The annual IBEW Local 1928 hockey tournament is being hosted in Yarmouth this year on March 28, 29 and 30 at the Mariners Centre. Teams are encouraged to book rooms ASAP at one fo the following hotels:  Best Western (902-742 7821), Comfort Inn (902-742-1119),  or the Rodd Grand (902 742-2446). Mike Mooney is the tournament organizer and will provide the schedule and registration information shortly: Stay tuned.

First District (IBEW International Canada) makes five $1,000-scholarships available to those Canadian IBEW members and their family members currently enrolled in full-or part-time studies, or who are currently in pursuit of a post- secondary diploma or degree. Scholarship applicants are required to submit a brief essay (the applicant must write the essay themselves), outlining the benefits of belonging to the IBEW. The scholarship winners are then selected by a random draw. 
Applications to the First District scholarships must be received by Friday, February 21, 2014, and the draw will be held on February 28th, 2014. Download the First District Scholarship application.
* Note that applications for the IBEW Local 1928 scholarship will be available in March 2014, and the scholarships will be awarded in June of 2014. Stay tuned for more news as March approaches.

The NSP Maritime Link tentative agreement (with a supplemental offer from the owner on January 14, 2014), was ratified by IBEW Local 1928 construction members today. This is the first time that Local 1928 has conducted a vote electronically, where eligible voters, notifed by mail, were able to cast ballots using a secure web service or by phone. This process allowed the over 100 eligible voters, who live and work in different areas of the country, to vote from home or from the road. The contract was supported by 72.5% of voters. 

In the Electricity Reform Act, introduced and passed in the fall 2013 sitting of the provincial legislature, the new Liberal government announced a "comprehensive review" of the province's electricity system. The second part of the act commits Minister of Energy Andrew Younger to complete a public consultation on the future policy plans and regulations for electricity in Nova Scotia.
     The review, which is to be completed in 2014, has two phases: 1) a technical study and review and 2) a public consultation. The final result will be a report to be released in spring of 2015, which will "form the basis for the government's future plans for Nova Scotia's electricity sector." That plan will be released, says the draft scope of work for the Review Department of Energy, in the fall of 2015.
     The Department of Energy intends to enable broad participation from the public and key stakeholders during this review. So far, there is no detailed plan for engagement, but anyone can comment  on the draft scope of work for the Electricty Review until February 7. Click here to go to the Department of Energy's website for the draft scope of work and RFPs for the Future of Electricity Review. As the representative for one of Nova Scotia's key electricity stakeholders—Nova Scotia Power's unionized workers—Local 1928 intends to participate in the review process.