THE TREASURER’S REPORT

TREASURER’S REPORT:

DEFENDING FRONTLINE WORKERS

BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

I want to take the time to thank and commend everyone at Local 369 for their commitment and perseverance in facing the COVID-19 pandemic together. Many of us have experienced or seen firsthand the hardships caused by the pandemic, and the strength of our Local 369 community has been critical to getting through these unprecedented times.

While prioritizing the health and safety of ourselves and coworkers, our Union was able to continue working hard throughout the pandemic, providing power and heat to families across the region in a time when it was needed more than ever. By following COVID-19 safety protocols on all worksites, we were able to ensure safe working conditions that protected our members and their families from the virus.

That said, the reality is that the pandemic is still not fully over. I strongly encourage all of you and your families to get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so, and to continue following the safety measures recommended by public health officials. That way, we can continue to protect those who are most vulnerable and prevent future outbreaks of the virus in our communities.

Even when faced with a global pandemic, we are fortunate to have security in Local 369’s robust benefits program, giving members and their families access to some of the best health care possible. With that in mind, I want to remind you all that open enrollment member benefits will take place this fall. Please be sure to complete any necessary steps to cover you and your family for the upcoming year. To learn more about the benefits and insurance available to you through our Union, turn to page 6 of this issue.

As a note, the IRS has announced its 2022 Limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), an account that allows you to set aside pre-tax funds to cover any qualified health costs that may arise. The HSA contribution limit for both employers and employees using a high-deductible plan is now $3,650 for selfonly and $7,300 for families. This is a $50 increase for self-only coverage and a $100 increase for families, or 1.4%, from 2021.

While the IRS has not yet announced 2022 limits on annual 401K contributions, the 2021 limit is $19,500, which is unchanged from 2020. Additionally, members over age 50 are eligible for a retroactive contribution of $6,500 for 2020 and 2021. And the overall general cap for both employee and employer contributions increased $1,000 to $58,000 in 2021.

I also want to congratulate our Eversource Bargaining Committee on successfully negotiating another 4-year contract with Eversource Energy, one of the largest employers of Local 369 members. Our Bargaining Committees have been hard at work this spring and summer to come to agreements that secure the best wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers across our Union. Thanks as well to all our members who’ve come out to vote to ratify these contracts and support continued negotiations.

As we face yet another summer with record-breaking temperatures, please take the time to review best practices for staying cool and hydrated at outdoor work sites, and recognizing signs of heat-related illnesses.

As more businesses re-open and we move into a new chapter, we anticipate a busy fall season ahead. I encourage you all to stay informed and involved in the coming months, and most of all, stay safe.

In Solidarity,

Dan Leary

Secretary-Treasurer