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I’d like to recap 2006, highlighting some of the Local’s achievements and progress made throughout the year. Probably the biggest milestone was our move to the new headquarters in Lanham, MD. We moved in the last weekend of May and held an open house in July. Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to come by and see this marvelous tribute to our Local. We were successful in getting our DC office on Blair Road open before the year ended with Brother George Hogan manning that satellite. Our Dollars Against Diabetes Annual Golf Outing was, once again, a huge success. Last year’s participation enabled us to make a very generous donation to the fight against diabetes. There were so many golfers that we had to utilize a fifth golf course! Our two summer picnics were well attended and enjoyed by members and their families. Our local area picnic was in Clarksburg, Maryland, and we held another picnic in Roanoke, Virginia for the members in that area. Local 26 hosted the annual IBEW Softball Tournament with about 40 teams from around the country participating. We are proud to say one of our teams took first place again this year (in their division), and both teams placed first in their bracket. Negotiations were held and completed without having to turn to CIR for a fair outcome. We are proud to have had our membership approve their collective bargaining agreements. New Inside and Residential Wireman Agreement books were printed, and members were mailed a copy. Our plea for union members to get out and vote in November was instrumental in the huge victory for organized labor, with Democrats taking control of the House and Senate. The Health & Welfare Trustees gave our Retirees eye care and dental benefits starting this month. We are pleased to be able to provide this for our retirees. Organizing efforts have increased our membership numbers, and we signed 14 new electrical contractors last year. As we had hoped, employment was good for Local 26 members in 2006 and, with many large jobs on the horizon, our work picture is bright for this New Year as well! As we continue to work hard making our contractors more competitive, I’m hoping you will work hard upholding our motto, “Craftsmanship with Pride”. Take advantage of the many journeyman skill improvement classes and spread the union message to any unorganized workers you encounter. Together, we can make Local 26 even better in 2007! |
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Fraternally, Chuck Graham |
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Greetings Brothers and Sisters! As I write this article, I cannot help but reflect on what a great year ’06 was for us as an organization. We have many reasons to be thankful, but I’ll mention only one – our own building! With that being said, I hope that all of you had a blessed (happy) Christmas season. I challenge you to “do your part” to make ’07 even more prosperous. Believe me, there are many ways to “do your part”-- Helping the Local Union by volunteering; making a supreme effort to attend work on a regular, punctual basis (this would began to reduce the bleeding of our trust funds caused by absenteeism); encouraging another member rather than being spiteful; rededicating yourself to your Local Union by attending union meetings; and, paying your dues, just to name a few. The Minority Coalition will be holding its “Third Annual Black History Celebration” on Saturday, February 17, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in our new headquarters. ALL members are invited. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door. Last year we recognized, along with our minority retirees, our minority contractors. This year we will not only continue the tradition of honoring our minority retirees, but we will also honor the fifth year apprentice who excels both on the job and scholastically. There will be good food, fellowship and fun. We’d love to see there! For tickets, contact Larry Greenhill, Sr., President of the Coalition at 301-918-8804. You may also see any of the other officers: Larry Greenhill, Jr., Vice-President; Violet Carter-Quick, Secretary-Treasurer; Jamelle Thrower, Recording Secretary; or Steering Committee Members Robert Smith or Tariq Saahir for tickets. The Coalition meeting will be CANCELLED for January 2007. We’ll see you at the February meeting, 6:00 p.m. on the second Friday. |
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by Larry Greenhill, Sr., Vice-President/Minority Coalition President |
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The 110th United States Congress will convene on January 4, 2007 and expire on January 3, 2009. All 435 members of the House of Representatives were elected on November 7, 2006. Because of the staggered terms, only 33 of the 100 senators were elected in the 2006 election and will take office at the beginning of the 110th Congress. The Democrats may control a majority in both chambers for the first time since 1995.1 Furthermore, two Maryland natives will be stepping into lead roles. This month, Nancy Pelosi will be sworn in as the next Speaker of the House and Steny Hoyer will be the next House Majority Leader, making them second and third in line for the presidency. Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro Pelosi, Democratic Representative from the 8th District of California, is originally from Maryland and graduated from Trinity College in Washington, DC. In the 108th and 109th sessions of Congress, she was the House Minority Leader for a total of four years. As a result of the Democrats winning a majority of seats in the recent 2006 midterm elections, Pelosi is the new Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the lower House of Congress, the House of Representatives, and is ranked second in the presidential line of succession (behind the Vice President). Pelosi is the first woman to lead a major political party in either House of Congress and is the first woman to serve as Speaker.2 Steny Hamilton Hoyer, Democratic Representative from Maryland’s 5th Congressional District (counties which include Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and portions of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel), was voted House Majority Leader with a landslide win of 149-86. The Majority Leader acts as the leader of the party that has a majority control of the seats in the house. The Majority Leader works with the Speaker of the House and the Majority Whip coordinating ideas and supporting votes for legislation.3 Hoyer, a 25-year veteran of Congress, was previously the House Minority Whip, the second-ranking position among House Democrats for the past two sessions of Congress as well. This position has made him the highest ranking member of Congress from Maryland and the longest serving member of the House of Representatives from Southern Maryland in history.4 House Democrats of the 109th Congress stated, “Democrats believe that America needs – and Americans deserve – a New Direction that provides security, prosperity, and opportunity for all.”5 We are glad to have our jurisdiction well represented in this coming 110th session of Congress. |
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by Butch Ramos, President |
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| 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 year 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 contribution have been approved for the next several years thru 2011. Remember, the Local 26 working dues will not increase as they will remain at the current level. Please ensure your employer is taking out the proper amount for your work dues. |
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FIRST QUARTER DUES WERE DUE JANUARY 1ST RETIREMENT ASSESSMENT DUE IS $30.00 |
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As a reminder to all members, now is the time to verify that the pension plan offices have the current beneficiary information for you. Many things can change during the year, and it is very important that the pension offices are updated regarding changes you would like to make regarding beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are the people that you designate to receive such things as life insurance, death benefits, etc., if something should happen to you. The phone numbers for benefits paid out from the union are: IBEW International 202-833-7000, Local 26 EWTF 301-731-1050, and NEBF 301-556-4300. |
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by Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary |
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We are proud to report that Local 26 won the 62nd Annual IBEW Bowling Tournament in Louisville, KY. The winning team was manned by Charlie Abel, Sean Tall, Harry Baker, Diante Jones and Ronnie Whitt. Another Local 26 team finished in 3rd place, and we had 1st place finishers in the Singles, Doubles and All Events. All results can be found by going to www.ibewbowl.com. We are looking forward to the 2007 tournament to be held in Birmingham, Alabama on June 1-3. The league will be finishing the 1st half of the season this month. If anyone is interested in joining for the 2nd half, you should visit us at the Bowie Fair Lanes in Bowie, MD on any Wednesday night between 6 and 9 p.m. |
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by Bruce Ronkette |
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Marvin R. Holland #1495 |
Dwight D. Daniels #1496 | |||
Lemuel A. Henderson #1497 |
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William G. Beckwith #1498 |
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Michael E. Best #1499 Allen J. English #1500 Charles W. Keatts #1501 John Henning #1502 |
Jimmy L. Livingston #1503 Kenneth L. McCloud #1504 Robert J. Reilly #1505 John R. Sanlius #1506 |
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George W. King #1507 |
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John W. Lasley #1508 |
Lewis L. Walker #1509 | |||
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Join the Retirees’ Club for our first bus trip to Charles Town, (WV) Races and Slots on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. The deluxe, restroom equipped bus will leave at 9:00 a.m. from the Local 26 headquarters in Lanham, MD. You can park your car in this lot for the day for free. Be sure to reserve your spot early--space is limited to the first 50 people to respond. All friends and relatives are welcome. The cost is $20 per person. Please send your non-refundable deposit to RETIRED MEMBERS’ CLUB, 2015 Peabody Street, Hyattsville, MD 20782, to reserve a seat. Also, please include your NAME, PHONE NUMBER, and NUMBER OF TICKETS. We hope to see you there! |
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| The Local Union Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for the annual Local 26 Scholarship Award. Two winners will be selected as recipients of the 4-year, $1,000 per year award. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school or be a high school graduate between the ages of 17 and 21, with less than two years of college completed. This scholarship is open to the children of Local 26 members who have been in good standing for at least five years. You may stop by the Lanham, MD Union Hall and pick up an application form, or call the business office at 301-459-2900 to request that one be mailed to your home. The deadline for returning completed applications is March 31, 2007. |
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 January 2- February 28, 2007 Get pre-approved NOW and find the sleigh ride of your dreams! Shop for your next car at Enterprise Car Sales. Call 1-800-car-sales or visit: www.enterprisecarsales.com |
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*Vehicle must be purchased from Enterprise and financed by your Credit Union to qualify for payment offer. Enterprise will make the first payment on the payment due date up to $400 on member’s behalf after vehicle is financed through your Credit Union. Offer valid when 7-day repurchase agreement is activated. No cash advances. Offer not valid for previous Enterprise purchases or with any other offer. For current loan rates visit our website, come in or call the Credit Union office. See our special insert in this month’s newsletter for detailed information on benefits of Credit Union membership. Bienvenidos Elizabeth Molina and Silvia Rodriguez on our staff! Year end statements will be mailed to all members of the Credit Union. If you do not receive your statement, please call the Credit Union office to confirm your address. |
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| Special Holiday Hours: Monday, January 15, 2007 Closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Regular Credit Union hours: Monday through Friday 9-12 & 1-3:30 Telephone: 301-306-0610 Toll free line: 888-306-0610 Fax: 301-306-0746 Audio Response: 800-724-7573 Website: ibew26fcu.com Email: information@ibew26fcu.com |
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| Are you headed off to college in 2007 or already enrolled? Well, we’re pleased to announce a college scholarship opportunity that may make it easier for you to meet your education costs. The $10,000 College Essay Scholarship Program for 2007 is underway now! Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to the winning applicants in May of 2007 by the Credit Union Foundation of MD & DC, the sponsor of the awards. This year’s essay topic is: “What advice would you give to Credit Unions seeking low-cost ways to attract and serve young members (age 25 and younger)?” Any IBEW 26 Federal Credit Union member who currently attends or who has been accepted to attend college is eligible to apply. Applications and further details on the College Essay Scholarship Program can be found on the Foundation’s website at: www.cufmddc.org/essay.htm. |
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All Residential Wiremen (RW) who have a current jurisdictional license and three or more years of good standing membership in the IBEW may be eligible for the 2007-2008 Residential Upgrade Program. You must come in in person to any of our offices to fill out an application. Contact Ms. Wendy Escolero at 301-918-8816 for more details. The deadline for submitting applications to the Examining Board is May 24, 2007. No applications will be accepted for review after that date. |
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