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November 2003 IBEW Journal

Time to Get Serious

L.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa&u), POCATELLO, ID-Local 449 wishes to extend a hearty welcome to Greenway Electric. Greenway Electric has been doing an expansion on a Budweiser Malt Plant in our area and has joined our family of signatory contractors.

I keep hearing from the Bush camp that the recession has been over for a couple of years-just like the war in Iraq is over. Yet we lose American lives almost daily. Someone tell the 9 million plus unemployed Americans how good the economy is. NOW is the time for all of us to get serious about politics. We (IBEW) do a pretty good job of getting our members registered, but a lousy job of getting our members to vote. Last election we had about 80 percent of our members registered and only about 26 percent voted. Where would we be today if 40 percent of us voted? We can make a difference, but only if we get involved and only if we vote.

Our condolences go to the family of Brother Samuel Scouten, retired journeyman wireman, who passed away August 8, 2003.

Best wishes to Brother Leonard "Skeeter" Howell on his retirement.

ROBERT CHANDLER, B.M.

A Voice In America

L.U. 459 (ees,em,so&u), JOHNSTOWN, PA-A Labor Day Review: Just thinking of how we got from the first Labor Day celebration in 1894 until today. Not much fanfare for Labor Day in 2003. With legislation before the Congress on issues so important to working families-such as overtime pay, privatization of social security, right to work, prevailing wage, the family medical leave act, OSHA and more-the rights of working people that unions fought hard for and won are today under threat of attack. Some elected officials are trying to take away hard won benefits from working families.

It is hard to get members to understand the issues when work is going well for them and none of their benefits have yet been eroded. Although some legislation is chipping away at your collective bargaining agreements, some people just don't want to believe it will eventually affect them.

We need to collectively get out there on Election Day to make sure elected officials don't take our benefits from us. We need to make certain the people we elect stand up to their promises.

We have a voice at the workplace now, but we need more voice in America.

KENNETH L. RICHARDS, Pres.

Nobles Retires

Local 479 organizer Wade Tyson, left, with Bus. Mgr. Jesse Sanches

L.U. 479 (i&u), BEAUMONT, TX-Hello brothers and sisters once again from hot, humid, and muggy Southeast Texas. The work picture in our area is still slow at this time. We are hopeful that it will be brighter around the beginning of the last quarter of the year.

Business Manager Brother David Nobles announced his retirement effective as of August 1, 2003. Best wishes go out to Brother Nobles and wife Linda; may they have a happy, prosperous retirement.

IBEW Local 479 with the help of the Sign Doctor had a sign constructed for our new brothers and sisters from Local 1015 in Weslaco, Texas. The sign was presented to Business Manager Brother Jesse Sanchez by organizer Wade Tyson of Local l479.

The BEJATC has completed an instrumentation lab complete with switchgear, instruments, and a running unit. Classes should begin around the middle of July. Until next time GOD BLESS THE USA and remember the "B" in IBEW.

TONY HOLLIER, P.S.

Salts Needed

L.U. 481 (ees,em,i,mt,rts,s&spa), INDIANAPOLIS, IN-With the economic downturn, work remains slow. Local 481 continues to work hard on getting PLAs on all jobs in the jurisdiction.

The two organizing teams meet regularly to discuss strategies to regain work in our jurisdiction. Organizers need members to salt. Salting helps the union organize nonunion contractors, and helps our unemployed members.

We have four new contractors this quarter: Apple Electric, D.B. Moore Electric, DKM Electric, and Maverick Communications & Electric Inc.

This is election month-get informed and vote! The AFL-CIO and IBEW Local 481 sent out information listing labor-endorsed candidates and voting records. Do your part-the next four years could be tough without the right leaders to work with labor.

This year's Labor Day parade was better than ever. Bob Cadwell did a tremendous job coordinating. The local's picnic at the zoo was a fun-filled day for members and their families.

Local 481 is working on a new, improved web site.

The apprenticeship award banquet was Sept. 6. Lamar Stroder won the Solidarity Award. The Apprentice of the Year award went to Chris Herrick; Eric Buxton was runner-up.

STEVE MONTGOMERY, P.S.

Exemplary Contributions

Retired Bro. Dan Ross presents Local 483's Dan Ross Inspirational Award to Exec. Board member Judy Sharnes, left, and Exec. Board Sct'y. Lisa Ross.

L.U. 483 (lctt,o&u), TACOMA, WA-Dan Ross, retired Local 483 member and past president, presented the "Dan Ross Inspirational Award" to Exec. Board member Judy Sharnes and Exec. Board Scty. Lisa Ross at the annual picnic Aug. 9.

Local 483 established the award to honor members whose contributions exemplify the ideals of unionism and worker rights. Judy and Lisa were recognized for their dedication and service to the local, its members and the community. More than 200 active and retired union members and their families and friends, Ninth District Int. Rep. Richard Rogers and special guests enjoyed a great day of food and fun.

RICK E. HITE, B.M.