Open House
The open house celebration held on July 15 was a huge success with a turnout of 
over 500 people! IBEW President Ed Hill, IBEW Secretary-Treasurer Jon Walters and past Local 26 Business Managers Buddy Satterfield and Howdy Ritchie joined the other officers and I for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Past Business Managers Wade Sheriff and John Widener also attended. The members and their families were most pleased and proud of their new headquarters. Thanks to everyone who came out to visit us. (See page 3 for more pictures of the grand opening.)
Job Information On-Line!
I’d like to remind you that we are putting job calls on the web site so that members can go on-line and see what jobs are available for the next day. If you can’t get through on the phone, then you will have that option. Go to the ibewlocal26.org web site and click on the link for RW & AJ Job Referrals. That will bring the jobs up.
Agreement Status
We are still waiting on the approved language from the International Office before we can have our new Inside Wireman Agreement books printed.
MD Governor’s Race
It is with great sadness that Doug Duncan had to pull out of the Governor’s race because of an illness that strikes millions of people in this country every year. He made a decision not only for his family, but for the Democratic Party in Maryland as well. I learned that he had been fighting depression for several months and could not kick this illness without removing himself from the race. So, we must now pick up and move on, putting our support behind Martin O’Malley, the Democrat who will be running against Bob Ehrlich in November.
Progress Meeting
I attended the 4th District Progress meeting and, at that meeting, there was a lot of talk about mid-term elections coming up in November. During President Hill’s speech, he showed us a book that the Republicans have outlined which will come out if they control the House and Senate after these elections. In that book, they talk about the dismantling of unions. They state that unions are destroying this country and that there is no need for them anymore.
The primary elections are coming up in September. If you are not registered, you need to do so as soon as possible. We need all our members and their families to vote in this crucial election. I realize that when every election rolls around, we stress about it being the most important election we’ve ever had. But this time, it is extremely critical for us to do everything in our power to change the course of politics in this country. The Republicans are all following George Bush’s lead; therefore, to see what any Republican’s agenda is, all you need to do is look at the agenda of George Bush. That is a clear indication of what direction our country is headed in now. We need ALL union members to vote Democratic!
New Drug Policy
The new drug policy was put into effect on July 10. Once again, I want to stress that it is a voluntary test for any members who want to be placed on the list of referrals for people who have been drug tested. There are approximately 100 testing facilities in our jurisdiction that you can go to and be tested. The referral offices can supply you with a copy of this list, and they will give you a form to take to the testing lab most convenient for you. Once the test results are complete, I will be notified of the negatives test results only. If you test positive, I will not receive that notification; however, you will be contacted by the MRO (Medical Review Officer) to discuss positive results. This contact will be strictly confidential, and you will be given options to address and fix any problems.
Pictured above, from left to right-- Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary, 30 Yrs; Robert Dennis, 30 Yrs; Larry Eckert, 30 Yrs; Carl Teets (back), 35 Yrs; Michael Dilsaver, 20 Yrs; Ralph Johnson (back), 35 Yrs; Tyrone Miller, 35 Yrs; John Gaffney (back), 20 Yrs; Steve Beard, 30 Yrs; Bradley Brown, 20 Yrs; John Redding (far back), 25 Yrs; Antoine Hart, 30 Yrs; Chuck Graham, Business Manager; Butch Ramos, President
Pictured above is the crew from Freestate Electric who worked on the job at the new Local 26 headquarters. This photo was taken at the last topping out party. For the rest of the photos from the topping out party, you can view the photo gallery on the Local 26 website.
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Signature Loan sale until 8-31-2006
Special rate of 9.9% APR
Signature Loans up to $10,000 and an
additional $5,000 with a qualified co-applicant.
Do home improvements, pay off high interest credit cards,
cover tuition expenses and purchase a computer.
Loan applications can be faxed, mailed or completed in the office. All loans subject to approval.
For member security, social security numbers have been removed from member statements effective 7-1-2006.
Credit Union website www.ibew26fcu.com
Email: information@ibew26fcu.com
Telephone: 301-306-0610
Toll free: 888-306-0610
Fax: 301-306-0746
Audio response: 800-724-7573
IBEW Local 26, as part of the Northern Virginia CLC, participated in the 37th Annual Dale City Fourth of July Parade. Over 110 units walked with temperatures approaching 95 degrees (in the shade). Members present were Brother Mario Rivas and his son, Eric, Brother Chuck Mauer, Business Agent/Brother Bill Giusti, and Brother Dave Woodfin.
Thanks to the volunteers who gave up part of their holiday to be there!
by Bill Giusti, Business Representative, Manassas, VA
The IBEW Tournament was held on June 9, 10 & 11 in Louisville, Kentucky. Local 26 was represented by 10 teams. We sincerely thank the officers and members for their support of this annual event. Tournament results will be included in a later edition once available. When meeting with Brothers and Sisters from other locals, it makes one realize how lucky we are in LU 26. The work picture in most other jurisdictions is not good, and there are more and more problems with non-union competition, even in areas where there was no threat in the past, such as New York City. It is increasingly apparent that we need to support our organization and the elected officials who support our efforts if we wish to maintain our position in the workplace.
We are looking forward to the ’06-’07 season, and we invite all members to join us on Wednesday nights for bowling and brotherhood. The league is open to brothers and sisters of all skill levels. We have averages from under 100 to 215. The league is moving to Bowie Fair Lanes this year. They are located at 15514 Annapolis Road in Bowie, MD. The organizational meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30 in Bowie. League bowling will begin on September 6 at 6:30 PM.
by Bruce Ronkette
Brothers and Sisters, Your Retirees are STILL working for you!! Some of you may not be aware that the retired members of Local 26 maintain a medical equipment storage room at the new office in Lanham, MD. Whatever equipment a member of your family, living in our jurisdiction, requires will be provided for you at NO COST for as long as you need it! Recently, Retired Brother Rick Warner has done a great job and spent many hours inventorying the available equipment and bringing the paperwork up to date.
Some of the items we have out on loan and in the storage room include crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, hospital bed, patient lift, transport chairs, potty chairs, and shower chairs. If you or another member of your family have any of these items not currently in use, please notify us and we will pick them up. Our items can be identified by a small red sticker with the Local 26 logo and an equipment number.
Equipment may be obtained by notifying Rick Warner (301) 422-1106 or Mike Shoemaker (301) 459-2900. We will purchase additional equipment as needed.
This year’s Retired Members’ crab feast will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2006 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be at the pavilion on Mayo Beach in Edgewater, Maryland. The menu includes hard crabs, crab soup, Italian sausage with peppers and onions, hot dogs, condiments, coleslaw, potato salad, corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, carrot cake, ice water, soft drinks, and beer. Please bring crab knockers if you have them.
The crab feast will be held rain or shine. Please remember, this is an “All-You-Can-Eat” crab feast on the premises only. Anyone seen taking crabs to their car will no longer be served!
The cost is $30.00 for members, spouse or guest, and $35.00 for other guests. The deadline for reservations is Friday, September 15, 2006. There will be no tickets; however, your name will be recorded when you send in your request. Please make checks payable to “Retired Members Club, IBEW Local 26” and mail to Eugene S. Long, 802 Coxswain Way, #202, Annapolis, MD 21401. You may contact Gene Long, 410-897-0456, or Dick Bissell, 301-277-5823, for further information. There will be no Retired Members’ Club meeting in September due to the crab feast.
by Dick Bissell, President, Retired Members Club
Brothers and Sisters, it has come to my attention that many of our members would be interested in an organized shoot, whether it be sporting clays, skeet, or trap. There are many shooting facilities in our jurisdiction where we could get together for a fun day at the range to share some Brotherhood and “bragging rights”.
If anyone is interested, please contact me at my direct line (301-918-8818) or fax (301-459-2100). Depending on the response from the membership, I will try to schedule an event where we can get together and plan for future shoots.
by Butch Ramos, President
Brothers and Sisters, I offer greetings from our new home. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by, you should do so – you’ll be proud! I applaud those members who came out to the “first” Minority Coalition Meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the “first” Union Meeting at 8:00 p.m. in our new home. To those who, for whatever reason, did not attend either meeting, I encourage you to join us with your participation. Your Local Union needs you now more than ever, especially on the political front. Remember, we all took an oath to “further the purposes for which the IBEW is instituted ….to bear true allegiance to it and not sacrifice its interest in any manner.” I believe when we give a few hours of our time to participate, when called, that we are furthering the purposes for which the IBEW is instituted.
Have a safe and fun-filled summer. I hope to see you at the picnic in August, joining us for some good fellowship and good eating. More next time.
by Larry Greenhill, Sr., Minority Coalition President
It is very important that you keep your spouse and family updated and aware of your Pension and Death Benefits that you are entitled to receive. You should keep all the plan descriptions and updates in one location and make sure your family knows where the papers are kept. You should also make sure your beneficiary is updated, and notify the plans when you need to make changes. You can call the offices below to check on your eligibility in the plans described.
LOCAL 26
If the participant dies before retiring from Local 26, his spouse or beneficiary may be eligible for a Benefit to Survivor and may also be eligible for a Death Benefit. It is best that your spouse or beneficiary call the Pension Trust Fund Office at 301-731-1050 in the event of your untimely death.
NEBF
There is a Pre-Retirement Surviving Spouse Benefit included in the NEBF Plan. If the participant dies before he had become eligible to receive pension benefits, the spouse may be eligible to receive pension benefits earned. The phone number for the National Electrical Benefit Fund office is 301-556-4300. Again, in the event of your untimely death, your spouse should call the NEBF office.
IBEW
An “A” member in continuous good standing for 6 months may be eligible for a death benefit paid out by the International Office. In the event of an untimely death of a member, a surviving spouse or beneficiary should call the Local 26 Finance Office at 301-459-2900. A certified copy of the death certificate will be needed for death benefits, and the phone number for the International is 202-833-7000.
There are other specifics and exceptions, but these are the general guidelines for the different plans.
Anyone with questions can call the Finance Office at 301-459-2900.
DUES WERE DUE JULY 1st.
Total retirements due for this quarter are $40.00.
by Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary
The new building for our Local Union creates new opportunities to organize. The educational opportunities available at Local 26 have always been a key point used when organizing non-union workers. As our state-of-the-art training facility comes together, you may direct any non-union electricians to the new building. Here they can see for themselves the difference between a union and non-union training facility. Our new building is proof of the strength a union brings to the worker. As we continue to organize, it is important that we look for a person who is committed to work each day in order to keep our union strong.
by Joe Dabbs, Membership Development
Pictured above is the crew at the Amazon.com project located at 43831 Devin Shafron Drive, Ashburn, VA. The amount of work and the quality of work put forth by these union members in a short period of time is to be commended. This job is what UNION CRAFTSMANSHIP is all about. Power Solutions-LLC is very proud of these and all their employees.
