The CMP Negotiations Subcommittee.

November 26, 2008 - The CMP Negotiations Subcommittee, elected at unit meetings earlier this fall, began work this week. Over the next month or so the committee will sort through all the proposals that have been submitted by bargaining unit members for the upcoming negotiations. They will combine similar proposals, look for trends, investigate proposals that aren't clear, and create a package for the Negotiating Committee to bring to the Company at the bargaining table.

The work that went into many of the proposals that have been submitteed is greatly appreciated by the Committee. Proposals that came clearly written and with background documentation make the important work of the Committee easier and more efficient. Their work will span several all-day meetings.

November 26, 2008 - IBEW 1837 members who work at Bangor Hydro this year had their focus on those community members whose jobs have been lost in this time of economic turmoil. Following discussion at union meetings, the Unit 10 leadership approached the Company about working collaboratively to collect donations for Solidarity Harvest, a program to involving unions, local farmers, and local businesses in providing Thanksgiving dinners for laid off workers and their families.

Bangor Hydro agreed to match employee contributions to the program up to $250.00. Worksite collections topped this mark. These donations put together with donations from several other unions and local churches will provide meals for 157 families this year. Sunday, November 23 was the big packing day with more than two dozen volunteers filling the Solidarity Center with activity as the components of the meals were combined into packages for delivery.

Bob Burns

November 21, 2008 - There were dozens of IBEW 1837 members who played important roles during the recent Labor 2008 Political Campaign. They handed out literature with information about candidates, staffed phone banks, and talked to other union members at the workplace or during door-to-door “Labor Walks.” But it’s safe to say that none of them worked harder or put in more hours than 73-year-old Bob Burns. Leading up to November’s national election, Brother Burns made literally hundreds of calls, reaching out to our members from AFL-CIO phone banks.

“I didn’t mind calling union people – it was fun,” said Bob. “And the election outcome was excellent, especially electing Deb Simpson in my (Maine state) senate district. That was really big!”

November 21, 2008 - In September of 2007, 2,300 IBEW delegates from the United States and Canada met in Cleveland, Ohio for the 37th IBEW International Convention. In support of the goal of building the union, IBEW leadership announced an initiative to hire 100 organizers throughout the organization and to form organizing councils on a regional basis. This aggressive organizing strategy has already begun to bear fruit, with membership increases in all areas of the Brotherhood.

To fund this ambitious plan, the delegates voted for a $1.00 per month International dues increase, effective January 1 2007, an additional $1.00 in 2009, and another $1.00 in 2011. The second of three $1.00 increases will take effect on January 1, 2009.

November 12, 2008 - With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, you have a chance to support union principles while buying great gifts for family and friends. By selecting union-made gifts, you’ll help make the holidays even happier for other working people, their families and their communities. What’s more, you know that gifts made by union workers are of the highest quality, so you can feel good about doing good.

Another great way to shop is to look for products that are Fair Trade Certified™.  Fair trade advocates work to promote labor, environmental, and social policy standards to benefit working people.