The Law firm of Cummins & Cummins has suibmitted a letter to Insulators Local 34 on COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Read the full letter by clicking on the 'Read more' link below.

The General Executive Board of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers has sent a letter to Insulators Local 34 announcing a Vaccine Webinar on Wednesday, September 22 at 6:30 CST. You can access the webinar by going to https://bit.ly/38dhrqx.

Read the full letter by clicking on the 'Read more' link below.

Hello! I'm Alan Smith, Insulators Local 34 webmaster.

This information is for new apprentices.

As an Apprentice, you are required to:

• Complete a weekly Time Card that includes shop name, job name(s), city, hours (RT and OT) and hazardous materials handled.
• Maintain an OJT log of training hours completed for all of the Apprenticeship Training categories.

I can give you one-on-one training to show you how to complete these online tasks - they are super easy!

The first step will be to log into the site by:

1. Going to https://www.insulators34.org/login
2. Login using your new username and password, which you can change at any time:
3. username = union registration number (e.g. 12855).
4. Password = first initial+lastname+last 2 dgitis of your union reg. #, all lowercase (e.g. asmith53).
5. After logging in, you will see an updates page where the latest news and info are published.
6. At the top menu, you will find links for Time Cards (same job all week) and Time Cards (multiple jobs).
7. Time Cards (same job all week) are exactly as they are described: use this form when you worked the same job all week. Also use this form when you are not working (you'll be asked to choose a reason, such as Sick, Vacation, Not Working, etc.).
8. Choose Time Cards (multiple jobs) when you change jobs/locations within the same week.
9. Under the Members menu item, you will find a Profile link in the dropdown. When you open your Profile page, click on Union Details to find the link to your 2021-2022 Online OJT spreadsheet. You are responsible for filling this out starting on the date you first start working (ignore prior days).

You can complete your Time Cards on a smartphone or tablet, however, the OJT sheet will need to be done on a computer (there are too many columns and rows).

Please let me know when the best time would be to have a zoom meeting so I can show you how to complete Time Cards and the OJT spreadsheet.

When you submit your first card, please notify me by text, phone call or email with your name and the week ending date of the first card.

You can email me at or text/call 612-594-4495.

If you have any questions or problems with the website, please let me know and I will be happy to help you.

Kind regards,

Alan

Brothers and Sisters:

This might be the last stretch for this campaign! I implore you to fill this out:

https://www.marathonfailsus.com/refinery-safety-bill

Keeping both of our refineries filled with our members keeps both the commercial and the industrial workers happy.

This affects us all.

Walz Extends Peacetime Emergency

As Minnesota ramps up vaccination distribution and monitors new variants of COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 21-22 to extend the peacetime emergency in Minnesota through June 14, 2021. The peacetime emergency is critical to the state’s testing program as well as the efficient and equitable distribution of vaccine. As of today, the federal government and 45 states remain in a state of emergency. Governor Walz also singed Executive Order 21-23 ending Minnesota’s statewide mask requirement, aligning Minnesota with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on face coverings.

Brothers and Sisters: 

We are pleased to bring to you a new 3-year Collective bargaining Agreement ratified by the Executive Board per International rule. This new agreement has a generational legacy with the HRA language (see language changes and additions below). Members will be able to use tax free money on a variety of qualified medical expenses after June 14, 2022. 

If you have any questions about this agreement, please call the office: 651-312-1245 or one of the Local 34 Officers.

The wage allocations for 2021 will be as follows: 

Health and welfare- .50, HRA - 25, Pension -.50 and the remainder $1.00 on check 

Total Wage rates are in this packet 

These are the new changes to the CBA: 

Article VII

Note: Any change in the total package shall begin on the second Monday following June 1 for the purpose of accommodating payroll administration. Except for the year when this Agreement takes effect, any reallocation and adjustments to the total package shall be completed thirty days before the effective date, with wage/benefit scale being communicated in writing by the Union within three business days of the allocation.

• June 14, 2021  $2.25 Increase*
• June 13, 2022  $2.25 Increase
• June 12, 2023  $2.25 Increase 

*A contribution of $.25 per hour will be allocated from the June 14, 2021 total package increase for the purposes of creating a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) component to the Local 34 Health Fund. To that end, the trustees of the Local 34 Health Fund shall undertake a study as to the impact of therecent adjustments to the health benefits schedule and whether there has been a containment of costs. This study shall cover no less than one full plan year of data. In addition, the health fund's consultant and administrator shall provide a report after this period as to how the HRA would be administered; the additional costs needed to administer said HRA accounts, and the impact of the HRA onthe general health fund. Employees shall be eligible to receive benefits from the HRA and shall have access to their HRA accounts effective June 13, 2022. If at any time during the duration of this contract it becomes necessary to increase the amount of monies paid into the general health fund as recommended by the general health fund's consultant in order to maintain it in a functional state while also funding the HRA, the necessary monies will be transferable from wages. Future allocations to the HRA shall be determined by the Union's membership. 

Article XIII, Section 3

Both parties, Employers and Employees, do agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as may be amended from time to time. An OSHA thirty (30) hour course and annual safety-training program will be developed prior to the expiration of this agreement. The Union will encourage that its members attend and complete these courses in general education. 

Walz to Announce Easing of Pandemic Restrictions Thursday

During a news conference today, Governor Tim Walz said he plans to announce easing of COVID-19-related restrictions on Thursday. In recent days, the governor had suggested that the changes would relate to increasing capacity limits for bars, restaurants, and event venues.

Minnesota Senate Passes Tax Bill

Today, the Minnesota Senate passed the Omnibus Tax bill 39-26.

Minnesota Keeps Eight Congressional Seats

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau announced the apportionment for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for each state.

Legislative Activity for April 22, 2021

Today, both the Minnesota House and Minnesota Senate held floor sessions tpass budget bills.