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L.U. 47 (lctt,mo,u,o&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CA—Local 47 participated in the annual Labor Day parade and picnic in Wilmington, CA. We negotiated a 42 percent pension increase and saved Retiree Medical benefits for our members at the City of Anaheim. New accounting standards forced the city to report future retiree medical expenses as a huge, unfunded liability. The local established a Retiree Medical Trust, funded initially by the city, transferring money previously set aside for retiree medical costs. The city and employees will make ongoing contributions. In July we hosted our fifth annual Memorial Golf Tournament to raise funds for our Injured Workers Fund. We mourn the passing of Bros. George “Lynn” Cummings, Dan Clayton, John Fry, Ken Hurley Sr. and Jim Hagge Sr.—as well as Bros. Mark Schipper of Local 659 and Eugene Bowers of Local 532, both of whom worked in our jurisdiction. We are saddened by the loss of IBEW Pres. Emeritus John J. Barry, who passed away Aug 28. Our condolences go to all of their families. Special thanks to all members helping Hurricane Katrina victims. Stan Stosel, P.S. L.U. 51 (catv,lctt,o,rtb,t&u), SPRINGFIELD, IL—With millions of jobs vanishing in our country, many of us wonder if our job could be next. One in four workers earns less than $8.70 an hour. Our country is importing billions more a year then we export. Foreign debt is skyrocketing. General Motors, once our nation’s largest employer heavily unionized with good wages and benefits, has been replaced as largest employer by Wal-Mart, the low-wage, no-benefit mass marketer of foreign goods. Where will our children find jobs that pay good wages and benefits? All union members must focus on the fight for good jobs. We must search for the union label when we spend our money. Union jobs are quality jobs that every community needs and no nation can afford to lose. For information on union-made items check Web site www.shopunionmade.org. On the work front many Local 51 members are responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Dan Pridemore, B.R./P.S.
L.U. 71 (lctt,o&rtb), COLUMBUS, OH—Local 71 extends heartfelt sympathies to Kitty Barry and family on the passing of our friend Int. Pres. Emeritus John J. Barry. Jack Barry will long be remembered as one of the finest labor leaders and trade unionists this Brotherhood has ever known. We extend sympathies to all the families that suffered the loss of a loved one or a home dealt by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our sisters and brothers in our southern states need our support as they attempt to rebuild their lives and we must pledge our unwavering support. This was an election year for Local 71 and all incumbent officers were re-elected. Officers thank the members for their continued support and confidence. Elected were: Pres. Patrick Grice, Vice Pres. Danny Harris, Rec. Sec. Nelson Duncan, Treas. John Crabtree, Bus. Mgr. Wally Sickles; and Executive Board members Danny Benner, James Carmack, Kenny Lindsey, Larry Moore and Dave Sugerik. Wally Sickles, B.M.
L.U. 77 (lctt,mt,o,t&u), SEATTLE, WA—Retired Bro. Woodrow W. Wilson received his IBEW 70-year service award. Bro. Wilson, age 93, worked as a substation operator for both Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light. Bus. Mgr. Don Guillot and Pres. Rick Johnson presented “Woody” with the award at his group home in Ballard, WA. Bro. Wilson’s family attended the celebration, including his son, daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. IBEW Local 77 has lost three prominent members—Robert Gagnat, John Tomac and Edward Andersen. We will miss these brothers, their dedication to Local 77 and their loyal commitment to unionism. The work picture is good here in Seattle. Brothers and sisters wanting to travel should call our office at (206) 323-4505 before heading to the Seattle area. David Wheeler, P.S.
L.U. 97 (u), SYRACUSE, NY—Bus. Rep. Chuck Borell graduated from the National Labor College in June with a bachelor’s degree in labor studies. His final thesis was a research paper on how unions can more successfully win arbitration cases. On August 4, PSE&G employees at Albany Steam Station ratified a six-year contract with yearly raises of 3.25 percent. The terms of the agreement are from Nov. 1, 2005 to Oct. 31, 2011. Negotiations with Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc. commenced in October 2005. The contract between Local 97 and Entergy expires Dec. 31, 2005. On the political front, we urge our members to go to the Local 97 Web site and look for the article about CAFTA. We need to tell the following congressmen that we are not happy with their position on CAFTA: Rep. James T. Walsh, R-25th (Central New York); Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert, R-24th ( Mohawk Valley); Thomas Reynolds, R-26th (Williamsville); and Rep. John E. Sweeney, R-20th ( Albany). If at least two of these congressmen had voted “no” the measure would not have passed. John Satunas, P.S. L.U. 99 (govt&i), PROVIDENCE, RI—Work improved to near full employment through late summer. With several big projects coming up, the future months look a little brighter. Congratulations to recently elected officers: Bus. Mgr. Allen P. Durand, Pres. John Shalvey, Vice Pres. Peter Furlong, Treas. Jim Anderson, Rec. Sec. John T. Dibiase; and Executive Board members Steve Brown, James Harrington, William Smith and Paul Stromberg. The annual Local 99 Golf Tournament raised money for the Everett Tommy Woodmansee Scholarship Fund. We celebrated Labor Day, reflecting on the contributions of our predecessors. Stephen P. Callaghan, P.S. |
