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November 2003 IBEW Journal

Mourning Our Loss

L.U. 1439 (u), ST. LOUIS, MO-It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brother Dennis McLean. A member of Local 1439 for 42 years, he was in the transmission department as a lineman for the past 29.

Bro. McLean was a respected member, a good lineman and a true brother and friend. We mourn his loss, though at the same time we are grateful and blessed to have known and worked with him.

Our membership is currently in the process of voting on a proposal for group major medical plan changes, a pension improvement package and a one-year extension on the existing three-year contract.

We appreciate the hard work and tenacity of our union officials and negotiating committee who have persevered though these trying negotiations.

KEN CARROLL, P.S.

Horse Racing in Doubt

Several years ago, Local 1501 Business Manager/ President Dion F. Guthrie, left, met with Maryland Jockey Club owner, Frank DeFrancis, now deceased, at the Maryland State Fair.

L.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet&rts), BALTIMORE, MD-State fairs have been enjoyed by countless generations of Americans. Maryland's fair is no exception. I can recall my parents taking me to the Timonium Fair Grounds, at that time a distant suburb of Baltimore. With few automobiles and meager transportation, we traveled by train. In turn I've taken my children and most recently my grandchildren to the fair. A mainstay of this 100-year plus fairground has been its racetrack, poor purses have cut racing back to eight days.

Our members employed by AmTote International Inc., maintain the betting equipment and add a union flavor to the fairgrounds. The future of horse racing in Maryland still remains in doubt, with our state legislature doing a lot of talking, but taking no action.

Bus. Mgr./Pres. Dion F. Guthrie informed Maryland Speaker of the House Michael Busch that unless he takes steps to protect the jobs of our members in the racing community, our local may withhold endorsing his re-election to the House of Delegates. Our course stating that you will urge the members not to vote for a candidate has a hollow ring if members do not take the time to register to vote. Remember the first step is to register and the second is to vote for candidates endorsed by your local union.

THOMAS J. ROSTKOWSKI, P.S.

Labor Day Politicking

L.U. 1505 (em), WALTHAM, MA-On Labor Day some members of our local attended three different breakfasts. One took place in Boston, where the key speaker was author William Rivers Pitt, who slammed the Bush Administration for losing 3 million jobs since he took office. In Worcester, Massachusetts state AFL-CIO President Bob Haines spoke about uniting to support labor issues. After the Worcester breakfast our members did a walk to cure cancer. The membership came through once again for the cause and raised over $10,000 in donations.

At the Manchester, New Hampshire breakfast the speakers included Congressman Richard Gephardt and Senator John Kerry. They both spoke about the economy, education and health issues.

BETTY LAPOINTE, P.S.

School Partnership

Local 1547 members Laverne Wilson (sixth from right), Coleen Anderson (fifth from right) and Dora Wilson (fourth from right) pose with a student and members of the Anchorage Fire Department, Alaska State Legislature and Anchorage School board at the Denali Elementary School kick-off barbecue.

L.U. 1547 (c,em,i,o,t&u), ANCHORAGE, AK-To continue support for community involvement, this year IBEW Local 1547 entered into the School Business Partnership Program with the Anchorage School District and Denali Elementary School. IBEW member Dora Wilson spearheaded the program and coordinated a barbecue on Aug. 28 for teachers, parents and students to kick off the 2003-2004 school year.

With the help of other IBEW members, the event was a huge success, with over 1,000 people in attendance. Other aspects of Local 1547's School Business Partnership with Denali Elementary will include safety demonstrations given by IBEW linemen and the local electric utility, attendance awards and an end-of-the-year barbecue.

Thanks to Local 1547's community relations coordinator, Jackie Endsley, who also provided information for this article.

MELINDA TAYLOR, P.S.

New State License

L.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KY-We are hoping that all members registered to vote in our registration drive, and voted in the November election, especially in the Kentucky gubernatorial race. We are hoping Democratic candidate Ben Chandler is our next governor.

Work in the jurisdiction is very slow as in surrounding locals as well. At this writing we have over 100 on Book 1, fortunately all apprentices are working. Thanks to all locals employing our traveling members.

The JATC is preparing for J.W. updating classes as needed for the new state electrical licensing law, under which six hours of updating will be required per year. Also, Brother Gerald Snodgrass will be teaching OSHA 10 and updating passport classes for the WKE & KU power plants. Please contact the hall for future class dates.

In sadness we report the passing of WKI member Robert Drinnon, Jr., and retired J.W. Stanley Turner, may they reset in peace.

TIM BLANDFORD, P.S.