November 20th Business Manager Update
Brothers and Sisters,
We hope you and your family are safe and have a healthy Thanksgiving! To the lucky hunters who bag one, post them on our FB page.
MEETINGS
Union Meetings have been moved to video due to the hall being closed. The next video will be posted on Thursday, December 10th at 7:00 pm. At that time the old video from November will be pulled down. You can access this video on our Local 98 website at the member section under Member Zone. The next video Union Meeting after that will be Thursday, January 14th at 7:00 pm. This will be the unfortunate norm until April 1st (hopefully) unless we get a break and the virus leaves or a vaccine is released. For virtual meetings we will follow the same rituals and officer reports as usual. Some sensitive information, such as organizing campaigns, may not be discussed virtually. The confidentiality of our business matters has to be our priority. We will have to trust our elected officers, E-Board, and Committees to keep a transparent look at things down here. If you would like something added please call down and leave your suggestion. All bills will be previewed by the Finance Committee or, if you feel a need, you can set an appointment to ask questions about them.
A reminder that our annual “Turkey Night” as well as the kids “Christmas Party” are both cancelled, unless a miracle happens and the Coronavirus dissipates.
E-Board meetings
E-Board meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. If you need to contact or see the board please call V.P. Jim Cools at 734-307-9841.
Retiree Meetings are still cancelled until further notice.
ELECTIONS
I would like to thank you all, as well as our election committee, for staying calm and getting through another election year. Special thanks to the following Brothers: Scott Huber, Nate Tomanek, and Mark Wisniewski, all who all have served our country in the military and helped the Military and Veterans Council make videos in support of President-elect Biden.
COVID-19
So, it has become obvious that some of you fall short on direction. If you test positive for Coronavirus STAY HOME until your results are negative. The Training Center is now closed until November 30th due to not adhering to simple concepts. Any continuity or training questions contact Paul Baker at the center at 248-585-1435. When the center opens back up, Blackboard will be used by our apprentices unless a certification or hands on is required. We are again into another outbreak bigger than earlier in the year. This is no drill. This is now a set reality of everyday life. WEAR YOUR MASKS! If you are fortunate enough not to have experienced a loss in your family, do the rest of us a favor and act like you have! Any concerns with COVID-19 safety protocols or lack of PPE contact the Business Agent in the area or the Union Hall.
Anyone that knows of a Local 98 member or spouse that has died of Covid-19, please have the surviving partner or family member contact the Union hall as the U.A. has an extra bereavement fund to assist unfortunate families in their time of need. Due to HIPPA laws we cannot make first contact with the families ourselves. So please help out our member’s families.
UNION HALL
The Union Hall is CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC. We are in the process of deep cleaning the hall after we had a couple cases of COVID-19 in the building. Once we are back up and running, you will need to schedule an appointment to come to the hall. The West doors will continue as our main entrance. Properly worn masks are required and you need to make an appointment to visit. There is a COVID-19 questionnaire that MUST be filled out by everyone entering the Union Hall. All the officers are working remotely at this time.
SUB APPS/OOW Changes
Please fill out SUB Apps electronically. This can be found on the web page under the OOWL section. If you’re still having unemployment issues call BAs Gary Glaser or Tom McWilliams. For any member issues dealing with benefits contact Jon DeRoo. If you are less than a year from retiring, please set a meeting with Jon today.
LICENSE RENEWAL
For all continuing education opportunities or classes, call Training Coordinator Paul Baker at 248-585-1435. BAs Gary Glaser and Tom McWilliams are now admins on the Must/Most program, contact them if you need help.
IN MEMORIAM
Our deepest sympathies go out to the friends and family of our Brothers who have recently passed away; Thomas O’Neil on November 9, 2020 and Hubert “Art” Robillard on November 13, 2020.
Good/Welfare
We now have a hearing Benefit added to our Insurance package that started on September 1, 2020 through Nations Hearing. This is for opt out members as well. Please watch your mail for the information, or call 877-241-0703 M-F 8am-8pm, or visit nationshearing.com/local98.
We are looking for Residential and Service Plumbers at this time. This is a great opportunity to expand and grow, as many members are looking to retire. If you know anyone working Non-Union or is a past member that may be interested, have them call Organizer Rob Moses at 248-763-2187.
In solidarity I remain, Carlo Castiglione Business Manager Plumbers Local 98