Virginia was the decision making tie breaker as to whether the Senate would be led by the Democrats or the Republicans. Jim Webb, the Democratic candidate, won the US Senate seat by over 8,000 votes in a hotly contested and nationally visible race. Jim Webb was endorsed by the Virginia AFL-CIO at our August convention and, at the time, he was nearly a 16 point underdog as a challenger to George Allen. He will now be taking Allen’s place in Congress, where both Houses will be led by Democrats for the first time in 12 years!
Thanks to all who volunteered and worked for this great victory. Members of the Northern Virginia CLC knocked on approximately 14,000 union doors and called nearly 6,000 households. We showed the country that Virginia was proud to say WEBB YES!

by Bill Giusti, Virginia Business Agent

Union households turned out to vote this past November 7th. High turnout among union members transformed a win into a sweep with 74% of union voters supporting union-endorsed candidates in the House and 76% supporting Democratic candidates in Senate races. Union households accounted for roughly one out of four voters. Organized labor put together one of the largest grassroots programs in history.
Voters identified three key issues of equal importance during this election: Iraq, corruption in Washington, and the economy. Many Republicans expected the economy to be a strong issue for the GOP. However, the majority of Americans know that the new jobs added to the economy are not as good as the jobs we have lost, both in terms of pay and benefits. Corporations are now strong enough to call for, and get, tax reductions, wage concessions, and weakened public oversight of their activities. These changes have permitted the growth of corporations and globalization. The people have stepped up to say enough is enough. The politicians should put the middle class front and center in their economic thinking. We, as Union members, should understand that the job of building and maintaining the middle class is and always will be a Union job.
I would like to thank all of the members who gave their time to work on the elections. Many members helped on the door-to-door walks, phone banks, and posting signs. We have proven our strength when working together. Have a Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year.

by Joe Dabbs, Organizing Coordinator

Brother and Sisters, in times past I would have written the following: “By the time you read this article, the political season will be over”. But, that’s not the case anymore! Your Business Office is determined to keep our momentum and our involvement in the political arena at the top of its agenda. Therefore, for Local 26 the political season is not over! Thanks to all those members who have volunteered.
The Local will continue to push its political agenda which is: engaging and encouraging our members to get involved; registering our unregistered members so that they can at least VOTE; and, calling on members to volunteer (especially in their respective home areas) to help out with events (political and community) that could impact our quality of life. We will continue to focus on building “member participation” within this Local Union. Brothers and Sisters, we are a large organization and we need to be more active, especially within our communities. When labor union members participate, we make a difference.
Hopefully, each of you had a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. We, as a union, have a lot for which to be thankful. Concentrate on our positive accomplishments over the past year. Share that positive attitude with a brother or sister, and then show that positive attitude in your work! Who knows, it might be contagious! God bless you and your families.

by Larry Greenhill, Sr., Vice-President/Minority Coalition President

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Brothers and Sisters, on behalf of all the officers and agents of Local Union 26, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for the opportunity to serve you and Local 26 as officers and agents. Our Local has made great strides this past year and, in my opinion, we are the preeminent local in the country.
We have a new union hall and training center which is the envy of all the IBEW, a great contract, and a bright work picture for the next year. So, we all have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.
Make time to become involved with YOUR UNION and attend a few union meetings this coming year. There are a lot of your friends, Brothers and Sisters, that you have not seen in a long time, waiting to renew old relationships. Perhaps you’ll make some new ones, as well.
Mark Saturday, December 16, 2006, on your calendar to join the Local 26 sporting clay shooters at Prince George’s Shooting center at 10:00 am. The shooters had a great time on the inaugural shoot in November, and we are looking forward to getting together again. Join us in December.

by Butch Ramos, President

Our cookbook has been printed and is available for purchase in time for holiday presents! They will be sold at all Local Union meetings and at the Credit Union. The cost is $10.00. If you would like us to send it to you, add an additional $4.00

by Dick Bissell, President of the Retired Members’ Club

The Pension Seminar held on October 21st was very well attended. Those in attendance received a vast amount of information and benefitted greatly from the seminar. We discussed the International, NEBF, and the Local 26 Pension as well as Social Security and our Annuity Plan. I want to thank all of those who helped to make this a successful seminar, especially George Hogan who helped out all day. I also want to thank Laurie Cord and Cathy Spencer from the Local 26 Pension Office and Lester Austin from Social Security.
As a reminder, those members who will be retiring should call the Finance Office (301-459-2900) 6 months before their retirement date to request the International and the NEBF paperwork. Those who are retiring from Local 26 should call the Local 26 Pension Office at 301-731-1050 and speak with Laurie Cord 3 months prior to retiring.

by Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary

Effective January 1, 2007, the quarterly union dues will increase by $5.10 per quarter for each “A” member, and dues for “BA” members will increase $3.00 per quarter. This increase was approved at the International Convention in 2006, and is an increase in the International per capita tax and the International Pension contribution. This is an increase imposed by the International.
Dues for “A” members who are paying $78.00 per quarter will increase to $83.10 per quarter, and dues for “A” members who are paying $68.70 per quarter will increase to $73.80 per quarter. Dues for “BA” members who are paying $34.80 per quarter will increase to $37.80 per quarter. This increase will become effective with dues paid for the 1st quarter of 2007.
Those of you who are paying dues into the year 2007 should include the extra $5.10 per quarter with your payment. Those who pay by the year should include an additional $20.40 for the year. Please feel free to call the Finance Office with any questions you may have regarding your dues. Further increases in the IO per-capita and IO Pension contributions have been approved for the next several years thru 2011.
Remember, the Local 26 working dues will not increase. They will remain at the current level. Please ensure your employer is taking out the proper amount for your work dues.
Best wishes to everyone for a safe and prosperous Holiday Season.
FOURTH QUARTER DUES WERE DUE OCTOBER 1ST, RETIREMENT ASSESSMENT DUE IS $32.00. FIRST QUARTER DUES ARE DUE JANUARY 1ST.

by Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary