JANUARY 3, 2022

On behalf of Business Manager, Thomas R. McIntyre, the officers, agents and staff of IBEW Local Union No. 5, we extend our gratitude to retiring

Business Manager, Michael R. Dunleavy for his many years of distinguished service.

Mike was initiated into Local 5 in January, 1980. He served on the Executive Board from 1988 through 1991 and again from 1997 through 2007. In November of 1996, Mike became an Assistant Business Manager and held positions of Recording Secretary and President before succeeding John Chalovich as Business Manager in 2007. Mike served as Business Manager until his retirement in January of 2022. Throughout the years, he served as a Trustee of the WPEE Pension and Insurance Trust Fund, Wage and Fringe Benefit Trust Fund and Deferred Compensation Plan. Mike has also represented IBEW Local Union No. 5 on several Labor Councils, PA Building Trades, the Sports and Exhibition Authority and the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO just to name a few.

Whether it was working to achieve health coverage, retirement benefits, work opportunities or better working conditions, Mike’s primary goal was always to do whatever was necessary to benefit the members of Local 5 and their families.

We wish Mike many years of health and happiness in his well-deserved retirement.

Upon Mike’s retirement, the officers of IBEW Local Union No. 5 are as

follows:

BUSINESS MANAGER/FINANCIAL SECRETARY

THOMAS R. MCINTYRE

PRESIDENT MICHAEL W. VARHOLLA

VICE PRESIDENT WILLIAM C. GARNER

RECORDING SECRETARY ALFRED L. FRANKLIN, IV

TREASURER JAMES M. SAELER

DECEMBER 30, 2021

As I retire, I would like to congratulate Business Manager/Financial
Secretary Thomas R. McIntyre. I would like to thank him and the officers,
agents, staff and members of the greatest labor organization in the United
States and Canada, IBEW Local Union No. 5, for their support.

Best wishes to all in the future.

Mike Dunleavy
Journeyman-Wireman
Card No. D629092

DECEMBER 6, 2021

We will be holding our regular monthly union meeting on Friday, December 10th at 8:00 p.m., followed by our annual Holiday celebration. Masks are required during the business meeting and can be removed when the food is served. If you are not vaccinated, please be considerate of your fellow members and continue to mask throughout the event as much as possible and maintain social distance. All other Holiday events will go on as scheduled with the same masking and social distancing protocols.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

We will be holding our regularly scheduled monthly union meeting on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.  Masks and social distancing are still required.  Just this week, we lost an unvaccinated active member in his forties to COVID-19. To date this year, the IBEW has lost over 900 members.  So, please continue to take precautions. This pandemic is not over yet.

OCTOBER 4, 2021

There will be a regularly scheduled monthly union meeting this Friday, October 8, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be
required. Vaccinations are strongly encouraged.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

There will be a regularly scheduled monthly union meeting on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required. Attendance will be limited in accordance with County, State and CDC guidelines.

AUGUST 3, 2021

We will be holding our regularly scheduled monthly union membership meeting on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. In accordance
with CDC recommendations, we will be requiring masks and social distancing. Allegheny County, where our hall is located, has gone from a low of thirteen cases a day to three-hundred cases a day currently. The CDC requires masking at indoor events where cases are on the rise. We also encourage everyone to get the vaccine. The Delta Variant is significantly more virulent and contagious then prior iterations of the COVID virus. The only way to prevent a new even more dangerous mutation is by getting vaccinated.

JULY 7, 2021

As a reminder, there is a Union Meeting on Friday, July 9, 2021.  The meeting will be held with social distanced seating.  There is no limit on attendance.  Unvaccinated members are asked to wear a mask for their own protection as well as the protection of their Local 5 brothers and sisters.

JUNE 4, 2021

On Friday, June 11th, we will be holding our annual drug test and tool sale, as well as our June monthly union meeting with no limit on attendance.  Retirees are welcome and masks are required due to the fact that this is a large indoor event and the State is not lifting the mask requirement until June 28th.  We encourage everyone to get vaccinated not only for their own well-being but to protect immunocompromised people and children under the age of twelve.  More importantly, the only way a variant that is more deadly or impervious to the vaccine can develop is in an unvaccinated individual that contracts COVID.

MAY 19, 2021

Unfortunately, self-pay notices were erroneously mailed out.  Once notified, we corrected the situation and a letter has gone to those effected.

We apologize for any confusion.  As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

ADDITIONAL WEBSITE UPDATE MAY 11, 2021

We have been made aware of problems with the delivery of the newsletter due to Trump era cuts at the Postal Service. The entire
newsletter, including a list of endorsed candidates, has been available on the Local Union website for quite some time. Please refer to that
list and be sure to vote in the upcoming primary election. (See next post, also this date).

WEBSITE UPDATE MAY 11, 2021

We will be having our regularly scheduled monthly union meeting on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Under current restrictions, we are limited to 125 attendees. Masks, social distancing and contact information for potential tracing are still required. We are going to, again, ask retirees to not attend in order to allow room for active members.

We are hoping to invite retirees back in June.

APRIL 7th , 2021

We will be holding our scheduled monthly membership meeting on
Friday, April 9th , 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required and you will have to provide contact information for tracing. We are asking retirees to not attend to allow room for active voting members and for their own safety.  Remember, until 80% of us have been vaccinated or had the disease, we will not attain herd immunity so we will have to continue all precautions until that time. Please continue to pursue appointments for vaccination. Local Union No. 5 members that have not been vaccinated yet fall under the 1(c) group eligible on April 12th .

MARCH 8, 2021

We will be holding our scheduled monthly membership meeting on Friday, March 12th, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.  We are, again, limited to one-hundred attendees.  Mask and social distancing are required and you will have to provide contact information for tracing.  We are asking retirees to not attend to allow room for active voting members and for their own safety.  Remember, if you were fortunate enough to receive a vaccine, the majority of us have not and you can still carry and transmit the virus to an unvaccinated person.  Until 80% of us have been vaccinated or had the disease, we will not attain herd immunity so we will have to continue all precautions until that time.  As of today, less than 25% of Americans fall into one of these categories.

FEBRUARY 5 , 2021

There will be a monthly union meeting as scheduled on Friday, February 12th , at 8:00 p.m. We are limited by County and City restrictions to one-hundred attendees inclusive of all the officers and agents. Social distancing and masks are required. Retirees and those with underlying conditions are asked not to attend. Everyone in attendance will be asked for contact tracing information.

JANUARY 15, 2021

I would like to take this opportunity to remind our members that while
we are all citizens of the United States of America that citizenship comes with
certain obligations. We are required to obey our nation’s laws and respect its
institutions. I also want to point out that we are also members of the IBEW.
We swore an oath to abide by the Constitution of the IBEW and to not sacrifice
its interests in any manner. We did not swear an oath to the Republican or
Democratic parties. I urge all members to remain lawful, non-violent, to wear a
mask and to support our newly elected President.

UPDATE DECEMBER 30, 2020

The Local Union offices will close on Thursday, December 31, 2020 and
reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021. All officers and agents will be available by telephone.

Due to COVID-19 and in accordance with City, State, County and CDC
recommendations, there will not be a January Local Union Membership
meeting.

Please continue to wear a mask and social distance.

UPDATE DECEMBER 23, 2020

The officers, agents and staff of Local Union No. 5 want to wish all of our
members and their families a healthy holiday and a happy New Year.

The Local Union offices will close on Thursday, December 24th and will reopen on Monday, December 28th.

Please continue to monitor this site for the status of the January monthly
membership meeting.

UPDATE DECEMBER 3, 2020

            This is to inform you that due to State and County mandates, we are cancelling our December 11th, 2020 regular monthly meeting.  As you know, we have already cancelled all holiday events.  Please continue to monitor this site for updates on the status of future meetings.  I urge you to continue to social distance, wear a mask, to sign and re-sign remotely and to pay your dues in their entirety at the beginning of the New Year by mail. 

I, and the other officers, agents and staff, want to again wish you a very healthy holiday season.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 24, 2020

            Due to the expediential growth and positive COVID-19 test results, we are urging everyone to rededicate themselves to wearing a mask and to socially distance over the upcoming holiday.  We are also requesting that you avoid coming to the Local Union offices if possible.  Please sign and re-sign remotely and pay your dues by mail.  All agents and officers will be available by telephone. 

The officers, agents and staff want to take this opportunity to wish you a healthy holiday.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2020

We will be holding our regularly scheduled monthly meeting Friday, November 13th, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.  Temperatures and contact information will be taken upon entering the hall.  Masks and social distancing are required and attendance will be limited.  We are, again, recommending that retirees and those with underlying conditions not attend.

UPDATE OCTOBER 14 , 2020

We will all get through this Global Pandemic but many of us are suffering
due to the restrictions made necessary by COVID 19 mitigation requirements. I
just want to remind you of the availability of mental health, financial and family counseling services through LIFE SOLUTIONS AT 1-855-209-8762 or
WWW.LIFESOLUTIONSFORYOU.COM. All contacts remain confidential.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 6, 2020

We will be holding our regularly scheduled monthly Union Meeting on Friday, October 9th, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.  Temperatures and names will be taken upon entry.  Masks and social distancing will be required.  We are, again, asking retirees and those with underlying conditions to not attend. Attendance is limited. 

SEPTEMBER 24 , 2020

We average eleven deaths an hour from COVID in the United States. As of
today, Local 5 has had fifteen members test positive for the virus. In our
twenty-two counties, there is currently a six percent positivity rate. Please
continue to wear a mask and social distance so that we can keep our numbers
down. Remember wearing a mask is not a political statement. It is for your
own protection and is a visible sign of your concern for the health of your
family, friends, co-workers and others.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

          There will be a Union Meeting Friday, September 11th, 2020.  Masks and social distancing will be required.  Temperatures will be taken and the room seating will be limited.

          We, again, are urging our retirees to not attend.

AUGUST 12, 2020

There will be a monthly union meeting on Friday, August 14th at 8:00 p.m.  Make sure that you have your dues receipt.  You will be required to furnish your name for possible contact tracing.  Your temperature will be taken and you will be required to wear a mask and social distance.  There will be no standing.  Everyone must have a seat.  Attendance will be limited to 125 people.  We are cleaning the hall to CDC recommendations and we have installed upgraded filtration in the HVAC system. We, again, ask retirees to stay safe and not attend.  There have been over 200 Local Union No. 5 members tested for COVID-19.  We are aware of 11 positives so please continue safe practices.

JULY 24, 2020 UPDATE

I have not posted for a while because, fortunately, our situation has not worsened.

As of today, we are aware of nine Local 5 members that have contracted the virus.  None of the nine appear to have contracted the virus in the work place.  They are predominantly young members that have, contrary to State, County and CDC recommendations, traveled to States with hot spots, attended social gatherings or frequented bars or restaurants and did not social distance or wear a mask.

The latest International IBEW update reports 2,284 IBEW members who have contracted the virus.  Forty have died and 2,400 are currently quarantined.   Remember, this is not a disease that only happens to someone else.  If you do not wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and restrict where you travel, you can contract COVID-19 and worse, you may infect someone else.

UPDATE JULY 8 , 2020

I communicated yesterday with Allegheny County officials and they informed me that we are permitted to hold our union meeting on Friday, July 10th . We must socially distance and wear masks. The hall cannot exceed fifty percent of its capacity limiting us to 200 people but in order to maintain the proper social distance, we are further limited to a maximum of 125 people. We are discouraging retirees and those with underlying illness from attending.

Also, those that have been exposed to someone with the virus or who have traveled to an area with an outbreak (such as; North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, etc.) should not attend unless they have completed a quarantine. It goes without saying that if you have a fever or any other symptoms you cannot attend. I urge everyone to show respect for the well-being of their fellow union members by following all necessary precautions.

JULY 2, 2020

Entering another holiday weekend, I want to urge everyone to continue to social distance, wash your hands, and most importantly wear a mask.  “THE MASK IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT”.  If you follow all of these recommendations, there is less than a three percent chance of transmission of the virus.  I will remind you that after Easter and Memorial Day, we saw increases in positive test results.  Summer vacation season has also caused an increase.  Let’s not further compound that by letting our guards down over the Fourth of July weekend.

We will hold a monthly union meeting as scheduled on Friday, July 10th.  Masks and social distancing will be mandatory and retirees will be asked again not to attend, as there will be no pin presentation.

Please safely enjoy the holiday weekend.

JUNE 26, 2020

As of today, we still are aware of only one Local 5 member that has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Allegheny County Labor Council has revised the annual Labor Day Parade.  This year’s event will be restricted to one marcher from each union that belongs to the Council.  There are not to be spectators or large gatherings associated with this year’s event; therefore, Local 5 will not be hosting our annual Labor Day celebration. 

We encourage each member to continue to social distance, sanitize and to enjoy the well-deserved Holiday at home.

JUNE 9, 2020

This is an additional reminder that the regular June 12th monthly meeting will be held this Friday. Social distancing and masks are required. Seats will be placed 6 feet apart. If seating in the hall is filled, you will be asked to remain in the corridor outside the room. Even though we are permitted up to 250 participants, the hall when configured for 6 feet spacing will not accommodate  that number. We are, again, suggesting that retirees not attend.

We will not be presenting years of service pins. They will be mailed. The

annual drug test and tool sale has also been cancelled. Contact the Local Union for information about other testing locations.

Please continue to take all precautions. The virus is still active. As I write

this, Allegheny County has gone from daily low single digit positive tests to

eighteen positives.

JUNE 3 , 2020

The rescheduled final day for apprentice applications is Saturday, June 6th
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Pittsburgh and Clearfield.

We are holding our regularly scheduled June 12th Union Meeting. We are
asking everyone to wear a mask. The seating will be spread to allow for the 6
feet recommended distancing. We will not be distributing pins and, again, ask
retirees to not attend. As of June 1st , we still have only been notified of one
member that has contracted the virus so please continue social distancing,
wearing masks and hand cleaning.

MAY 29TH, 2020

            There are 280 members on Book I.  Fifty-five have been offered work.

We have not been notified of any additional cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday.  At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 29th, eight of the counties in our jurisdiction move into the green phase.  They are Elk, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, McKean, Venango and Jefferson.  On Friday, June 5th Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland will also move into the green phase.

As a reminder, below is the requirements under the COVID-19 Green Phase:

Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions

·      Continued Telework Strongly Encouraged

·      Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Updated Business and Building Safety Requirements

·      All Businesses Operating at 50% Occupancy in the Yellow Phase May increase to 75% Occupancy

·      Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance

·      Congregate Care Restrictions in Place

·      Prison and Hospital Restrictions Determined by Individual Facilities

·      Schools Subject to CDC and Commonwealth Guidance

Social Restrictions

·      Large Recreational Gatherings Remain Restricted

·      Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy

·      Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy and by Appointment Only

·      Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with appointments Strongly Encouraged

·      All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters and shopping malls) Open at 50% Occupancy

·      Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of Protocols

The JATC has scheduled the remaining day for apprentice applications at our Pittsburgh and Clearfield schools on Saturday, June 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Due to COVID-19 the Committee has reduced the number of apprentices to be accepted and delayed starting this year’s class.

Please continue all safe practices.

MAY 22, 2020

There are currently 290 on Book I. Fifty have been offered work.

I urge all members and their families to maintain precautions over this
holiday weekend. Also, at this time of additional Federal unemployment
compensation weekly distributions and improved work opportunities it is time
to prepare for a possible resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall. The Local Union
officers and JATC Committee are planning now in order to lessen the impact if
the virus reoccurs, and I encourage you to do the same.

As you know, due to restrictions on gatherings, the Labor Management
Cooperation Committee (LMCC) was forced to cancel our annual drug test and
tool sale. If you are in need of a test, please contact Mobile Medical at 412-835-
8358 Or Natalie Jackson for a list of test sites and hours of operation.

The officers, agents and staff want to wish everyone a safe and healthy
Memorial Day weekend.

MAY 18, 2020

           
            Experts tell us that if there is not a vaccine for COVID-19 and we continue to relax social distancing that approximately sixty-percent of us will contract the virus.  Eighty-percent of that sixty-percent will have a mild case.  Twenty-percent of the sixty-percent will require medical treatment or hospitalization.  Currently, the fatality rate ranges from .5 percent to 1.2 percent of the sixty-percent that contract the disease.

What does this mean for Local 5 members?  If you add journeymen-wiremen, residential-wiremen, apprentices and BA freelance and broadcast members, we have approximately 3,600 members.  Sixty-percent of that number would be 2,160 members.  Eighty-percent would have a mild case leaving twenty-percent or 432 members to be sick enough to require medical treatment or hospitalization.  If we take the low range of the number of deaths, that equates to ten Local 5 members dying from this virus.  In addition to the deaths, there can be residual damage in surviving patients such as heart, lung, kidney damage, stroke and other complications in children.  We now have confirmation of positive tests within our ranks.

So, please take all required precautions in the workplace and continue to wear a mask, clean your hands and social distance when at home.

MAY 13, 2020

There are currently 327 on Book I.  Fifty-five have been offered work.  As of yesterday zero Local 5 members have tested positive for COVID-19.   We have instructed the cleaning companies at both of our buildings that CDC standards must be complied with. We have also added daytime cleaners that repeatedly clean door handles, hand rails, elevators, bathrooms and common areas.  If you come to the buildings, you are expected to wear a mask and clean your hands.  If you have any symptoms or have been exposed to anyone with symptoms within the last fourteen days, we ask you to please stay home and self-quarantine and not to visit either Local 5 complexes.  Again, I ask you to voluntarily inform us if you have tested positive.  All COVID-19 related changes to referral and the Insurance Trust Fund remain in effect until further notice.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Local Union office.

I will close by commending our members for their cooperation during this unprecedented crisis and I wish you continued good health.

MAY 11th, 2020

 I have posted my union meeting Business Manager’s report under the password protected portion of our website.  I am pleased to report to you here that nominations were held in accordance with the IBEW Constitution on Friday, May 8th and that there was no opposition for any office or delegate position.  Upon a motion made, seconded and passed, the Recording Secretary cast one vote for each office and the President declared the election for officers and delegates concluded.  I want to thank the membership for this demonstration of support.  I, and the other officers, re-dedicate ourselves to continuing our practice of open and forward thinking leadership of this Local Union.

            As you know, as of May 15th all of the counties in our jurisdiction with the exception of Huntingdon are designated “yellow zone”.  This will allow us to accommodate more members at our next monthly meeting.

            I am sorry to report that we were forced to cancel the Idlewild Picnic.  I received an e-mail from the park notifying us that they cannot commit to being open for our scheduled date. If you had already sent in your order form and payment your check will be returned to you.  Also, please remember that we already cancelled the June drug testing and tool sale.  The Local Union JATC is meeting today to determine when to re-open and when to reschedule another day for applications. 

            Please monitor the JATC website for details.

            Continue to wear masks, social distance, wash hands and disinfect.

            Stay Healthy.

UPDATE: May 6, 2020

This is a reminder that the regular May monthly meeting will go on as scheduled. All recommended precautions will be followed. Because space is limited and they are particularly vulnerable and constitutionally cannot participate in the regular order of business, we are asking retirees not to attend. At every meeting I count those in attendance. If you discount the five main officers, the Executive Board, the Examining Board, the Assistance Business Managers, Training Directors, and retirees, we average about 30 attendees. As stated previously, we are restricted by the city and state to groups no larger than 10. We will divide the hall in two, allowing 10 on each side with the remainder in the hallway and at least 6 feet apart. Everyone will be required to wear a mask. The current group of officers are mandated by constitution to attend; therefore, they will be admitted first with others entering one at a time through the back doors of the hall until we reach our total of 10 on each side. If anyone outside wishes to be recognized, they will be rotated into the hall and someone will exit. Unfortunately, these unprecedented times call for these unprecedented and extreme measures. As always, I will post my report online following the meeting along with the result of nominations, so if you decide not to attend due to the virus or the space restrictions, you will be informed of the outcome and the updated status of the local.

As always, if you are exhibiting any symptoms or have been exposed to anyone with symptoms within the last fourteen days, please stay at home and self-distance. As of yesterday, we have not been notified of any Local 5 member that has tested positive for COVID-19. Please continue to practice safe measures so that we can keep it that way.

I and the officers, agents, and staff of the local wish you and your families continued good health.

MAY 4, 2020

To further clarify my update from Friday, May 1st , we are going ahead as scheduled with the May 8th union meeting and nominations. I want to add that we intend to divide the hall in half allowing ten (10) people on each side which complies with State, City and CDC requirements. All additional attendees will line up in the hallway practicing social distancing (at least 6 feet apart). You will be required to wear a mask whether in the hall or hallway out of respect for the safety and health of your union brothers and sisters. If you are in the hallway and wish to make a nomination, motion, or be recognized under the “Good of the Union”, someone will exit the hall so that you may enter and be recognized. IBEW Local 3 in New York City, the largest Local Union in the brotherhood, successfully held their meeting and nominations last month in a similar fashion while being located in the heart of the hot zone for the virus. If you do attend, make certain that you do not have any symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone that has the illness or symptoms within the last fourteen days.

MAY 1, 2020

Due to Federal, State and City limitations on the size of public gatherings and, in conjunction with recommendations on social distancing as well as the IBEW International directions, we are forced to limit the number of people in attendance at the Friday, May 8th union meeting.  We are asking the officers, those seeking nomination for office and nominators to attend.  If there is space under the governmentally imposed limit beyond that group, we will let members in one at a time.  The current City imposed limit is groups no larger than ten (10).  Everyone will be required to wear a mask and to social distance. We apologize for any inconvenience due to these unusual circumstances but the IBEW Constitution requires that we hold nominations in May.

April 30, 2020

I participated in a zoom conference with over 50 Business Managers and International Office Representatives. Each person gave a status report. By comparison, we are doing significantly better than most other areas. As of yesterday, we have no notification of a Local 5 member that has tested positive for the corona virus. There are 460 on the out-of-work list and we expect that number to go down after all construction opens on May 1st.

I want to caution you that due to social distancing, projects may call for less manpower when they resume. I also want to again urge you to sign the book if you are off. Even though there is an agreement between NECA National and the IBEW International that there be no penalty for turning down work due to COVID-19, some employers are reporting to the state unemployment office that members are turning down the opportunity  to return to the project that they were on and the state is then stopping their unemployment.

I realize many members are suffering during this crisis. There is an increase in mental illness, financial distress and family issues. Please remember that the local has engaged LifeSolutions as a resource to deal with such issues. Please do not hesitate to contact them at 1-844-833-0527 or www.lifesolutionsforyou.com

Please continue to monitor this site for updates and stay healthy.

APRIL 27, 2020

We are in constant communication with Federal, State, City and Local officials, all of whom have advised us that in Pennsylvania all construction can resume as of May 1st.  We have received the following guidance from Governor Wolf:

“All businesses and employees in the construction industry must adhere to the Secretary of Health order providing for business safety measures which require that every person present at the worksite wear masks/face coverings unless they are unable for medical or safety reasons and requires that businesses establish protocols upon discovery that the business has been exposed to a person who is a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19.  All construction projects must maintain proper social distancing and provide hand washing and sanitizing stations for workers as well as cleaning and sanitizing protocols for high-risk transmission areas.  Businesses must identify a pandemic safety officer for each project or worksite or for large scale construction projects for each contractor on the site.

Residential projects may not permit more than four (4) individuals on the job at any time, not including individuals who require temporary access to the site and are not directly engaged in the construction activity.  For non-residential or commercial projects the number of individuals permitted on enclosed portions of a project varies depending on the size of the enclosed site.  Commercial construction firms should also strongly consider establishing a written safety plan for each work location containing site specific details for implementation of this guidance to be shared with all employees and implemented and enforced by the pandemic safety officer.  Also be advised, that it is the employer’s responsibility to supply all safety equipment, such as, but not limited to masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, sanitizing wipes or chemicals.”  I have been in contact with Western Pennsylvania Chapter, NECA regarding these requirements.

Please remember that you are the best advocate for your own health and safety.  Please take all of this guidance seriously.  For those on the book, please remember to re-sign.

April 23, 2020

I have received questions about the Local Union fund balances and the
impact of the stock market decline. We invest in every asset class and most
heavily in fixed income providing us with the safety of diversification. We also
choose to only invest in funds, not individual equities, providing further
diversification. Because of this, our investments are only down seven percent at this time. Our monthly assessments are down significantly, however, due to
unemployment. We anticipate an increase after all construction opens May 1st. We know that there are currently 501 on the referral list. We have no way of knowing howing how many members chose not to sign the book. We anticipate a decrease in assessments for the month of April of forty percent due to the combination of unemployment and employer inability to pay. We expect an improved situation in June and July. I will continue to update you on the work and financial outlook of the Local Union.

APRIL 20th, 2020

The Governor has released the prohibition on non-essential construction beginning May 8th.  As I have relayed to you previously, per an agreement between the IBEW, International Office and the National NECA you can be recalled to the project you were on when you were layed off due to Covid-19  and you will not be penalized for declining to return to that project.  If, however, you do refuse that call the job is to be filled in accordance with the rules of the referral system by going to the first person on the list.  The agreement between the IBEW and NECA nationally and locally does not include an ongoing furlough provision.  This is a one time exclusion due to the Corona Virus.

As of today, the May Union Meeting is still scheduled for Friday, May 8th at 8:00 p.m.  We are working with the State, the City and the International Office on how to comply with all executive orders, directives and laws.

            As always, I encourage you to monitor this site and to stay safe.

April 16, 2020

The international Office has requested that we report to them weekly with the number of members who have tested positive and the number who are quarantined.  Please notify Natalie Jackson at the Local Union office if you are willing to voluntarily provide that information. 

We are receiving inquiries about the Local Union picnic in June.  Idlewild has not committed to an opening date so at this time we are not able to make a determination about whether or not to move forward with the picnic.

ALL of the JUNE DRUG TESTINGS AND TOOL SALES have been CANCELLED and will not be rescheduled for the remainder of this year.  As of today, the May union meeting is still scheduled for Friday, May 8th.  We continue to meet with Local, State and Federal officials to gather input as to whether or not to reschedule the May monthly meeting and to determine when to reopen our Joint Apprenticeship Center.

Please continue to monitor this site for updates.

April 14, 2020

I was on a conference call with the leading Western Pennsylvania public safety officials.  They stated that in all likelihood we experienced our peak for Covid 19 on April 5th.  They are expecting a bump fourteen days after April 11th because many people failed to social distance on Easter Sunday, so fourteen days after that bump we should be on the downhill side of the curve.  We are coordinating with elected officials, contractors, and the customer community to make plans to safely return to work.  It appears it will happen in stages in different regions, not all at once.  We will make the decision on whether or not to hold, cancel or reschedule the May 8th union meeting the last week of April.  The Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee will be rescheduling the last few days of apprentice applications. 

Please continue to monitor this site for updates.

April 9, 2020

I, and the other officers, serve as Trustees on the Local Union No. 5 Welfare Benefit Committee.  Because our members are having a difficult time applying for, and receiving unemployment compensation, the Committee has decided to distribute immediately a check for $200.00 to every Local 5 member on the referral list as of April 8th and to our BA members that have filed for unemployed as of April 8th.  This is a one-time distribution to members in good standing as is required by the Welfare Benefit Plan.  I, and the other officers, hope that this money will help to ease any hardship incurred by our unemployed brothers and sisters.

APRIL 7, 2020

Over the weekend, we spoke with Congressman Mike Doyle, Senator Jay Costa, State Representative Austin Davis and our Governmental Services Representative for an update on any legislative relief for unemployed workers.  There is nothing moving on the Federal level.  On the State level, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro formulated a pledge that banks and other lending institutions can agree to implement called the PA CARES PACKAGE.

It calls for:

·      Expansion of small and medium business loan availability.

·      Ninety-day grace period for mortgages.

·      Ninety-day grace period for consumer loans and auto loans.

·      Ninety-day window for relief of fees and charges.

·      Foreclosure, eviction or auto repossession sixty-day moratorium.

·      No adverse credit reporting.

PNC Bank and First Commonwealth Bank have already agreed to implement the PA CARES PACKAGE.  Additionally, the State Supreme Court has upheld a moratorium on evictions. 

On Monday, we participated in the PA AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting and today we participated in a zoom conference with Senator Bob Casey and former Vice President Joe Biden.

 Please continue to monitor this website for more information.

APRIL 3, 2020

We have contacted State Unemployment officials several times as well as assigning our governmental services firms to contact unemployment in an effort to help our members sign-up for benefits.  Unfortunately, this is not a situation where we can use our relationships to move our members to the front of the list.  It is a situation where the State Unemployment Agency simply does not have the computer processing capacity to deal with the exponential increase in applications.  We will keep in communication with State Officials and will relay any new information.

As I write this update, State and Federal elected officials are formulating legislation addressing rent, mortgage, credit card and loan payments.  There may be a period of time where you will be permitted to delay a payment or multiple payments without penalty.  There is already relief for Federal student loan debt and the Local Union Credit Union offers relief on debt other than home equity loans.  Contact them for information. 

Although we were forced to cancel the April monthly union meeting, the Executive Board did conduct a virtual meeting where they were able to conduct required business.  Minutes of that meeting will be presented at our next monthly Local Union meeting.  Please monitor this site for information on the status of our May meeting.

I spoke this morning with Congressman Conor Lamb about pending infrastructure legislation making sure that Davis Bacon provisions will apply, meaning that union wages will be paid.  Each day we are being informed of plans to restart more projects.  If you are working or offered work, please stay safe.

The officers, agents and staff wish everyone good health and remain available to address your questions.

CORONA VIRUS UPDATE AND RECAP

MARCH 31, 2020

            The Insurance Trust Fund Trustees met with legal counsel and our third party administrator and it was determined that during the Covid crisis the waiting week for sick and disability will be waived.  The $450.00 weekly benefit cap will be raised to $900.00.  All current participants in the Insurance Trust Fund will remain eligible during this crisis and their banked hours will not be expended.  If laid off, you should sign the referral list and can be taken off that list to return to the job you were laid off from.  If you decline a referral during this crisis, you will not be issued a strike.  The requirement to be on the list and not turn down a job in order to get $250.00 per week sub-pay from your Deferred Compensation account is waived.  You will receive a check from the United States Treasury for $1,200.00 per person for those making less than $75,000.00 or $2,400.00 per couple making less than $150,000.00.  Smaller amounts for people making up to $99,000.00.  You may continue to new-sign by telephone.  If you are laid off after April 1st, 2020, you may be eligible for additional government mandated benefits through your employer.  The waiting week for unemployment compensation has been waived.  Duration has been extended by thirteen weeks and the weekly benefit will be increased by $600.00 through July of 2020.   Covid 19 testing is covered by the Insurance Trust Fund.  We currently do not cover online or tele-conference doctor visits.  If you did make use of either of these because you could not get in to see your doctor, you may submit your invoice with a letter detailing your situation to the Trustees to be considered for payment by exception during this crisis.

The Local Union office and the Benefit office are open but with reduced staff.  If you need to communicate with either office, please do so by telephone.  All officers and agents are working.  If you need to contact the office or one of the agents, please be patient due to the volume of calls.  Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.  Continue social distancing and hand washing.

Continue to monitor this web site for information.

March 27, 2020
 

            Effective immediately during the disaster declarations by Federal, State, City and Local Governments, no “strikes” will be issued for turning down a referral.  Now that new legislation has passed the Congress the Local Union, in communication with our attorney and governmental services consultants, will spend the weekend analyzing Federal and State legislation as well as any new executive orders.  After that, we will notify you of any additional changes or information. 

Please continue to monitor this site.

NOTICE

MARCH 26, 2020

Due to Federal, State, City and CDC requirements, the April monthly meeting scheduled Friday, April 3, 2020 is cancelled.

The Executive Board will meet to conduct Local Union business.   Those minutes will be presented for approval at the next regular monthly meeting.

Please monitor the Local Union No. 5 website for additional information as well as the status of the May meeting.

March 24, 2020

The Local Union appealed to the State and received a positive decision and is now designated as a “life sustaining enterprise”.  This is based on the fact that we perform electrical, data, telephone and broadcast functions for hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, television stations, powerhouses as well as other essential businesses.  We are expected to man all service, maintenance and construction activities associated with these businesses.  The Local Union also is part of the pension and healthcare administration process for thousands of families.  Pension applications and pension checks, as well as insurance payment processing and insurance checks will continue as usual.  In addition, we are working with our governmental services consultants to see if we can expedite the unemployment compensation application process.  All agents are available by telephone for questions. 

Please continue social distancing and hand washing. 

Monitor this site for updates.

March 20, 2020

Due to the Governor’s decree that all non-life supporting businesses cease operation by 12:01 Saturday, March 21st, we can no longer perform in-person referral sign-ups.  You may sign over the telephone by contacting a referral agent and re-sign via mail, fax or online. All Local Union representatives are available by telephone for all other Local Union business.  Our Pittsburgh and Clearfield offices are now closed until further notice.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  Please continue to monitor this site for additional information.

March 19th, 2020

Due to the recent and rapidly changing conditions associated with the Coronavirus (Covid-19), The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union # 5 and the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association are mutually adopting the following temporary amendments to the “Referral Procedure”. These amendments will be in effect beginning March 23, 2020 and will be automatically reviewed on a month to month basis before the first day of each month.  This memorandum is intended to protect our members from unwanted exposure to the Covid-19 pandemic and to attempt to comply with State and National recommended procedures.

The changes will directly affect numbers one, two, and three on page one, and number three on page number five of the “Referral Procedure”

1.     The referral applicant will be able to call and speak directly to a referral agent to place the applicant on the out of work list. This will NOT include texts or emails.

2.      Referral agents will discuss the applicant’s information and confirm they have been placed on the out of work list in the counties of their choice.

3.     After the applicant has registered, a registration receipt can be mailed to them upon their request.

4.     Two locations will be maintained for in-person signing during the period of this memorandum.  Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Office Building 5 Hot Metal St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203; Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Clearfield at the Clearfield Training Center located at 1400 Leonard St. Clearfield, PA 16830.

We understand these are changing and difficult times. We are attempting to make this situation as safe and convenient as possible to our members and their families.  We encourage all applicants to take advantage of the modified referral procedures.

March 17, 2020

The Insurance Trust Fund Trustees are waiving the waiting week and increasing the Sick and Disability benefit during the current Corona Virus event. Also, the Trustees will not use the banked hours of participants. In all cases, if you are laid off, please sign the referral list. The International and National NECA have agreed that anyone displaced by the effects of this virus may return back to the project they were on regardless of their place on the book. (Read International Agreement in its entirety by clicking here.)

Remember that in the year 2000 the Local Union put an additional $.50 per hour in your Deferred Compensation to be used as supplemental pay in conjunction with Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits. The Local Union is awaiting passage of Federal law to determine if additional measures are warranted.

March 16, 2020

The Western Pennsylvania Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers are CLOSED.  All journeymen and apprenticeship classes are suspended until further notice.  Applications for apprenticeship are still being taken.

We are in discussions with the Western Pennsylvania Electrical Employees Insurance Trust Fund Trustees about modifying our Sick and Disability benefits for our affected members.  We are awaiting language approval from the International Office modifying our referral to allow for the return to work of members displaced due to the corona virus.  These initiatives were formulated weeks ago and are currently awaiting approval from the appropriate governing bodies.  If you are laid off due to the corona virus, please sign the book and notify the referral agent.  Remember that you have the ability to take $250.00 per week in supplemental pay from your Deferred Compensation simultaneous with the collection of unemployment benefits.  There was an additional contribution of $.50 per hour negotiated in the year 2000 in order to fund this benefit.

March 20, 2020

Due to the Governor’s decree that all non-life supporting businesses cease operation by 12:01 Saturday, March 21st, we can no longer perform in-person referral sign-ups.  You may sign over the telephone by contacting a referral agent and re-sign via mail, fax or online. All Local Union representatives are available by telephone for all other Local Union business.  Our Pittsburgh and Clearfield offices are now closed until further notice.  We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Please continue to monitor this site for additional information.