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April 2004 IBEW Journal
L.U. 6 (c,i,o,st&u), SAN FRANCISCO, CA--In January, Bus. Mgr. John ORourke and local staff attended the inauguration of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Mayor Newsom, throughout his campaign, vowed to work closely with labor during his tenure. Newsoms election, along with that of labor-endorsed District Attorney Kamala Harris, took away some of the sting we experienced from the infamous recall election in November. Many thanks to all members who volunteered with phone banking, precinct walking and campaign headquarters work. Local 6 extends former Mayor Willie Brown a fond farewell and praise for his leadership and support. On Jan. 29, Local 6 Bus. Rep./Compliance Officer Sabrina Hernandez took the oath of office joining the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. Sister Hernandez was appointed to the position by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to fill the seat left vacant by former director Robert McDonnell, who passed away in August 2003 after serving 20 years on the board. The work picture in San Francisco looks promising for the year ahead, and the SF JATC is offering new classes after a sluggish 03. A reminder to all members seeking work anywhere in the state of California: State certification is a reality. As of this writing, the deadline for inside wiremans certification is January 2005. All members should complete the certification process as soon as possible. Jeff Sweeney, P.S. L.U. 8 (i&mt), TOLEDO, OH--The work situation is far from good in our area, but some sizeable jobs are in the planning stage, so we hope work will soon be forthcoming. Like the rest of the country, were waiting for jobs projected by Bush in his 2001 State of the Union Address. The next thing weve got to defend ourselves from is the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, which some South American countries dont even want. We look forward to hosting the IBEW Wiremans Golf Association Tournament in August and we hope to see you there. Come early and see the special attractions Toledo has much to offer. Our members were glad to hear the local pension had a nice return last year since many of us are nearing retirement. Our Health and Welfare plan is holding its own after we recently increased funding. In this election year it should be obvious to all that G.W. Bush has declared open season on union members jobs. In his version of class warfare, Bush is helping the middle class go down the tube while no millionaire is left behind. Get registered and vote for friends of labor in November. Dennis C. Duffey, B.M.
L.U. 18 (u), LOS ANGELES, CA--IBEW Local 18, which serves employees at the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, is proud to report that it won a series of representation elections in the summer of 2003. In all, five new units, totaling approximately 1,300 employees of the utility, have become members of our family. The new units comprise employees among the Departments supervisory professionals, technical staff, professional personnel, and administrative and supervisory technical & business administration sections. Even as we have been integrating these new members into our union, we have been representing their needs through Memorandum of Understanding, grievance procedures and other meetings. We anticipate serving them in any way we can as we work to improve their wages, benefits and jobsite conditions. We look forward to having our new brothers and sisters participate in all Local 18 activities. Russ Butow, Sr. Asst. B.M. L.U. 26 (ees,em,es,govt,i&mt), WASHINGTON, DC--The Dollars Against Diabetes Golf Outing is scheduled for May 3. Butch Ramos is coordinating the event, which has grown so much that it now encompasses four golf courses! The local reaches capacity every year and brings in a tremendous donation for diabetes, thanks to participants and sponsors. Hope to see you there! Thanks to the many applicants who participated in our scholarship application process. The committee is evaluating applications and we will announce winners in an upcoming Local 26 newsletter and in the Journal. Congratulations to Bro. Jamell Thrower, who was reappointed to the District of Columbia Apprenticeship Council for a three-year term. Local union elections will be held in June. A mail in-ballot will be used. Nominations take place in May. Local union officers and delegates for the IBEW International Convention will be elected. Be sure the local has your correct address on file so you can participate. Your vote is important for a healthy and strong local union. Local 26 is saddened to report the deaths of Bros. Dwight Bowdoin and Glen R. Smith, and retired Bros. Sven Anderberg, Richard Berry, David Stump, Earl Boeteler and James Guido. The following brothers recently retired: Robert C. Allen, Arthur Thomasset, Steven A. Walker, Raymond L. Ellison, Paul M. Hockenbery, David G. Mehrtens, James D. Smith, Mardis D.Whithed, Ronald E. Lancaster, Edward Leary and Herbert S. Hawkins. Charles E. Graham, B.M. L.U. 34 (em,i,rts&spa), PEORIA, IL--On Dec. 17, 2003, Local 34 held an excellent steward training class taught by Sixth District Int. Rep. Michael Daugherty. Dinner and refreshments were served and participants received a wealth of instructional material as well as information on the IBEWs structure and history, with an emphasis on carrying the dream forward into the 21st century. The class made clear the roles and responsibilities of an IBEW union steward, which include acting as a conduit between workers, management and the business representative; acting as the first step in dispute resolution; and being an active leader in creating a union environment and promoting IBEW goals. If you know you can act as a model of fairness, treat people with respect, avoid favoritism, have a sense of humor, greet fellow workers by name, pay attention to others interests and respect others point of views, create an atmosphere of friendliness and trust, be willing to listen, think before you act, and hold no grudges--you have what it takes to be an IBEW union steward. Jason Norton, P.S. |
