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November 2003 IBEW Journal

KeySpan Talks Begin

L.U. 1049 (lctt,o&u), LONG ISLAND, NY-As of this writing the business staff, officers and executive board are busy preparing for the upcoming negotiations with our largest employer, KeySpan. With the current state of the economy, a volatile stock market and the rising costs of medical benefits, these negotiations may very well turn out to be the toughest Local 1049 has ever faced.

This will be 1049's second contract negotiation with KeySpan since the merger with Lilco. During our first negotiation, we battled right down to the wire. From those past negotiations, the company negotiators should have learned that we will not be worn down and we will not blink. We will not accept anything less than we have earned and deserve. We will not go to work tomorrow for less than what we earn today. But if the company wants to use that tactic again, so be it. We will be prepared.

During our last negotiation we were confident that we would bring back a package that was acceptable to the membership. The members gave the negotiating team the strength that they needed to get through those negotiations. Our strength was demonstrated by your solidarity. With the solidarity of the 1049 membership we are confident that we will once again be as successful.

THOMAS J. DOWLING, R.S.

Involved in Presidential Politics

Local 1141 organizers Barry Walker (left) and Mark Anderson.

L.U. 1141 (i,rts&spa), OKLAHOMA CITY, OK-Our local union Activities Committee assisted the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO with the Aug. 12 Democratic presidential candidates debate in Stillwater, OK. This forum allowed the candidates an opportunity to discuss issues facing working people in our state. Six of the nine presidential hopefuls were present at the Gallagher-Iba Arena on the Oklahoma State University campus. The increased interest in Oklahoma is due to the early primary date set for the state in 2004.

Members of Local 1141 urge every IBEW local to establish an active volunteer political committee and register members. Oklahoma has the highest percentage of registered voters in the nation who are also union members.

The 2004 presidential election is crucial to the survival of the organized labor movement. Bush's politics have helped to permanently terminate over 2 million manufacturing jobs-talk about your weapons of mass destruction.

H. MARTY CRAIN, JR., B.M./F.S.

Memorial Wall Expanded

L.U. 1245 (catv,em,govt,lctt,o,pet, t&u), WALNUT CREEK, CA-In connection with the opening of the union's new headquarters in Vacaville, CA., Local 1245 expanded the Memorial Wall that honors departed union leaders and activists.

Originally erected at the Walnut Creek headquarters in the mid-1990s by Local 1245 volunteers, including Bryant Bolan and Rich Cowart, the Memorial Wall preserves the memory of Local 1245 members who made a special contribution to the union. When Local 1245 moved to Vacaville, 13 names were added to the Memorial Wall.

The original honorees are: L. L. Mitchell, Mike Brocchini, Mark Cook, Ron Fitzsimmons, Larry Foss, Richard K. Hoyer, Roy Murray, Curt Peterson, Dave Reese, Lee Thomas, Jr., Joe Valentino, Mert Walters and John Wilder.

Honorees newly added to Memorial Wall are: Jay Burton, Ron Field, C.P. Henneberry, Ed Horn, Al Kasnowski, Jay Killgore, Lyman Morrison, Pat Nickeson, Tom Riley, Jerry Robinson, Al Sandoval, Bill Twohey and Wayne Weaver.

ERIC WOLFE, P.S.

Demonstrating Our Skills

18-year Local 1253 member Dwayne Burgess died in August.

L.U. 1253 (i), AUGUSTA, ME-We had two apprentices participate in the skills U.S.A. competition. This is the first time any apprentices from our local have participated in this event. This competition involved technical schools from all over the state. Brothers Jason Wilde and Tim Young placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively. They were also highly commended for the quality of their work. Congratulations to both of them.

We recently presented retirement watches to Brothers Gary Perry, Bob McGuire, Gerry Lindsey, Melvin Pendleton and Walter Cammack. Thanks for all your years of service to the IBEW.

On a sad note, we lost Bro. Dwayne Burgess on August 16 as a result of a motorcycle accident.

We will be offering a 10-hour O.S.H.A. course for journeymen this fall. Work picture is still slow throughout the state.

JOE FISHER, P.S.

Three Brothers Retire

L.U. 1307 (u), SALISBURY, MD-Congratulations to Bros. Wayne Bowden, John Sudler and Steve Massey on their recent retirement.

Brother Bowden began his career as a laborer at Delmarva Power's Indian River Power Plant (now owned by NRG) in 1971. He was awarded an auxiliary operator position in 1975 before moving into a machinist second-class slot in 1978. He advanced to machinist in 1990 and to qualified welder in 1991, the position from which he retired.

Bro. Sudler was hired by Delmarva Power (now Conective Power Delivery) in 1976 as a meter reader in Harrington District. He transferred to the line crew as a groundman in 1979. He completed the apprentice lineman program and in 1983 became a journeyman. He was promoted to lead lineman in 1985 and later accepted a trouble serviceman position, from which he retired.

Bro. Massey started work as an apprentice lineman employed by Choptank Electric Co-op in 1986. He later worked as a communications clerk, storeroom attendant's helper, tree trimmer and as an engineering aide. He retired as a regional account representative in the Salisbury District.

Sister Betty Brittingham resigned from the E-Board. During her tenure she served on numerous committees could always be depended upon. The E-Board appointed Sister Daniell Smith to fill the remainder of the term. We thank Betty for her contributions and wish Dani the best in her new position.

E.D. SPARKS, F.S.