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Union Generosity

L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i, mt,rts,s,se,spa,st&ws), ST. LOUIS, MOOn Christmas morning numerous Local 1 members, along with members of several unions in the metropolitan area, rallied to show support for striking nurses at St. Johns Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Several hundred construction trades members were present to walk the picket line. Our members braved 20-degree temperatures as they unselfishly volunteered on Christmas Day so the picketing nurses could celebrate Christmas with their families. Our members are commended for their kindness and their commitment to the labor movement. To all who sacrificed their time (and toes!), thank you for representing Local 1 with this truly generous gesture.

Please remember that our fight is an ongoing process and that programs such as the Relief Committee and the Voluntary Fund always need financial support. Such programs assist labor-friendly candidates and also provide support to our members during hard times, such as unemployment and sickness. Thanks to all members who contribute.

Please be advised of the following members deaths: Harold Nappier, William Harris, Elizabeth Farrell, Robert Printz, George Riebold, Paul Ourth, Edward Baum, George McBride, Jennifer Newsome, Joseph Lamm, Jesse Hader, Robert Huerner, Paul Reichmuth, Robert Trail, Michael Mantia, Eugene Bocek, Kenneth Popp and Robert Stewart Jr.

Matthew F. Gober, P.S.

Tribute to Arch Macnair

Retired IBEW Local 11 member Arch Macnair, who passed away in November 2004, was Local 11 delegate to the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Brother Macnair was acclaimed for his commitment to the union cause. He was politically active as both a union member and a citizen.

L.U. 11 (i,o,rts&spa), LOS ANGELES, CALocal 11 acknowledges the passing of retired Bro. Arch Macnair, age 83. Bro. Macnair was truly a class act.

Arch was an active union and community organizeralways dedicated to the union philosophy. He was a Local 11 Retirees Club board member, an officer at the L.A. County Federation of Labor, and Local 11 delegate to the CFL. After retirement, Arch continued active participation at union meetings. His commitment to philanthropic causes was legendary. We note his support of IBEWs Electric Women, his membership in the Long Beach Gray Panthers, and his annual role as "Santa" for underprivileged children. Nancy Oshima, L.A. CFL director, said: "Arch was a major presence at the Federation. Arch supported all our causes. He walked picket lines with us, the Justice for Janitors strike in 2000 and the UFCW grocery strike in 2003." Bro. Mcnair will be sorely missed.

Local 11 congratulates Compliance Officer/Rec. Sec. Kirk Brungard on his appointment to the I.O. organizing staff. We wish him well in this endeavor.

2005 brings new challenges for Local 11. State electricians licensing goes into effect June 2005 and our contract concludes in July 2005. Local 11 has made excellent gains in market share and looks forward to challenges ahead.

Rusty Roten, P.S.

Demand for Linemen

L.U. 47 (lctt,mo,u,o&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CAEffective Jan. 1, 2005, our members at Southern California Edison received a 3.5 percent wage increase. Lineman-related classifications received an additional 3 percent equity adjustment, bringing the linemans rate to $37.40/hr. The demand for linemen remains high in Southern California and many of our signatory agencies are looking to IBEW members to fill vacancies. Check our Web site at www.ibew47.org for a list of the available positions.

The work picture for our Outside Line Construction unit remains strong. The current Construction agreement remains in place until May 31, 2006, and we are looking forward to negotiating that agreement when it expires. We have added six new representatives to meet the needs of this unit.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger laid out an aggressive program in his State of the State address. Among his proposals is a plan to privatize the pensions for public sector employees. Despite the complete failure of utility deregulation just a few years ago, he wants to re-introduce deregulation.

We are sad to report the passing of Bros. Eddie Quintana and Jim Taylor.

Live Safe, Live Well, Work Union!

Stan Stosel, P.S.

COPE Goal for 2005

L.U. 73 (c,em&i), SPOKANE, WALocal 73 is saddened to announce the passing of Bro. Ed Sulpizio. He succumbed from a long battle with heart disease and diabetes. Ed was active in the Marine Corp League and participated in the "Toys for Tots" program until days before his death.

After completion of a bylaws review, it is felt necessary to implement a dues increase. This increase is long overdue as our last one was in 1982. The increase will be based on a percentage that will move our members toward a more equitable division of the day-to-day costs associated with running the local. Our vote on the increase will be held Feb.19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Steel Workers Hall. You can also vote at the Lewiston/Clarkston unit meeting on Feb. 16.

The work picture here has slowed dramatically, as is typical for this time of year.

A reminder to members: IBEW COPE is the political action arm of the union. It allows us to help pro-labor candidates get elected and allows us to take appropriate action on issues of concern to our organization. Our goal would be to see a donation of $5 per member in 2005. Happy New Year!

Jon Rice, R.S./P.S.

Solidarity Rally

Local 97 Bus. Mgr./Pres. Dave Falletta and IBEW Third District Int. Rep. Richard M. Redmond spoke at a huge solidarity rally in Syracuse, NY, on Oct. 16, 2004.

L.U. 97 (u), SYRACUSE, NYCondolences to the family of Ed Jasper, who passed away Oct. 31, 2004. A few of us worked with Ed when he was our Third District International Representative. He will be sorely missed.

Local 97 and Niagara Mohawk, a National Grid company, reached a new labor agreement last October. The initial agreement was voted on and rejected by our members and a strike seemed imminent. The members unanimously ratified the amended contract with the second vote.

A Solidarity Rally was held in Syracuse, NY, Oct. 15 with over 2,500 in attendance. IBEW members and their families, joined by dignitaries from across the state, marched from our union headquarters to the Niagara Mohawk Building. Speakers included Local 97 Bus. Mgr./Pres. Dave Falletta and IBEW Third District Int. Rep. Richard M. Redmond.

Thanks to our negotiating team. Also thanks to Ron Gosson and Ken Oswald, our Rally Committee chairmen, and to Steve Delaney for his invaluable assistance. Thanks to all who attended the rally and to all volunteers who helped with logistics.

Local 97 will negotiate four other contracts this year: service employees in late January, St. Lawrence Gas in May, Town of Worcester and Entergy Nuclear in December.

John Satunas, P.S.