Tuition Assistance Rules

Hi Everyone

Today I want to talk about Tuition Assistance. This benefit is part of your Career Development funds. You can receive up to $1800.00 to apply toward any class or course that leads to a Degree, Certificate or a License. 

Tuition Assistance from ICD Field Policy Manual

1.  Standards applicable to the use of Career Development funds for tuition assistance are as follows:

a. The tuition assistance program will be separate from existing, contractually­ obligated reimbursement  programs.

b. The use of  such  funds  will  be limited  to tuition  costs,  the  costs  of  mandated books,  and the payment of course-related fees such as required lab fees. Career Development funds will not be used to  pay for such things as monetary incentives, parking fees, non-required books, or subscriptions to  periodicals. In addition, the use of Career Development funds for the purchase of such items as personal computers, sets of tools, firearms or kits, engine analyzers, or any engine repair equipment, even  if such equipment is associated with a given course, is prohibited. Neither may Career Development Program funds be used for equipment rental fees, such as aircraft, boat, welding, scuba gear rental, Travel or Lodging.

c. Tuition assistance funds may be used for either degree-seeking or non-degree­ seeking courses.     However, classes or courses with the primary purpose of recreation or personal enjoyment, rather than career or educational development (e.g., Weight Watchers,  golf, and martial arts), are not eligible for  tuition assistance funding.

d. There will be annual limits on the amount of funds available for tuition assistance and on the amount of tuition assistance that will be payable on behalf of a represented worker over a specified period of time.                                                      

e.  A total of $1,800.00 per year per eligible worker for credit or non-credit courses provided by schools  listed in the current “Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education” or by private   occupational/vocational schools recognized  by state boards of vocational education. For states without state boards of vocational education, and for other exceptions, the Institute for Career Development will  make a determination as to the eligibility of a provider not included in the current “Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary  Education” to receive tuition assistance funds.

2. The annual limit of $1,800.00 per eligible worker is not cumulative. Individuals may not carry forward unused portions of their tuition assistance for use in later years.

3.  With the exception of correspondence courses, tuition assistance funds will be payable to the institution at the commencement of a course.

4.  Efforts should be made to present courses at the work site in order to take advantage of any  efficiencies associated with group rather than individual participation in these courses.

5.   Reimbursement  will be provided  in accordance  with  the  aforementioned  standards  for courses beginning after the effective date of the respective LJC’s Career Development Program financing.

6.  If an employee receives tuition reimbursement from any other source, no duplication  of payment will be made to that employee.

Combining Tuition Assistance and Customized Course Funds Also Known as Issuance 14

The objective of this policy is to explore what happens when individuals with clear career goals are allowed to accelerate progress through more flexible access to program funds. The Local Joint Committee  (LJC) would approve and monitor combined usage of both Tuition  Assistance (TA) and Customized  Course (CC) funds either for a degree program or for a certificate program. For example, given current  limits on TA and CC spending, up to $3,800 would be made available for qualifying  individuals  to apply  to either tuition bills or to customized  course expenditures  in a given year.

The LJC is responsible for fulfilling all of the following four exception guidelines when allowing an individual to combine TA and CC funds:

1.  In some instances it may be appropriate for a participating Steelworker to petition the LJC to spend over the limits of his/her TA and CC yearly allotment  in order to complete  a specified course  of  study  leading  to  certification or  a degree which  is recognized  by  an  accredited national body.

2. The LJC will maintain spending limits in compliance with established Governing Board policy   and will consider  extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis when reviewing a Steelworker’s petition to exceed his/her TA/CC yearly allotment.

 3. If a Steelworker seeks to combine his/her TA and CC funds in accordance with this policy, LJCs would be required to (a) secure written approval from the lCD national office on a case­ by-case basis, and (b) maintain an Educational  Development Plan (EDP) on file at the site.

An added requirement by the Leon Lynch LJC is all requests for Vouchers for Tuition Assistance MUST be done in person. NO FAXES OR E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS. All receipts presented for Tuition and Books reimbursement MUST be from the School or Book Store with dates, description, cost before a reimbursement can be made. No hand written receipts.

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Right to Work for Less

Hi Everyone

  Today I’m going to go off my normal Blog path, But part of my mission with this Blog is to educate. 

  The State legislation and a Lame Duck Governor has put the Right to Work for less back on their agenda for this session. This is spite the Letters of opposition from all the Major Labor Unions including the NFL Players Association which will be playing the Super Bowl in February in Indianapolis and Michael Rippey, President of ArcelorMittal Steel USA. The Democrats House legislators have decided to remained in caucus rather than going to the floor to advance RTW another step in the process. For each legislator, this involves personal and political risk, the possible loss of cherished pieces of legislation, the need to testify in court for some, and unknowable stress and hardship for all. Yesterday the Speaker of the House levied fines against the Indiana House Democrats who remained in caucus.

  In the States where Right to Work has been passed the Wages and Benefits have dropped by 25%.  At ArcelorMittal based on the Labor Agreement you become a member of USW at the time of employment. This is called the Check Off system. What the Pro Right to Work people want to do with this legislation uncut and silent the Unions. It has nothing to do with more jobs in the State of Indiana and everything to do with serving the top 1%

 I have been working as a USW member for over 40 years and raised a family on the wages and benefits based on our Labor agreements.. We need to keep fighting this Anti Union agenda.

 

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Winter Snow Closing Policy

Hi Everyone

  Today I’m going to talk again about our Winter Snow policy for Leon Lynch Learning Center. I published this last month but am repeating it because of questions today about the snow.  The Winter policy is simple, because the JobLink staff follow the Hammond School system both Leon Lynch and Joblink will be closed on days when the Hammond Schools are closed due to weather. We DO NOT follow the Hammond late start policies  If a school is going to be delayed to start 2 hours late the Learning Center do not follow that policy.   All this information can be found on Hammond Radio Station WJOB AM 1230 and the Hammond School Website http://hammond.k12.in.us/ we will also try our best to put this information on our Office Answering systems.

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Issuance 14

Hi Everyone

 Today I would like to talk about Issuance 14 and what it is and how to apply for it. I have written about this in the pass but felt it was worth repeating because students are signing up for Spring College classes now. 

Per the Institute for Career Development, the following policy is An active Local 1011 member can expend up to $3800 of program funds for combining TAP (tuition assistance) and customized courses under the following circumstances:

If you are  seeking a degree from a school listed in the current “Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education” or by private occupational/vocational schools recognized by State boards of vocational education.  This will also be extended to schools approved by the ICD as “An Exception to Policy provider.”  You may apply to combine you funds if you have a clear career path with a history of this path.

 How to apply for this extension of funds:

• Contact the Career Development office at 398-3150 Ext. 18 and make arrangements to pick up an Educational Development Plan form (EDP).  Complete the EDP.

• Return the EDP to John Hartman and meet with him.

• John will get approval from the LJC (Local Joint Committee) and the Institute for Career Development (ICD). This may take several weeks to review.

• Once this approval is obtained, you can register for additional classes. Once approval is obtained for the Issuance 14 for that career path you need not apply annually.

• The expenditures may NOT EXCEED $3800 per calendar year.

  
  

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A New Years Resolution

Hi Everyone

 Can you believe we are at the end of 2011? This is the time when people make New Years Resolutions for the coming year.  Some decide to lose weight, to exercise more, to improve yourself in some way. Why not make a resolution to take a Career Development class? There is all kinds of Computer classes, classes to learn how play a guitar or piano, Hands on classes to learn how to repair your Washing Machine, build a shed, wiring your garage, build a table or chest, work on your lawn mower. Did you get a new Camera for Christmas? There is a class to learn how to use it. Add a class as a New Years Resolution. 

Have a Safe and Happy New Years

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Happy Holidays to All

Hi Everyone

Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, literally “Christ‘s mass“) is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated generally onDecember 25 as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of  Christmastide. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season.

The precise day of Jesus’ birth, which historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown. In the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church first placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted also in the East. Theories advanced to explain that choice include that it falls exactly nine months after the Christian celebration of the conception of Jesus, or that it was selected to coincide with either the date of the Roman winter solstice or of some ancient pagan winter festival.

The original date of the celebration in Eastern Christianity was January 6, in connection with Epiphany, and that is still the date of the celebration for the Armenian Apostolic Church and in Armenia, where it is a public holiday. As of 2011, there is a difference of 13 days between the modern Gregorian calendar and the older Julian calendar. Those who continue to use the Julian calendar or its equivalents thus celebrate December 25 and January 6 on what for the majority of the world is January 7 and January 19. For this reason, Ethiopia, Russia and Ukraine celebrate Christmas, both as a Christian feast and as a public holiday, on what in the Gregorian calendar is January 7.

The popular celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations, including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths,mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Kris Kringle among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Hanukkah (Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה‎, Tiberian: Ḥănukkāh, usually spelled חנוכה pronounced [χanuˈka] in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah,Chanukkah, or Chanuka), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch. The extra light is called a shamash (Hebrew: שמש, “attendant” or “sexton”)^[1] and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves is forbidden

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles and culminates in a feast and gift giving. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–1967.

Maulana Karenga of the US Organization created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first specifically African-American holiday . Karenga said his goal was to “give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest. The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s.History and etymology

Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s, and was established as a means to help African-Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said that it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas, that Jesus was psychotic, and that Christianity was a white religion that black people should shun. However, as Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so that practicing Christians would not be alienated, then stating in the 1997 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture, “Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday.

Many Christian African-Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.

In 2009, Maya Angelou narrated the award-winning documentary The Black Candle, the first film about Kwanzaa.

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MTE and MTM Classes

Hi Everyone

 Last week I talked about the Winter classes that have low enrollment. This week I would like to talk about the MTE and MTM program. There is four different Pre-Craft classes, Introduction to MTE, Introduction to MTM, MTE Remedial and MTM Remedial. We are offering three out of four, Introduction to MTE, Introduction to MTM, MTE Remedial in the Winter catalog. There is a chance we will have to cancel all three because of low enrollment. We are also open to setting  up a MTM Remedial if we get enough enrollments. The introduction classes is to give the student a overview of that Maintenance  program. The students can take the Ramsey test after completing the class and we have had many students that applied themselves during the class make the Cut  Score of 73 questions for MTE and 84 for MTM. But if you don’t make the Cut Score but get 55 questions or better the students can take the Remedial class. The Ramsey will be given after the class is completed regardless of when you took the last Ramsey. The Training Department will waive the six month test restriction because of a new learning  opportunity.  If you don’t make the 55 questions you can take the introduction class again or use your Tuition Assistance funds to take a College Maintenance class at IVY Tech or Prairie State to help you with the Ramsey Test. These classes are in our Media classroom at the Learning Center. What is good about this the classes are captured on our Telecasting equipment and is ready within 24 hours at our special Telecasting Website so the registered students can Stream the class on Demand from your home computer at anytime for as many times as you wish to review the class for three weeks. If you want to reinforce want you studied on class day, you can do that. If you want to view the class because you missed the class because of your work schedule or another reason, you can do that. If you want to take the class completely on-line, you can do that. All the the Handouts are posted on the Website and can be printed out from home. The only time you would need to come to the class is the first one to pick up your books. If you have any questions call the office at (219) 398-3150 Ext. 18.  I will be out of the office starting December 18 to January 2 but Mac Gallegos will be in to answer your questions or sign you up for classes. 

Winter Catalog 2012

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Please Help Us

Hi Everyone

  Today I would like to make a special request of all of you. We have been getting many enrollments in the new Winter classes. But we have some classes we will have to cancel due to low enrollment if we can’t get more students. I’m asking you to talk to people to see if they would like to enroll the following classes. Airbrushing Introduction starts 1/10, Auto Body I & II, starts 1/23, Auto Detailing & Paintless Dent Repair starts 1/18, Automotive Electrical, starts 1/19, Automotive Maintenance, starts 1/17 Build your Own Guitar, starts 1/04, Business Planning I, starts  1/12, Golf Club Repair, starts 1/11, Government Employment, starts 1/04, Grant Workshop, starts 1/23, Guitar Advanced, starts 1/10, Guitar Beginner, starts 1/11 Home Security Systems, starts 1/23, How to make Money on Ebay, starts 1/09,Joblink Book Club, starts 1/25, Photography: Digital Photography I, starts 1/09 Photography: PhotoShop Elements, starts 1/11,  Small Engine I starts 1/11, Small Engine Open Lab, starts 1/09, Stocks & Bonds: Charting, starts 1/07, Weight Watchers, starts 01/31,  Welding I, starts 1/17,  Woodworking: Music Stands, starts 1/11, Woodworking: Open Lab, starts 1/09, Woodworking: Yard Projects, starts 1/10,  Telecasting Classes, How o Start a Small Business, starts 1/13, MTE Introduction, starts 1/17, MTE Remedial starts 1/12, MTM Introduction, starts 1/11 Computer Classes, Intro to Computers using Windows 7, starts 1/10,  PC Upgrade and Repair, starts 1/11, Upgrade your Apple OS. starts 1/12,   

 Also Leon Lynch and JobLink are starting to put together a letter to instructors for proposals for the Spring/Summer catalog. We are looking for suggestions of classes your would like to see. Please e-mail your suggestions to career_dev_ih@hotmail.com we will see about bringing forward that class.

Winter Catalog 2012

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Retirees and Spouses Classes

Hi Everyone

  Today I would like to talk about how we select classes in the catalog for Retiree and Spouse eligibility. First I would like to say the Retirees and Spouses registration is  December 13 & December 14 look for the Black Diamond next to the class title for classes that are eligible.

 Before a catalog is published we send Request for Proposals (RFP’s) to venders/instructors  that we have dealt with in the past and vendors/instructors that we would like to use to submit a proposal for a class.  On this proposal includes the price of the class. They have two options. One to charge per student the other is to charge as a flat rate. Each instructor is asked for a minimum usually 5 or more and a maximum. Because of a National ICD policy we can not paid for anyone that isn’t an active Steelworker. So for the flat rate class that has asked for a maximum of 20 students and we get 15 active Steelworkers to sign up we can sign up 5 Retirees or Spouses first come first serve.  We must first meet the minimum with active Steelworkers. That’s why the Retiree and Spouse  registration is set weeks after the active registration. So if we are going to pay for 20 seats we are going to fill 20 seats. This policy is only for Leon Lynch and JobLink. Some ICD sites do not allow any retirees or spouse enrollment at all. We try to encourage our vendors/instructors to charge as a flat rate but that is strictly their choose. If you ever have question about a Career Development policy please ask there is nothing that is Top Secret.

Winter Catalog 2012

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Happy Thanksgiving from Leon Lynch

 Hi Everyone 

Today I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving from all the Staff of Leon Lynch. Below you will find some safety tips for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

1. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2. If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

3. Be alert. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

 4. Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains — away from your stove top.

5. Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves.

6. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

7. Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.

8. Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.

9. If you are Deep Frying your Turkey you must be especially careful; always Deep Fry away from porches and other building structures.

10. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year.

 

Have a Safe Thanksgiving

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