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.

It’s Not Too Late!
Complete the 2020 Census and Register to Vote!

Brothers and Sisters of Local 302, as many of you are probably aware, it is the first year of the new decade so the 2020 Census is currently on-going. Completing the Census is an easy task, it takes 10 minutes to do online. By participating in the Census, it helps our local and federal governments make plans for how to best serve our communities (local township, county, state, and/or federal level). You can find out more for exactly what helping complete the Census does for you and your community here. You can complete the Census online here.

If you were not aware either, it’s an election year. No matter who or what you’re voting for, it’s incredibly important that you’re registered to be able to vote in the first place. Below you will find how you can register to vote, depending on which state you reside in;

• Washington: Washingtonians can register to vote via online at the following link, it can be as fast as 5 minutes of your day to complete your registration. Ballots are mailed to you directly automatically, you can then fill them out and either mail them back or drop them off at a local county ballot drop box by election day (November 3^rd, 2020). If you plan to vote in person, you can find your local polling station here.
• Alaska: Alaskans can register to vote via online at the following link. If you are wary of going to the polls to vote due to the pandemic, you can request an absentee ballot by mail at the following link. Please be aware though that the state must receive your request by the deadline date of October 24^th, 2020 to get that request completed. Instructions on how to send your ballot back by mail will be included in your ballot. If you plan to vote in person, you can find your local polling station here.
• Idaho: Idahoans can register to vote via online at the following link. If you are wary of going to the polls to vote due to the pandemic, you can fill out the mail ballot application here. Once you have filled out the application, you will mail the application to your local County Clerk’s Office, you can find your county clerk and their mailing address here. Please be aware though that your county clerk’s office must receive the form by the deadline date of October 23^rd, 2020 to get that request completed. Instructions on how to send your ballot back by mail will be included in your ballot. If you plan to vote in person, you can find your local polling station here.
   
• Any Other States: Are you someone that lives outside our states of jurisdiction? No worries, you can find out how to register to vote for your specific state here. You can find out how to sign up for mail in ballots, or absentee ballots, for your state here.

Getting registered to vote is simple and easy, please take the time to read the above links and take advantage of the tools provided to make your voice count.

Important Meeting Notice

Attention all Members: The Executive Board met on Thursday, September 3rd and decided to suspend all October Union District Meetings. The reason for this is that we have not seen the release of state restrictions because of on-going concerns regarding containment of the spread of the 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. That said, the Executive Board will be meeting again before the November meeting dates to reassess the situation. We will update the website in real time to alert you to any changes.

We are continuing 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,

Daren Konopaski
Business Manager

Attention Members:

Thank you for your participation in the election. We are pleased to announce that the members of Team Daren won their elections.

Members:  We wanted to alert you to a new format that will be used for our due’s receipts.  These modifications are as a result of our technology enhancement efforts to modernize and improve our operations.  Attached is a copy of the new receipt so you will know what to expect and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.