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May 2005 IBEW Journal
L.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet,t&rts), BALTIMORE, MDMembers of our local face important challenges this year. Those at AmTote in the horse racing industry in Maryland are again witnessing the future of the industry subjected to politics as our state Legislature debates allowing slots in Maryland. The initial proposal was to locate slots at racetracks in order to compete with those in neighboring states, giving Marylands historic horse racing industry a needed shot in the arm and generating needed revenue enabling Maryland to forgo a tax increase. Polls showed that a majority of our residents endorse this proposal, but given the politics of the situation, the issue is still in doubt as I write this article. Prior to our February membership meeting held at the Goddard Space Facility, I was given a briefing by Local 1501 Vice Pres. Mike Kurtz at a full-size mock-up of the power control unit of the Hubble Space Telescope. He explained how a robot will travel in space to the telescope, open a panel and install a new power source keeping it in operation. Our space program brings out the best in American ingenuity. We are proud of the contribution of our members employed by ManTech at the space facility, which has given us fantastic information about the universe. Thomas J. Rostkowski, P.S. L.U. 1505 (em), WALTHAM, MAPres. Bush wants to privatize Social Security. Our Local 1505 Bus. Mgr. George Nole has been attending town meetings in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He participated in U.S. Rep. Marty Meehans panel in Lowell, MA, and urged voters to reject the Bush plan. Will Social Security go bankrupt if the trust fund is exhausted? No, without changes Social Security will continue to pay benefits from payroll taxes after 2042, but at a rate determined by revenue. We could insure full benefits for the next 75 years by simply repealing the 2001 tax cut for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. We have to tell Congress to say no to the Bush plan. Betty Lapointe, P.S.
L.U. 1547 (c,em,i,o,t&u), ANCHORAGE, AKOn Oct. 5, 2004, a bull moose got his antlers tangled in a line near the Pogo Mine 90 miles east of Fairbanks. Linemen were having difficulty pulling a hard line used to pull the conductor in. The difficulty in pulling the line to the "H structure" alerted the linemen that something was wrong. When the workers went back to check the line, they found that a moose, still alive, was hanging from the line. The linemen carefully lowered it back to the ground. Tha Alaska Department of Fish and Game decided against tranquilizing the animal as it was already in a distressed state. ADF&G decided that the moose, a trophy bull by Alaska big game standards, had to be put down. It was theorized that the moose came across the sagging, swaying hard line and decided to challenge the lines to a fight as bull moose are sometimes known to do. It was a very rare combination of factors that came together causing the moose to be snagged. Unfortunately, the moose was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Melinda Taylor, P.S. L.U. 1579 (i&o), AUGUSTA, GABy the time our members read this, we will have enjoyed another great spring week of the Masters Golf Tournament. We had 30 of our electricians working at the Augusta National for CBS this year. Also we will have played our annual Spring Golf Tournament. Summer is on the way and work in this jurisdiction looks better in 2005. We would like to remind all our members of the Labor Day march on Sept. 5, 2005. We ask for your support in this march. All IBEW members across the nation are invited to come and help us fill the streets with the hard-working men and women of labor. The local will celebrate its pinning ceremony May 16, 2005. Members receiving their 55-year pins are David B. BoatWright and Rudolph C. Thomas; 50-year pin, Kenneth D. Phillips; 45-year pin, Charles H. Dietschler; and 40-year pins, Danny R. Brady and Frank B. Hammond. The Fifth District Golf Tournament will be Sept. 9-10, 2005. All IBEW members are invited to participate in this event. Contact the local for more information. Johnny Hutcheson, Org.
L.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KYWork in the jurisdiction is still slow with 94 on Book 1 and several apprentices off. Bus. Mgr. Gary Osborne reports we are picking up the majority of prevailing wage contracts and still have a good chance at getting the work at Western Kentucky Energys Coleman plant in Hawesville, KY. More on this project in the July/August issue. Bus. Mgr. Osborne also wants to remind all Book 1 and Book 2 members not to forget to re-sign the out-of-work list in person or by postcard no later than the 10th of each month. The President and Community Spirit awards were presented by the United Way to Western Kentucky Energys D.B. Wilson plant and Local 1701 recently. The Presidents award was given for having the highest per-capita per member, and the Community Spirit award for employee groups giving $50 or more per employee. Congratulations to the WKE/1701 unit. Bro. Kenny Rafferty was appointed to the Executive Board to fill the unexpired term of Jim Miller, who resigned. Welcome aboard, Kenny. The JATC is still conducting Journeyman Update, OSHA 10 and Passport Training classes throughout the year. Contact the hall for class scheduling. Tim Blandford, Pres.
L.U. 1749 (u), NEW JOHNSONVILLE, TNNomination of local union officers will be May 12, 2005, at 7 p.m. during the regularly scheduled meeting. Ballots will be mailed out after the E-Board certifies candidates. The final "Level 3 Multi-Skill" trainees have completed their hands-on training at the Hartsville Training Center (see photo). Congratulations to all and enjoy your 5 percent raise. Our "Memphis in May" event is coming up soon. Come on down and support Sister Tonio McCalister as she vies for the "Best BBQ." Sister McCalister is an Electrical Tech Level 3 at Allen Steam Plant in Memphis. Good Luck, Tonio. We will be there to support youand also to eat a "little" barbecue while we are there. Im anxious to see what changes the new nine-member TVA Board will have. The current administration and both houses saw fit to open the TVA Act, which was hidden in the 2005 Budget Bill. Who knows what this could mean for the unions working here? Remember a union is only as strong as its members. Be active, come to union meetings, register and then make your vote count. Mark "Guido" DeJuliis |
