New Family Leave Insurance Benefits Program

The new Washington Family Leave Insurance Benefits Program takes effect on January 1st, 2020 in the state of Washington.

Please see the link below for additional information and eligibility requirements.

https://paidleave.wa.gov/

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

As the 2019 holiday season nears, I have the distinct pleasure of inviting you and one guest to attend our annual Holiday parties throughout the districts. It is very important you RSVP so that we can be financially responsible to make sure we don’t order too much or too little food. Please be respectful and contact your local union office to RSVP for the specific location you plan to attend.

In keeping with tradition, Local 302 collects and donates toys and/or canned food to our regional labor agencies. If you would like to help brighten the holidays for less fortunate children, please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Holiday party in your district. We will deliver them to the Labor Agency to be wrapped and distributed in time for the holidays.

ALASKA

12/13/2019: Anchorage – Tikahtnu Room A/B at the Dena’ina Center, 600 West Seventh Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 7:00PM. Please call (907) 561-5288 to RSVP by November 25^th.

12/14/2019: Fairbanks – Westmark Hotel, 813 Noble Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701. Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:30PM. Dinner at 7:00PM. Please call (907) 452-8131 to RSVP by November 25^th.

12/15/2019: Juneau – Glacier Room at the Juneau Travelodge at 9200 Glacier Highway. Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (907) 586-3850 to RSVP by November 25^th.

WASHINGTON

12/2/2019: Hoquiam – Hoquiam Elks, 624 K St, Hoquiam – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 18^th.

12/3/2019: Mt. Vernon – Best Western Plus Skagit Valley Inn Convention Center, 2300 Market Street, Mt. Vernon – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 18^th.

12/4/2019: Bremerton –Kitsap Conference Center, 100 Washington Ave, Bremerton – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 18^th.

12/7/2019: Bothell - Union Hall, 18701 120th Avenue NE, Bothell – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 5:30PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 18^th.

12/8/2019: Pt. Angeles – Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St, Pt Angeles – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 18^th.

12/10/2019: Spokane – Ruby River Hotel, 700 N Division Street, Spokane – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (509) 624-5365 to RSVP by November 18^th.

12/17/2019: Pasco – Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center, 2525 N. 20^th Ave, Pasco – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (509) 624-5365 to RSVP by November 25^th.

12/18/2019: Yakima – Red Lion Hotel, 607 E. Yakima Ave, Yakima – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 25^th.

12/19/2019: Wenatchee –The Rivertop Bar & Grill located at The Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel, 201 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (425) 806-0302 to RSVP by November 25^th.

IDAHO

12/11/2019: Pocatello – Red Lion Hotel Pocatello, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road, Pocatello – Appetizers and No Host Bar at 6:00PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Please call (208) 232-8492 by November 18^th.

Best wishes for the holiday season!

Fraternally,

Daren Konopaski                                                                                                   

Business Manager and General Vice President

Scam Alert / Heads Up

Robo Calls for Apprenticeship Contribtions

We have received reports that members have been solicited for money for the "IUOE Apprenticeship Program". This is not sanctioned by the IUOE and is a scam, do not give them any contributions.

For those who participated in our annual Charity Shooting this year, you can find any photos taken from the event here.

Thank you for participating and we hope to see you next year!

District 2 Monthly Meetings Update

District 2 membership meetings for August (August 15th, 2019) and September (September 19th, 2019) have been suspended per motion by the membership.

Health Fairs:

Please be advised of the upcoming health fairs for all plan participants.  If you are planning on attending it is critical that you make reservations in advance to ensure that you are able to take advantage of the services offered.  These are open to members and their families and offer a variety of services: health screening, blood work, flu vaccinations, etc. with no out-of-pocket cost.

Health Fairs:

Please be advised of the upcoming health fairs for all plan participants.  If you are planning on attending it is critical that you make reservations in advance to ensure that you are able to take advantage of the services offered.  These are open to members and their families and offer a variety of services: health screening, blood work, flu vaccinations, etc. with no out-of-pocket cost.

Industry Recognized Apprentice Ship Program (IRAP):

The U.S. DOL has released proposed regulations governing a new form of apprenticeship called "Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs", or IRAPs. Registered Apprenticeship has set the standard for quality for over 80 years and counting - annually graduating hundreds of thousands of men, women, minorities, youth and veterans without cost to the government. IRAPs have lower wage and safety standards, less oversight, quality, and less opportunity for workers. Unlike registered apprenticeship programs, there are no universally respected criteria in place to evaluate the skills or shortcomings of credentials issued under the IRAP system. This dilutes the strength of certifications and the training curriculum. Registered apprenticeship programs are the best way to prepare for a career as an Operating Engineer. Our apprentices receive hands-on training and classroom instruction, all made available by employers and labor working together. Subject matter experts working in the field and contractors who perform make our program strong.

Call to Action: Please submit comments via this link here to urge the Administration to reconsider its use of IRAPs and, at the very least, to make the construction exemption permanent. The 60 day comment periods ends on August 26th, 2019.

DISTRICT 5

EASTERN WASHINGTON – NORTHERN IDAHO

MASTER LABOR AGREEMENT:

RATIFIED

YES: 61%

NO: 39%

Eastern Washington-Northern Idaho AGC Master Labor Agreement
Contract Negotiations Update May 23, 2019

The Negotiation committee and the AGC Employers met again on May 23, 2019. After several meetings we are still moving to get a tentative agreement to bring to the membership for vote. The next meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2019. We are still working to bring the membership the best possible agreement to the table for a vote. Please be patience with the process and the negotiation committee will keep you informed as things transpire.

Tragic Crane Accident in Seattle:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives, were injured, or who were affected by the crane accident in Seattle today. We are grateful for the first responders who answered the call to this terrible accident to bring aid, comfort, and support to a chaotic and horrific situation.

While initial reports stated that two crane operators were killed, we have been informed that the two workers who lost their lives were brothers from another craft.  We offer our sincerest condolences to their families and we share in their grief and sorrow as we mourn for them.  

We do not know the cause nor will we speculate on how or why this tragic accident occurred.  We offer our full support in the investigation to prevent any such future tragedies and to further improve construction safety.

In Solidarity,

Daren Konopaski
BusinessManager

The following link was provided by the Ironworkers, Local 86 for donations to the families of Brothers Andrew and Travis.  

https://ironworkersfcu.org/ironworkerssupportingironworkers/