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    COVID-19 Testing
    May 22, 2020

    Free COVID-19 testing sites at Indiana National Guard armories

    PORTER COUNTY - COVID-19 testing is now available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY in Porter County. Hoosiers will not be charged for testing and insurance is not required. If you have private health insurance, please bring your insurance information with you.  Click here for more information

    LAPORTE COUNTY - 20 new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites opened this week at Indiana National Guard armories with locations in South Bend, Elkhart, and La Porte.  Click here for more information

    STARKE COUNTY—Starke Hospital has a free phone screening line for individuals who have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and are concerned they may need testing. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Individuals may call the free screening line at 833-576-3627. It is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

    PULASKI COUNTY - Free COVID-19 testing for Pulaski county residents.  Pulaski County Health Center and Phelps Health will offer free COVID-19 drive thru testing for Pulaski County residents Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17.  Testing will be held at St. Robert Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  No symptoms or prerequisites are required for testing.  Pre-registration is recommended.  Pulaski residents can register by clicking here or by calling the MO COVID Hotline at 877-435-8411. Choose option 3 to register.

    JASPER COUNTY -  Franciscan Health Rensselaer's COVID-19 testing site, went into operation on Monday, March 30th. It will be located on the east side of the hospital at 1104 East Grace Street Rensselaer, Indiana 47978. hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3p.m., Monday through Friday. Patients must have a physician order and pre-register by calling (219)866-2026.The patient's physician will provide the hospital with the order prior to the patient arriving for the test.  Please click here for more information.


    Welcome
    Apr 06, 2020

    IBEW Local 531 Brothers and Sisters and your families:

    As you have noticed, alot of information has been made available in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is also a moving target as information is changing almost hourly.  As the situation continues to update, i will start posting the information on this new "COVID-19 Resources" board as this will give everyone a "one stop" location for all information regarding this pandemic. All of the NEWEST Information will be highlighted.  These are turbulant times and noone knows where this is going.  Please make sure you check this board regularly and if you have not already, download our app via the website.  I encourage you to have your family and friends download the app as well as this information will be available to all.

    This is a crisis that NONE of us have ever seen before.  Please be safe in all that you do and make smart decisions for you and your family.  We will all get through this as we are all in this together!

    In Solidarity,

    Jim Clarida


    Indiana Executive Orders
    May 04, 2020

    UPDATE - 4/9/2020:  In light of the spread of the Coronavirus in LaPorte County, Mayor Duane Parry of Michigan City has issued a citywide Executive Order establishing a curfew along with declaring a local disaster emergency.  Click here for the EO in it's entirety.

     Effective 11:59 pm on April 6th, Indiana Executive Order 20-18 will take affect and remain in full force until 11:59 pm on April 20th.  This Executive Order takes the place of 20-08 and extends the "stay at home" order.  

    Mayor Tom Dermody issues Executive Order limiting the amount of persons inside stores.  Click here for more details.

     Governor Holcomb recently signed Executive Order 20-12 which suspends the one week waiting period in regards to Unemployment Benefits.  This is also retroactive to March 8th.

    Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has issued Executive Order 20-05  on March 19th that contains emergency changes for Unemployment, Family Social Services, Veterans Affairs, Department of Education, Essential Services, Department of Revenue, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Department of Health, Public Licensing and all State Agencies.  Key takaways can be found by clicking here

    Additionally, Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-08 on March 23rd that contains information on the Stay-at-Home Order, Non-Essential Business Must Cease Operations, Prohibited Activities, Prohibited and Permitted Travel, Leaving the Home for Essential Activities, CISA approved list, Essential Travel, Social Distancing and Enforcement of the Executive OrdersIn this Executive Order, it does have exclusions for the Building Trades.  These exclusions are stated in Section 11, Section 14j and Section 14v.  (see below)  

    Some municipalities are taking this more serious than others.  Some have announced that they will be strictly adhering to these Executive Orders.  I would recommend keeping your dues receipt on you along with supporting documentation (from your contractor) to avoid any potential issues.  Please take some time to review these official documents as they contain important information for you and your family. 

    The following is for your review and for clarification:

    Executive Order 20-08 with highlighted construction exemptions

    Clarification from Governor Holcomb

    Clarification from the DHS and CISA

    Indiana's Back on Track information

    www.backontrack.in.gov

    Stage 2 - Beginning May 4th

    Stage 3 - Beginning May 23rd

    Stage 4 - Beginning June 13th

    Stage 5 - Beginning July 4th


    Download:
    Dermody EO.pdf

    IBEW 531 Business Office
    Nov 11, 2020
    Edit File Delete File

    UPDATE:  As per the most recent Indiana Executive Order, the IBEW Local 531 Business office is open.  We are requiring all those who enter the building to wear a face covering and only 1 person in the foyer at a time.  We are back to accepting Original Signs in person only.  We are still accepting Resigns via hall to hall

    Effective immediately and until further notice, the IBEW local 531 Business Office will be closed to all except staff.  We will be here under normal business hours of Monday - Friday 7:00am - 4:30pm, and can be reached during these hours at 219-362-2119.  We can also be reached by email at info@ibewlocal531.org or by fax at 219-362-2110.  If you have business that cannot be effectively done via phone or email, then we are asking that you schedule an appointment.  

    The JATC is also closed and is not conducting classes.  All Journeyman Enhancement classes are also cancelled thru April.  If you are an apprentice, please contact Roland at 210-879-1090 for any further questions.

    UPDATE:  The JATC will stay closed to all except staff.  Even with the building closed, the apprenticeship has still been able to "carry on".  Roland, along with all of our Instructors, has stepped up and implemented E-learning along with "virtual" learning via Zoom.  This has been a succcess so far with no classes being missed and cautious measures are being taken to ensure the safety of our apprentices during testing.  Kudos to the JATC team!!

    REMINDER:  April 16th First Aid/CPR class has been cancelled


    Stimulus Payments
    May 04, 2020

    UPDATE:  As some of you know, the Federal Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) have begun to be distributed.  the IRS has a new Stimulus Check Website website where you can:

    • Check the status of your Economic Impact Payment or "Stimulus Check"
    • Confirm your payment type such as direct deposit or check
    • Enter your bank account information for direct deposit if you have yet to receive your payment
    • Update your bank account or mailing address if it has changed from your 2019 tax return.

    A direct link to the IRS website can be found by clicking here


    Original Sign - Book 1 & 2
    Mar 27, 2020

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with Governor Holcomb's "Stay-at-Home" order, the IBEW Local 531 Business Office is closed to all except staff.  

    If you are an IBEW 531 member trying to sign the Book 1 "Out of Work" list, please send an email to info@ibewlocal531.org or a fax to 219-362-2110 with the following information:

              1.  Name, Contractor leaving, date and a request to be signed to Book 1

              2.  Copy of term slip.  If contractor has already sent in copy of term slip, then no additional copy  is needed

    If you are a traveling brother/sister from another local wishing to be signed on our Book 2 "Out of Work" list, please send an email to info@ibewlocal531.org or a fax to 219-362-2110 with the following information:

              1.  Current dues receipt that shows classification

              2.  Letter of Introduction from your home local OR a current termination slip from your most RECENT contractor.

    We will also accept Business Manager to Business Manager registrations.

              

              


    CARES ACT - Passed
    Apr 21, 2020

    BREAKING NEWS:  The House on Friday passed the $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it quickly.

    The legislation, which was passed unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday, provides relief for workers and businesses that have been devastated by the outbreak.

    This includes stimulus payments to individuals, expanded unemployment coverage, student loan changes and different retirement account rules.

    Click here to view the 9 page Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet for the CARES-ACT or download from below.  A link to the article containing this information is also provided

    CARES-ACT - FAQ's

    www.ibewlocal531.org/careact


    Working during the "Stay-at-Home Order"
    Apr 06, 2020

    There have been many questions regarding whether construction is deemed "essential" or not.  The most recent Executive Order does give construction an exemption and ALL construction has been deemed essential.  Again, this is addressed in sections 11,14j and 14v.  With that being said, each and every one of you can make your own decision on whether to go to work or not.  Being essential does not mean you HAVE to go to work.  It only means that you can.  You have a choice to make,whether your job is open or not, to stay home because of the opssibility of contracting and/or passing COVID-19.  There shall be no adverse action taken against an employee who refuses to be present at the jobsite so long as the employee genuinely believes there is imminent danger and a reasonable person would agree there is a real danger of contracting coronavirus at the jobsite, nor shall any adverse action be taken against an employee who has been quarantined, or advised to self-quarantine, due to possible exposure to coronavirus.  This is part of the NIDERA that we are all currently operating under.

     I also want to say Thank You to the membership that continues to man our work in a "safe" manner as well as those who have elected to stay home in order to keep themselves and their families safe.  We will get thru this together Brothers and Sisters!!  #INthistogether


    Unemployment
    Apr 16, 2020

    UPDATE:  4/16/2020  Today during Governor Holcomb's daily briefing, Fred Payne, the Commissioner of DWD, stated that the Indiana Unemployment Filing System, or UpLink, will be shut down tonight from around 7:00 pm til around 10:30 pm for updating.  This update is supposed to implement the system with the needed updates to process the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or PUC, payments.  These payments are the additional $600 you will be receiving on top of your Indiana Unemployment.  These payments originally were going to start the week of April 20th, but should start tomorrow if all goes well with tonights update.  The last information released has these payments retro to March 29th. â€‹

    UPDATE:  4/9/2020  The newest update in regards to Indiana Unemployment can be found by clicking here.  This has many of the most common questions answered in a Q&A form.

    During the COVID-19 crisis, you can only file for unemployment online via computer, smart phone or tablet.  New information has been made available regarding unemployment benefits for the State of Indiana.  If you find yourself laid off or furloughed, please click here to be directed to Indiana Unemployment Insurance Claimant Self Service (CSS) System for filing for UI Benefits.  Again, per the NIDERA that we are currently operating under, you are allowed to file for unemployment during your permitted furlough, as a described in the agreement, in regards to the Coronavirus.  Some of you may have not filed for Unemployment benefits in quite some time.  In order to help you navigate this process,  click here for the most recent FAQ's.  A downloadable version is also available below.

      The newest Executive Order 20-12, signed on March 26th by Governor Holcomb, suspends the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits.  This suspension will be retroactive to March 8th.  Click here to view the Executive Order in it's entirety.

    During Governor Holcomb's live update today, April 6th, the Commissioner for Indiana DWD stated that the $600 benefits (in addition to Indiana Unemployment Benefits) should be available week of April 20th.  This is part of the Care Act's Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Package (PUC) and will be paid retro to March 29th.  We will continue to update you as this changes or new information is available.


    Download:
    Indiana_Unemployment_FAQ 3-26-2020 update.pdf
    Indiana Executive Order 20-12 March 26-2020.pdf

    Health & Welfare - Decatur
    May 18, 2020

    UPDATE: 5/18/2020 - The Trustees of our NECA-IBEW Health and Welfare fund (Decatur) have issued an update concerning our benefits.  Updates include some added clarification on COVID-19 antibody testing, an update on our office operations, and few other minor, immaterial edits.  To view the entire update click here.  The trustees have also issued an update concerning our CVS Caremark pharmacy benefits in regards to relaxed refill restrictions, free home delivery and a list of FAQ's.  To view the full document click here.  These updates can also be found on the Decatur website at www.neca-ibew.org

    Free COVID-19 testing sites at Indiana National Guard armories

    PORTER COUNTY - COVID-19 testing is now available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY in Porter County. Hoosiers will not be charged for testing and insurance is not required. If you have private health insurance, please bring your insurance information with you.  Click here for more information

    LAPORTE COUNTY - 20 new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites opened this week at Indiana National Guard armories with locations in South Bend, Elkhart, and La Porte.  Click here for more information

    STARKE COUNTY—Starke Hospital has a free phone screening line for individuals who have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and are concerned they may need testing. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Individuals may call the free screening line at 833-576-3627. It is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

    PULASKI COUNTY - Free COVID-19 testing for Pulaski county residents.  Pulaski County Health Center and Phelps Health will offer free COVID-19 drive thru testing for Pulaski County residents Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17.  Testing will be held at St. Robert Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  No symptoms or prerequisites are required for testing.  Pre-registration is recommended.  Pulaski residents can register by clicking here or by calling the MO COVID Hotline at 877-435-8411. Choose option 3 to register.

    JASPER COUNTY -  Franciscan Health Rensselaer's COVID-19 testing site, went into operation on Monday, March 30th. It will be located on the east side of the hospital at 1104 East Grace Street Rensselaer, Indiana 47978. hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3p.m., Monday through Friday. Patients must have a physician order and pre-register by calling (219)866-2026.The patient's physician will provide the hospital with the order prior to the patient arriving for the test.  Please click here for more information.

    UPDATE: 4/9/2020:   Information on the new MDLive benefit from Decatur can be found by clicking here

    The Trustees from the NECA-IBEW Welfare Trust fund have published an update that addresses a few issues.  The topic of eligibility, the wellness power program impact, an update on the Business Operations and information on the new MDLIVE.  Click here to view the Memorandum in it's entirety or download from below.

    Effective April 1, 2020, the Fund has a Virtual Visits benefit with MDLIVE.  Participants should have received complete information on this benefit.  If you need more information on the MDLIVE benefit, please click here to be directed to the website or download the information from below.

    There is also some informaton available regarding CVS and your prescription benefits.  This information addresses the steps CVS is taking to protect member access to medication as we navigate these difficult times.  Relaxed refill restrictions and free home delivery are just some of the benefits CVS is offering.  Click here for the full memorandum explaining these benefits along with a number of Q&A.

    The Trustees of the NECA-IBEW Welfare Trust Fund have published a response in regards to the Coronavirus or COVID-19.  This response addresses multiple issues related to COVID-19 including test related expenses, weekly short term disability benefits, vaccinations, telehealth and virtual visits, prescription drugs, and fund office operations.  I have made the full response available to you by clicking the link below or it can be found on their home page at www.neca-ibew.org/covid-19.

    Decatur COVID-19 Response


    Download:
    Trustees Message UPDATED 2020-0401.pdf
    MDLive SMM 2020.pdf
    _Member Communication CVS Q&A.pdf



    Page Last Updated: May 22, 2020 (09:52:22)
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