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Class of 2002

Local 1579, Augusta, GA, JATC Instructor Mike Hale, center, kneeling, with the class of 2002 apprenticeship graduates.

L.U. 1579 (i&o), AUGUSTA, GACongratulations to our 20 new journeyman wiremen, the apprenticeship graduating class of 2002. The top three with the overall highest averages and evaluations during their five-year apprenticeship tenure are David Len Fearneyhough, Christopher Michael McGowan and Christopher Michael Brown.

Many thanks to the leadership of Bro. Chuck Woods and our Community Service Committee members for the fine job of working with Habitat for Humanity and the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation.

COMET training is still being taught at the local union. Please call to reserve a seat for the next class.

The primary and general elections are just around the corner. If you cannot be home, please ensure that you request and submit an absentee ballot.

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Bros. Claude W. Bond, Jr. and George W. Hoshell. Our condolences and prayers go to their families and friends.

Dennis G. Rocque, Pres.

New Contractors Signed

Local 1701, Owensboro, KY, members, from left, Jerry Frey, Mike Roby, Alan Nall, Tim Blandford, Jerry Howton, Larry McMahan, Estill Woodward and Richard homson at the Workers Memorial on the Daviess Co. Courthouse lawn.

L.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KYWelcome to Arc Construction and Sensmier Construction, our latest contractors to sign a letter of assent. Organizer Gary Osborne reports Arc has some new construction and all maintenance at the Henderson County Kentucky Hospital. Sensmier has a maintenance contract at the K.U. Power Plant near Central City, KY. Both contractors are employing several of our members.

Organizer Osborne conducted a COMET class in June for our members and our newly hired NECA reps. Sixty-five percent of our members have now been through the class. The judge executive, mayor, city and county commissioners and Local 1701 members were on hand for the unveiling. Council member Richard Thomson was the master of ceremonies.

The Owensboro Council of Labor dedicated a Workers Memorial on the Daviess County Kentucky Court House lawn on Workers Memorial Day 2002.

In sadness, we report the passing of retired office secretary Agnes Hicks in November 2001. She was our office secretary for over 30 years and retired in 1989. Our sincere apology to her family for not reporting this in previous articles. Agnes leaves behind a son, Bro. Jim Hicks, and her granddaughter, Sister Judy Hancock. May she rest in peace.

We urge all members and families to get out and vote on election day.

Tim Blandford, P.S.

Compulsory Training
L.U. 1739 (i&o), BARIE, ON, CANADAWe are in a slow year. Most of our members have spent considerable time catching up on their "honey do" lists at home or have traveled to other jurisdictions to find work. Even the summer shutdown work took fewer trades people and for a shorter time period than usual.

All brothers and sisters are reminded that "Fall Arrest" and "WHMIS" training is compulsory by law to work on any project. Please check your expiration dates and make sure you contact the hall to get updated training. Also, consider the other programs offered at the hall to expand and develop the skills required in our ever changing trade.

Grandchild number 13 was the lucky number that carries on the Carson name. Bro. Bill Jr. has delighted dad with this newest addition to our family.

Bill Carson, Sr., P.S.

Sister Baughman Retires
L.U. 1957 (em), EAST BUTLER, PALocal 1957 recently honored Sister Pola Baughman at a lavish retirement supper held at La Spachtholz Ristorante. Pola started with our union in 1971 and was a power core tester. Pola is a world-class skier who will fulfill a lifetime dream next year when she skies the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

Its pretty evident that Sister Sheila Barrett is very happy lately because she married longtime best friend and fellow worker Bro. Sonny Grabowski.

Congratulations to Bro. Ray Hay on winning five blue ribbons at the recent Butler County Fair. Ray displayed his prize-winning sheep at the fair.

Bob Polinsky, P.S.

Officers Re-elected

Local 2213, Washington Mills, NY, elected officers are, from left, back row, Cathy Hubbard, Mary Joe Arcuri and Brenda Kuchey and front row, Karen Boughtin and Mary Beth Irving.

L.U. 2213 (t), WASHINGTON MILLS, NYLocal elections were held in June and all five officers were re-elected for another term. They are Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Mary Jo Arcuri, Pres. Brenda Kuchey, Vice Pres. Cathy Hubbard, Treas. Karen Boughtin and Rec. Sec. Mary Beth Irving.

Next year we will be bargaining with Verizon. Because of the instability of the telecommunications industry, this will probably be the most important contract we have ever had to negotiate. Your unity and continued support during this time is crucial to our success at the bargaining tables.

Mary Beth Irving, P.S.