Local 35 signed a Project Labor
Agreement on the
Adrians Landing project, which includes a
convention center, Marriott Hotel, Science Center,
retail and housing. Adrians Landing is just one of
many PLA projects moving forward in downtown
Hartford.
L.U.
35 (i), HARTFORD, CTThe work picture in Hartford is slowly
improving from the bad weather and poor economy. Connecticut has
lost nearly 55,000 jobs since President Bush was appointed to office.
The good news is that, as of this writing in March, the weather
has improved and contracts have been awarded. Bus. Mgr. Ken Leech
and Bus. Rep. John Sardo have been hard at work recently signing
Project Labor Agreements on the Marriot Hotel at Adrians Landing,
several schools with the city of Hartford, The Town Square/ Civic
Center project and Middletown High School, totaling approximately
$500 million in signed construction. The Foxwoods expansion project
is in full swing. Paul Dinto Electrical beat out a non-union contractor
at a Hard Rock Caf at Foxwoods. We are in the process of finalizing
a PLA on the Front Street Project.
Ninety percent of our work is done under the PLA. As you may know,
one of the first actions George W. Bush took as president was to
sign an Executive Order banning the use of a PLA on federally-funded
projects. We cannot allow this president to get re-elected and continue
his assault on organized labor.
L.U.
41 (em,es,i,se&spa), BUFFALO, NYSpring is here and
Local 41 is beginning to see its members called out to work after
a long winter. The steel is going up for five new buildings in downtown
Buffalo, the school project is progressing with more manpower and
is almost in full swing. If Phase I goes well, we will be sure to
have Phase II of an almost $200 million project, much of it electrical
work.
Spring is also the time to start negotiations for three contracts.
We hope the contracts will be resolved quickly and satisfactorily.
This presidential campaign is the most important election of our
time, as working people are under assault. Important issues affecting
all workers include Social Security, labor rights, safety and workplace
conditions, and the loss of manufacturing jobs. Outsourcing of jobs
overseas should be stopped. Everything union members have worked
for to protect all workers will be lost if the present administration
is returned to office.
We all must get involved with this election. If you are not registered
to vote, or have moved since the last election, call the hall to
register. Help elect the endorsed candidates.
Local 45 Bus. Mgr. Lloyd Webster
(right) and Pres. Vic Marrero (left)
present the IBEW Life Saving Award
to Bro. Tim Cruz.
L.U.
45 (catv,govt,rtb&t), HOLLYWOOD, CACongratulations
to Local 45 Life Saving Award recipient Tim Cruz. Bro. Cruz, a communications
electrician who works for the City of Los Angeles, was driving across
a bridge in December 2003 when he discovered a wreckage of a Ford
Explorer strewn across the roadway. Cruz, a former EMT, walked to
the edge of the bridge and saw a woman who had been thrown out of
her vehicle and down into a riverbed. Cruz called for emergency
help, then climbed down a 15-foot wall and waded through the
water to reach the semi-conscious woman.
Realizing her survival look grim, he applied aid until a helicopter,
paramedics and firemen arrived. The victim was transported to a
local hospital where she began her long road to recovery. Bro. Cruz
continues to visit her regularly in the hospital and, since she
is completely immobile, built her a specialized video monitor that
allows her to watch DVDs. Like so many heroes, Cruz simply says
that he was in the right place at the right time. He certainly deserves
the Life Saving Award.
Local 53 Bus. Rep. Tarry
Younghans recently
announced his retirement.
L.U.
53 (lctt,o,rts&u), KANSAS CITY, MOAs of this writing,
outside construction work is in pretty good shape. Our clerical
unit at Missouri Gas Energy has ratified a new five-year agreement,
effective May 1, 2004.
Local 53 is in negotiations with Webster Electric Cooperative,
the City of Butler (Missouri) and WDAF-TV.
The members at SHO-ME Power and Osage Valley Coop held their annual
dinners recently, with a great turnout at both.
The locals annual Crappie Tournament is scheduled for May 15,
2004, at Truman State Park at 8 a.m.
Local 53 members extend congratulations and best wishes to Bus.
Rep. Tarry Younghans upon his retirement. Tarry has served the membership
as business rep for 23 years. A retirement dinner was held Feb.
28 to honor Tarry for his service to local. Good luck, Tarry. We
will miss you!
L.U.
77 (lctt,mt,o,t&u), SEATTLE, WAOur construction members
recently ratified a new three-year NECA contract. They were successful
in bargaining 100 percent employer-paid Lineco medical premiums
as well as building a foundation for crew structure.
Work continues on the Bell-Coulee transmission project. There should
be another nine months of work on that transmission line. The work
picture continues to be good, with very few on the books. As always,
call before you come.
This is a critically important election year. It is extremely important
that we participate. Exercise your right to vote. If you dont have
decent wages, hours or conditions, other issues may not matter.
Please pay attention to the candidates and have an informed view.
Help your PAC committees represent you well.
Another election is close at handthe local union election of officers
and Executive Board members. Please attend your meetingsin May
you have the opportunity to nominate those who will carry forward
your interests and protect the health of your local union. Balloting
takes place in June, so please participate and be well informed.
The IBEW Ninth District Progress Meeting will be held in Tacoma
this summer.
As summer arrives, remember to work and play safe. Visit us online
at: http://www.ibew77.com.
Related Articles
