Category Archives: IBEW Local 24

Your Flu Shot Is Covered – Protect Your Health!

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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.

URGENT! Act Now To Protect Your Pension

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November 29, 2018

Dear Sisters & Brothers:

Important information about the attack on our Pensions!

National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF) and/or Maryland Electrical Industry Pension Fund (MEIPF).

These pensions are considered Multi-Employer Pensions. The NEBF & MEIPF are in good condition (green zone), and there are others that are not (yellow, red, critical and declining status). It is estimated there are 100 or so pensions in trouble, and 1200 that are adequately funded. The U.S. Congress and Senate put together a Joint Select Committee on Multi-Employer Pension Plans in February of 2018 to investigate how to help the troubled plans, and how to help the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC). The Congressional Budget Office or similar predict the PBGC will be defunct by 2025. We questioned why/how these plans became troubled? The answer we received, “changes in the industry”, Teamsters- deregulation of the trucking industry, Coal miners- shift to clean energy, Baker & Confectionary Workers – automation & plants relocated due to sugar cost.

The early stages of the discussion centered on Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio’s proposal of a loan program to help the troubled plans. This is similar to what was done for the auto industry and Wall Street; this would also provide relief for the PBGC. Recently a Republican proposal was put forth designed to raise $3 billion annually out of the “healthy” multiemployer funds, to support participants in “failing” plans. This would force our plans into yellow zone.

IBEW Business Mangers and trustees from around the country were in Washington D.C. on November 28th telling the legislators this is WRONG! We can give hundreds of billions of dollars to bail out corporate America. Why can’t Congress appropriate $3-6 billion to working men and women who elected to take money from their paychecks and fund their pensions in order to retire with dignity!

 

WHAT MUST WE DO AS MEMBERS AND RETIREES?

WE MUST ACT NOW!

The proposal from the committee is due to Congress by December 1, 2018. It is believed that the Republicans want to insert this in the “Omnibus bill” (the bill that funds the Federal Government for the year) before the Democrats take control of the house.

EVERYONE MUST CALL, EMAIL, or Both the members of the Joint Select Committee on Multi-Employer Pension Plans AND your Senator and Congress member.

“Tell them to keep their hand off your Pension. If they can give a TRILLION dollar tax break to the 1%, they can help the troubled plans.” Remind them that the PEOPLE elect them to the offices they hold not the Corporations. Ask them why they want to burden the healthy plans and force them into insolvency?

 

Here is a list of the Committee Members phone and web addresses along with a list of Maryland’s Senator and Congress members.

Senate:

Orin Hatch Tel: (202) 224-5251 www.hatch.senate.gov
Sherrod Brown: (202) 224-2315 www.brown.house.gov
Lamar Alexander: (202) 224-4944 www.alexander.senate.gov
Joe Manchin: (202) 224-3954 https://www.manchin.senate.gov
Mike Crapo: (202) 224-6142 https://www.crapo.senate.gov
Heidi Heitkamp: (202)224-2043 https://heitkamp.senate.gov

Rob Portman: (202) 224-3353 https://portman.senate.gov

Tina Smith: (202) 224-5641 https://www.smith.senate.gov

House:
Virginia Foxx: (202) 225-2071 https://foxx.house.gov
Richard Neal (202) 225-5601 https://neal.house.gov
Phil Roe: (202) 225-6356 https://roe.house.gov
Bobby Scott (202) 225-8351 https://bobbyscott.house.gov
Vern Buchanan: (202) 225-5015 https://buchanan.house.gov
Donald Norcross: (202) 225-6501 https://norcross.house.gov
David Schweikert: (202) 225-2190 https://schweikert.house.gov
Debbie Dingell: (202) 225-4071 https://debbiedingell.house.gov

 

Maryland Representatives:

1st Andy Harris (202) 225-5311 https://harris.house.gov

2nd Dutch Ruppersberger (202) 225-3061 https://ruppersberger.house.gov

3rd John Sarbanes (202) 225-4016 https://sarbanes.house.gov

4th Anthony Brown (202) 225-8699 https://anthonybrown.house.gov

5th Steny Hoyer (202) 225-4131 https://hoyer.house.gov

6th John Delaney (202) 225-2721 https://delaney.house.gov

7th Elijah Cummings (202) 225-4741 https://cummings.house.gov

8th Jamie Raskin (202) 225-5341 https://raskin.house.gov

Maryland Senators:

Ben Cardin (202) 224-4524 https://www.cardin.senate.gov

Chris Van Hollen (202) 224-4654 https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov

 

The following information is from the International Office which describes how these changes will affect the NEBF; they will impact The Maryland Plan similarly!

I. New Taxes and Fees on Workers and Retirees

  • The plan will create a tax on retirees’ pensions – 0% for Green Plans, 2% for Yellow Plans, 3% for Red Plans, 4% for Declining and Insolvent Plans and 6% for Plans with Liability Removal.
    National Electric Benefit Fund (NEBF) beneficiaries would pay $20-$30 million annually if the fund is moved to the Yellow or Red Zone.
  • The proposal creates a new $2 per active worker per month fee on unions AND employers.
    This fee will cost the IBEW over $6 million annually.
  • The plan changes the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)’s per participant annual premium from the current flat fee of $28 to a variable premium of $50-$150, with an average of $100 per participant.
    The new variable premium could cost the NEBF upwards of $55 million a year in additional premiums.

II. New Requirements on Multiemployer Plans

  • The Republican Proposal creates a prescribed discount rate capped at the corporate long bond rate + 2% for all plans. (Approximately 6.5%).
    A prescribed discount rate is very concerning due to the significant changes in interest rates, thereby making long-term budgeting more difficult and could potentially put a heavy burden on the NEBF. For example, a mere 0.25% decrease in the NEBF’s discount rate from 7.5% to 7.25% would increase unfunded liabilities by $500 million. Moving it from green to yellow zone.
  • The proposal would require pension funds to subtract their credit balance from plan assets in determining a plan’s zone status.
    Use of credit balances are a common industry practice that help pension funds accurately conduct long-term planning. Excluding credit balance from assets would significantly impact the NEBF, most likely moving the fund from a Green to Yellow Zone plan.
  • The proposal would eliminate asset smoothing, which are used to by fund actuaries to smooth out short-term fluctuations in market values.

III. Future for Currently Failing Plans

  • The proposal will partition failing funds that will place orphan participants’ under the PBGC.
  • The PBGC will guarantee orphaned participants maximum of $70 per month per years of service.
  • The federal Treasury will transfer up to $3 billion annually into the PBGC, depending on the level of funding needed to support partitioned participants.
  • The non-partitioned participants will stay in their pension fund and need to meet the requirements above.
  • The partitioning program and orphan participant adoption under the PBGC will be a one-time occurrence.

 

Fraternally,

Peter P. Demchuk

Business Manager

PPD:mgs

opeiu #2

AFL-CIO

Membership Meeting Scheduled For December 18

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Since the fourth Tuesday of December is Christmas, the regular membership meeting has been rescheduled. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 18 at 7 p.m., and the RENEW committee will meet at 5 p.m. Please set a reminder or note on your calendar so you don’t forget. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Long-time Members Recognized At Membership Meeting

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Several Local 24 Brothers recently celebrated significant service anniversaries and were presented with their pins and certificates at the regular membership meeting in August. We thank them for their many years of loyalty and congratulate them on their long and successful careers. Cheers to all!

45 Year Members Lawrence S. Miller and David P. Hilker, flanked by Local 24 President John Rankin (L) and Business Manager Pete Demchuk (R).

40 Year Members Joseph G. Ross IV and James T. Loftis, Jr.

35 Year Members Alfred D. King, Sr. and Kevin J. Carlin

 

 

These loyal members opted to be among their union brothers and sisters as they were recognized for their long-time allegiance to IBEW Local 24. Local 24 President John Rankin and Business Manager Pete Demchuk were pleased to acknowledge these brothers and publicly present them with their milestone service pins and certificates at the May 2018 regular membership meeting.

 

The certificates that each member received reads:

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in sincere affection and deep gratitude,
presents this citation and pin in honor of loyal and faithful years of membership in our Brotherhood.

RENEW Cornhole Tournament

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Little bags of corn were flying across the blacktop at 2701 W. Patapsco Avenue on a recent weekend, as Local 24’s RENEW committee hosted its 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament on the afternoon of Saturday, September 22, 2018. The event drew 12 teams of fierce competitors along with lots of interested spectators.

THE VICTORS! (from left) Runners-Up Joe Doty and Nick Lynne, Jeff our friendly Milwaukee Tool rep, and Tournament Champs Ray Gregory and Dennis Barnhardt.

When the tossing was done, the team of Dennis Barnhardt and Ray Gregory were at the top of the leader board and claimed the victory. They were rewarded with a cash prize of 50% of the entry fees (the other 50% went to event expenses and the RENEW treasury) and 2 quality laptop backpacks donated by the fine folks at Milwaukee Tools.

Hard on their heels was the runner-up team, Joe Doty and Nick Lynne. Their prize was 2 sets of vehicle floormats, also provided by Milwaukee Tools. Every entrant got a Milwaukee Tools swag bag, as well as plenty of burgers and dogs and a good time.

RENEW is an organization specifically focused on our members who are age 35 and under. The mission of the Reach out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers (RENEW) initiative is to inspire the next generation of IBEW workers to become active in their local union by focusing on issues important to younger workers, providing education about the IBEW and the labor movement, and fostering relationships with members and local union leadership.

Local 24’s RENEW committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, the same day as the regular membership meeting. RENEW meets at 5 pm and the membership meeting is at 7 pm. The next planned RENEW activity is a community service project in honor of Veteran’s Day. Members will be working with a veterans’ charity organization for that event. To get more details, follow Ibew Renew Baltimore on Facebook.

 

 

Apprenticeship Graduation – July 2018

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Local 24 proudly welcomed 51 members to their new status of Journeyman Wireman, at the apprenticeship graduation ceremony held on July 20, 2018. After five demanding years of on-the-job training and classroom instruction, the members listed below have “topped out”.

In addition, three members completed our 3-year Voice/Data/Video Telecommunications program, and have earned the classification of Telecommunications Installation Technician.

We extend our very best wishes to all for rewarding careers!

 

BALTIMORE ELECTRICAL GRADUATES

Michael James Anderson Andrii Gnatyshyn River Scott Miller
Christopher Nathan Ardoin Brent Allen Guthrie Patrick David Morris
Christopher Michael Baker Paul Richard Harris Russell Duke Murray
Jake Nicholas Beckman John Edward Johnson Kyle Patrick O’Connor
William Ringold Blake IV Aaron Patrick Keaney Kyle Martin Orndorff
Blaine Carroll Boone Timothy Lamar Kearney Kwenton Denzel Porter
Eric Joseph Carter Joseph Thomas Landers IV Deon’Ta William Reed
Russell William Colvin Michael Craig Lipford Jeffrey Aaron Smith
Francis Marion Cwik, Jr. Alexander Michael Los Tyler Scott Spiker
John Michael Dent William Herschel Marr, Jr. Brent Daniel Thomas
Aaron Michael Dixon Tony Matthews Viktor Trofimov
Robert Paul Game II Nayati Mikkel McCoy Nicholas Ramior Varela
Brent Dewayne Gant Michael John McGronan Mordechai Weiss
Ethan Gregory Gelder Patrick Hugh McHenry Joshua Lee Willis
Dalton James Sakari Gentile Terence James Miales, Jr. Ernest Robinson Young
Anthony Eugene Giarnelli Zachary Andrew Mikolajczyk

 

EASTERN SHORE ELECTRICAL GRADUATES

Allen Robert Foxwell Lucas James Hitch Raymond Lamar James Perry Shawn Patrick Tolson

 

VDV – TELECOMMUNICATIONS GRADUATES

Maurice William Dean 3rd Tanissa Annette Dorsey Randon Ulysses Pope

 

Several of the graduates were also recognized for their excellence in grades and attendance. Awards for highest total grades went to Francis Marion Cwik, Jr. in the Baltimore program, Shawn Patrick Tolson in the Eastern Shore program, and Tanissa Annette Dorsey in the VDV-Telecommunications program. Perfect attendance awards were earned by William Ringold Blake IV, Francis Marion Cwik, Jr., John Edward Johnson, Alexander Michael Los, Jeffrey Aaron Smith and Shawn Patrick Tolson.

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.

60-Year and 50-Year Members Recognized At May Membership Meeting

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(L-R) LU 24 President John Rankin, David A. Hodge, Timothy W. Tacka, Ernest M. Mills, Jr., Richard B. Harrison, Robert P. Fifield, LU 24 Business Manager Pete Demchuk

 

Congratulations and hats off! to the following Local 24 members, who recently celebrated significant service anniversaries:

Ernest M. Mills, Jr. – 60-Year Member

 

 

 

 

 

60-Year Membership
Ernest M. Mills, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert P. Fifield – 50-Year Member

Richard B. Harrison – 50-Year Member

David A. Hodge – 50-Year Member

Timothy W. Tacka – 50-Year Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50-Year Membership
Robert P. Fifield
Richard B. Harrison
David A. Hodge
Timothy W. Tacka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These loyal members opted to be among their union brothers and sisters as they were recognized for their long-time allegiance to IBEW Local 24. Local 24 President John Rankin and Business Manager Pete Demchuk were pleased to acknowledge these brothers and publicly present them with their milestone service pins and certificates at the May 2018 regular membership meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

The certificates that each member received reads:

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
in sincere affection and deep gratitude,
presents this citation and pin
in honor of loyal and faithful years
of membership in our Brotherhood.

June 5th Is The Last Day To Register To Vote In Maryland Primary

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Primary Election Day in Maryland is Tuesday, June 26, 2018. If you aren’t already registered to vote and need to do so, or if you want to change your party affiliation before the Primary, you must do it by Tuesday, June 5.

It is easier than ever to register in Maryland, because you can now register to vote and update your voter registration information online by going to Maryland’s State Board of Elections website. For details about all the options available, click here.

Early Voting will once again be possible in Maryland, for both the Primary and the General Elections. Check out the fact sheet below for important dates and details.

Professional Contractor Supplies Awards TV Winner At April Meeting

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Doug Eichelberger of Professional Contractor Supplies announces the TV Drawing winner.

Doug Eichelberger, of Professional Contractor Supplies (PCS), was on hand at the April regular membership meeting to make one lucky member’s night.

During Local 24’s annual Tool & Boot Sale in March, PCS offered some extra incentive to shop by sponsoring a drawing for a TV. All IBEW customers were eligible to enter, and had to be present for the drawing at the April meeting to win.

Brother Jonathan Lewis was the winner of the PCS TV drawing.

Congratulations to Brother Jonathan Lewis, who took home the prize – we hope you enjoy it! And thanks to PCS for their sponsorship of the contest.