L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u), ROCKFORD, IL Our outside work has picked up and all
our journeyman linemen and apprentices are working at home again. We thank our
sister locals for taking good care of our out- of-work members.
Our telephone work has picked up some and we believe that its because of all
the layoffs at SBC, Verizon, Citizens and others. We are trying to employ those
who have been laid off from the downsizing of our telephone industry.
We are still having a difficult time with the IUOE and LIUNA trying to raid
our work which is easier for them than organizing non-union workers and
companies in their own jurisdiction. All IBEW locals need to keep the electrical
work IBEW, whether its overhead transmission, distribution, underground
distribution, sub-station or lighting projects. This raiding has got to stop and
anyone who lets our jurisdiction slip now faces a much bigger problem ahead.
Local 236, Albany, NY,
Organizer Joe Hlat, left, and
Bro. Trent Shaver,
right, with
the rat during informational
picketing.
L.U. 236 (catv,ees,govt,i,mo,rtb &t), ALBANY, NY The rat has arrived in
Albany! The 12-foot high inflatable rubber rat purchased by Local 236 made its
first public appearance in a dramatic fashion. We offered the services of our
rat to the members of IUE Local 301 in Schenectady, NY, in support of their
two-day strike against General Electric over increased health care costs being
dumped on the workers. Each morning of the strike our organizers inflated the
rat and anchored it down as the picket line began. The rat shook menacingly as a
symbol of contractors and employers who exploit their workers in pursuit of
profits. Our rat received national television coverage.
The presence of the rat in front of a jobsite where nonunion electrical
workers are doing our work has demonstrated it effectiveness. A state agency has
demanded that an HVAC contractor on a high-tech, high-profile job replace the
nonunion electrical subcontractor it was using with a union subcontractor so he
could "make that rat go away."
Local 238, Asheville, NC, members, from left, Chris Anderson,
Cam Hudson,
Stan Hudson, Mike Nix, Wayne Paris, Rick
Sluder, Charlie Phillips, Kenny
Frisbee, Larry Keenan, Jerry
Owens and David Schies participated in the
Asheville
Christmas parade.
L.U. 238 (i,mo,o&u), ASHEVILLE, NC What a great year we had here in the
beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. We have raised money and
awareness of our local union through many community projects this past year. My
last count showed $2,764 in money and material raised, and over 145 man-hours
donated to these projects. We had 12 volunteers at the Eliada Home for Children
workday, and 11 volunteers came out to marshal the Asheville Christmas parade.
We hope to do even more this year and thank all who participated.
The local has negotiated a new contract with NECA that will be talked about
for years. In the midst of a recession, our contractors saw the need to move
into a new century with new and creative thinking. Their foresight will pay big
dividends in the future, as it allows us to compete for the best people to fill
our apprentice and journeyman needs.
I regret to inform you of the death of Bro. Noah E. Feagan, who was initiated
into the IBEW in August 1952.
L.U. 246 (ees,i,rts&spa), STEUBENVILLE, OH The local has seen some positive
additions in recent months with the induction of nine new apprentices. They now
have the unique opportunity to experience what we all have come to enjoy from
the Brotherhood. We extend a warm welcome to apprentices Travis Booth, Leonard
Corona, III, Paul Croskey, Steven Dipasquale, Brian Fankhouser, Kevin Harms,
Donald Jones, III, Brian Marshall and Paul Skaggs, III. We also welcome newly
organized Adarn Yater and Rich Cesta into our local.
Local 246 celebrated its 100th anniversary in November 2002 at the
Mountaineer Gaming Resort. Special guests included Int. Pres. Ed Hill, Fourth
Dist. Int. Vice Pres. Paul Witte and a number of dignitaries from the Fourth
District. A video presentation was shown depicting the work of the local over
the past 100 years. It was a great tribute to Local 246 and was enjoyed by all
in attendance.
Local 246 has been actively involved in recent rallies against Wal-Mart
because of their sub-standard wages and employee benefit policies. A rally was
held at the site of the new Wal-Mart Distribution Center being built in our
jurisdiction, and many local unions and politicians were on hand to support our
campaign.
Local 280, Salem, OR, Bros. Mike Williams, Ken
Waterworth and Mike Anderson
take a break during
the residential training program.
L.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts &st), SALEM, OR A new three-year contract
was ratified on Nov. 26, 2002, with a vote of 114 to 57, and includes raises of
44 cents, 46 cents and 49 cents an hour each year. A one-year wage freeze in
Central Oregon, commercial renovation language, maintenance of insurance
increases and a 4-10 workweek are the main changes. Many thanks to Negotiating
Committee members Steve Rose, Denny Ellis, Rich Lofton, Tim Frew, Tom Baumann
and Greg Creal for their excellent work.
Work has been slow in our jurisdiction, and we would like to thank Locals
180, 428, 449 and others for employing our members. With no big jobs in sight,
it is time to organize the small and residential work.
Thanks to Bro. Dennis Patrick for teaching a residential wiring class
attended by Mike Anderson, Verle Strickler, Mike Williams, Ken Waterworth,
Dennis Davis, Marty Breedlove and Allen Dewitt. A big thank you also goes to
Bro. Jeff Fowlds and his shop "Lone Star Electric" for helping out. These
classes will help teach members to open their own shops to bid and capture the
house-wiring and small commercial work.
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