Author Archives: Maggie Young

Support Needed for Baltimore Project Labor Agreement (PLA)

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Baltimore City Council is introducing Project Labor Agreement Legislation at its meeting, Monday 1/27 at 5 p.m. at the City Council Building (100 N. Holiday Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD).

The Baltimore & D.C. Building Trades is asking all construction tradespeople, especially those who live in the city of Baltimore, to attend the City Council meeting to show support for this important legislation. Please plan to come out for the meeting TONIGHT!

This legislation would require a Project Labor Agreement on city funded projects over $25 million, or any long term project that covers multiple locations over $15 million.

 

Project Labor Agreements:
  • Have been used for decades for public and private sector projects, including for significant projects in Maryland.
  • Increase project efficiency by setting uniform ground rules that apply to all contractors working on the project.
  • Help project owners ensure that all goals are met on the project and that the project is completed in a timely way.
  • Help prevent wage theft from workers, which has become an epidemic in the Construction industry.
  • Are competitive agreements that do not prevent any contractors from bidding.
  • Are a great tool for encouraging local hiring and connecting multi-employer apprenticeship programs to projects that have guaranteed work force outcomes. Project Labor Agreements help create careers for people in construction, not just jobs.

 

Project Labor Agreements DO NOT:
  • Discriminate against non-union workers. Anyone willing to work under the terms of the agreement is free to apply for work on the project. In fact, federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on whether they are union members.
  • Discriminate against non-union contractors. Any contractor is allowed to bid and be awarded work on the project. Non-union contractors are awarded work on projects covered by PLAs.
  • Project labor agreements are not “UNION ONLY.”

 

CALL TO ACTION: The Fight Is On To Protect Our Pensions

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Stephenson: ‘They Are Trying to Kill America’s Multiemployer Pension Plans’

IBEW International President Lonnie R. Stephenson is asking active and retired IBEW members to keep up the pressure on lawmakers to reject a disastrous multiemployer pension plan circulating in the Senate.

The plan, introduced by Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), is a recipe for the ruin of IBEW multiemployer pension plans, including the National Electrical Benefit Fund.

Members across the country have answered the urgent call since it went out a month ago, with hundreds of calls and meetings at Senate field offices.

“But as long as this proposal is still out there, we are not done,” Stephenson said. “We are not going to rest until this plan is officially dead.”

The white paper, titled the “Multiemployer Pension Recapitalization and Reform Plan,” is a wish list of tenets the conservatives are demanding be included in legislation to reform the multiemployer pension system, which is in crisis due to the imminent insolvency of several large plans. The failure of these plans, including Teamsters’ Central States, could threaten the security of the government insurance program that protects pensioners should their plan become insolvent, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“They claim they are trying to help troubled pensions but the truth is that they are trying to kill America’s multiemployer pension plans, including ours,” President Stephenson said in a video message to members.

One retiree from Idaho, a 35-year member, sent a letter to Sen. Mike Crapo, explaining that he and his wife – who is also a member – participate in two negotiated multiemployer defined benefit plans.

“These are plans we rely on for most of our retirement security and ours are some of the healthiest of these plans that exist,” said the Pocatello Local 449 member. “Many times, we have taken the responsible steps of increasing contributions to these plans to ensure that they have remained ‘healthy’ — investing in our futures rather than diverting our available monetary resources to wages during our negotiation process with our employer partners.”

We anticipate that the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Chuck Grassley, and the Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Lamar Alexander, will be holding hearings in the coming months on this plan.

HOW BAD IS IT?

Released November 20, 2019, the Grassley-Alexander plan would:

  • Drastically raise fees on healthy pension plans like the NEBF
  • Increase the amount of taxes retirees pay on benefits, up to 10 percent
  • Turn “green zone” (healthy) plans into “yellow” or “red” zone (endangered or critical) plans, thus forcing the reduction of benefits and increasing taxes on pensioners

Click here for more details of this plan.

IBEW RESPONSE, BY THE NUMBERS

In-person meetings, telephone calls, emails and letters as well as traditional and social media are being used to get the word out to senators. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happened so far:

  • More than 500 direct, in-person interactions with senators and in-state staff. Feedback from offices varies from “we were unaware” to “we’ll look into it” to “we’re opposed.”
  • More than 3,600 calls made to senators via the AFL-CIO hotline: (844) 551-6921
  • Kansas City, Mo., Local 124 members sent nearly 650 cards to senators opposing the plan
  • Local unions across the country have set up informational websites and are including the issue in newsletters and at local union meetings
  • IBEW members are sharing and engaging with social media posts, including the “Don’t Bankrupt my Retirement Security” meme, Electrical Worker article and a video featuring President Stephenson. The total number of people who have seen these posts is more than 500,000.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Make the IBEW’s strong opposition to the Grassley-Alexander plan known to lawmakers by:

  • Showing up at official and campaign events
  • Scheduling meetings at in-state offices
  • Calling Senate offices at (844) 551-6921. Here’s a sample script. Click here for additional talking points.
  • Sending a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper
  • Spreading the word on social media. Here’s a graphic to post under #ProtectOurPension.

Prayers for Tim Medford’s granddaughter Kayleigh Harris

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Brother Tim Medford is asking for prayers for his daughter, Megan Harris, and her family, especially granddaughter Kayleigh Harris. The entire family of five were in a terrible car accident on 12-27-2019 and they need your prayers.

As explained on the GoFundMe page established in support of their family, “Megan, Jeremy, Kayleigh, Addison, and Jeremiah were traveling north from Richmond to visit their Maryland based relatives. Less than 30 minutes into their drive, a reckless driver heading in the opposite direction lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median, and struck the Harris family’s vehicle. Their vehicle flipped several times and their oldest daughter was ejected from the vehicle.

All five were rushed to VCU hospital. The most serious of injuries fell upon the oldest daughter, Kayleigh. She’s undergone several hours of surgery thus far, and is expected to have many more surgeries. In addition to many broken bones, she has sustained severe injury to her spine resulting in paralysis. There’s much physical, occupational and mental health therapy ahead, in addition to the process of retrofitting their home to accommodate their circumstances. The costs will be tremendous.”

The Medford and Harris families would greatly appreciate your prayer support. If you would like to donate anything to the family, please see the following link.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

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Why does Santa take presents to children around the world?

Because the presents won’t take themselves!

And the members of Local 24’s Children’s Christmas Party committee like to help Santa out as much as possible with all those presents, so they are cordially inviting our members and their families to a little early gift distribution. The annual Local 24′s Children’s Christmas Party will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 10 am-2 pm at the Baltimore office (2701 W Patapsco Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230).

This event is open to all children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of active and retired members of Local 24. The festivities will include visits and photos with Santa, a toy for every child, puppet shows, and fun for the whole family. Complimentary hot dogs, french fries and soft drinks will be served.

We hope to see you and your families there!

Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate
to the Metro Baltimore Council food pantry.

RENEW and Metro Baltimore Council Collecting Food Donations

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Local 24’s RENEW committee and the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO have teamed up for a Holiday Food Drive to benefit union member families and others in our community who are experiencing challenges and could use a little help this holiday season.

The drive is ongoing through Tuesday, November 19. You can drop off donations at the Baltimore Metro Council office at 2701 W. Patapsco Avenue, 1st Floor, Baltimore, MD 21230, or you can request a donation pickup by contacting

Blaine Boone
443 889-3613
Boone410@gmail.com

OR

Tommy McLaughlin
410 247-4898
TMcLaughlin@mbaflcio.org

We challenge all Local 24 members to support the Holiday Food Drive! The members at the jobsite that collects the most items per person will get special recognition at the membership meeting on December 17, 2019 and be featured on the Local 24 website.
Please help make sure no one goes hungry this Thanksgiving.

 

If You Think Trump Is Good For Union Members, Read This

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The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) issued a report earlier this month that details numerous ways in which President Donald Trump, through his appointees on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), has weakened worker protections and rights, and given employers ever more power.

In a press release dated October 16, 2019, the EPI said

Examples of harmful actions the Trump NLRB has taken or proposed include:

  • Undermining collective bargaining rights by giving employers more power to make unilateral changes without consulting with the union, gerrymandering bargaining units to undermine organizing drives, and withdrawing recognition from existing unions
  • Stripping tens of thousands of student workers and Uber drivers of their right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act
  • Narrowing the definition of “joint employer” – which makes it harder for temporary and contract workers to bargain with the firms that control their wages and working conditions
  • Giving employers more power to prevent workers and union organizers from organizing and protesting on the employer’s property, even when employers let other groups on their property to solicit

“The Trump NLRB has systematically rolled back workers’ right under the NLRA and they show no sign of slowing down,” said Lynn Rhinehart, one of the report’s authors. “Congress has a responsibility to hold the NLRB accountable for their actions, and policymakers should pass legislation to restore and strengthen workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain.”

You can read the entire report and decide for yourself.

UNPRECEDENTED_The Trump NLRB’s attack on workers’ rights

The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank created in 1986 to include the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions. EPI believes every working person deserves a good job with fair pay, affordable health care, and retirement security. To achieve this goal, EPI conducts research and analysis on the economic status of working America. EPI proposes public policies that protect and improve the economic conditions of low- and middle-income workers and assesses policies with respect to how they affect those workers.

 

Important Reminder: For 100% COVERAGE Of Flu Shot Cost, Use SavRx Benefit

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It’s well into that time of year – when there are signs everywhere encouraging you to get your flu shot. Don’t forget that coverage for your flu shot was changed this year, and now the cost of your flu vaccine is covered 100% if the claim is filed through your prescription benefit provider, SaveRx.

This change went into effect on September 1, 2019 and our health & welfare benefits administrator, Maryland Electrical Industry Funds, sent the notification letter below to all participants in mid-August.

 

It is important to note that if the flu shot is given to you at your physician’s office and the flu vaccine is not purchased through SaveRx, the claim will be processed under your major medical coverage and you will be responsible for part of the cost, as specified in the notification letter.

 

 

Important Dates To Put On Your Calendar

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A vote will be held at the membership meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 to decide where to put the $1.00 wage/fringe increase (Baltimore Inside Agreement) due December 1, 2019. Please make every effort to attend and participate in the allocation of this increase. (Only Active members are eligible to vote.) The meeting is at 7 p.m.

The December membership meeting has been moved to December 17, 2019 at 7 p.m. -Due to the regular meeting date falling on Christmas Eve this year, we have been granted permission to reschedule the meeting by the 4th District International Vice President, Brian Malloy. Please plan to attend; we will have light refreshments after the meeting.

Congratulations, Class of 2019!

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It takes 5 years of on-the-job training, combined with classes, homework and tests to make an I.B.E.W. inside journeyman wireman. Many candidates can’t or don’t make it through our apprenticeship program – but these 46 men and women have crossed the finish line!

Congratulations to each of our 2019 graduates, who received their certificates from IBEW Local 24 Business Manager Pete Demchuk, Maryland Acting Secretary of Labor James Rzepkowski, and Will Yull, MD National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Representative.

Several of the graduates were also recognized for their excellence in grades and attendance. Awards for highest total grades went to Chloe Alexandra Starcher in the Baltimore program and Dylan McNeil Brooks in the Eastern Shore program. Jonathan Patrick McLaughlin was recognized as the Outstanding Apprentice in the class of 2019. Perfect attendance awards were earned by Dustin Frederick Guthmann, Jonathan Patrick McLaughlin, Eric Michael Milstred, Michael Eric Panza, James Maurice Peele, Jr., Kirk Andrew Shiloh, and Michael Nicholas Tarbert.

The Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee for the Maryland Electrical Industry is sponsored by IBEW Local 24 and the Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Electrical Contractors.

Click on our Facebook link in the upper right corner of this page to view and share photos from the graduation ceremony and learn more about our training opportunities here.

 

 

BALTIMORE ELECTRICAL GRADUATES

Nicholas Andrew Boddiford Dustin Frederick Guthmann James Maurice Peele, Jr.
Nong Emmanuel Bouh Brice John Hartsell Charles David Phoebus
Tobias David Eintou Brown Daniel Douglas Hayes Benjamin Cody Rixham
Jason Richard Carr Donald Oswaldo Herrera Joseph Elmer Sank
Timothy Dale Cox, Jr. Brandon Norwood Hofler Michael Charles Selander
Anthony Vincent DiVenanzio Zachary Michael Hynson Kirk Andrew Shiloh
Patrick Galbert Dolan Joseph Louis Iobbi Chloe Alexandra Starcher
Shane Tyler Duncan Shane Benjamin Keene Andrew Thomas Stark
Jonathan Logan Ebberts Raymond John Kilstrom, Jr. Kevin Matthew Strickland
Devan Keith Feathers Jonathan Patrick McLaughlin Michael Nicholas Tarbert
Anthony Joseph Feltz Odakwei Kofi Tendayi Mills Cory James Whidby
Adam Edward Geier Eric Michael Milstred Alec Steven Wolinski
Jesse James Glackin Nathan Urian Moser
Richard Allen Golliday Michael Eric Panza
Markist Boyce Goode Angelo Paraskevaidis

 

EASTERN SHORE ELECTRICAL GRADUATES

Dylan McNeil Brooks Matthew Thomas Reed Joseph Christian Shipley

 

Retirees Plan Ballpark Tour At Oriole Park

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Members of the Baltimore Retired Members Club (RMC) have arranged for a behind-the-scenes tour of Oriole Park at Camden Yard on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

The cost of the tour is $10 per person. Plan to arrive between 10:00 – 10:15 AM and the tour will begin at 10:30 AM. Lunch (buy your own) to follow at 12 noon right there at Dempsey’s in the warehouse. (Parking is free if the group eats there.)

Come see Oriole Park at Camden Yards from a whole new perspective. All of the areas visited are accessible to all. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes:

The Orioles dugout

The Press Levels

The Scoreboard Control Room

Suite Level

Orioles Legends Park

Eutaw Street

An RSVP is required for this trip,
by Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
Call Marc Ferretto at 443 622-7818 to join this outing.