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EXPERTISE LOGOS: In keeping with the spirit of the "Partners in Progress" campaign and our two international associations we will be working with and displaying the new Expertise Branding logos on a regular basis. There are 4 different logos in total and we have been displaying them, in random order, in the Labor news for your review. They are as follows; Architectural Expertise, HVAC Expertise, Industrial Expertise (above) and a single logo that combines all three.
SPECIAL NOTIFIED MEETING: As outlined above, the April Union Meeting is a Special Notified Meeting ~ Please note, this is also a date change, from the third Friday to the fourth Friday of the Month. This is necessary due to our attendance at the Legislative Conference.
OUR CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO Brother David Gerhardt on the loss of his wife, Linda and Brother Paul Gerhardt on the loss of his mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gerhardt family at this very rough time.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE ALSO with the Roofers Local 22 and the family of their Fund Manger, Michael McCarthy who passed away last week.
ANNUITY FUND INFORMATION SEMINAR: Prudential Retirement will be in town on Thursday evening April 24th to conduct a participant training class at our union hall. Surprisingly, records show that less than 25% of all members use the internet to access their accounts so please take a little time and take advantage of this free opportunity.
This short class is open to all members and their spouse and we strongly advise you attend. More information can be found below in the Benefits section of this week's Firepot.
RETIREE MEETINGS: This is just a reminder that the next meeting for the "Retirees Club" will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10:30 am. All are welcome! Come and join your fellow union brothers.
SOFTBALL TEAM: The Local 46 Baseball team is back in business for another season. They are looking for new members/players to join the team. They would also welcome cheerleaders, fans and spectators. We will post a schedule as soon as it is available. Please give the hall a call and we can connect you with "Baseball Bob" Pelusio.
VOLUNTEERS: Thank you to the many members who have called in or signed the sheet and have offered to help out with a few of the charity events or projects we have coming up. Time is a very precious commodity and giving up a small piece of it helping others is not only time well spent it is always appreciated. Spending a bit of that time with your Union Brothers and Sisters is even better.
WAGE ALLOCATION; At the March 21st Union Meeting the membership allocated the $1.55 wage increase for May 5, 2008. Wage sheets have been mailed to all active members; if you have not received one please give the hall a call.
WORK REFERRALS: Hopefully everyone will all be returning to work soon so please remember that a work referral must be completed at the hall BEFORE you can return to work. It is a very important part of the process. Please take the time to do the right thing and keep in touch with Greg and myself whenever you return to work.
FIREPOT ARCHIVES: Looking for a past Labor News issue of "The Firepot"? Beginning with the January 11, 2008 issue they can now be found on our website @ www.smw46.com.
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SAVE THE DATES:
Please mark down the following dates in your 2008 calendar!
Summer Picnic at Seabreeze Saturday, June 28th, 2008
Labor Day Parade Monday, September 1st
Clambake Saturday, September 13th
Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 13th
Union Mtg / Christmas Party Friday, December 19th
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BENEFIT NEWS
(585) 458-0400
ANNUITY FUND:
By now you've received an important letter regarding your Health and Annuity fringe benefits, it is time to make you're A/B selection. Please read the information and respond immediately so that your choice is received in time for your employer to review, accept and adjust their records. Your selection must be received in the Fund Office no later than Friday April 18, 2008 for your selection to become effective May 5, 2008.
Prudential will be in town on Thursday April 24th from 5 to 8 PM to conduct a participant training class here at our union hall. This will only be the one night and they will cover the basics of how to control your investments within this plan. This class is open to any member (and your spouse) HOWEVER you must call Tina in the benefits office to reserve your spot!
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:
Be Smart and save $$$. Take advantage of the many new and current medications that will become available in Generic format in 2008. Envision Rx Options has recently sent out an information sheet outlining your many opportunities. In addition to the new and current Generic opportunities there are also several new Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs now available to you at NO COST TO YOU. Zyrtec/Zyrtec D is one example that gained OTC status in January 2008 Prescription Zyrtec/Zyrec D is no longer available. Zyrtec/Zyrtec D is used for the treatment of allergy symptoms.
HRA: Effective May 1, 2008 we will be increasing your personal HRA contributions from .25¢ to .40¢ per hour. It works like this… We added .05¢ per hour to the total health fund deduction increasing the total contribution from $6.05 to $6.10 per hour. We then took 15¢ of that money and moved it into your personal tax free HRA. Remember, you can call the benefits office anytime to get an up to date balance on your account and you can also obtain additional HRA Claim Forms on our Web Site @ www.smw46.com.
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JATC NEWS
(585) 647-3200
Welding Reminder: Open Welding has changed to Monday nights from 5 to 8 PM. We have several new Welding Certifications so please get involved. Call Mike and reserve a booth.
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The Last Word:
"There is no such thing as the open shop, really. There is a union shop and a nonunion shop. Everybody that believes in the open shop disbelieves in the union shop, whatever they say".-- Clarence Darrow
Joe & Greg
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