Local 38 members from Ullman Electric
at
the Cargill Salt Mine: from left, Dale Evert,
Eric Tuma, Jeff Ockuly, Jason Laguardia,
Kurt VanDyke, Rob Mauch, Dan Scolaro,
Todd Lee, Brett Brown and George Revilock.
Steward Chris Minch snapped the photo.
L.U.
38 (i), CLEVELAND, OH-The accompanying photo shows Local
38 members from Ullman Electric at the Cargill Salt Mine. This is
the Mix and Fines job at Cargill, a five-story tower that will screen
the salt from the mine to spread on roadways for this winter. While
this part of the job is above ground, much of the work for our members
at the salt mine is an elevator ride down 1,900 feet underground
and 3 miles out under Lake Erie on a 9,000-acre site.
Thanks to all who made phone calls to the Great Northern Mall management
company about our displeasure with their recent change in policy
to use non-union contractors. The company got the message-only union
contractors will be working there.
The Teledata Agreement was settled for a $1.70 per hour increase,
with $0.70 going to health care, $0.10 into pension and $0.90 into
the check. The Residential Agreement was settled for a $1.55 per
hour increase, with $0.75 going to health care, $0.10 into pension
and $0.70 into the check.
Local 42 father and son
apprentice linemen at a
climbing training class:
Mark Belanger, sixth-
period apprentice
lineman (left) and his
son, Jessie Belanger,
a second-period
apprentice lineman.
L.U.
42 (catv,em,govt,lctt&o), HARTFORD, CT-Local 42 is experiencing
the most work ever.
With this workload there's a great need here for journeyman linemen
for distribution, substation, and soon, transmission work. Local
42 Apprenticeship Subcommittee meets monthly and we are continually
indenturing apprentices.
IBEW journeyman lineman looking for work, please contact Bus. Mgr.
Peter Abrahamsen for referral at (860) 646-7297.
L.U.
46 (c,em,i,rtb,rts&st), SEATTLE, WA-Local 46 has seen
brighter days.
Work here is very slow and wiremen can expect at least six months
between calls.
During the past few months we have been asked to accept many compromises,
including reductions in medical benefits and on paychecks.
Members must also be aware of battles being fought on the state
level. Labor will help elect a new governor in 2004 and fight for
working people's rights on such issues as overtime pay and diluted
job classifications. The "right-to-work" initiative threatens
good paying jobs.
Int. Pres. Edwin D. Hill, said "this is war." We must
get out and vote and urge others to do the same.
Together we can all win-Go to meetings and organize. But most important:
VOTE.
L.U.
47 (lctt,mo,u&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CA-The 'Governator'
Arnold Schwarzenegger took office Nov. 15. He cut the recently increased
vehicle license fee, which is used to fund cities, counties and
local agencies. He told the Democratic-controlled state legislature
to find the money to keep the funding stream flowing to the local
governmental agencies. He promised not to lay off any state workers-before
Christmas! Wow! He has a plan to further deregulate the state's
electrical utility industry. Wonderful idea!
The wildfires are out, but the work will continue for utility workers
in Southern California. Nearly 300,000 Southern California Edison
customers suffered some type of power interruption. Wildfires claimed
two transmission lines, 1,500 power poles, 220 transformers and
more than 340 downed lines. Local 47 members and contract crews
from Local 1245 worked around the clock-first to de-energize lines
for safety considerations, and then to make repairs and restore
power.
We are about to begin benefits bargaining with SCE. Health care
benefits are under attack nationwide, but SCE's profitability has
been up.
L.U.
48 (c,em,i,rt,rts&st), PORTLAND, OR-Again this holiday
season, Local 48 donated time to the Festival of Lights at the Grotto
in Portland, OR.
Our December meeting led into our annual holiday party. Members
and guests enjoyed a meal and service awards were presented.
Our best wishes go out to members who have family in Iraq and to
those who are serving their country there also. We hope they will
remain safe and return home to their loved ones.
The work picture is still slow. Oregon is still leading the nation
in unemployment and Washington is not far behind. Contracts are
starting to go to bid on some larger projects but the short-term
picture has not changed.
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