There is a Code of Excellence Certification session provided for the membership at the JATC every Wednesday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Please call the JATC (713) 649-2739 to put your name on the list for a specific session.  There is no need to register for these sessions but the JATC would like to compile a list of possible attendees, name and phone number.

Remaining dates for the 2012 TDLR Continuing Education classes will be held at the Union Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the following dates:

May 12
June 16 - Last Code Update Class

As a result of action taken by the delegates attending the 38th IBEW International Convention September 2011, amendments to Article IX of the IBEW Constitution were approved.  Accordingly, effective January 1, 2012, there will be a per capita increase of two ($2.00) dollars for all I.B.E.W. members. 

On August 29, 2011 there will be a wage increase of $1.00 per hour in the Journeyman Wireman rate for those working under the current NECA/IBEW 716 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Due to the continued high cost of medical, the Trustees have had to make changes to our present health care plan.  Effective September 1, 2011 CIGNA will be our new health insurance provider.  You have your choice of one of the three plans listed below.  Prices are per hour, and by payroll deduction:

Kelsey Seybold HMO:  No cost to you.  You must use their doctors and facilities.  Includes a prescription plan.

Standard Cigna - PPO:  Deductible $750.00 (with the wellness screening) $1,000.00 (without wellness screening) will cost you .10 cents per hour by payroll deduction.  The Standard Cigna PPO has a higher deductible and a Prescription Plan.

Premier Cigna - PPO:  Deductible $500.00 if you do the wellness screening or $750.00 if you do not do the wellness screening will cost you .25 cents per hour by payroll deduction.  The Premier Cigna has no changes compared to the current Aetna Plan.

If you have not received your medical packet please contact Karen McGrath at (832) 485-4000.

Brothers and Sisters,

We are saddened to report the loss of the following member(s) and/or their family members.  We extend our sympathy to their families:

Barbara Sumberlin, wife of Executive Board Member Kenneth Sumberlin, has passed away.  Visitation:  Friday, May 18th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.  Funeral:  Saturday, May 19th at 9:00 a.m.  Both will be held at Metcalf Funeral Home, 1801 E. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, TX 77304.

Frank Cotrone, retired member, passed away May 6th.  Visitation:  Thurday, May 10th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Funeral:  Friday, May 11th at 10:00 a.m.  Both to be held at Waltrip Funeral Home, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, TX 77055.

Clara N. Canady, grandmother of our member Stephen Orth, passed away May 4th. 
Irene Brinkmeyer, mother of our members, Gene and John Brinkmeyer, passed away May 2nd. 
Delma Lee Barrett, mother of Lee Barrett, passed away.
Jane Wilson Rothe, wife of retired member Lloyd Rothe, passed away April 11th. 
Doug Burnham, husband of 716 member Patricia Burnham, passed away March 27th. 
Clarence A. Russ, retired member, passed away March 25th.
Dolores Sanders, mother of Kitty Prouse, Lead Organizer-IBEW Region 4, passed away March 20.
Kay Rackley, retired member, passed away February 13th.
Winnie Carol Gray, mother of James "Randy" Gray, passed away March 16th.
Patsy Snowden, mother of retired member Chris Rasmussen, passed away March 7th.
Cecelia Shelton, Mike Shelton's wife, passed away March 8th.
Luis Martinez, Jr., 716 member,passed away March 6th.
Beryl Reed, retired 716 member and father of member Dennis Reed, passed away on February 24th. 
Margaret Rodriguez, mother of 716 member Mark Rodriguez, passed away February 18th.
Valerie Jolly, widow of Calvin E. Jolly, passed away February 7th.
Purly Wayne Lampson passed away February 3rd.
Loyd D. Smith passed away February 2nd.
Dorothy Teel, mother of retired 716 member Larry Teel, and grandmother of 716 member Michael Teel, passed away January 21st. 
Clement L. Wind, retired member, passed away January 6th. 
Kenneth H. Murphy passed away January 8th. 
Harold L. Frank, retired member, passed away January 3rd.
Leanne Stenzel Smith, mother of Clovis Newby, passed away December 9th.
Chad E. Robertson, son-in-law of Mark Landrum, passed away December 30th. 
Michael Golden passed away December 15th. 
Chester Hale, father of William Hale, passed away.

The Siemens Bargaining Unit Members voted at the meeting held on February 11, 2012 to hold future unit meetings every other month.  These meetings will start at 1:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays at the Union Hall for the remainder of 2012:

April 21, June 23,  August 25, October 20th and December 15, 2012