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July/August 2005 IBEW Journal L.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS, MN—At this writing, we have approximately 432 members on Book I. Incoming calls have been very slow. Results of Local 292 elections held June 14 are as follows: Bus. Mgr. Steve Claypatch, Pres. Rodger Kretman, Vice Pres. Scott Lindquist, Rec. Sec. Dan McConnell and Treas. Scott Knight; Executive Board members Keith Anderson, Jim Gessner, John Hall, Eldon Holmes, Jeff Lange, Steve Shannon, and Andy Snope; Examining Board members Roger Myrum, Rick Ramberg, Charlie Ryan, and Jon Schander. Delegates to the International Convention are: Keith Anderson, Robbie Crofoot, Eldon Holmes, Scott Knight, Tony Maghrak, Everett Pettiford, Andy Snope and Van Welke. A run-off election will have taken place in July for the office of financial secretary. Paul Klesmit and Everett Pettiford received the most votes for that post. The Executive Board will have to appoint the fifth officer to the Examining Board. Local 292’s summer picnic is Sat., Aug. 13. If you go to the Minnesota State Fair this year, stop by the AFL-CIO House of Labor. At the general membership meeting last June, outgoing Bus. Mgr. Jim Marold received a standing ovation for his tireless efforts on behalf of the local. There is no doubt that the members appreciate and respect Bro. Marold and we all wish him the best! Keith M. Anderson, P.S.
L.U. 322 (govt,i,lctt,o&u), CASPER, WY—Yellowstone National Park has a geyser named Old Faithful and by it stands the Old Faithful Inn. The inn was built in 1904 with electricity and running water. Earthquakes and time have taken their toll on the place, so a $22 million renovation is under way in three phases. The electrical contractor is Valley Electric of Missoula, MT, the only union contractor on the job. As of March 29, seven IBEW locals were represented on the job with the potential for more before the project winds up for this year. All the wiring will be changed out and put into conduit and brought up to code. Most of the work was scheduled for the winter because of the summer tourist season. There is no heat in the building to avoid unnatural expansion while the structure is being worked on. Last winter the crews came in 30 miles on snow machines on Monday morning through frigid air and buffalo herds. They stayed in a "man camp" until Thursday evening and then returned to West Yellowstone on snow machines. All the trades are working together, so this grand old building will be structurally sound, up to date and will look like the day it was built. Ray Smallwood, Org. L.U. 332 (c,ees,i,o&st), SAN JOSE, CA—While union membership continues to decline overall, IBEW 332 and the Ninth District show slight increases. Although union membership has dropped to below 8 percent in the private sector, unions continue to help set the standards for wages, safety, benefits and working conditions for all workers. But we must control more of the market. Organizing is essential. If you know any nonunion contractors, contact your organizer. The deadline for state certification for electricians was extended to Jan. 1, 2006, because of a backlog. Don’t wait to get your license. Local 332 volunteers for many community projects—from creek clean-up programs to "Christmas in April" home fix-ups for low income residents. We even had three male members walk a mile in high heels to promote sexual assault awareness for the YWCA. We also participated in "The Human Race" to benefit the Third Street Community Center. We strive to be good citizens and create positive images of unions. Contact Sal at the hall to see how you can help. Work has been steady, but not enough to create full employment. Many members remain on the "out-of-work list." Some good size jobs will begin his summer. Bids should be awarded on the airport in September. Alan L.Wieteska, P.S. L.U. 340 (em,i,o,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CA—In April Local 340 office staff and members took part in a well organized campaign to promote the use of Project Stabilization Agreements (formerly Project Labor Agreements) by the Sacramento City Unified School District. For the campaign, over 500 local members wrote letters, and members also voluntarily attended school board meetings. Local 340 thanks the office staff and the many members who joined the campaign and came away with a "win" for all working people! On April 21 Sacramento City Unified School Board voted yes on the use of PSA’s. Speaking of winning, I recently attended a California State Association of Electrical Workers (CSAEW) meeting in Santa Barbara where delegates approved a plan to make our CSAEW a powerhouse in the political forum. Thanks to Local 413 for their hospitality and to the delegates for their vision of the future needs of our members. I regret to report the passing of retired Bros. Evan Feil, Meredith Ward and Douglas J. Kinyon. Our local also was saddened by the tragic deaths of two active members, Bro. Lamonte Saffold and Bro. Robin McCoy (son-in-law of Local 340 member Bobby Edwards). These two young members were only 31 and both died in separate auto accidents. A.C. Steelman, B.M.
L.U. 363 (catv,em,govt,i,t,u&ws), NEW CITY, NY—Avon cosmetics recently completed its new Research and Development building in Suffern, NY. Up until a few years ago it appeared doubtful as to whether the existing research and development division would stay in New York state. Other states were trying to entice Avon to leave New York and move to their states for favorable tax incentives. During numerous public meetings with village, town and Rockland County officials, with local union members present, an agreement was reached for Avon to stay in New York and build a $46 million, 255,000 square foot building on an 11-acre campus. This new research and development facility reportedly would pay $479,000 annually in taxes for the next 10 years. A project labor agreement was negotiated with all of the local union building trades. Mehl Electric of Pearl River, NY, a local union contractor, was selected to do the majority of the work. Other local union electrical contractors did extra work for Avon as well. We thank our union members who took time out of their busy schedules, for the good of the union, to attend public meetings and provide vocal and moral support in favor of Avon remaining in New York and constructing their building all union. Timothy Poulin, P.S. |
