And the Winners Are…

Six locals and six retiree chapters will be rewarded for generating participation in the recent election of national union officers, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell has announced. The top locals and retiree chapters in various size categories will receive prizes, and any local or chapter that achieved a voting level of 100 percent will be rewarded.

To be eligible for rewards, locals and chapters must have achieved participation of at least 50 percent. The winnings are to be used at the discretion of the locals and retiree chapters on behalf of the membership.

With 61 percent of its 606 members voting, the Trenton Metropolitan Area Local was the only local to qualify in the category of 500 to 999 members. The local will receive $2,000.

With 62 percent of its 377 members voting, the Philadelphia BMC Local was the only local to qualify in the category of 100 to 499 members. The local will receive $1,000.

No local of more than 1,000 members qualified for an award.

Four locals with 1-99 members had 100 percent participation and will receive $200 each. They are: Saint Marys (PA) Local, Worthington (MN) Local, Pagosa Springs (CO) Local and Radcliff Local (KY) Local.

Retiree Chapters

Six retiree chapters will receive prizes.

With 52 percent of its members voting, the Pittsburgh Metro Area Local Retiree Chapter was the only chapter in the category of 500 to 999 members to qualify. The chapter will receive $500.

Two chapters in the 100-499 member category qualified: 54 percent of members of the 480-481 Area Local Retiree Chapter cast ballots, and 52 percent of members of Heart of Illinois Area Local Retiree Chapter voted. The chapters will receive $250 each.

Three chapters in the category of 1-99 members qualified. Each will receive $50. They are: Columbus Area Local Retiree Chapter, with 64 percent participation; Philadelphia BMC Local Retiree Chapter, with 62 percent participation; and Oakland Local Retiree Chapter, with 54 percent participation.

“Congratulations to the locals and retiree chapters that achieved a high level of participation,” Powell said. “Unfortunately, voter turnout overall was extremely low, so we must redouble our efforts to encourage members to participate in union activities,” she said.

Click here for more information about the voter incentive program.