Attention Members:

The Western WA MLA survey was recently mailed to all affected members for feedback and priority development.  We ask that you be on the look-out for this and please fill it out and return as soon as possible. 

If by some chance you do not receive your survey within the next few weeks, we’d ask that you contact your local field representative or office.   

In Solidarity,

Daren Konopaski

Business Manager

Attention Members:

I just wanted to send a quick note out thanking all of the members that participated in our Customer Service Survey and to recognize the survey prize winners.  We received 2046 survey responses, which equated to over $50,000 in charitable contributions throughout our jurisdiction to those in need during these trying times.  I’d like to say thank you to all of those that participated in providing valuable feedback on ways we can and need to improve our operations going forward as a Local. 

I’d also like to say thank you to Stewards Frank Smith and Richard Jones who volunteered to assist in the process for selecting the members who will be awarded the random participation prizes.  As is customary with our processes, we did our level best to ensure for absolute fairness in the selection process. On January 7^th, fifty envelopes were randomly drawn by our Steward volunteers.

Thank you again and congratulations to the winners and I can assure you that the check is in the mail. 

In Solidarity,

Daren Konopaski
Business Manager

$100.00 WINNERS

HERB MC CORD II, LORINE F JOHNSON, CLINT M HANSEN, BRUCE WYATT, DANIEL RIVERA, JOSEPH COLE, JAKE L REMME, ERIC J BODDING, RONNY G PUCKETT, LANCE R OYACK, JARED I MORGAN, LEIF OLSON, MICHAEL P ERDELAC, TERESA A TOBIAS, JOHN B ANDERSON, DEREK J BOICE, DUSTIN WIEDIGER, JOHN I LUNDSTRUM, DEVIN S REISS, DENNIS M MASANDA, MATT J MYERS, CHARLES A PEDE, DON DELLINGER, JAMIE R GREEN, RAY L WILLIAMS, RYAN J ACKELS, KEVIN P ROSSIGNOL, MARION J GARIS, MAUREEN K OKEEFE, CHRISTOPHER G FAY, MARK K MATTHEWS, JIMMY W WHITE, DAVID HART, MICHAEL G GIVENS, WILLIAM R MAINWARING

$250.00 WINNERS

DANIEL M SCHEFFLER, DANIEL D COKLEY, DENNIS COLLINS, GARY J HAGEN, ROBERT J AMMELL, RANDAL R WOOTEN, WILLIAM E HASELHUHN, DAVID L GORLEY, RAYMOND D CHEELY, JON H KESO

$500.00 WINNERS

ALLEN C EDENSO, EDWARD BEASLEY, NICK M DERENOFF, JESSE A DRAKE, CATHLEEN CUNNIFF

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Please see the following message from the International Union of Operating Engineers in regards to President-Elect Joe Biden's nomination choice for the Department of Labor.

Brothers & Sisters,

Please see the attached statement from the International Union of Operating Engineers in regards to yesterday's attack on the U.S. Capitol building.

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Please see the following message from the International in regards to a change in policy from the Trump administration relating to construction site surveyor work and Prevailing Wages coverage. Please see the attached article for more information on this change of policy.

Attention Members:

Please consider signing on to this petition in support of our members and the other unions that work for Foss Maritime.  

In Solidarity, 

Daren Konopaski
Business Manager

Important Meeting Notice

Attention all Members: The Executive Board met today and decided to suspend all December Union District Meetings. This decision was necessary for the health and wellbeing of our members. The fact is that the Covid numbers are growing and in response the goverment restrictions on social contact and gatherings are being ratcheted down tighter throughout our multi-state jurisdiction. Also, as I stated last month, with the holidays coming and all of us spending more time with our families, it is critical that we are all vigilant in exposing others and preventing the spread of this virus.

Hopefully, everyone was able to watch our very first update from the President and Business Manager on our website. We fully intend to continue these updates until we are able to once again meet in person. The Exceutive Board will be meeting again before the January meeting dates to reassess the situation. You can find the videos on the site by looking at the left-hand menu options and scrolling down to "Member Resources" and clicking the "Union Video Updates" tab, linked here as well.

I know that we are all frustrated with the situation and I too am looking forward to the time when we are able to resume normal operations. Also, I wanted to remind folks to fill out their membership survey to help inform us of your priorities and feedback for improvement.

Be safe out there.

In Solidarity,

Daren Konopaski
Business Manager

Attention Members:

We assume everyone has received the message but we wanted to be sure that all members understood that the Holiday Parties have been suspended for this year. The COVID-19 situation has put us in a position where we do not want to risk the health and safety of our members so the Executive Board made the decision to suspend the holiday parties.  We do not want to put any of our members and their families in harm’s way so we will not be hosting holiday parties this season. 
 

Also, in lieu of the holiday parties this season, the Local will instead be making a $25 charitable donation for every completed survey returned to the local. You will be receiving this survey very soon and it is designed to help us improve our operations. 

In Solidarity,

Daren Konopaski
Business Manager

There's Still Time to Get Out and Vote!

Brothers & Sisters, it’s election day!

Did you forget to get a ballot by mail this year? Did you forget to register online in time? Still want to vote? You still can.

Our states of jurisdiction and others allow you to register in person and vote at the polls today before the polls close tonight. If you live in any of the following states, you can go your local polling station to register and/or vote;

Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington D.C.

If you’re going out to vote in person, please remember to social distance and wear a mask, your safety matters to us.

Go make your voice heard and vote today.

Important Meeting Notice

Attention all Members: The Executive Board met Monday, October 26^th and decided to suspend all November Union District Meetings. The reason for this is that a significant uptick in COVID cases is being reported. Also, with the holidays coming and all of us spending more time with our families, now is the time to be extremely vigilant in preventing the spread of this virus.  We do not want to put any of our members or their families in harm’s way and the best mechanism to combat the spread of this virus is by limiting our exposure through decreased interactions. 

The Executive Board will be meeting again before the December meeting dates to reassess the situation. We are also looking into possible virtual options if state restrictions aren’t lifted soon. We will update the website in real time to alert you to any changes.

We are continuing to do our best to be responsible to our members and the general public in combating this virus. If you have any concerns with our course of action you can certainly contact me. Be safe out there.

In Solidarity,

Help Create New Mining Jobs in Idaho!

Brothers and Sisters,

Help us support the permitting of a major mining project in Idaho by submitting comments in support using the link below. The Stibnite Mine would bring 600-800 new mining and construction jobs to central Idaho. We are currently in talks with management and hopeful about the possibility of a representation agreement. But in order for there to be mining jobs for us to pursue, the project first has to be permitted by the Forest Service. Here is a quick and easy tool to help you generate and submit a comment in support, entirely online. It is quick and easy and will only take you three minutes: 

https://midasgoldcomments.com/

This project has been well designed and well engineered, and will help clean up an already mined site in the process, potentially saving taxpayer money that would have to go towards a cleanup. If you want to learn more about the Stibnite Mine project, you can find detailed information here:

https://www.restorethesite.com/

We have until October 28th to submit comments to the Forest Service in support of them moving forward with the Stibnite Mine project.

Local 302 WA, AK, and ID
General Election Endorsements

Please see the attached document with our entire list of who we are endorsing in this year's 2020 General Election for the states of Washington, Alaska, and Idaho.