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RESIGN FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!
CALL 816-942-7500 OR THE REFERRAL OFFICE AT 816-285-8322
There’s a Terrible New Plan to Tax Your Retirement – Help Us Fight It Today
December 6, 2019
Senate Republicans are readying a radical plan to raise taxes on retiree pension benefits and put catastrophic burdens on union retirement plans, according to documents released last month.
Under cover of a “rescue” for a few endangered multiemployer pensions – primarily troubled Mineworkers and Teamsters plans – Senate Republicans are preparing to raise taxes on all retiree pension benefits by nearly 10% and raise expenses on healthy plans by 500%. The sweeping changes would almost guarantee reduction of benefits for millions of union retirees, IBEW members included.
International President Lonnie R. Stephenson called on every IBEW member to immediately contact their senators, whatever their party, and demand they kill the plan before it’s even filed as legislation.
“Don’t even negotiate,” Stephenson said. “You already pay income taxes on your retirement benefits; now they want you to pay even more. This is a disaster for working Americans.”
The changes would also reclassify the IBEW’s green-rated National Electric Benefit Fund plan into red, endangered status and spell bankruptcy for many, if not all, local union-run pensions. Worse, by raising costs on healthy plans, the “rescue” would leave the pension system worse off than before legislators interfered.
At November’s Political and Legislative conference, IBEW members flooded Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives on a variety of issues including pension reform. Here, Augusta, Ga., Local 1579 Business Manager Will Salters, Assistant Business Manager J.R. Richardson and Fifth District International Representative Gene O’Kelly meet with Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia. |
“An approach like the one Sens. Chuck Grassley and Lamar Alexander are proposing is completely unacceptable,” Stephenson said. “Rather than fix the problem with sensible solutions, they want to burn the whole house down and take unions with it.”
Two years ago, Congressional Republicans introduced a bill they said would “save” the threatened pensions plans. It did nothing of the kind, and unions killed it. A year ago, after promising a new start, Republicans introduced another rescue plan they said would be completely different. It was the same recipe again: crippling cost increases for healthy pensions; more tax cuts for corporations. Unions killed that too.
The new proposal is somehow even worse than the ones that came before, said Political and Legislative Department Director Austin Keyser.
“This puts us out of business almost immediately,” he said. “A year ago they wanted to kill us.”
The IBEW’s main multiemployer National Electric Benefit Fund is in excellent shape, said International Secretary-Treasurer Kenneth W. Cooper. This plan – which Republicans could shoehorn into the budget bill – would end that.
“We saved our pension from the worst recession in 80 years with no help. The banks that caused that mess, they got a bailout. The car companies, they got a bailout. We recovered in spite of the people in Washington,” Cooper said. “Now, the same people who cut corporate taxes by $1.4 trillion want to finish what the banks couldn’t and tear down what we built with our hands. Again.”
For years, the IBEW has been pushing congress to adopt a bipartisan, compromise bill named the Butch Lewis Act, named after a Teamster who died in 2015 fighting to save his union brothers’ and sisters’ pension benefits, which were set to be cut by 70%. Butch’s bill solves the liquidity problems of the few endangered plans without taxing retirees or penalizing healthy plans. Instead, troubled plans would be offered $65 billion in loan guarantees which would be paid back in full.
“If they wanted to truly solve this tomorrow, they could reverse 0.5% of the corporate tax cut. That raises the $65 billion straight away. We’re not even asking for the bailout the banks got,” Keyser said. “The no-cost loan guarantees are already the compromise and Congress should have gotten this done years ago.”
And unlike the banks, even the pension plans most at risk did nothing wrong. They suffered from the same bad deregulation and bankruptcy laws that have decimated the working class, Keyser said.
“Every IBEW retiree has paid more federal taxes on their pension than some major corporations have paid on anything, yet their plan is to take more of our money,” Stephenson said. “Instead of fixing bankruptcy laws that put everybody else first and workers last, instead of fixing deregulation that cut us off at the knees, instead of freeing workers to fight for better wages and benefits, they want to come after our hard-earned pensions. Well we’re not getting down on our knees. I’m not going to take this, and you shouldn’t either.”
To reach your senator call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or visit this website and tell them the Grassley-Alexander plan to tax multiemployer pensions is a disaster for working families and retirees. Be sure to tell Democrats not to negotiate and Republicans to keep their hands off our pensions.
Even better, visit your senator’s nearest office to pay a visit in person. Addresses can be found on your senator’s website.
HELP SAVE OUR PENSION!
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO NEWS TO READ THE LETTERS OR CALL THE HALL AT 816-942-7500 TO TALK TO AN AGENT!
The Kansas City Electrical Workers were first issued a Charter No. 18 in March of 1892 by the National Brotherhood of Electrical Works of America. This was a mixed local of inside wiremen and linemen.
Read moreTruman Medical Centers, a two-hospital, 600-bed, not-for-profit healthcare system, is the largest and most comprehensive safety net healthcare provider in Jackson County and Kansas City, Mo.
READ MORECome out and share a wonderful day of camaraderie on a beautiful lake with America’s real life heroes in an attempt to show them how much we appreciate the sacrifices they make that allow us to enjoy the freedoms of the greatest country in the world.
READ MOREThe Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO is proud to announce our first-ever Kansas City Labor Car and Bike Show on August 24th. We are seeking sponsors to make this event a success and what we hope will become an annual event.
READ MOREIf you won Sporting KC tickets at the Union Meeting for May 26th or May 29th and you don’t have your tickets, please contact the Union Hall and speak to Jenny. You will need to fill out a card/form to receive your tickets.
READ MORE226 will have calls in Lawrence the first of next week. If anyone is interested they should go to Local 226 to sign the books.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters, we have another fun-filled union night hosted by Renew! This Union Night will be held on: Saturday April 27th 6 pm @ Gator’s Eight Bar & Grill 6712 NW Tower Dr Kansas City, MO 64151 Don't miss out on the chance to meet other members and share stories. We hope to see you there!
READ MOREIBEW Local 53 / Local 53 Riding Group Invites you to ride for NSUJL
READ MORECome out and join the IBEW Local 1613 and the Electrical Workers' Minority Caucus in supporting the HappyBottom.org group with their Diaper Drive Music Show on May 2nd, 2019 from 7-830pm. Bring your diapers or bring your dollars to help get diapers to families in need!
READ MOREWORKING FAMILIES’ FRIEND TEXAS HOLDEM POKER TOURNAMENT
READ MORESome Journeyman classes will now be offered online. Journeymen who sign up will receive instruction in accessing classes when they pick up books and other course related learning materials. No materials will be distributed prior to the class being paid in full. The Training Center accepts money orders, cashier's checks and debit/credit cards (2.5% fee applies).
READ MORE5th Annual Golf Tournament at the Hillcrest Golf Course. Come join us for this charitable event to support the low-to-moderate income minority community. Registration and Continental Breakfast begins at 7:30am and the Tournament starts at 8:30am. Lunch and Awards to follow with many gifts, door prizes and silent auction. Special Guest from the KC Chiefs! $150 per person to play, $500 to sponsor a team or $150 hole sponsorship. Questions? Contact John Rodriquez (816) 739-3615!
READ MORE20TH ANNUAL CWA/AT&T CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
READ MORERichard "Smoky" Stover Richard "Smoky" Stover, 96, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2019 surrounded by the love of his family.
READ MOREIBEW Local 124 Annual Easter Egg Hunt is almost here! Dont miss all of the fun! We need Volunteers! Click here for the dates and times!
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters, we are collecting items to take up to the Omaha area and give to the flood victims. We are having a food drive for at the IBEW 124 Union Hall on Saturday, March 22, 2019. The drive will open from 9 am until 1 pm. Click on the link for more info.
READ MORELocal 124 PAC Voters Guide for April 2nd Primary Endorsements
READ MOREThis years annual Snake Saturday Parade will be held this Saturday March 16th. We encourage our brothers and sisters to join the fun.
READ MOREThe Business Manager and Executive Board have called a special meeting on Saturday March 9, 2019 at 9:00 AM. at the IBEW Local 124 meeting hall located at 301 East 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri.
READ MORECome enjoy brotherhood with your brothers and sisters of Local 124. We will be at American Garage Bar & Grill starting at 7 so please come out and feel free to bring a friend with you! We hope to see you there!
READ MOREThe Annual Merit Badge Academy is Saturday, February 2nd from 8 am – 4 pm. Click the link for more details.
READ MOREThe IBEW 124 Kids Christmas Party is this weekend Sunday, December 8th 11-2pm. Come join the fun with our fellow brothers and sisters and their families. Santa will be here to see the kids. As always there will be food and games for everyone! We hope to see you there!
READ MORERenew is hosting a Chiefs/Raiders watch party Dec 2nd. (Today)Kick off is 3:05, doors open @ 2:30. We have chili for dinner. $5 entry fee. Come join fellow brothers and sisters and join the fun!
READ MORERenew 124 has changed our monthly meeting to the third Thursday of the month. We still meet at 5 pm in the Retirees’ Hall and welcome members of all ages to join us. Pizza is provided and you are more than welcome to bring your own beverage.
READ MORERenew is hosting a Chiefs/Raiders watch party Dec 2nd. (Today)Kick off is 3:05, doors open @ 2:30. We have chili for dinner. $5 entry fee. Come join fellow brothers and sisters and join the fun!
READ MOREAttention Brothers and Sisters, This weeks Sedalia meeting has been canceled.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters, It is time to start on Christmas baskets! These baskets go to the widows of our members. This is a very special and very helpful program for these family members. These baskets provide much-needed food and someone for the widows to talk with around Christmas. Our Retirees fill all the baskets and then our members deliver them on December 1st. We need your help to make this year’s Christmas Baskets a success. The way to do that is donating much-needed funds and/or time to this very important program. Please contact the business office to make your donation or you can also make your donation with your December dues payment.
READ MOREIBEW Local 124 Annual Trunk or Treat Event is happening Saturday, October 27th, 2018 from 7pm-10pm. Bring the kids out in their best costumes and enjoy this candy-filled Trunk or Treat event!!!!
READ MOREPlan Your Future Retirement Workshop! Brothers and Sisters if you would like to know about our retirement and our options this is the workshop for you! Don't hesitate to come and ask questions, after all, it is your future and the more you know the more chance of a successful retirement.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters, Our friends in Leavenworth need our help on Election Day! Please take a little time to help with this years election. Election Day Volunteer Opportunities. Click the link below to get more info.
READ MOREFree Peak at Sweat! MUST RSVP direct to the Unicorn Theater!
READ MORERegister! Be Counted! Vote!!! Kansas Deadline is Oct 16th!!!
READ MOREMissouri Register To Vote Deadline Is Today!!! Brothers and Sisters, please follow our link to register, check registry, or file an absentee ballot.
READ MOREWe need Volunteers!!! Its that time of the year again! Brothers and Sisters, we will be extending Christmas in October due to lack of attendance.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters come join us for a fun filled night of billiards, darts, and shuffle board hosted by RENEW. Share stories and have a good laugh. We hope to see you there!
READ MOREWe need Volunteers!!! Its that time of the year again! Brothers and Sisters this year Christmas in October will be held on October 6th @ 8am. We will meet at the Union Hall.
READ MOREBrothers & Sisters, There is too much at stake for Labor to sit this one out! Come join us this Saturday for Labor to Labor walks on behalf of our endorsed candidates. Paul Davis and Laura Kelly need us now! Devote a half day to help canvass our members!
READ MOREKansas General Election Deadlines are coming up. The Voter Registration Deadline is Tue Oct 16, 2018. The Kansas General Election is Nov 6, 2018 The Early Voting is Oct 22, 2018 - Nov 5, 2018. The Request For Absentee Ballot is Fri Nov 2, 2018. The Absentee Ballot Deadline is Tue Nov 6, 2018. Make sure you get register to vote!!!
READ MORENEW WAY TO VOTE IN CLAY COUNTY MISSOURI! Voter Information Blue Wave 2018 Worried about getting to the polls on time Nov 6th? Concerned about long lines? Do you work south of the river and have to get home to northern Clay before the polls close? The Clay County Board of Elections Has Something for You!
READ MOREAttention all Kansas Voters! This is a good tool developed and is customized to only show endorsed candidates you see on your personalized ballots. Please click the link and see who supports our cause.
READ MOREIf you have the time, join us to get good Kansas values in Washington. By volunteering to help elect Paul Davis to the Kansas Second Congressional District. Email me at rbeach@ibewlocal124.org or call/text me at (816) 489-5687 if you can make any of these dates listed below. I'm excited to work with you in these coming months. Thursday Leavenworth County Phone Banks - Every Thursday - 5-8pm Leavenworth County Canvasses - Every Saturday - starting at 10am Atchison County Canvass - August 12th - Starting 1pm
READ MORETHE IAMAW Local Lodge 778 Auto Show Sept 1st 2018. All makes and models. Come join the fun!
READ MOREThis years IBEW Local 124 picnic will be held on September 8th from 12pm-9pm. We will be serving food at 2pm. There will be inflatables for the kids until 8pm. Live entertainment will be playing throughout the entire event. Come join the Brotherhood and Sisterhood fun. Food and drinks will be provided.
READ MOREAttention Brothers and Sisters, There will be no PAC meeting August 8th 2018. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Union Hall.
READ MOREThese are the 2018 IBEW Local 124 PAC Missouri Endorsements Please support these representatives as they support our cause!
READ MOREThe next on-site Health Screening at the Benefit office is Saturday August 11th from 8am - 1:30pm. Call the Benefit Office 816-943-0277 to Schedule your appointment. Members and Spouses are required to keep your Deductible at $175 for 2019. Child dependents are not Required. Your 2019 deductible will be $525 if you do not complete the Health Screening. Walk-ins are welcome but Appointments are preferred.
READ MOREAttention Brothers and Sisters Im sure most of you have heard of the tragic news of the loss of Goodknight Beretta J. Ribando, 7 weeks, and Ireland Autumn J. Ribando, 2 years old. Those children were family to one of our members. The family has set up a memorial fund to help with the unexpected costs for the loss of Goodknight and Ireland. If you would like to help a fellow IBEW members family in their time of need it would be greatly appreciated. The memorial fund is set up at Community America Credit Union Goodknight Beretta J. Ribando, 7 weeks Ireland Autumn J. Ribando, 2
READ MORERenew 124 will be hosting Brotherhood Night at The Quaff, which is located in downtown KC. There are pool tables, dart boards, and DJ E will be there later in the evening. Please come join your brothers and sisters and feel free to bring a friend with you.
READ MORETomorrow, Friday the 20th, at 2:30 pm, State Representative Warren Love and Senator Roy Blunt will be hosting a rally in Osceola Mo on square in support of Prop A, Right to work legislation. If you are available and can make the trip to show our opposition it would be appreciated. Business Agent Roger Lake will be on site with “vote no” t-shirts and road signs. Again, that is tomorrow, Friday the 20th at 2:30pm on the square in Osceola. If you have any questions please call me, BZ Parscale at 816-797-2735, or Roger Lake at 816-489-6963. Thank you
READ MOREThese are the 2018 IBEW Local 124 PAC Kansas Endorsements Please support these representatives as they support our cause!
READ MOREBrothers And Sisters We are inviting you to join us for a special reception being held at the Union Hall. Come and sign up for a Costco membership if you haven't already and support our union-friendly company.
READ MOREKC AREA LABOR PICNIC Bouncy house, swimming, & other family friendly activities! Food & beverages will be served *No pets or glass bottles allowed
READ MOREFor Pool and Picnic Information Click Here
READ MOREDon’t forget to sign up for the 65th annual IBEW Local Union 124 Golf Tournament!!!!!!
READ MOREThe fight for your WAGES is here! The fight for your BENEFITS is here! The fight for your SAFETY is here!
READ MOREUnions Push Back Against Supreme Court Janus Ruling
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters we have a Ford shutdown this week that will last for about a week. I will be 10 hr shifts. We need 32 JWs for days and 14 JWs for nights. Calls expected to go in Wednesday night for dispatch Thursday. If you are interested in a call please call the Job Referral line @ 816 942-7508 and/or check on the website for the listed jobs. Be safe out there Brothers and Sisters!
READ MORELocal 124 Jurisdiction Election Boards
READ MOREMeet at the Hall Saturday June 16 at 8am. Work one of four different intersections till noon and return to the Hall for lunch. Locations are South KC, Raytown, Blue Springs and Independence. Contact Greg Cianciolo @ 816 489-6527 for additional details.
READ MOREAttention all future Applicants. The following date changes for applications will be in effect for July and August of 2018. July 4th will be moved to July 11th. August 1st will be moved to August 8th. If you have any questions please contact the apprenticeship at (816)942-3242.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters due to the weather Renews First Annual Screwball Tournament has been moved to the IBEW 124 Retirees Hall.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters, we will be having a health screening clinic on Saturday, May 12 from 9:30 AM to 12 PM.
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters please join us for our 1st Annual Screwball Softball Event! Players needed!!! Come show your skills while also enjoying the company of your fellow Brothers and Sisters. We hope to see you all there!
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters take action today and sponsor a table or reserve seats at our upcoming conservation dinner.
READ MOREIBEW 124 Annual Golf League is coming and were looking for people interested in playing! Do you have what it takes?
READ MORECome Brothers and Sisters and join us for the 7th Annual Ride for Homeless Vets.
READ MOREBrothers & Sisters come stand and join the March & Rally for Peace. Show our colors and represent who we are!
READ MOREBrothers and Sisters please come and join us as we help our local Boy Scout facilities.
READ MORECome join our fellow Brothers and Sisters for the MS Walk at the Kansas Speedway!
READ MOREThis is a list of the Bills that our local would like you to pay close attention to. This list was updated Feb 1st 2018. If you would like more information about the bill and the details please click on the HB or the SB in the Bill you would like to view.
READ MOREWant to know how to calculate your yearly tax for your Local and Working Dues? Click here to get the information you need.
READ MOREBrothers & Sisters We need our members to contact their legislators in Jefferson City about the negative impact of reducing Unemployment Benefits to 13 weeks. (HB1409) You can call, email, write a letter, or make an office visit to express your concern of this bill. This bill will be on the House floor as early as Monday, January 29, 2018 and then off to the senate. We can only hope for an amendment to soften the blow. Our members MUST at some point engage in this process or we will continue to get picked apart. Below is the link for you to look up your legislator: http://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/default.aspx/leg_lookup.aspx In solidarity, Rudy Chavez
READ MORESo-called “Right to Work� laws lower wages for all of us–while also allowing politicians to do the bidding of out-of-state CEO’s by interfering in the workplace and dictating how employers interact with their own employees. “Right to Work� is WRONG for Missouri. We hope you’ll join us today to protect Missouri jobs and families.
READ MOREJuly 21, 2018 Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa One Lakeview Drive Morgantown, WV 26508 Registration: Friday, July 20, 2018 1:00 p.m Meet & Greet: Friday, July 20 6:00 p.m. Free refreshments
READ MOREFor the monthly Union Meeting on January 10, 2018, the Renew Committee will be cooking chili and hot dogs. Please feel free to introduce yourself if you haven't already met them. The purpose of RENEW is to inspire the next generation of IBEW workers to become active in their local union by focusing on issues important to younger workers, providing education about the IBEW and the labor movement, and fostering relationships with members and local union leadership. If you have interest in being involved with RENEW, please contact Kevin Smith @ (816) 489-6951.
READ MORE IBEW members are urged to join in on these events and wear your colors to represent the IBEW. Make our presence know and show we would like to be involved in the construction of the new facilities.
READ MOREThank you to all who came and gave of their time. It really makes a large impact on our IBEW members and families to know we still think about them especially during the holiday seasons.
READ MOREHELP SAVE OUR PENSION! PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO NEWS TO READ THE LETTERS OR CALL THE HALL AT 816-942-7500 TO TALK TO AN AGENT!
READ MORESo-called “Right to Work� laws lower wages for all of us–while also allowing politicians to do the bidding of out-of-state CEO’s by interfering in the workplace and dictating how employers interact with their own employees. “Right to Work� is WRONG for Missouri. We hope you’ll join us today to protect Missouri jobs and families.
READ MOREClick here to learn more about the scholarships that are available to IBEW members and their families!