Local 196 members received years-of-
service pins at the local’s March meeting.
Bro. Glenn Hammer (holding plaque)
received his 50-year pin.
L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u), ROCKFORD, IL—Our outside construction work is good at this time. We could use more journeyman linemen, just like everywhere. We will be starting more apprentices in the coming months. Our construction members need to be reminded to look in the mail for information on their new Retiree Medical Benefit Fund so you can sign up. If you do not sign up your money will be sitting in a very low interest bearing account. Our telephone and CATV work has picked up a little. We are still struggling to capture more of this market. The doors at the large telephone companies and CATV companies are closed to us. And we know why; it’s the word union. If you happen to mention that one word, these large companies just hang up the phone or slam the door shut. We have been able to get a meeting with SBC but they still do not seem to be receptive to any dialogue with any unions. We have some small municipals that are looking to expand into broadband and maybe this will open some doors as more competition comes.
Remember to attend any training classes and all your monthly meetings.
L.U. 204 (t&u), CEDAR RAPIDS, IA— Our deepest sympathy to the families of the following members who passed away: line foremen Marvin Woollums and Leland “Satch” Purviance; and retirees Curtis Campbell, Ralph Reisener, Paul Cuppett and Virtus Fox.
In June 2004, during a camping/ canoe trip, about nine Alliant employees, one retiree, and 25 family members were canoeing on the Upper Iowa River near Decorah. Water conditions were perfect, but a strong current pulled several canoes under a fallen tree causing them to tip. Ken Temperley (line foreman, Dubuque) and his wife, Janell, tipped over as did five other canoes, spilling several families with small children.
Tony Wagner (retired line foreman, Dubuque) and son Matt avoided the tree and assisted Ken in helping people safely to shore. One of the children was hung up in the tree entangled by a life jacket. The frightened child was freed and safely returned to its mother. Jesse Shekleton (line technician, Dubuque) and Mark Hinrichs (meter technician, Dubuque) also helped assist everyone to safety. With everyone safely secured, smiles and words of thanks were later exchanged around the campfire. The Alliant group will be back next year, but the mother of one child said she did not like her first and last canoe trip.
Local 236 E-Board
member Mike
McCloskey at the
“Miracles Program”
event sponsored by
the local union and
Elks Lodge 2192.
L.U. 236 (catv,ees,govt,i,mo,rtb&t), ALBANY, NY—The work picture continues to be slow here in IBEW Local 236. We have over 300 on Book 1 and over 100 on Book 2. We are hoping for a strong summer and fall season here. The Bethlehem co-generation plant has scaled back over the last three months from over 300 down to about 45.
On a brighter note, Local 236 sponsored the Miracles Program with the Colonie Elks Lodge 2192 to help bring a night of happiness to the mentally and physically handicapped children of the capital region. Local 236 purchased over 100 stuffed bears and passed them out to all the children in attendance. Great job, Bro. Michael McCloskey.
Local 246 Bro. John
Coleman (left) shakes
hands with local union
Bro. John Clouston,
IBEW Life Saving
Award recipient.
L.U. 246 (ees,i,rts&spa), STEUBENVILLE, OH—Officers and members of Local 246 congratulate Bro. John Clouston on receiving the IBEW Life Saving Award, one of the IBEW’s highest awards. While working on a project at a Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel facility, Bro. Clouston was working in a JLG lift with Local 246 Bro. John Coleman when Coleman started having chest pains. Clouston immediately took the lift to the ground, went to his lunch bucket and gave Bro. Coleman aspirin. After a trip to the hospital that resulted in open-heart surgery and a four-way bypass, Coleman’s doctor reported that if it weren’t for the quick thinking of John Clouston, Bro. Coleman wouldn’t be with us today. Bro. Clouston was presented the Life Saving Award at our regular meeting in February along with a letter of recognition from Int. Pres. Edwin D. Hill. We are glad to say that John Coleman is alive and well and back to work.
The apprentice application process is completed. We welcome all those who have chosen our trade. It is our responsibility to instill the values of unionism and professional attitude in these new applicants.
L.U. 252 (ees,i,rts&spa), ANN ARBOR, MI—Bus. Mgr. Greg Stephens reported that nearly 100 electricians attended the Local 252 Code Forum staffed with local electrical inspectors. They answered 2005 code questions from the audience, showed a hazardous location video, and shared unusual code related electrical experiences encountered in the field.
A lot of emphasis has been placed on membership training this spring. The local has offered First Aid and CPR training, a Masters Prep class, and state license renewal course work. Over 350 members have taken advantage of the training so far.
Elections will take place June 11, 2005. The poll will be located at the JATC Apprenticeship School on Luick Dr., Chelsea, MI, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please get out and vote in this very important election.
The Michigan Building Trades Council sponsored the Dad’s Day (Dollars Against Diabetes) “All Trades Softball Tournament” in May. The tournament has raised over $381,000 since 1990 to help build a diabetes research center that was constructed entirely with union labor and dedicated in 1994. Thank you to team manager Bro. Scot McLeod for all his time and energy devoted to this very worthwhile project.
Related Articles
