February News

Business Manager’s Report:
	Monthly Update
		from Chuck Graham
	GOLF OUTING

Although we are still chilling from winter’s cold weather, our thoughts can turn to spring and our annual golf outing. Local 26 has begun planning this years Dollars Against Diabetes Golf Outing which will be held on Monday, May 2. In addition to a wonderful day of brotherhood, golf, and a fantastic luncheon, we also raise money to make a generous donation to help fight diabetes. Normally, there are approximately 600 golfers, so register early! The registration form can be found in this month’s newsletter (page 11).

WORK PICTURE

The work picture is good for 2005 with a lot of work waiting in the wings. It’s always slow at the beginning of the year for bids to get started.
We are a little disappointed that there isn’t more work at RFK for the renovation; however, since the new $450 million stadium will be up and running in just 3 years, the DC Council has decided to do minimal work on the old stadium.
Debris is currently being removed from the old Washington Convention Center site. In the near future, there will be a shopping and hotel complex in that space which should bring a lot of work to our area.

POLITICAL ARENA

Even though we just finished with the Presidential elections last November, there are elections in the state of Virginia. IBEW Local 26 is supporting Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine for Governor, and we ask for your support as well. The present Governor, Mark Warner, has been very good to organized labor during his term in office, and we would like to keep that momentum going. Therefore, if you are not registered to vote in Virginia, please attend to that very important matter. You may contact Brother Bill Giusti at 703-690-6126 or Brother Larry Greenhill at 202-829-2900 for assistance in getting registered.
The General Assembly is in session from January to April at which time state business is addressed. Keep your eyes and ears open for any issues pertinent to unions and organized labor. It is in the best interest of your future to stay informed.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARDS

It is with great pleasure that I worked with the Washington Building Congress in January as a judge visiting the many nominated electrical job sites competing for their annual Craftsmanship awards. Time constraints, job site conditions, and technical difficulty are some of the factors considered when making nominations and selections for this prestigious recognition. The end result is a superior product, one where every person on the job participated to make it deserving of the “Craftsmanship with Pride” motto. Congratulations to everyone involved on each nominated job. We will publish the winners when they are announced.

by Chuck Graham

District of Columbia's

Workers Compensation Guidelines

You are required by law to promptly report your injury with your employer and the Office of Workers’ Compensation within 30 days of the date of injury or the date you have knowledge that the injury is related to your job.
In order to preserve you fight to workers’ compensation benefits under the law, you must file a written claim within 1 year after your injury, or within 1 year after the last payment of benefits.
Failure to properly file the Notice of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease, DCWC Form 7, or the Employee’s Claim Application, DCWC Form 7a, may bar your right to future compensation.
You may not sue your employer as a result of a work related injury or disease. The Workers’ Compensation law is your exclusive remedy.
You have the right to choose a treating physician. Once you choose a treating physician you may not change physicians unless you get approval from your employer’s insurance company or the Office of Workers Compensation. The medical treatment includes medical services, supplies, prosthetic devices, and prescriptions. The medical services include treatment by a dentist, osteopath, podiatrist, and chiropractor.
Compensation is not paid for the first 3 days of disability unless the disability exceeds 14 days. Compensation is paid at the rate of 66 / % of your average weekly wage. Unless your employer controverts your right to compensation within 14 days after he has knowledge of the injury, the 1st installment of compensation becomes dues on the 14th day and must be paid within 14 days after it is due.
You have the right to request an informal conference or a formal hearing on disputes arising on matters regarding your claim and you have the right to be represented by an attorney or other representatives if you so desire.
You may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services if you are unable to return to the job you had prior to the injury.
For injuries occurring on or after April 16, 1999, temporary partial or permanent partial disability benefits will be limited to 500 weeks. Within 60 days of the expiration date, the claimant may petition for an extension of benefits up to 167 weeks beyond the 500 week cap.
Your employer is required to advise you of your rights and obligations under the Workers’ Compensation law.

by Franny Olshefski

This Year’s

Local Union 26

Retired Brother Paul Stevens- 65 Year Pin

Retired Brother Eugene Gorrell- 55 Year Pin

Superbowl 26 may have been
the last time the
Washington Redskins won,
but Local Union 26
continues to win with our
“Most Valuable Electricians”

Retired Brother Harry Olson, Jr.- 60 Year Pin

Retired Brother Greg Gregory (above right)- 45 Year Pin

Retired Brother Clarence Miller( above leftt)- 35 Year Pin

Retired Brother Bernie Quillin (above right)- 45 Year Pin

Pictured below are those Members who recieved their service pins at the
January General Membership Meeting

Pictured from left to right
Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary
Kevin Capes, 20 Year Member
James Metler, 30 Year Member
William Gross, 30 Year Member
Franny Olshefski, President
Chris Worch, 45 Year Member
Dave Berry, 20 Year Member
Chuck Graham, Business Manager

Signature loan sale thru March 31st - 9.9% APR.
Signature loan limits rose to $10,000 with the possibility of an additional $5,000 with a co-applicant.
(All loans subject to approval)
-Pay off credit cards from the holidays.
-Consolidate bills into one payment.
-Move a loan from another financial institution to the Credit Union.
-Refinance your existing loan and add on for your
personal needs.
-Get ready for spring with a home improvement loan.
Tell a Family Member!
If your family members are not already part of our credit union, be sure to tell them about all the benefits today. We can sign them up for membership and refinance their current loans at the same time.
Contact us today.
Let us beat your current loan rates. Get details.
Call, stop in, or email us.

Credit Union Hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday 10-12 & 1-3,
Tuesday 10-12 & 1-4:30,
Wednesday 10-12, 1-3 & 5-7
Email address: information@ibew26fcu.com
Telephone: 202-829-5404
Fax: 202-723-3190
Audio Response: 1-800-724-7573

From the Minority Coalition

Greetings Brother and Sisters from the Officers of the Local 26 Minority Coalition (LU26MC): Larry Greenhill, Sr., President, Larry Greenhill, Jr., Vice-President, Violet Carter, Treasurer/Financial Secretary and Jemal Thrower, Recording Secretary.
The Coalition meets every third Friday of the month at 6 p.m. at 6220 Kansas Ave., N.E. Everyone who is a member of Local 26 is welcomed.
We are finalizing plans for a Black History Month celebration, Saturday, February 19, 2005 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 6220 Kansas Avenue, N.E. Plan to join us for a time of fellowship and goodwill. For tickets contact any of the officers mentioned above.
We, along with all of you, mourned the recent passing of Sister Pauline Best. An “Educational Fund” has been created for Pauline’s daughter, Jasmine. Donations, in the form of personal checks or money orders, should be made payable to the Local 26 Minority Coalition, simply write on the reference line of your check or money order “Jasmine Fund”.

Remember – “You” are the “U” in union!
Get involved! Volunteer!

by Larry R. Greenhill, Sr.

Individual Account Fund

Do you know where your $$ is?

I would like to review one of our many benefits that you may have through Local 26. Most members are participants in a plan called the Individual Account Plan also referred to as the Annuity Plan. For most classifications the contractor pays an amount for every hour worked into the IAF. This fund is set up in your name and you have control over it with regard to how your money is invested. This is intended to be a retirement plan, therefore you cannot contribute to this yourself and you cannot borrow from this fund. You would be eligible to receive the money when you retire, become separated from employment for a minimum of 6 months, or you become disabled.
I urge all of you to be pro active with this fund and monitor it. Also choose how you would like to invest your money. There are at least 10 different investment options available to you for investments and you can pick 1 or several of these to invest your money. You can chose investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds or a combination of these. If you do not choose how you would like your money invested it will go into your default fund within the plan
You do not have to do anything to get this fund started for you; this will be set up when the payments come in from the contractor. Quarterly statements are sent to each participant by Fidelity Investments. It is important that you chose your investment options and beneficiary. To do this you can call Fidelity at 1-866-848-6466 or go on line to (www.netbenefits.fidelity.com). There is a lot of helpful information on the website. If you have questions or need to change your address with Fidelity, you may call Cindy Parker at 301-731-1050.

First quarter dues were due January 1st,
Retirements due for the
last quarter were $18.00, and
Second quarter dues will be due April 1st!

by Mike Shoemaker

Birth Announcements

Brother Todd Sitorius and his wife, Tracy, were blessed with a baby boy on November 26, 2004. “Alajah Ray”, weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20.25” long.

Brother Michael Acree is the pround grandpa of
“Jacob Domanic Burnley”. The baby boy was born on December 23, 2004 to is daughter and son-in-law. He weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 19” long.

Congratulations on your new family additions!

Pictures from the Holiday Parties:

Roanoke, VA

Photos by
Melvin Cherry

Winchester, VA

Photos by
Bill Giusti

America Divided:

The Red and The Blue

Since the passing of the presidential elections you should be familiar with the maps of the Blue and Red states. Some people referred to the red states as the real America or the heartland of America. It is interesting to look at some facts about the blue states of America. The Dow Jones Industrial Average represents the leading companies of U.S. industry across all major sectors. Of the Dow’s 30 members 23 are from blue states. They include ALCOA, American Express, Boeing, McDonald’s, General Motors Intel, 3M, Microsoft, and Disney. The blue states remain the engine of the American economy. They produced $5.4 trillion dollars in goods and services in 2001 which is the last year reliable data is available. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis that’s about $700 billion more than the red states. People and companies are moving to the south and west in search of cheaper land and lower cost. Taking this into account the two economies grew at the same rate between 1994 and 2001. This amounts to blue America out producing red America by 21% or $6,700 per person annually. Under current federal tax and spending there is a massive net outflow of money from the blue to the red states. The blue states pay more in federal income tax and receive far less in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security not to mention farm subsidies, highway fund, and infrastructure grants. The money is flowing out of the blue states from a family of four at a rate of $3,900 to the red states. The money is being sent to the red states because they have lower than average incomes.
Labor is looking at the blue states as a new frontier to organizing. Given the current condition in Washington facing organizing a new direction at a different level would seem to be more beneficial. American trade union membership has been limited to workers in designated collective bargaining units. The new thought is that rather than having people join a union only at a work place if a majority of the workers decide, we should have organizations, clubs, and associate union memberships that any person could join. Let people individually, one by one sign up as union members and not only as part of a bargaining unit. Make the dues cheap but offer in return help in the work place and access too many benefits of union membership. You would join in fighting to advance the well-being of ordinary citizens across the country. The new members will be part of a powerful force that will give students, working people and the middle-class the clout to go head to head with corporate interest groups that now dominate our country.
Our local union continues to grow stronger through the efforts of the members spreading the news of the many positive aspects of being a union electrician. We consistently hear from new members about a brother or sister who has taken the time to explain the social and economic impact working union has for a person and their community. There are DVDs available at the offices to help members promote the union message. Stop by a local office or call the membership development department to receive a copy.

by Joe Dabbs