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‘Stand Strong’

L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u), ROCKFORD, IL—At this point our work is holding steady. At press time we expected some overhead work to pick up in September. If you are looking for work call first; we may still need journeyman linemen.

Our Telephone and CATV work picked up slightly, which helped keep some members who were working under the Power Agreement stay employed through a slow period.

We are battling other labor organizations raiding our underground work. We must take a stand and let these organizations know that the IBEW will not tolerate their encroachment on our work. With all the problems facing labor today, these organizations should focus on the unorganized and leave the organized IBEW work alone. We will fight hard to hang on to what we have.

Over the next few years, as attacks by anti-worker public officials continue, labor must stand strong. The struggle ahead will take all our strength.

Local 196’s third annual “Help Fund” Poker Run was July 23. We thank Don Rieger and Troy Tortorella for the chase vehicle, Maureen Johns for the great flyer, Fluffy Hoffman and all who participated.

Our condolences to the family of Bro. James Fieden, who passed away while on the job.

Edgar R. Mings Jr., B.M./F.S.

Safety Is Key

L.U. 222 (o), ORLANDO, FL—At this writing in July it’s time to brace for another hurricane season. God willing we will not have four major hurricanes to contend with this year. Again, we would like to thank all the brothers and sisters who helped us through the devastation last year.

Safety was the key to the work preformed during the storms last year. All the brothers and sisters did an excellent job.

Local 222 elections are complete. Newly elected officers are: Bus. Mgr. James M. Bell, Pres. Dale Smithmier, Vice Pres. Bill Hitt, Treas. Jeff Carpenter and Rec. Sec. Fred Morgan. Executive Board members are: Julius Thompson, James Puzon, Glen Rust and Ronnie Allison. Congratulations to all.

Organizer Bill Hitt has the north and south organizing committees up and running. These committees have a very positive impact on the organizing in our jurisdiction. Remember, unionism needs to be taught in the field as well as the union hall.

Negotiations are currently underway for our outside construction agreement.

Remember: safety, safety, safety.

Dale Smithmier, Pres./P.S.

Apprentice Graduates

Local 236 pays tribute to the class of 2005 graduating apprentices.

L.U. 236 (catv,ees,govt,i,mo,rtb &t), ALBANY, NY—Local 236 congratulates the graduating class of 2005. We had 40 apprentices graduate. Our newest journeymen were given words of wisdom from Business Manager Donald Rahm to help them embark on the next part of their journey through the IBEW.

On July 16 Local 236 held its fifth annual Family Fun Day at the Great Escape. The outing drew nearly 1,000 for a great attendance. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time.

To our members: Please check our Web site for information on upcoming events. At press time we were looking forward to the steak bake, labor parade and golf outing.

Mark Lajeunesse, P.S.

Excellence in Training

L.U. 246 (ees,i,rts&spa), STEUBEN­VILLE, OH—Local 246 fifth-year apprentice Don Jones is serving in the U.S. military in Iraq. (Please see “IBEW On Duty” in next month’s Journal for a photo of Sgt. Jones displaying an IBEW flag signed by IBEW brothers and sisters sending well wishes.) Bro. Jones is serving with an engineering division and maintains generators that provide light and air conditioning. We look forward to having Don home in November.

In July Local 246 held our annual family picnic at Brooke Hills Park. It was well attended by over 300 members and guests, including state Reps. Charlie Wilson of Ohio and Jack Yost of West Virginia. We hope all had an enjoyable time.

Congratulations to the members of Local 246 and Steubenville Electrical JATC for the Excellence in Training 2004 national award received at the Fourth District Progress Meeting. This award is presented for training more than 50 percent of your local union. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for continuing your training.

Work is fair at the present time in our jurisdiction, but the future looks to be busy.

Phil Diserio, Pres.

Elections and a Retirement

Local 252 Bro. Jerry Gutekunst.

L.U. 252 (ees,i,rts&spa), ANN ARBOR, MI—Congratulations to our newly elected officers: Bus. Mgr. Greg Stephens (fourth term), Pres. Gary Smith, Rec. Sec. Lisa Chantalois, Treas. Todd Brittain, Vice Pres. Rick Plisko and new Executive Board members. Special recognition goes to Bro. Russ Southwell, who served as recording secretary for five terms, and Bro. Tom Pahl, retiring vice president and former Jackson Co. business agent for 10 years.

Bro. Jerry Gutekunst, who was president for three terms, is retiring. Jerry has been a popular, dedicated IBEW Local 252 member for over 41 years. He brought in Local 252’s very first residential agreement in 1980. Jerry has helped negotiate every Inside, Residential and VDV contract since.

Rarely missing a union meeting, Jerry has been active throughout his distinguished career. He participated in political campaigns, labor rallies, educational conferences, and various committees including marketing and labor management.

Jerry was also involved with the building project for our new union hall and Apprenticeship Training Center. A proud IBEW trade unionist, he earned the respect of the membership as a strong and supportive leader, always putting forth an effort to make a difference. He did that with a lot of style. We wish Jerry a long, happy, retirement.

Timothy Bortles, P.S.