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July/August 2005 IBEW Journal L.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet,t&rts), BALTIMORE, MD—For the third straight year Maryland legislators failed to approve slots at Maryland race tracks and the owners of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park announced there will be no more money for Maryland’s two thoroughbred tracks. Canada based Magna Entertainment spent about $38 million on the two tracks since it purchased controlling interest in 2002. About $20 million of that reportedly went into redoing the dirt and turf racing surfaces at Laurel. Pimlico, home of the legendary Preakness, received upgrades in the dining room and landscaping. Initially these improvements raised the spirits of our members employed at Amtote in the horse racing industry; they believed that Magna was in the business for the long haul with or without slots. But it is now more obvious that without slots at the tracks, the future of horse racing in Maryland looks very bleak. At a time when every state is fighting to keep jobs, it is incredible that members of the Maryland General Assembly would refuse to take action to aid the horse racing industry, which provides jobs and needed revenue to Maryland. The Maryland Legislature and our Republican governor have failed to agree on slot legislation, thus forcing our members to face an uncertain future. Thomas J. Rostkowski, P.S. L.U. 1579 (i&o), AUGUSTA, GA—Summer is here and the work situation in Augusta remains the same—poor, but with some hope. A few projects are planned for 2005. Work at Plant Vogtle is finishing up, and plans for the outage Sept. 18 are in full swing. Reports are that there will be more work after the outage. Our Negotiating Committee of Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. T.S Yarbrough and Asst. Bus. Mgr. Steve Miller met with a Fluor Daniel representative. Fluor Daniel wants to meet with the Augusta Building Trades concerning bids at SRS. Talk continues with Parsons concerning the salt project at SRS. They too are ready to meet with the Augusta Building Trades. Our referral rules are now in the hands of the Fifth District for approval. We hope to have new referral procedures in effect soon. Organizing: We are still working and talking with MacAljon in hopes of a contract. We need our members’ help with organizing our jurisdiction. Organizing is the most important thing we can do for our union. Our future depends on organizing success. NOTE: IBEW’s 5th District Southern Swing Golf Tournament is set for Sept. 23-24. Local unions, get your teams in early. Visit our local’s web site: www.ibew1579.com. Johnny Hutcheson, Org.
L.U. 1638 (u), COLSTRIP, MT—On April 14, 2005, Local 1638 in conjunction with Pennsylvania Power and Light of Montana graduated four apprentices from the apprenticeship program. Congratulates to the graduates on successfully completing their apprenticeship. Bobby Bixby and Jim Crippen graduated to the journeyman mechanic level. Dave Wyrick and Jason Standing Elk graduated as journeyman system operators. Dave is also a Control Board trainee. Pat A. Nees, B.M./F.S.
L.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KY—The Examining Board gave the journeyman wireman exam recently to our fifth-year apprentices. Chmn. Kenny Woodward reports everyone passed. Congratulations to all and good luck in your future adventures. Bro. Larry Boswell was appointed to the JATC following the resignation of Bro. Bill O’Bryan. Congratulations, Larry, in your new position. We thank you, Bro. O’Bryan, for your time and efforts; you will be missed. An Industry Awareness seminar was conducted in March by Midwest NECA Rep. Bill Tunistra and Fourth District IBEW Rep. Terry A. Luckett. The purpose of the seminar was to inform the membership of the changing electrical industry and how our contractors compete in today’s market. Fortunately, the 2005 Kentucky Legislature failed to bring any right-to-work legislation or measures to repeal our prevailing wage laws to a vote this session. We thank all members who participated in contacting their legislators on these very important labor issues. Although 2005 was a short session our unfriendly labor legislators will bring these issues back in 2006. In sadness we report the passing of retired members Billy Gerald Williams, Kenny Giffen and Bruce Rose. May these brothers rest in peace. Tim Blandford, Pres./P.S.
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