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Together As One
L.U. 625, (ees,em,i,mar&mt) HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADAOur local has covered all of Mainland, Nova Scotia, since 1974, when Local 1818 joined with Local 625, increasing the strength of our local union. Together as one we have accomplished many things for our members and have won many battles against those who are out to destroy us. Previously Local 625 covered only Halifax County when chartered in 1908 and Local 1818, chartered in 1952, covered nine counties, the major portion of the Mainland.

We congratulate newly elected Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Cordell Cole, Pres. Jim Beaton, Vice Pres. Bill MacEachern, Rec. Sec. Blaine Walker, Treas. Carter Milligan, Executive Member at Large R.J. MacDonald, Unit 1 Chairman Stephen Fader, Unit 2 Chairman Ian Smith, Unit 3 Chairman Graham Atwell, Unit 4 Chairman Greg Creaser, Unit 5 Chairman Ron Fitzgerald Jr., Unit 6 Chairman Gordon Brown and Hershey Canada/Moirs Steward Dave Flynn. Special thanks to all outgoing officers for their hard work and dedication.

Bro. Ron Gillis retired effective July 1, 2002. Ron was involved with the local for many years. He also traveled and worked extensively throughout Canada and the United States. Good luck in the future, Ron.

Also retiring is 23-year member Bro. Allen Saulnier. He was the kind of Brother you could call on at anytime to do picket duty or help at a picnic. He was always willing to help. We will miss him.

Wm. (Bill) E.L. Bleakney, P.S.

Labor Day Parade

L.U. 649 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), ALTON, ILThanks to all the members and families who participated in the annual Greater Madison County Federation Labor Day parade. Local 649 purchased over 165 hats and shirts for participants. Special thanks to Bus. Mgr. Jack Tueth, Pres. Fred Redd, Asst. Bus. Mgr. Charles Yancey, Vice Pres. Dave Mahanay, Executive Board members and our office secretaries for organizing our portion of the parade.

Union members, families and politicians have marched to celebrate workers contribution to the community for 125 years. States attorneys, state representatives, U.S. representatives and local politicians walked along with other trade union groups, Shriners and high school band members. There were work vehicles from many local electrical contractors, followed by personal antique cars and trucks driven by Local 649 members. Baby carriages, kiddie cars, scooters, skateboards, motorcycles, golf carts, hay wagons and bandwagons were everywhere throughout the groups.

Exceptional sunny weather provided a perfect day for the picnic after the parade.

Robert E. Travis, P.S.

First Place Finish

L.U. 659 (c,catv,em,i,lctt,o,st&u), MEDFORD, ORWe wish to congratulate our newly elected officers. They are Bus. Mgr. Ronald Jones, Pres. Mike Bureau, Vice Pres. James White, Rec. Sec. Kathy Joy and Treas. Jerry Brei. The Executive Board members are Richard Heal, Tom Legg and Mark Rettmann.

Congratulations to Local 659 Grants Pass and Medford team members Leonard Krug, Mark Buti and Darin Enloe for finishing first place at the Ninth Annual Northwest Linemans Rodeo in July.

At this writing, negotiations are ongoing with the City of Bandon Clerical and Pacific Power and Light. Recent agreements were signed with Avista Utilities Physical and Clerical Central Lincoln PUD, City of Bandon Electrical, Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, Consumers Power, Inc. and Henkels and McCoy Teledata.

Congratulations to Bro. Earl Calhoon, who recently received his 60-year service pin. Bro. Calhoon is very active in the Democratic Party and is a real asset to our local.

Kathy Joy, R.S.

Best-Ever Decision
L.U. 681 (i,o&spa), WICHITA FALLS, TXThe local got the contract decision back from CIR, and it seems to be the best we have ever received from the Council. The bad news is that insurance took up most of the first raise. Thanks to Negotiating Committee members Larry Chamberlain, Leland Welborn and Lester Archer for a job well done.

Wish we could have more input from the members, but it is kind of tough when only about 10 to 15 show up at the meetings. And, as usual, the "no shows" are the first to complain.

Our meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. and only last about an hour. Why dont more members attend their monthly meetings? It is only one night a month out of your busy schedule. The decisions made at the meetings affect you and your family.

At this writing, work is still slow, but there are many upcoming projects, including a big hospital job and jobs at Sheppard Air Force Base, City of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University, local schools and a few church jobs.

The work situation looks promising for the next couple of years. Remember, this union is only as strong as its members. Get involved in your livelihood. Work safe and God bless.

Billy Neely, P.S.

A Memorable Day
L.U. 697 (i), GARY AND HAMMOND, INThis years annual picnic for our members and their families was held on August 24 at the Lake County Fair Grounds. The weather was great, and the facilities were larger and accommodated our group very well. Volunteers served hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian and Polish sausage, rib eye steak sandwiches, salads and fruit. There were games for the children and horseshoes and bingo for the adults. There was also a dunk tank manned by several union officials with the proceeds to COPE. It was good to gather together with our families to enjoy the day and talk as friends. Thanks to our Co-Chairmen Chuck James and Wayne Oosterhoff.

On Labor Day Local 697 again marched to the sound of bagpipes in the town of Lowell, the oldest Labor Day parade in Indiana. Even though it rained and members looked drenched, members and their families marched the whole way. It was a memorable day and served as a symbol of what the labor movement has had to do at timesbe committed and persevere, even through adversity! It was a fun day.

Count your blessings, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

David A. Soderquist, P.S.