Local 73 Update
Sisters and Brothers, Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. We’ve been calling all retired and active members to see how everyone is doing during these difficult times. We actually only got to talk with 250 of the 955 so far. For the most part everyone is doing well. There are close to 80 construction members who have been laid-off or on furlough as a result of the coronavirus situation. Many of them had issues with unemployment being overwhelmed with the historically record high claim volume. But most of the issues have been straightened out and I heard today they have even received their back-pay checks. Please call the union hall if you have any questions or if you are having any issues with unemployment or you know of a member in need. (509) 326-2182 (All IBEW 73 in-person meetings have been cancelled for May) Local 73 Residential members recently voted to approve a new 3-year collective bargaining agreement "CBA" April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2023 We mailed all Inside Wiremen and Apprentices information on the Tentative Agreement we reached with the contractors for a new 5-year collective bargaining agreement "CBA". The mailer includes a ballot to vote on approving the agreement or not. Please call with any questions or to set up a time to stop by the hall. With the extension of the Stay Home-Stay Healthy orders and restrictions on gatherings we will not be able to have union meetings in May and will likely not be able to hold meetings in June either. The first increase of the proposal is effective July 1st and we'll need to allocate where to put the money before that, so we don't have time to wait for when we can have in-person meetings. The allocation vote might be vote-by-mail situation as well or possibly depending on agreement with the contractors we could allocate the initial increase to the wage and medical as needed and re-allocate later when we could have an in-person meeting. The four locals in Washington state that are part of our statewide Sound & Comm agreement (Locals 73, 76, 112 and 191) have sent a proposal to extend the current collective bargaining agreement "CBA". We should be able to let you know soon if they accept our proposal or not and what we do next if they don't Click Here to view current agreements and wgae & benefit sheets Idaho’s governor has set Idaho’s opening into motion today with Stage-1 of his 4-stage plan of lifting the state-wide Stay at Home order. Click Here to read the Re-opening Plan As you might know the governor of Washington has approved Construction to be started back up for Phase-1 type projects where the work is such that proper social distancing can be maintained at all times and as well as all other Phase-1 job site requirements. Establishing a COVID-19 site-specific supervisor, COVID-19 specific safety training, appropriate PPE is provided and used, proper sanitation and cleaning is maintained, and appropriate health screening practices are conducted. Click here to read the complete four-page Phase-1 Construction Restart Requirements. Governor Inslee extended Washington’s Stay Home-Stay Healthy order through May 31st. With a phased approach like Idaho’s. Beginning with Phase-1 on May 5th with easing of outdoor activities.
In Solidarity Business Manager Ken Brown
Page Last Updated: May 08, 2020 (17:30:05)
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