To: Local34 Members

From: Samuel Schultz

Please see new information about the impacts of COVID-19 in the attached documents:

Emergency Order Update from the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services

Open letter from the NABTU to state and federal governments.

In solidarity,

Samuel Schultz

Legislative Updates:

• Bonding.  We are tracking the bonding proposals.  We are also looking to identify bonding projects to highlight as we advocate for a bonding bill that meets the construction needs in Minnesota. If you have projects that you would like highlighted, please contact .    
• Equity in Bonding.  The Department of Human Rights has proposed to expand its equity hiring goals to all local bonding projects.   Attached is the MDHR Fact Sheet from the bill last year.  There is a hearing on this bill on Thursday 2/13. 
• Energy. Attached is the MBT Energy Policy Priorities information that we are sharing with legislators.  
• Agenda.  As a reminder – our policy agenda top priorities for this session are:
• Bonding to Build Minnesota.
• Prevailing Wages Build Minnesota.
• Construction Workforce Development through Registered Apprenticeship.
• Pro-Worker Energy Policy.
• Pro-Worker Housing Policy. 

Political Updates:

• CD 1.  Candidate Dan Feehan will be at the State Building Trades Council on Wednesday, February 19 to meet with the MBT officers.  Any State Council Executive Board member that would like to attend are welcome.  Pease let me know if you would like to attend. 
• Endorsements.  No State Council endorsements have been finalized yet.  As a reminder, our endorsement process is here: https://mntrades.org/priorities/endorsements/. This information can be shared with any interested candidates.  

Council Updates:

• Extern.  Law student Katy Traynor Rollins starts her Externship with the MBT tomorrow.  She will be shadowing at the Capitol on Wednesdays during session. 
• Legislative Conference.  The NABTU Legislative Conference  is March 29 – April 1, 2020.  There will be a Minnesota Breakfast on Tuesday, March 31 from 7:30 – 8:30 am, location TBD.  All of the MBT rooms are spoken for.  If you have any questions, please contact Jenn at . 
• 2020 Convention.  Planning is underway for the July 22 – 24 convention.  Save the Date information will be out on March 2.

In the News:

• Polymet.  Harry represented the MBT at the Jobs 4 Minnesotans press conference today, 2/11 supporting the Polymet project. 
• Child Labor.  Attached is the BT statement on the DLI Child Labor Report.  Here is a link to the Finance and Commerce article: https://finance-commerce.com/2020/01/agency-job-sites-too-risky-for-teens/. Please let me if you are hearing about efforts to change Minnesota’s child labor laws. 
• Wage Theft.  In case you didn’t see the coverage about the charges filed against Merit Drywall, attached is the MBT statement.  WCCO press coverage is here:  https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/01/21/hennepin-co-attorney-mike-freeman-announces-felony-charges-against-former-owners-of-merit-drywall/

Upcoming:

• March 29 - April 1 - NABTU Legislative Conference, Washington DC
• April 8, 2020 -  State Council Executive Board Meeting

If you have not registered to vote, OR if  please go the following website to register online:

Register online.

If any of the following apply, then you will need to register as well:

• You've changed names
• You've moved
• You haven't voted in 4 years

1547 Hay Creek Valley Road

Red Wing, MN 55066

Effective on and after October 1, 2018, the Health Plan eliminated NVA as the vision insurance carrier. Alternatively, the Health Plan implemented a direct reimbursement to the participant for the eligible vision expenses.

In order to receive the reimbursement, simply complete the Vision Reimbursement Form and submit it, along with itemized receipts, to Wilson-McShane Corporation (a copy of the Vision Reimbursement Claim Form is included for your convenience).

As a reminder, the schedule of vision benefits (up to $200 per calendar year) was not changed. The benefits remain the same.

The only difference now is the process by which you receive reimbursement:

• You and your eligible dependents are able to choose any vision provider you wish.
• You will need to pay up front for any costs you incurred (lenses, frames, contacts, etc.) at the vision provider.
• Once you have paid you will receive an itemized receipt from the provider.
• The itemized receipt is required to receive your reimbursement.

Should you have any questions with this, feel free to contact Wilson-McShane Corporation at 952-851-5948.

Download the Vision Reimbursement Form

St. Patrick's Day Parade Line up Information

The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins promptly at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, March 16th, Rain or Shine!

To make sure everyone has enough time to prepare, the line-up will take place from 10:30-11:45 am.

Insulators Local 34 Members will meet at the corner of Wacouta and 6th Street. Click here for map

Access to the line-up area will close promptly at 11:45 am.

Parade Rules and Regulations:

• You are expected to be in your line designated position at 11:45 am
• We CANNOT guarantee late arrivals a spot in the parade
• All participants are required to be in their designated position, waiting at the start of the parade is NOT PERMITTED, participants that do not comply will be removed from the lineup.
• We ask the participants in this parade to WALK, NO motorized vehicles will be permitted.
• Important notice: Ordinance 438.07 - Drinking on Streets
• No person shall, upon the public streets, lanes, or alleys of said City, or being a trespasser upon the private premises of another, drink beer or intoxicating beverages.
• The Association permits no political signs or advertisements, no selling, giving, or throwing of objects, articles, candies, etc. by parade participants.;
• No person marching in the parade shall be permitted to carry or display or cause to be displayed any sign or other material which identifies him or her as a candidate for any elected or appointed office, or which advocates any position on any topic of public debate. No person marching in the parade shall distribute any printed advertisement or other material during or immediately before or after the parade, except St. Patrick's Day Buttons.
• No silly string
• No throwing candy (may be exchanged hand to hand)
• No throwing objects (beads, balls, cards)
• Persons who violate this provision will not be permitted to participate and may be removed from the parade at the discretion of the Parade Director or any member of the Association. This will be strictly enforced.
• Please be sure that your parade unit keeps up with the group in front of you to prevent gaps in the St. Patrick's parade by maintaining 10 feet between your group and the group before you.

Dear Local34 Member:

As we approach the Spring of 2020, we are moving into uncharted territory, both for our Local34 union and for the entire country!

Please take the time to review the attached pdf: click here to download.

It contains important updates and information on COVID-19 as well as practical advice on how to protect your health and financial well-being.

Although we are banned from holding any meetings, we will do our best to keep you informed about the latest developments.

In solidaritty,

Samual Schultz

Members and 1 adult guest are invited to come enjoy an evening of holiday cheer at the Heat & Frost and Allied Workers Local 34 Annual Christmas Party!

Date and Location:
Saturday, December 4, 6:00pm social hour, 7:00pm dinner, InterContinental Minneapolis—St. Paul Airport Hotel
5005 Glumack Dr. Minneapolis, MN 55450
612-725-0500
You plus one adult guest.

You must register by Thanksgiving (November 25)!

Click here to book online!

• 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Social Hour
• 7:00 pm: Dinner
• Dress attire: Business casual
• Discounted rooms block under: Heat & Frost Insulators and Local #34.
• You can call 612-725-0500 or reserve online. Have your credit card ready!
• Parking: Hotel has its own ramp; a voucher will be
  provided at dinner.
• Reserve your room by Thanksgiving (November 25) for the special rate. Reservations after that date will be by availability only.

Register here for the Ribfest Competition and/or the Corn Hole Contest:

Or Download Registration Form Here.