Newspaper Article February 25, 2010

The next regular membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 16^th., 2010 at 7:00 pm at the St. George Romanian Cultural Center.

Congratulations to Tom and Amber Haggard on the February 23^rd. birth of Kennedy Marie who weighed in at 7pds. 1oz.  Kennedy joins brother Keegan and Brody and sister Riley.  Very proud grandpa is Retiree Cecil and uncle Dan Westfall.

Congratulations to the following members who have put away the wrenches:  Russell Albright, James Burnett, Larry Collette, Joseph Collins, Daniel Draper, James Dunlap, Michael Gladwish, Andrew Grimes, Robert Hohn, Gary Jobe, John Johnston, Richard Kizer, William Knight, Diane Lapham, Michael Lewis, Glenn Mathes, Mary Beth Read, Dave Reedy, Rickey Sanders, Greg Sievert, Jesse Simmons, Gary Stancell, Glenn Taylor, Donald Vantiem, Dave Williams and Roger Wodgenske. 

Good luck and a speedy recovery to Ron Korte who is recovering from surgery.

We wish all the sick and injured members quick and comfortable recoveries.

Sincere condolences to the family of Retiree Life Member James Fante who passed away February 6^th.  Sincere condolences are extended to the family of Retiree Ed Anderson who passed away February 19^th.  Ed was a 70 year member.  Son Mark is also a Local 636 member.

A special thanks to all the members and spouses who came to the Investment Seminar.  Jason May of Morgan Stanley and Chuck and Shari from BeneSys, Inc. provided an overview of Asset Allocation Strategies and operation of the BeneSys website, pipefitters636dc.org.  Changes to your investment allocation can be made on the website, or on the telephone response system at 248-641-4908, or by calling BeneSys at 248-641-4936 and requesting a form to fill out and submit.  Jason May of Morgan Stanley is available by appointment for personal investment consultation including a total financial plan if desired.  This service is by the Defined Contribution Pension Plan and there is no additional cost to you.  Call 248-258-1785 to make an appointment.

ATTENTION BOWLERS:    The Pipefitters Softball team will be having their Annual Bowling Fundraiser on Saturday, March 27^th. at 8:30 pm at Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington Hills.  Check in time is 8:30 pm; bowling starts at 9:00 pm.  The cost is $25.00 which includes 3 games of bowling, pizza, pop and shoes.  Come out and join the fun.  Tickets can be purchased at the Union Hall, Union Meetings or by anyone of the ball players or contact Jon Hoffman at 810-923-2522 for more information.

PIPEFITTERS SOFTBALL:  Spring is not too far off, so anyone interested in playing softball for the Local this year please call Jon Hoffman at 810-923-2522. 

All unemployed members are encouraged to keep their MUST Safety Modules current.  Please contact the Training Center so that you can be registered to take your modules.  Several Classes are being offered at the Training Center which includes certifications.  There is no charge for unemployed members.

Work Opportunities in Edmonton, Alberta Canada:  Edmonton Alberta Spring Shutdown Work:  Local 488 is in need of up to 5000 pipefitters and welders for a 12 week – 6-10’s shutdown.  They will start to mobilize in March, 2010, passport is still needed (book type) no red seal testing will be done, and no application to fill out.  All that is needed is to sign a one page waiver sheet, which can be picked up at the hall.  Any questions, contact Steve Spurlock at the Union Hall.

 Red Seal Information:  Contact the Training Center to get your Red Seal Ticket for Canadian Work Opportunities, they are now offering classes.  

Worker Assistance Program:  Work Life Strategies, LLC are available to our members and their families to provide personal counseling services and when needed, referral to other professionals.  Call 248-545-8301 to talk to a counselor for issues relating to grief, alcohol and or drug addiction, bankruptcy, financial management, marital, depression, legal and family counseling.  Consultations with Work Life Strategies are a service paid for by the Insurance Fund.  Referrals to outside professionals, if needed, will be paid for according to the current health care plan benefits. 

Retirees Organization: We would like to thank Ray Bazmore from the Funeral Consumers Information Society who spoke at our last meeting.   Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 18^th. at 11:30 am at the Elks club located at 2401 E. Fourth St. in Royal Oak (south of 11 Mile Rd and west of I-75 service drive – next to Belle Tire.  Patty Lavigne of BeneSys will be in attendance to explain the New Health Insurance Cards that the Retirees received in the mail recently.    A deli lunch is available for $6.00.   We invite all UA retirees and their spouses along with our many widows to join us.  Dues are $12.00 per year – widow’s dues are gratis.    

ATTENTION HOCKEY PLAYERS:  Anyone interested in playing on the Pipefitters Local 636 Hockey Teams, please contact Lance Pesci at 248-476-0019 or 248-939-3421.  Practices will begin on Sundays in mid February at the Hazel Park Ice Arena.  The U.A. Hockey Tournament will be played May 7, 8 and 9^th. 2010 in Hamilton, Ontario.  You will need a passport or an enhanced driver’s license.

2009 INCOME TAX INFORMATION:  The monthly status report that you will be receiving in early February from BeneSys (our third party administrator) will include your 2009 hours worked and your corresponding dues contribution.  You need not call the Union Hall for this information.  Journeyman paid a total of $1.16 per hour union dues check off for the period of 1/1/2009 through 12/31/2009.  Journeyman rate for window dues were $288.00 for the year.  Apprentices paid a total of $.38 per hour union dues check off for the period of 1/1/2009 through 12/31/2009.  MES paid a total of $.78 per hour union dues check off for the period of 1/1/2009 through 12/31/2009.