STAFF REPORTS

June 2025

             May has been busy with negotiations.  I am currently in negotiations with Douglas Electrical Co-op, Ashland Electrical Department and Ashland Clerical Department, and Avangrid.  We are still in the beginning to middle of the process so I don’t have much to report until we get things TA’d (Tentative Agreement).

            The Avangrid negotiations continue to move slow as we are creating there first CBA (Collective Barging Agreement).  We are starting to work on shift schedules, benefits, and moving into the economical items.  We have most of the boiler plate language completed.  We will have two (2) days in person coming up and hope to make some good progress.

Mike Meek

mikemeek@ibew659.org

458-220-6779

SUB- We had our LMC this month.  The topics included dates to start bargaining as well as if we would do traditional bargaining or IBB (Interest Based Bargaining).  It looks like we will start in November but we have not decided on the process.

            We also spoke about the pilot program in the Water Department.  This pilot program is intended to help response times to major call outs.  The person who initially responds will have the option if needed to have a mass text sent to all available employees.  The first four (4) to respond will be responsible to help.

            Outside of LMC, we asked for a spot increase to all classifications tied to JL.  SUB accepted our proposal.

Carestream- I was able to pass the first proposal.  This was just the ground rules for the upcoming first session of negotiations in June.  They accepted as written.  I was able to engage with their lead negotiator and am cautiously optimistic about the negotiation process.

Henkel’s & McCoy- This is the Teladata group’s contract.  Most of this group has transitioned to URD work and are working under the Outside contract.  I believe currently there are eleven (11) people covered.  We are hoping for a one (1) year extension with three percent (3%) increase.  Waiting on their response.

Lane- The cookie books have been made.  Expect them with your next dues receipt.  I have had lunch with the GM twice as well as the new HR.  These conversations have been great.  The GM seems eager to build a positive relationship with the Union.  We also asked if they would be willing to give active military paid leave when called to training.  They agreed and it will become policy after their e-board session.

EWEB- We filed a grievance on the high-risk inspections they contracted out.  They denied the grievance based on missed timeline.  They claim the Union was made aware of this months ago.  I reminded them that they admitted not being transparent about this issue and the communication was poor on their part.  They also denied the grievance based on their right to contract work out if they deem necessary if the workload is too much for the current staff to handle and that this has no impact in regards to layoffs or loss of wages.  I reminded them again that management admitted to this work historically being handled by OT.  It is the Union stance that by contracting this work out caused a loss in wages.  Overtime can still be considered a loss in wages, and by unilaterally giving that work away, EWEB committed a ULP.  This is a mandatory subject of bargain.  I have a meeting set with the new HR coordinator.  I will explain our stance hoping to receive a formal agreement to recapture this work.

OSMOSE and NECA TELEDATA are currently happy with their contracts.

Tom Hutton

tom@ibew659.org

541-601-0844

Good afternoon, Brothers and Sisters,

            May started off with Ryan and me attending a career fair in Drain, Oregon.  It’s one of the best we attend all year, with a lot of interest from the younger generation; so it was well worth it.

            We also attended Apprentice Appreciation Day at the Training Center, which was a blast.  We had a big lunch and the Milwaukee rep came by and gave a sales pitch on all the latest and greatest technologies in our industry.  It was good seeing everyone down there.

            Speaking of the Training Center, we’ve been having multiple follow-up meetings with Matt and Bessie regarding the new direction of the program.  Matt has been doing a great job as the new Training Director and Bessie has been doing incredible as well.  The future looks extremely bright for our training center.

            I had the opportunity to visit the Lakeview site that PEC (Pacific Electrical Contractors) has been working on for the past year.  Kevin Kraan and the crew were very welcoming and gave Ryan and me a tour of the facility.  It was extremely impressive and I’m very proud of the quality of work our brothers and sisters have performed there.  There is no doubt that it was Union-built.

            The Labor Management Committee did a major safety walk this month.  We dropped in on four (4) separate job sites, all of which were impressive.  Everything looked great and it was good to see you all out there.

            Ryan and I also attended LU112’s Blitz.  It was great to see the area where many of our brothers and sisters have been working while things have been slow.  I was able to go out with a LU659 member both nights and he showed me around the area after we door knocked.  We spent two (2) days door-knocking and also attended our Northwest Organizers meeting.  These events are always valuable; there’s always something to learn from Organizers in other Locals.

            We were able to organize a new contractor this month: Derek Stallings with Stader Electric LLC.  Derek came down and signed a Letter of Assent with us on May 23, 2025.  Many of you may know Derek from the Roseburg area.  He’s a great guy and we’re very excited to see one of our own members start a business.

            Surveys went out this month to the membership and are due back by June 6, 2025.  Both mailed copies and electronic versions were sent via email.  Please encourage your brothers and sisters to get these turned in so we can hear everyone’s voice.  This affects each and every one of you, you are the deciding factor in what we negotiate for.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

            Last but not least, Brother Kief Noble passed away this month.  Many of you knew him or knew of him.  He was truly one of the best among us.  A funeral service will be held on June 8, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at Edgewater Christian Fellowship in Grants Pass, Oregon.  After speaking with Kief’s wife, she expressed that all are welcome to attend and she would love to see the place filled.  Please keep their family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Thank you,

Johnny Walker

johnny@ibew659.org

541-601-0843

            As we close out the month of May, I wanted to take a moment to share the work I’ve been doing on your behalf and some of the progress we’ve made together.

            This month, I continued my studies through eCornell, focusing on arbitration.  The coursework has helped me deepen my understanding and strengthen my skills in this area, which I know will be a continued benefit in representing our membership.

            I’ve been actively involved in a grievance case with Avista concerning a long-time employee who, at no point during their hire or employment, was required to obtain a CDL.  This employee now seeks to transition into a Foreman role, which typically requires a CDL.  After discussion and collaboration, both the company and I agree that this employee is the most qualified for the position.  I’m happy to report that Avista is willing to make an exception in this case, a great outcome for all involved.

            Avista has also welcomed four (4) new Shop Stewards.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet with each of them personally to ensure they are equipped with the tools, resources, and support they need to be successful in their roles.  I’ve assured them of my ongoing support and look forward to working closely with them.

            This month, I conducted site visits with Avista members in both the Roseburg, Oregon and Klamath Falls, Oregon offices.  I also had the pleasure of meeting with members from the City of Myrtle Creek and most of the team at the City of Canyonville.

            At Central Lincoln, we held our first Labor Management Committee (LMC) meeting.  It was productive and helped us clean up some outdated contract language.  Additionally, we successfully negotiated a Letter of Understanding (LOU) to assist a member in transitioning to a work location closer to home supporting both their personal and professional well-being.

            We are still hoping to recruit a few more Shop Stewards for Central Lincoln so that every location has solid representation.  This is a great time to consider stepping into the role, especially with our Shop Steward Training coming up at the beginning of August.  If you’re interested or have questions about what the role involves, please reach out; I’d be happy to connect with you.

            I also continue to support dispatching efforts to ensure our members are being taken care of and that the process is running as smoothly and fairly as possible.  Your feedback in this area is always welcome.

            I remain committed to building strong relationships and continuing to learn and grow in this role.  My focus is always on being the most effective and supportive representative I can be.  There is always room for improvement and I welcome your feedback and questions as part of that growth.

            Please never hesitate to reach out.  I am here for you and I want to ensure I’m the representative you need and deserve.

In solidarity,

Terra Clevenger

terra@ibew659.org

458-220-6416

Pacific Northwest Lineman Rodeo

• Date is July 26, 2025
• Registration is live
• Contact the Hall or myself for apparel or raffle tickets; sweatshirts are $60.00 and raffle tickets are $5.00 each. If you want something in particular, please contact me and I can pick it up at my next Rodeo Committee meeting and bring it back to you.

Consumers Power Electrical Contact

• I’ve met with Nic Clow and I’m happy to say he is back to work on light duty. I can’t say enough good things about the support the IBEW membership has stood up and shown his family in a time of need. Thank you all for your donations.

Work Picture

• Picking up a little bit. I’ve had a few pre-jobs come in from PTI, Christenson, and Cache Valley. 1884 is hoping to release more work in Shotgun Creek area but aren’t sure if they’re going to subcontract it out or not. VPI informed me they’ve been bidding on some work up this way under 1884 as well. I’ve heard rumors Wilson will be doing most of the subcontracted work but time will tell.

LU1245 Safety Summit

• I attended LU1245’s Safety Summit event they do every year in an effort to better our safety committee at LU659 and bring some new ideas to our Hall. I have high hopes we can in time implement a program like this that actively engages our local hands to talk about the trade and all of its obstacles.

Thank you all for your hard work and making the IBEW shine.

Logan Fry

logan@ibew659.org

458-274-7195

Brothers and Sisters,

            May was a good month!  Logan Fry and I were able to attend a Peer-to-Peer Safety Conference at LU1245.  Which was beneficial for us to get a sneak peek into their safety program and see how they run things there.  I also finished up my eCornell online courses on negotiating.  These were great as I was able to learn a lot of things that will help me in every aspect of my position and also allow me to be the best Rep that I can be for you all.

            We had a meeting at the beginning of the month with Asplundh and Trees regarding the double time pay grievance for the February snow storm.  They want to pay it but they are caught up on whether or not they will be able to get reimbursed by the utility.  I feel they should just pay the members the money they are owed and fight their own fight with the utility.  I am sending an email to them when I am finished typing this to see where they are at with everything so hopefully I will have more information soon.  There are currently no other grievances in any of the other areas.

Upcoming events:

• June 21, 2025- Union Picnic at Richardson Park in Eugene, Oregon
• July 26, 2025- Pacific Northwest Lineman Rodeo 3490 W Powell Loop, Gresham, Oregon
• August 6-9, 2025- Shop Steward Training Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino in Canyonville, Oregon

            As a reminder for those of you that have your Pesticide Applicators License, don’t forget about your CEU credits.  You can call the JATC and get signed up for a class or you can get them online.  Also, don’t forget to periodically check all of your other credentials/certifications expiration dates so you don’t run into any unnecessary hiccups.  Like always, if you have any issues, feel free to reach out to me.  Stay safe and enjoy the nice weather.

Cody Stafford

cody@ibew659.org

458-274-7218

LU659 Brothers and Sisters,

Below are some highlights for May:

·         Career Fair at North Douglas Highschool- Although the event had a smaller turnout, it allowed for more in-depth conversations with students and greater engagement.

·         Supervisor Test Prep- Oregon Electric Test Prep in Conjunction with IBEW LU659 partnered for an In-Person Supervisor Test Prep Course July 14-26, 2025.  Follow our link at ibew659.org and click on Enroll Today to fill out the online for or go to https://oregonelectrictestprep.com/product/local-659-electric-test-prep/.  Find the special note for IBEW LU659 members discount code then drop off your $200.00 refundable after course completion to LU659 office to secure your spot.

·         Grant Proposal- Submitted a grant proposal to the NLMCC to secure funding for hiring Matt Kolbinsky from Pro Union Consulting for the Business Development and the Emerging Markets courses scheduled March 2–6, 2026.

·         This is funded by partnering  $200.00 Contractor Coupon- Reminder Contractor coupon is in full swing; it’s on our website. IBEW LU659 and NECA (Oregon Pacific Cascade Chapter) LMCC funds.  We can offer this for a LIMITED-TIME while funds last.  We are offering $200.00 IN FREE ELECTRICAL WORK to the first fifty (50) people that take advantage of this offer just by filling out the form on our website and following the instructions.  We hope that this test run will show success in the program and we can continue to fund this and grow the relationships with our contractors and the public.

·         LU112 Blitz- Participated in the LU112 Blitz and knocked on 659 doors over two (2) evenings; our highest number yet!  Over sixty (60) volunteers contributed to this record-setting effort.

·         Northwest Organizers Meeting: Many locals are beginning to see a gradual increase in work. LU191, LU112, and LU280, in particular, have experienced a significant uptick and have been able to dispatch any available members to job sites.

·         ARC- The ARC (Apprentice Reimbursement Challenge) incentive is still available for the Inside Wireman, Powerline Clearance Tree Trimming, and Outside Line Apprenticeship groups.  So far, we have a small portion of people signed up for this so the likelihood of receiving this is high.  This program offers an opportunity for tuition reimbursement in 2025.  If you're interested in participating or signing up, please submit the form via email or reach out for more details.

·         RENEW Committee: The RENEW Committee is actively seeking new participants.  To encourage broader involvement, Zoom links will be sent out before each meeting via the text thread.  If you would like to be added to the RENEW Committee’s text group, please contact me by email or phone.

In solidarity,

Ryan Smith

Membership Development Representative

ryan@ibew659.org

541-326-9185