Work Still Sparse L.U. 1739 (i&o), BARRIE, ON, CANADAWork in the area
is still sparse, with a continual out of work list. There is no
sign of any sizeable improvement for our area in the foreseeable
future. Many members are traveling to meet the demands of providing
for their families.
One of the projects we do have is a modern switching station
for Hydro One. While the project is very interesting, with the latest technology
that will enable Hydro to open and close line circuits using computers and
satellite dishes, we wont be able to enjoy it much beyond the 2002 holiday
season. Things are coming together quickly now, so manpower cuts will be soon
upon us.
There are a lot of mixed feelings and opinions regarding the
attempts to maintain and increase our market share of new construction work. It
is debatable whether the contractors appreciate the cost breaks and longer hours
per day that we have reluctantly agreed to. As a local with a fairly large
proportion of older journeymen, some of us are finding 10-hour days to be
wearing over a prolonged period, even with the three-day weekends.
From Left, Local 2022, Little
Rock, AR, Bus. Mgr./Pres.
Charles Lusk, 60-year
service
award recipient P. J. Ellis, Fin.
Sec. Debra Brooks and
Executive Board Chmn. Robert
Navra.
L.U. 2022 (em), LITTLE ROCK, ARBus. Mgr./Pres. Charles R.
Lusk, Fin. Sec. Debra Brooks and Executive Board Chmn. Robert Navra presented
Bro. P.J. Ellis with his 60-year pin and certificate in July 2002. We
congratulate and thank him for his longtime service.
Bro. Ellis became a member of the IBEW in 1942 as a
journeyman electrician. He was instrumental in organizing IBEW Local 2022 at
what was then Teletype Corporation. Mr. Ellis retired from Teletype in 1981 and
still lives in Little Rock with his wife, Lyda. They raised three boys, who all
worked for Teletype Corp. at some point in their lives.
Bro. Ellis held our attention with many stories of organizing
campaigns from the late 1950s, to maintaining the best contracts for employees
throughout the years. Anyone who knew P.J. remembers him with a cigar hanging
from his mouth. Even in a non-smoking environment, he held an unlit cigar in his
mouth. He is proud to announce that he has given up this habit and you will no
longer see P.J. with that signature cigar. Way to go P.J.!
Charles R. Lusk, B.M./Pres.
New Officers L.U. 2213 (t), WASHINGTON MILLS, NYOur local is pleased to
announce the appointment of two new officers. Treas. Karen Boughtin left the
bargaining unit and she will be missed. Vice Pres. Cathy Hubbard accepted the
appointment by the Executive Board to fill the vacancy of treasurer. Pearl
Brannen, Southern Tier Executive Board member, then filled the vice presidential
vacancy. We wish Cathy and Pearl all the best in their new positions.
On a sad note, our local has been a part of the Verizon
downsizing. We have 191 members that were declared surplus, and to date, 33 have
accepted the offer. Verizons nine executives collected $394 million in
compensation, and in the third quarter of 2002, the company made over $2
billion. Executives get richer, while service quality suffers and workers lives
are destroyed.
Our mobilization efforts are underway to bring the unity and
strength of our members to the bargaining table in the summer of 2003. These
efforts will show Verizon that the union has the best interest of the members in
mind, and we will stand strong for what is rightfully ours!
Local 2295, Los Angeles, CA,
Bus. Mgr. David J. Clay, right,
presents Bro.
Mac Wilson with
his 55-year service award and
pin.
L.U. 2295 (em&mo), LOS ANGELES, CAAt this writing, members
working at Osram-Sylvania are still working without a contract, and for the past
year and half, the local has filed numerous unfair labor practices to get the
company to negotiate.
Local 2295 put on its second-annual "Day at the Races" at
Irwindale Speedway. The facility is very union friendly, and the members had a
great time.
Congratulations to Bro. Mac Wilson, who recently received his
55-year service award and pin.
David J. Clay, B.M./F.S.
Layoffs L.U. 2320 (t), MANCHESTER, NHThe New Year may bring layoffs
to our brothers and sisters at Verizon. The affected people will probably be
collecting unemployment at the time of this reading. Meanwhile over the past
five years, the top three managers at Verizon received over $211 million in
compensation. In addition, a Wall Street Journal article dated Oct. 28, 2002,
stated that Verizon earned $4.41 billion compared to $1.88 billion a year ago.
The company is continuing the harassment of workers by
installing GPS in trucks. In early negotiations, the company also proposed to
have people work a 32-hour workweek, reopened the co-pay issue that we fought
hard to prevent in 1989, cut the Next-Step Program and drastically reduce sick
payments. This is the atmosphere that we must negotiate the new contract. It is
everyones responsibility to do NOTHING but a quality job. So, remember those
Strike Funds!
The 2002 Collette Lemay Scholarship Golf Tournament again was
a huge success with over $5,000 raised. The mens winning team was Team Ray
Burke and the womens winning team was Team Kerri Cavanaugh. Bus. Mgr. Neil
McSheffery thanks all who took part in making the day a success.
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