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June 2004 IBEW Journal

Ratty Wal-Mart

L.U. 34 (em,i,rts&spa), PEORIA, ILWith a ratty Wal-Mart Supercenter in the works in the nearby city of Washington area, the fight is on with two mass demonstrations in just four weeks. Approximately 800 union members and their families turned out for the rallies. We must inform the public about how bad Wal-Mart is for the economy.

No union dollars should ever cross the front door of Wal-Mart. Until theres "less talk and more walk," there will be battles with Wal-Mart all across our jurisdiction. Do Not Shop at Wal-Mart!

At union meetings we have heard reports from three committees working on plans to strengthen our local. Dave Stekler chairs the Insurance Committee; Brocke Yeske chairs the Annuity Committee; and Danny Kentner, the Sub-Fund Committee. With the help of great union members, hard work and time well spent, we as a local can have better right now and into the future. The chairmen and their committees will help the local move in the right direction. Respect goes out to them.

Jason Norton, P.S.

 

Jacobs Field Renovation


Local 38 wiremen completed the Jacobs Field ballpark
renovation project on time for the Cleveland Indians
opening day. Contractors on the project included
Contemporary, Harrington and Hirsch Electric.

L.U. 38 (i), CLEVELAND, OHLocal 38 wiremen began work on the Jacobs Field stadium renovations in January. Thanks to their fine work, the home ballpark of the Cleveland Indians was ready for opening day. Stadium upgrades include a new state-of-the-art LED scoreboard as well as concession stand renovations. This is the largest video display used as a scoreboard in the world, the second largest video display overall. It is 150 ft. wide by 37 ft. high and contains 3 million LEDs (light emitting diodes).

The tax cuts George Bush gave to the wealthiest Americans have not trickled down to uswork remains slow here and elsewhere across the country.

We need a president like John Kerry who understands the importance of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws. He also understands we are fed up with putting what little raises we get into our health-care funds to cover skyrocketing health care costs. Unions created the middle class, increasing social/economic justice in America. Support candidates who will help working families. Register to vote and make sure everyone in your family is registered. Call the union hall if you need forms mailed to you or if you want to help in this years campaign. Lets elect John Kerry and get America back on track.

Dennis Meaney, Organizer

 

A Shoreline Project


Local 42 journeyman lineman
James Allan stands atop
"highline" structure on a jobsite
located along the south San
Diego shore, with U.S. Navy
Pacific Fleet ships in the
background.

L.U. 42 (catv,em,govt,lctt&o), HARTFORD, CTLocal 42 Bros. James Allan and Timothy Duda, both skilled journeyman linemen, are working out West in San Diego, CA. The current project involves work along the south San Diego shore, alongside the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet, installing 138 kv circuit for Wilson Construction of Camby, OR. The "highline" structure our brothers are working on is approximately 175 feet high.

Brothers Duda and Allan noted that the job has been complicated by the fact that some of this work had to be performed using helicopters within U.S. naval airspace.

Peter C. Abrahamsen, B.M./F.S.

Montana Lineman Rodeo

L.U. 44 (catv,lctt,o,rtb,s&u), BUTTE, MTThe Montana Lineman, Backhoe and Tree Trimmer Rodeo will be held Saturday, July 17, 8 a.m., at the Deer Lodge Fairgrounds in Deer Lodge, MT. A kickoff fish fry and karaoke will be held Friday, July 16 at 6 p.m.

The rodeo is a family event featuring "friendly rivalry between workers from various utilities and construction to display the skills they use on the job everyday." For the kids a greased pig contest will also be held. After the competitions, there will be a picnic, an auction and a dance. Spots are available for RVs and tents.

For further information or to get an electronic signup form check the web site at www.mtlinemansrodeo.com. Those interested may also call the Local 44 union hall at (406) 723-3203, or contact Rodeo Coordinator Boyd Andrew. Hope to see you there!

Don W. Hendrickson, B.M./F.S.

Politics 101 Seminar

L.U. 68 (i), DENVER, COEvery political election cycle our local does just about the same thing all other unions do. Our six to 10 hardcore political activists recruit as many members as they can for upcoming elections; the activists tell the recruits what they need to know for that election cycle; and when the election is over we forget about it, only to go through the same exercise again in two or four years.

Recently this local tried something different. We held a seminar called "Politics 101." The goal was to get our members and their families fired up and ready to vote this fall.

Hardcore activists learned they could not assume that all union members automatically possess the level of knowledge a political junkie might have. Those who attended learned that their vote could make a big difference in precinct caucuses and that all the power goes to the party in control of the government.

We went from 6-10 activists to about 200 that night. We all learned that educating people works a whole lot better than telling people. Politics 102 is now in the works to build more activists.

Daniel J Curtin, Pres.