Latest News

June 13, 2008

ELECTION RESULTS 

June 6, 2008

• Barbara Stenquist-Bus Mgr/Fin Sec & Delegate to the International Convention

• Larry Garman-President

• Ben March-Vice President

• Treasurer-Mike Stevens

• Recording Secretary-Alice Carlson

• Eastern Rep-James Holbrook

• Western Rep-Carson Voorhees

• Central Rep-Robert Temple

Butte-1st Wednesday   7:00 pm at Local 44

Great Falls-4th Tuesday  7:00 pm at the Amigo Club

Helena-1st Thursday  6:00 pm Union Office (1361 Elm)

Missoula-2nd Tuesday  7:00 pm at the Labor Club

Bozeman-2nd Thursday 6:30 pm at the American Legion

Billings-2nd Wednesday 5:30 pm at the Labor Temple

Lewistown-4th Monday (Time & place when set up)

Miles City-3rd Wednesday  5:30 pm at the 600 Cafe'

Glendive-3rd Tuesday 7:00 pm at the River Inn

Sidney-3rd Monday 5:30 pm at the VFW Hall (Downstairs)

Circle-3rd Thursday 5:30 pm at St Francis Xavier Church (Downstairs)

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The delegates of the 37th IBEW International Convention, which was conducted in Cleveland, Ohio during the week of September 11 through 15, 2006, approved amendments to Article IX of the IBEW Constitution. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2007, there will be a per capita increase of one dollar ($1.00) for all members, and there will be an increase of seventy cents ($.70) for the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund (PBF) contribution, which applies to "A" members only. Accordingly, the following rates will apply to the I.O. portion of all monthly dues payments covering January 2007, and thereafter:

"A" members

Per Capita $11.00, Pension Fund $12.00=$23.00

In accordance with Article IX of the IBEW Constitution, $11.00 per month from each member shall go into the General Fund, and the additional amount paid by our "A" members of $12.00 per month shall go into the IBEW Pension Benefit Fund.

"BA" members and "FP" fee payers

Per Capita $11.00=$11.00 (increased from $10.00 to S11.00)

This is a International Per Capita increase only & not an increase to IBEW Local 206's basic local dues.

BYLAWS:

Two Bylaw proposals were sent out to the Units in November to be read. These two proposals are as follows:

Proposal #1 Article XII Sec. 11-Correct spelling on Lewistown and Add two Units Roundup and Circle

Proposal #2 Article IV- Add section 6-The Boards monthly meetings may be held via conference call.

  As summer draws to a close, fall promises to bring increased activity for the Union.  The issues and grievances with Qwest continue to be a challenge.  With the closure of the Call Center on October 2, 2006, most of the issues are around the progression of disciplinary actions.  We still have four wrongful termination grievances, two of which have been moved to Arbitration and are scheduled on December 6^th and 7^th.  The Union and the Company continue to have issues in Network throughout the state.  Most of the issues revolve around the fact that the company doesn’t have enough employees to take care of the customers.  When full time employees retire or leave, the Company has been using a band-aid by hiring part-time or incidental employees to replace the attrition.  The Union knows that this is not a permanent solution and have been trying to find ways to make the Company understand that we need more permanent full time employees.

  The staff at the office has been meeting with Mid Rivers employees to prepare for upcoming Contract Negotiations beginning in October. The first trip on Saturday, June 17^th to Miles City, the employees spent nine hours dissecting the entire Mid Rivers Contract.  Each and every Article was addressed as we planned proposals with new language.  The meeting included discussion around who would be chosen to serve on the Negotiating Team.  E-Board President, Larry Garman will notify those chosen by October 1, 2006.  Mid Rivers, General Manager will receive the opening letter between 60 and 90 days prior to the December 31, 2006 expiration date of the Contract.   On August 31, 2006, a 2^nd meeting was held in Lewistown to discuss and gather more information surrounding new language for proposal to be presented at Contract Negotiations.  A meeting to finalize proposals has been scheduled in Glendive on October 14^th.   Hopefully by then, we will have a schedule of the dates that the Negotiation Team will be meeting with Mid Rivers Management.

  As you can see the rest of the year will be extremely busy.  I will continue to be available to all members, but it may be a bit more limited.  Please understand that I am working for all members.

  Fraternally

  Barb   

On August 16th Ed Hill sent an email thanking all members for the enthusiasm and willingness to spread the word about the new web site:

 IBEWHourPower.com  

The popularity is spreading and he asked to keep passing this web site on, so individuals who  have not yet visited the site will be compelled to go. Even if you have visited, please return.  A new addition to the site highlights the pride and productivity of the IBEW.

This site is for your benefit and Brother Hill promised with every new edition you will continue to be impressed.

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On April 18, 2006, Qwest announced the closure of the Helena MT, Sales and Service Center.  They will no longer take calls after October 2nd. 

Best wishes to our Brothers and Sisters in the Center who took VTP (Voluntary Termination Pay).  on August 1, 2006. ( There are 25 consultants that left the company, to seek other career opportunities.)  

Since June 2006,  14 have transferred to other Qwest locations.

The remaining employees will stay until the end.  (5 will be eligible to retire.)

On a good note, we welcomed 17 new members so far in 2006.  (7 with Qwest and 10 with Mid Rivers Telco)

 Some useful information...

IBEW Founders' Scholarship Program -  IBEW web site ( www.ibew.org ) has  information and printable application.  The IBEW Founders' Scholarship is for  IBEW members who have been in continuous good standing for the four years preceding May 1 of the scholarship year.  It is not for spouses or children of IBEW members. Union Plus has a scholarship that is available for IBEW members as well as members' spouses and dependent children  Please visit the Union Plus web site for more information at www.unionplus.org.

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Propositions for membership are as follows:

QWEST - Ryan Ennis-MT Comb, Livingston, Mark Gehoski-MT Comb Tech, Billings, Bradley Mehr-Kiosk Center, Missoula, Brent Losing-Kiosk Center, Missoula, Terrell Vandegenachte-returned from Honorary Withdrawal.

MRTC-Dean Treau, Eric Schultz, Lisa Kelly, Carla Jirges, Deniel Campbell, Brent Scarpholt, Tiffany Robinson, Shannon Geiger, 

IBEW-Robert Brock

Rod Tabbert Construction-Adam Black-Operator

The following members requested Honorary Withdrawals (Rocky Mountain employees): Roger Hill, Kurt Novak and Shane Swigert.

** When former employees for Qwest return as "incidental" employees, they are required to pay union dues while they are working.  Please let us know if you have incidentals in your area. 

A complete list of pending grievances can be obtained at your monthly unit meetings and on the Website.

Executive Board meetings will be held, on a trial bases, the third Thursday evening of every month.  If you have any questions or concerns contact the union office or a steward before the next board meeting.

REPORTS OF ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS: Nothing to report

 Stewards: 

We ask that stewards do not delay in filing their first step grievances.  The timelines are very important.  Grievance numbers can be obtained from the Union office.  Review the guidelines for filing grievances and live by them! Documentation is the key to our winning many grievances.  Always take legible and precise notes.  We are hearing that many of our members are going into disciplinary meetings without Union representation.  

Your right as a Union member is to have that representation. Please take a steward along to these meetings.  The information obtained, if needed, may be useful at a later time.

Unit Meetings:

Unit meetings are for the membership.  Please attend your local unit meetings.  Many important things are discussed.  The Executive Board reads all the minutes from the unit meetings at their monthly meeting, which meets the 2nd Saturday of every month.  Any questions that the membership has at their Unit meetings that can't be answered are read, addressed and then answered at the next Unit meeting.  Complaints to others will not help improve anything.  Your Union wants to hear your concerns and needs and then act on them. The only way to do this is to get involved.  The first step is to attend these meetings!

The Helena Unit meetings have a new meeting place!  They are now in the Union office, at 1361 Elm, Suite 6; this is behind the Subway on Cedar Street.  Meetings are still the 1st Thursday of the month and the same time.

News Wanted

We also would like each of the units to send in any information they feel necessary to add to this site. Please forward any suggestions to the Union office or send them to our email address: ibew206@qwest.net

Anyone who does not have access to the web site can call or write the Union office and we will be glad to print a copy of the web news and mail it to you. Our mailing address is: 

PO Box 5654
Helena, MT 59604.