Labor News for February 22, 2008

“FIREPOT”

 

THE NEXT UNION MEETING IS ON FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2008 AT 5:00 PM

THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTIFIED MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF

 ALLOCATING THE MAY 1, 2008 WAGE INCREASE

 

 

SPECIAL NOTIFIED MEETING; As stated above, the March 21st Union Meeting will be a special notified meeting for the purpose of allocating the $1.55 increase effective May 1, 2008.

As we have in the past, in advance of this meeting we will meet with the Trustee’s of the various Benefit Funds, as well as the Executive Board of the Union. From those conversations we will have facts, figures and recommendations for your discussion and review.

 

NATIONAL PENSION FUND; At the February 15th Union meeting the membership received much information and a complete presentation about the options available. After much discussion the body unanimously elected the “Alternative Option”. Basically this means that we will continue to add pre-planned contribution increases over a period of time and our benefit will be calculated on a percentage of the total contribution. The future contributions will be scheduled over the next 10 years, as follows:

May 1, 2008 10%                May 1, 2013 4%

May 1, 2009 7%                  May 1, 2014 4%

May 1, 2010 7%                  May 1, 2015 3%

May 1, 2011 5%                  May 1, 2016 3%

May 1, 2012 5%                  May 1, 2017 3%

If the plan works and remains unchanged throughout the 10 year period the contribution increases through 2016 will total $1.04. The benefit will be calculated on the total annual contribution received at 1.5% of the first 1200 hours and 0.7% for all hours over 1200.

 

COMIDA; “The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency” We would like to thank Mike Loewke of the Loewke Brill Consulting group for taking the time to come before the membership at our last Union Meeting. He informed us all of the vital role they play in the inspection process on construction projects. Monroe County is one of the few counties whose IDA (COMIDA) has a local labor requirement and it is their job to help the county administer these rules. If you would like to find out more about COMIDA please visit their website at http://www.growmonroe.org/

 

 

SMWIA CONSTITUTION AND RITUAL

 

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN (17)

Misconduct and Penalties

SECTION 1--OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES

SEC. 1(a). Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, after trial and conviction of any of the offenses described in this Article, any officer or member of this Association may be disciplined by imposition of one or more of the following penalties: reprimand, fine, removal from office, suspension or expulsion from membership, or other appropriate disciplinary measures.

 

SEC. 1(g). Accepting employment in any shop or on any job where a strike or lockout, as recognized under this Constitution, exists, or performing any work covered by the claimed jurisdiction of this Association for any employer or becoming an employer that is not signatory to or bound by a collective bargaining agreement with an affiliated local union of this International  Association, unless authorized by the local union.

 

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BENEFIT NEWS

(585) 458-0400

 

ANNUITY FUND:

The Current Interest Rate for the “Guaranteed Income Fund” is locked for the period of
January 1 through June 30, 2008 at 3.70%.

 

HEALTH AND WELFARE:

New Blue Cross Blue Shield Cards have been sent to all retirees who are currently on Medicare (65 and over). We had asked for these to be made again and sent new to more accurately and properly list the deductibles and co-pays. Hopefully this will help to eliminate some of the confusion you may have experienced in 2008. Please destroy all previous cards.

 

HRA: Please remember that you can call the benefits office anytime to get an up to date balance on your account.

 

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JATC NEWS

(585) 647-3200

 

Architectural Sheet Metal Training:

We will be conducting an Architectural Sheet Metal Class beginning in early January; classes will begin at 5:15 PM here in our Training Center. With all of the Architectural work coming up in 2008 this class is a must for members who find themselves out of work and would like to enhance their skills or pursue this opportunity.

 

Welding Reminder: Open Welding is currently being held on Tuesday nights from 5 to 8 PM.

Interested members should call the school to reserve a spot in either of these classes.

 

The Last Word: The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.—Albert Einstein

 

Joe & Greg