SAYING GOODBYE TO KANSAS AVENUE
May 12 was our last union meeting at 6220 Kansas Avenue. There are a lot of memories that we’re leaving behind, but memories we won’t forget. We first started having our meetings here when Tommy Noone was Business Manager in 1969. Since that time, we have had many great leaders of our union in this building, starting with Larry Hogan, followed by Skip Kemp, Wade Sheriff, John Widener
, Buddy Satterfield, and Howdy Ritchie.
We have also had several Presidents run the Local’s meetings - Larry Hogan, Wade Sheriff, Harry Carter, and Franny Olshefski. All of these leaders have contributed to the success and growth of Local 26 making it one of the greatest unions in the IBEW. Our new building is a shining beacon of the strength and success that these leaders have built over the past. We should all be proud of our accomplishments. We are not starting over, but we are continuing a great tradition of excellence by incorporating the many legacies into our new headquarters.
NEW AGREEMENTS
I appreciate the support shown by our members at the meeting on April 26 to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement. I think everyone who attended the meeting saw that this was a very good contract. The committee made great strides in getting some money in our pockets without giving up anything. Also, by having a 3-year agreement, everyone knows how much they will be making over that time period. As of today, our journeymen make $30.45, which is about $60,000 a year. At the end of this contract, a journeyman will be making $72,000–that is a $12,000 raise over the next 3 years.
We are working on the new agreements. They are presently being proofed, and then we will be sending them to the International Office for approval. When we get the approved agreement back from the International, we will have new agreement books printed and mail each member a copy. We have listed all the negotiated changes to our old agreement on page 4.
GOLF OUTING
Our golf outing was a great success again this year. Not all the bills have been paid, but the final numbers will show us being able to make a considerable donation to Dollars Against Diabetes. At the Martin’s Crosswinds banquet, Local 26 was presented an award for exceptional service by Dan Feller, Director of D.A.D. We were recognized for raising the most money by a Local Union, each year for the past five years. Thanks to Butch Ramos for the great job he did and for all his hard work in making the event so successful. I’d like to also thank the volunteers who worked that day running the courses and allowing the 640 participants to enjoy themselves. See pages 5-8 for some pictures of the event. All the pictures will soon be posted on our website.
UPCOMING MARYLAND ELECTION
As you should know, Local 26 is supporting Doug Duncan in the race for Governor of Maryland this fall. I’d like to tell you a little about Doug Duncan’s running mate for Lt. Gov., Stuart Simms. Stu is a well-respected Maryland public official with a solid record of accomplishment, experience, and integrity. A native of Baltimore, Simms is the son of a Bethlehem Steel worker and high school teacher. Simms spent two years as staff counsel to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes before joining the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office.
In 1983, Simms was appointed Deputy State’s Attorney for Baltimore. In 1987, Simms was appointed State’s Attorney and was twice reelected, serving as the City’s top prosecutor for a total of eight years. In 1995, Simms was appointed Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenille Services by Governor Parris Glendening. In 1997, Stu was appointed Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, one of the state’s largest agencies, with approximately 12,000 employees and a budget of $900 million, where he served until 2003.
He is a great running mate for Doug Duncan, and the two of them make up a winning ticket for the working men and women of Maryland. They are also people we can trust and who will support us in the future.
NATIONAL REBUILDING DAY
National Rebuilding Day was held in Alexandria, VA on Saturday, April 29. I’d like to thank Brother Bernie Durkin, Brother Bill Giusti, Brother Joe Dabbs, Brother Adrian Coleman and Joe Dabbs, Jr. for volunteering their time and talent on that day. They did electrical work and some plumbing in a widow’s Alexandria home. Also, Brother David M. Aluvale was a big help in the preparation of National Rebuilding Day, volunteering before hand in order for the day to go on without a hitch. I appreciate their efforts for this worthwhile cause.
NEW HEADQUARTERS
We have mailed a post card to everyone notifying you of the new address, phone numbers, and directions to our Lanham headquarters. If you did not receive this, please contact the union hall. Our new office number is 301-459-2900. You will also be notified of our date for the open house. Hopefully, you can come out and see your new Local 26 offices! As I said before, we will maintain a presence in DC with an office on Blair Road which will be operational sometime this summer. Pictured below is a floor plan of the second floor of the new building.
CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARDS
The Washington Building Congress held its 50th Annual Craftsmanship Awards ceremony on May 13, and I would like to acknowledge the recipients of this coveted award in the Electrical Division.
For Power Generation, Distribution and Switchgear
Robert Adamski, Fred Helsley, Robert Loveless, Billy Noel, Barry Payne, Richard Wells (Dynalectric Co.); Project - ACC2 Data Center, Ashburn, VA. The challenge of this project was managing 100,000 man-hours to finalize the installation of such an enormous amount of equipment within the five-month timeline scheduled to meet the completion date.
Timothy Burke, Donnie Frantz, Jeff Pawlak, Chuck Rhoads, Jerry Watson, George West (Mona Electric Group, Inc.); Project - Human Genome Sciences Large Scale Manufacturing Facility, Rockville, MD. The requirements on this job demanded an intense, complex electrical infrastructure, which was installed by this team of craftsmen with the greatest of care and skill.
Owen Byrne, Calvin Driskill, Carl Larson, Ed Rhodes, III (Natelco Corp.); Project - Cabor Tech 2N System Upgrade, Herndon, VA. This was a complex project and included working in a critical government building on critical power and coordinating integration without power outages.
Spencer Barnhart, Gerald Brevard, Melvin Henderson, Buddy McDowell, Justin McDowell, Kevin Reeder (Power Solutions, LLC); Project - Amazon.com, Chantilly, VA. This was a very challenging project due to the eight-week deadline to install and commission all mechanical and electrical equipment. These electricians produced a high quality product with on time completion.
Robert Allen, Steve DeYoung, Joe Fuentes, Thomas Lysinger, Wayne Reep, Walter Williams (Dynalectric Co.); Project - International Monetary Fund Headquarters, Washington, DC. A significant quantity of architectural lighting was completed on time and on budget.
For Lighting Systems
Roque Berrios, Fred Fenster, Joe Klopfer, Jr., Joe Klopfer, Sr., Mark Myers, Arquimides Privado (Dynalectric Co.); Project - Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Wash., DC. This project had a ten-week schedule with an elaborate lighting package. To meet the schedule, many fixtures were left out and then installed after the finishes were complete.
Mike Johnson, Woody Perdue, Ed Phelps, Lee Reed, Edward Rhoades, Tom Shannon (Singleton Electric Co., Inc.); Project - Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, Washington, DC. This project was very challenging due to the construction process of the structure. Because the Smithsonian wanted to maintain most of the original features, a large area of the building’s ceilings remained as plaster over brick, which presented challenges for the craftsmen.
Stephen Barry, Stephen Kight, Marvin McGraw, Rodney Mullens, Tarikh Rankine (Freestate Electrical Service Co.); Project - Lincoln Memorial Re-Lighting Project, Wash., DC. All lighting and controls in the Memorial were replaced without damage to or modification of the existing structure or interruption to the tourists.
Kevin Alavi, Ben Anderson, Anthony Green, Brian Seiss, Fletcher Smith, Stan Wivell (VarcoMac Electrical Construction Co.); Project - Tysons Corner Center Expansion, McLean, VA. Because of the talent and expertise of the craftsmen, they were able to successfully overcome unique challenges and provide this astounding installation. Their efforts resulted in an aesthetically appealing and unique product.
Dean Cullen, James Lusby, Roy Meyer, Christopher Mullins, Andy Weaver (Dynalectric Co.); Project - International Monetary Fund Headquarters, Wash., DC. The shear volume of the lighting systems at the project is what makes it significant. A crew spread over a large area had to be managed and their work coordinated with other trades.
For Special Systems
Chris Donati, Julian Jones, Misael Martinez, Richard Mercer, Scott Mercer, Rafael Rodriguez (Dynalectric Co.); Project - Mirant, Potomac River Generating Station, Alexandria, VA. Despite a compressed schedule and complexity of the work, the project was completed successfully.
Tim DuLaney, Randall Ellington, Dennis Hazlewood, Darryl Lawson, Summer Layaou, Onyeka Okafo (Singleton Electric Co., Inc.); Project - Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, Wash., DC. The existing structure had to be modified to accept a state-of-the-art security and closed circuit TV system.
Eddy Boarman, Bob Johnston, Steve Wilson (Power Solutions, LLC); Project - Cove Point Tank E, Lusby, MD. This crew’s exceptional abilities provided the skills needed to accomplish a complex and difficult task in exemplary fashion within a 90-day timeframe.
Congratulations to all of you for exemplifying our motto: “Craftsmanship with Pride”.
Along with only four other Craftsmen, Brother Francis “Frank” L. Martin (pictured above on right) of J.E. Richards received special recognition for having received nine Division 16 Craftsmanship Awards during his career. To put his accomplishment in proper perspective, no other Division 15 or 16 Craftsman has received more than six awards. Even more impressive is the fact that Frank is currently 18th on the all time list of award recipients out of the more than 7,000 individual award recipients over the 50 year span of the awards program. Congratulations to Frank for this well deserved recognition and award!
CHANGES TO INSIDE WIREMAN AGREEMENT
Three-year agreement – June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2009
Section 2.25. Referral Slip
Add: “his/her work history (from the Electrical Welfare Trust Fund) reflecting hours worked by employees during the past three years under relevant collective bargaining agreements (provided this is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws applicable to the jurisdiction).
Section 5.07. Payday
(a) REGULAR PAYDAY: Wages shall be paid weekly in cash or by check, drawn on a bank or financial institution operating within the jurisdiction of this Agreement, no more than five (5) calendar days after the end of the Employer’s payroll period. If the Employer elects to use a delivery service, the delivery date of the paycheck to the Employee shall not be later than the contractor’s designated payday.
In accordance with applicable law, the Employer may pay employees by way of direct deposit of wages on a weekly basis to the bank or financial institution of the Employee’s choice; in which case, pay stubs will be provided to employee within the referenced five-day period; and the deposit will be made within four (4) calendar days after the end of the Employer’s payroll period.
As the employer does not control mail handling or delivery (beyond the duty to mail checks so as to reasonably expect delivery within the referenced 5-day window), the employer shall be required to replace any checks not delivered in a timely basis only on the next regular payday on behalf of an employee who does not elect to participate in a direct deposit arrangement.
Add Security Clearance to Section 2.26 (b)
Revise Section 4.09. Overtime Distribution to read:
No worker shall be sent from one job to work on an overtime job unless all workers on such overtime job are employed; however, any employee who has received a written warning (relevant to performance from the employer in excess of 72 hours prior to the overtime shall forfeit his/her claim to overtime work. Superintendents and/or job foremen shall make equitable distribution of any overtime among all workers on any job or building.
Section 4.18. Recall
Provided an employee has worked for a contractor for at least the previous thirty (30) days, the Employer shall have the right to recall the employee up to thirty (30) calendar days after termination from the company.
New Article 4.20:
Any Employee reporting for work and for whom no work is provided, except due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond the control of the Employer, shall receive two (2) hours direct pay at the regular straight time hourly rate.
New Substance Abuse Program, effective June 1, 2006 (IBEW/NECA new Category I language negotiated by the IBEW International President and President of NECA, March, 2005)
Wages – Metropolitan Zone:
06/05/06 $1.00 $.01 contribution to LMCC
11/06/06 $1.00
06/04/07 $1.00
11/05/07 $1.10
06/02/08 $1.00
11/03/08 $1.10
Shenandoah Zone:
06/05/06 $.65 $.01 contribution to LMCC
11/06/06 $.65
06/04/07 $.65
11/05/07 $.72
06/02/08 $.65
11/03/08 $.72
Apprentices:
AA 1 - 45% AA 4 - 60%
AA 2 - 47% AA 5 - 70%
AA 3 - 50% AA 6 - 80%
Article V, Section 5.03(b) - Foremen:
Foreman I, supervising 3-5 workers $1.00
Foreman II, supervising 6-12 workers $3.00
Foreman III supervising 13-20 workers $4.00
Foreman IV, supervising 21-49 workers $5.00
Foreman V, supervising 50 workers or more $7.00
CHANGES TO RESIDENTIAL WIREMAN AGREEMENT
Three-year agreement – June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2009
Section 3.19. Referral Slip
Add: “his/her work history (from the Electrical Welfare Trust Fund) reflecting hours worked by employees during the past three years under relevant collective bargaining agreements (provided this is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws applicable to the jurisdiction).”
Section 3.05. Payday
(a) REGULAR PAYDAY: Wages shall be paid weekly in cash or by check, drawn on a bank or financial institution operating within the jurisdiction of this Agreement, no more than five (5) calendar days after the end of the Employer’s payroll period. If the Employer elects to use a delivery service, the delivery date of the paycheck to the Employee shall not be later than the contractor’s designated payday.
In accordance with applicable law, the Employer may pay employees by way of direct deposit of wages on a weekly basis to the bank or financial institution of the Employee’s choice; in which case, pay stubs will be provided to employee within the referenced five-day period; and the deposit will be made within four (4) calendar days after the end of the Employer’s payroll period.
As the employer does not control mail handling or delivery (beyond the duty to mail checks so as to reasonably expect delivery within the referenced 5-day window), the employer shall be required to replace any checks not delivered in a timely basis only on the next regular payday on behalf of an employee who does not elect to participate in a direct deposit arrangement.
Section 3.16. Recall
Provided an employee has worked for a contractor for at least the previous thirty (30) days, the Employer shall have the right to recall the employee up to thirty (30) calendar days after termination from the company.
New Article 3.20:
Any Employee reporting for work and for whom no work is provided, except due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond the control of the Employer, shall receive two (2) hours direct pay at the regular straight time hourly rate.
New Substance Abuse Program, effective June 1, 2006 (IBEW/NECA new Category I language negotiated by the IBEW International President and President of NECA, March, 2005)
Wages – Metropolitan Zone:
06/05/06 $.50 $.01 contribution to LMCC
11/06/06 $.50
06/04/07 $.50
11/05/07 $.57
06/02/08 $.50
11/03/08 $.57
Shenandoah Zone:
06/05/06 $.41 $.01 contribution to LMCC
11/06/06 $.41
06/04/07 $.41
11/05/07 $.47
06/02/08 $.41
11/03/08 $.47
Pictured above, from left to right-- Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary; Michael Wilson, 20 Yrs; Roy Leyh, 20 Yrs; Jeffery Talaga (back), 25 Yrs; Christopher Dixon, 20 Yrs; Thomas Williams (back), 20 Yrs; Mike Johnson, 25 Yrs; Anthony Donahue, 25 Yrs; Lucio Comignani, 35 Yrs; Timothy Waters, 35 Yrs; Robert Owens (back), 35 Yrs; James McDonald (far back), 25 Yrs; Butch Ramos, President; Robert Metler (far back), 40 Yrs; Richard Fries, Jr., 30 Yrs; Robert Kaplan, 35 Yrs; Chuck Graham, Business Manager
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Richard A. Bissell (right), 40 Years, Retired Members Club President pictured with Wade H. Sheriff, Jr., Former Local 26 Bus. Manager |
Elliott H. Young (left), 30 Years, pictured with Terry Campbell (center), & Dick Bissell (right), Retired Members Club President |
Brothers and Sisters, in a previous news article I referenced the preamble of the IBEW Constitution. If you remember, it challenged us to protect the causes that we stand for – “human justice, human rights and human security”. If we are to continue our forward momentum, we must accept this challenge and actively defend our cause!
While preparing this article, I decided I would share another equally compelling challenge. It begins – “…mankind has been endowed with certain inalienable rights, among which are the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…. it is an evident fact that if the dignity of labor is to be preserved it must be done by concerted and united effort…”. These words were taken from the Preamble of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Washington (DC) Building and Construction Trades Council. Is this a challenge or what? We must unite to preserve the dignity of labor.
Brothers and Sisters, the majority of our membership has mastered the skill sets required of our trade but we still have a ways to go in the area of relating “effectively” with one another. I submit to you that relating to one another is equally as important as mastering trade skills.
So let’s start by talking “with” and not “to” one another, whether you’re a foreman or a worker. When we begin to relate “effectively” with each other everyone benefits – the industry, the employer, the union and us as members. By the time you read this article, we will have relocated to our new building. The Business Office will continue to support the Coalition by hosting our monthly meeting on the 2nd Friday of each month at 6:00 pm. We will begin a tradition of having a monthly quest speaker. Join us. All dues paying members are welcome.
by Larry Greenhill, Sr., Minority Coalition President
Brothers and Sisters, these are very exciting times in Local 26. We are in a new building that we can finally call our own, with a state-of-the-art training center for the benefit of our members.
We have a new three-year agreement that was passed by the membership. This was the first time in many years that an agreement was reached between Labor and Management and presented to the members for their ratification. This contract also puts an increase in the pockets of our hard working members. Thanks to the Business Manager and his negotiating team for their efforts on our new agreement.
The golf outing was a great success with over 650 golfers participating to raise money for a very good cause, “Dollars Against Diabetes”. We played at five different golf clubs, and a great day was had by all.
As you can see, great things are happening at Local 26. Are you participating or finding out after the fact? We need your input and participation, especially at monthly meetings. The faithful few are making all the decisions for the bulk of our membership. I look forward to seeing new faces at our new hall in June. Come out and experience some brotherhood to kick off the upcoming summer.
by Butch Ramos, President
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STAR ATM/POS Card Update
Sheetz announces no surcharge ATMS! Sheetz, the leading convenience retailer in PA, OH, VA, WV, MD, and NC is introducing no surcharge ATMS in 320 stores. Members that use the STAR card as point of sale anywhere it is accepted are not charged a fee by the Credit Union. For a Sheetz ATM locator or other ATM/Point of Sale locations, go to www.STAR.com.
Featured Service of the Month:
Share Draft Account
No minimum balance, no monthly service fee, no fee per share draft, and it earns dividends. We have specially designed share drafts for IBEW LU 26, SMW Local 100, and IUEC Local 10 with the union logo and, “This payment made possible by Union Wages” printed over the signature line.
Office Relocation
The last day of business at our Washington, DC office was Friday May 26, 2006. We are now open for business as of Tuesday morning May 30, 2006 in Lanham, MD. The new telephone number and address is listed below. We have added a toll free line for our long distance members. Our information for the new location is as follows:
Address: 4371 Parliament Place, Suite C
Lanham, MD 20706
Telephone: 301-306-0610
Toll free line: 888-306-0610
Email: information@ibew26fcu.com
Audio response: 800-724-7573
Our office hours will remain the same:
Monday thru Friday 9-12 & 1-3:30
DO NOT USE THE DROP BOX IN DC!
All residential wiremen who have a current jurisdictional license and three or more years of good standing membership in the IBEW may be eligible for the 2006-2007 Residential Upgrade Program. Please contact Wendy Escolero at (301) 459-2900, for an application. The deadline for returning applications to the Examining Board is June 30, 2006. No applications will be accepted for review after that date.
Applicants who are approved by the Examining Board will be notified of the date, time and location for Upgrade Program placement testing.
We have had many members retire recently, and I just want to clarify the International Pension. If you have retired from the Local 26 Pension and/or the NEBF Pension and you are not yet 62, you will need to continue paying dues as normal. To keep your eligibility for the International Pension, a member must continue to pay dues until his International Pension effective date. The ages for the International Pension are 62 for early and 65 for normal pension. You can retire earlier if you qualify for the disability pension. Once you retire from the International, you will no longer have to continue to pay dues.
Many of you are aware the Local will reimburse you 2/3 of your pay rate for lost wages if called for jury duty. To qualify, you must be called for jury duty, you must show up to serve, and your dues must be paid up to date at the time you serve. Please submit to the Finance Office a stamped receipt showing the date served, amount of monies reimbursed by the courts, and your card number or social security number. Your request will be processed at 2/3 your rate minus any monies reimbursed by the court. I have had to deny several members reimbursement because dues were not paid up at the time they served. Make sure your dues are kept current.
Second quarter dues were due April 1st.
by Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary
