IBEW 569 Brothers and Sisters – here is a new video message with some additional important updates for our members and union.
We have again had to cancel our union meeting due to COVID, so I hope this video provides a few key updates for our union.
As I reported last time, we have a new IBEW 569 Inside Contract!
It is a one-year contract with a 5.9% wage increase – which is an additional $2.65 an hour bringing us to $47.65 an hour – and the wage increase becomes effective at the end of the month on August 31st.
All the details and the full update on the Contract decision is located on our website, but we have had many questions regarding the allocation of funds between being on the check versus an amount toward health and welfare or our apprenticeship program.
Unfortunately, due to COVID and DIR time requirements, we were unable to get together and have membership determine where they wanted the raise to go. Therefore, the entire raise of $2.65 will be going on the check.
On a good note, this is only a one year deal, so our members can allocate the next raise wherever and however our members wish to allocate it.
We have now commenced on negotiating our Street Light Contract. This contract expires on September 30th and we hope to bring a new contract to our members for vote on, so long as we have something worthy of your consideration and vote.
Your committee has again decided that this Local will not buy our own raises or negotiate away our members’ sick time. We will always continue to fight for higher wages and better benefits for our members.
On another matter, we are organizing our first ever DRIVE THROUGH PIN NIGHT for September 9th here at the Hall from 4:30-7:30pm – this event will be compliant with COVID safety pre-cautions. Our honorees will remain in their cars and receive their pins congratulating them on 20-70 years of membership with IBEW, along with an IBEW facemask.
Over 280 members are to be honored this year, and a special shout-out to Kenneth Myron for his 75 years of membership with IBEW.
More details of the Drive Through Pin Night will be posted on our website shortly.
Speaking of safety, it is ‘National Safe and Sound at Work Week’ – let’s all continue to practice social distancing, and best safety practices on the jobsite – including wearing a face covering as required by the County and the State.
IBEW 569 considers face masks to be PPE and a condition of employment – therefore they should be provided to all members by our employers. As “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” your health must be protected and respected.
Where employees are not provided masks and PPE, you may obtain reimbursement under California Labor Code Section 2802 for your personal masks and PPE.
COVID has hit Imperial Valley extremely hard and while it is difficult to work in the heat and humidity – please continue to wear your mask and PPE. We need to do our part to lower the infection rate and save lives.
Here are our dispatch report over the last month. IBEW 569 has dispatched over 300 members to jobs all over San Diego and Imperial Counties as follows:
· 18 FCBN;
· 56 Inside Journeymen;
· 50 Inside Apprentices;
· 8 Sound Journeymen;
· 6 Sound Apprentices;
· 7 Material Handlers;
· 28 CEs;
· 97 CWs;
· 29 Streetlight Techs; and
· 10 Soundtechs
Over the last few months, we’ve had many apprentice open calls and we have admitted several new apprentice classes. We would like to congratulate all the CWs that made the jump into our Inside Apprenticeship program and are on their way to becoming Inside Journeyman Wiremen.
Please continue to stay engaged – watch your email and our social media for action alerts – and RIGHT NOW – make sure you’re registered to vote to help win more work for IBEW members.
One way to get involved is to join our Stewards Meeting which has been moved to Thursday, August 20th at 5pm. This meeting will take place over zoom and if any of our San Diego or Imperial County members are interested, please contact Joe Page in our office to sign up.
And please continue to stay safe!
In solidarity,
Jeremy Abrams
Your IBEW 569 Business Manager
