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July/August 2005 IBEW Journal L.U. 508 (i,it&o), SAVANNAH, GA—The Savannah Trades & Labor Council recently held a fish fry to bring together local union and civic leaders to discuss the many challenges facing labor in the upcoming year. Turnout was good as local political, labor and civic leaders considered the future of organized labor in the greater Savannah area. On the political front, House Bill 153 lacked enough votes or time for passage. The bill severely restricts union contribution of voluntarily raised funds to political candidates and committees. However, HB 153 has been recommitted and will be considered the next legislative session. In preparation for our upcoming contract negotiations, the Executive Board approved and the floor passed the adoption of the I.O.’s "Code of Excellence" to be included in all future working agreements. All persons seeking employment at any Georgia Power/Southern Company facilities now must show proof of OSHA 10 certification to gain admittance. Local members mourn the recent passing of Bros. Lonnie Norton and "Bucky" Lockett. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families. Ken Hannah, P.S. L.U. 540 (i), CANTON, OH—Local 540 is doing well. We congratulate our newly retired members: Augustine Mastroine, Ronald Surmay, Theodore Haidet, Donald Begue and Wayne Lepley. We wish them the best during their retirement. Enjoy! Congratulations to the graduating Inside Apprenticeship Class of 2005: Jeremy Adams, Greg Backus, Greg Blile, Mike Bragg, John Fether, Jaret Fitch, Paul Forney, Dan Gerig, Cary Gibbons, Joe Leary, Jamy Lippencott, Scott Manda, Jim Mitchell, Robert Moran, John Scott, David Shanabrook, Doug Specht and Brian Sproul. And congratulations to our graduating Residential Trainee Class of 2005: Ryan Eslich, Mike Gordon, Bryan Johnson, Todd Remark, Juston Sanders and Shaun Wiegreff. We would like to recognize four of our members who went into business for themselves and signed with Local 540. They are: Valerie Neary—Buckeye Quality Electric; Brad Cioca—Cioca Electric; Jeff Tomlin—JT Electric; and Bill Myers—Select Electric. The JATC is in the process of selecting the upcoming apprenticeship classes. We wish the best to all new hires. Jerry Bennett, P.S.
L.U. 551 (c,i&st), SANTA ROSA, CA—So far, this year has been successful for our local. We negotiated a new contract that is fair and agreeable to all. Our new budget is working quite well; we are still in the black. We have made an impressive dent in the Helix campaign. Our organizers are going full force on having government jobs with pre-qualification standards. There are many jobs this summer and many more jobs to look forward to. And we have newly made journeymen in the field. We honor our new graduates of the inside wireman and sound and communication apprenticeship. We also welcome our new apprentices starting this year and congratulate all the apprentices who successfully completed another year. As exciting as all this is for our local we are also at a critical time. The California state licensing is here and we still need members to take the test. Many jobs are requesting state certified workers and we need to fill these positions. Good luck. Jennifer Greenwood, P.S.
L.U. 557 (i,mt,rts&spa), SAGINAW, MI—A few days of record temperatures, hardly any April showers, and then six inches of snow fell to cover up the spring flowers and burden the flowering shrubs. Spring arrives in Michigan! At this writing, the work is like the weather—on and off. Jobs don’t move the out-of-work list and when they do people are laid off faster than expected. We look forward to the promise of summer work. Contract negotiations are underway with health care in need of more funding; contractors are claiming no revenue to maintain current wage levels and talking of cutbacks. Our U.S. system of health care is so out of line with the world. If every employer provided health care, even a little bit for every employee, even part-time employees, it would work okay. If taxes are contributed, a health care contribution would be required also and workers would have coverage. More money in the coverage pool means more people sharing the cost. The ones carrying the burden now would not continue to be a reduced number. Where is the problem with Social Security? Less income to base payments on as jobs go to other countries. We don’t need more accounts; we need more jobs and income to contribute from. John E. Clemens, P.S.
L.U. 569 (i,mar,mt,o,rts&spa), SAN DIEGO, CA—Over 45 IBEW Local 569 members participated in this years’ "Rebuilding Together" with Christmas in April projects. This program helps the less fortunate with needed repairs to their homes. Asst. Bus. Mgr. Johnny Simpson led teams of union electricians to repair electrical problems, change receptacles, and replace light fixtures in seven homes throughout San Diego County. Carpenters, plumbers, painters and flooring crews also participated. Mrs. McNulty, age 70, whose home was in severe need of repairs, was very grateful. She tearfully stated. "I’ve had 70 Christmas [seasons] but this one was the best one I ever had." Just seeing the emotions the homeowners exhibited made the volunteers proud to be IBEW members. Many thanks to our contractors who donated service trucks. They are Dynalectric, Fuller Electric, Triple S Electric, Southland Electric and Morrow-Meadows Corp. Nicholas J. Segura Jr., P.S. |
