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Terry Johnson Mourned

L.U. 1426 (i,o,rtb,spa&u), GRAND FORKS, NDWe are sorry to report the death of Bro. Terry Johnson, 39. Terry, a member since 1987, was a lineman with Cass County Electric Cooperative. Our heartfelt condolences to Terrys family and friends. He will be missed.

The Dakotas Area-wide JATC held their Apprenticeship Completion Banquet in May, with apprentices, business agents, instructors and organizers from four locals attending. Thanks to Border States Electric Supply for donating all of the door prizes.

Congratulations to all the apprentices from Grand Forks and Fargo who made the sacrifice and completed the apprenticeship program to become highly qualified IBEW journeyman inside wiremen.

Scott Sansburn, Organizer

New Slate of Leaders

L.U. 1900 (u), WASHINGTON, DCThere have been a few changes due to a vacancy in our presidents seat. In March and April our Executive Board met and appointed John A. Coleman to the position of president/financial secretary/business manager, John L. Holt to the position of vice president and chairman of our Executive Board and Joseph E. Hawkins to the position of Executive Board member.

PEPCO, which employs two-thirds of our members, has been in the process of purchasing Connectiv, a utility based in Delaware also represented by IBEW Locals. This merger appears to have gone without much trouble and should be finalized by the time you read this. PEPCO has created a new company called PEPCO Holdings Inc. (PHI), which will be the largest transmission company on the Atlantic seaboard.

Also, and unfortunately, Mirant Mid-Atlantic, which employs the majority of our remaining bargaining unit members, announced they were offering a Voluntary Severance Package to our members in an effort to reduce their workforce. To date, there has be no mention of an involuntary severance package.

Local 1900 and the company have started several Cooperative Improvement Committees which reward members for ideas that benefit the company. As stated by Pres. John A. Coleman, "This actually allows our members to have a voice in their future."

John L. Holt, P.S.

Proud New Members

L.U. 1950 (t), WAYNESBORO, VAGreetings, brothers and sisters, from the newly chartered IBEW Local 1950. We are employees of a communications company, NTELOS, in the areas of Waynesboro, Covington and Clifton Forge, VA. While there are other NTELOS areas, we are the only employees who work under a collective bargaining agreement at this time.

The officers are Bus. Mgr. Gloyd May, Pres. Joel Brumback, Vice Pres. Tony Brissel, Fin. Sec./Rec. Sec. Jan Tisdale and Treas. Cindy Elliot. The Executive Board members are Derek Lamma (Chairman), Vicky Reed, Wesley Smith and Eddie Bryan. The chief steward is Melinda Hume.

At this writing, we are in our first negotiations with the company as IBEW members. After finding that we are serious about obtaining a fair contract and that IBEW members do not have horns and tails (as the union busters claimed), an agreement is in the foreseeable future, without strikes, violence and lockouts.

We are proud to be members of Local 1950 and look forward to meeting other brothers and sisters within the Brotherhood.

Gloyd May, B.M.

Steward Training Class

L.U. 2230 (ars), PATCHOGUE, NYA steward training class was held on June 12-13, at the union hall in Coram, Long Island, NY. The training class was instructed by Third Dist. Int. Reps. Richard Redman and Dominick Macchia.

Participants included John Berry, William McPherson, James Cassidy, Mary Turner, Gregory Stawski, Cyril Pinto, Joseph Tullo, Arthur Anderson, Claudia Jones, Jeff Davis, Joseph Dennington, Richard Izzo, Gary Polonski, Richard Chylinski and Cornelius Jackson. We thank these members for voluntarily taking an active role in their union representation.

The class was very informative and the training will enable our stewards to better serve the membership. Special thanks to Instructors Redman and Macchia.

Carl McKeever, R.S.

New Business Manager
L.U. 2286 (u), BEAUMONT, TXBecause of the appointment of Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. George L. Crawford as a Seventh District International Representative, the Executive Board unanimously voted to have Asst. Bus. Mgr. Randy Albin complete the term of office ending in June 2004. Bus. Mgr. Albin was assistant business manager for 18 months prior to his appointment.

We congratulate both brothers and wish them all the best.

Bro. Albin has been very busy with the River Bend Nuclear negotiations and Fossil Generation negotiations with Entergy Corporation.

Kitty Prouse, P.S.

Scholarship Winners

L.U. 2320 (t), MANCHESTER, NHThe Collette Lemay Memorial Scholarship annual cookout and award presentation went on despite the heavy rains.

Thanks to Bro. John Morrison, who kept the burgers and dogs hot and dry. Thanks also to all who contributed the salads, side dishes and desserts and helped make the day a success.

This years scholarship winners are Jeremy Nelson, son of Bro. Ron Nelson, Robin Small, stepdaughter of Bro. Dave Hanks and Sharon Fredette daughter of Bro. Ron Fredette. Bus. Mgr. Neil McSheffrey and staff congratulate the winners and also thank those who entered. The local also thanks Second Dist. Int. Rep. Carol Fitzgerald for taking part in the ceremony.

Remember those strike funds!

John Murphy, P.S.