IBEW 1253 to Turn Newport School into Training Center

IN THIS EDITION

• IBEW 1253 to Turn Newport School into Training Center
• Educational briefing on Bill to Fix the Unemployment System — Thurs, March 4th
• Operating Engineers Call for Better Safety Training for Crane Operators
• Vote Early for Craig Hickman by March 4th!
• Letter Carriers to Vote on New Contract
• Upcoming Winter Institute Events

IBEW 1253 to Turn Newport School into Training Center

[caption caption="The former Newport Elementary School, which closed in 2019." align="center"] [/caption]

After nearly 60 years of bouncing around the state holding apprentice trainings in various locations, IBEW 1253 will finally have a permanent training center this year — just in time for its 75th anniversary as a local. The local purchased the former Newport Elementary School in Newport at the end of January with the goal of opening it this fall.

IBEW 1253 Business Manager Chuck Fraser said the union plans to break down walls in two classrooms to create a 1300 square foot lab where apprentices will be able to do hands-on electrical work. He said other parts of the old school, which closed in 2019 after 76 years in operation, might potentially be rented out to another union. He said it is also considering renovating one of the largest rooms into a conference center for union meetings and other events.

"We’ve been training apprentices for 60 years in 2024 and for all that time we’ve been a wandering apprenticeship program,” said Fraser. “We’ve used Eastern Maine Community College, the Ironworkers Hall, buildings in Augusta and other places. We’re really excited that on our 75th anniversary as a local we will finally have our own training center.”

Q&A on Bill to Fix Unemployment System — Thurs, 3/4

Do you know anyone who has had difficulty securing unemployment benefits during the pandemic or struggled because the benefits weren't enough?

We're submitting legislation (LR 1631) to help fix Maine's unemployment system by creating an Unemployment Navigator program rooted in labor and community organizations to support workers in accessing UI benefits and training programs. The bill will also ensure workers get enough benefits to help them transition to their next jobs by increasing the number of weeks; expanding partial unemployment eligibility; raising the partial benefit amount for workers who have lost hours; increasing the dependent allowance for off laid workers with children; penalizing employers that discourage workers from applying for unemployment and directing the state to ensure that more eligible laid off workers actually get Unemployment!

We will we be holding a presentation to explain what is in the bill and answer any questions you have on Thursday, March 4, at 5pm. We will also provide information about how YOU can help us pass this important legislation such as testifying, submitting written testimony or contacting legislators. 

Please register in advance for the March 4th presentation here.

Operating Engineers Call for Better Safety Training for Crane Operators

On Tuesday, members of Operating Engineers Local 4 testified in support of LD 210, sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy (D-Winterport), which would require crane operators to go through rigorous safety training and be licensed by the state. Crane operators can cause deadly accidents if they aren’t properly trained. Unfortunately, the current licensing system in Maine is woefully inadequate, making some job sites an accident waiting to happen.

Operating Engineers Local 4 member Scott Karlberg, said he witnessed first hand how important it us for cranes to be run by skilled, experienced operators who not only know the controls, but also have a basic understanding of the manual, physics, math, charts, computers and mechanics. Karlberg recalled how when he was a young man he had very little experience or training operating a crane when he was told to operate one for a non-union subcontractor on the Bath Bridge. He recalled the anxiety he felt of not being fully comfortable at the controls.

“ They said my class A driver’s license was all I needed to drive the boom truck (a small crane). The lead supervisor told me the levers were labeled and if I hurt anyone or damaged anything I'd be fired,” he told a legislative committee. “With a lot of luck and some informal instruction using a plumb bob after work with a relative who was a crane operator, I got by for a few months until I was fortunate enough to get into the Operating Engineers union. I did not operate another crane until I was able to take a beginner crane course and other subsequent courses along with many hours of practice at our training facility.”

Vote Early for Craig Hickman by March 4th!

If you live in Senate District 14, it's not too late to vote early for Craig Hickman for Senate in the upcoming special election! The special election is scheduled for Tuesday March 9. As a four term representative, Craig has a strong 95% pro-labor voting record supporting higher wages, stronger collective bargaining rights and other pro-worker measures. If you plan to vote for Craig and live in either Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, West Gardiner or Winthrop, here are some important things to remember:

• The last day to vote absentee in person/ “vote early” is Thursday March 4th
• You can also vote on election day in person Tuesday March 9th
• The last day to request receiving an absentee ballot in the mail was Wed. Feb. 24th 
• All mail-in ballots should be returned by mail no later than Wednesday, March 3rd to ensure that they arrive on time. 
• If a voter returns a ballot by mail, it MUST be RECEIVED by 8pm Tues. March 9th.

If you would like to volunteer or phone bank to call union households in support of Craig Hickman please email Adam@MaineAFLCIO.org

Letter Carriers Voting on Contract that Raises Wages

After 17 months of negotiating, National Association of Letter Carriers members are finally voting on a new contract that will provide annual wage increases and seven cost of living adjustments. The 2019 National Agreement — which will last 44 months from September 20, 2019, to May 20, 2023 — also will add a new top step to the career letter carrier pay scales, which will be $444 annually greater than the current top step. It also maintains existing protections against subcontract­ing and layoffs.

“This is a great contract,” said Mark Seitz, NALC 92 President Mark Seitz. “We’re really pleased to finally have a contract in front of us that will provide meaningful wage increases and COLAs while keeping our existing protections. The contract also adds new benefits for new employees. Under the current contract, when carriers start work they begin as a non-career city carrier assistant and they only ever get converted to a career position when a route becomes vacant. The new contract puts a 24- month limitation, so they will now only wait a maximum of two years  before becoming a career employee. That’s a big win for newer people."

Letter Carriers began voting on the contract ratification election on January 11 and voting ends March 1. The NALC Executive Council unanimously recommended approval of the tentative agreement.

Upcoming Winter Institute Events

• Thursday, March 4, 2021 – 6:30-8:00pm — Real Talk, Real Experiences: Racism and Discrimination in Maine

What’s it like to stand out all the time as a person of color in predominantly white Maine? Or to have your son taken from school in handcuffs? Or to advocate for immigrants of color in our state? Come meet members of the A. Philip Randolph Institute Maine Chapter, hear some of our stories, and, most importantly, tell your own. Let’s build the connections and understanding that will make Maine a good place for all. Register for the “Real Talk” panel discussion here!