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July/August 2005 IBEW Journal L.U. 364 (catv,ees,em,es,i,mt,rts& spa), ROCKFORD, IL—Once again this year Local 364 and Rockford’s labor community observed Workers Memorial Day by recognizing union workers in our area who unfortunately lost their lives while performing in their chosen occupation. The AFL-CIO has sponsored Workers Memorial Day since 1989. Rockford United Labor, our AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, has hosted an annual ceremony on Workers Memorial day since 1990. Each year the commemoration is held on the banks of the Rock River in Rockford, adjacent to the state of Illinois’ Zeke Giorgi Building. A stationary granite monument was erected in honor of those departed sisters and brothers; two moveable bronze plaques inscribed with the names of those lost dating back to 1946 were on display. It has been two years since the last name was added. However, sorrowfully this year, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Bro. Craig Bicker was tragically killed on the job in early 2005. Bro. Bicker’s family was present to mourn with the sisters and brothers from Rockford’s organized labor community. Please remember to work safely while on the job. No worker should be incapacitated because of injury or lose his or her life because of a job. Ray Pendzinski, P.S. L.U. 387 (em,lctt&u), PHOENIX, AZ—We voted on an initial Arizona Public Service Company proposed contract which had a wage increase of 3.5 percent, first year; 3.5 percent, second year; 3.5 percent, third year; and a wage re-opener for the fourth year. Votes were counted on April 29, 2005, and the contract was turned down. As this article went to press, members were scheduled to vote on a revised tentative agreement on Friday, June 24. Results of the vote were not yet available at the time of this writing. There is still a lot of work with all the growth in the valley and state. We are in need of linemen and experienced tree trimmers; to apply for these positions, refer to the company Web page at www.pinnaclewest.com. Navopache Electric, the cooperative we represent in Lakeside, AZ, is also in need of linemen. To apply with this company go to their web site at www.navopache.org. Sam Hoover, Pres. L.U. 401 (c,i,o,rts&st), RENO, NV—On April 1, 2005, Local 401 celebrated its 100th birthday party at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino. More than 300 members, contractors and International officials attended. The night’s events began with a number of guest speakers including Int. Pres. Edwin D. Hill, Int. Sec.-Treas. Jon F. Walters, and Ninth District Int. Vice Pres. Michael S. Mowery. Local 401 speakers were Bus. Mgr. Tim McGough and Pres. Raul Doucette. We also had a guest speaker from the office of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. A raffle, a service awards ceremony and dancing followed the speeches. Service award honorees included: Bob Olsen, a 68-year IBEW member; and 50+ year members Holly Crawford (with 59 years of service), John Byrne (57 years), Clifford Aubuchon (57 years), Jessie Pate (53 years), James Leonard (53 years), Wendy Jones (51 years), Frank Byrne (51 years), and Burl Lightfoot (50 years), followed by fellow award recipients. Special thanks to the brothers and sisters who spent countless volunteer hours organizing the party. We extend condolences to the families of the following members who recently passed away: Elmo Delgrande, Ed Anzinger, John Slagle, Earl Baker, Jeremy Kerns, Michael Mollhagen, Joe Page, Thomas Fiorica and Jack Walters, a published bird watcher. Our brothers will not be forgotten. J. Gabrielli, P.S. L.U. 424 (as,ees,em,es,i,mo,o,ptc, rtb,rt,spa&u), EDMONTON, AB, CANADA—In January’s issue, we reported on PAC’s involvement in the 2004 Provincial election. The Chairman had difficulty getting members to volunteer 4 hours on behalf of opposition candidates. It’s hard to understand why people are reluctant to get involved in the very thing that affects their lives the most—political decisions! Almost every meeting, 424’s officers receive demands to rectify things that can only be alleviated by less "draconian" labor laws and collective bargaining process. We were on the right track last election—just more of the same is needed. Shortly after the voting, PC party members had the knives out for their leader when the stats showed their percentage of the overall vote decreased significantly, and the opposition increased from 8 to 21. Imagine the message conveyed if that had been 30 or 35! The corporate gristmills are churning out propaganda of a skilled labor shortage in Alberta. The Provincial PC’s have gone to bed with the Federal Liberals Immigration Department, ready to import "offshore" workers. Meanwhile, thousands of qualified Canadian (and U.S.) workers are unemployed. This is no longer just Alberta’s fight. Ask family and friends elsewhere in Canada to write their MP and newspapers. As well as a common language with our American cousins, the U.S. NEC, Boiler Code, & Gas Code are identical to ours. The ABTC needs ads in newspapers across the land. Fight now or lose by default! Dave Anderson, P.S. L.U. 441 (as,i,o&rts), SANTA ANA, CA—In May our local union was honored to have former U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri give a rousing speech at our meeting hall. Mr. Gephardt spoke to a nearly packed house of our members, retired members, invited guests and representatives of other unions for nearly an hour. It was a truly inspirational message. Mr. Gephardt spoke about his admiration of working people and union members. We listened intently as he described all the good things organized labor does for our country. Gephardt thanked us all for the hard work we did to get out the vote in 2004 to nearly unseat Mr. Bush. After his speech Mr. Gephardt spent an equal amount of time answering our questions about the many problems our country now faces. Mr. Gephardt has truly been a public servant, and definitely a friend of labor. I only wish that more of our members had attended our union meeting that evening. Steve Igoe, P.S. |