The Weekly Updates will now be known as Staff Updates and we will be moving to a bi-monthly method of posting. 

Staff Update - 5/26/2021

Office Staff

Please remember to keep your Dues up to date. They are due monthly or quarterly in advance. Processing time remains about 48 hours, and the Staff appreciates promptness. 

Please remember to keep your personal contact information up to date. 

Online Dues Pay - If you continue to experience issues, please feel free to call the Staff and they will be happy to assist in walking you through the process to create a better experience. 208-343-4861

Hall Policy for visits has changed:

Vaccinated - No mask required

Unvaccinated - Mask required. ( No Exceptions )

Please be honest with your current vaccine status as nobody can ever be sure what medical conditions their fellow Sisters and Brothers are dealing with, or what their friends and family may be subject to. Please be respectful. 

The Staff would like to say THANKS! to:

Nick Bathurst for the delivery of treats and visiting with the Staff

Tom Briner for his courteous conversations and the respect he displayed in talking through issues with the Staff

Assistant Business Manager

Re-sign for May was done, please remember to resign by the 16th so you don't lose your spot on the Out-Of-Work list. Email Toby at: Toby@ibew291.org with any questions or concerns. 

The Assistant participated in a conference call with the Federal Government in order to complete the Davis-Bacon Wage Survery. This occurs once every 10 years and is critical to assuring that our Local Unions set an accurate wage for all Federal Work. As a reminder on this, Idaho does not have prevailing wage due to the Legislature refusing to implement the concept. Remember to research the name and policies of who you vote for, and forget about the letter beside their name. We can find friends on both sides of the isle. 

Outside Construction still running strong. We have more Brothers and Sisters working in the Outside Contracts than at any time in anyone's memory. 

Inside Construction still expecting a boom when the supply shortage eases up. 

Wage Increase takes effect June 1st. 

.72 on the Check

.10 on the Pension

Organizer

Comet Class on 5/18 was successful. 

We have organized 8 total new Inside Classifications this month. 

Participated in the AFL-CIO Western States Conference

Currently meeting with a new group of workers to help them form their Union. 

Another potential group of workers has reached out and expressed interest and is in the initial phases of education and discussion

Our Organizer also participated in the Wage Survey Meeting for the Federal Government. This is an important process for Workers in the state of Idaho, your Staff is taking it seriously. 

Please contact Jeremy Redman at: Redman@ibew291.org if you know of anyone looking to start a new chapter in their Electrical Career, or if you know of any other workers that would like to Organize their workplace. 

Telecommunications Representative

The Telecom Dept held a meeting for all of the Stewards at ATT. We had 18 in attendance. We appreciate all those Sisters and Brothers stepping up to represent their fellow workers and ensure an equitable workplace at ATT. 

New Hire Orientation on 5/24/2021 was a success! We went 15/15 for new Members. The Local would like to thank Dez Johnson for spearheading the Orientations, and making our Local successful in those efforts. 

We recently settled two grievances for Just Cause violations in the Company's discipline program. We appreciate Marc Saenz and Zack Seeds for their professional handling and expert investigations that lead to these outcomes. Thanks Brothers!

Political Updates:

The Senate has adjourned Sine Die. The House has taken a long recess. Due to the Idaho State Constitution, should the House decide to reconvene at any time, the Legislature has created a constitutional crisis that will have to be litigated by the Idaho Supreme Court. 

The Anti-Inititatves Bill has been challenged in Court. 

The Legislature is currently paying a Law Firm 470.00 per hour to represent them in the Lawsuit. This is additional expenses on top of the Attorney General's costs to defend the Lawsuit. The Legislature has hired Private Counsel to defend their Legislation. The State is paying obscene amounts of money to defend several pieces of Legislation after this session despite being warned the Legislation was in violation of the State or US Consitutions. 

Business Manager:

The Local will be swearing in two new members of your Executive Board at the E-Board Meeting, please thank these Brothers for stepping up to help lead your Local Union.

Erik Simmons

Jacob Giese

The Local will be attending the State of Idaho AFL-CIO Convention June 13th-15th, and will seat 8 delegates: Alicia Davila, Sarah Smith, Eric Ackerman, Jared Milton, Rob Lawrence, Jeremy Redman, Jason Taylor, and Mark Zaleski. We appreciate these Sisters and Brothers participating in a convention where IBEW Local 291 is the largest Local Union represented. Way to go 291!

The Local has completed negotiations with the State of Idaho AFL-CIO for the Sisters and Brother we represent who work hard at the State AFL. 

The Local has also completed negotiations with OPEIU Local 11 for the Staff of the Local. 

The Local is proud to say we will resume meetings at the Hall starting with our June 3rd meeting. We will be following CDC, CDH, and Boise City Guidelines. Those guidelines include:

No mask requirement for vaccinated individuals.

For unvaccinated, please wear a mask when you are not in your seat. 

Social Distancing Gudielines still apply. 

As always, stay safe in your daily labor and arrive home in the same condition you left.