International Representative William Daniels has been appointed First District International Vice President, effective June 3. Daniels replaces Phil Flemming, who passed away suddenly on May 25.

A member of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Local 402, Daniels completed his journeyman wireman apprenticeship in 1977. He initially was a member of Local 339, before inside members were granted their own charter in 1980.

He served on Local 402's executive board for three years before becoming business manager in 1990.

"It was one of those things where it was easy to be a Monday morning quarterback, but to make real change in the workplace and union, you have to get active," Daniels says. "And that's what I did."

He also served as president of the IBEW Ontario Provincial Council of Business Managers and served on the IBEW Construction Council of Ontario negotiations committee.

Daniels says his proudest achievement was helping to establish a more cooperative, productive relationship between the IBEW and contractors. "Both sides realized that we need each other, but it takes time to craft a working relationship built on trust," he says. "Adoption of the 'final offer selection' process for the ratification of collective agreements resolved an ongoing succession of labour disputes, which is a positive step for labour, management and most importantly our clients."

At the 2001 International Convention, he chaired the Canadian Caucus.

In 2003, International President Edwin D. Hill appointed Daniels International Representative in the First District. He was responsible for servicing all 13 construction locals in Ontario.

He says he looks forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead in growing the IBEW in Canada.

"I want to continue the important work of International Vice President Flemming and develop new and creative ways to grow our market share and membership," he says.

The officers, staff and membership of the IBEW wish Brother Daniels success in his new position.

We are sorry to report that Tenth District International Representative Jerry Duncan passed away on June 26.

A native of Humphrey County, Tenn., Brother Duncan was initiated into New Johnsonville, Tenn., Local 1749 in 1968. A fossil fuel plant operator at the Tennessee Valley Authority's New Johnsonville plant, Duncan served as local union president and business manager from 1975 to 1984 and vice president from 1984 to 1989, when he was appointed to the staff of the former Twelfth District.

"Jerry was a personable, family-oriented guy who did a great job representing members at the TVA," says Tenth District International Representative Jim Springfield, who knew Duncan for 25 years. "He was a tireless worker who filed appeals to the U.S. Secretary of Labor under the TVA Act to gain wage increases for represented employees."

A U.S. Navy veteran, Brother Duncan also served on the TVA Retirement Board.

On behalf of the staff and members of the IBEW, the officers send our condolences to Brother Duncan's wife, Jane, his two children and five grandchildren.

The officers and staff of the IBEW are saddened to report that retired International Representative Kay Dresler died on June 27.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., she went to work as an operator for Illinois Bell in 1959. Sister Dresler was a member of the Telephone Commercial Employees Union, an 1,850-member independent union affiliated with the Telecommunications International Union.

She served as president of the TCEU for 15 years, helping develop an ongoing labor-management partnership to resolve on-the-job-problems and conducted training programs for stewards.

She also served as secretary-treasurer for the parent union, administering the organization's accounting system.

In 1985, members of her local voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the IBEW. It was chartered as Glen Ellyn, Ill., Local 383, with Dresler serving as business manager and president. Local 383 later merged with four other locals to create Local 21 in Downers Grove, Ill.

International Representative Kevin Curran, who is a Local 21 member, said she was very well respected, particularly for her efforts to improve the working conditions of the mostly-female service representatives and clerical workers to the level of the mostly-male technicians.

"She was a pretty tough negotiator," Curran said.

Dresler also served on the IBEW System Council T-4 bargaining committee and on the IBEW-AT&T national bargaining committee.

In 1987 she was appointed International Representative in the Telecommunications Department by then International President J.J. Barry.

Dresler was instrumental in helping to get the IBEW's organizing efforts in the cable industry off the ground, assisting with the ongoing campaign at what would become Comcast Cable, says Telecommunications and Broadcasting Department Director Martha Pultar.

She retired in 2000.

The officers, staff and members send our deep condolences to Sister Dresler's daughter Kimberlee, son Brian and her two grandchildren.