris, Luke Nelson, Ryan Ricci, Mitch Sims, Nathan Tabbert, Barry Yaeger.
REGISTRAR COMMENTS:
Once again an election season is upon us, the difference is all the rules have changed and we all need to be careful of the sources out there where we get our information to influence our votes. I won’t get into that or give my opinion. I, as the local union registrar am tasked with encouraging our members to register and vote in this election. My primary goal is to register our members and attempt to get information to each and everyone on the candidates that have in the past, or have pledged that they will support our issues when elected.
Have you moved? Married? Changed to a P.O. Box from a physical address or vice versa? Didn’t vote in the last presidential election? These are some of the many reasons that you may no longer be registered to vote. Please contact me and we can find a method of re-registering that shouldn’t be a burden on your schedule. I also would encourage everyone to sign up for a mail ballot to be sent to your house. This will give you and your family members a chance to ask questions and make an informed decision on a candidate or an issue on the ballot.
It is proven that every household has an average of 2.5 voters in that house. If our members and their families have the information and are registered we can make the difference in our future and protect the issues that concern us as working families. Please contact me or the Local Union office if you have any questions. L.U. 532 will be sending information on the endorsed candidates in the near future.
Lane Larson
(406) 256- 6316
Leave a message if I don’t answer and I will get back to you ASAP.
We as workers and working families can make a difference!
MEJATC NEWS – Training director Mitch Hegman and Instructor John Colley have both chosen to leave the MEJATC. Pat Engle has accepted the Director position as of July 2nd, and our own Steve Roll has been hired as the new instructor as of July 16th. Congratulations and good luck to both.
UPCOMING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS:
Park Coop – August 2012
Big Horn Coop – September 2012
Outside Teledata – September 2012
Project Telephone – October 2012
8th District REA – October 2012
NEW IDEAS FOR MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Local 532 is continuing to look for ways to improve membership participation and involvement. If you have any ideas, please contact the Local Union office. If you have anything you would like to see in the newsletter, i.e. classified ads, photos, comments, etc. please contact the local union office.
Facebook Page: Ok, all you social media network fans…Local 532 is now on Facebook. You can find us at IBEW 532 so get on there and “LIKE” us!
List of Donations: Several organizations have solicited donations from Local 532 this year. These are all voted upon by the membership and the larger ones need approval from our I.V.P. Here is a list of those benefactors we have given in the last 12 months: Relay for Life – $499.99; 2011 Montana Lineman’s Rodeo – $1000; Greater Yellowstone Central Labor Council (GYCLC) 2011 Labor Day Picnic – $532; Mike Mira for IBEW Int’l. Convention talent show – $449; COPE – $2500; Pete DoDa Golf Tournament – $100; March of Dimes – $500; Burlington Little League – $400; MEJATC Graduate Luncheon/Dinner – $500; SNAP: West, Senior, Skyview, Huntley Project/Shepherd – $50 per school; Big Sky Honor Flight – $500; COPE – $2500; 2012 Montana Lineman’s Rodeo – $1000; Greater Yellowstone Central Labor Council (GYCLC) 2012 Labor Day Picnic – $500.
NEW ITEMS FOR SALE:
T-Shirts (womens and mens) – We will be ordering a minimum amount of t-shirts any day now. We would like to encourage our membership to submit ideas for a Local 532 IBEW “Logo” design for the next order. Let us know what you would like to see on the next set of t-shirts.
Knives – Just received a shipment of large pocket knives engraved with the IBEW logo and “Local 532” Get yours for $25.
2011 Code Books – We have plenty on hand so save some money and purchase your copy from us for $47.00. We still have a few 2008 Code books also.
Mag Levels – 5 different degrees on this one – $32
Tic Tracers – Local 532 engraved – $11
Griz Hats (Cats hats are sold out!) – $15
ARE YOU A DELINQUENT MEMBER? – As a reminder to all of you who are constantly playing catch up with your dues – (and we have several members who are about to go 90 days in arrears at the end of July) Local 532 has set up a couple additional ways for you to keep your dues current. You may put them on a Debit/Credit card for a small fee of $2 per $40 that you charge, or you can sign up for ACH (Automated Clearing House) which will automatically withdraw one months’ dues from your checking or savings account on either the 1st or 15th of each month with processing fee. Call the hall for more information.
Gopher Visitor… We think he snuck in the back door while it was propped open for the cleaning crew one Sunday. The following Monday, after a little poking and prodding Jeff and Shelly got him out from behind a file cabinet and into this waste bin. Shelly released him back into the gopher field before Marty got to decide his fate!!