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November 2003 IBEW Journal

Local Sponsors
Charity Events

L.U. 125 (lctt,o&u), PORTLAND, OR-Our local's fourth charity event for 2003 has been completed and once again Local 125 members and major sponsors came through with flying colors.

The Oregon Burn Center will receive approximately $48,500 from the charity events and the IBEW Local 125 Brotherhood Fund approximately $2,000. Good job, everyone!

The 7th Annual Benefit Golf Classic was in June. Winners were Ken Kendrick, Sonny Huey, Rich Alonso and Jason Schroder. The major sponsors were Portland General Electric, Pacificorp and Northwest Natural Gas.

The 10th Annual Northwest Lineman's Rodeo winners were Leo Oates, Zeek McCarthy and Cliff Campbell of Clark County PUD.

The last two events were the IBEW Local 125 golf and softball tournaments. Jim Dornfeld, Gerry Hillyard, Brandon Courtain and Matt Rinard won the golfing event. The Portland General Electric team from the Boardman Generation Plant won the 19th annual softball tournament.
 

BYRON F. BABKA, Bus. Rep.

Apprentice Program Grows

L.U. 131 (i,rtb,rts&spa), KALAMAZOO, MI-I would like to congratulate our new apprenticeship instructor, Bro. Don Bolink. Don has a long history of serving the local at various levels for many years, including a term as business manager. I would also like to thank all of the candidates who took the extra interest to apply for this position.

Our apprenticeship will be expanding in the coming years, in part because of increased funding through the local and our NECA chapter. In the future this will allow the apprenticeship program to grow and expand into new areas.

Get well wishes go out to Bro. Charles Kramer, who received a serious head injury while working at a local school project. It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Bro. Bob Gilnter. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

MARK SZEKELY, P.S.

Work Has Slowed

L.U. 141 (ees,i,o&u), WHEELING, WV-Work in our area has slowed, as it has elsewhere in the Brotherhood. Please register to vote so we may all voice our displeasure at this economic slump come the next presidential election.

Our local's annual picnic in August at Wheeling Park was a great success. Special thanks to the Picnic Committee.

Welcome to our new apprentices: Leroy Coe, Rick Dillon, Jimmy Fisher, Mark Larese, Jason McFarland, Dave Otto, Matt Schunn, Gary Shaver, Mike Tucker and John Pintarich.

Upcoming events include resumption of journeyman training and a completion dinner for the graduating class.

We are saddened to report the passing of Bros. George Ney, Frank Staskey, Richard Rothermund and Glenn Stern. We will miss them.

TOM CONNER, P.S.

Watching Wal-Mart

L.U. 159 (i), MADISON, WI-Greetings from Wisconsin's capital city local. While our work picture is much improved, we have been unable to clear our Book 1 in either the commercial or residential divisions thus far this building season.

It is disheartening to hear about shopping excursions by our brothers and sisters to such places as Wal-Mart, and other such slob emporiums. Here is a very brief message, bargain hunters: "These people are not our friends." It would be marvelous if this lot could be reached through a civil discussion about the merits of sustainable wages for their employees, their builders and their vendors. This simple mathematics that people who earn those wages are inclined to spend more money on merchandise made by people earning likewise cannot seem to find purchase with our "captains of industry."

Our corporate chums, however, are very fluent in that universal language called "Decimal." It is, sad to say, the only way to get Big Business' attention. Put another way: when you buy from the likes of Wal-Mart your money is saying; "Yes, I endorse your policy of not only taking our jobs offshore, but in addition, strong-arming those people into degradation and abusive working conditions. A historically effective measure to grab their lapels is to simply deny them your hard earned union dollars. The holidays are closing in quickly, and what better time than now to send a holiday greeting to the cancerous anti-union merchants who contemptibly expect a portion of your income.

I am proud to announce that the rank and file membership has voted to extend a helping hand to our UFCW Local 538 brothers and sisters on strike against Tyson Foods in Jefferson, WI. This local will send a substantial amount into their strike fund each month that the strike continues. Readers, please refer to the above paragraph and don't be bashful about contacting your local supermarket on this issue.
It is unfortunate that in response to a reporter's question concerning the current state of affairs in Iraq, and the continuing guerilla attacks on our military personnel President Bush failed to grasp an opportunity to extend concern and empathy to the (now) many families who must cope with the loss of our injury to loved ones. Instead, from the safety of privilege, all he could offer was: "Bring it on." Very sad.

Please note that December's meeting will include our service pin presentations. Best wishes to all for a happy holiday season and a prosperous, healthy new year.
 

MICHAEL H. LEADERMAN, Pres.

Labor-Friendly Politicians

Local 193 members attend a fundraiser for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. From left are Mike Patterson, Mark Harvey, Matt Gillock, Susan Solon, David Gurnsey, George Alewelt, David Burns, Secretary Of State Jesse White, Gary Shephed, Michelle Pawlak, Mayor Tim Davlin.

L.U. 193 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), SPRINGFIELD, IL-August was a busy month for our political action committee, especially August 12th when they split their time between major events in support of labor friendly politicians. Members attended a fundraiser for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held at the home of Todd Renfrow, General Manager of City Water Light & Power, Springfield's city owned utility. Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin was also in attendance. Over 20 of our members are employed by the secretary of state. Our PAC also attended a fundraiser for current state Comptroller Dan Hynes, a Democrat in the running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Peter Fitzgerald, a Republican not seeking re-election. The members of our PAC are well known for working hard to get labor-friendly candidates elected or re-elected.

Five of our brothers and sisters also did their part for the community by working on a Habitat for Humanity house in Riverton, Illinois. Training Director Bob Steele, Assistant B.A. Dave Gurnssey, Greg Thoele, Michelle Pawlak and Kevin Dodd donated their time and we thank them.
 

RICK SHEREDA, P.S.