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May 2005 IBEW Journal L.U. 245 (govt,lctt,o,rtb&u), TOLEDO, OHWork on the Outside Construction scene remains good. The Energy Delivery side of the utility has been quiet lately, while the Fossil Generation side is working on a new solution to the aging work force; this one is called "Work Force Redevelopment," which is First Energys way of replacing accredited apprentice programs with junior college graduates, similar to the Power System Institute program being used in the Line Department. On the Nuclear side, Davis Besse completed its mid-cycle outage in late winter with everything in the physical plant looking good. Now they are focusing their attention on personnel problems such as improving the safety culture and work force replenishment. On a sad note Davis Besse and Local 245 lost a good friend and co-worker when Bro. Joe Hessling passed away Feb. 14. Bro. Hessling, affectionately known as "Oil Can Joe," worked in the mechanical maintenance shop for 20 years. He will be missed. The TV side of the house finds us starting negotiations with our public broadcast affiliate WGTE CH 30 soon, with negotiations at WNWO CH 24 to follow later this year. Everything is quiet at Hancock/Wood and Tricounty, while Bryan Municipal will also start negotiations this fall. Ray Zychowicz, P.S. L.U. 257 (em,i,rtb,rts,spa&t), JEFFERSON CITY, MOWork is still slow here with over 100 members on Book I. We hope this spring will bring some jobs starting up in the area. We have finished negotiating our new contract and have signed a 3-year agreement. Thanks to our negotiating committee of Don Bruemmer, Greg Shrock and Mike Fanning. One of our members, wireman Andy Plassmeyer, was recently awarded an honorary Missouri State Highway Patrolman badge. Andy was going out to the parking lot of the job when he noticed traffic slowing and smoke. He investigated and found a wrecked car in flames. With the help of Tom Maes he broke out a window and pulled the driver from the burning car. Way to go, Andy. Travis Hart, P.S. L.U. 265 (i,mt,rts&spa), LINCOLN, NEOn Saturday, Feb.19, 2005, Local 265 held a COMET class for new members and other members who had not previously attended a class. Nineteen members attended, all of whom were apprentices. Local 265 Organizer Glen Isaacs taught the class. Bus. Mgr. Clint Burge was also present. Members were taught how important it is, for the union and its members, to organize the unorganized. Every year union work decreases and nonunion work increases. Why is that? Its not because the number of union hands is decreasing. Its because the number of nonunion hands is increasing twice as fast as union hands. Now imagine, if one-half of the nonunion hands were organized, how much of the work for your jurisdiction would be union work? Would we have all of our brothers and sisters collecting unemployment and traveling to find work, or would we be trying to organize more nonunion hands because we cant man all the jobs we are getting? The goal of all union members should be identical: Organize, Organize, Organize. If we all take a part in organizing, the union can never fail. Together, we can strengthen the union. Joe Davis, P.S. L.U. 325 (i&rts), BINGHAMTON, NYCongratulations to our recent retirees and the apprenticeship class of 2004, Both the graduates and the retirees were honored at the dinner dance held at the Endwell Greens Golf Club. Retirees honored were: Ron Decker, William Dunlop, James Keough, James Lamb, Joe Mastronardi, Tom Shelton, John Swetz and Tom Trudell. The graduating class of 2004 included: Graig Bartlett Jr., Sam Guelzow, Jeff Harris, William Heath, Jim Johnson, Bob McGowan, Dan Murdock, Harry Polhamus (highest average), Jason Sbarra, Ron Tasber and Brandon Wart. Thanks to all who volunteered their time to set up the Hometown Holiday Light Festival at Otsiningo Park. The St Patricks Day parade was March 5. Upcoming events include the golf tournament on June 18 and the clambake on Aug. 13. Charles R. Joslyn, P.S. L.U. 343 (i,spa&st), LE SUEUR, MNGreetings from a Blue State. While we see our work picture improving, we probably wont have work for traveling members this summer. We hope most of our local hands, who have suffered in this slow recovery, will be back to work. We must be aware that even though the national elections are over it wont be long until we have midterm elections, and we must continue to work hard to stop the attack on families and the middle class by this president whose master is uncontrolled greed. Had tax reforms been targeted toward the middle class instead of the rich, we would certainly be in much better shape economically. The new frontier of greed is the social security trust fund. How thrilled those Wall Streeters must be who will profit from every trade. The coffers of the Republican Party will certainly swell with contributions to spur on the sales pitch that we are all savvy investors and are certainly better off taking charge, when in fact, we are being asked to gamble our safety net. We must stay engaged and continue the fight that is being forced on us by the wealthy and powerful. Brad Nelson, P.S. |