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December 2003 IBEW Journal
L.U. 146 (ei,i&rts), DECATUR, IL--The NECA-IBEW Local 146 Class of 2003 graduated in May at a ceremony at the Eagle Creek Resort. Graduates were Larry R. Apke, Mark R. Creed, Jason L. Drake, Tony L. Frank, Angela M. Gilbert, Timothy B. Gosnell, Douglas L. Hammer, Mark L. Harris, Bob Lewis, Jr., James D. Miller, John S. Myers, Gary D. Parker, Joshua D. Sapp, Mary Catherine M. Sapp and Wesley J. Watson. Bro. Jason L. Drake was 2003 Apprentice of the Year. Our new first-year apprentices include Kelsey Ashcraft, Kelly Blakey, Wayne ODell, Nicholas Perry, Robbie Reynolds, Brian Schultz, Earl Taylor, Nathan Vaughn and Darin Yantis. Brotherhood is alive and well in Local 146. We held our annual golf outing, Labor Day picnic, poker run, and steak fry this year. Members also volunteered their time for Summer Start at Lake Decatur, Decatur Celebration, Decatur Central Park Christmas lighting, Coles County Habitat for Humanity, the Charleston Pavilion project and the Homeless Shelter of Mattoon. Thanks to all who serve on the committees and volunteer for these events. Work continues to be very slow and we hope for better times in 2004. Remember, this will be an election year and it is important that we mobilize our membership. Shad E. Etchason, Pres. L.U. 150 (es,i,rts&spa), WAUKEGAN, IL--Greetings, brothers and sisters. I am Scotty Klepac, the new press secretary. I started my apprenticeship in 92 and I look forward to serving you on these pages. Any and all help or suggestions are welcomed. We thank former press secretary Wendy Cordts for her many years of hard work and dedication. The work outlook is still slow but new calls are coming in, with many short calls and no Book II sent out since last October. Local 150 and its retirees took part in the Zion Labor Day parade. Thanks to Ray Holst and the retirees for their continued support of this event. Thanks also to Dawn Zabroski and her family for the hard work they did. Special thanks to Russ Koch for leading the way in his vintage 1931 Model A Ford. The Local 150 softball team continues to dominate area tournaments going 15 and 0 to win all three. Local union meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at the Gurnee American Legion. Everyone should attend the upcoming meeting regarding possible changes in our heath and welfare benefits. Scotty Klepac, P.S. L.U. 160 (lctt,o&u), MINNEAPOLIS, MN--On Sept. 25, 2003, we held our 20th annual pig roast and more than 600 brothers and sisters attended. Good food and weather made this a very enjoyable day. Thank you to the pig roast sponsors, gift donors, cooks, and all those who made this event a huge success. The pig roast gave many their first chance to see the newly renovated grounds and exterior of the Local 160 hall. The building was repainted and got new lettering. Paver brick sidewalks were installed in the front and rear of the hall, with "IBEW LOCAL 160" spelled out in the brickwork. Old shrubs and bushes were removed and a sprinkler system was installed. The many improvements got rave reviews, thanks to all the active and retired members who did much of the work. Daniel S. Seawell, P.S. L.U. 164 (c,i,o&t), JERSEY CITY, NJ--The International Office recently recognized Local 164s self-administered, self-insured health benefit fund as a model for similar funds nationwide. Local 164 has maintained a highly efficient service by not relying upon third-party administrators to process claims. "At a time when third-party administration costs have risen at an alarming rate, and most health funds are experiencing double-digit inflation annually, our self-managed fund has provided dramatic cost savings," noted Bus. Mgr. Richard Dressel. "The basic concept is simple. Rather than rely on third-party administrators, we rent a health network from a major health benefit provider for a per-member, per-month fee." All claims are processed by Local 164s corps of professional claims personnel, who remit payments in a matter of days rather than weeks. Consequently, Local 164 derives the discounts that would normally be pocketed by third-party administrators. "Because of this tremendous cost savings," Dressel added, "Local 164 was the first and only local in the country to provide long-term nursing home care for its members." All New Jersey inside locals have visited or will be visiting Local 164 to learn more about our system. And in keeping with the spirit of brotherhood, we invite all inside locals to inquire. David Milazzo, Pres. L.U. 180 (c,i,o&st), VALLEJO, CA--With PLAs, the saying "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar" applies. Perception also applies. Demanding a PLA by pounding ones fist on the table as the project goes to bid is old school. The correct perception is the classic sales approach. Create the need, or show them their need. Speak positively about the PLA. Provide written endorsements. Interview, endorse and support candidates for school boards to assist in closing the deal. Invite all school board and council members to tour union training facilities. Nine out of ten public leaders have no idea how much time, effort and funding is needed to train our local young people. On training, we have a meeting of the minds; we all want good jobs for local people. Today the building trades are perceived as a solution not the problem. The outcome for our local is two PLAs presented, two signed. We look for a snowball effect with other school districts and community colleges. The California recall leave us battling it out in the sequel, "Total Recall Two--Resurrection of The Working Class." Mike Smith, P.S. |
