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September 2005 IBEW Journal

Election of Officers

L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i,mt, rts,s,se,spa,st&ws), ST. LOUIS, MO—Elections for Local 1 officers, as well as delegates to the 2006 International Convention, were held on June 4. Election Judge Jeff Holmes and the tellers conducted the election proceedings in a truly professional manner and are to be commended for their tireless efforts. Thanks to all members who cast their vote, in person or absentee, as voter turnout was extremely high. Congratulations to all who were elected.

Election results are as follows: Bus. Mgr. Steve Schoemehl, Pres. Tom George, Vice Pres. Eric Miller, Rec. Sec. Frank Jacobs, Fin. Sec. Bob Egan and Treas. Dave Roth; Executive Board members Larry Bausola, Rob Dussold, Bob Muckler, Dave Sachse and Rob Taylor; Examining Board members Tony Buffa, John Kahrhoff and Dave Mackay. Delegates to the Convention: Leon Arties, Hank Bollinger, Mike Bresnan, Matt Gober, John M. Johanningmeier, Matt Ladd, Steve Licari and Steve Muehling.

Please be advised of the following members’ deaths: Truman Anderson, Don Norman, Anthony Johnson, Dwane Geissert, Melvin Secrease, George Noel, Philip Helfrich, Michael Alagna, Clarence Calahan Jr., Harry Kennedy, Kathryn Seeley, Ralph Morris, Paul Whitehead, Calvin Gibbs, Lucille Sherrill and Clinton Penrod.

Matt Gober, P.S.

Contract Negotiations

L.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MI—The union hopes the members and their families had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day Holiday. The weather so far this summer has been testing the Distribution System. We have had more consecutive 90-degree temperatures in June than we had all of last summer. The work picture remains steady. The City of Detroit budget shortfall poses concerns regarding negotiating a new contract on behalf of our members of the Public Lighting Department.

The union is currently in main table negotiations with the largest employer of our members. Local 17 would like to thank the members who stepped up to work with the union regarding the utility agreement. The Thumb Co-op agreement is due to expire this year, as well as our line construction agreement. Please stay tuned for updates. This fall things will surely heat up with the ongoing debate revolving around electric deregulation. The Michigan State Conference IBEW members and other organized labor unions affiliated with “Protect Michigan” will continue to lead the charge to repeal PA 141 and re-regulate Michigan based utilities. With sadness we report the loss of Bros. Pierre J Dion, Charles H. Albright, Wilbur Salgat, Stanley D. Wise, John S. Gardner, Jerome R. Wilson and Melvin B. Schaffhauser.

Robert Eckhout, Pres./P.S.

Corporate Battles

L.U. 21 (catv,govt&t), DOWNERS GROVE, IL—SBC job wars continue. Despite favorable court rulings against SBC on its layoff of hundreds of members three years ago, the Texas based company still refuses to comply with the contract and court orders. Bus. Mgr./Pres. Ron Kastner wants SBC held accountable for contempt and is pursuing such an order from the court. On the last day of June, SBC announced it plans to cut an additional 250-plus customer service and dispatcher jobs, moving the work from Illinois to Ohio and Michigan. SBC employees in those states are represented by the CWA.

At Comcast, after years of tough negotiations, workers voted to ratify a new two-year agreement in Chicago. Member mobilization and other activities are continuing to escalate as members in two separate units continue their crusade to gain fair contracts as well. The IBEW Local 21 Truth Squad and the local’s inflatable rat have harassed and embarrassed company executives at every Comcast public event from Chicago through Indiana and all the way to the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Pennsylvania.

An arbitrator awarded yet another member made whole and reinstated to their job. This is the tenth job won back at Comcast in recent months, proving that it pays to be union!

Thomas Hopper, P.S.

KTNV Contract

L.U. 45 (catv,govt,rtb&t), HOLLYWOOD, CA—Local 45 is pleased to announce that it has expanded its jurisdiction into Las Vegas, NV. The news photographers of KTNV-Channel 13, an ABC affiliate, have chosen Local 45 to represent them in an NLRB election.

Negotiations on a new agreement were completed and the new agreement was ratified. The new contract features an increase in wages and improvements in benefits and working conditions.

This is the first station in Las Vegas to have union representation.

Lloyd Webster, B.M.

Construction Line Work

L.U. 47 (lctt,mo,o,u&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CA—Local 47 wishes all members a happy Labor Day!

The Local 47 election of officers was completed on June 27, 2005. Pat Lavin was re-elected as business manager/financial secretary by a 68 percent margin. Also elected were: Pres. Ron Delgado, Vice Pres. Jeff Flory, Rec. Sec. Dillie Farris and Treas. Roger Heldoorn; Executive Board members Dwight Morgan, Pat Powell, Mark Long, Monica Watson, John Baca, Ernie Lopez, Hipolito Tavarez and Bobby Van Noy; and Examining Board members Arnold Trevino, Armando Mendez and Trevor Kirkland. Elected as convention delegates were: Ernie Lopez, Mike Moore, Monica Watson, Jeff Flory, Randy Heldoorn, Hipolito Tavarez, Stan Stosel, John Baca and Tom Brown. Congratulations to all!

Local 47 member Feliciano Orozco, a line clearance worker, was killed at work. Bro. Orozco came into contact with an energized 12kv line. His death is a reminder of the inherent dangers of line clearance work, a difficult and important craft that doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Local 47 appreciates and respects our line clearance workers. Our condolences and prayers go to Bro. Feliciano’s family and friends.

Construction line work continues to look good. Contact our Riverside Dispatch Hall at (951) 784-7509 for details.

Stan Stosel, P.S.