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November 2003 IBEW Journal

Negotiations Underway

L.U. 503 (t&u), MONROE, NY-Frontier/Citizen negotiations are expected to begin mid-November. Orange and Rockland Utilities' negotiations are to begin at the end of March. As a reminder to the membership, please return your completed surveys as soon as possible to help the negotiation teams expedite their proposals.

Congratulations to Mike DeNisco on winning the raffle for Giants season tickets! The annual golf outing was a huge success. Thanks to all who participated.

The local expects to once again feed a minimum of 70 families this holiday season through our food basket drive and raffles. Volunteers are always welcome. Anyone interested, please call the office for details.

The officers wish the membership happy holidays and a good new year.

MARY M. CASEY, P.S.

'A Lot of Good News'

Local 551 Organizer Larrick McDowell (far right) staffs the building trades booth at the Sonoma County Fair.

L.U. 551 (c,i&s), SANTA ROSA, CA-We have a fair amount of work and have been able to put some traveling members to work. It's been quite awhile since we've enjoyed this type of work picture.
There is a lot of good news to report. We are teaching COMET classes monthly. We have been successful in organizing new employers, most recently O'Rourke Electric and McClure's Construction Electric. Both of these new contractors have hired several of our members and things are going well.

Our labor compliance organization, Mission 2000, reported that we are doing over 60 percent of public works projects in our jurisdiction. This is excellent news and proves that public outreach, education and labor compliance programs work!

We have accomplished these gains through working in partnership with our local NECA chapter. Together we negotiated a new two-year contract, in a very difficult economy, that was fair to both parties. The contract was overwhelmingly approved by our membership.

After eight months of negotiations, the Petaluma City Council approved a pre-qualification ordinance for all city public works projects. Petaluma is the first city in Sonoma County to do so. We hope we can use this as leverage to get more cities and counties to do the same.

We've made significant progress on our residential program. We now have a structured three-year apprenticeship program, starting this fall. We negotiated a significant raise and benefit increase and are aggressively pursuing work in this sector. These successes are the result of the hard work of our officers, members and contractors working together!

On a sad note, we rallied to defeat the recall of Gov. Gray Davis. The recall is a monumental waste of time and money we cannot afford by a bunch of right-wing fanatics who are angry at this governor's pro-labor track record. This is an attack on working people, plain and simple!

STEVEN A. BENJAMIN, B.M./F.S.

Organizing for Jobs

Local 557 members employed by Thiel Electric on the Saginaw Valley State University new housing unit project: from left, front row, Todd Fink, Dave Nostrandt, and Dale Hunter; back row, Don Miller, Phil Jimenez, Rick Reinelt, Chris Nickodemus, Tim Iles, Marc Johnson and Tom Lang.

L.U. 557 (i,rts,spa&mt), SAGINAW, MI-Summer brought wind, rain, sun, and some work to our local. The rain, wind and work all blew through at the same rate, fast moving but in volumes. School remodeling and some retail commercial work kept local hands busy, and travelers helped get some projects done. The deep frost of winter delayed concrete pours, putting jobs behind, so many thanks to the hands brought in through Book II to help us meet deadlines. Our leadership created this work with organizing techniques that landed union hands at Wal-Mart, and that project created lots of jobs. The local voted to initiate a lottery process on any given day when layoffs happen, which has saved a rush to sign the book.

With employment opportunities now dwindling and long out-of-work lists, we have an opportunity to hawk our cause in any board meeting that will listen to the advantage of union labor. Get involved!

JOHN E. CLEMENS, P.S.

Working Families First

L.U. 577 (em&i), APPLETON, WI-Our work picture remains the same. The contractors are able to win just enough work to keep their core crews fairly busy. The number of journeymen on Book 1 has held steady all summer. Soon we will be able to visit the polls to elect politicians that will put working families first.

Our inside agreement ratified in June includes language that allows members to choose to donate to a newly established local PAC fund. We will contact the membership to voluntarily authorize their employer to withhold contributions for this fund.

The administration in Washington has proven that big business and wealthy friends are more important than people who try to go to work every day. We encourage members to get out and vote for candidates who support working people. Republicans consistently outspend their opponents because they are supported by the wealthy. The Democrats who support us are supported by us. Seriously consider signing the authorization card to contribute to the local PAC fund. If you are not contacted, call the office for a card.

A turnout of 150 for our annual summer outing at Fox Cities Stadium Aug. 26 featured a win by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Thanks to Tom Van Heuklon and Corey Wiegel, who coordinated the event.

The December newsletter will include the spring training schedule. Enhance your skills by attending night classes. In the last issue I failed to acknowledge Dan Yindra as an instructor. Dan is also chairman of the Education Committee.

GREG BREAKER, P.S.

Labor Under Attack

IBEW Local 595 and Local 6 sisters picnic in solidarity.

L.U. 595 (c,govt,i,o&st), DUBLIN, CA-At this writing, Local 595 is fighting the Gray Davis recall. California's labor unions are leading the way to protect the rights of those who depend on an hourly wage. Our elected representatives came out in force at the Labor Day picnic at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. Speakers noted that the recall is yet another attempt by opponents of labor to capture an election they couldn't win. The cause of labor is under attack, and only a larger commitment from the rank and file will make a lasting difference.

August was a month of picnics for Local 595. Our annual picnic was a wonderful family day with barbeque provided by members Willy Broach and Rudy Sanchez for more than 300 members. Thanks to the picnic committee.

At the first annual Electrical Women of Neighboring Locals Picnic, Local 6 and Local 595 women combined forces to strengthen the ties of sisterhood in the Brotherhood. Many of the women who attended contribute passionately to the workings of their local.

MARTA SCHULTZ, P.S