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June 2004 IBEW Journal

Register to Vote

L.U. 364 (catv,ees,em,es,i,mt,rts &spa), ROCKFORD, ILWith crucially important November elections approaching, Local 364 will do our part to get out the vote in record numbers. The first step is a voter registration drive for our members and their families. Local 364 is among the IBEW locals with the highest per capita voter registration rates. We will need all the votes we can get in November. Register and vote! The jobs we save could be our own!

Among recent Local 364 social events were the Chili Shoot-Out chili-making contest and dinner; our LMCC Leadership Series dinner featuring Rockford Airport Dir. Bob OBrien; a Rockford Ice Hogs minor league hockey match; and the MDA Bowl-A-Thon.

These events are not only a good time for those who attend, but also bring our membership together in the spirit of brotherhood and community, to help build a stronger, more vibrant social justice movement.

Ray Pendzinski, P.S.

Working Together

L.U. 424 (as,ees,em,es,i,mo,o,ptc, rtb,rts,spa&u), EDMONTON, AB, CANADAA basic tenet of unionism is many working together to achieve common goals. It could be said that a local union is similar to the community or nation in which we live. Where the citizens "put back" into the system by being involvedin education, youth groups, coaching kids teams, helping seniors or canvassing for a charityit invariably means that is a good neighbourhood to live in. Continually "taking out" of the system without returning anything soon leads to declining living standards. The "account" is overdrawn.

Local 424 is no different. We will obtain improvements only if members put back into the system by organizing, volunteering to help on a committee. Take a newly initiated member under your wing. Help them understand the reasoning behind some of the IBEW thinking and procedures. Convince even just one non-union acquaintance or friend to join our union. When low employment or difficult problems test our union beliefs, an active IBEW member knows where the real problem lies. It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.

Dave Anderson, P.S.

Attend Union Meetings

L.U. 426 (i,lctt,o,spa,t&u), SIOUX FALLS, SDCongratulations to Bro. Leonard Dvorak, an employee of Charles Mix County Electric, on his retirement. Dvorak, a 42-year IBEW member, worked as a dedicated lineman.

Local 426 held its annual ice fishing tournament Feb. 21 with 32 adults and eight kids attending. Pat Glasford won 1st place; Brian Richeal, 2nd place; and Dave Tuschen, 3rd place. It was a great success.

Work safe and be sure to attend your Local 426 union meetings, held the third Thursday of every month.

Dennis Schmidt, P.S.

Kudos to New Organizer

L.U. 440 (i,o,rts&spa), RIVERSIDE, CAChuck McDaniel has survived his first 30 days as the newest member of our organizing team. Chuck adds a lot to our effort with his 12 years experience in the nonunion sector; he also is apprentice of the year for his class. He will be concentrating on Riverside Countys "lower desert" area.

We look forward to the Inland Empire LMCC-sponsored golf tournament in October. Proceeds will benefit the Loma Linda Pediatric Hemodialysis Unit.

The southern California retail agreement was put into action recently. We have had a good turnout of members signing the book and some work being bid by our signatory contractors.

We congratulate the IBEW Construction Department for one of the best ever construction conferences. The chosen speakers and breakout sessions were excellent in keeping the locals informed and updated.

Dawn Long, P.S.

Kick Them Out

L.U. 490 (i&mt), DOVER, NHNow that the Democratic presidential primary is over, the local is focusing its attention on local politics. Over the last several months we have organized our members to get out and lobby against anti-union legislation.

A big union rally led by the New Hampshire Building Trades was held at the State Capitol in Concord in January. All the local building trades turned out to oppose S.B. 429, known as the "Irresponsible Contractor" bill. If passed the bill would prohibit the state, city or town from setting standards in public works contracts that require benefits such as apprenticeship and medical insurance.

While we are fighting against the Irresponsible Contractor legislation, the "right-to-work" people tried to slip by without a fight. We kicked them out last year and we are going to kick them out this year too.

Thanks to all the AFL-CIO affiliated unions for making it a great rallyand special thanks to Local 490 brothers and sisters for taking the day off to fight for their local.

Michael Dolan, P.S.