L.U.
325 (i&rts), BINGHAMTON, NY-At the fall dinner dance
Nov. 1, 2003, held at Endwell Greens Golf Club, we honored our recent
retirees: Bruce Church, Bob Dayton, Nate Foster, Steve Herrick,
Jerry Oliver and Jim Van Abs. Tom Stank also retired but was unable
to attend.
The graduating class of 2003 received certificates. Congratulations
to Brian Gollogly, Mike Guenther, Wayne Horton, Brian Hughes, Tom
Slesinsky and John Riesbeck. John Riesbeck received recognition
for highest average in the class for the five years of his apprenticeship.
Service pins were presented to Mike Church, 20 years; Bob Kucharek,
30 years; and Jim Lamb, 35 years.
Thank you to all the travelers who helped us staff our jobs this
summer.
L.U.
332 (c,ees,i,o&st), SAN JOSE, CA-We hope 2004 will bring
a better work situation; 2003 was quite slow. This spring should
be better, with the construction of two new power plants, the new
Kaiser Hospital and the San Jose Civic Center. Many new residential
projects also are coming.
The new governor has the authority to make many important appointments.
So far, he hasn't cleaned house of the many pro-labor people appointed
by Gov. Davis, but it is still very early. This should demonstrate
to the labor community how important it is who we elect. We have
a very critical election approaching in March that will determine
not only who we want to run for President, but also for many local
offices.
Take part in this election in any way you can. We can't compete
financially on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The only way we can win
is with activism.
When you are in a struggle for your very existence, it is helpful
to look back at history to those who have persevered and finally
succeeded. Most people would choose to belong to a union. It is
our responsibility to see to it that they have that choice.
L.U.
340 (em,i,o,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CA-The 51 IBEW Local
340 Civil Service employees working at various locations for the
County of Sacramento have done it again! For the last several years,
our members got together and donated their "safety stamps"
to purchase toys at Christmas for the homeless and less fortunate
children who attend Sacramento's Mustard Seed School. The stamps
collected this year by our members amounted to over $3,000!
Our Annual IBEW/NECA Operation Christmas Basket Drawing held in
December was again a huge success. With the generosity of our signatory
employers, business affiliates and of course, our awesome members,
we were able to donate more than $8,000 to local charities. Since
this raffle began 22 years ago, we have received donations of more
than $145,000.
With great sadness I report the tragic deaths of active member
Michael Layfield and former member Sterling Marshall. Also the following
retired brothers passed away recently: Bill Spandau, Vernon Sanders,
Delbert Jennings, Peter Bakker, William Venables, Jack Tepolt, Arthur
Marsh, John Hall and Glen Shaw.
Local 343 officers and apprentices
joined
15,000 union members at a protest rally
in Miami during the FTAA summit
conference in November. From left,
Local 343 Organizer Allen Stork,
apprentices Adam Brennan and Joe
Hines, Bus. Mgr. Wes Urevig, apprentice
Dustin Schulenberg, Pres. Mike Tupper
and apprentice Ken Grimm.
L.U.
343 (i,spa&st), LE SUEUR, MN-The work picture in our
jurisdiction remains very slow through the winter and spring. With
many projects on the board to be bid late winter and spring, we
are optimistic about the late summer or early fall.
One of the tools we've been using to help our members who are so
inclined is our "one- man shop" language, in effect for
about a year. This language allows a member who opens a shop to
pick and choose benefits, other than working dues and NEBF (which
are mandatory), when bidding against non-signatory contractors.
To date we have 14 new union shops and expect to see more. This
policy provides work for members who might otherwise be on the book
and creates competition for non-signatory contractors, especially
in the residential market, long an ongoing battle.
The recent AFL-CIO sponsored rallies and march held in Miami, FL,
to protest the FTAA summit conference held Nov. 19-21 was an unforgettable
experience. Local 343 Bus. Mgr.Wes Urevig, Pres. Mike Tupper and
Org. Al Stork, along with apprentices Joe Hines, Ken Grim, Dustin
Schulenberg and Adam Brennan (elected by their classmates), made
the trip, as did 300 Minnesota AFL-CIO members and retirees. Marching
in peaceful protest with nearly 15,000 fellow union members is something
I'll never forget. We got a special treat as we walked to our first
rally. A vehicle pulled up and honked. Inside were Int. President
Edwin D. Hill and Int. Sec.-Treas. Jerry J. O'Connor on their way
to the rally. "We saw those IBEW T-shirts and just had to stop
and say hi," commented Pres. Hill. Knowing that our leaders
were there to show their support of this effort was an inspiration
to all.
L.U.
347 (em,i,mt,rtb,rts&spa), DES MOINES, IA-Like many
locals in recent times, there has not been much work and many are
unemployed or traveling. But now work is finally looking up. As
of this writing calls have come in a couple times a week from contractors
needing workers.
Jordan Creek Mall is full speed ahead with many members working
there so far. One union contractor is doing the base building, and
others are doing some anchor stores.
With all the anchor stores, restaurants, small shops, etc. going
in, it would be nice to see the union contractors really sharpen
their pencils and get a good share of the work. This would be a
great billboard for them and for us because of all the people seeing
this project.
The Greater Des Moines Energy Center power plant has had a slow
year. Many hands were laid off from this project in the spring when
the simple cycle (gas) was done. Now that the boilers, cooling tower,
water treatment, and the steam side are rolling along, many more
hands will be needed to finish this project.
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