May
17
17
Uncategorized
May
11
11
Financial Planning
If you are retiring or near retirement age and would like to speak with a financial planner please contact Steve Raymond. Steve will meet with you and help you plan for your individual retirement goals.
Scarborough Alliance Group
Steve Raymond
Regional Manager
(800) 223-7608 ext 4033
sraymond@scarboroughalliance.com
May
8
8
2017 2nd Qtr Surplus
2Q17 Surplus
Providence – Fiber Network Technician – (3)
Providence – Customer Service Technician – (3)
Providence – Central Office Technician – (3)
Following is the timeline:
Volunteer period: 5/9-5/23
Last day worked: 6/3
Off-payroll date: 6/4
EIPP offers will be distributed to all affected employees by May 9, 2017.
Apr
27
27
Telecom lobby muscle kills privacy rules
Please take a moment to read and learn the importance of Organized Labor being involved in Politics.
NEW YORK — The telecom industry’s lobbying muscle pushed a consumer privacy measure to a swift death in Congress.
Republicans struck down Obama-era rules that would have imposed tight restrictions on what broadband companies such as Verizon, AT&T and Comcast could do with their customers’ personal data. Digital-rights and consumer-advocacy groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation supported keeping the rules. But they were outmatched by telecom trade groups and lobbyists.
“These guys spend a fortune in D.C., they’re very plugged in on the Hill and this was clearly their priority,” said Craig Aaron, the president of consumer-advocacy group Free Press.
Former AT&T lobbyist Steve Billet, now on the faculty at George Washington University, said the telecom industry’s willingness to spend big on lobbying marks “the difference between them and the Electronic Frontier Foundation guys.”
ROLLING IN THE CASH: The overall lobbying tab for telecom services and telephone companies exceeded $123 million in 2016, the money-influence research group Center for Responsive Politics says. That makes them among the top-spending industries in Washington. By contrast, some of the most active privacy and consumer groups on the other side spent just over $1 million, according to the nonpartisan group’s data.
The lobbying on both sides goes far beyond privacy. Other issues on the agenda included immigration, taxes, cable boxes and cybersecurity. But the disparity in the spending totals shows that when it comes to politics, industry can wield a lot of power with its pocketbook.
Telecom has also given more in political contributions to the House Republicans who voted to repeal the rules (about $138,000 on average over their careers) than to the 15 Republicans who voted to keep them ($77,000), according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In the Senate, the Republicans who voted to undo broadband privacy received more from telecom ($369,000) than the Democrats who voted to keep the rules ($329,000).
GETTING HEARD: The repealed rules would have required companies to get customers’ permission before offering marketers a wealth of information about them, including health and financial details, geographic location and lists of websites visited and apps used.
Republicans and industry officials complained that the restrictions would have unfairly burdened internet providers, as advertising rivals such as Google and Facebook don’t have to abide by them.
The rules had been scheduled to take effect later this year. Congress used an obscure 20-year-old law to scrap this and numerous other regulations that Republicans consider costly, burdensome or excessive. President Donald Trump signed the privacy repeal into law early this month.
Although this repeal came as part of a broader deregulatory rush, the money that large corporations and their employees are able to spend on lobbyists and give to lawmakers helps get such issues on the agenda.
A BIGGER FIGHT: Internet service providers and the rest of the telecom industry also had help. Groups representing the online advertising and broader consumer technology industries also wanted the rules gone. Google itself criticized them before the Federal Communications Commission approved them last year. This wasn’t the net neutrality fight of 2014, when telecoms squared off against tech companies.
Apr
26
26
Apr
18
18
Metro Meeting * Update
Please be advised that the E-Board is postponing the Metro meeting indefinitely until we find a new location.
Apr
13
13
1 Year Anniversary
Sisters & Brothers,
We have reached the 1 year anniversary of the day we stood up and said enough is enough, and we fought back against Verizon and corporate greed. April 13th is a day we should all be proud of, we saw firsthand the power of the Union movement, and the strength solidarity provides to each of us.
As Business Manager, I am so very proud of this membership. You held the line strong, through adversity, and the unknown. For many members, the fear and anxiety of a strike can sometimes be overwhelming however our members overcame the challenge.
I ask that we all take a moment and reflect on our 7-week fight, and what we accomplished together. We must remain vigilant and make sure that we are as prepared, if not more for 2019. The Union leadership worked very hard to lay the foundation in the years leading up to the strike.
We need to continue to build on that foundation, and not rest on our laurels. We have been very actively politically, through your COPE contributions. We have forged strong relationships with our fellow Unions in Rhode Island, by answering the call to attend their rallies, or picket lines.
We operate from a philosophy that to have a friend, you need to be a friend. It is critical that we continue to be active, and continue to participate in all forums so when we make the call, we have friends to call upon. We saw the benefits through winning unemployment, or the experts that attended the health insurance information meetings, the strong support on our picket lines, and more.
In closing, I wish to thank the entire membership for their efforts, and sacrifice that began 1 year ago today. I am proud to have you as my Union Brothers & Sisters.
Fraternally,
Steve Murphy
Apr
5
5
Notice of Bids
3 NE associate vacancies for posting 4/5/17 through 4/11/17.
- Splice-Service Technician, South Kingstown, RI (1)
- Splice-Service Technician, East Providence, RI (2)
Mar
29
29
3rd Annual Solidarity Ride hosted by IBEW Local 99 and Local 2323
3rd Annual Solidarity ride
Hosted by IBEW Local 99 and Local 2323
Sunday May 21st 2017
Registration 9:00am Ride Starts at 11:00am
22 Amflex Dr Cranston, RI 02921
100% of net Proceeds will go directly to The Tomorrow Fund!
Last years bike count was 263!!! Register now for a scenic escorted ride returning to Local 99 for Music, Food and Fun!
Plenty of family events for non-riders:
Face Painting * Temporary Tattoos * Cookout * Snacks * Live Band
Tickets available at Local 99 office, Local 2323 office or see a LURC member or a steward.
Mar
29
29
Imagine Walk – Family Fun Day – Support “Team Austin Dickinson”
Join your fellow Brothers and Sisters for a Family Fun Day to support The Autism Project and support “Team Austin Dickinson”
Sunday April 30, 2017
9am-1pm
Goddard Memorial State Park