May 16, 2020 - With the May long weekend upon us, Local 258 IBEW strongly advises all members to continue to support the progress British Columbians have made in helping to “flatten the curve” with our provincial public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With British Columbians now entering the transition to Phase 2 of the public health measures to manage the pandemic’s effects here in BC, now is not the time to let up,” says Brother Doug McKay, Local 258 IBEW Business Manager. “Please follow all of the important recommendations to protect yourself, your family and your community, including limiting travel and staying close to home this holiday weekend.”

For more information, please visit your Union website COVID-19 Resources page on your Union website at www.ibew258.bc.ca.

“To our members who are doing your part and have been working at BC Hydro, at our signatory private power line contractor and electrical manufacturing companies, who are performing utility arborist/tree trimming work and who are working at the roadside in traffic control, thank you for helping to maintain public safety with keeping the power flowing and the province’s electric utility running, your Union thanks you and appreciates and supports you as we all adapt to the measures put in place due to the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic here in BC,” says McKay. “As British Columbians have shown, together, our collective actions have helped to ‘flatten the curve’ in our province, and we thank you for doing your part while at work providing these important and essential services.”

The BC Centre for Disease Control invites you to participate in the COVID-19 Survey on Population Experience, Action and Knowledge, now available until May 31, 2020. 

Union Update:

The Local 258 IBEW office in Langley remains closed to members and visitors at this time with administrative support staff continuing to work on-site, practicing social distancing and frequent handwashing measures.

All Local 258 IBEW Assistant Business Managers continue to be available and are working remotely, providing important Union representation to our members who are working and assisting those who have suffered lay-off during these unprecedented times. Contact information is available here. 

Brother Doug McKay is ensuring Union business is being conducted and he remains actively addressing issues affecting members with your workplace employers. He is also leading weekly virtual staff meetings with ABMs. 

Local 258 IBEW is currently preparing to re-open the Union office and, under the direction of Sister Lori MacLean, Office Manager, has been busy re-organizing the physical layout of the spaces and determining the protocols that will need to be put in place to ensure everyone’s health & safety. A date for re-opening has not yet been determined.

Unit meetings remain suspended until further notice, and the Union’s Executive Board continues to conduct regular monthly meetings by conference call. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 2.

The next Stat Holiday is: Victoria Day, Monday, May 18, 2020.

Local 258 IBEW recommends and supports the encouraging words and actions of Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, “Stay kind, stay calm and stay safe.”