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Bro. Hledik Honored

L.U. 499 (u), DE MOINES, IA—Our membership is preparing for tough contract negotiations. These are our first negotiations since 2000 when Local 499 and Local 109 worked for more than 18 months to come up with a consolidated contract, which combined six separate contracts. MidAmerican Energy is a wealthy company owned by four people, one of whom is Warren Buffett, reportedly the second richest man in the world. We are starting negotiations early to allow five months to work toward a settlement by March 1, 2006.

Local 499 honors retired Bro. Earl Hledik for his constant support of the Blood Center of Central Iowa. Bro. Hledik has donated 20 gallons of blood and volunteered at the center.

Don Krause, B.R.

Food Basket Drive

L.U. 503 (t&u), MONROE, NY— There have been some changes on the Executive Board recently. Because of health issues, Artie Patterson will step down as unit chairperson, and Ed Sengstacken will fill that post. We thank Artie for all his dedicated service to the local over the years. Best wishes to Artie, and good luck to Eddie in his new position.

Pres. Bob Citrolo was awarded long overdue honorary medals for his U.S. Marine Corps service in Vietnam during the 1960s. U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel presented the medals Aug. 9. We pay tribute to Bob and all veterans.

Local 503’s annual golf outing was a terrific success! Thanks to all volunteers, especially retired Vice Pres. John Smith.

It’s time for Local 503’s Holiday Food Basket Drive. In past years we presented 75 needy families with baskets. The annual holiday party will be Friday, Dec. 9, at J. F. Keane’s, Pearl River, NY. Details on both events will be posted in all areas.

Mary M. Casey, P.S.

Summer Work Slow

Local 557 Habitat for Humanity volunteers at the Bridgeport, MI, site on a hot summer Saturday: from left, John Clemens, Mark Fini and Alan Seaver.

L.U. 557 (i,mt,rts&spa), SAGINAW, MI—July found lots of idle hands and many took furloughs, only to have to sign the book after missing out on some short work opportunities. School projects created some work and more is coming. With over 40 hands on the out-of-work list, we need more work to pay fair wages. Informational pickets, communications with potential project owners, meetings with non-signatory contractors, investigating potential jobs and Comet training are keeping paid employees at the hall busy.

Volunteering in Habitat, lighting historic signs and Veteran’s plaza, and advertising give us recognition, and may open some doors.

John E. Clemens, P.S.

Apprentice Graduates

Local 569 Graduating Apprentice Class of 2005.

L.U. 569 (i,mar,mt,o,rts&spa), SAN DIEGO, CA—Congratulations to the June 2005 apprentice graduating class. We welcome these new journeymen. Graduates are: Gary Adams, Maico Alejo, Victor Almazan, Scott Barker, Brian Berryhill, Paul Blazak, Robert Brooks, Bradley Brownlee, William Canada, Ken Cannizzaro, Terrence Colbert Jr., Rafael Cortez, Justin Cortinas, Alvaro Cuevas, Richard Darley, Victor De Jesus, Kurt Delamater, Donald Dowers, Oscar Figueroa, Robert Goeltzenleuchter, Saul Gonzalez, LaVaun Harris, Thomas Henderson, David Henry, James Hill, Bernard Hogan, Meighko Kodomagne, Mark Lewis, Fernando Leyva, Juan Lozano, Fernando Martinez, Sal Mercado, Rhett Miller, Tim Pablo, Jeffrey Restine, Christopher Riemersma, Miguel San Martin, Roneel Sanocki, Richard Scherman, Charlton Shabazz. Jeffrey Stell, Shawn Swearingen, Zack Tackett, Thad Tobin, Joshua Walulik, Michael Wittbrodt, Jeffrey Workman and Joseph Zapata.

Nicholas J. Segura Jr., P.S.

Advancement Fund

L.U. 577 (em&i), APPLETON, WI—Our work picture remained strong through the summer as referrals to the Fox Energies project began in June and continued through August. Many of the jobs the Industry Advancement Fund assisted in the spring bore fruit, as projects were awarded to union contractors.

In the July Journal, I missed the following members who completed their apprenticeships and were recommended for inside journeymen wiremen status: Darrick Fox, Rick Kriewaldt, Tori Schneider and Pat Van Vreede.

The Labor Day celebration sponsored by the Fox Valley Labor Council was held Sept. 5. Local 577 members volunteered to do the temporary wiring for the event. Thanks to Greg Breaker, Jesse Breaker, Carl Degroot, Nick Horn, Jonathan Horn, Jeff Smoker and Corey Wiegel.

Political campaigning in Wisconsin and the nation will soon begin in earnest. Support candidates who will strive to enact legislation beneficial to workers.

Greg Breaker, B.M.