Tag Archives: Baltimore

IBEW Local 24 and Freestate Electric Are Transforming The CFG Bank Arena

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With the help of the NECA/IBEW Powering America Team, downtown Baltimore is seeing an upgrade to its entertainment options through the CFG Bank Arena renovation. Most residents in Baltimore have their own story to tell about the older arena, and the goal of the Powering America team is to modernize the old arena and get it ready for a new season.

Thanks to Electric TV, who came to Baltimore to spotlight this project!

When it comes to making great memories at concerts, sporting events, and thrilling shows, it’s often the lighting that is the unsung hero of every performance. IBEW Local 24 and Freestate Electric, Maryland NECA Chapter member, are hard at work to give the Arena, a 60 year old concrete building, a much-needed lighting and electrical facelift.

There are 250 electrical workers on the job, from young apprentices to experienced journeymen, in the business of making a difference. With every pull of every wire, every turn of every screw, the men and women in this industry learn from each other, help each other advance, and take care of each other.   Construction activity, union construction activity, is a life force that many residents count on. Our projects are catalysts for economic development not just in Downtown Baltimore, but across the country.

IBEW and NECA create cultures of inclusivity where members of all walks of life are given the opportunity to prosper and find success, no matter race, gender, or orientation. Show up with a good attitude, and you’ll find a brotherhood that helps you take your career as far as you want to take it.   The Electrical Apprenticeship program and projects like the CFG Bank Arena serve to move the electrical industry forward, and it will only continue to grow in 2023.

LU 24 Pres. Sam Curreri Part Of Labor Delegation To Atlantic Trade Talks

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Baltimore Local 24 President Sam Curreri, third from left, was among the labor delegation to meet with
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and her counterpart from the United Kingdom, International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, along with her counterpart from the United Kingdom, International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, met with business and labor leaders at the Port of Baltimore on March 21 to discuss Atlantic trade. Local 24 President Sam Curreri was part of that group, there to be a voice for our members during the roundtable summit.

Discussions over terms of a bilateral trade agreement under consideration between the U.S. and U.K. changed when the Biden administration took over, Curreri said. Talks shifted away from a free trade agreement (FTA) model. An article on Politico predicted that in current negotiations, “Tai will emphasize several key priorities in her discussions with Trevelyan, the senior USTR official said. Those include enhancing labor rights, making workplaces safer, supporting domestic investments, building more competitive workforces…”

Curreri said he was glad to participate in talks representing labor in a global trade setting and cautioned that even industrialized countries like the United States and the United Kingdom need to be mindful of
agreements allowing supply chains that include factories with exploited workers in underdeveloped countries.

According to The Washington Post, “areas that Tai and Trevelyan said they’d work on include:

• Helping small and medium-sized businesses to trade by identifying barriers and sharing best practices

• Supporting the digitalization of transactions and trading systems

• Develop inclusive trade policies, protecting labor rights and tackling forced labor

• Building more resilient supply chains, in particular for food

“There are no better folks to sit at the table than folks who negotiate a contract every couple of years,” Curreri said. “I hope I have the opportunity to go back.”

Prior to meeting with the labor delegation, Ambassador Tai and Secretary Trevelyan participated in a tour led by Maryland Port Administration Executive Director William Doyle. Ambassador Tai and Secretary Trevelyan were joined by Senator Ben Cardin, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.

Following the tour, Ambassador Tai noted the important role the Port of Baltimore plays in U.S. commerce and trade policy. She also emphasized how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help the Port of Baltimore, and ensure the United States maintains its global competitive edge.

Portions of this article originally appeared in the most recent edition of the I.B.E.W.’S Building America Back Better Newsletter.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Buy A Sticker To Support Our Fundraiser

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Breast cancer affects so many people that we all know someone whose life has been touched by it. Last year, Local 24 sold hard hat stickers to raise funds to provide services to help people in our community whose lives are being affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. Thanks to your support, the fundraiser was a great success and raised $1157.
 
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness month, Local 24 is proud to offer these Fighting For The Cure stickers, which can be purchased at the Halls in Baltimore and Salisbury for $1.00. Please stop in and pick up stickers for yourself and your fellow members on the job.
 
 
100% of the proceeds are being donated to Pinked Perspective and The Red Devils, which are both local breast cancer support organizations. Stop in to get your sticker and show your support today!

Membership Ratifies New Agreement

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Through a mail-in voting process, the members of Local Union #24 I.B.E.W. strongly approved the tentative agreement for the Baltimore Inside CBA.

Congratulations to all Local 24 members, Local 24’s negotiating committee and the MD Chapter NECA team on the new contract!

The agreement has been sent to the International Office for approval. Once we receive an approval, we will have booklets printed and mailed to the members.

 

Non-Essential Business Closure In Maryland Allows Contractors To Remain Open

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This morning, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan took the next step to “flatten the curve” of the spread of COVID-19 when he announced his order to close all non-essential businesses in our state. Most trades people already know it, but in case there is any doubt, we are in the essential category. Therefore, our signatory contractors and work sites are not required to close under Gov. Hogan’s latest order.

In fact, there is a wide range of occupations and businesses that fall into the “essential” category – a lot more than we would think of, until we were forced to live without them.  To help clarify the categories, the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel has issued this Interpretive guidance , which is based on federal definitions of essential services.

To all of our Local 24 members and the other essential workers who will continue to provide services to their community, we send our gratitude and ask that you remember to take all of the necessary steps to protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19.

Tool & Boot Sale and Substance Testing Canceled

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Please be advised that our annual Substance Testing and Tool & Boot Sale, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21, 2020, has been canceled in light of the growing concerns around COVID-19.

Every effort will be made to reschedule this event once the state of emergency in Maryland has been lifted.

Local 24 Leadership Re-elected

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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.

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

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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

Santa To Visit LU24 On December 10th

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Break out your child’s adorable Christmas outfit and your Santa hat! The annual Local 24′s Children’s Christmas Party will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 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 Baltimore Central Labor Council food pantry.

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.