March 26, 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

                As IBEW Local 76 addresses and adjusts to the changing developments regarding COVID-19 and the Stay at Home orders put in place by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, we are recognizing the importance of communication to and from our membership. Below are the latest updates to Local 76’s processes and procedures:

Standby:

IBEW Local 76 must be notified if you have been placed on “Standby” status. Please email info@ibew76.org with the following information: Name, Contractor, Jobsite, General Contractor, Date of Standby Status, and if the jobsite is closed. Once you are notified of a return to work date, please update Local 76’s office.

Layoff:

IBEW Local 76 must be notified if you have been laid off. Please email info@ibew76.org or fax 253-475-0844 a copy of your termination slip. Once the office has received it, you may request to be placed on the Out of Work List by contacting the office at 253-475-1190. Once the contractor is ready to send you back to work, the contractor will be required to submit dispatch requests to IBEW Local 76. After receiving the necessary information from the contractor, we will confirm with you that you are accepting the dispatch and send you the related documents. Members who are laid off due to COVID-19 will be eligible for callbacks per the NECA/IBEW NDERA agreement.

Jobsite:

It is crucial that our members feel safe and are practicing self-distancing on the jobsites that are deemed essential and remain open during the Stay at Home orders. If you have concerns about the hygiene practices that have been put in place on a jobsite, please contact IBEW Local 76.

COVID-19 Menu:

To help reduce confusion and frustration during this rapidly changing time, we have created a COVID-19 tab on IBEW Local 76’s website under Members Resources on the left side of the webpage , www.ibew76.org. All communications, updates, and helpful resources and links will be consolidated and available there.

Employment Security:

We have also been informed that due to the volume of claims being submitted to Washington State Employment Security, claims may be rejected after the first submission. Please be patient with this process and try to submit the claim again. Attached is a link to Washington State’s Employment Security’s. The website has instruction on how to file your COVID-19 related claim. Please follow them so your claim can be processed as quickly as possible.  https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19

As always, our top priority is the safety of our membership and their families. The Local 76 Rep and office staff are all working remotely, and the office will remain fully operational. Please be patient and more importantly safe as we all adjust and adapt to the changes and challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus. If you have any questions, please contact the office directly.

                                                                                                Fraternally,

                                                                                                Timothy K. O’Donnell Sr.

                                                                                                Business Manager

Brothers and Sisters 3-26-20.pdf