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

Run-Off Election Results 7-2-2025

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Click on image to enlarge

Sparky Fishing Opener – SATURDAY, June 14th, 2025

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The date that was published in the 2nd quarter newsletter was incorrect.

Saturday, June 14th is the correct date.

 

2026 Dues Info…….Next Union Meeting is 6 pm Wed., 2/11/2026 in OWATONNA…..

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Union Dues are due the first of Every Quarter (January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1)

2026 Dues – $147/quarter for “A” members and $78/quarter for “BA” members

General Membership Meeting is Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at the Owatonna Eagles Club (141 E. Rose St., Owatonna, MN) The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Food will be served prior to the meeting, beginning at 5 p.m.

May Day Rally – Thursday, May 1, 2025

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On Thursday May 1, 2025, in cities across the country, we will honor the legacy of the workers who gave everything for the eight-hour workday and so much more—and we will carry their struggle into today’s fight for a country that serves the many, not the few. This is not just about commemorating the past… we are building the future.

Questions; John Swanson 507-951-2239 or jswanson@ibewlocal343.org

Local Lines Article – by Tom Small

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Giving Back and Paying Forward

Eight years ago, the membership approved the creation of an apprenticeship scholarship.  A maximum of ten scholarships of $500 each is awarded annually to qualifying apprentices.  Since 2017, 45 scholarships totaling $22,500 have been presented.  Four apprentices have taken full advantage of this opportunity by receiving four scholarships each year from 2017-2020.  It’s free money!

Local 343 is forming a RENEW Committee, Reach out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers.  Per the I.O., the mission of the initiative is to inspire the next generation of IBEW workers to become active in their local union by focusing on issues important to younger workers.  RENEW is an IBEW-wide program open to all members ages 35 and younger.  It will offer members the chance to become more involved in the Local’s activities, learn about the benefits of the IBEW, increase pride in union membership and develop future leaders.

Congratulations to the first members of the Local 343 RENEW Committee:  Sisters Mandy Tullis-Martin and Damien Moore, Brothers Colton Nesler and Ray Wicks.

We remember our Brothers that passed in 2024:  Anthony Dickey, Allen Everman, Gerald McRae, James Bell, Robert Hagemann, Eugene DeBus, KB Askland, Howard Barnes, Richard Sargent, David Olson, Douglas Neff

Save American Jobs, Buy Made In USA

Tom Small P.S.

 

Local Lines Article