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October 2005 IBEW Journal
L.U. 640 (em,i,rts,spa&u), PHOENIX, AZ—Congratulations to the newly elected local union officers. As the business manager/ financial secretary, I believe we must work intelligently, with determination and focus, to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the future. Our survival will be determined by our ability, as a team, as brothers and sisters, to work together in order to implement that plan. The top priority for our officers and staff must be to that purpose. I challenge them (and all members) to live up to the values and standards long established by the IBEW, to hold themselves accountable to the “Code of Excellence,” to be sincerely committed to making a difference on behalf of the local union and its members. Our mantra must be in accord with our Oath of Obligation: “I will further the purposes for which the IBEW is instituted. I will bear true allegiance to it and will not sacrifice its interest in any manner.” Remember the upcoming IBEW Local 640 Golf Tournament Oct. 22 at the Superstition Springs Golf Club and the annual picnic and pin ceremony Nov. 5 at the Tempe Kiwanis Park. Volunteers are needed. Welcome back to all the returning retirees of the Golden Age Roadrunners! Dale D. Jacks, B.M./F.S. L.U. 654 (i), CHESTER, PA—The summer is past, jobs are winding down and family vacations are over. Just as the apprentices are all back in school, it is time for all of us to get back in the swing of things. Prior to the summer months, our meetings experienced an ever-increasing number in attendance. Keep it going. It only makes sense to participate in the decisions that shape your family’s welfare. The hall is looking for volunteers for the Township Committee. This is one of the easiest ways for a member to contribute and requires very little time. A member, or family member, simply picks up a copy of the “Agenda” for their upcoming township meeting from the township building (or from the township’s Web site in some cases) prior to that month’s meeting and forwards the information to the hall. Providing the union hall with information on jobs coming up in the area before they start allows us to plan how to best acquire that work and ensure that it is bid. By donating only minutes a month, you help to provide more work opportunities for yourself. Invest a little time in your future. Call the hall and get involved. Jim Russell, R.S./P.S. L.U. 666 (i,mt&o), RICHMOND, VA—In the summer of 2005, work is slow but the outlook is bright. We have $60 million worth of work from the realignment (BRAC) at Ft. Lee in Petersburg, Va. The second set of tools at Infineon will start in the fall. The new referral procedure started on 7-1-05. Check with your local hall for details. The election this fall for governor of Virginia is tight. We need every union vote at the poll on Nov. 8 for Timothy M. Kaine for governor. Register to vote if you have not. The following brothers recently retired: John K. Wynne Jr., Joseph R. “Goldie” Gouldman, Richard A. Carter, Stanley J. Currie III, Kenny Eanes, Lawrence Melton and Larry Williams. Enjoy your retirement! We mourn the passing of the following brothers: Shields P. Dalrymple Jr., Marshall Roy Kirby, James T. Denmark, Mark R. Scrase, H. Clay Latham, and Hubert “Bootsie” Guyton. Larry Southward, P.S. L.U. 684 (c,i,o,rts&st), MODESTO, CA—Summer passed with the perfect storm of work for Local 684. We thank travelers who helped us staff the jobs. Winter forecast may be bountiful but not nearly as intense. New dispatch rules from the I.O. requiring a physical re-sign after three turndowns should remind some folks to pay more attention to the job line. Zone pay rates were replaced with per diem travel expenses based on the same zone areas but not listed as a separate line item on the check. E-Board members staffed our booth at the Stanislaus County Fair. On Aug. 6, Local 684 participated in “Union Night” supporting our local baseball team. We also fielded a softball team in the Northern California IBEW competition. Warning signs ahead. Grover Norquist and Pete Wilson, architects of Prop 226, have resurrected it as Prop 75. That measure would make it illegal for public employee unions to spend dues on political activities without a cumbersome process. Business has no such restriction. They win this, we’re next. Assembly Republican David Cogill’s SB 477, a bill to lower prevailing wages for Central Valley construction workers, will be back too if they enact this monster. War on organized labor continues. Answer the call to fight for your right to be union. Torrey Newton, P.S.
L.U. 702 (as,c,catv,cs,em,es,et, govt,i,it,lctt,mo,mt,o,p,pet,ptc,rtb,rts,se, spa,st,t,u,uow&ws), WEST FRANKFORT, IL—The Local 702 Annual Golf Outing was held June 17, 2005, with a total of 35 teams in attendance. It was a fun time for all who participated. Local 702, through donated contributions and a utility cart raffle, had the privilege of raising a total of $28,644 for the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Currently, we are picketing a nonunion contractor from Missouri, Owen Specialty Service Inc. (OSS), which is performing work for Ameren. OSS is spraying chemicals under power lines, which in the past has been the work of our state-certified union brothers and sisters. Because of Ameren’s decision, six crews of our members are now laid off. At this writing, we have 95 journeyman wiremen on Book I. It looks to be another long fall and winter for Local 702. Remember to attend your union meetings on the first Friday of each month. It is important to stay involved, especially during rough times. Marsha Steele, P.S. |
