April 2005 IBEW Journal
Volunteer Spirit
Local 978 employees donated their skills to provide
lighting for a high school athletic field. Front row, (LR):
union steward Mitch Herron, Bill Little and Bill Maynard;
back row, Ron Sexton, Tommy Blevins, Greg Delong,
Tom Pettrey, John Short and Bob Ison. |
L.U. 978 (u), CHARLESTON, WV—Thanks to the volunteer spirit of IBEW Local 978 members employed by Big Sandy Power generating plant in Lawrence County, KY, the high school Lady Bulldogs softball team can now practice and play ball at night.
Lawrence County High School’s "Lady Dawgs" had a new field, but did not have the option of lighting to illuminate the field. Thanks to our members who donated their time and effort, the team now has a field they can be proud to play on.
Local members volunteered to wire and install all of the electrical connections to ready the field for the "Lady Dawgs" to play their first night game. The "Dawgs" had a successful year thanks in part to generous volunteer efforts of local members. Special thanks to these members who worked together to make the community project such a success.
Mitch Herron, P.S.
Fleet Services Top Shop
Local 1116 automotive servicemen Mike
Bailey, Mike McCelland and Jim Morris
inspect a boom for service. |
L.U. 1116 (em,lctt&u), TUCSON, AZ—Being a support group for aerial boom equipment and other fleet vehicles takes a group of special servicemen. This group of automotive servicemen and women are just that. Tucson Electric Power Fleet Services shop was named one of the Top 100 Fleet run shops for 2004 in North America according to Utility Fleet Magazine and Fleet Counselor Services Inc. The shop has been around for 30 plus years and despite downsizing of personnel and an increase in fleet size in recent years, this hasn’t slowed down this 100 percent union member shop. From our office staff to the shop mechanics, the fleet rolls on giving fellow employees well-maintained, safe operating vehicles for their day-to-day jobs. From heavy equipment to cars, the auto shop maintains a record of satisfaction and reliability.
The beginning of January may have started off slow but February brought swift plans to start working on TEP/SGS contract negotiations in March, which will also include Pension Plan benefits. The contract committee will be busy working on proposals that will benefit our present and future members. Please stress to your fellow members the importance of attending our monthly union meetings and talk to non-members about becoming part of the IBEW family.
R. Cavaletto, P.S.
WGN-TV Contract
L.U. 1220 (rtb), CHICAGO, IL—Local 1220 Pres. Al Skierkiewicz is now a Chief Delphi Forum "unsung hero" for his 9-1/2 years as adult mentor in "FIRST" competitions. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational nonprofit organization that bridges cultures and curriculum to make science, math, engineering and technology an exciting and rewarding school activity. The award is an honor reserved for those who make significant contributions to students’ understanding of robot systems. Al’s Wildstang team took home the 2003 National Championship.
Pension benefits and wage rates improve under a new Local 1220 contract for 170 technicians at WGN-TV, a Tribune Corporation. The WGN-TV rank and file ratified the contract just before New Year’s. Contract negotiations, which were at times heated, had crawled along for over three years. "With the direct support of Pres. Hill, along with [IBEW Broadcasting] Dir. Peter Homes, our stalled negotiations got a jump start," said Local 1220 Bus. Mgr. Ro Wratschko. "We look forward to developing a better day-to-day relationship with WGN in the future with this contract behind us."
Jim Sterne, B.R./P.S.
Life Saving Award
Local 1260 Bus. Mgr. Harry
Kameenui (left) and Bus. Rep. Roy
Franco (right) present Bro. Barney
Santiago an IBEW Life Saving
Award. |
L.U. 1260 (catv,ees,mo,rtb,rts,spa &u), HONOLULU, HI—On June 17, 2004, Bro. Barney Santiago was recognized for saving a 3-year-old boy from drowning in four feet of water.
Barney Santiago is a control operator at Hawaii Electric Light Company. The 3-year-old boy is alive because of Santiago’s quick response and CPR training.
Roy Franco, B.R.
50-Year Pin Awarded
Local 1814 retired Bro. R.J.
Reeves (center) receives his 50-
year service pin presented by
local union Pres. Raymond
Pantoja (left). Rec. Sec. Lonnie
Hafferty (right) extends
congratulations. |
L.U. 1814 (rr), HOUSTON, TX—Congratulations to retired Bro. Robert J. "Bob" Reeves on receiving his 50-year service pin. The pin presentation took place at the local’s December 2004 meeting.
Bro. Reeves was employed as an electrician apprentice in November 1952 on the Missouri Pacific Railroad at the Roundhouse behind the depot on Commerce Street in San Antonio, TX. In March 1953, Bro. Reeves was initiated into the IBEW in the San Antonio Unit of Houston Local 1814. Shortly thereafter, Bro. Reeves became a charter member of IBEW San Antonio Local 1911, when that local was chartered by the I.O.
After transferring to Houston in 1956 to work at the Missouri Pacific Settegast Diesel Shop, Bro. Reeves transferred his membership to Houston Local 1814.
Bro. Reeves served as president of Local 1814 for several years before retiring in 1996.
J. Ochoa, F.S.
Utility Contracts Ratified
L.U. 2286 (o&u), BEAUMONT, TX—Contract negotiations were recently completed for Pointe Coupee Electric Cooperative in New Roads, LA, and Jeff-Davis Electric Cooperative in Jennings, LA.
A tentative agreement for Point Coupee Co-op was reached Nov. 19, 2004. The ratification vote was conducted Nov. 24, 2004. The membership accepted the new contract by a 75 percent margin. The three-year contract guarantees members a 3 percent increase each year of the agreement. The effective date of the agreement was Jan. 1, 2005, with an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2007.
Jeff-Davis Co-op Bargaining Committee reached a tentative agreement Dec. 2, 2004, with their ratification election held Dec.7, 2004. The membership accepted the agreement by a 52 percent margin. The agreement includes a 2 percent wage increase for the first two years of the contract with a 2.5 percent increase the third year. The Jeff-Davis Co-op contract effective date was Dec. 31, 2004, with an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2007.
Kitty Prouse, P.S.
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