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L.U. 1 (as, c, ees, ei, em, es, et, fm, i, mt, rts, s, se, spa, st&rts), ST. LOUIS, MOThe members of Local 1 thank the men and women of the United States Armed Forces involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in particular all IBEW members involved as well as their families, for proudly representing our country. We are ever mindful of your sacrifices, and our prayers are with you and yours for a safe return.

Pro-labor legislators are facing an uphill battle in Jefferson City, the state capital. The Republican-controlled house is seeking to pass two bills affecting the workers compensation law that would drastically reduce the ability of injured or laid-off workers to receive necessary benefits. Threats such as these remind us how important it is to support legislators who are the voice of labor. The next few years will be challenging, with several pivotal elections and issues ahead. Our time, votes and support are critical.

Please be advised of the following members deaths: Donald Zajicek, Wayne Goetze, Launie Chitwood, Joseph Bahan, Albert Pheifer, Ted McCallister, Arthur Smith, Clyde Barker, Milfred Carron, William Treacy, Richard Valentine, Pete Giaraffa, Emmett Gibson, Nellie Sharpe, Kenneth Ackerman, Glenn Shoemake, Donald Paulsell Jr.

Matthew Gober, P.S.

Fighting Back on St. Pats Day

L.U. 6 (c,i,o,st&u), SAN FRANCISCO, CASan Franciscos St. Patricks Day parade became the forum to combat the anti-labor, union busting tactics of the Residential Builders Association. The R.B.A. attempted to use a sanctioned picket action by the Carpenters as grounds to stop participation in the parade. The San Francisco Building Trades Council answered by calling to action all of the trades. About 100 Local 6 members marched in the parade. Since San Francisco currently has no formal Labor Day Parade, this may be the start of a new tradition for Local 6 and the council.

In April, Local 6 hosted the annual Tri-Local dinner at B.P.O.E. #3 Elks Lodge downtown. This is one of the few events where the business managers, officers and staffs of Locals 595, 617 and 6 get together to share battle stories. Local 6 Rep. Kevin Tumminia did a great job coordinating this years event. Also in April, about 50 Local 6 members volunteered their skills for the "Rebuilding Together" project. This project benefits schools, battered women shelters and senior and disabled centers. Thanks to all of our members who generously contributed to this cause.

Jeff Sweeney, P.S.

Busy Time for Contracts

L.U. 21 (catv,govt&t), DOWNERS GROVE, ILIt was a busy late winter/spring. A contract extension at Lucent was wrapped up successfully at this wounded property. Ninety new members from SBCs formerly nonunion DSL group were welcomed into our core contract with 20-40 percent raises and free health care. A three-year deal was negotiated with Avaya, pending ratification at this writing. Members working at Altura opened talks on a new three-year contract for this subsidiary of Platinum Holdings. This deal needs to be done by July 31.

But by far the biggest continuing story is the more than seven percent unemployment rate among Local 21 members. More than 200 at AGCS and nearly 600 at SBC are the headlines, but there are numerous examples of small contractors closing and people leaving the industry, unable to hold on for recall.

A bright spot for our local was a tremendous mobilization by members in June to pass a reform bill in the Illinois legislature for fair wholesale telephone pricing that makes union telephone work more secure. With a union-friendly legislature and governor in Illinois, things are looking up. Give to COPE, and keep it going. Work safe and have a great summer!

Michael Sacco, PS

Topnotch Scholars

L.U. 26 (ees,em,es,govt,i&mt), WASHINGTON, D.C.After a difficult time choosing among many deserving applicants, the committee announced that the two winners of this years scholarship are Kevin M. Ball and Kyle T. Williams. Kevin attends Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, MD, and is awaiting a reply from the University of Maryland. He plans to pursue a degree in Engineering. Kevin is the son of Bro. Larry R. Ball. Kyle attends Liberty High School in Bealeton, VA, and will be attending the University of Virginia, also to study Engineering. We would like to congratulate these two outstanding young men, and wish the best to everyone who participated. All of you have achievements of which you can be very proud.

The local held a hugely successful Dollars Against Diabetes Golf Outing May 5, with 574 golfers on four golf courses. Chuck Graham did a great job in organizing the outing and also congratulations to the many volunteers who make this event possible.

Local 26 is saddened to report the following deaths: Retired Bros. Robert Novy, Theodore Williams and Frank Medeiros and Bros. Charles Pfeiffer Jr., John T. Sykes Jr., Michael Walker and Austin DeWilde.

The following brothers have retired since our last article: Donald E. Ernst, Richard A. Hayes, Paul A. McConkey, Eugene Miller Jr., Willis N. Terrett, Charles Gagnon Jr., Thomas O. DeVito Jr., Ernest S. Lumsden, Billy L. Trayer, Winfried Zink, Ronald Dolobach, William J. McMahon, Thomas O. Blevins Jr., Stanley A. Shock, James R. Griffiths, Germanico P. Cabrera, Larry G. Duby, Richard M. Lambert, Stephen Williams and Timothy H. Wilson Jr.

Howard L. Ritchie, B.M.

OSHA Training

Local 34 apprentices wore this softball tournament logo.

L.U. 34 (em,i,rts&spa), PEORIA, ILAlong with about 30 other students, I took a very successful journeyman wireman class on getting 10-hour OSHA cards. Certified 10-hour OSHA instructor Larry Rupor taught the class at the JATC headquarters in Peoria. The class involved education on machinery, ladders and ditch safety, and covered safety harnesses, safety glasses and safety mandates. Obtaining an OSHA card is a step in the right direction for journeyman classes. Welding classes are currently being looked at, with the possibility of using the fitters hall for classes.

Thanks to Doug Sanford for running a very smooth softball tournament in April. Along with plenty of softball, there was plenty of pizza, door prizes and beverages. All five apprenticeship classes had teams that played a round-robin tourney.

Our prayers and thanks to our members on active military duty. They are Chris Jones, Tim Donahue, Glen Miller, Jason Shepler, Larry Brownfield and Richard Olson.

Congratulations to recent retiree Bro. Rich Klockenga.

Jason Norton, P.S.

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