Author Archives: Maggie Young

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! Protect Our Apprenticeship Program

Posted on by

It only takes 5 minutes to click on the link below and tell the U.S. Labor Department not to destroy our apprenticeship program!

www.saveIBEWapprenticeships.org

The I.B.E.W., along with many other building trade unions, have created apprenticeship programs that produce tradespeople with the best training and most up-to-date technical knowledge in their fields. These programs are registered with, and overseen by, state and federal Labor Departments in order to guarantee that standards remain high and curriculum keeps pace with industry advancement.  Our apprenticeship programs are the key to allowing our union, our contractors and our members to continue to thrive in a healthy and growing electrical industry.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is finalizing a regulation that will allow companies and industries to establish and recognize their own “apprenticeship programs” that would not be closely monitored and regulated by the DOL. These Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs, or IRAPs, are one of the latest examples of allowing the foxes to guard the henhouse. Companies will be free to cut corners and lower standards in the name of increasing their profits.

Currently, the construction industry is excluded from the new IRAP regulation, and we want to make sure our industry is excluded from the final version, too.

PLEASE click on the link above and use our quick and easy tool to send a letter to the DOL, telling them that you think IRAPs should be kept out of the construction industry.

The future of our apprenticeship programs
DEPENDS ON YOU!

Apprenticeship Programs Under Attack – ACT NOW To Support Our Training Programs

Posted on by

 

IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson has issued a call for all IBEW members and their families and friends to mobilize in support of our apprenticeship training programs. These programs are in danger of being undercut by a proposed Department of Labor (DOL) regulation called Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP).

“This proposal establishes a system in which a non-union contractor could recognize its own “apprenticeship program” that would not be subject to many of the same requirements that our DOL-recognized apprenticeships are,” President Stephens said in a letter to all IBEW Business Managers.

“At this time, the construction industry is temporarily exempted from the proposal,” Stephens continued. “However, I am very concerned that this exemption will not be part of the final regulation.”

Along with President Stephens, Local 24 Business Manager Pete Demchuk is asking that all members, regardless of classification, submit comments to the DOL in support of making the construction industry exemption permanent. You can do that in 5 easy steps by going to

www.saveIBEWapprenticeships.org

Building trades unions and our contractor partners spend millions of dollars every year creating the best-trained workforce in the world. Our programs train 75% of all construction apprentices in the U.S. IBEW members complete projects in a safe, efficient manner, using craftsmanship learned through our DOL registered training programs. Don’t let non-union contractors drag down our training and apprenticeship standards!

“While this proposed regulation directly impacts all members of the construction branch, it indirectly impacts all members, their families, and friends. The IBEW prides itself on its electrical ALLIANCE training programs. These programs have graduated hundreds of thousands of journeyman wiremen and journeyman linemen. These individuals are our members; each day they perform their jobs safely and efficiently. They are in part responsible for ensuring our country’s critical infrastructure and emergency response systems are powered. Their training allows them to do so and impacts us all,” Stephens concluded.

 

 

URGENT – Wednesday, July 10 – Rally With Us For Pension Protection!

Posted on by

Local 24’s leadership is gathering as many people as possible to participate in a rally at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 9 a.m. The rally is in support of H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, which would establish a safety net for pension plans that are struggling.

Local 24 members are fortunate to be part of a pension plan that is healthy, properly funded and in the “green” zone. However, union members across the country are facing a national crisis as more than a hundred multiemployer pension plans face the threat of collapse within the next 10 years.

H.R. 397 establishes the Pension Rehabilitation Administration within the Department of the Treasury and a related trust fund to make loans to certain multiemployer defined benefit pension plans.

To receive a loan, a plan must be either in critical and declining status (including any plan with respect to which a suspension of benefits has been approved) or insolvent, if the plan became insolvent after December 16, 2014, and has not been terminated.

Treasury must issue bonds to fund the loan program and transfer amounts equal to the proceeds to the trust fund established by this bill. The Pension Rehabilitation Administration may use the funds, without a further appropriation, to make loans, pay principal and interest on the bonds, or for administrative and operating expenses.

WE NEED YOU to stand with your labor brothers and sisters and millions of Americans facing an uncertain future as their retirement security is threatened through no fault of their own.

PLEASE CALL THE HALL TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT RALLY  – 410 247-5511

Local 24 Leadership Re-elected

Posted on by

On Saturday, June 15, 2019, Local 24 I.B.E.W. held its triennial election for all local leadership positions, as well as delegates to the I.B.E.W. International Convention. The election results were announced in the letter below, mailed to all Local 24 members.

These local leaders will be sworn in at the regular membership meeting on July 23, 2019 at 7 pm.

Midwest Flooding Impact On Sav-RX Is Minimal

Posted on by

Our prescription drug service, Sav-Rx, has notified us that the catastrophic flooding in the Midwest should not delay the delivery of any of your orders.

However, you may experience a bit longer wait time if you call their customer service – sadly, many Sav-Rx employees’ homes have been damaged and their call center is operating with a reduced workforce.

Deals On Tools, Boots And Workwear Highlight Annual Substance Testing Event

Posted on by

 

The annual testing for the Local 24/N.E.C.A. Substance Abuse Program is quickly approaching and your drug-free card may be due to expire. The following dates have been scheduled for the testing of Journeyman Wireman, Apprentices, VDV, CW and CE classifications:

THURSDAY         MARCH 21, 2019, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
FRIDAY                 MARCH 22, 2019, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
SATURDAY          MARCH 23, 2019, 8:00 – 11:00 AM
All testing on Saturday will be held at the Electrical Training Center

All Apprentices and CW’s will be tested at Electrical Training Center, 2699 W. Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, MD. 21230.
Journeyman, VDV, and CE’s will be tested at the Union Hall, 2701 West Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230.

 This program is mandatory for the Apprentices and CW’s and voluntary for all others. If you wish to test at a time or site more convenient to your schedule or home please contact Mobile Medical Corp. @ 877-201-7474 to schedule your test. On any job where substance abuse testing is required, you must have a current Local 24/N.E.C.A. Card. If you were selected for a random test during the course of the year, you are not required to test again for one year from the random testing date.

For Local 24 members that participate in the Drug Free Program on these dates or have a current Drug Free Card, there will be cash only Tool/Boot Sale held in conjunction with the testing. The tools and steel-toed boots sale will be located at the Training Center on the same dates and times as the testing. The prices of all tools and steel-toed work boots have been subsidized by the Maryland Electrical Industry Labor Management Cooperative Committee (MEILMCC). Enclosed is a list of tools and steel-toed work boots with prices.

Again this year Carhartt products and accessories will be sold at discounted prices in the Training Center. A portion of sales benefit the 24Brotherhood Fund.

Should you have any questions regarding the testing or the program procedures, please contact John Rankin at the Local Union Office, 410-247-5511. Apprentices and CW’s should contact the JATC Training Center at 410-247-3313.

March 25th Is Labor Night In Annapolis

Posted on by
***IMPORTANT UPDATE***
If you are planning to catch up with us in Annapolis rather than take a bus from the Union Hall,
the location has changed.
MEET ON SOUTHEAST LAWN AT CORNER OF BLADEN & CALVERT ST. ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401

 

Local 24 IBEW is proud to take part in Union Night in Annapolis, when our members engage with Maryland’s elected officials and express support or opposition for legislation that is being considered by the General Assembly.

Union Night is an annual event organized by the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO and the Baltimore/D.C. Building Trades Union. It brings together members of many unions, both public and private sector.

Check out the flyer below for more information. Local 24 provides buses for transport from the union hall to Lawyer’s Mall.

 

 

Construction Electricians (CEs) New Referral Policy Goes Into Effect On January 1st

Posted on by

Beginning in 2019, Local 24 Construction Electricians (CEs) will follow the same hiring hall rules as our Journeyman Wiremen (JWs). Available jobs for CEs will be announced on the jobline (410 247-5737) and filled using the daybook process.

Members were notified of this change in the following letter from Business Manager Pete Demchuk, which was mailed to members’ homes in late November. Below the letter, you will find links to the complete referral policies for Baltimore and the Eastern Shore. If you have any questions, please call the Hall at 410 247-5511.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This letter is to inform you of a few changes to the Local 24 Hiring Hall rules that will only affect Construction Electricians in Baltimore and Eastern Shore.

The ENCLOSED REVISED HIRING HALL RULES will go into effect January 1, 2019. (Construction Electrician’s) “CE’S”, will now follow the same Referral Policy as the Journeyman Wireman. Manpower request for Construction Electrician’s will be posted on the job line and will be filled the following business day. Please read them carefully and should you have any questions contact me or one of the agents in the hall.

I will continue to monitor the “out of work” list and will continue to get our people to work in the electrical industry. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you for support in this matter.

Fraternally yours,

Peter P. Demchuk

Business Manager

Effective January 1, 2019 Baltimore HIRING HALL RULES

Effective January 1, 2019 Eastern Shore HIRING HALL RULES

Your Flu Shot Is Covered – Protect Your Health!

Posted on by

 

Your good health is precious to you, and to all the people who depend on you, too!

Local 24 wants to make sure you know that flu shots are covered by our insurance plans.

In fact, the shots are covered in 2 different ways, so you and your family have the most flexibility in how and where you get vaccinated against the flu.

 

Flu Vaccination Options

Get your flu shot at your doctor’s office. The doctor will submit a claim to our health insurance (CareFirst BC/BS) and provided your yearly deductible has been met, insurance will pay 80% of the cost of the shot and you will be responsible for paying the remaining 20%.

OR

Get your flu shot at your local pharmacy. The pharmacy will submit a claim to our prescription insurance (SavRX). Your out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine will be $15 or 25% of the cost, whichever is greater.