View this email in your browser

Business Manager's Report

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

Work remains slow as I write, with 210 on Inside Book I, 10 on Book II, 8 on Teledata Book I, and 34 Apprentices and 124 CE/CWs available for work. There will likely be some calls in the next few weeks, but nothing major. There are excellent opportunities to travel right now, especially in Texas. If you are interested in traveling, please contact Dispatch or the Organizing Department and they will be able to assist you.

We will start next week with an amazing milestone, the 100th Anniversary of IBEW Local Union 1141, chartered on April 19, 1921. I feel humbled and blessed to be here at this time, and very fortunate to have the membership and staff we have right now as we enter our next century of brotherhood.

I look forward to seeing you at our next regular Union meeting on Friday May 7th, 7 pm at the Hall. Instead of my regular "Watts Up" letter, I thought I would share the preface for our 100th Anniversary Commemorative History Book. Congratulations Sisters and Brothers!

___

Here’s To The Future — But Don’t Forget About The Past

In my time as Business Manager of I.B.E.W. Local No.1141, which has been just a brief moment in the local’s century-long history, I have come to truly appreciate how important each and every member, past and present, is and has been to our enduring success. We all have our favorite stories about the Brothers and Sisters who have helped us in our careers and our lives, when someone went out of their way to assist us, and when you put them all together, that is who we are.

Our Brotherhood is more than just a random group of people who work together in the same industry and gather once a month. We have endured and often thrived for 100 years because we have kept faith in the ideals of our founders, who understood that as long as we were unconnected individuals working at a trade, that is all we would ever be and we would never have the power to change lives and provide a better future for our families. “To secure employment, to reduce the hours of daily labor, to secure adequate pay.” These things are certainly important, but what has built and sustained Local 1141 is the realization by its membership that we are all in it together, union or not; that we are all Sisters and Brothers; and that for one to prosper, we all must prosper.

As I write, work has slowed, but while our industry is always cyclical, our commitment to each other and Local 1141 is not. As we pass this important milestone, the 100th anniversary of the chartering of Local 1141, we are greater in number and more determined than ever. And so long as we remain true to our objectives and each other, I know that we will continue. Keep the faith.

Fraternally,

D. Dewayne Wilcox,
Business Manager and Financial Secretary,
I.B.E.W. Local No. 1141

Training Directors Report

Good day Brothers and Sisters,

The work situation is very slow at this time. We have had a few calls trickle in, but not many. The JATC is constantly checking with the local contractors about work possibilities. There have also been reports about some opportunities to work in some neighboring locals.

After a few requests from interested members, we held one more 2020 NEC Code update class in March. There were only ten in attendance. If you are still in need of a class, you can check on the CIB website for approved on-line or in person classes that may be already scheduled.

Our apprentice classes are back to in-person sessions. The apprentices and instructors both are glad to be back to a more normal setting. We will continue to take all necessary precautions to keep our students and staff as safe as possible. The CW/CE classes are also back to an in-person setting on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm and dinner is provided.

We have some exciting news for our current and future students! (We can also soon include our alumni.) The Western Oklahoma JATC Committee and Butler Community College will soon sign an agreement for an Associate’s Degree Program to be taken concurrently with our apprenticeship program. We will make another announcement to Alumni when the degree program is available to them.

If you are in need of some CEU credit hours, we still have the online courses available. The in person classes are being discussed and, as soon as some are scheduled, we will post them in the WATT’S UP. Thank you for your support.

Apprenticeship Applications: http://etawok.org/applications
CW/CE Applications - http://etawok.org/cw-ce
CW/CE Resign the Out of Work book - http://etawok.org/resign

CEU Online Classes – (call our office to pay by credit card & be enrolled)

Torque Theory Level I – 6 CEUs - $25.84
Hazardous Locations – 12 CEUs - $28.99
Motors I & II – 18 CEUs – $96.07
Healthcare Systems I & II – 18 CEUs - $79.58
Electric Motor Drives – 18 CEUs - $114.48

Organizing Department Report

For the past month, your Local 1141 organizing team initiated a total of 91 visits with 22 contractors doing work in our jurisdiction. This is more than double the contacts we made in February.

When jobs are abundant, it’s critical to organize workers – when jobs are harder to come by, we do our best to look for new opportunities to provide employment to our Brothers and Sisters.

This past month, we visited with Top, KB, Harris-Sooner, Harris, Jackson Mechanical, Genesis, Enlisted, Baker Phillips, Shawvner Valouch, Reliant, DBG Construction, T&B Electric, Proven, Land Services Inc., Drury, Custom, Omega, Myers, Barnett, Rocky, Simpson Security, and Craftsman Resources.

We also continue meeting with future members, this month contacting a total of 164, while making sure they understand we don’t have immediate employment available. In short, we have been busy, and with summer fast approaching, conditions have been more favorable to our efforts. We talked with 101 Journeymen, 3 Residential Journeymen, 55 Sub-Journeymen, and 5 Teledata. We also conducted 19 Jobsite Visits and 131 Home Visits.

Three Journeymen, 1 CE, 7 CWs, and 2 Data workers dropped their membership tickets this month. We also welcomed a total of 9 new members into the Local: 1 Journeyman, 2 CEs, 1 CW, 4 Teledata, and 1 Lightning Protection classification.

We have been successfully utilizing our salt program while looking for traveling opportunities for our members needing to get back to work. We’ve also tried to help signatory employers increase their bidding opportunities (for example, we coordinated with Tesla to get our contractors certified). Our new Estimating and online Code Of Excellence classes are adding value to our efforts, and we extended our open charter to help ensure that IBEW membership continues to be an increasingly attractive opportunity for those who could make future members. Lastly, the organizing team built a Power Point presentation to assist with organizing the existing work force.

Our goals for the following month are member retention and more work opportunities for members and contractors. We are aware of multiple locals needing help throughout the Seventh District, particularly Texas and Arizona, and their manpower needs are so intense it has created opportunity elsewhere. If you are looking to travel, please contact us, we can help.

Lastly, if you are available for work and could benefit from some resources for yourself or your family -- or if now is a good opportunity for you to take time to update some skills and training, please visit this page at our official website for more information.

Fraternally,
Don Mullens and Steve Myers, IBEW 1141 Marketing Representatives

From the Benefit Department

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Among other provisions, this created a 100 percent COBRA health insurance premium subsidy and additional COBRA health insurance enrollment rights for employees (and their eligible family members) to continue their health plan coverage at no cost, even though they have lost, or will lose coverage because of insufficient hours reported due to an involuntary termination or reduction of hours.

From April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021, group health plans providing COBRA continuation coverage must offer a 100 percent subsidy of COBRA premiums for “assistance eligible individuals” (AEIs) and their qualified beneficiaries. Individuals who qualify for COBRA coverage for other reasons, such as a voluntary termination of employment, are not considered to be AEIs eligible for the subsidy. Individuals who do not have a COBRA election in effect on April 1, 2021, but who would be AEIs if they did, are also eligible for the 100% subsidy.

Our plan administrators are still working on the final language for how this COBRA subsidy will function for Southwestern Health and Benefit Plan participants. When the language is finalized, we will get the information up on our website at Ibew1141.org.

Also: the Fund will be sending out information to Plan participants soon, so please watch for it in your mail.

Birth Notice: Kenzie Snider

IBEW Local Union 1141 is happy to report the birth of Kenzie Snider, born February 23, 2021, to parents Sarah Snider and IBEW Brother Christopher Snider.

Kenzie came into the world at five pounds, 15 ounces, and 17.5 inches. She was welcomed by siblings Triston, 15, Kasey, 13, Wesson, 7, and Kimber, 5.

Union family members include Jeff Brock and Donnie Brewer (who has since passed).

Your Local Union wishes health and happiness for Kenzie and the entire Snider family. Congratulations!

In Case You Missed it: IBEW 1141 Honored for 100 Years of Excellence

Next Monday, April 19, 2021, we will observe the 100th anniversary of IBEW 1141’s founding.

To commemorate the occasion, IBEW 1141 was recently honored with this plaque, which is inscribed: “The International Officers of the IBEW are pleased to present this Centennial Plaque in recognition of the dedicated service and achievements of the Officers and Members of Local 1141 through your first one hundred years. Your high esteem is our pride.”

Traditions aren’t built overnight, and there are no shortcuts to making history. We can rightly look back with pride on a century of positive change for our industry, families and communities.

Thank you to all of our Brothers and Sisters who continue to follow the Objects of the IBEW every day.

Please stay tuned as we are still making plans for a proper 100th Anniversary in 2022 when we can all safely gather. We anticipate a big, well-deserved celebration and we look forward to you being a part of it!

NEW: Anniversary Merchandise For Sale Now

One hundred years in the making, here’s some new merchandise commemorating IBEW 1141’s centennial.

The “Fist” shirt is $15 dollars and is available in navy and ash.

The “Skyline/Workers” shirt is $18 and comes in red, royal blue, black and ash.

"Skull" shirt is $15 and is available in charcoal.

Knives are $35.

These will *not* last long. Get your official gear at the Hall, M-F, 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Oklahoma Welcomes Anyone 16 Years Or Older To Receive COVID Vaccine

From the Oklahoma Department of Health:

“Where we are now: Anyone living in Oklahoma or any other state, aged 16 and older, is now eligible for vaccine appointments. Phases 1-4 of the vaccine distribution plan are now open. Pfizer is the only vaccine currently approved for minors aged 16 or 17 years.”

The Dept of health has put together a helpful list of frequently asked questions for those who opt to get vaccinated. For more information on good health practices following getting your shot, visit: https://oklahoma.gov/covid19/vaccine-information/vaccine-faqs.html#onceReceivedVaccine

Have You Seen The Official IBEW Henry Miller Documentary?

How much do you know about Henry Miller, the visionary organizer and lineman who pioneered the founding of the IBEW?

The IBEW Media Department produced this insightful documentary about Brother Miller a few years ago; on the occasion of our 100th anniversary, we invite you to check it out and learn about our proud history as UNION electrical workers.

Watch: www.vimeo.com/38631230.

Biden Announces $2 Trillion Plan to Build Up Infrastructure

IBEW, Union Workers at the Heart of the Largest Public Investment Program in Nearly a Century

President Joe Biden announced on March 31 the largest investment in American infrastructure since the end of World War II, and at its heart was organized labor and the IBEW.

On a symbolic level, the president was introduced by an IBEW member, lineman Mike Fiore, a second-generation member of Pittsburgh Local 29. Brother Fiore would be one of thousands of IBEW members put to work modernizing the nation’s electrical grid if Congress passes the president’s proposal.

But symbolism was not the star of the show. The substance of Biden’s $2 trillion plan targets the parts of the economy – the grid, broadband, rail, transit – IBEW members know best and promises enough work to carry a newly-minted apprentice clear through to retirement.

Click here to watch Biden’s address, and visit the official IBEW Media Center page to read a comprehensive article highlighting the different aspects of the proposal.

From Laborer to Labor Secretary: Marty Walsh Officially Ushers in New Era at DOL

Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was sworn in as U.S. labor secretary Tuesday, March 23, the first union member in 45 years to lead the Department of Labor.

18 Republicans joined all Democrats to support Walsh’s nomination, voting 68-29 to confirm him.

"I spent my entire career fighting for working people, and I'm eager to continue that fight in Washington,” Walsh said afterwards in his hometown as he formally stepped down as mayor after seven years.

Walsh’s confirmation as an unabashed union advocate is historic — an irony that Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown pointed out on the Senate floor before the vote.

“Too many people in this town don’t know what it’s like not to have a voice on the job. They don’t understand collective bargaining and the power that a union card gives you over your career and your finances and your future,” Brown said. “Marty Walsh does understand it ... [H]e’s not afraid to talk about the labor movement; he doesn’t recoil from using the word ‘union.’”

Read more:

http://www.ibew.org/media-center/Articles/21Daily/2103/210324_FromLaborer

Golf News

Our 46th Annual Hit 'Em Straight Spring Golf Tournament is set at Lake Murray, Sat. May 22 at 9:30 am and Sun. May 23, at 8:30 am -- shotgun start each day.

We’ll play our usual "Roy’s Rules" individual stroke play.

We have a small tournament ahead of ours, that's why it's 9:30 on Sat.!

Entry fee is $20 -- that covers trophies, hole challenges, etc., and each player takes care of their own money.

I have talked to Wesley, the Golf Pro, and he said the course is looking pretty good so far!

I have already had some inquiries about the spring tournament, if all will text me I’ll be able to get a good number!

Gather your friends & foe alike and we’ll have a great spring event.

--Roy G. / (405) 249-8489
️Hit 'em Straight

Workers' Memorial Day April 28, 2021 Virtual Event

Due to continued COVID-19 precautions, the 2021 Workers' Memorial Day event will be a virtual vigil. On April 28th, a Workers' Memorial Day Video will be released by the Oklahoma AFL-CIO to honor those lives lost between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2021.

Please visit www.okworkersmemorialday.com for more information and to see video tributes of past years’ events.

We deeply value your privacy. We will never share, sell, or spam your email account. To opt out of these notifications from IBEW Local Union 1141, please email office.ibew1141@gmail.com and put "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.