Corvid-19 Update 1

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Dear Member.

As you are aware, the situation with the Coronavirus is ever-changing and we are working to get the most current and up to date information to you as it happens. Please bear with us.

 

  1. We plan to remain fully operational to serve the membership during this time. We are taking every step possible to remain open, but we’ll need your help to remain open and provide the service you demand. As a result of the latest developments and recommendations to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus we ask:
  • If you feel sick do not come out to the Union Hall. If we keep the office staff healthy, we can stay open to help you.
  • Call before coming out to the Union Hall. Most of everything we do; we can help you by phone or email.
  • If you feel sick, do not go to work. We do not need you to spread it.
  • In the event we need to close due to illness, I will be working with our IT team on a contingency plan to set up a remote workforce for the staff to maintain full access to all necessary files and processes.

 

  1. Continue to watch the news tab on our web site for updates regarding meetings. Current cancelations are
  • Awards banquet April 4th, Canceled.
  • All face to face class for the JATC Canceled for the next two class sessions for each class section. As of right now, classes are set to resume on Monday, April 13th. All apprentices must stay in contact with the JATC for updates.
  • Code Update class in MARCH 21-22, Cancelled
  • Union meeting scheduled for April 8th, 2020 is tentative.

 

  1. The IBEW International office and the NECA International office has agreed to a National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA) Click here to read the agreement.

 

  1. An executive order has been put in place by Gov Tim Waltz modifying the rules to collect unemployment Unemployment Executive Order 20-05
  • Waives the waiting week
  • Waives the requirement to search for work
  • Waives the impact on the employer’s experience rating.
  • Does not extend benefits, YET
  • Applies to unemployment applications submitted after March 1.
  • Applies when:
    • Health professionals say worker can’t work because of COVID
    • Worker has COVID
    • A worker is in a risk category for COVID
    • The employer tells them not to come to work because someone else has COVID or a “communicable disease.”
    • Workers can’t get childcare or other accommodation to take care of school-aged children.
  • It does not apply if the worker chooses not to go to work.

Please note:

  • A worker does not have to be unemployed to collect unemployment benefits. If their hours are dramatically reduced because of COVID, they should still apply for Unemployment and state the reason is due to COVID.
  • MN DEED asks for patience around eligibility determinations and processing of applications.

We understand everyone’s frustration with what is happening, but we will do our best to keep you up to date as things change. Nothing is more important than your health and safety and we are here to help in any way we can. We also need to support each other during these difficult times.

If you have any questions feel free to call or email anytime.

In Solidarity

Chad Katzung

Business Manager

IBEW Local 343 Read more →

Possible State Building Code Exemptions from Inspections Clarification Change

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Senator Jason Rarrick has carried a bill to add exemptions that would allow the complete replacement of a saver switch and other things, to a completely new one without having to get it inspected. Not only is this a safety concern, but it also would drastically cut down on the amount of work available to our inspectors in rural areas. Jason is an IBEW 110 member and a small business owner of a small electrical contracting business and should know the importance of this work. We are asking our members and inspectors to reach out with their concerns about this bill and how it could affect our members. Also, Senator Michael P. Goggin has added his name as an author to the bill, and he is a senator from southern Minnesota.

See the bill https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF3962&ssn=0&y=2020

Senator Jason Rarrick contact info is

651-296-1508
E-mail: sen.jason.rarick@senate.mn

Legislative Assistant: Karen Johnson 651-296-0293

Senator Michael P. Goggin contact info is

651-296-5612

E-mail: sen.mike.goggin@senate.mn

Legislative Assistant: Matt Wooldridge 651-296-4264

If you have any questions reach out the Justin Pruett email justinp@ibewlocal343.org or call 507-577-1109

Whats Next?

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Super Tuesday has passed, but there is still a long road of other state holding caucus to give each candidate their delegates to determine who will be representing the democratic party. To win the Democratic nomination, a candidate must earn 1,991 delegates. For the state of Minnesota, we have chosen to give them to Joe Biden as well as our international IBEW has decided to endorse him.

Minnesota may be done with the presidential side until we have our primary on august 11, but there are still ways we can support our local candidates that are running for office. I’m asking you to get involved with helping us elect people that are going to protect our rights as a union. Reach out to your candidate of choice and let them know the things you would like them to support, and even volunteering to help the candidate get elected, parades, door knocking, helping in a phone bank, also putting a sign on your lawn or window to show support. It’s the small things that can make a difference.

If in any way you need help finding information, or if you’re wanting to find ways you can help more, please reach out to Justin Pruett email justinp@ibewlocal343.org phone 507-577-1109

Help Save our Apprenticeship!!

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Our Apprenticeship program is under attack by the Federal Department of Labor. I’m asking all of our brothers and sisters to go to the website listed below and ask to exclude construction apprenticeships from this new proposal. If made final, the proposal would establish a process for creation of “Standards Recognition Entities” (SREs) that would themselves recognize a new classification of apprenticeship programs, “Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs” (IRAPs). IRAPs would not be subject to requirements that our apprenticeship programs and other DOL registered apprenticeship programs are. Please take the time to submit your comments to the DOL in support of the construction industry exemption. Comments are due by Aug 26th.

 

Here are the instructions:

 

​1.  LOG ON

Visit www.saveIBEWapprenticeships.org

 

  1. CLICK YOUR BRANCH

Select the page most appropriate for you by clicking one of the following red boxes at the bottom of the page:  Construction Branch – Inside,  or All Members, Friends, and Family.

 

  1. COMPLETE THE FORM

Scroll down until you see fields for your contact information on the left side of the page if you are on a computer or in the center of the page if you are on a cellular phone. Please complete as many of these fields as you can. The more fields you complete the more individualized your comment letter will be.

 

  1. PREVIEW / EDIT

Preview or edit your comment letter by clicking the red “preview” or “edit” buttons located at the bottom of the form. If you choose to edit your comment, please remember to be respectful and limit your comments to the proposed regulation.

 

  1. SEND AND SHARE

Once you have reviewed your comment and made any changes you wish, please then hit submit. Your comment will be sent directly to the DOL. You will receive an emailed confirmation when the DOL processes your comment. After you have submitted your comment please share www.saveIBEWapprenticeships.org with your family and friends.

Summer Picnic Pictures 2018

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