Category Archives: IBEW Local 24

ACT NOW! Support US Wind’s Permit Application To Build Facility in West Ocean City

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A rendering shows how US Wind’s proposed operations and maintenance facility
off of Harbor Road in West Ocean City is expected to look when completed.
Rendering courtesy US Wind

Support Offshore Wind Before September 30!

The Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) needs to hear from you! One of the companies that is developing offshore wind in Maryland, US Wind, has submitted a wetlands permit application for their essential operations and maintenance facility in West Ocean City. This permit will support necessary on-shore infrastructure offshore wind. The Maryland Department of Environment has thoroughly reviewed and issued a favorable recommendation for this permit. Now, it’s up to the BPW to make the final decision, and they need to hear from supporters like you before September 30!

ACT NOW

Send a message to the Board of Public Works to take a significant step
towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for our state,
based on sound science and thorough review!

BM McHale Adds LU24 Members’ Voices To Frederick Growth Limitation Conversation

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The following is the text of a letter submitted to the Frederick News Post by Local 24 Business Manager Michael McHale.

Moratorium on growth will cost Frederick County residents jobs

I am writing in response to the story about Frederick County’s proposed building moratorium (“Public hearing held on councilman’s proposal to pause growth in county,” Aug. 28).

The Frederick News-Post reported on the various views expressed in the public hearing for the proposed growth moratorium bill (Council Bill 24-12). However, the piece only gave a passing mention of the impact on Frederick County workers.

As the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 24, I’d like to highlight just how impactful a moratorium on new housing would be for our workforce.

The IBEW proudly represents over 11,000 skilled electrical professionals across the state of Maryland. More than 1,000 of our dedicated members call Frederick County home, with hundreds contributing their expertise to projects and businesses throughout the county.

Based on the fiscal note and analysis of the bill, seven pending developments would be impacted by this moratorium, totaling nearly 1,700 units. Those lost projects translate directly into lost jobs for our members — lost hours, lost wages, and lost income.

Based on our experience, lost projects would translate into hundreds of lost job opportunities. With our current wages, that would be millions of dollars in lost income for Frederick County residents.

I am excited to see our membership in Frederick County grow, and I’m proud to have an office here to better support our Frederick members.

However, that growth — both in our membership and in the opportunities for workers — will come to a standstill if the Frederick County Council moves forward with a growth moratorium ordinance.


Better Customer Service On The Way As Trustees Announce New Benefits Administrator

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Change. It is said to be one of the few constants in our lives. Some of us find it challenging to roll with the changes we encounter. Change is often for the better, and leads us to improved circumstances. Isn’t that the kind of change we all want?

The Board of Trustees of the Maryland Electrical Industry Funds (MEIF) is making that change happen now. Business Managers Rodney Rice (Local 307) and Mike McHale (Local 24) and their staffs have been listening to our members – to reports of difficulties reaching anyone at the Fund office, and dissatisfaction with the level of customer service provided.

Roughly eight months ago in response to the issues our participants were experiencing, the MEIF Trustees began a search for a new third-party benefits administrator to deliver better customer service for us. After reviewing proposals from several candidates, the Trustees selected American Benefits Corporation (ABC) as the best choice for our plans. ABC will be taking over our benefits administration, effective March 1, 2024. There is important information in the announcement below, please take a moment to read it. Change is right around the corner, and it is change for the better! Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have moved through this process. We are working every day to make these plans better for you and your families.

In response to substantial feedback from members, the MD Electrical Industry Funds Board of Trustees evaluated potential new third-party administrators. The Trustees selected American Benefit Corporation to provide excellent, personalized services to the members of I.B.E.W. Locals 24 and 307.

UPDATE: New Hiring Hall Rules Go Live 2/5/24!

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As of February 5th, 2024, our Hiring Hall Rules will have changed. Mandated by the International Office, our rules here at Local 24 now match theirs. Changes include how you register to the day book, how the Out-of-Work list works, plus edits to the Short Calls and Turndowns. Please see below for all of the outlined changes.

If you have any questions, please call (410) 247-5511 to speak to an agent.

LOCAL UNION NO. 24 Baltimore and Eastern Shore HIRING HALL RULES Effective February 5, 2024 Journeyman Wireman “J.W.”, Construction Electrician “CE” 1. Applicants for employment shall be registered by the following methods: a. In person Monday through Friday, 8:00am – close of business (except holidays) at the Baltimore or Eastern Shore office. b. All applicants must fill out a referral application in person to be registered. 2. All personnel registered on the “Out-of-Work” list shall re-sign from the 10th through 5:00pm on the 16th day of each month. Any registrant who fails to re-sign will be removed from the “Out of Work” list. Re-signs are to be completed by one of the following means: a. In person at either Hiring Hall (Baltimore or Eastern Shore) b. By mail with the approved LU#24 Baltimore Division resign cards (post marked from the 10th through the 16th of each month) c. By labor power mobile app d. Local 24 website: www.ibewlocal24.org/referral/ (For Baltimore) e. Local 24 website: www.ibewlocal24.org/referral-eastern-shore/ (For Eastern Shore) 3. Personnel calls for the following day will be posted by the following means: a. On the job hotline 410-247-5737 (For Baltimore) and Local 24 website: www.ibewlocal24.org/referral and are available for review after 6:00pm b. On the job hotline 410-742-2011 (For Eastern Shore) and Local 24 website: www.ibewlocal24.org/referral-eastern-shore and are available for review after 6:00pm 4. Personnel seeking to take an available call must sign in on the “Day Book” Monday – Friday, from 8:00am – 8:45am SHARP! Applicants seeking any available job must register by one of the following means: a. In person at either the Baltimore or Eastern Shore Hiring Hall. b. Online at www.ibewlocal24.org/referral (For Baltimore) c. Online at www.ibewlocal24.org/referral-eastern-shore (For Eastern Shore) 5. Referrals start immediately after the “Day Book” registration is complete. Referrals will then be processed in the manner of lowest number on the “Out-of-Work” list to the highest number on the “Out-of-Work” list. All personnel being referred must be registered to the “Day Book”. 6. Upon accepting the referral, the applicant must report for work on the day they receive the referral or the next business day, unless otherwise specified in the personnel request.
7. All applicants must be available by phone or in person at the Referral office to be offered a job. a. YOU MUST ENSURE YOUR PHONE NUMBER IS CORRECT. WE WILL CONTACT YOU BY PHONE TO OFFER YOU A JOB. WE WILL ATTEMPT TO REACH YOU TWICE. AFTER NO RESPONSE WE WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT APPLICANT. THE REFERRAL AGENT WILL ONLY BE MAKING OUTGOING CALLS. NO INCOMING CALLS/CALL BACKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. ONCE ALL CALLS ARE FILLED AN EMAIL WILL BE SENT OUT TO ALL APPLICANTS STATING ALL CALLS HAVE BEEN FILLED. 8. The names of the registrants shall be removed from the “Out-of-Work” list as they are referred to an Employer. Should a registrant be rejected by an Employer, the registrant shall immediately contact the Referral Office, in order to retain their position on the “Out-of-Work” list. The Referral Office will contact the Employer to verify the rejection. 9. A Registrant who is hired and is discharged through no fault of their own within 40 hours or less shall immediately contact the Referral Office and re-sign the “Out of Work” list, in order to regain their position prior to the referral on the “Out-of-Work” list. 10. Applicants referred to any employer for a short call (40 hours or less) shall not be allowed to be referred out on another advertised short call until short term opportunities have rotated through the out of work list. The next short call will start at the next available members position. 11. Registrants shall receive a maximum of 1 turndown (dings/strikes) per day. Turndowns shall be issued only to numbers 1-25 on book 1. If the calls make it to book 2, turndowns shall be issued to only numbers 1-25. This will carry to all books if calls reach them. Any job deemed having special circumstances by the Business Manager shall not constitute a turndown. (Example: an advertised short call, 2nd or 3rd shift, welder, CDL, service truck, security clearance/background check, drug test, etc.). Members working under a salting agreement shall not be subject to turndowns. Registrants will be allowed two turndowns without penalty and rolled to the back of the “Out of Work” list upon a third turndown. Being unavailable for referral for any reason when work would have been offered to a registrant shall be considered a turndown. Rejection of the registrant by an employer is not a turndown. 12. The Business Manager is responsible to fill all calls in a timely manner as needed by the Employers. a. Any and all unfilled calls that were posted will be filled at the Business Manager’s discretion. b. Also, IN AN EMERGENCY, referrals may be made outside normal hours using whatever means are available to fill calls and place registrants. Fair and Equitable means will be used but ALL CALLS will be filled.

Members Needed To Show Support For US Wind, Clean Energy Jobs

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Local 24 IBEW has been partnering with US Wind in efforts to facilitate the permitting and approval process for an offshore wind farm here in Maryland.


Your help is needed now, and we are asking Local 24 members to show up and state your support for this project at in-person and virtual meetings being held during the next 2 weeks.

In-person public meetings:
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. – Ocean City Elementary, 12828 Center Dr, Ocean City, MD 21842
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. – Indian River High School, 29772 Armory Rd, Dagsboro, DE 19939 

Virtual public meetings:
Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. 
Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. 
Registration is required for virtual public meetings – the link is below.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has done a thorough analysis of US Wind’s construction and operations plan. I support Alternative B (Proposed Action) and ask the BOEM to do the same.
As a skilled union electrician, I am qualified to perform this work. This project will provide good jobs for us and many other skilled trades in our region.

Suggested wording for comments

The in-person meetings will be like an open house, with multiple stations set up around a large room, each covering a different subject area (viewshed, birds, marine mammals, etc.). BOEM personnel will be available at each station to answer questions. There will be a separate room next to the main room for registering comments, which can be done by dictating to a BOEM staffer, or “self-service” by typing your comments into a computer or handwriting them.

Registration for the virtual public meetings is required, and can be done here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_x3ygygooTOSlnrzhiOJYPg#/registration. Please note that BOEM will call on people to testify in the order that they registered online, so please register ASAP if you do not wish to sit through hours of testimony.

Maryland Needs Larger Wind Energy Areas To Meet Climate Goals And Increase Good Jobs

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IBEW Local 24 has made a priority of supporting clean energy initiatives and preparing and training our members to meet the challenges of new energy industries. Offshore wind has been at the forefront of our efforts, and we are working hard to avert a potential setback in Maryland.

WE NEED MEMBERS TO SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT, TOO!

Find out how at the bottom of this post, and ACT NOW.

Here is what is happening. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently released the final Wind Energy Area (WEA) map for the Central Atlantic, impacting offshore wind development off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and northern North Carolina. The final map has raised concerns and poses these potential setbacks for Maryland:

  1. Decrease in Job Opportunities: The reduction in available leasing areas will lead to a decrease in
    good-paying jobs. The potential for a 5 GW increase in capacity could create 12,800 jobs, but fewer
    leases would result in a significant loss of employment opportunities.

  2. Market Favoritism towards Virginia: The final map disproportionately favors Virginia, allocating half
    of the proposed leasing area to the state. This diminishes Maryland’s potential market size, which
    negatively impacts the incentive for supply chain and manufacturing companies to establish
    operations in Maryland.

  3. Uncertainty in Meeting Clean Energy Goals: The reduction in available leasing areas poses
    uncertainty in meeting Maryland’s clean energy and carbon reduction goals, jeopardizing the state’s
    commitment to sustainable energy.

  4. Presidential Administration Change Risk: The looming risk of a change in the White House in 2024
    could halt future offshore wind development opportunities, adding unpredictability to the industry’s
    future.

  5. Increased Ratepayer Costs: Leases located farther away will incur higher costs, potentially burdening
    ratepayers.

Urging BOEM to revise their maps and provide adequate WEAs for Maryland, Business Manager Michael J. McHale has sent a statement to them, outlining the many reasons for concern.


“As the demand for clean electricity increases along the East Coast, we believe that offshore wind can be revolutionary for Maryland’s economy and the climate goals of the United States. We urge the BOEM to ensure that the development of offshore wind projects aligns with the vision of a sustainable future and continues to create new jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries within the region,” McHale said. “These jobs will play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of Baltimore Metropolitan Area residents, as well as working women and men on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This industry will contribute significantly to building middle class employment opportunities for the Mid-Atlantic Region.”

Local 24 members are asked to add your voices in support of expanding the WEAs by posting a comment before the August 31 deadline – and we are providing you an example below. Click the link now, post your comments, and support offshore wind, clean energy and good jobs for Maryland!

Don’t forget to replace the words IN BOLD with your information!

Hello, I am [INSERT NAME HERE], a member of IBEW Local Union 24 for [HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN A MEMBER HERE]. I am writing to urge the BOEM to adjust the Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) for the Atlantic Continental Shelf. With the signing of the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) Act, Maryland pledges to develop 8.5 gigawatts of energy by 2031. Currently, the WEAs are not adequate for Maryland to achieve its climate and sustainability goals, as these are estimated to only support 6GW. These WEAs will also have to be shared with neighboring states, which limits the ability for all of us to meet our goals.

This issue is also important for me because I am an Electrical [JOURNEYMAN/APPRENTICE/WORKER], and Offshore Wind in Maryland will create union jobs that will support many working families, such as my own. Diminishing the leasing areas as they are now will disrupt the industry’s investment in Maryland, and negatively affect the amount of work available for the building trades.

So I again request that BOEM expand the leasing areas of WEA B-1 and WEA A-2. Doing so will not only guarantee jobs for working individuals like me, but also keep Maryland and the United States on track to reach all of our sustainable energy goals.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME HERE]

Thank you so much for your help and your continued support.

IBEW Introduces New Government Affairs Website And Newsletter

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“American workers are the heart of the Biden-Harris administration, and the IBEW Government Affairs Newsletter reflects the multitude of ways its policies are helping the middle class prosper and grow,”

I.B.E.W. International President Kenneth Cooper

Since the earliest days of the Biden-Harris administration, the IBEW has been among the staunchest supporters of the Build America Back Better plan and has endeavored to keep members informed about the presidential administration.

To that end, a new website and newsletter have recently been developed by the IBEW Government Affairs Department. These are great new tools that IBEW members can use to stay informed about what the current administration is doing to benefit us and all working people.

Check out the August 2023 edition of the Government Affairs Newsletter or visit the new website at ibewgov.org.

In a letter to IBEW staff and business managers, International President Cooper said “Every day, President Biden recognizes the priority of American workers, collective bargaining, and the labor movement. Whether he is expressing his support for a historic organizing campaign or appointing union members as key personnel in his administration, never has a president been so public in their support of the values that the IBEW holds dear.”

Local 24’s Commitment To Green Energy And Specialized Training Will Create New Opportunities

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The content of this post was published in the August 2023 edition of the I.B.E.W. Government Affairs Newsletter, and is reprinted with permission.

New Initiative Targets Investments, Workforce Growth in Key Cities

With a $2 million grant from the Biden administration and a new state law promoting wind development, Baltimore Local 24 is on the leading edge of the growth potential of offshore wind power.

The Biden administration sees offshore wind development as critical in decarbonizing the electric grid — and the grant is among billions of dollars available to unions, private companies, colleges, and other organizations training workers nationwide to build renewable energy projects and repair aging infrastructure.

The emphasis on training and connecting workers to jobs is critical to the Biden-Harris agenda and key to recently enacted laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Maryland’s state legislature approved a bill in April to increase its offshore wind capacity to 8.5 gigawatts by2031, which is enough to power 6.3 million homes. Energy developers Orsted and US Wind plan to build offshore turbines 20 miles off the coast of Ocean City by 2026.

The grant will help beef up training for building offshore wind turbines, like water safety, CPR, and working correctly over heights. Although IBEW apprenticeships include training in many subjects, “we don’t typically work over water,” said Local 24 Membership Development Specialist Rico Albacarys.

IBEW apprentices already complete several years of supervised work experience and up to 1,000 hours of classroom training to achieve journey-level status. This global wind organization training will be a required add-on certification for the trades. “Everyone that works on the turbines will need it,” Albacarys said. “Offshore wind is a big deal for us locally.”

Now is the time for workforce training, said Baltimore Electrical JATC Training Director Neil Wilford.
The Biden administration designated Baltimore a workforce hub to provide more significant opportunities for residents and underrepresented communities to advance in good jobs and careers in growth industries. Wilford said the IBEW is among several training providers to receive federal grants through the state, including ironworkers, operating engineers, and carpenters.

To capitalize on this moment, Local 24 hired an organizer whose primary responsibility is increasing outreach to city residents, channeling those interested in pre-apprenticeships that give participants exposure to the trades and special consideration for apprenticeships, Albacarys said.

Crews are retrofitting the former Bethlehem Steel plant at Sparrows Point to produce “monopiles,” the ocean-floor bases to which the turbine towers will be secured. Production is set to start in 2025, US Wind said. The site will also stage towers and blades before moving to the offshore construction site.

As funding made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act moves through government channels, the Biden administration selected 16 cities for similar workforce development initiatives.

Local 24 Joins Celebration Of Inflation Reduction Act On Capitol Hill

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Yesterday LU24 Agent Rico Albacarys represented not only us but all of Labor on Capital Hill at the 1-year anniversary celebration of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has already created many clean energy jobs for American workers.

As Rico says in his speech, these jobs “…will provide for American families for decades to come.” Great work, Brother Albacarys!

Check out his speech here – Rico takes the podium at 35:45 of the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW7ahNYn1aI

American workers and our unions are the key to building a new energy economy, and we are ready to get to work.

Rico Albacarys, Local 24 Political Director

Join Us At Union Night Rally In Annapolis

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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. You can sign up TODAY using our online form or by calling the Hall at 410 247-5511.