L.U. 357 (c,i,mt,o&se), LAS VEGAS, NVGreetings from fabulous Las Vegas. I
recently attended a national apprenticeship seminar where one of the important
topics was the reluctance of some members to accept the newly organized as our
own.
Id like to invite everyone to a COMET class. The class material has a
marvelous way of presenting reasons we need to organize: an increased market
share means a great deal in terms of wages and benefit increases.
For those who have taken a COMET class I realize Im preaching to the choir
but for those who have not, your time is here. I know you will walk away from
this class with a new outlook on the difficulty of organizing. You will also
learn how important it is to treat new members as brothers and sisters. Thanks
to all of the COMET instructors who volunteer their time.
L.U. 369 (em,es,i,lett,o,rtb,rts,spa&u), LOUISVILLE, KYJanuary and February
are behind us and so now we are faced with the tail end of the Kentucky
legislative general session. Thanks to our lousy showing in the November
elections, the Republican majority in the Senate is bigger and the Democratic
majority in the House has shrunk.
The Republican Senate leadership has been very busy introducing a
"right-to-work" bill along with a budget bill containing language that would
suspend the state prevailing wage law. Im proud to say that Local 369 went into
high gear making phone calls, writing letters and communicating with our elected
officials to head off these offensive and potentially devastating measures. It
appears both issues are dead for this session, but we all know theyll be back.
Please support labor-endorsed candidates in the upcoming elections. With
wealthy people paying less taxes, congressional spending going through the roof
and unprecedented levels of unemployment, more Bush clones are not an option.
L.U. 385 (as,catv,ees,em,es,et,fm, govt,ptc,rtb,rts,s,se&ws), PITTSBURGH,
PALocal 385 is attempting to negotiate new contracts for our members employed
by Adelphia Communications in Hermitage, PA, and Charter Communications in
Uniontown, PA. Negotiations are moving very slowly, as both employers are asking
for reductions in benefits and are offering no wage increases.
On a brighter note, our members employed by Cooper Crouse-Hinds Outlet Boxes
in Meadow Lands, PA, have just ratified a new three-year agreement. We were
successful in negotiating increases in both wages and benefits. Thanks go to
Chairman John Meeks and committee members Tim Kleinhans, Mike Luff, Ken Reed and
Sharon Wright.
Rising health care costs have severely affected our ability to negotiate
higher wages and better benefits for our membership. Most employers are trying
to shift the cost of health insurance to our members by increasing workers
premiums, deductibles and co-pays. We must all contact our representatives in
Congress and tell them we need national health care reform.
L.U. 415 (c,govt,i,&u), CHEYENNE, WYI retired last July with 45 years of
service in the IBEW, and I want to dedicate this article to the Brothers and
Sisters that went before me and to thank the current members and for making my
retirement possible.
When I think back on the last 45 years, I remember working in the cold, in
the rain and in the mud. The next time you wake up wondering why do I pay union
dues, or why do I have to work so hard, you can take it from me and know that if
you put in the effort, dedication and time, it is worth it and it is possible to
have an honorable and respected retirementand say that when you are talking to
the unorganized, too.
Work in Wyoming is very slow. The economy seems to be way down and our
country is on the brink of war. We are Americans, and we are IBEW. Our cause is
right and just. Educate yourself, work hard with pride, organize the
unorganized, and go to the polls!
On Sept. 13, 2003, Local 415 will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Your
committee has been very busy, and we are expecting many respected and honored
guests. Plan to attend and if you have any questions, please contact the hall.
L.U. 429 (em,i,lctt,o,ptc,rtb&u), NASHVILLE, TNThe IBEW-NECA Joint Labor
Management Cooperation Committee procured the property at 310 Festlers Lane to
use for the creation of a new apprentice training facility. The National Joint
Apprenticeship and Training Center will feature ten, 1,200 square-foot
combination classroom/laboratories, a 2,500 square-foot mezzanine designed for
instruction in motor control and 2,500 square feet in office space. On three
spacious acres, the property features parking for 200 vehicles and total usable
area of 20,000 square feet.
Amprite Electric performed the tear-out of the existing building and donated
the required electrical engineering drawings and prints. Lowen and Trent will
provide the architectural design and Walter Nestrick Company will perform the
functions of general contractor.
Each classroom/laboratory will be dedicated to members or contractors who
provide the required equipment for that room.
Fourth-year students currently attend classes at the Local 429 hall, while
first, second and third-year students attend Nashville Tech. All apprentices, by
virtue of the Nashville Tech experience, earn credits toward Associate of Arts
degrees.
Related Articles
