Thank you to all members who have recently been working long hours in many communities across the province as difficult weather conditions are causing numerous power outages. All of your hard work restoring the power is greatly appreciated by British Columbians and your Union reminds you that safety at work remains our #1 priority. Please stay safe out there.

On behalf of your Local 258 IBEW Assistant Business Managers, Union Officers and Executive Board members, and our Administrative support staff, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings! Please enjoy a quietly comfortable holiday season, including the stat holidays of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and your Union negotiated Boxing Day holiday.

As we are all facing a different style of Christmas season this year, I hope you and your family are doing well and looking forward to non-traditional ways of connecting over the holidays. Together with your Local 258 IBEW Assistant Business Managers, I thank you for your commitment and adherence to following all the public health measures put in place in your workplaces, and in your communities, since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March – I know it’s been challenging.

We have all been through a lot this past year as the pandemic has forced change upon our routines and relationships, both at work and at home. Personally, I am missing those opportunities to engage face-to-face with our membership and the camaraderie of gathering together for our traditional occasions like Unit Meetings, our annual golf tournament, and our Shop Stewards conference. These are unprecedented and difficult times and, understandably, you may be finding yourself becoming fatigued with following the safety protocols, but I encourage you to maintain your vigilance as there now appears to be light emerging from the darkness with the arrival of a vaccine. Please continue to be safe, remember to stick to your own community and avoid all non-essential travel this holiday season so we can all remain as healthy as possible in the better days to come.

Our Union Hall will be closed during the Christmas holidays, starting Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 at noon and will re-open on Monday, January 4, 2021, at 8:00 am (Dispatch at 7:00 am) for scheduled appointments – please remember to call ahead (604-520-3305) if you need to visit the Langley office. Upon arrival, you will be asked to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire, wear a mask, sanitize your hands, maintain physical distance and follow all instructions from our COVID-19 safety trained support staff. If there is any kind of emergency or urgent need for Union representation during the holiday office closing, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly for assistance.

The 2021 IBEW First District Canada Scholarship is now accepting applications and the deadline to apply is February 21, 2021. Find more details here.

Sister Dayna Gill, ABM and Chair of our Union’s Women’s Committee recently delivered a $500 cheque, approved by our Executive Board, and a collection of useful personal items and Christmas gifts donated by staff and Power Earth Management to support the Atira Womens Resource Society. If you would like to make a personal contribution to this worthwhile non-profit that helps so many in need, especially at this time of year, find out more about what you can do here.

And congratulations to the members of our Local 258 IBEW NextGen Committee on their successful efforts with the Movember campaign that supports men’s health initiatives including prostate cancer and mental health awareness.

Thank you for reading this email and remember to wear a mask, physically distance, wash your hands, watch out for Santa Claus, and adhere to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s wise advice to “Be kind, be calm, and be safe”, at work and at home.

In solidarity,
Doug McKay
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
Local 258 IBEW
cell: 604-209-4067
email: dmckay@ibew258.bc.ca