COMET Class L.U. 760 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), KNOXVILLE, TNHello brothers
and sisters from Local 760. It has been a while since Local 760
had a piece in the Journal, and we will try to have them more often.
We held a COMET class on Nov 2, 2002, with a few brothers
attending. We thank Tenth Dist. Int. Rep. Nathan Edgar for his help in
conducting the class. A lot of us have forgotten that organizing is what had to
be done for our great union to be founded and to grow. Please try to attend a
COMET class when one is available. For our traveling brothers and sisters, ask
about attending a COMET class in the local where youre working.
Our work picture has picked up some this year despite the
construction slow down. Work at TVA has enabled us to get several members off
the road and even a few travelers. We are anticipating an outage at a powerhouse
to start after the first of the year.
Until next time, buy American and buy union!
Will Muncy, Asst. B.M.
Three New Contractors L.U. 773 (as,em,i,mo&o), WINDSOR, ON, CANADAWe welcome our
newest members from MCS Electrical and Mold-Tech Electric, each with nine A card
members. Also, local contractor Pahomey/Schram Electric opened a communications
division bringing in six new B.A. members to compete in the VDV sector.
With the C.A.W. contracts settled without strikes, the City
of Windsor (automotive capital of Canada) can breathe a sigh of relief. With no
strike, our members continued working at the Ford expansion project and other
automotive projects around the city.
Daimler Chrysler, which builds the large RAM vans, will be
shutting down the Pillette Road assembly plant in 2003, but the previous
contract promised a new product at the Pillette Road plant. A new paint shop was
built, but sits empty to date. Windsor lost its bid to secure the new Sprinter
Van, which many thought would be built at the Pillette plant. The Sprinter Van
will be built in Georgia.
During negotiations, and under the threat of a strike,
Daimler Chrysler has promised to invest $1 billion in a parts plant in the city.
Windsor Mayor Mike Hurst has sent a letter to the Provincial and Federal
governments asking them to review the automotive policy in Ontario, Canada.
Work currently is slow, but should improve with the Brighton
Beach Project getting underway.
The Local is now using a Stabilization Plan, along with
Market Recovery procedures to secure work from the nonunion.
A moment of silence was held for the passing of Bro. Robert
Zorzit, a member since 1947.
From left, Salvation Army Commanding Officer
James Cocker, Local 777,
Reading, PA, Unit 3
members Wayne Browning, Angie Dougherty and
Dave Wilson.
L.U. 777 (u), READING, PAUnit 3 employees turned their
safety award into money to donate to the York Chapter American Red Cross
September 11 Fund. Thanks to the members who gave a cash donation and to all who
participated in the National Blood Drive.
We also thank the members who participated in the Harvest for
the Hunger Food Drive. The drive in York and Adams Counties supplied food and
cash donations for local food banks and the York County Salvation Army. A York
County Salvation Army spokesman said these donations would help provide grocery
items for 3,000 families in the York community.
Charles Walker, P.S. (Unit 3)
Dont Be Fooled Again L.U. 804 (i&o), KITCHENER, ON, CANADABefore we know it
spring will have arrived, and in the Province of Ontario we will be facing an
election. The PCs will be attempting to prolong their stranglehold on the
legislature of our province. Since they have taken office they have done nothing
but attack organized labour, our education system, our health care system and
the construction industry. They have directly attacked you and me!
When spring is here and it is time to vote, dont be fooled
by these monsters in disguise. Please exercise your democratic right and vote to
remove the PCs.
As in the past, the election promises will look appealing and
the PCs will begin to hand out money at an unprecedented rate, trying to fix
everything they have dismantled. This is the same government that was elected
because they gave the residents of Ontario a tax cut. Sure, they granted us a
tax cut, but they neglected to inform us that they would be downloading costs on
our municipalities, which resulted in increased land taxes. So much for the tax
cut!
No bones about itthe PCs have to be removed from office!
Bro. John D. Rivera and his wife,
Dianne, at a recent event at the
Local 915,
Tampa, FL, union hall.
L.U. 915 (i&mt), TAMPA, FLLocal 915 is grieving the loss of
one of our leaders, John D. Rivera. John set an example in everything he didand
he did a lot! As a husband and father, he was a dedicated family man. As a
member of the community, he donated much of his time to make it better, and as a
union man I know of none better!
John believed that you have to put something back into any
worthwhile endeavor, and he put back more than he took in everything he did,
especially his union membership. He served many years on the Local 915 JATC. He
wanted to improve working conditions, so he served many times on our Negotiating
Committee. John served on the Building Committee that gave us the building we
use today.
He was a devoted Trustee on all of our fringe benefit plans.
John served many years on the Executive Board, as well as our past president.
When John was in charge of a job, he had no problem getting people to work for
him because the men and contractors knew he was fair and honest. John was
respected by all who knew him, and his passing is a tremendous loss to all.
Bob Kaiser, P.S.
Tennessee Valley Rodeo L.U. 934 (catv,i,o&u), KINGSPORT, TNTeams representing
electric utilities from across the seven-state area served by the Tennessee
Valley Authority recently competed in the fifth-annual Tennessee Valley Rodeo.
Local 934 members working at Holston Electric Co-Op won top honors, and went on
to compete at the International Linemans Rodeo in Kansas City. HEC had eight
rodeo participants and brought home a total of six trophies. Team A members
included Dwight Brooks, Robert Davenport and Chad McLain, and Team B members
included Ragen Singleton, Wayne McCracken and Chris Couch. The Senior Division
included Bud Reeves and the Apprentice Division included James Rasmussen.
Members of Johnson City Power Board have collected money to
support the Battered Wives Program in East Tennessee, proving that not only are
our linemen winners, they have big hearts as wellthat could be the reason we
are the Vols!
Construction has been slow for the past year here in upper
East Tennessee, however TVA has some scheduled work in the Valley for the next
couple of years that might get some of us through the "ambush."
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