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Certification Updates

L.U. 538 (i), DANVILLE, IL—We never know what the future will hold; however, it appears work in our area is picking up. At this writing, we have 34 members on Book I and with several members working on two different power plant projects we hope to clear the book.

Reminder: If you have certifications, keep them up to date. Many companies are requiring our members to have proof of certification.

With the busy lives many members lead, it is hard to find time for extra activities. We all need to make time to get the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of our senators and representatives in Congress and at the state level. We need to express our views on labor issues and all matters important to working families.

Kathie (Moore) Porter was recently chosen as training director for Local 538. Kathie previously was awarded the IBEW Founders Scholarship.

Remember to attend your local union meetings.

Gary W. Pollard, P.S.

Renovation Planned

Local 558 Bros. Keith McCarley (left) and Charles “B.B.” Young wear new Arc Flash protective suits required for high-voltage electrical work at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.

L.U. 558 (catv,em,i,mt,o,rtb,rts, spa&u), SHEFFIELD, AL—An architect and Local 558 Bus. Mgr. Larry Farmer are working on the drawings for renovation of the building our local will move into. The date to start renovations has not yet been set.

This will be a building we can all be proud of. Ron Weaver and Steve Crunk visited another apprentice school to get ideas on a good layout. The renovation will provide a welcome modernization of our training school. The new buildings will house the local, the apprentice school and the credit union. Look forward to the future of our local to stand out in the Shoals Area.

At this writing, we eagerly await the beginning of another phase at the Toyota plant project in Huntsville, AL. As of press time, the project was expected to start in September 2005. The electrical work will be done by Garnett Electric of Sheffield, AL, and Nitro Electric from Kentucky.

While shopping for my daughter, I told a salesperson I was looking for “Made in USA” dresses. The salesperson looked surprised and asked me how I could tell. I gladly showed her but, sad to say, there was only one such garment on the rack. Help educate the next salesperson you deal with.

Belinda Phillips, P.S.

Future Projects Planned

L.U. 596 (i,o,u&t), CLARKSBURG, WV—Our local held an election of officers in June 2005. Bus. Mgr. Darwin Snyder was re-elected for his fifth term. Also re-elected were Vice Pres. Gary R. Barnes and Rec. Sec. Samuel A. Loria. Elected for first terms were Pres. Roger P. Strother and Treas. Robert W. Wagner.

Re-elected to the five-member Executive Board were: Mario J. Pinti, Joseph D. Bishop and H.B. “Butch” Adams. Also elected to the Executive Board were Laird P. Cain and William S. Righter.

Re-elected to the three-member Examining Board were Roy L. Adkins and Bruce L. Smith. Also elected to the Examining Board was David M. White.

The local’s work picture is still very slow. We look forward to 2006, with anticipation that some of our large planned projects can get started.

Butch Adams, P.S.

Class of 2005

Local 606 class of 2005 apprentice graduates: from left, seated, Luis Alvardo, Felicia Dungee, James Salyers and Robert Sellers; standing, Michael McCabe, Jean Cemajuste, Jose Castro, Jeremy Levesque, Jose Ortiz, Nathan Phenicie, Cheyne Miles, Craig Reda, Michael Pulliam, Andrew Kessel, Luis Sanchez Jr., Sean Brown and Michel Roberts.

L.U. 606 (em,es,i,rtb,spa&u), ORLANDO, FL—Congratulations to the 2005 graduates. The graduation banquet at the Sheraton World Center was a great success. The Central Florida Electrical JATC selected James Salyer as outstanding inside apprentice and 2nd place went to Mike Roberts. Robert Sellers was selected as outstanding maintenance apprentice and 2nd place went to Mike McCabe. Klein Tools presented the outstanding apprentices a full set of hand tools. Perfect attendance went to Jorge Morales. Congratulations to all the graduates on a great achievement.

At press time we still are in contract negotiation with the contractors.

Janet Skipper, P.S.

‘Union of Choice’

L.U. 636 (as,catv,em,spa&u), TORONTO, ON, CANADA—With political pressures on the electrical utilities in the Province of Ontario to merge or amalgamate, change is imminent. The province currently contains 90-plus utilities. With political/legislative pressures, the end result will be nine or 10 utilities to serve over 1 million square kilometers (385,000 square miles). Where there is change or chaos, opportunity is also present.

Numerous recent-day electrical utility amalgamations, mergers and/or consolidations are a direct result of de-regulation in the Province of Ontario.

The common thread with all the major mergers in the Province, except one in Toronto: The members chose the IBEW as their “Union of Choice.” We are extremely proud of our achievements and recognize that we are providing a level of service to our members that others are envious of.

When given a choice, brothers and sisters choose the IBEW, which supports our motto: “Members who matter. Leaders who listen. A union that cares.” Thank-you to all the IBEW members who have continued to keep us strong. And welcome to all our new members, who will further strengthen our resolve today and into the future.

Congratulations to all the members at Powerstream, who ratified their first contract. Special accolades for Bus. Reps Barry Brown and Harold Vance, along with the Negotiating Committee, for a job well-done.

Together we can promote the cause of social justice, protect the rights of workers, and pursue a higher quality of life for our members and our families.

Robert N. Mogus, P.S.