It is with much regret and sorrow I inform you of the passing of Local 894 Brother Robert Lazure on Friday, January 4, 2008 at the early age of 53. We share the loss with his wife Brenda and daughters Stacy, Kim and Lisa. Brother Lazure was a member of Local 894 since 1987 and will be dearly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him and work with him.
This meeting was well attended with Susan Bird, consultant and Vice President of J.J. McAteer & Associates, facilitating an excellent power point presentation of our benefit plan, how it works, and the reasons for the required increase in hourly contributions. Several questions were asked by members and were answered by the Local 894 Health & Welfare Trustees and Susan Bird. The Trustees have recommended a minimum increase of $0.50 per hour to keep our present benefits. The increase would raise the hourly contributions for Health & Welfare from $2.16 to $2.66 per hour earned. At the January 24, 2008 General Meeting Brother Roy Halverson was elected as “Judge” to oversee the secret ballot vote that will take place on February 28, 2008. The judge has selected Bob Taylor and Andy McVey as tellers. The voting polls will be open at 1:00 P.M. on February 28, 2008 at the Local 894 union hall to accommodate members working shifts etc. and will remain open until the General Meeting begins at 6:30 P.M. on February 28, 2008. Everyone who is actively covered by the Plan is eligible to vote, including apprentices who have not yet been initiated but are covered by the Plan. Members only, may remain and attend the General Meeting.
May 1, 2008 the negotiated wage increase is $1.25 per hour added to the total package rate. To date the Health & Welfare Trustees have suggested a minimum increase of $0.50 per hour on May 1, 2008 to the hourly contributions in order to keep our existing benefits.
The arbitrator for the PNWA (me too clause) has upheld the language and ruled in favour of the IBEW. The PNWA awards the IBEW an additional $2.15 per hour. The details of how and when the PNWA money will be implemented remain undetermined at this time. A meeting is scheduled for the two parties to meet on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 regarding this issue. As soon as more information and details become available a Special Called Meeting for Local 894 members will be scheduled with a notice sent to all members indicating the time, date and location of such meeting.
EPSCA has acknowledged Family Day and fulfills the obligation to provide “Heritage Day” as a recognized holiday, as per the EPSCA collective agreement. The language in the EPSCA collective agreement will be revised during the next round of bargaining to delete the reference to Heritage Day and replace it with Family Day. In 2008, Family Day falls on Monday, February 18th. Perhaps this decision will encourage the Electrical Contractor’s Association to do the same with the ICI sector. At this writing the Electrical Contractor’s Association has not recognized Family Day as a paid statutory holiday in the ICI sector.
Host: Local 303 Niagara/St. Catharines
Date: April 4th and 5th, 2008
Location: Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, St. Catharines, Ontario.
Local 894 practice times and locations will be published on our website as they become available.
If you have any questions regarding your RRSP investments please contact Lorna Stewart at Reuter Benefits: 1-800-666-0142
The Health & Welfare Trustees are pleased to announce the dental benefit will be increasing from the year 2005 dental fee guide to the year 2006 dental fee guide effective with services received on or after January 1, 2008.
NEB’S FUNWORLD – 1300 Wilson Road North, Sunday, February 10, 2008
10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
If you have not registered please call the office by Friday February 1st, 2008 and provide the following information:
Members name and number of children attending.
Location: Wolf Run Golf Club (same as last year)
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008
Fees: $90.00 per golfer
Tee Off: 8:00 A.M. Shotgun Start - More details to follow
Tax receipts will be issued to members only after their 2007 dues are paid in full. The majority of receipts are included in this Newsletter.
Union dues are due and payable the first day of the month, not the last day. If a member falls 3 months in arrears a reinstatement fee of $30.00 applies. If a member falls 6 months in arrears he/she is no longer a member of the IBEW.
Clarington Projects 1st Annual Polar Chilli Golf Classic will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2008. It is nine holes played with tennis balls and hoola hoops for holes. The Clarington Project is a day activity centre that supports people with intellectual disabilities including but not limited to Down Syndrome and Autism. Local 894 has sponsored three foursomes for this charity event and 3 spots remain open. If interested please call the office and register.
General Motors- Stark, Conti, Comstock, State, Bright
Ajax Hospital – Ozz Corporation
Peterborough Hospital – Ontario, Black & Mac, Ramco, AATEL
Oshawa Courthouse – Plan Electric
Loblaws Warehouse Ajax – Urban Electric
Water Treatment Plant Pickering – Stark
Residential Condominiums Whitby – Speedy Electric
G.E. Peterborough – Gridd Electrical Services Inc.
KIA Dealership Ajax – Jenner Electric
Kraft Foods Cobourg – Local Electric
CAMECO Port Hope – Comstock
Whitby Recycling – Clift Electric
Next Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 – 6:00 P.M.
Next General Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2008 – 6:30 P.M.
Work Safe
John Gillett
Business Manager
IBEW Local 894
Oshawa & District