Local 254 Bus. Mgr. John Briegel
(left) and
Pres. Carl Sefoot (right) present plaques to
Bros. Larry Dahl, Earl Hoefling and Rick
Strong as a tribute for their longtime
dedicated service.
L.U.
254 (ees,em,mo,rts&u), CALGARY, AB--Three long-serving
members, Rick Strong, Earl Hoefling and Larry Dahl, were honoured
at our Dec. 13, 2003, Executive Board meeting.
Rick Strong, a former long-term city of Calgary employee, was our
recording secretary for 18 years. He is now employed in the financial
industry. For the past 16 years Earl Hoefling volunteered many hours
with the Lions Club to set up and dismantle the Christmas light
display at Confederation Park. Larry Dahl has been instrumental
in organizing the ENMAX staff parking lot for parking during the
Calgary Stampede. Since 1993 this charitable venture has raised
over $180,000. All proceeds have been donated to the STARS (medi-vac)
helicopter.
The three members were each presented a plaque in recognition of
their services; Rick Strong also received the IBEW recording secretary
ring.
With summer quickly approaching we, in conjunction with the other
Alberta locals, are preparing for the 'All Canada Progress Meeting'
here in Calgary August 24-26. Plans are under way for some great
Western hospitality.
Local 278 Instructor Bobby Grant
(left) and
Training Dir. Ronnie Kolle (front row, second
from left) congratulate 2003 apprentice
class graduates including: Ron Charo,
Robert Ybarra, Oscar Gonzalez, Javier
Gonzales, Clifford McKenzie, Richard Henson,
Travis Goldapp, Tim Mendoza, Brian Smith,
Vic Cantu, Shawn Echols, Ricky Reid and
Gilbert Muniz.
L.U.
278 (em,govt,i&o), CORPUS CHRISTI, TX--Congratulations
to our 2003 apprenticeship class graduates. We also thank fifth-year
instructor Bobby Grant, Training Dir. Ron Kolle and instructors
Joe Tellez, Fernando Segovia, Phil Taylor, Rodney Eulenfeld and
Eddie Rodriguez for their continued dedication. Special kudos to
Clifford McKenzie, who finished at the top of the class.
Continuing Education classes are filling quickly. Contact Ron Tolle
at (361) 884-8414 for information on courses and schedules.
The Texas State Licensing Law goes into effect Sept. 1, 2004. Forms
to apply for the state license will be available online at www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elecfaz.htm.
You may also call the hall for more information.
Industrial work has begun to slow, with some layoffs expected.
It should pick back up in the spring to early summer. Commercial
work is slow in hiring, but should be going well by summer.
Our Pin Ceremony was a big success. Eligible members (10-45 years
of service) who were not present at the ceremony may contact the
hall to obtain their pins.
We mourn the death of the following members: James T. Glidewell,
Michael Byrn, B.I. Rabalais and Robert Terry.
Enjoying the fellowship at Local
294s 2003
Retirees party are: from left, back row,
Bill Atkinson, Ed Bozicevich, Glen Hallin
and Bus. Mgr. Scott Weappa; front row,
John Nivela, Howard Emery, William
Pariseau and Don Brown.
L.U.
294 (ees,em,i,rts,spa&u), HIBBING, MN--The work picture
in northern Minnesota continues to be bleak as of this writing.
We thank the IBEW locals around the country that are providing many
of our traveling members employment during these tough economic
times. We hope we will be able to provide employment through some
large projects projected for the future on the Iron Range.
A 2000 megawatt coal gasification power project has been proposed
for the area. But delays, due in part to the fact that the Energy
Bill did not pass during the December session of Congress, have
put the project on hold.
The lifting of steel tariffs by President Bush has once again increased
the burden on our taconite companies attempting to stay afloat.
The dumping of cheap foreign steel into America undermines the hearts
and souls of the people who built this great nation. In a new twist,
Laiwu (a steel firm from China) has partnered with Cleveland Cliffs
to purchase Eveleth Taconite, which fell into bankruptcy last year.
Whats next? Please buy made in the USA. The job you save may be
your own.
Local 294 Retirees Club meetings are held at the American Legion
in Virginia, MN, each Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m.
Local 306 Bro. George
Peters (left), who
served the local as
business manager for
nearly 20 years,
congratulates the
locals new president,
Bro. Mike Kammer.
L.U.
306 (i), AKRON, OH--For the first time in 191/2 years, our
local union is under the leadership of a new president. In the accompanying
photo, past president George Peters congratulates new Pres. Mike
Kammer and offers to give him the benefit of almost two decades
of 'on-the-job training.'
Pres. Kammer has served our membership well in the past on the
Executive, Organizing and Journeyman Training committees. We wish
him well in all future endeavors and offer our support.
Pres. George W. Bushs economic policies have struck hard in our
part of the nation. Ohio has lost more than 100,000 manufacturing
jobs, many of them in our jurisdictions.
The White House also has a new affinity for those who were previously
known as 'undocumented aliens' or 'UDAs' along the Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona and California borders. Rich ranchers just call them 'the
help.'
On a lighter note, we have no deaths or retirements to report this
issue.
L.U.
332 (c,ees,i,o&st), SAN JOSE, CA--Bus. Mgr. Bob Tragni
has added two new organizers to his staff, Bob Seaberg and Javier
Diaz. Bob and Javier are dedicated unionists with lots of energy
and enthusiasm and will be great assets to our local.
The deadline for all electricians to be certified by the state
of California is creeping up on us. Only about 5 percent of our
inside wiremen have taken the test so far. Remember, you cant be
dispatched without a license after Jan. 1, 2005, and you may
be removed from your job. We pushed hard for this requirement and
now our members need to get certified!
Recently-retired business manager Terry Tanner is doing well after
his radiation and chemo treatments. He comes to the hall frequently
and is looking better all the time.
We are fortunate in this country that we can replace our leaders
if we dont like what theyre doing. That is such a precious right.
We have a duty to exercise it. Make sure to check our your COPE
endorsements and vote.
The work picture is starting to brighten a little. The spring should
be busier after a slow winter.
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