L.U.
426 (i,lctt,o,spa,t&u), SIOUX FALLS, SD--Greetings,
Brothers and Sisters. We had a cold winter here in South Dakota.
In September 2003 Pres. Tom Meyers stepped down from office to
take a traveling journeyman teacher job. Vice Pres. Greg Stelzer
is replacing him in the presidents post until local union elections
in 2004.
I would like to say thank-you to the 168 travelers and 35 local
hands from the 57 locals that helped make 99 wind towers in Pipestone,
MN, a big success.
Local 426 extends congratulations to Lyle Kabeiseman on his retirement
effective Jan. 1, 2004.
L.U.
488 (i&mt), BRIDGEPORT, CT--Our 2003 Christmas party
was held Dec. 13 at Liedles Restaurant in Stratford with more than
180 children of local members enjoying the celebration. Chm. Jay
Sportini and his committee give unselfishly of their time selling
raffle tickets, shopping and gift-wrapping. Everything is worth
it the day of the party when Santa arrives to pass out the gifts
with his elves. The Christmas Party Committee deserves a round of
applause.
Work here in Connecticut remains slow. However, with the recent
signing of project labor agreements in Bridgeport, Danbury and Waterbury,
we hope for an improved work picture in the months and years to
come. We are concentrating our efforts to regain some of the work
we have lost in recent years. Although not an easy task, every step
forward helps.
Congratulations to Rich Manzo on his retirement. We thank Rich
for 43 years of service to this local. He began as an apprentice
and retired as president and assistant business manager. Thanks
and good luck, Rich!
Local 490 Asst. Bus. Mgr. Denis
Beaudoin
(left), Bus. Mgr. Joe Casey (second from
(left) and Organizer Tony Pecce (right)
reet Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) and former
New Hampshire Gov. jean Shaheen at a
local union meeting held at the Sugar
Shack in Barrington, NH.
L.U.
490(i&mt), DOVER, NH--Marching with pride to show support
for workers right to choose a union, Local 490 joined with more
than 7,000 brothers and sisters from AFL-CIO affiliated unions at
a huge International Human Rights Day rally in Boston, MA, last
December. Thanks to Local 490 members and to all the IBEW affiliates.
It was great meeting and marching with our fellow brothers and sisters.
Special thanks to Local 103, Boston, a march sponsor.
It has been said that it isnt an election until a candidate stops
by the union hall for a speech. The accompanying photo shows Local
490 officers greeting Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John
F. Kerry (D-MA) and former New Hampshire Gov. Jean Shaheen at a
local union meeting.
We are happy to announce that Bro. Jeffrey Lodge is back home from
the war in Afghanistan. Welcome home, Jeff--we are very proud of
you.
We mourn the passing of Bro. Gerry Garneau. Gerry was a member
of our first Local 490 JATC class in 1964. He will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
L.U.
596 (i,o&u), CLARKSBURG, WV--Brothers and sisters of
Local 596, you and every eligible member of your family need to
get out and vote in 2004. Labor has a voice. Lets make it heard.
A new power plant in Morgantown and a new hospital in Clarksburg
are both making their way through the permitting process. We hope
these projects will become a reality in the upcoming year. The Institute
for Scientific Research is on hold because of the lack of federal
funding. With many members on the bench, we are hopeful that 2004
will create several projects in our area.
L.U.
602 (i,o&u), AMARILLO, TX--On Dec. 10, 2003, L.U. 602
'celebrated' Right-to-Work Day by going downtown to the courthouse
in Amarillo to inform the public about this important issue. Volunteers
cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and provided refreshments free to
the public. Local news teams covered the event and we had a good
turnout. Our local union plans to make this an annual event.
The Amarillo ISD voted on and passed a bill to build two new schools
in the area. The people of Amarillo have been attending school board
meetings to encourage decision makers to hire Amarillo contractors
rather than out of town contractors. This will create jobs and keep
our tax dollars in the area.
A special thanks to the following hard-working and dedicated brothers
and sisters: Pres. John Stolts, Bus. Mgr. Jody Maples, and Asst.
Bus. Mgr. John Gil out of the Amarillo area; Richard Caffey, and
Mack Ray out of the Lubbock area; Lynette Smith and Mark Cooper
of Midland; and to all the brothers and sisters who devote their
time to make a difference in their local union. Remember to attend
your local union meetings and make a difference in your area.
With sadness Local 602 reports the death of Bros. Buell Crafton,
Ellis A. Smith and Gary D. McConnell.
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