A message from the 343 Labor Management Committee

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*REQUIRED FOR 343 MEMBERS ONLY*

As you may or may not be aware, the U.S. Department of Labor updated the Federal Regulations for Registered Apprenticeship programs and program sponsors (29.CFR.30) to provide periodic anti-harassment training to all apprentices and other individuals who work on a regular basis with apprentices.  This includes, but is not limited to, mentors, journeyworkers, supervisors, etc. 

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 343 (IBEW 343) and the Minneapolis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractions Association (NECA) firmly believe that there is no place for any form of harassment in the workplace.  We are making a joint effort to work toward ending all forms of harassment in our industry by taking steps toward a cultural shift in our offices and on jobsites.

Harassment can occur in many forms and not easily identifiable.  We, IBEW 343 and NECA, have taken the position that we want all contractors, their staff and every Local 343 member to take an online course provided through Electrical Training Alliance if your company does not currently have a training mechanism in place. All inside and residential apprentices currently receive this training through the South Central Minnesota JATC and do not need to be registered for this course.

The Harassment Prevention course will take approximately an hour to complete and requires completion of a quiz before moving on to the next section.  At the end of the training, a certificate of completion will be generated.  There is a cost to this course, which will be paid for by the IBEW 343 – Minneapolis NECA Labor-Management Cooperative Committee (LMCC).

Registration Instructions

  • Go to https://lms.protechskillsinstitute.org/login/index.php and follow steps to creating an account.
  • Program ID: MN 1380
  • Password: IBEW-NECA
  • Filter Group: JW Continuing Ed
  • You will receive confirmation once you have been successfully enrolled in the program and instructions on how to complete the course.

Your cooperation and compliance by completing the training and establishing a workplace environment where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and fairly treated is appreciate.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact IBEW 343 or NECA.

Thank you.

343 Labor-Management Committee

PARADE SEASON HAS BEGUN – SUPPORT OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES AT YOUR LOCAL PARADE….

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Brothers and Sisters,

Parade season has begun! Please support our endorsed candidates, by walking with them in your local parade, or as a spectator and cheering them as they pass by. Show your Union pride by wearing a Local 343 T-shirt or a shirt supporting your favorite candidate. The IBEW Local 343 COPE Committee has voted to endorse the following candidates for Minnesota statewide office. You won’t see these candidates in every one of these parades, but they are all DFL candidates and local DFL party units will be in the parades showing support. If I missed an event in your area give me a call and we will update the list.

Tim Walz for Governor

Peggy Flanagan for Lt. Governor

Keith Ellison for Attorney General

Steve Simon for Secretary of State

Julie Blaha for State Auditor

 

June 17 Medford Straight River Days, Line up at 5:30

June 18 Faribault Heritage Days, starts at 6:15

June 19 Janesville Hay Daze Parade, starts at 1pm

June 18 Caledonia Founders Day Parade 4:00 PM Caledonia

June 19 Steamboat Days Parade 2pm Winona

June 25 Rochesterfest Grand Parade 2:00 PM

July 2 Independence Day Parade 1:00 PM Bricelyn, MN

July 3 3rd of July Parade 6:00 PM Albert Lea Fairgrounds

July 4 Austin July 4 Parade 11:00 AM

July 4 Blooming Prairie Parade 2:00 PM

July 4 Stewartville Summerfest Parade 6:00 PM

July 8 Comfrey Parade 7:00 PM

July 9 Giant Days Parade 3:00 PM Blue Earth

July 9 New Richland Farm & City Days Parade 7:00 PM

July 16 Eyota Days Parade Morning

July 16 Rushford Days parade 7:00 PM

July 17 New Ulm Parade 12:30 PM

July 19 Jackson County DFL Picnic 5-8pm Lakefield, MN

July 30 Riverboat Days parade 6:00 PM Wabasha

July 31 Houston Hoedown Days Parade 12:00 PM

Sun, Aug 7 Buffalo Bills Day Parade Lanesboro

 

Remember your vote is your personal choice, an endorsement means we believe the candidate is the best choice when it comes to our priorities as a building trades union and we are asking you to consider these candidates when voting.

 

 

See you there!

John Swanson

Political Coordinator

507-951-2239

Local 343 Officer Election Results for 2022

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Ballots for the 2022 IBEW Local 343 Officer Election were counted Wednesday June 8, 2022.
363 ballot envelopes were received, 13 of those were ineligible to vote. 350 ballots were opened with one spoiled ballot and one voided ballot resulting in 348 valid ballots.

Here are the results, winners indicated by*:

President, Sean E. Sannes: 285 votes*
Vice-President, Mike E. Steffes: 279 votes*
Recording Secretary, Theodore J. Sauer: 278 votes*
Treasurer, Thomas C. Small: 274 votes*

Business Manager Financial Secretary,
Steven L. Cardell: 172 votes*
Chad M. Katzung: 104 votes
John C. Underhill: 65 votes

Executive Board Member, Top five are the new E-Board*
Robert P. Ernst: 160 votes*
Jeremy E. Evenson: 164 votes*
Jesse M. Lee: 173 votes*
Johnathan D. Mastery: 94 votes
Richard M. Resch: 119 votes
Christopher J. Will: 121 votes
Marshall K. Williams: 100 votes
Weston L. Wilson: 163 votes*
Randy W. Zincke: 175 votes*

Examining Board
Mark C. Rutten: 260 votes*
Bruce A. Tanberg II: 233 votes*
Thomas O. Yates: 261 votes*

Election Board
John W. Swanson
Brent Wienberger
Nikki Heather
Milo Weckworth
Jason Lindahl
Paul Spevecek
John Powrie
Justin Pruett

Cope Committee Endorsements from May 10th Meeting

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“The IBEW Local 343 COPE Committee met May 10 and voted to endorse the following candidates for Minnesota statewide office in the 2022 election:

Tim Walz for Governor

Peggy Flanagan for Lt. Governor

Keith Ellison for Attorney General

Steve Simon for Secretary of State

Julie Blaha for State Auditor

How did we decide these endorsements? A number of factors were considered:

The IBEW State Council has endorsed these candidates for 2022.

They are friendly incumbents we have previously endorsed.

While in office they have met or exceeded our expectations in working for and protecting workers rights.

 

Remember your vote is your personal choice, an endorsement means we believe the candidate is the best choice when it comes to our priorities as a building trades union and we are asking you to consider these candidates when voting.

Some of our primary issues include: preserving the right to organize, maintaining prevailing wage laws, MN OSHA, protecting our licensing standards, repealing the moratorium on new nuclear power plants in Minnesota and voting against any “right to work” legislation.

 

Any questions or concerns call John Swanson IBEW Local 343 Political Coordinator at 507-951-2239”

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

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Brothers and Sisters,

The special primary election to fill out the remaining term of Congressman Jim Hagedorn who passed away February 17 is underway. You may vote absentee today at your county election office until 5pm. Polls are open tomorrow for Election Day 7am-8pm.

To find your voting location go the Minnesota Secretary of State website: Voter Information Portal (state.mn.us)

The COPE Committee has chosen not to endorse a candidate for this primary. There are 10 Republican(GOP) candidates, 8 Democrat(DFL) candidates and 2 Cannabis/Legalize Marijuana candidates seeking to run in the special general election August 9 for this seat.

To find out more about the candidates and view your sample ballot go to: Minnesota Secretary Of State – What’s On My Ballot?

This will be a low turnout primary event. The 983 members of Local 343 have the power to affect the outcome of this primary.

Your vote is a personal choice. My job during this election cycle is to educate members on the process of voting and promote our endorsed candidates. If you have any questions or concerns call me at 507-951-2239

In Solidarity,

John Swanson

Political Coordinator

GreenCare and SnowCare For Our Troops!

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Below is information on project Evergreen. Project Evergreen provides snow removal and lawn care to military families when on military deployment. This also includes service for members that are called up for state active duty missions. Help pass the word to anyone you may know who is actively deployed. They are also looking for volunteers willing to provide lawn care and snow removal. If you, or anyone you know may be interested in this service or to volunteer you can register here.