On June 16, Local 26 was honored to have the Maryland Democratic Party Central Committee meet in our building to elect a new Party Chairman. Michael Cryor won the election, and I believe he will be a good chairman of the Democratic Party. His main goal is to improve voter turnout across the state for all local, state, and federal elections. See page 5 for more details of the day.

I attended my first meeting as a Trustee on the Maryland Democratic Party Central Committee on June 18. One of the items on the agenda was to meet with Senator Cardin to discuss upcoming issues in the Senate that were important to the state of Maryland. We also discussed avenues of improving voter registration and turnout and visited ways to energize all Maryland residents.

The IBEW 4th District Progress Meeting was held in late June. President Hill’s message to the delegates of the 4th District was that we must continue to organize and build momentum for the 2008 elections. He stressed the importance of putting a Democrat in office who will fight for workers’ rights. He also said we must continue to beat on our politicians to support working people and to protect our rights against the Republicans.

Recently, members, agents, and staff from Local 26 joined the International and over 4,000 other union members rallying in Upper Senate Park at the Capitol to support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA/H.R. 800). The EFCA would improve the National Labor Relations Act by establishing an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes. This bill is extremely important since it could completely change the way unions organize.

The Senate majority voted for the EFCA (51-49); unfortunately, it still fell short of the required 60 votes it needed in order to be passed. The bill will now be a topic for the 2008 Presidential election. This is just another example of why we MUST band together, get registered, and vote to put a Democratic president in the White House in 2008. See page 3 for more information on the EFCA and photographs from the rally.

This year’s Retired Members’ crab feast will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2007, from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Again, we are 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 $35.00 for Retired Members and their spouse or guest, and $40.00 for all others. The deadline for reservations is Friday, August 24, 2007. 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 call 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.

There will also be another bus trip to Charlestown Races and Slots on Thursday, October 11th, 2007. Once again, the bus will leave the Local 26 headquarters at 10:00 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. Seats are $20.00 per person. Watch upcoming newsletters for more details!

Dear Brothers and Sisters, a hearty thank you to those of you who participated in our recent election of officers. You should be commended for taking action, for exercising your right to participate, for not taking this privilege for granted, and for not standing on the sidelines pointing fingers and tongue-wagging. To those members who for whatever reason, did not cast their vote, I still have hope that one day you will get beyond the idea that “your vote doesn’t matter”. Even as I encourage you, did you know that there are places in this world where people are still fighting for the right to vote? So, whatever the excuse - GET INVOLVED!! Help make a difference, whether it’s within the Local Union or your community. One thing for sure, politics do matter, like it or not.

Summer is upon us so make sure you dress accordingly when on the jobsite. Observe safety regulations, be mindful of your surroundings and stay hydrated. See you at the next Minority Coalition meeting – 2nd Friday every month at 6:00 p.m. – and of course at the General Membership Meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Michael D. Grady
Larry T. Hill
William H. Hooten
Jasper Johnson
Charles L. Lay
Lewis B. Medlin
Robert L. Myers

James M. Ashley
Paul N. Conrad, Jr.;
Dean E. Foote
Clyde R. Gingrich
James R. Hall
Charles N. Henderson
Edward F. McGlynn
Herman M. Meyer
Ralph W. Moore
Gayther L. Powers

Richard P. Schuler
John R. Simmel, Jr.
Ralph W. Souder, Jr.
James F. Stephens, Jr.
Robert N. Stickman
Mark R. Towers
John K. Ward
Allen C. Warf
Richard E. Warren
Ray B. Wyatt, Sr.

Charles R. Kelly
Stanley Ketchel
Leslie J. Meeks
Lewis S. Orndorff
Anthony F. Pirrone
Frank E. Smoot

Martin J. Kann
Richard J. Noonan

At their recent meeting, the Trustees of the Electrical Welfare Trust Fund (EWTF) considered a claim from one of our members for coverage of the GARDASIL vaccine.

GARDASIL is a vaccine (3 doses as an injection/shot) that helps protect against (but does not treat) certain diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types.

The Trustees noted that in general, vaccines and immunizations are covered only for patients up to the age of 18. However, in light of the indications of the effectiveness of GARDASIL and the benefits of helping to protect against certain HPV Types, the Trustees have broadened the rule to apply to all eligible female members and dependents through age 26. (NOTE: This does not mean that a dependent child is covered through age 26. Dependent children are eligible only to age 19, or, if a documented full-time student, to age 23.)

As always, speak with your physician before beginning any medical regimen. If you have any questions about this important benefit, please contact the Fund Office at 301-731-1050.

Taking a stand for workers’ rights and the need for true labor law reform, 51 U. S. Senators recently voted on the floor of the Senate to move forward with the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The House of Representatives passed the bill several months ago; however, the formal vote in the Senate fell 9 short of the required 60 votes to allow the bill to proceed. The issue of workers’ rights and labor law reform is now set to become part of the 2008 U. S. Presidential election debate.

A delegation from Local 26, led by Business Manager Chuck Graham, joined over 4,000 union members to rally in support of the EFCA in Upper Senate Park at the Capitol. The bill guaranteed a worker’s right to choose to join a union, and was considered to be the most important piece of labor legislation since the National Labor Relations Act of 1934.

Representatives from the IBEW International Headquarters and IBEW Local 70 also attended the rally. U.S. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy (D-MA), Harry Reid (D-NV), Richard Joseph “Dick” Durbin (D-IL), and Representative George Miller, III (D-CA) addressed the crowd and emphasized that the EFCA would play a vital part in restoring America’s middle class. The EFCA would guarantee the right of workers to choose to join a union by simply signing a card in a process known as “card check”. This eliminates the harassment and intimidation tactics that employers currently use to control the workforce during union organizing campaigns. Today’s campaign/certification process provides loopholes and opportunities for employers to circumvent the democratic principles originally intended in the NLRA. Employers engage the multi-million dollar services of union-busting consulting firms to wage anti-union campaigns. Workers are threatened with layoffs and union supporters are singled out for harassment. In campaigns where the union wins an election, the employers deliberately delay the bargaining sessions for a first contract in hopes that the employees will give up and the union will not be effective.

Local 26 Business Manager Chuck Graham, who began his career with the Local as a union organizer, emphasized that passage of the EFCA could completely change the way unions organize. “We would no longer find ourselves up against the money and resources of anti-union law firms and consultants that get rich by denying workers their rights. The right to join a union is as basic as the right to free speech. The EFCA would protect this right and violating the law would mean a strong penalty.”

 

The Maryland Democratic Party Central Committee was privileged to convene a recent business meeting in the unique setting of the Local 26 Union Hall in Lanham. The Central Committee establishes party policy through elected representatives from each county in Maryland. Local 26 Business Manager Chuck Graham serves as trustee of the Maryland State Democratic Party, and Business Agent Steve Zimmerman is an elected member of the Central Committee from Calvert County.

Welcoming the delegates and guests to the Local Union Headquarters, Business Manager Graham kicked off the session by explaining that the success of Local 26 is due to the hard work of thousands of union electricians in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

He provided noteworthy details of the physical building and its features, and went on to give an overview of the membership, making it clear that more than 8,000 working men and women are Local 26 members who live in the districts the delegates represent. He emphasized that the membership was informed and concerned about what happens in Annapolis, Richmond and the Capitol because they live, work and raise their families here.

“It’s important”, Graham said later, “that as Local 26 continues to establish its presence and elevate its position in the community, we make ourselves known in the political arena as well.” He emphasized that elected officials who support a working families’ agenda--such as Al Wynn, Jack Johnson and Peter Franchot--continue to earn the Local’s support.

Local 26 Vice President Larry Greenhill, Sr. and business agents Steve Zimmerman, Melvin Cherry and George Hogan were also on hand with Chuck Graham to represent the interests of Local 26 members.

The Local 26/NECA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee’s Fall 2007 Journeyman Skill Improvement Classes will begin the week of September 10th. Class sizes are limited and will be filled in the order in which registrations are received. You may also register online at www.washdcjatc.org starting this month and ending on September 7th, or stop by any office to register. For further information and registration, please call the Apprenticeship and Training Office at 301-429-2575.

Watch your mail for the JATC postcard which will include information on how to apply for available classes. Please make sure your address is current by calling the Finance Office at 301-459-2900, Monday- Friday from 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

IBEW 26 Federal Credit Union is here to help. Your loan officer will help you understand financing. Motor Vehicle Certification Program will help you at the dealership. MVCP is a free member’s benefit that enables you to purchase vehicles at their dealer’s at a low pre-negotiated profit margin. Their advisors will inform you of all the current rebates, incentives, invoice pricing, destination and advertising charges. Additionally, they will estimate the value of your trade. Now you will be certain of a great deal and the best financing. Contact MVCP at 1-800-345-0990 or www.mvcp.com. Pick up an IBEW 26 FCU car wash kit when your loan is disbursed, while supplies last.

**To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What does this mean for you? When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask for a copy of your driver’s license or other identifying documentation.**

Brothers and Sisters, Local Union 26 continues to head in the right direction. With your support, the officers and business representatives have been able to make decisions in order to help the local grow to be the best Local Union in the country. We have doubled our membership in recent years and taken our trust funds to new heights. We currently are training over 750 apprentices, which is a daunting task in itself. We have been able to restore our health and welfare to a position of strength, providing new benefits to our retired members while other local unions have cut benefits to deal with staggering cost increases. We have increased the retirement benefits every year, which is a testament to the wise investments made by the trustees on your behalf. New tools have been provided to help you make informed investment decisions on your annuity so that you can create an investment strategy that works for you. Feel free to contact any of the trustees on the various funds if you have questions about the benefits that you enjoy as a member of Local 26.

We are currently enjoying a bright work picture, and taking advantage of our good fortune to be able to provide for the membership in the future. Local 26 continues to evolve in order to meet the requirements of a changing industry. Be a part of that growth by getting involved and attending meetings. Also, understand how the current political environment will affect you as a Union worker.