L.U.
275 (catv,em&i), MUSKEGON, MIAt this writing, work
remains slow. This summer could prove to be better with a few projects
possibly starting. During these slow times many members have hit
the hardest of financial strains. Please contact the union
hall for information to guide you through these difficult times. Although
your unemployment may have expired, there may be other assistance
programs for which you qualify.
These will be very busy days for the localwith contract negotiations
beginning, the local union nomination and election of officers in
May and June, and the many political races for public office. Please
volunteer for committees and other activities where help may be
needed.
This is an extremely important presidential election year. Working
men and women have been under constant attack from the Bush administration
and the Republican Congress. We must make sure all of our members
vote this fall to insure our future success. Voter registration
forms are available at the union hall. The right to vote is our
single greatest freedomit is imperative that we use it.
L.U.
309 (i,lctt,mo,mt,o,rts,spa &u), COLLINSVILLE, ILAs
of this writing, the work picture in our area is still on the slow
side, although there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In early March, 30 journeymen wiremen were on Book I, as well as
eight apprentices. Although that is still too many, the number is
down from the high point over the winter. The outside branch continues
to be a bright spot, with only one journeyman and no apprentices
off at this time.
Asst. Bus. Mgr. Scott Hassle reported at the March meeting that
the Book is clearing slowly for wiremenand that two big jobs on
the horizon, a $50 million project at the Casino Queen in East St.
Louis and another at the Venice Power Plant, should clear the books.
Both projects should get underway this summer.
Once again the local took part in the annual Home Builders Show
in Belleville, with seven signatory contractors and several members
taking part. Many leads were obtained through the show and we hope
this will put some of our brothers and sisters in residential back
to work.
Local 317 apprentice
Charissa Barker tries
out the new welding
shop.
L.U.
317 (i,o,rts,t&u), HUNTINGTON, WVWe have been fortunate
over the last couple of years to have had plenty of work in our
local. We have even been able to work a lot of traveling members,
but the poor economy has finally caught up to us.
As of this writing nearly half of our journeyman wireman and apprentices
are out of work. Our line work has been slow for a long time but
there should be some work coming up this summer. While a lot of
commercial work is coming up, there is no significant industrial
work in the near future.
Building on the welding shop is almost complete. Thanks to Lincoln
Welding for help in designing the shop and teaching some classes.
Apprentices have provided work in the shop, under the leadership
of Ron and Kelly Cremeans.
The new union hall is under construction. It adjoins the training
center and will also house the credit union. Nearly $2 million will
be invested in the entire new facility with completion expected
in May.
Local union elections are coming up in June and nominations will
be held in May. This would be a good time to come out and get involved.
Local 343 Bro. David
Lawler (left) receives his
55-year service award
presented by Bus. Mgr.
Wes Urevig.
L.U.
343 (i,spa&st), LE SUEUR, MNOn Feb. 21, 2004, Local
343 held its 17th Annual Awards Banquet. More than 300 members and
guests were on hand for the special occasion.
At the banquet Local 343 recognized eight local union members who
retired in the past year, 23 graduating inside apprentices and two
graduating residential trainees. Bro. David Lawler received his
55-year service award.
The awards banquet was also the kickoff for the locals 25th anniversary
celebration on April 1, 2004.
JATC instructors Steve Martin,
Steve Porch and Dennis Kleiner
in Local 351s booth at the third
annual New Jersey IBEW/NECA
Teledata and Technology
Conference.
L.U.
351 (c,cs,i,it,lctt,mt,o,se,spa &t), FOLSOM, NJThe
third annual Teledata and Technology Conference was held Nov. 13
at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ.
This year South Jersey IBEW and NECA joined with North Jersey to
make it a statewide event with six IBEW locals and two NECA Chapters.
The exhibits contained over 50 booths with the latest material,
equipment, tools and training available. The conference was very
successful in bringing together suppliers, contractors and end users.
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