By Stephanie Corken, June 1, 2026
Summer is just around the corner, and June is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and stay ahead. From chapter meetings and safety classes to family-friendly events like Baseball Night in Bend and the Emeralds game in Eugene, there's something for everyone this month. We've also got important updates on new bonding requirements, rising construction costs, and a growing demand forecast that signals big things ahead for electrical contractors in Oregon.
Dive in, there's a lot to cover.
📚 Chapter Meetings, Education Courses, & Safety Classes
CHAPTER MEETINGS:
🤝280 LMCC | Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 1-2 p.m. | Central Electrical Training Center
🦺659 Safety | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center
🤝659 LMCC | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center
🦺280 Safety | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 4-5 p.m. | Central Electrical Training Center
LOCAL IN-PERSON EVENTS & TRAINING:
Foreman Development Series
Sunset 932 Coos Bay Division: June 5th, 2026, 8a-4p, Ko-Kwel Resort
Sunset 932 Newport Division: TBA
COMING IN SEPTEMBER: Accounting & Best Business Practices for Electrical Contractors. Save the Dates, Registration Information Coming Soon:
Sept 14th, 2026: Cascade 280 Division
Sept 15th, 2026: Sunset 932 Division
Sept 17th, 2026: Crater Lake 659 Division
NATIONAL IN-PERSON EVENTS & TRAINING:
🌟 Future Leaders Conference | Pittsburgh, PA | June 15-17
🌴 2026 Tri-District Region Conference | Jul 15-18, 2026
🏢 NECA 2026 Convention and Trade Show – Las Vegas, NV | Oct 4-7, 2026
WEBINARS & VIRTUAL LEARNING:
🎓 Worker’s Compensation Insurance SAIF | Webinars and Classroom Trainings available year-round:
HR Answers: Fostering Civility | Tues, June 2, 2026 | 10-11:30 a.m.
Safety basics: Accident Analysis | Tues, June 9, 2026 | 10-11 a.m.
Nailing Down Residential Construction | Thurs, June 25, 2026 | 10-11 a.m.
🤖Seven Points of Clarity Series: Confidence: From Vibe to Value – Coding Faster Than Copy/Paste | Thursday, June 4 | 3:00 PM ET
🧑🏫Transform Your Organization for the Future Virtual Classroom | Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
📝Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction | Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM -12:00 PM ET
🧮Advanced Estimating Strategies | Monday, June 15 - Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM ET
May Reports Are Open in EPRLive
May payroll reports are now open in EPRLive.
Benefit payments must be received before the 10th and are considered late after the 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend or bank holiday, payments are due the Friday before.
⚠️ There are no exceptions or grace periods due to NEBF policies and IRS regulations related to 401(k) contributions. Payments are processed by date received, not postmarked date.
If you are unable to make your payment, you must still file all payroll reports in EPRLive by the 15th. Zero-hour reports are required even if no work was performed.
ACH payments through EPRLive remain the preferred method to avoid mailing delays. Instructions for setting up electronic payments are linked here.
Failure to meet the 15th deadline may result in liquidated damages and interest.
Please ensure your payroll team or third-party provider is aware of these requirements.
If you have any questions, reach out to Melinda.
280 LMCC AVID Day with the Emeralds!
What a day at the ballpark! On April 29, the 280 LMCC partnered with the Eugene Emeralds to host AVID Day, bringing students from 4J and Bethel School Districts out for a game and a chance to explore real career paths.
Between innings, students walked the career concourse, connecting with local colleges, community partners, and our team at the 280 LMCC booth. They learned firsthand that a union electrical apprenticeship is a debt-free path to a high-skill, high-opportunity career.
These are driven, motivated students already thinking about what comes next after graduation, and we wanted to make sure they know the IBEW 280 JATC is an option worth exploring!
NECA 2026 Registration and Housing Open June 8!
We are planning ahead for the NECA 2026 Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, October 4–7, 2026 and housing details are now confirmed.
Our Chapter's Hotel: Mandalay Bay
Our chapter has been assigned to the Mandalay Bay. A few important things to know:
Book as soon as possible for best availability.
Guests must be 21 or older to check in.
Room Rates and Fees
Hotel rates in Las Vegas vary by day and will be visible during the reservation process. Resort fees are mandatory and are included in the room and tax total shown on your reservation. Details are noted in your confirmation.
How to Book – Opens June 8
Registration and reservations both open June 8. Register and book your hotel at: https://corereg.cmrus.com/necaannual
Log in with your NECA Account credentials (email and password). Registration must be completed before hotel reservations can be confirmed.
Reservation deadline: 5:00 PM Pacific, Wednesday, August 12. Blocks are released after this date.
Questions or changes after housing opens? Contact: necasupport@cmrus.com
If you are planning to attend, we encourage you to register early. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We hope to see a strong showing from our chapter in Las Vegas this October!
Make Time to Connect in 2026
One of the biggest advantages of being part of NECA is the chance to step away from the day-to-day and connect with contractors who understand the work.
We’ve got strong events lined up this year, each designed to help you recharge and build relationships across the chapter.
⚾ Baseball Night in Bend – Bend Elks GameJune 14, 2026 | Vince Genna StadiumA family-friendly evening with food, baseball, and time to connect with NECA and Central IBEW Local 280 members. Register HERE.
⚾ Picnic at the Park – Eugene Emeralds GameJune 26, 2026 | PK Park, EugeneA family-friendly evening with food, baseball, fireworks, and time to connect with NECA and Valley IBEW Local 280 members. Register HERE.
🚤 Hellgate Jetboat Excursion & DinnerAugust 15, 2026 | Grants PassA high-energy jetboat ride through Hellgate Canyon, followed by dinner and time with fellow contractors.
⛳4th Annual Golf TournamentSeptember 11, 2026, 8:30AM Shotgun Start | Emerald Valley, CreswellJoin us for a day on the course with great golf, good company, and a little friendly competition.
❄ Winter Holiday Meeting – Salishan Coastal LodgeDecember 5, 2026 | SalishanA chance to wrap up the year with great food, live music, and time with your peers and families.
These events are built by contractors, for contractors. They are some of the best opportunities all year to stay connected.
We look forward to seeing you there!
New Bonding Requirement for Delinquent Contractors
We want to make sure you're aware of an upcoming change regarding fringe benefit bonding requirements in these jurisdictions.
What's changing:
Beginning with reports for work performed in July 2026, the fiduciaries of the Local 280 and Local 659 fringe benefit funds will require a bond or other satisfactory security from any contractor that is delinquent in filing or funding fringe benefit reports for two or more months in any consecutive 12-month period.
What the bond looks like:
• Posted by a reputable insurer or other issuer of Oregon bonds
• Amount equal to the greater of $5,000 or twice your expected monthly fringe benefit payment to the Local 280 and Local 659 funds
• Maintained continuously for three years, extended by an additional three years if any new delinquency occurs during that period
Important timing note:
To allow time for this notice to reach everyone, only delinquencies on reports for work performed in July 2026 or later will count toward triggering the requirement.
What this does not affect:
This requirement currently applies only to contractors with repeat delinquencies, not newly signatory contractors. It also applies only in the Local 280 and Local 659 jurisdictions. Local 48 continues to maintain its existing bond requirement. The Local 932 fiduciaries have not elected to enforce their bond provision at this time.
Background:
The bonding provisions have existed in Section VI.3 of Local 280's Inside Agreement and Section 6.10 of Local 659's Inside Agreement for many years. The fiduciaries have decided to begin enforcing them in response to recurring delinquencies that have placed a growing burden on the funds.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to our office with any questions.
May Safety Walks!
Last month, ORPAC NECA contractors came together across Oregon for our annual Member Safety Walks, visiting active jobsites for real-world safety conversations that make a difference in the field.
The walks reinforced a message the entire industry is echoing: complacency is the biggest threat to jobsite safety. As one national safety leader put it, routine tasks breed routine thinking, and that's when incidents happen.
Our contractors tackled that challenge together, focusing on:
Daily pre-task planning as a genuine discipline rather than a formality
The details that save lives, like completing LOTO tags and keeping arc flash labels current
Protecting all trades on the jobsite through better coordination
Creating a culture where near-miss reporting is encouraged rather than punished
Leveraging tools like wearable voltage detectors as an added line of defense
Thank you to everyone who showed up. Your presence reinforced what NECA believes to the core: sending everyone home safe is non-negotiable.
New ELECTRI Resources!
ELECTRI International has released new resources designed to help electrical contractors operate smarter, safer, and more profitably.
ELECTRI Council Room Sessions
Each ELECTRI Council Room provides a platform for Council members to learn from each other and share ideas and resources to keep electrical construction strong, productive, and profitable.👉 View Past Sessions HERE.
ConTech & Coffee and IT & Coffee Sessions
Bring your tea and coffee! Our goal is to help electrical contractors of every size address current technology challenges.👉 Join Sessions HERE.
AI in Construction Virtual Series
NECA Education, Powered by ELECTRI, is launching a seven-part virtual series focused on where AI fits in construction. Learn what’s working now and how to apply it responsibly in your operations. Grounded. Practical. No hype.
👉 Register HERE.
New Webinar Series: Service & 70Brew
A new, relaxed discussion forum for service-focused professionals. If service and maintenance are part of your growth strategy, this is worth your time.👉 Sign up HERE to receive an invitation.
Business Coaching Available
ELECTRI’s Business Coaching Program is open to all NECA contractors, offering strategic guidance to strengthen operations and leadership.
Learn more HERE, or contact Jessica Cardenas with questions.
Signs of Socialist Views Spreading in Oregon - Update from Pac/West Lobby Group
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) made its presence felt in Oregon’s primary election in May, a sign that the socialist ideology is moving beyond the boundaries of the City of Portland.
In Washington County, centrist incumbent Sen. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro) has lost to DSA challenger Myrna Muñoz with the race for District 15. Although a Portland area race, this impacts the make-up of the Oregon Senate and is important to Oregon Businesses since the DSA is running on a platform of increasing taxes. The same dynamic is true in District 27, a race between Ashley Hartmeier-Prigg and DSA member Tammy Carpenter, where Carpenter will win that house seat.
It is clear the socialist movement is expanding its influence from local politics to State politics. It also means the divide that has gripped the legislative process may widen even further during the 2027 session. Additional DSA members in the legislature could influence the Democratic legislative agenda (taxes and labor policy) and we could also have new leadership in the Senate and House as well.
One impact may be Gov. Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Initiative, which is designed to restore the state’s business competitiveness and promote business investment in the state. With the socialist view that capitalism is the cause of economic disenfranchisement — not the cure — the Governor may have a tougher sell to move her yet to be developed plan forward with the new make-up of the Legislature.
Final results won’t be known until after the general election where Oregon House and Senate republicans will make a strong push to narrow or eliminate the supermajorities.
In the meantime, NECA as partnered with other signatory subcontractors to propose legislation that will make it easier to get paid on time and improve the regulatory environment, while we watch and navigate the changes coming to the Capitol. Staying engaged and aligning with partner organizations is important now more than ever.
Fraud Alert: Scammers Are Targeting Contractors After OSHA Inspections
Oregon OSHA is warning employers about two active scams.
Scam #1: Someone calls after an Oregon OSHA inspection is opened, claims to represent a consultation firm, and promises no violations will be found if you send them money.
Scam #2: Someone calls posing as Oregon OSHA and offers to settle an enforcement penalty at a reduced amount if you send payment directly to them.
This is not how Oregon OSHA operates. They don't call to settle penalties over the phone, and no outside firm can guarantee inspection outcomes. The scammers appear to be using a publicly searchable federal OSHA database to find and target employers.
If you get a suspicious call, contact Oregon OSHA directly at 800-922-2689 to verify. You can also reach a field office HERE.
And remember, you have a resource right here. Our safety expert, Vaughn Pugh, and the ORPAC NECA team are available to help with any OSHA-related questions. That's what your membership is for. Reach out anytime.
Trust your gut. Verify before you pay.
U.S. Electricity Demand Is Climbing Fast, and That's Good News
A new forecast from NEMA projects U.S. electricity consumption will grow more than 55% by 2050, with the sharpest increase happening right now. For electrical contractors in Oregon, this is a clear signal: the work is coming, and it's coming fast.
What's Driving the Growth
Data centers alone are projected to account for 38% of net U.S. electricity consumption through 2037, driven by AI workloads and hyperscale investment
Electric transportation is expected to grow 2,000% through 2050, with roughly 51 million EVs on U.S. roads by 2035
Battery storage, solar, and wind will make up over half of U.S. generation capacity by 2043, with renewables exceeding 50% across the Western U.S.
What It Means for Oregon Contractors
The West is projected to see some of the strongest growth in EV infrastructure and renewable energy buildout through midcentury
The grid can't expand fast enough through new construction alone, so advanced conductors, microgrids, reconductoring, and power flow controllers will all be part of the solution
These are complex, high-skill projects that favor contractors with trained workforces and technical depth
How We're Helping You Stay Ahead
This is exactly why we invest in training and workforce development. Whether you're looking to move into data center work, expand your renewable energy capabilities, or strengthen your team's skills in power distribution and controls, your chapter is here to connect you with the right resources.
Read the full article on NEMA’s website HERE.
OSHA Safety Stand-Down
Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in construction, which is why OSHA is encouraging contractors nationwide to participate in the 13th Annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.
The initiative encourages employers to pause work and focus on fall prevention through practical jobsite conversations and training activities.
Ways Contractors Can Participate
Toolbox talks on fall hazards
Ladder and scaffolding safety reviews
Fall protection equipment inspections
Jobsite hazard recognition exercises
Crew safety demonstrations and discussions
This year’s Stand-Down also aligns with Construction Safety Week’s “All in Together” campaign, reinforcing a shared commitment across the industry to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
At NECA, we know safety is more than compliance. It’s part of protecting our workforce, strengthening our industry, and supporting long-term contractor success. Our chapter continues to provide practical safety education, OSHA resources, and training opportunities designed specifically for electrical contractors.
Contractors can also share their participation online using #StandDown4Safety and receive OSHA certificates of participation.
Every safe jobsite starts with a culture that puts people first!
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