Local 440, Riverside, CA, business managers past and present
are, from left,
Bob Willsey (1960s), Kenny Ford (1970s), Tom
Brady (1980s) and current Bus. Mgr.
William Perez.
L.U. 440 (i,o,rts&spa), RIVERSIDE, CA Welcome to our second full-time
organizer, Carl Villegas. Carl is a longtime Local 440 member, who now has the
opportunity to serve from the other side of the desk. Carl finds his new
position challenging and also very educational. He is comfortable speaking with
the hands in the field since he has worked on the nonunion side prior to serving
his apprenticeship. His knowledge of the union, including bylaws, pension and
the agreement has increased tremendously.
Service pins were awarded at our annual Christmas party. We would like to
thank and congratulate the following members: 60 years: Howard Drew, 55 years:
Jack Russell, Robert Laker, Emil Kasanke and J.B. Davidson, 50 years: Susano
Ortiz, Peter Trojan, Leo Rudolph, Thomas Hicks and William Clabaugh, 45 years:
Norman Wilson, Frederico Vasquez, Edward Mohr, Ralph Marek, Floyd Lokoen and
Jimmie Johnston; 40 years: Donald Ingalls and Joe Blankenship, 35 years: Henry
Risner, Jerry Combs and Randy Burns, 30 years: Donald Williams, George Vanecek,
Jimmie Partain, Jay Oliver, Stewart Jewell, Chalmer Flynn, Richard Dippner and
Jerry Bryan; 25 years: Kenneth R. Pentoney, Gary Naymola, Andrew Johnson, James
Gallery, Ricky L. Foster, Michael Dovey, Bill G. Clabaugh and Ralph Acosta. Both
the
Christmas party and retirees luncheon were well attended. We hope to see you
all at the fall picnic.
L.U. 446 (i&o), MONROE, LA The local held its annual retirement and holiday
party in December 2002, with about 50 in attendance.
Eight members were recently honored for reaching incredible membership
milestones. Congratulations to 60-year member Rex Furlow, 55-year members Jack
Calvert and Simmie Woods and 50-year members Walter Collier, Jr., Billy
Copeland, Curtis Hammond, Don Ingram and Fredrick Young.
Congratulations to the following members who retired in 2002: Felton
Thompson, Herman Barnes, Robert Chevalier, Randolph Minard, Harvey Holdiness,
Hugh Britt and Jerry Barnette. Each retiree received a watch for their many
faithful years of service to the IBEW. Enjoy your retirement you truly deserve
it!
The following first-year apprentices were sworn in at the February 2003
meeting: Justin Brodnax, Heath Clack, Dustin Fitch, Jason Frisch, Michael Josey,
Rodney Noland, Christopher Nugent, Timothy Sellers, Justin Stover, John Waters
and Paul Watson.
In the national election we helped to re-elect Senator Mary Landrieu and
Rodney Alexander (D) to the House of Representatives.
Our work picture looks very bleak. We thank the other locals that are giving
our members work.
L.U. 474 (em,i,lctt,o,rtb,rts,spa&u), MEMPHIS, TN As a 30-year member of
Local 474, I look around the union hall and I chuckle at how much my friends and
I have aged and are beginning to look like our fathers and mothers. Yes, by now
Ive lived through and have become a part of the recent history of our local
union.
Years ago, as apprentices we were taught to "perform" electrical work.
Everything we built or manufactured was viewed as a work of art that we hurried
to be signatory to. We were also taught unionism by many of those who were old
enough to have truly fought the battles. Those resourceful members, many now
deceased, left a legacy that enabled us to raise our families on union dollars.
With this in mind, I once again look around the union hall at a late evening
hour and witness my friends, both young and old, continuing the battles, facing
the complex modern day challenges, and giving their all to the IBEW.
Thanks, Local 474! As your new press secretary, I wanted to introduce my
feelings, give thanks to our local union officers and especially our rank and
file members whose devoted loyalty has contributed greatly to our success. God
bless you all.
L.U. 502 (c,em,i,it&t), ST. JOHN, NB, CANADA At this writing we are waiting
for the call for the Coleson Cove Generating Station. The grounding has been
awarded, as have the temporary power contracts, and more contracts will be
awarded soon.
The local has been busy with training, sending 100 members through a WHMIS
and Construction Safety Course, as well as a Structured Cabling Course using
NORDEX equipment and instructors, and we will be training our own instructors
through this course. PLC and computer courses have been ongoing all winter, and
First Aid courses will be held when instructors become available.
Organizing is ongoing, with two contractors certified and a decision on a
third pending at the Labour Board.
Entertainment Chairman Bob Janes and his committee have once again done the
local proud by delivering Christmas toys to children who had to spend the
holidays in the hospital. The Entertainment Committee has also provided pool,
hockey and curling for those members interested in getting out during our long
winter months. The annual David Chilton Memorial Bass Tournament will be coming
up in June, as well as Play Ball for St. Joes and the Slo-Pitch season. Come
out and play or participate in some way.
In closing, Local 502 extends thanks to all locals that have given us the
opportunity to work in their areas.
L.U. 508 (i,it&o), SAVANNAH, GA Daimler-Chrysler of Stuttgart, Germany, has
announced the selection of Savannah, GA, as the site for its new U.S. auto
assembly plant. Factors in the decision to locate here include tax incentives,
port facilities, interstate and rail access, and the concerted efforts of local,
state and labor officials. Work is already underway on supporting
infrastructure, and groundbreaking is set for July.
Retired Bus. Mgr. Jim Brown (1986-1994) passed away after an extended
illness. He helped establish our current organizing program. Our condolences to
his family and friends.
There is currently a refueling outage underway at the nuclear generating
facility Plant Hatch located near Baxley. This outage is expected to continue
until the end of March. Our appreciation goes out to the many traveling members
who came to our jurisdiction to help man this outage.
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