2026 Day on the Hill

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2026 IBEW Day on the Hill is Tuesday March 24th – To RSVP and sign -up for the event go to: IBEW Day on the Hill

RSVP no later than Friday February 27th

Any questions contact: John Swanson, Political Coordinator at (507)951-2239 or email  jswanson@ibewlocal343.org

 

2026 Caucus Resolutions may be edited and printed as needed.

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The 2026 caucus resolutions may be edited and printed as needed. The language is the same on both the DFL and GOP forms. There are three topics covered: nuclear energy, data centers, and licensing. Blank resolution forms for both the DFL and GOP are available on the MN AFL-CIO website, along with other proposed resolutions.

2026 dfl data centers

2026 dfl mn license

2026 dfl nuclear

2026 gop nuclear

2026 gop data ctr

2026 gop mn license

MN Precinct Caucuses – Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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MN PRECINCT CAUCUSES ARE TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3 STARTING AT 7:00 pm

As we enter 2026, it’s clear that this past year has brought more than its share of frustration, anger, and disappointment. The level of vitriol and absolutism in our political conversations is unlike anything I’ve seen in my lifetime. Yet even in the midst of all that, I’m genuinely thankful for something we still share: our democracy—and the hope it offers through the opportunity for change every election.

I’m grateful for everyone who continues to stay engaged, who believes that our voices still matter, and who refuses to give up on a better path forward. I remain hopeful that we can support leaders who focus on issues that truly impact working people, who are willing to listen, and who aim to bring a sense of fairness and sanity back into public life.

Let’s continue to show up, speak up, and work together to shape the future we want to see. Our collective effort matters more than ever. You’ve been part of Minnesota’s caucus system before, and I want you to know how much that truly means. When people like you show up, when you give your time, your voice, and your heart to this process, it keeps the foundation of our democracy strong. I’m deeply grateful for that.

As we approach the caucuses on February 3rd at 7:00 pm, I hope you’ll consider being part of them once again. Not because anyone expects it from you — but because your presence matters. Every time you step into that room, you help shape what comes next for our communities, for working people, and for our state.

I’m thankful for the leaders who stand with us — who understand the work we do, the dignity in our trades, the importance of our licenses, and the power of our unions. Thank you for caring enough to show up. Thank you for believing that our democracy is worth the effort. And thank you for helping ensure it doesn’t just endure, but flourish.

If you have any questions about who supports labor in your area, please contact John Swanson, Political coordinator: 507-273-0658 or jswanson@ibewlocal343.org

Go to the MN Secretary of States’ website form more information about Precinct Caucuses, including where to go in your neighborhood by clicking HERE

AFL/CIO sample resolutions, blank resolution forms and absent attendee form can be found by clicking HERE

 

Did you have Auto Dues? Click HERE for what you need to know.

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11/5/25 UPDATE / EXPLANATION for anyone that was signed up for Auto Dues payment through Blaze Credit Union: 

As we tried to explain in our earlier notifications and mailings, we understand that there’s a bit of confusion and worry since the Auto Dues Payment Option is no longer available to you. However, you do have a few options on how to pay your dues going forward. PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

  1. Pay in person by cash or check – We also have a Drop Box by the front door of the Rochester Hall (do NOT put cash in the drop box!)
  2. Mail in a check or money order (BE SURE THE MEMBER’S NAME IS CLEARLY STATED ON THE CHECK or MONEY ORDER SO WE KNOW WHO IT’S FOR)
  3. Pay them on-line using the secure Union Worx link (there is no service fee charged to you). You can use debit or credit. You must LOG IN to pay.  Your log in information is simple….Your username is your email address that we (the union) has on file for you…so it would be THIS email address. The one where you are receiving this email. Your password is your last name (UPPERCASE) and the last 4 digits of your SS#. Example: SMITHxxxx *Don’t put any spaces between your last name and your ss and be sure to capitalize your last name.  (instructions are also on the page when you go to pay)
  4. You can set up BILL PAY with your bank (whether it’s Blaze, or Wells Fargo, or First Alliance, or Capital One, or First State Bank of Oslo…whatever bank you use). This is NOT an ACH deposit. *You will not get our banking information in order to do a deposit into our account – so please don’t call here and ask for our account information. We are not set up at this point to have 400 + members sending payments into our bank. This is STRICTLY a BILL PAY.
    • You will ask your bank to send us, IBEW Local 343, a check in the amount of $147.00 every quarter (January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1) on your behalf, to pay for your union dues….again, make sure your name (member name) is on the check so we know who to credit the payment to. If we get a check from First Alliance Credit Union, but no BUT…here’s the tricky part…you must make sure that your bank mails out the check far enough in advance so that WE receive it before the 10th of the month. If we do not receive it before the 10th of the month that your dues are due, you will be charged a $20.00 late fee. ALSO, YOU are responsible for notifying your bank of any increase in dues. – WE (the union) will always notify you, well in advance, if there is an increase in dues, but it is your responsibility to *open your mail to read the notifications *read your newsletter to see the notifications *open your mail to read the notifications (yes, I listed that twice…because it’s so important). We can only do so much to let you know what’s happening. If you aren’t willing to opening your mail and read what we send to you, we can’t help you.

Finally, since Blaze Credit Union no longer offers the auto dues payment feature, you are under no obligation to remain with Blaze Credit Union if you do not want to. You can choose to have your vacation/holiday money deposited into any financial institution you desire. We sent out some information of this about a year ago, but some people may have forgotten about it. There is a link to this form directly below, so if you decide you want to have your vacation/holiday money put into a different account, other than Blaze, you can fill the authorization form and send it to Wilson McShane. – THIS IS ENTIRELY YOUR DECISION

Click on THIS LINK  for a Summary description of 2026 Union Dues

Click on THIS LINK for our 2026 Calendar (it will show important dates to remember – especially Union Dues)

Click on HERE for the Direct Deposit Authorization Form if you want your vacation/holiday funds deposited into a different account, other than Blaze.

Dear Members – the last payment from Blaze (for Auto Dues) happened in early September 2025. There will be NO MORE PAYMENTS from Blaze on your behalf. – Be prepared to pay your dues on your own. We are not set up to accept ACH payments. (more information under the NEWS tab)

Discontinue Auto Dues – Union 343

For assistance- call 651-215-3500 and ask for assistance with logging into Online Banking

Thank you on behalf of Blaze Credit Union

AmyLynn Eggers, Director of Member Payment Processing 651-215-3500

amylynn.eggers@blazecu.com

Block Kids Event – FREE and Open to 3rd – 5th Grade – January 24th at RCTC Heintz Center

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Block Kids Registration Flyer 2026

Registration is NOW Open for our annual Block Kids Event at RCTC’s Heintz Center in Rochester.  Please share with your 3rd – 5th grade teachers, parents and students!  This is a FREE event sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

During the event, the students will build a structure out of building blocks, string, construction paper, and aluminum foil.  After the build time is complete, we have industry professionals that come in to judge the projects and interview the students.  While the judges are judging, the students will then go to the Activity Area.  In the Activity Area, the students will have an opportunity to have a hands-on experience with industry professionals.

Below is a link to the Block Kids website where the students can register and parents/guardians can learn more about the program.

https://www.jotform.com/app/242806853246158

Eagles Cancer Telethon Breakfast – January 18th – Save the Date!

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IBEW Local 343, is once again, proud to help sponsor the Eagles Cancer Telethon Breakfast. 100% of the proceeds go to the Eagles Cancer Telethon to help find a cure for cancer. All of the work and supplies are 100% donated. It would be great if you could join us, share and/or volunteer!

Click HERE for Details on the Eagles Cancer Telethon Breakfast 

South-Central MN JATC is accepting resumes for a full-time day school instructor for the Inside Wireman Apprenticeship Program

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Click HERE for Instructor job posting 2025

Reminder for those that were enrolled in Auto Dues Payment:

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Reminder for those that were enrolled in Auto Dues Payment:

Blaze Credit Union has sent their FINAL payment on your behalf. That payment was sent to us in early September and paid for your 4th Quarter Union dues. Going forward it is up to you to pay your quarterly dues on your own. You can pay them the following ways:

  1. Mail a check to IBEW Local 343 – 9 80th SE, Rochester MN 55904 (be sure the member’s FULL name is indicated on that check)
  2. Money order mailed to IBEW Local 343 – 9 80th SE, Rochester MN 55904 (be sure the member’s FULL name is indicated on that money order)
  3. Drop box outside the front door at the Union Hall in Rochester (do NOT leave cash)
  4. Pay in person (we are open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.) We are open over the noon hour as well. Please call if you are unsure if we are open on certain holidays.
  5. Pay on-line. ALL members are registered with Unionworx (which is how you will pay on-line). Your username is the email address we have on file at the union hall. Your password is your last name (UPPER CASE) and the last 4 digits of your SS#. If you have not provided us with an email address, you will have to call us and provide us with an email address in order to register you.

*IMPORTANT TO NOTE: we are NOT set up to receive ACH deposits from your bank.

When we informed you that you could set up a “bill pay” through your bank, that means that you can talk to your bank about setting us up as recurring payment where they would send us a CHECK (on your behalf) for dues payments. – But please make sure that if you do that, they are putting your FULL name on the check, and they are mailing the check so that it gets to us on time. If we receive the check after the 10th of the month that dues are due, you will be assessed a $20.00 late fee.

Since Blaze has discontinued offering auto-dues payment, if you choose to have your vacation/holiday money deposited into a different account, you are free to do so. You can call the hall and we’ll mail you one, or you can print the form from our website https://ibewlocal343.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SCMNEW-Vacation-Plan-Direct-Deposit-Authorization-Form-1.pdf