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June 2003 IBEW Journal L.U. 16 (i), EVANSVILLE, INLocal 16 JATC Training Dir. Chris Thorsen and Asst. Dir. Roger Clark are very proud of the new Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) Lab installed at the Edgar Street school. The lab was finished in September 2002, and classes began in October. The first two class sessions are already completed and all 30 journeyman wiremen passed the certification. By the end of 2003, there should be over 100 graduates. The instructors are Kim Arney and Karen Watkins. The new 1,380 square-foot lab was constructed to BICSI specifications, with most of the work done by apprenticeship students. The cost of the facility was offset by a grant. With the advancement in the scope of computer, communications and security systems, the rapidly changing specifications proved a need for a structured format for work such as industrial construction, and BICSI provides just such a format. Clark and Thorsen realized what the future requirements were going to demand as far as training and certification on work being bid. Local 16 will now be able to fulfill the demands and requirements with the best-trained workforce in the area. Connie Allburn, P.S. L.U. 18 (u), LOS ANGELES, CAContinuing our vital and successful tradition of supporting the political friends of organized labor and fighting those who oppose us, Local 18 helped spearhead a number of winning campaigns in recent City Council elections. Because we work for a public utility (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), we need allies on both the City Council, which sets the tone for living and progress in the city, and the DWP Commission (appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council), which oversees the utilitys operational, pricing and service agenda. In addition, it is organized labors top local priority to elect yet another friend of working people and families to the City Council in a May runoff. Aside from the strong relationships we build with like-thinking elected officials, the recent successes that organized labor has enjoyed in the Los Angeles (and surrounding cities) elections means that the union movement here is once again a "player" to be reckoned with in municipal politics. This can only be good news for working people and families whose jobs, living conditions and futures are affected by the decisions made by local governing bodies. It is important for us because we work for a public employer. Local 18 looks forward to more political activity and success. Russ Butow, P.S. L.U. 24 (es,i&spa), BALTIMORE, MDMembers of Local 24, as well as those from many other AFL-CIO affiliated unions, attended "Labor Night in Annapolis," a rally held each year at Lawyers Mall. Labors support of slot machine legislation was the main focus of this years event. It is estimated that $500 to $800 million will be spent on construction. With project labor agreements in the works, the potential for good union construction, as well as permanent union service jobs, cannot be ignored. Unions plus slots equal good jobs. Labor friendly politicians, local labor leaders and Bus. Mgr. James Kauffman spoke to the crowd. It is critical to the Maryland labor movement that organized labor show up in numbers to these events. We have to show that we are educated, and more importantly that we care. Our enemies must see we are watching them, and our friends need to see we are there to support them. Michael Lange, P.S. L.U. 34 (em,i,rts&spa), PEORIA, ILWe regret to report that former Asst. Bus. Mgr. Max Lynch passed away. Max was an assistant in the early 1980s under Don Leroy. He worked in the office for three years and retired in 1985. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends. The new one-year agreement became effective on March 1, 2003, and we are getting a $1.60 an hour raise. With the Decatur Health and Welfare Plan asking for 50 cents in June and then again in January, one-year agreements will be common until the contactors agree to pay all increases in the cost of our plan. The health care crisis is getting worse, and we need help. At this writing there are 157 members on the out-of-work list, and 20 apprentices on the contractors out-of-work list. The work picture looks grim. Jason Norton, P.S.
L.U. 38 (i), CLEVELAND, OHLocal 38 crew members from Doan/Pyramid Electric recently worked on the new runway (6L-24R) that opened at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on December 12. This was the only newly commissioned runway in the United States in 2002. Included in this phase of the expansion were 1.9 million feet of No. 85 KV field cable, 160,000 feet of 500 MCM 15 KV feeder cable, 68,000 feet of No. 1/0 5 KV power cable and 60,000 feet of fiber optic cable. Many other systems were also part of this project, including surface sensing equipment, weather stations, navigational aids and a computer controlled monitoring system to name just a few. Bro. Scott Wilke got called to active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard. We thank him for his service to our country and wish him a safe and quick return home. We wish to express our sympathies to the family of Bro. Bill Hirsch, who passed away. Bill served as business agent in the 1960s before starting the Hirsch Electric Company. He had 60 years of service with the IBEW. Our condolences also the family of former Fin. Sec. Bill Garapic (a 50-year member), who recently passed away. Dennis Meaney, Organizer
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