Author Archives: Maggie Young

Annual Family Picnic Is Sunday, August 11

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Get your tickets now, for a fun-filled day with your family and your fellow Local 24 members. Our Annual Family Picnic will be held at Conrad’s Ruth Villa and will feature games and fun activities for all ages and lots of tasty food.

 

Tickets are $10 for members or $25 for member + family.

All requests for tickets must be postmarked no later than Monday, July 22, 2024.

If purchasing tickets in person, at the union hall, tickets must be purchased by Friday, July 26, 2024.

NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for these deadlines.

 

Credit card payment will be accepted for tickets.

 

If you have not received your order form in the mail, or you have other questions, please call the Hall at 410 247-5511.

Local 24 Scholarship Applications Have Been Mailed

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Business Manager Mike McHale is pleased to announce that the IBEW Local 24 Scholarship Fund will again be awarding scholarships this year. Information packages including application forms have been mailed to all active members.

All active members in good standing and their dependents, who are enrolled or will be enrolled in an institution of higher education, are eligible to apply. Scholarship applications must be postmarked before September 1, 2022.

Scholarship winners will be selected randomly from the pool of qualified applicants. This is an equal opportunity scholarship. The award is to be considered without regard to race, gender, religion, age or disability or any other consideration prohibited by law.

Scholarships are not need-based, and applicants do not need to meet a certain income level to qualify for the scholarships.

Please contact Neil Wilford at 410 247-3313 or ibewlocal24scholarships@gmail.com if you have any questions.

What Matters To You? Take The Union Member Survey To Weigh In

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Union members worked together across the labor movement to win many important victories for working people last year. We secured historic funding and investment in our nation’s infrastructure, saved our pensions, and unleashed a wave of union organizing.

Passing pro-worker laws will strengthen us at the bargaining table so we can care for ourselves and our families.

Union members need to be talking to each other about the issues so we can work together to advance our shared agenda. That’s why we’re asking: “What do you care about?” Right now, it might be your cost of living, as we all experience skyrocketing prices at the gas station and in the grocery store. The graphic below illustrates some of the factors leading to rising costs, and how a working people’s agenda can help fix them.

You can tell us what your priorities are in less than 5 minutes. Complete the survey and together we can improve the lives of working people across the country!

Local 24 Election Will Take Place On Saturday, June 18, 2022, 9 am – 5 pm

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Members in good standing and qualified to vote who expect to be unable to visit the polls on election day, may at any time within 30 days but not less than 5 days prior to the date of the election, make an application in writing to the Election Board for an absentee ballot.

2022 Application for Absentee BallotDownload

All requests for absentee ballots MUST be mailed to:

Election Board

P.O. Box 7349

Halethorpe, Maryland 21227

NO other requests for absentee ballots will be accepted!

It’s OK to Discuss Mental Health

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Bringing up the topic of mental health to someone can seem intimidating. You may feel uncomfortable, unsure of what to say or be afraid of offending them. And yet, these discussions are key to reducing stigma and breaking down barriers that keep individuals from seeking support and treatment. Take the first step towards becoming more comfortable discussing mental health by watching the short flash course, “Start the Conversation.” Afterwards, explore some of the tips below for helpful word choices and conversation starters.

  1. Ask, “Are you okay?” Sometimes, asking someone how they feel can open the door to providing support. Rather than immediately asking about a difficult subject matter that may make someone uncomfortable, this simple check-in can help all parties ease into the conversation.
  2. Avoid stigmatized word choices. Choosing words wisely can help with expressing thoughts and ideas respectfully. Certain words and phrases such as “addict,” “crazy,” or “suffering from” have negative connotations that reinforce mental health stigma. Instead, opt for neutral word choices such as “experiencing” or “has a history of.”
  3. Say, “I’ve noticed that…” Open the conversation by explaining behavior changes you’ve noticed. Then, express genuine concern and really listen to the other party’s response. Use the technique of repeating back what you’ve heard to ensure your understanding is clear.
  4. Use “person-first” language. People are not defined by their mental illness. Instead of saying “someone is mentally ill,” which equates person and illness, use person-first language such as “someone has mental illness.” If you’re not sure what word choices might be best, ask the other person. Follow their lead and ask for their guidance if you have concerns.
  5. Show empathy and offer support. This might seem intuitive, but showing respect, compassion and empathy for someone’s feelings can help them feel understood and be more willing to share. Try responding with phrases such as, “that sounds hard to manage” or “I’m sorry things are difficult right now.” Watch for reactions during the discussion and slow down or back up if the person seems upset or confused.

1in5.info

The 1 in 5 campaign focuses on normalizing the need for mental health resources and removing stigma for those who want to access care. Increasing comfort and confidence with talking about mental health concerns is key to reducing stigma. Visit the 1 in 5 website at www.1in5.info to explore a variety of helpful resources including flash courses, educational tip sheets, a mental health self-assessment, external links to podcasts and more.

Need further support? For confidential guidance and resources to help with life’s stressors, contact SupportLinc EAP by calling 1-888-881-5462.

U.S. Rep. David Trone Visits Cumberland Electrical Training Center

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Congressman David Trone, who represents Maryland’s 6th District, was in Cumberland earlier this week to tour IBEW Local 307’s training center. Local 24 Business Manager Mike McHale joined Congressman Trone and Rodney Rice, business manager for Local 307, to discuss work opportunities in Frederick and Washington counties.

As an advocate for apprenticeships and a supporter of the IBEW, Rep. Trone has made it a point to tour several of the IBEW/NECA training centers in Maryland. He is a familiar face to the IBEW’s local leaders in and near his district, and has established strong lines of communication with them.

In addition to his notable support of unions and working families, Rep. Trone has prioritized helping families with addiction issues. Visit Congressman Trone’s website to find out more.

Congressman David Trone (center) with Business Managers Rodney Rice (IBEW 307) and Michael McHale (IBEW 24).

Sen. Van Hollen spotlights wins for unions achieved by Pres. Biden and Congress

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On the eve of President Biden’s State of the Union address to the nation, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has released a summary of key accomplishments for labor delivered by President Biden and Congress. It outlines significant progress and gains for union workers in several areas, as reprinted below.

Protecting pensions: The American Rescue Plan included vitally needed relief for multiemployer pension plans that were facing insolvency.


• The program will provide an estimated $94 billion in assistance to more than 200 eligible plans that are severely underfunded, preventing pension cuts for 1.3 million Americans.


• These protections help promote the continued availability of multiemployer pensions for the 10 million Americans in these plans.

Creating infrastructure jobs with high labor standards: This landmark investment in our nation’s infrastructure creates good-paying union jobs for workers across the country.

• Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements ensure that these jobs come with fair pay.

• President Biden’s executive order implementing the law prioritizes “prevailing wages and the free and fair chance to join a union.”

Mandating project labor agreements: President Biden signed an executive order at a union training center requiring the use of Project Labor Agreements for federal construction projects over $35 million.

• Project labor agreements are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements that set standards for all workers on a project, which alleviates coordination challenges that can stymie progress.

• This order is estimated to cover $262 billion in federal government construction contracting and improve job quality for the nearly 200,000 workers on federal construction contracts.

Expanding quality apprenticeships: President Biden and Congress expanded apprenticeships and reversed efforts to weaken quality controls for apprenticeship programs.

• The bipartisan infrastructure law includes new funding for apprenticeships to create pipelines for workers into union jobs.

• President Biden repealed an executive order from President Trump that would have weakened apprenticeship standards with a new category of “Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs” that lacked the rigor of traditional registered apprenticeships.

Strengthening Buy American rules: New requirements will ensure that federal investments are carried out with American manufacturing and workers.

• President Biden signed an executive order to increase the domestic content requirements for federal procurement, and to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical products.

• The bipartisan infrastructure law includes comprehensive Buy American requirements for iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials.

Repealing anti-union executive orders: President Biden repealed several anti-union executive orders issued by President Trump that targeted federal employees.

• One of the repealed executive orders would have eliminated civil service protections for workers classified under a new “Schedule F”.

• Three other repealed executive orders had sharply limited the Official Time with which unions can represent workers, curtailed the collective bargaining process, and reduced protections against unwarranted discipline or termination.

Standing up for workers: When he came into office, President Biden signed an executive order stating that it is the policy of the federal government to, “encourage union organizing and collective bargaining.” Since then, President Biden and Congress have taken action to ensure that the laws on the books to protect workers are actually enforced on the job site.

• Marty Walsh, a longtime union member and leader, is now the Secretary of Labor.

• David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox are now Members of the National Labor Relations Board, and NLRB has acted more strongly to protect workers under their leadership.

• President Biden fired the Trump-appointed General Counsel at the NLRB, Peter Robb, who used his position to attack workers and unions. The new General Counsel is Jennifer Abruzzo, who brings union experience to the role and is already taking action to reinvigorate NLRB enforcement of laws prohibiting unfair labor practices.

• The American Rescue Plan included $200 million in new funding for the agencies charged with enforcing worker protection laws, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Wage and Hour Division, and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.

Developing a comprehensive action plan to support workers: President Biden created the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, which released a report providing 70 recommendations approved by President Biden that promote worker organizing and collective bargaining. These actions, all of which are consistent with laws already on the books, include the following:

• Making sure that workers know their rights to organize and bargain collectively.

• Doing more to protect workers against retaliation for organizing.

• Ensuring that federal contractors do not spend taxpayer dollars on anti-union campaigns.

• Using the Department of Labor to provide resources on the advantages of unionization, for the use of any agency, worker, or business seeking to communicate the benefits of worker organizing.

Call To Action: Speak Out To Support Voting Rights

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There is nothing more fundamental in a democracy than a right to vote. At this moment, that right – and our democracy itself – is under attack. In a recent letter to all IBEW members, International President Lonnie Stephenson urged everyone to raise their voices to protect voting rights.

The Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are pieces of legislation would protect the right of every American to cast our vote and have that vote counted.

Stephenson’s message said “We are not going to sit on the sidelines and wait for members of Congress to get around to passing it— and that’s where you come in. Please go to IBEWaction.org and call your member of the Senate and ask them for their commitment to vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

As IBEW Secretary-Treasurer Kenny Cooper has said, your member of Congress tolerates our staff in Washington. But they care about their constituents. Now is the time once again to make the voice of the IBEW heard on Capitol Hill.”