L.U. 343 (i,spa&st), LE SUEUR, MN — It was 45 years ago, on April 1, 1979, that our local was formed. The International Office granted the power to 25 electricians to create a local union of the IBEW. Those members are listed on the charter that established Local 343 in Le Sueur, Minn. At that time, the jurisdiction was larger and Le Sueur was a central point on the map. Almost all of the charter members are deceased. Brother Richard Schnepf is listed on the charter; he passed away in 2023.
We remember the following members that we lost this past year: Maurice Brown, Kevin Chirhart, Louis Downing, Nicholas Eide, Douglas Haines, Bryn Hecimovich, Bruce Johnson, Charles Johnson, Eric Johnson, Mark Landherr, Robert Pollreis Jr., Scott Rennie, Richard Schnepf and Robert Wilson.
Compared to many, Local 343 is young. But still, each year we have a new graduating class of apprentices who become JWs and begin their careers, and we have the class of retirees who “finally made it.” Join your brothers and sisters at the annual awards banquet on April 13 in Winona, Minn., to celebrate 45 years of building Local 343.
Spend it where you earn it: Buy Made In USA.
Tom Small, P.S.
