Related Articles
Related Articles
| January/February 2005 IBEW
Journal
L.U. 479 (i&u), BEAUMONT, TXThe officers, staff and members of Local 479 hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season. With a new year upon us, the work picture in our area looks brighter than 2004. With expansions at several refineries, along with the construction of new LNG units and several commercial projects, we hope to see full employment in 2005. Hiring for a few of these projects could start as soon as the second quarter of the year. The local participated in the Truckload Coat and Food Drive. Several members along with families and friends donated coats, clothes, toys, and nonperishable foods for the less fortunate in our area. Thanks to everyone for contributing. The annual picnic was held at the union hall in October. Special thanks to staff, cooks, and everyone who made this a huge success. Attendance was excellent with both young and old having a great time. The organizing department continues to do their best to secure work for our members. They have a few projects in the works now and will continue to serve the local with the welfare of the members as a priority. Remember the "B" in IBEW and God bless. Tony Hollier, P.S. L.U. 481 (ees,em,i,mt,rts,s&spa), INDIANAPOLIS, INElection results in the area were not good for organized labor. Look for the politicians to attempt passage of so-called "paycheck protection" and anti-PLA measures; they will also try to make ours a right-to-work state. The membership needs to educate our family and friends on how this will affect the lives of working people. Our local, through its organizing efforts, has been working hard to see that nonunion contractors pay the correct amount on prevailing wage jobs. These efforts have helped our signatory contractors secure several large jobs. If youre interested in helping organize, contact Steve Dunbar. The local sponsored the 42nd anniversary of the Circle of Lights. Local 481 members volunteer their time to install 52 garland strands with 4,784 colored lights, strung from the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to its base. Stay informed on local information by visiting the local web site at www.ibew481.org. The site is regularly updated; if theres something you would like to add please contact the hall. Steve Montgomery, P.S.
L.U. 488 (i&mt), BRIDGEPORT, CTOn Nov. 17 our JATC graduated 18 apprentices from the Class of 2004. A dinner was held in their honor with Walter Murasky achieving top honors. Anthony Meola and Jennifer Willsher also received awards for their efforts, along with underclassmen Pat Lewis, Aaron Andrews, Mike Kelly and Matt Norris. Michael Moconyi of the Connecticut Chapter of NECA, Int. Vice Pres. Frank J. Carroll Jr., and Bus. Mgr. Patrick Donahue encouraged our graduates to maintain high standards and a professional image as they enter the work force as journeymen. Jack Guerrera and Gina Knox from the Connecticut Department of Labor were also on hand to extend their congratulations. Apprenticeship Dir. Mike DAmico and instructors Ernie Damon, George Magdon, Travis Gerald, Anthony Mercaldi, Ken Spodnik and Tony Soter consistently turn out trained, competent apprentices who are a credit to our local and International union and contractors. The apprenticeship team is preparing to assist our journeymen in meeting the CEU requirements mandated by the state for license renewal. Courses for journeymen, designed to meet an increasingly competitive field, will include Code Update, OSHA 10-and 30-hour training, and CPR/First Aid/AED instruction along with other trade related topics. George Magdon, P.S.
L.U. 490 (i&mt), DOVER, NHWe hit the campaign trail hard in 2004 and successfully delivered this historically Republican state for the Kerry-Edwards ticket by 9,244 votes. We also elected our fourth Democrat governor, John Lynch. The newly elected governor is the first to oust an incumbent in New Hampshire history. There were also great victories in other state races. We got rid of two state senators who had waged an unrelenting war on working families (constantly introducing "right-to-work" bills), and we sent 23 Democrats to the State House of Representatives. All of us at Local 490 are re-energized by our state victories, and we owe many thanks to the members of numerous other AFL-CIO affiliated unions who campaigned with us over the last two years. Special thanks to Fay-Ruth Fisher, who worked for the New Hampshire building trades to help organize us into an efficient machine. We also thank the AFL-CIO state bodies from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. They sent staff into New Hampshire, as well as rank-and-file members from various unions who went door to door to get out the union vote. Thanks also to Boston Local 103 member Michael Berry for driving his campaign van through the streets of Manchester, NH. Michael Dolan, P.S.
|
