IBEW Local 77 1st Quarter Newsletter 3.30.2022

BUSINESS OFFICE 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER SEATAC OFFICE Phone: 206-323-4505 Fax: 206-323-0186 Email: ibew77@ibew77.com Address: 19415 International Blvd. Seatac, WA. 98188 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; M-F LOCATION MAP

SPOKANE OFFICE Phone: 509-328-8670 Fax: 509-325-9104 Email: jimnelson@ibew77.com Address: 7903 East Broadway Spokane Valley, WA. 99212 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; M-F LOCATION MAP

KENNEWICK OFFICE Phone: 509-783-4136 Fax: 509-783-9453 Email: ibew77@gmail.com Address: 7025 West Grandridge Blvd, Suite A Kennewick, WA. 99336 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; M-F

LOCATION MAP /km opeiu8 afl-cio

BUSINESS OFFICE 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

BUSINESS OFFICE 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Important Links

LU77 Committees

Bargaining Unit Representation

Customer Service Summit

Business Mgr. & Staff

PERS Committee

Examining Board

Political Action Committee

Executive Board

RENEW Committee

PAC Central

Shop Steward Committee

Online Store Website

Volunteer Organizing Committee

BUSINESS STAFF 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER Business Manager & Assistants Rex Habner, Business Manager/Financial Secretary Nichole Reedy, Senior Assistance Business Manager Mike Brown, Assistant Business Manager, Spokane Brian Gray, Assistant Business Manager, Kennewick

Business Representatives, Organizer, & Political Director Cole Bailey, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office Tim Barnett, Bus. Rep., Spokane & Kennewick Offices Steve Cant, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office Randy Coleman, Bus. Rep., Kennewick Office Jonathan Finch, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office Dave Garegnani, Bus. Rep., Spokane & Kennewick Offices Chris Henning, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office Teri Kannor, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office Steve Kovac, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office Sara Langus, Organizer, Seatac Office Will Power, Bus. Rep., Spokane & Kennewick Offices Christine Reid, Political Director, Seatac Office Jen Watson, Bus. Rep., Seatac Office

REX HABNER Business Manager/Financial Secretary

Brothers and Sisters W i n te r s t o r m s w i l l soon b e p u sh e d ou t b y sp ri n g i n ou r P a c i f i c N orth w e s t .

O v e r th e l a s t 2 4 m on t h s t h is c ou n t ry h a s b e e n stru g g l i n g w i th CO V ID-19. W e h a v e a l l h a d c h a l l e n g e s d e a l in g w ith th i s p a n d e m i c . Da y b y d a y w e i n c h a l i t t l e c l o s e r t o w h a t w e h a v e l on g rem e m b e re d a s n orm a l . As w e a re vi sit in g f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s, I h op e e v e ry on e sta ys sa f e a n d vi g i l a n t a s th i s vi ru s is s t i l l ra g i n g w a r a g a in st u s.

T h e B u s i n e s s O f fic e h a s b e e n v e r y b u sy e va l u a ti n g ou r p roc e sse s a n d p r o c e d u r e s . T h i s h a s b e e n a m on u m e n ta l c h a l l e n g e a s w e e l i m i n a te ou t o f d a t e p ro c e d u r e s w h ic h a re n o l on g e r a b e n e f i t to ou r m e m b e rs a n d d e velo p u p d a te s t o s t r e a m l in e ou r p roc e sse s. You w i l l se e c h a n g e s i n o u r C o n s tru c ti o n D e p a rt m e n t a s w e u p d a te a n d m od e rn i ze h ow m e m b e rs a c c e s s o u r r e f e rra l b o o k s a n d h ow ou r m e m b e rs si g n th e ou t of w ork b ooks on lin e a n d p a y d u e s . O u r f in a n c ia l sy st e m s h a ve b e e n u p d a te d to m e e t a n eve r c h a n g i n g m a r k e t . Soon ou r soc ia l m e d i a si te s w i l l b e u p d a te d to re f le c t m o r e i n te r a c t i o n w it h m e m b e rs. O u r Se a T a c H a l l n e e d e d se ve ra l u p d a t e s , f r o m s e c u r i t y s y s te m s t o f ire c od e c om p l i a n c e . Au d i o a n d vi d e o syst e m s r e c e i v e d a m u c h - w e l c om e d t ra n sit io n to a m od e rn vi su a l h a n d s-on tra i n in g tool.

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Like our SeaTac Hall, the new Spokane Hall and the new Kennewick H a l l , a l s o h a s r e c e iv e d t h e se u p d a t es.

I t a k e p ri d e i n t h i s g re a t I B EW L oc a l , e n s u ri n g t h a t f o r d e c a d e s t o c om e , o u r m o s t v a l u e d a sse t , y ou t h e m e m b e rs , w i l l h a v e a p l a c e t o b e p r o u d to h a n d d ow n t o f u t u re m e m b e rs .

U n i o n s h a v e b e e n on e of t h e m ost h i g h l y re g u l a t e d b u sin e sse s in t h e U n i te d States.

F or t h is re a son , c o u n te s s h o u r s h a v e b e e n sp e n t to e n s u re I B E W 7 7 st a y s w it h in t h e l a w .

F o r d e c a d e s , U n i on s h a v e b e e n u n d e r a t t a c k b y b i g b u sin e sse s a l on g w ith s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t g rou p s. L a w s a n d r e g u l a ti o n s h a v e b e e n p u t in p l a c e to l i m i t th e a m o u n t of p ow e r “ W e ” t h e U n i o n h a v e . C o r p ora t e A m e ric a h a s t h e f i n a n c i a l m e a n s a n d t h e p ol it ic a l b a c k i n g t o c o n t r o l ou r l e g a l l im it s. F or t h i s re a s o n , w e n e e d t o st a y v ig il a n t o n w h o i s f o r u s a n d w h o is a g a in st our wages, h o u rs, and w orkin g c o n d i ti o n s .

F a r to o o f t e n w e a re in f l u e n c e d on s o c i a l i s s u e s a n d ou r a d v e rsa rie s a re p i c k i n g o u r p o c k e t s a s w e su p p o rt s o c i a l i s s u e s a n d g iv e a w a y l a bor r i g h ts . L e t c a n d i d a t e s p rov e w h o t h e y s u p p o rt b y t h e i r v ot in g re c ord . Do t h e y s u p p o r t L a b or issu e s? M ore i m p o rta n tl y , d o t h e y su p p ort a l l L a b or issues, not just ones that get them our Balancing profit e n d o rs e m e n t a n d t h e n t u rn a rou n d a n dand s u ppreservation p o r t a n t i -l a b or b il l s. P ol it i c s h a v e a is l w difficult, a y s b e e n a d iv id in g f orc e . I t' s t i m e delicate w e c o work. m e t og e t h e r a n d t a ke c o n tro l o f o u r f u t u re .

Achieving it is a win-win for all.

S o c i a l i s s u e s v s . L a b or issu e s, t h e re i s a p l a c e f o r a l l . B ot h a re c o n tro l l e d b y p e r c e p t ion . W e m u st a l l d e c i d e w h o w e a l l ow in ou r l iv e s a s i n f l u e n c e s a n d w h o w e sh u t ou t .

T h i s i s t h e g r e a t e st c ou n t ry on e a r th b e c a u s e i t h a s b e e n m a d e w i t h th e s a c r i f i c e o f ou r f ore f a t h e rs.

B r a v e m e n a n d w om e n h a v e p a id t h e u l ti m a t e s a c r i f i c e in w a r a n d t h e w a r o n L a b o r . W e a re a g ov e rn e d n a t i o n u n d e r t h e c on st it u t ion a n d c o v e re d b y o u r f l a g . W e h a v e l a w s to help us keep peace, and laws to punish those w it h h a rm f u l i n t e n ti o n s . T h i s g re a t Un ion w a s b u i l t to p r o t e c t t h is in d u st ry a s w e l l a s s e c u r e w i t h i n it t h e sa f e st w o r k p l a c e p o s s i b l e . I n d oin g t h e se t h i n g s w e c a n e st a b l ish w a g e s, h o u rs a n d w o r k i n g c on d it ion s t h a t a r e s u b je c t t o l a b or l a w s of t od a y .

W e w i l l g e t t h r o u g h t h e se t ou g h t i m e s , a s o u r f o r e f a t h e rs h a d t o e n d u re , t h e s a m e v ira l t h re a t t h a t w e f a c e t o d a y , p rov in g t h is g re a t Union will stand.

M a y a l l o u r m e m b e rs a n d t h e ir f a m i l i e s s t a y s a f e . F or ou r m e m b e rs w h o h a v e l o s t f a m il y or f rie n d s t o t h i s p a n d e m i c , I h op e f or p e a c e f or y o u r s o rr o w , w i t h c om f ort f or t h ose who mourn.

F r o m a l l I B E W 7 7 St a f f a n d A d m in , w e th a n k y o u f o r y ou r su p p ort , summer is coming.

F r a te rn a l l y , Rex Habner IBEW Local 77 B u s i n e s s M a n a g e r F /S

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NICHOLE REEDY Sr. Assistant Business Manager

Negotiations: A Perspective: Recently I posted an article on our Shop Stewards page from the Black Swan Group about listening. Certainly, there isn’t one of us who wouldn’t be well advised to continue to practice our listening skills. Communication has a tremendous impact and can mean the difference between positive and negative outcomes, whether you are bargaining a contract or navigating a difficult conversation with someone you love.

Most of us listen to respond, and rarely take the time to practice the deep, reflective listening that is required to truly understand the other person’s point of view. This may not be as necessary if we are trying to get a deal on a souvenir from a vendor at a market in St. Thomas, o r n e g o ti a t i n g a p ric e w it h a c a r sa l e sm a n , b u t w h e re th e re l a ti on sh i p is n e c e s s a ry a n d on g oin g , t h is t y p e of d i stri b u ti ve b a rg a i n i n g c a n be d a m a g i n g a n d n e g a t iv e l y im p a c t f u t u re g a i n s.

D i s tri b u ti v e b a r g a in in g is c om p e t it iv e a n d p re su m e s a f i x e d “ p i e . ” T h i s i s t h e ty p e o f b a r g a i n in g t h a t n a t u ra l l y ta ke s p l a c e a t th e c a r d e a l e rsh i p . T h e r e i s a s ti c k e r p r i c e on t h e c a r.

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You know that there is a ritualistic process wherein you offer less and the car buying dance ensues. In these types of situations, it is a zero-sum exchange – what you gain, the car dealership loses, and vice versa. Where you choose to set your initial anchor will influence the rest of the dance steps that are taken. I could write another whole dissertation on anchoring and its effects on bargaining outcomes. What I really want to address is the other side of negotiations: Integrative Bargaining.

Most of us initially think of negotiations in the distributive way – that there is a fixed amount of whatever it is you are bargaining for, and you want to win as much as you can. We often think of contract negotiations in the construct of issues and positions. These are typically concrete and tangible, things like money, time, and geography. What we fail to consider when we are focused on issues and positions is the underlying interests of the parties at the table. Have you ever had an exchange with someone where they were asking (or demanding) something tangible, but you felt as though there was something below the surface? That the thing that was really bothering them was not the tangible item, but rather something else? This is what we seek to learn when we utilize integrative bargaining.

In Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In,1 the authors offer an example of two children arguing over an orange (a fixed, tangible item). Eventually, the two kids agree to divide the orange in two pieces. One eats the orange and tosses the peel; the other utilizes the peel to add flavor to a cake and throws away the fruit inside. Was there a way that they could have had more? What would’ve happened if they had discussed their interests before cutting the orange in two? In essence, both kids could have walked away with the “whole” orange – one with the entirety of the fruit inside and the other with the whole peel. In integrative bargaining it is not a matter of a fixed quantity, but rather the opportunity to create and develop options that essentially expand the pie.

When we discuss the interests that underly the positions, we open 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

opportunities to create more mutual gains – an outcome where both parties end up with more than they could have expected from a “fixed pie” perspective. To be successful in negotiations, we must manage these mixed motives and combine the styles. We must utilize the competitive roadmap (distributive bargaining) to understand our potential risk and protect from exploitation, but also must be intuitive enough to understand when it is appropriate to use the cooperative roadmap (integrative bargaining) to explore where we can creatively create more options and thus more value.

I could spend days talking about this subject. Whether it is trying to get your toddler to put on their socks, or how to complete a big project at work, we negotiate every single day. Big or small, we use these skills and tactics in all of these discussions. To improve, we have to learn and exercise our skills. If you are interested in reading more about negotiations, mindset, and behavior, I highly recommend the following books (they are available on audiobook as well):

1

Getting to Yes : Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. New York: Penguin. Fisher, Roger, 1922-2012, William. Ury and Bruce.

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MIKE BROWN Assistant Business Manager, Spokane Office

“Power in Questions” For those who know me know that I am a geek when it comes to this stuff. I love being a Rep and the daily challenges it presents. I am a student of this and enjoy every minute where I can gain further experience to become a better Rep. One of the things I work on the most is researching and practicing the power of listening and the power of a question. I think a lot of us have witnessed a good question or people who are very skilled when it comes to asking questions. The secret to it is this. You need to be a good listener in order to ask a good question. You also have to understand that a good question should be asked and you shouldn’t care what the other person thinks. It’s the questions that are a result of NOT listening that turn out the way you don’t want them to. But if you are truly engaged in listening, the question will actually be a thoughtful and intelligent question.

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Why are questions important for Union members? It doesn’t matter if you are a Rep, a Steward, or a member, we all interact with Management at some point or even other members where asking a good question can protect our or your interests. Sometimes it may be a trust thing, but most of the time it’s a business thing. When it comes to wages, hours, and working conditions, it our business.

Good questions keep things honest. Good questions also start productive conversations and can open up the issue or dialogue to expose possible solutions.

I want to expand a couple of words that work well in describing the differences in a question.The two words are did and how. Recent studies show that the human brain relates a word with a picture when it is processing it. This makes sense as we were all illiterate at one point as newborns and toddlers. Our speech wasn’t developed yet nor could we read. All we had was the repetitions of hearing words from others and the association of it to be stored in our brain.

DID

Now that we understand this, let’s start with the word "Did". If someone asks you “Did you go to the store?”, your brain will instantaneously process the word did and reflect back in the memory and look for a picture of you going to the store. If you did go, the brain will respond with a yes answer, and the opposite if you did not. This is the pure and simple part. The part of the brain that would process this information is not the same part that would process if it was a lie. If you didn’t go to the store but you process the other person as being emotional about the question, then you will start to work to find other information to tell the person to reduce or change their perceived emotion. The word “did” is a great question to use to determine if someone is lying or telling the truth. As members or even a Steward, paying attention and being a good listener of the word did is important. A question with the word did in it is for a reason, it is meant to derive a yes or no, and not an explanation. If an explanation comes instead of a yes or no, the person is lying. From there, the asker of the questions can follow up with probing questions to further expose the lie.

HOW

Now that we know the brain interprets words by associating them with a picture and how the brain can take a simple word like did, let’s look at the word “How”.

When the brain heard the word did, it looks back and sees if you actually went to the store or not. When we use the word how, take a moment and think of the other brain you have communicated to. What is that brain going to do with the word how? It is going to look into its memory and look at the pictures that brain has and answer the question.

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HOW, Continued...

This will cause the brain to tell a story, because how is a series of things that needs to be laid out. It’s a great question to use when you want to know more and when you want the other side to open up and explain. It takes practice to be quick and think of these words, but it comes easier if you are listening. When someone is making a pitch on something, truly listen and try to understand what it is they are after. Is it money, is it power, what exactly are they trying to accomplish? Sometimes they don’t know what they want, and if you are truly listening you will pick up on it. I want to take two examples and examine them further.

The first is the other person is wanting money for something. A great question to ask the other side is this, “How am I supposed to do that?”. From what we have learned thus far, this tricks the brain. The brain looks back at its own pictures.

How does the brain get into your brain and see your pictures? Confused yet? Go back to the question and let’s break it down. The first word is how, the brain automatically is ready to come up with a list of things and is anxious to find a list of things. But I asked the question and I said, “am I”, now the other brain is confused. Cause it can’t answer the question. LOL, it’s amazing how it works and watching the other person or other side of the table squirm is priceless. The other great question comes when the other person is seeking help. "How can I help you?”. This works well in negotiations from time to time because the other person is in want mode and if you are to help them, it will come across as a good gesture. The brain will look back and pull up the memories and pictures of when they were helped in a successful way.

There is a lot of power in a good question. Whether it's in negotiations or in a grievance meeting, truly listening can lead to a good question and can achieve a great outcome. This takes practice, but once you have this dialed in, it is cool what you will see with it.

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BRIAN GRAY Assistant Business Mgr., Kennewick Office

Grant Co. PUD: The District has started their IBEW Code of Excellence Program. Below is the logo.

The parties have been very busy working through COVID related Letters of Agreement addressing leaves, vaccination, and testing issues as the pandemic enters the endemic.

The Business Office is working with Grant PUD management to create a pandemic response Letter of Agreement.

Have had several disciplinary actions, mostly regarding hostilities in the workplace. One action resulted in an individual being terminated and others receiving 80 hours of leave without pay.

Grant PUD sent an opening letter to beginning bargaining mid-summer. The membership selected its Delegates/Negotiating Team, which consists of: Ryan Chamberlin Rob DeGroat Ted Harris

Ben Reyes Ryan Roeder Clint Wolther 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Franklin Co. PUD: Grant Co. PUD: T h e p a r t i e s b a r g a i n e d S t a n d b y l a n g u a g e . C o m p e n sa t i o n i s 1 9 h o u r s p a y w e e k l y , plus three (3) additional hours pay for each holiday.

Benton Co. PUD: Workplace safety issue – fall protection while working on top of power transformers.

City of Ellensburg: Recently held Labor/Management meeting with the new City Manager and HR D i r e c t o r . B e l i e v e t h i s i s a g o o d st a r t f o r t h e U n i o n t o h a v e a b e t t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h the City.

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STEVE KOVAC Business Representative., Seatac Office

City of Seattle, King Co., and Seattle City Light: Members at the City of Seattle filled out paperwork for Frontline Worker pay. It should appear on their check dated 3/25/22. The majority of our members will be receiving $1,750 for coming to work during the pandemic.

City and County continue to terminate people who refused to be vaccinated.

We have filed a ULP with PERC against the City for not allowing testing as an option. We did negotiate this as part of the vaccine mandate agreement. City unilaterally decided not to allow testing. Also, part of the ULP deals with forcing members off on their own leave.ULP mediation is scheduled for March 30th and if no resolution we will proceed to a hearing in June/July.

Civil Emergency Pay for City of Seattle employees who reported to work between 12/24-1/3 will be paid by the end of April. Members are eligible for $150 per day if they worked at a City site on those days.

Came to a tentative agreement for our SDOT contract. It is a two-year extension for 2021 and 2022. Members will receive an increase of 6.5% over the two years.

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CITY OF SEATTLE CONT.: We have language for a wage review, additional certifications paid for by the City and two additional holidays. Members will also see an increase in bereavement leave from one day to five days.

All of our City of Seattle contracts will receive two additional holidays starting in 2022.Both Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day will become holidays.

Currently in negotiations with the City on contract extension for our Power Marketing Group.We had a productive meeting on wages and will continue to work on this in negotiations.

City is standing by their amount of COLA. They have agreed to address in the next contract.

Participated in interviews for a new Director of Labor Relations. Shaun van Eyk was hired as the new Director of Labor Relations. Local 77 supported his hiring. Shaun was a Business Representative at PROTEC 17, and we worked closely with him on all of the COVID MOU’s we negotiated with the City.

Negotiated settlement in a ULP with our members receiving a sizeable check. 5 members each received $4,200 for having to return to work prior to mid-March.

KING COUNTY:

We are still working on Talent Modernization within the IT department. This is running a little late. We hope to have the job titles and groupings completed in 1st quarter of 2022 and then can begin negotiating the outcomes. We are also still working on the skimming issue and hope to resolve this soon.

We are down to three wage adjustments due to trendline issues and those should be completed in the 1st quarter of 2022. A large amount of our IT workers will continue to work from home as they have been approved for 100% telework.

King County has asked us to begin negotiations early for our Metro and Light Rail workers. We are going to start in April in hopes of having a contract in place by the end of December.

King County finally realizes they cannot fill positions due to their low wages.

City employees who can and are currently working remotely will do so until at least mid- March 2022.

It is really an honor to represent such a great group of members and look forward to returning to inperson meetings beginning in May.

In three of our contracts, we have a dispute on COLA.

Both Metro and Light Rail have active JLMC’s working on many different safety and workplace issues. Number one issue is lack of a clearance procedure for high voltage work. They thought lock out tag out was good enough. State has told them otherwise.

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ONLINE STORE 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER IBEW Local 77 Black Joggers $51.00

IBEW Clock $100.00

Visit our Online Store at:

Visit our Online Store at:

www.ibew77.com

www.ibew77.com

IBEW Hi-Vis Beanie $8.00

LU77 Union Pride Sweatshirt $44.00

Visit our online store at:

Visit our online store at:

www.ibew77.com

www.ibew77.com

COLE BAILEY Business Rep., Seatac Office

A s y o u m a y h a v e h e a rd , St e v e K ore i va ste p p e d a w a y f rom h i s p osi ti on a s B u s i n e s s R e p r e s e n t a t iv e a t t h e Se a Ta c H a l l . H i s l e a d e rsh i p w a s i n va l u a ble , e s p e c i a l l y t h r o u g h t h e c h a l l e n g e s c re a te d b y th e p a n d e m i c . T h a n k y o u , S t e v e , f o r y o u r s e r v ic e t o ou r m e m b ers.

C o n s e q u e n t l y , I h a v e t a ke n ov e r t h e p osi ti on a n d h a ve h i t th e g rou n d r u n n i n g . I f I h a v e n ’ t h a d a c h a n c e t o sp e a k w i th or m e e t you i n p e rson ye t , m y n a m e i s C o l e B a il e y . I h a v e a b ee n a m e m b e r of IB EW Loc a l 77 f or 1 2 y e a rs , m o s t r e c e n t l y a s a J ou rn e ym a n Li n e m a n . I c om p l e te d m y a p p re n ti c e s h i p w i th N W L in e J A T C a n d h a ve w orke d f or m u l ti p l e c on tra c t o r s t h r o u g h o u t t h e n ort h w e st . I a m e x t r e m e l y p rou d to b e i n th i s p osi ti on a n d w i l l re p re s e n t y o u t o t h e b e st of m y a b i l i ty.

O n th e s t a t u s o f W e st sid e C on st ru c t ion , w ork ou tl ook i s stron g . At th e ti m e I a m w ri ti n g t h i s , w e h a v e ju st u n de r 30 sta n d i n g c a l l s f or J ou rn e ym a n L i n e m a n w i t h m o r e t o c om e . T h is t re n d sh ow s n o si g n s of sl ow i n g a n yt im e s o o n . T h e c h a l l e n g e t o m a n t h is w ork i s b e c om i n g a n i ssu e . B e tw e e n C a l i f o rn i a a n d s t o rm se a son , w e h a ve l ost a si g n i f i c a n t n u m b e r of o u r m e m b e rs t o o t h e r a re a s. I d on ’ t se e t h i s tre n d c h a n g i n g a n yti m e soon .

P l e a s e re m e m b e r th a t m e e t in g s a re b a c k u p a n d ru n n i n g . I l ook f orw a rd t o s e e i n g a s m a n y m e m b e rs t h e re a s possi b l e . Al so, p l e a se d o n ot h e si ta te t o c a l l m e w i t h a n y issu e s. I a p p re c ia te th e op p ortu n i ty to h e l p i n a n y w a y I can.

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TIM BARNETT Business Representative, Kennewick & Spokane Offices

ARE WE THERE YET? It seems like we have been on this road forever with a destination so far in the future that it could feel unattainable. Are things getting better or are we just becoming acclimated to the temperature setting.

At times it seemed the temperature/tensions were so high that it felt like a volcano about to blow. As I sit down to write, Russia has declared war, and the tensions continue.

Photo Below: Okanogan Underground Youth Wrestling Club Photo from Gary Wood

My hope with these newsletters is to pass on information, give some knowledge or insight that isn’t commonly known, or share an opinion as food for thought to spark up a conversation. Sometimes it flows effortlessly and other times finding the words that will be heard can be elusive.

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An upcoming milestone, for me, is that I am just days away from the 1-year anniversary of having a brain bleed. When facing a life-threatening medical condition, perspectives can change. The focus seems to center on the things that are important: family. Family comes first.

As Union members, we are like family, calling one another Brother and Sister. We look out for each other. When we can, we rally around other union groups when they are facing hard times. As well we should. Occasionally, we perceive injustices happening in our peripheral and seek to take action because we fear a similar fate might befall us. It can be difficult to put faith in the systems in place, they don’t always net the outcome we would prefer. It can be even harder to trust that those techniques will yield us a positive result. It is in those times we rely heavily on our immediate family.

This past year, because of my wake-up call, I became intrigued by the genealogy testing available these days and signed up to spit in a bottle to see how many of my relatives had been willing to do the same. It was a nostalgic way to track my lineage. I was greeted by a list of 1st cousins, 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins and so on. Some of whom I had grown up with, others I recognized or at least had heard about, but the further down the list I got, the more removed I seemed to be.

They were still my family, genetically, but I knew little about them or their role in society.

Bear with me as I attempt to form an analogy about genetic family and our union family. We are all part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers taking in hundreds of thousands in North America. Tightening the pedigree, we are Local 77 of the IBEW with nearly 8,000 members. Even closer to home are our bargaining units and the Collective Bargaining Agreements directly associated with our employment. The people we work with are our immediate family, Brothers and Sisters.

By now most of you are aware of the Janus vs. AFSME decision which overturned decades of precedent to say that employees of a public entity cannot be compelled to join the union. Employees are free to choose whether to support the exclusive bargaining agent responsible for negotiating their wages, hours and working conditions, locally within their individual employers. While the number is low, there are some that have taken this as an opportunity to make a statement against events happening at the State level, National level, etc.

They claim they are withholding their dues in protest of something happening elsewhere. But who are they really hurting?

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Are We There Yet Continued...

When they misconstrue lending solidarity to a movement as supporting an organization with questionable motives, they are missing the entire meaning of the Declaration of the IBEW. That is to protect their working environment.

I had this conversation with my youngest daughter (she’ll be 24 in April). She equated people opting out from the Union as akin to those that “Dine and Dash” (drawing).

Illustration by Baylee Barnes

I agreed that it was similar in that the people “dining” were getting their meal for free, but in that comparison, damages fall to the restaurant.

A closer comparison would be that the “diner” is not paying for their meal but is either eating from the plates of other patrons or tacking their bill onto that of the paying customer. They are willing to take what they can get, just not pay for it.

I apologize if I seem curt but, quite frankly, I don’t get it. I don’t understand why someone would be willing to accept a union job but not want to contribute to continue to improve on wages, hours, and working conditions.

The employer knows who is paying dues and who is not. That knowledge serves to undermine the strength and voice of those workgroups.

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STEVE CANT CIH, Business Rep., Seatac Office

In This Issue: COVID Update Wildfire Smoke Exposure City of Centralia: Light Water/Waste Water Lewis Co. PUD Cowlitz Co. PUD PacifiCorp Chehalis Generation Plant Grays Harbor Energy, LLC

COVID-19 Update: Latest reports have clearly shown the positive effects of the protective programs implemented by our partner utilities. Combined with the selfprotection efforts of our members and their families along with the declining infection rate of the Omicron variant,

we have currently seen little to no off-work individuals due to COVID issues.

Everyone is looking forward to reducing mask usage in March.

Wildfire Smoke Exposure Update: Wildfire smoke exposure permanent rule making efforts continue at the State Department of Labor & Industries. Unknowns at this time are whether there will be a permanent rule in 2022 or if another emergency rule will be needed. Either way, there will be a rule in place.

Also unclear is the degree to which respiratory protection will be made mandatory versus voluntary. Time will tell.

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City of Centralia Public Works and City Light: M e m b e rs i n b o t h C it y d e p a rt m e n t s c o ve re d b y Loc a l 77 c on tra c ts h a ve d on e a t e rri f i c j o b e n s u rin g t h a t t h e C it y a n d i ts re si d e n ts h a ve e x c e l l e n t d ri n k in g w a t e r, g o o d w a s t e w a t e r c ol l e c t ion a n d p roc e ssi n g , a n d re l i a b l e e l e c t r ic s e r v i c e s . C u r r e n t l y , t h e re a re n o g rieva n c e s i n p roc e ss b u t sti l l m u c h to do .

P u b l i c W o r k s i s a d d in g a n e w En g in e e ri n g T e c h I a n d w orki n g to f i l l i ts v a c a n c i e s a s t h e y oc c u r. Re c ru it m e n t h a s b e c om e m ore c h a l l e n g i n g d u e t o w a g e s b e l o w m a rke t ra t e s. T h e e f f orts a n d c om m i tm e n t to p rovi d i n g t o p f l i g h t s e r v i c e s f or c u st om e rs h a ve b e e n i m p re ssi ve . Sh op Ste w a rd s K o r y R o g e r s a n d J a son Sc h roe d e r h a ve b e e n i n stru m e n ta l i n a c h i e vi n g t h e a b o v e a d v a n c e s.

At City Light three grievances related to Engineer ing activities wer e settl ed at the City Manager level including advancing the Engineer ing Tech III incumben t to Engineering Tech IV effective July 1, 2021. Additional l y, our position that all the Engineering Tech series job descr iptions must be updated was uphel d.

Much work remains on the classifications. Thr ough a Labor /Managemen t Meeting, we gained and increase on FR al l owance to $1,000.00 per year and established compensation when a Line For eman fil l s in for the Managemen t Superintendent. A big “Thank you” to the Labor /Management team of Tell Sallee, Matt Sullivan and Ryan Apperson for their effor ts.

Cowlitz Co. PUD: Operations and activities continue to be conducted with great success in preventing outbreaks of COVID within the workforce. Much of the success is due to the diligent efforts by employees and their families in avoiding infections. Current activities include implementation of a succession plan for retiring dispatchers which includes adding a sixth hand to complete familiarization and training prior to reducing to the normal five following an anticipated retirement. There are currently no negotiation or grievance related issues. The next Labor/Management meeting will be scheduled soon and likely take place in March or April.

Grays Harbor Energy Center an Invenergy LLC: GHEC has a great crew but encountered several vacancies for a variety of reasons this past year; happily, the positions have been refilled. There currently no pending disagreements or grievances. Most thoughts have turned to wage and other contract changes pending negotiations that should begin toward the end of 2022. The current contract runs through February 24, 2023.The Plant has been very successful with its COVID-19 program and attention to necessary detail. Thanks to all GHEC members and special shout out to Shop Steward Steven Bunch. Everyone is looking forward to a good 2022.

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Lewis Co. PUD: While there are no negotiations or grievances in process, there are multiple areas of concern and interest to the bargaining unit. Thank you to all hands for maintaining essentially everyone free of COVID and staying ready to work.

The following issues are being actively discussed for resolution: Health and Welfare related to injury/illness experience and any trends.

Vacant positions needing to be filled within timelines required by the Contract.

Much better separation of duties between exempt Engineering staff and bargaining unit members in Engineering Tech positions.

Adhering to the contract for bidding and filling positions.

Proper accrual of overtime hours to determine callout rotation.

Next Labor/Management meeting will be held March 29th.

A big thank you to Jason Dahlin for his hard work and leadership on behalf of both Local 77 and Lewis County PUD on preparation for the 2022 Lineman Rodeo.

PacifiCorp Chehalis Generation Plant: Contract negotiations at the PacifiCorp Chehalis Generation Plant have been completed, but unfortunately did not have the result we wanted. The annual wage increases were below market and pegged at 2021-2.5%, 2022-2.25%, and 2023-2% in addition to some clarifications and other changes to the contract. A decision was made to wrap up negotiations so that an incremental increase for 2021 would not be lost. Additionally, we continue our NRLB surface bargaining complaint against PacifiCorp which still is pending under review in Washington, D.C. Many thanks to Ryan Hatten, Lee Parrett, and Darren Kolb for their time, efforts, and counsel during a very extended negotiation.

And on the Shop Steward front, our deepest appreciation to Charley Proffitt for his time and efforts as the Plant Shop Steward and gave advice on negotiations activities. Charley has left employment at PacifiCorp, and we wish him well and at the same time welcome Chris Hawes as our new Shop Steward at the Plant. Finally, Ryan Hatten has also left PacifiCorp for an exciting position at nearby Lewis County PUD which is another Local 77 facility. Our appreciation is great for all our members at the Plant for their input, patience, and solidarity. Thank you.

Remember, if it's not safe, don't do it!

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JONATHAN FINCH Business Rep., Seatac Office

COVID Update: The past few months have been busy. We continue to work through COVID related issues on all my agreements. Currently, all of the employers I deal with are still having non-field folks telework; thus, setting up many discussions around equity. It is an honor to work for and with every one of our members and I wish more employers realized that without the ‘hands’ their business model would be severely crippled.

City of Bellevue: In Bellevue, we have members making progress on standby qualifications and master qualifications. Each successful process provides a pay bump and additional opportunities for growth. We continue to meet with the employer to work on acknowledging the members who have come to work every day and been touched by COVID – either out sick with it or forced to quarantine.

We have had a few members move on to other jobs or retirement and the City will be hiring new Signal Electricians.

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C e n t r io E n e r g y :

King County:

I n S e a t t l e , a t C e n tr i o E n e r g y , m e m b e r s a r e b u s y w o r ki n g to ke e p the steam s y s te m o p e r a ti n g .

M e m b e r s w h o c h o s e to v a c c i n a te r e c e i v e d a d d i ti o n a l a c c e s s to l e a v e a n d i f t h e y p a r ti c i p a te d e a r l y th e r e w a s a n a d d iti o n a l i n c e n ti v e o f f e r e d .

C e n t r i o i s l o o k i n g i n t o w a y s to ‘ g r e e n ’ i t s b u s i n e s s , a s th e i r p r i m a r y e n e r g y s o u r c e f o r s te a m g e n e r a ti o n is natural gas.

O u r C B A w i t h K i n g C ou n t y M e t ro i s o n e o f th e o l d e s t w e h a v e … t h e n a f ew y e a rs b a c k t h e C ou n t y g ot in t o t h e l i g h t ra i l b u s i n e s s . N e v e rt h e l e ss, t h e C o u n ty s t i l l a c t s l ike t h e y a re a b u s s e r v i c e a n d r e p e a t e d l y c om e s u p s h o rt re a l i z i n g t h e y a re op e ra t in g a high voltage sy st e m .

C ou n ty l e a d e rs h i p n e e d s t o p u t a p riorit y o n W A C c o m p l i a n c e a n d g e t t in g t h e training, tools and p roc e d u re s c l e a n e d u p f o r ou r m e m b e rs. W e c o n ti n u e t o h a v e l a b or-m a n a g e m e n t m e e ti n g s w h e r e t h e se issu e s a r e r a i s e d . T h e r e a re v a c a n c ie s f o r L i n e w o rk e r s and El e c t ric ia n C o n s tru c to r s .

City o f S e a t t l e CMEO's : W e h a v e b e e n b u s y w i th o u r C M E O c o n t r a c t a t th e C i ty o f S e a ttl e . W e are working on some bid language t o p i l o t w i th o n e d e p a r tm e n t. W e joined with Council 2 in demanding t h e C i t y s t o p h a v i n g o th e r u n i o n s b e a s s i g n e d o u r w o r k d u e to th e employer’s failure to s ta f f appropriately and manage th e w o r k f o r c e . T h e r e c o n tin u e to b e vacancies for th e se heavy e q u i p m e n t o p e r a to r c l a s s i f i c a ti o n s ( C M E O a n d S R . C M E O ).

Jefferson Co. PUD: At Jefferson C ou n t y P UD we c o n ti n u e t o m a k e p rog re ss on c a l l out workflow language and p r e s e rv i n g w o r k d o n e b y b a rg a in in g unit members.

We have excellent unit meeting attendance.

T h is g r o u p s t i c k s t o g e t h e r a n d st a y s strong.

There a re c u rre n t l y o p e n i n g s f o r L i n e w orke rs. T h e P UD w i l l b e e x p a n d i n g t h e ir f ib e r op t ic n e t w o rk a n d w i l l b e b a rg a in in g t h e s e p o s i t i o n s a n d w ork.

The other K in g C ou n ty a s s i g n m e n t / C B A i s w it h t h e I T a n d R o a d s d e p a r t m e n t s. T h e I T sid e is f or r a d i o i n s t a l l a t i o n a n d m a in t e n a n c e in v e h i c l e s , p l u s a l l of t h e f ix e d sit es o p e ra te d b y t h e C ou n t y . T h e sy st e m w i l l b e m i g r a t i n g t o a n e w P SERN s y s te m i n t h e c o m in g y e a r or t w o. At R o a d s , w e h a v e Sig n a l El e c t ric ia n s t h a t s e rv i c e t h e w h ol e C ou n t y ( e x c e pt f o r c i ti e s t h a t h a v e t h e ir ow n d e p a rtm e n t s ) . T h i s c on t ra c t is st il l i n b a r g a i n i n g a n d 1 4 m on t h s ou t . W e a r e p a rt o f a c o a l it ion a n d t h e l a rge t a b l e w ra p p e d u p in t h e f a l l , h e n c e t h e d e l a y . W e a r e n ow m e e t in g a t t h e s m a l l ta b l e a n d h op e t o g e t it d on e t h i s s p ri n g . T h e r e a re n ’ t m a n y job o p e n i n g s c u r r e n t l y a v a il a b l e , a n d a s t h e P S E R N s y s t e m c om e s on l in e w e w i l l b e b a r g a i n i n g on b e h a l f of ou r a f f e c te d m e m b e r s .

P l e a s e ta k e c a r e of e a c h ot h e r a n d stay safe, Jonathan 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

DAVE GAREGNANI Business Rep., Spokane & Kennewick Offices

Resurgence of Labor: According to the National Labor Relations Board, the number of union elections and membership has unfortunately been on a steady decline over the last decade. Good news is that since the pandemic, there has been a new resurgence of labor across the country. I have heard it several times in this past year, “nobody wants to work anymore.” I have been in countless conversations with different people from IBEW members to the cashier at the grocery store. I keep hearing the same thing over and over. Nobody wants to work, the government is giving handouts, they make more money on unemployment, etc. Now, there very well could be truth to part of that. There has been, and always will be, people who intentionally take advantage of the system, or essentially rely on the system for whatever reason. I, however, refuse to believe that our country and our society has become that lazy, that “nobody wants to work anymore. "What is happening now is that people are realizing that they are worth more. I know several people who were laid off because of the pandemic, and they did not want to return to a job that did not pay well enough and went on to find a better job or even return to online school to earn degrees. People are fed up with being exploited.

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A n o th e r s i d e o f t h is is t o l ook a t w h a t i s g oi n g on a c ross th e c ou n tr y.

O r g a n i z i n g a t t e m p t s l ike A m a zon w orke rs a n d e ve n Sta rb u c ks w orke r s .

S t r i k e s s u c h a s t h e A l a b a m a c oa l m i n e rs, J oh n De e re , K a i se r P e rm a n e n t e , K e l l o g g ’ s , F r i t o L a y , N a b isc o, e t c . W orke rs a re n o l on g e r p u tti n g u p w it h l o w p a y , e r o s i o n o f b e n e f it s if a n y , a n d u n a c c e p ta b l e w orki n g c on d i ti on s .

F o r to o l o n g e m p l o y e rs h a v e t a ke n a d va n ta g e of th e l a b or m a rke t a n d h a ve p r o f i te d o f f t h e b a c ks of t h e ir e m p l oye e s. Sq u e e zi n g e ve ryth i n g th e y c a n f r o m th e m a n d g i v in g t h e m a l it t l e a s p ossi b l e i n re tu rn . Gra n te d , n ot a ll e m p l o y e r s a r e t h is w a y b u t t h ose th a t a re , a re n ow se e i n g t h e r e p e rc u s s i o n s o f t a kin g a d v a n t a g e of th e i r w ork f orc e . La b or i s b a c k on th e r i s e o n c e a g a i n . I t ’ s n ot a “ l a b or sh orta g e ” , i t’ s a “ n ot p u tti n g u p w i th l o w p a y i n g jo b s a n y m o re ” .

Photo Above: Vera Water & Power crew in the Spokane Valley.

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E x a m p l e : M y w i f e h a d re c e n t l y d e c i d e d t o r e t u r n t o h e r t ra d e a s a c o s m e to l o g i s t s in c e b ot h ou r d a u g h te r s w e r e in sc h ool . Sh e r e n te d b o o t h s p a c e a t a l oc a l sa l on and began to w ork as an independent c on t ra c t or.

The e x p e c ta ti o n w a s t h a t sh e w ou l d m a k e h e r o w n h o u rs, re im b u rse t h e o w n e r f o r w h a t e v e r p rod u c t s sh e u s e d , a n d w o u l d c om e a n d g o a s sh e p l e a s e s . A f t e r o n l y a f e w w e e ks t h e o w n e r o f t h e s a l o n b e g a n t o a sk m y w i f e i f s h e w a s c o m in g in t o t h e sa l on e v e n w h e n s h e h a d n o c l ie n t s booked.

The ow n e r wanted s o m e b o d y t h e r e t o t a ke w a l k in s a n d m a k e th e s a l o n l o o k l ike it w a s b u sy .

T h a t m a d e m y w if e a b it u p se t s e e i n g h o w s h e i s h e r ow n b oss a n d i f s h e d o e s n o t h a v e c l ie n t s, sh e is n o t g e tti n g p a i d . T h e sa l on ow n e r is n o t p a y i n g h e r e t o b e t h e re , so sh e e s s e n ti a l l y , s h e w a n t e d m y w if e ’ s l a b o r f o r f r e e t o p rof it h e r b u sin e ss .

N e e d l e s s t o s a y , m y w if e is n o l on g e r r e n ti n g b o o t h s p a c e a t t h a t sa l on .

Employees are beginning to become fed up and taking a stand as we are now seeing across the country. In my opinion, as disturbing it is to read and hear stories like these, it gives me hope that this new resurgence of labor is a beginning of a new generation of union advocates and labor leaders. When our country is once again realizing the importance and the relevance of unions, then we know we are back on the right path.

Stay strong brothers and sisters!!!!!

I n t h i s i n d u s t r y a n d se v e ra l ot h e rs, p r a c ti c e s s u c h a s t h e se h a p p e n f r e q u e n tl y and u n f ort u n a t e l y b e c o m e t h e n o r m . T h e ow n e r d oe s n o t p a y i n d e p e n d e n t c on t ra c t ors a n h o u rl y w a g e , i n su ra n c e , or t h e ir t a x e s . I t' s b a s i c a l l y l a b or t h e f t .

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Inland Power and Light: I n l a n d n e g o t i a t i o n s f or 2 0 2 1 w ra p p e d u p i n l a te De c e m b e r a n d t h e m e m b e rs h i p h a s r a t if ie d a 2 -y e a r c on tra c t. T h e c h a n g e s h a ve b e e n p oste d o n t h e L o c a l 7 7 w e b s it e u n d e r “ se c u re re sou rc e s p a g e s” .

W i t h n e w C E O J a se n B ron e c c om i n g a b oa rd i n Se p te m b e r of 2021, t h e C o o p e ra t i v e a n d L oc a l 7 7 h a v e b e en i n ta l ks a b ou t p ossi b l y c ol l a b ora t in g w i t h th e I B E W C o d e of Ex c e l l e n c e p rog ra m . In l a n d m a n a g e m e n t a n d I w i ll be v i s i ti n g w i t h m e m b e rs of G ra n t C ou n ty P U D’ s CO E te a m to d i sc u ss a n d ge t m o r e i n s i g h t . W i t h J a se n b e in g t h e n e w CEO , i t i s a p e rf e c t op p ortu n it y t o t a k e a n e w d i r e c t ion t h a t w il l re bu i l d re l a ti on sh i p s b e tw e e n u n i on a n d m a n a g e m e n t . I ’ m v e ry e x c it e d t o p os si b l e b e ta ki n g th i s n e w p a th .

Kootenai Electric Cooperative: K o o te n a i c u r r e n t l y is e x p a n d in g w ith a n e w h om e b a se c om i n g som e ti m e in 2 0 2 3 . A l o n g w i t h t h a t K EC h a s b e e n h i ri n g to c om p l i m e n t m ore c re w s w it h t h e e x p a n d i n g se rv ic e t e rrit ory . K EC h a s e x p a n d e d th e i r re si d e n c y r e q u i re m e n t t o 3 5 m il e s f rom t h e b o a rd e r of K EC se rvi c e te rri tory to th e m a in office.

K E C a l s o a p p r o a c h e d t h e Un ion t o a d d 2 m ore 6-m on th ste p s a n d a w a ge i n c re a s e t o t h e T e m p ora ry P re -A p p ren ti c e p osi ti on .

F o l l o w i n g t h e D e c e m b e r t e n t a t iv e c on tra c t a g re e m e n t b e tw e e n th e U n io n a n d A v i s ta , ( w h i c h w a s l a t e r v ot e d dow n ) K oote n a i m a n a g e m e n t a p p roa c h e d t h e U n i o n t o t a k e t h e 7 ½ % p a y in c re a se (1/ 2 % a b ove Avi sta Li n n e a n w a ge ) w i t h th e u n d e r s t a n d in g t h a t if Avi sta ’ s c on tra c t w a s vote d d ow n a n d r e n e g o ti a t e d a t a h ig h e r p e rc e n t a g e , K EC w ou l d re tro b a c k th e d i f f e r e n c e b a c k to J u n e 1 , 2 0 2 1 . I f t h e c on t ra c t c a m e b a c k a t a l ow e r p e rc e n ta g e , KE C w o u l d ta k e n o a c t i on .

Wage opener for June 1, 2022.

Modern Electric: W i l l b e e n t e r i n g i n t o n e g ot ia t ion s in e a rl y M a rc h 2022.

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Photo Above: Brothers from Columbia Basin Hydropower at the Main Canal in Coulee City. (Left to right) – Noel Yingling, Bob Knesek, Pat Hall, Nick Williams, Travis Ogle, Brian Skidmore, and Tom Farmer.

Columbia Basin Hydropower: I t i s w i th a h e a v y h e a rt t o re p ort t h a t r e t i re d b r o t h e r D e n n is “ D e n n y ” P in a r p a s s e d a w a y o n N ov e m b e r 1 1 , 2 0 2 1 .

B r o th e r P i n a r w a s a m e m b e r of I B EW L o c a l 7 7 f r o m A p r il 1 , 1 9 8 9 , t o M a y 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 , w h e n h e re t ire d . H e w a s a J o u rn e y m a n H y d r o C ra f t W orke r a t C o l u m b i a B a s i n H y d rop ow e r. 7 1 y e a rs o l d w h e n h e p a sse d .

Photo Right: Denny Pinar, retired Columbia Basin Hydro Power.

December 5, 1949 – November 11, 2021.

Rest in peace brother.

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USBR Grand Coulee: A r b i tra ti o n f o r t h e H ol id a y P a y g rie v a n c e h a s b e e n m ove d to b ri e f i n g s a n d is c u r re n tl y c o n t i n u i n g in t h e p roc e ss.

N o t m u c h e l s e t o re p ort ou t on m y o th e r a ssi g n m e n ts. I h op e a l l i s w e l l w it h e v e ry b o d y a n d l o o kin g f orw a rd t o e ve ryth i n g op e n i n g b a c k u p a n d f or so m e w a r m e r w e a t h e r . L oc a l 7 7 w il l b e p a rti c i p a ti n g i n th e 2022 Sp oka n e S t .

P a t ri c k ’ s D a y p a r a d e on M a rc h 1 2 th . W e w i l l b e te a m i n g u p w i th Avis t a , I n l a n d P o w e r a n d L ig h t , M od e rn El e c tri c W a te r Com p a n y, a n d V e ra Wa t e r P o w e r to e n t e r t r u c ks in t h e p a ra d e .

Photo Above: USBR Grand Coulee Jeffery Schweitzer receiving his 30-year service pin.

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USBR Grand Coulee, Continued

Photo Above: Don Yanzick receiving his 20-year service pin at the Union 124 Meeting in Grand Coulee. Photo Below: USBR Grand Coulee Jeremy Hansen receiving his 10-year service pin.

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CHRIS HENNING Business Rep., Seatac Office

Southwest PUD's: T h i s pa s t y e a r ha s b e e n ev e ntful to s a y t h e le a s t , w i th t he p a nd em i c hop e ful l y c o m i n g t o a n e nd a nd r e s tri cti ons on m e e t i n g s e a sing , ho p e f u l l y we wi l l ge t b a c k t o s o m e se nse o f no r m a l .

F o r a ll o f m y a ssig nm e nts i n the s o u t h w e s t t h is w il l b e t he l a s t ye a r of o u r c u r r e n t C BA ’ s. W e wi l l s ta rt the n e g o t i a t i o n p r o c e ss in t he fa l l , b ut i t’ s n e v e r t o o e a r l y t o st a r t wri ti ng down i d e a s o r l a ng u a g e c ha nge s tha t you w a n t t o s e e in t he C BA . I f you ha v e c h a n g e s o r id e a s p l e a se ge t thos e i n w r i t i n g t o y o u r S t e w a r d s o r m ys e l f s o we c a n h a v e t h o se r e a d y f o r ne goti a ti ons .

P le a se a t t e n d yo u r u nit m e e ti ngs for u p d a t e s a l o n g t he w a y.

P le a se b e s u r e t o c he c k t he we b s i te a n d Fa c e b o o k p a g e f o r u p da te s o n t r a i n i n g t h a t yo u m ig ht b e i nte re s te d in attending.

In S o li d a r i t y , C hr is H e nning 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Photos by Dan Perron, Line Foreman at Grays Harbor PUD

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Photos by Dan Perron, Line Foreman at Grays Harbor PUD

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Photos by Dan Perron, Line Foreman at Grays Harbor PUD

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Photos by Dan Perron, Line Foreman at Grays Harbor PUD

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Photos: Pacific Co. PUD Left: Chad Coty, Jry Lineman, Pacific Co. PUD.

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Photos: Pacific Co. PUD

IBEW Local 77 Powering America Since 1897 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

TERI KANNOR Business Rep., Seatac Office

Line Clearance Tree Trimming: W e h a v e a n e m a i l a d d r e s s f o r 2 0 2 2 C B A N e g o ti a t i o ns / P r o p o s a ls : tr e e t r i m m i n g @ i b e w 7 7 . c o m P r o p o sa ls m u st i n c lu d e c u r r e n t c o n tr a c t l a n g u a g e ( A r t i c le # a nd S e c t i o n) W h a t c h a n g e a r e y o u lo o k i n g f o r ?

R e a s o n fo r th e c h a n g e ?

W h a t a r e w e tr y i n g to a c h i e v e w i th th i s c h a n g e ?

W h a t r e se a r c h , e v i d e n c e o r o th e r d o c u m e n ta ti o n d o yo u ha v e t o s u p p o r t p r o p o sa l?

N a m e , p e r so n a l p h o n e n u m b e r & p e r s o n a l e m a i l a d d r e s s P r o p o sa ls m u st b e su b m i tte d b y M a y 1 6 , 2 0 2 2 .

Potelco Admin.: W e a re i n t h e p r o c e ss of p re p a rin g f or u p c om i n g c on tra c t n e g oti a ti on s.

P r o p o s a l f o r m s w i l l b e se n t ou t t o a l l b a rg a i n i n g u n i t m e m b e rs i n th e coming weeks.

I f y o u a re i n t e r e s t e d in b e in g on t h e N e g oti a ti n g Com m i tte e , p l e a se re a c h o u t to m e .

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Westin Hotel: P r o p o s a l f o r m s w e r e p r e v i o u s l y m a i l e d ou t t o e a c h b a rg a i n i n g u n i t m e m b e r a n d w e h a v e b e e n r e v i e w i n g su b m i ssi on s. I f y ou d i d n ot re c e i v e a p r o p o s a l f o r m , p l e a s e l e t u s k n o w & a n ot h e r c a n b e m a i l e d / e m a i l e d .

W e a r e i n t h e p r o c e s s o f s e t t i n g u p n e g ot i a t i on m e e t i n g s d a t e s w i t h t h e employer for bargaining.

I f y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n b e i n g o n t h e N e g ot i a t i n g C om m i t t e e , p l e a se re a c h out to me ASAP.

Unit Meetings: Unit 135 – Potelco Admin: 2nd Tuesday of even months at 5:30pm

Unit 149 – Line Clearance Tree Trimming: 3rd Friday of each month at 7:00pm

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Objectives of IBEW Local 77/Joe Murphy PAC (Political Action Committee): T o e d u c a t e o u r m e m b e rs in t h e p ol it i c a l p roc e ss.

T o e n c o u r a g e o u r m e m b e rs t o b e in v ol ve d i n th e p ol i ti c a l p roc e ss.

T o g i v e o u r m e m b e rs a n e q u a l op p ortu n i ty to b e h e a rd i n p ol i ti c a l processes.

H a v e f u n d s t o s u p p ort c a n d id a t e s f or p u b l i c of f i c e , w h o, b y th e i r re c ord s , h a v e d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e ir su p p ort of t h e ob j e c ti ve s to w h i c h Loc a l 77 i s d e d i c a te d .

PAC funds are raised through voluntary contr ibutions of our member s. The funds are controlled by each unit.

T h e re a re 3 w a y s to c on t rib u t e : t h rou g h e m p l oye r p a yrol l d e d u c ti on , th rou gh s e l e c t c re d i t u n i o n s, or m a il in g y ou r c on tri b u ti on d i re c tl y to IB EW 77/ J oe Murphy PAC. For more information, l og on to www.ibew77.com or read the Local 77 Byl aws pg.

60-66.

RENEW Committee: I f a n y o n e i s i n t e r e st e d in b e c om in g p a r t o f th e R E N E W C om m it t e e , p l e a s e re a c h o u t t o ou r L oc a l 7 7 O r g a n i z e r: S a r a L a n g u s s a r a l a n g u s @ i b e w 7 7 . c om or 425-414-2144.

RENEW Mission Statement: O u r m i s s i o n i s t o e n g a g e c u rre n t a n d n e x t g e n e r a t i o n u n ion a n d n on u n i o n w o r k e r s t h rou g h e d u c a t ion , s o c i a l , a n d r e c r e a tion a l e v e n t s in a n e f f o rt to c r e a t e a p osit iv e a ssoc ia t ion with IBEW Local 77.

Women in Trades Fair: https://www.wawomenintrades.com /trades-fair

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Kemp West Safety Days

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IBEW Benefits Board at Kemp West Safety Days

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Axe Throwing Contest at Kemp West Safety Days

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NW JATC Spar Pole Rescue at Kemp West Safety Days

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Eric Wise & Riley Strait, Morton Logger Jubilee promoting IBEW Local 77 (all classifications)

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Previous Construction Business Rep. Rick Strait with Brother Pat Darling, who was awarded his 45-year service pin at the Unit 155 union meeting in Alger on August 3rd. Congratulations Pat!

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ONLINE STORE 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER IBEW 77 Buck Knife, Rival III $26.00

IBEW Local 77 Grunt Bag $19.00

Visit our online store at:

Visit our Online Store at:

www.ibew77.com

www.ibew77.com

IBEW 77 Patch Hat $19.00

IBEW 77 Joey Mell T-shirt $20.00

Visit our online store at:

Visit our online store at:

www.ibew77.com

www.ibew77.com

CHRISTINE REID Political Director, Seatac Office

2022 WA Legislature Ends – Members in Motion Helped Shape Positive Outcomes: The 2022 WA legislative session ended on Thursday, March 10. Throughout the sixty-day session, we reviewed hundreds of bills and were actively involved with dozens, officially stating our positions either in support or opposed. We are pleased to report that bills that seriously threatened our members did not pass. Further, bills that will help our Members and all Washington citizens were passed. Just two examples include …

Early in session, and with the support of over four-hundred Members who signed on a letter with Business Manager and Financial Secretary Rex Habner, the “WA Cares Act” (Long Term Care Insurance Trust) has been delayed and significant positive changes to the act have and will continue to be made. Letters along with Member names were delivered to the Governor, House, and Senate Leadership.

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Again, thanks to over four-hundred Members who signed a letter from Rex to the WA Building Code Council, we won support from Members in Senate leadership to stop a bill that would have directed the Code Council (a Governor appointed body) to circumvent the legislative process and short-circuit citizen ability to hold legislators directly responsible for aggressive climate change policies.

Washington State Leadership in the other Washington: O n M a rc h 7 , 2 0 2 2 , B u sin e ss M a n a ge r a n d F i n a n c i a l Se c re ta ry R e x H a bn e r a n d P o l i t i c a l D i r e c t or C h rist in e Rei d a tte n d e d th e 15th An n u a l N a tio n a l L A M P A C m e e t i n g i n W a sh in g t on , D . C .

A b o u t L A M P A C : T h e Ed ison El e c t ri c In sti tu te , tog e th e r w i th th e IB E W , c r e a te d th e N a t i o n a l L A M P A C – t h e N a ti on a l La b or a n d M a n a g e m e n t P u blic A f f a i rs C o m m i t t e e – t o b rin g t og e th e r e n e rg y c om p a n y e x e c u ti ve s a n d l e a d e rs f r o m t h e I B EW t o a d v a n c e th e c om m on ob j e c ti ve s of th e e l e c t r ic p o w e r i n d u s t r y a n d I B EW m e m b e rs.

C o n f e re n c e s e s s i o n t op ic s in c l u d ed : An ti tru st Se ttl e m e n t, El e c tri c P o w e r I n d u s try R e s p o n s e t o N a t u ra l D isa ste rs i n a P a n d e m i c , N e x t Ge n e ra t io n N u c l e a r, I m p l e m e n t a t ion of t h e I n f ra stru c tu re In ve stm e n t a n d J ob s Ac t, a n d B r o a d b a n d B u i l d - o u t O p p ort u n it ie s f or th e IB EW & In ve stor-O w n e d El e c t r ic Companies.

H i g h l i g h t c o n f e r e n c e sp e a ke rs in c l u de d : U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell U n i te d S ta t e s S e c re t a ry of En e rg y , J en n i f e r Gra n h ol m I B E W I n te r n a t i o n a l P re sid e n t L on n ie Ste p h e n son N a t i o n a l E l e c t r i c a l C on t ra c t ors A ssoc i a ti on CEO Da vi d Lon g

In Solidarity, Christine Reid, Political Director

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JEN WATSON Business Rep., Seatac Office

YOU Are the Union and the Union is YOU! I f i n d m y s e l f u s i n g t h is p h ra se of t e n , you m a y h a ve e ve n re a d i t i n m y p r e v i o u s a r t i c l e s . Som e m a y f in d it ove rl y si m p l i sti c or e ve n c orn y, b u t I r e a l l y b e l i e v e i t t o b e t ru e . I h a v e h e a rd U n i on m e m b e rsh i p l i ke n e d to a gym m e m b e rs h i p . Y o u ’ re a l re a d y p a y in g f or i t, w h y n ot u se i t? As b u sy a s l i f e c a n g e t a t h o m e a n d a t w ork, it c a n b e e a sy to j u st p a y you r d u e s a n d b e do n e .

H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e m a n y w a y s y ou c a n g e t i n vol ve d i n ou r U n i on .

A t P S E , w e h a v e 9 se p a ra t e u n it s t h a t m e e t i n Al g e r, B re m e rton , El l e n sb u r g, G o l d e n d a l e , L o n g v ie w , O l y m p ia , P u ya l l u p , Se a T a c , a n d W ood i n vi l l e . E a c h m e e ti n g i s r u n b y it s e l e c t e d Un it Ch a i r (th e y e ve n g e t to u se a g a ve l ! ) a n d t h e R e c o r d i n g S e c re t a ry c a p t u re s t h e m i n u te s of e a c h m e e ti n g . T h e Ch a ir f r o m e a c h u n i t a l so m e e t s t w ic e y e a rl y a t ou r U n i t Con f e re n c e s. T h e re t h e y g i v e a re p o r t o n t h e g oin g s on in t h e i r g rou p a n d h e a r w h a t oth e r m e m be r s a r e d e a l i n g w i t h a t t h e irs. I t is a g re a t ti m e to sh a re i d e a s a n d g e t to k n o w o t h e r m e m b e r s . I f a c t in g a s C h a ir d oe sn ’ t sou n d l i ke you r th i n g , si m ply a t t e n d i n g y o u r u n it m e e t in g is e xtre m e l y h e l p f u l . T h e re you c a n b r in g f o r w a rd o r r e c e i v e u p d a t e s a b ou t iss u e s w i th i n you r w ork g rou p a n d oth e r s , r e v i e w th e m e e t i n g m in u t e s f rom ou r Ex e c u ti ve B oa rd , a n d a c ti vi ti e s of o u r P o l i ti c a l A c t i o n D i re c t or a n d ou r m a n y c om m i tte e s.

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Election season at 77 is fast approaching, which means you will have the opportunity to vote for Business Manager, Executive Board, and Examining Board positions.

Nominations for these positions occur in May and are voted by ballot in June. Chair and Recorder positions are voted on in person at the June unit meeting, even for units that typically meet in odd months. If you have questions about running for office or when you receive your ballot, feel free to reach out to your Business Representative, other members, or your Shop Steward with questions. Make your voice heard and get your ballot counted!

Other ways to get involved include taking Shop Steward Training, volunteering for Lobby Day at the capitol, phone banking, and joining a committee. I would recommend the Shop Steward training whether you are interested in the position or not.

Just taking the training is a great opportunity to pictures better understand Please send to your rights and responsibilities pseadmin@ibew77.com to have as a Union featured member inasthewell as what pictures next article constitutes a violation of your Collective Bargaining Agreement

Photos: Jen took these photos after a unit meeting in Goldendale.

versus an issue that should be addressed another way. Some of the current committees include RENEW, Volunteer Organizing Committee, Women’s Committee, and Clothing Committee.

To everyone who participates by any of these means already, I sincerely thank you. If you haven’t got involved, I encourage you to do so.

For more information on joining a committee, or to sign up for Shop Steward Training please reach out to your Business Rep or Shop Steward.

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