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June 2004 IBEW Journal L.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts &st), SALEM, ORLocal 280 has initiated a Member-to-Member program to reach out to members and poll their opinions on the locals effectiveness. The Labor Education Resource Center (LERC) and University of Oregon labor professor Marcus Widenor are facilitating this program, which is designed to help the local better serve our membership. We held training sessions with volunteer canvassers from EC Company, Christenson Electric, and the Central Oregon membership. At these sessions volunteers learned how to conduct short Member-to-Member questionnaires with their fellow workers on their own time. Questions ranged from effectiveness and challenges of the local union to how actively the union should be involved in political issues. One of the major findings was that our members feel we should increase membership involvement and education, including internal union communications. The surveys will help us accomplish those goals and build a stronger union. Dennis D. Caster, B.M./F.S. L.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS, MNAt the time of this writing, we have approximately 530 brothers and sisters on the out-of-work list. We hope the work picture will improve this summer. After reaching nearly 600 on Book I, it has become a reality that not all of our members may clear the bench this summer. Recognition of outstanding performance and brotherhood goes to brothers Jerry Hagen, Tom Brudeli, Bill Simonet, Bill Hendricks, Ken Haugen, Mike Krenz, Charlie Stark and Jim Gessner. The Light Rail Transit/ Hiawatha Line was the biggest project going on in our local last winter and these brothers brought phase one of the project in on time and did a fine job. Projections indicate manpower requirements for phase two will put 50 wiremen to work. We thank all the locals that provided work for our members who decided to travel. We hope the economy improves when we vote Pres. Bush out of the White House in November. Keith M. Anderson, P.S. L.U. 322 (govt,i,lctt,o&u), CASPER, WYOur work picture has been slow to steady during these hard times. We hope work will pick up during the summer months. Thank you to all the members who manned the work on the Florida Power and Light wind turbine project and helped bring the project to completion on time. We sent two members, Chuck Watson and Darell Polk, to the Instrumentation I Class held at the NJATC in May. We plan to hold instrumentation training in the summer. Five apprentices graduate this year from the Inside Apprenticeship Program: Calvin Caldwell, Josh Gieck, Henry Gravley, Angela Johnson and Eric Yorgason. Congratulations to these brothers and sisters on achieving their goal of becoming journeyman wiremen. Seven members retired in 2003: Ray Brown, Buddy Grosvenor, Conway Hawks, Victor Steele, Alfred Strobel, Andrew Wise and Jerry Dewey. We thank these members for their years of service and extend best wishes in their retirement. Visit our Web site at www.ibew322.org, where you can chat with members and visit our job board. Chris Morgan, B.M./F.S. L.U. 332 (c,ees,i,o&st), SAN JOSE, CAOnly six months are left to get your state electricians certification. As of Jan. 1, 2005, all electricians in the state of California must obtain certification. You may not be able to work without it. Have you sent in your paperwork? Work is still slow in our jurisdiction with many members on the out-of-work list. Lots of Silicon Valley buildings are empty and some of the bigger jobs have been slow to start. To help out, individuals may contribute to the Members Assistance Fund at the union hall or at the Electrical Federal Credit Union next door. Despite the poor economy, union membership has held steady since 1997. As a percentage, however, membership nationwide is down to 13.2 percent. California is 17.5 percent union, ninth highest in the country. As our percentage of the workforce declines, so do our influence, our wages and working conditions. To reverse this trend we must organize! Did you know scholarships are available through unions? Go to www.aflcio.org and click on "Family Fun & Resources" for links to resources. We salute UFCW Southern California grocery workers on their tremendous union solidarity. In a five-month dispute, 91 percent of their members stayed out until the end. Please help elect labor-friendly candidates in November. Alan L. Wieteska, P.S. L.U. 340 (em,i,o,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CAThis November every IBEW member should exercise his or her right to vote for a president who understands the needs of working people. We need a president who will stop exporting U.S. jobs, support Project Labor Agreements and help control health insurance costs. Dont underestimate the power of your vote. IBEW members can make a difference! For IBEW members who have been diagnosed with asbestos related illnesses, we have received notification from our Building Trades of research on a new drug called "Veglin" for the possible treatment of asbestos-caused mesothelioma cancer. To date, research results have proved successful, according to the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MESORFA). For additional information consult the MESORFA web site at www.mesorfa.org or phone 1-800-909-6376. With great sadness Local 340 reports the passing of active members Johnny L. Edwards (brother of member Bobby Edwards) and Danny Mallicoat (father of member Troy Mallicoat). We also lost retired Bros. Donald Cummings, Donald Drake, Ralph Hamilton, Philip Janson and Max Richardson. A.C. Steelman, P.S. |