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Graduation Banquet

Local 649 wiremen graduation class of 2005, from left: Scott Lucas, Mike Buis, Dan Mancorca, Mark Klaas, Jo Ann Berg, Pat Bohn, Bob Moore, Bill Hammond, Loren Kulp, Tim Wieckhorst, Jay England, Jesse Landers, Daren Smith and Louis Thompson.

L.U. 649 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), ALTON, IL—Local 649 JATC hosted a graduation dinner July 15 at the Argosy Ballroom for the 2005 class of graduating wiremen apprentices.

Illinois Chapter NECA Executive Vice Pres. Bill Belforte and Local 649 Bus. Mgr. Jack Tueth addressed graduates and guests. Training Dir. Terry Shewmake awarded graduates their certificates. Scot Lucas received the J. Michael Kane Award and a $100 savings bond for highest grade-point average.

Also, Josh Lenihan recently topped out from the ALBAT apprenticeship program and is the newest Local 649 journeyman lineman.

Robert E. Travis, P.S.

Utility Work Outsourced

L.U. 659 (c,catv,em,i,lctt,o,st&u), MEDFORD, OR—Congratulations to recently elected board members: Bus. Mgr. Ron Jones, Pres. Mike Bureau, Vice Pres. Jim White, Treas. Jerry Brei, Rec. Sec. Kathy Joy, Tom Legg, Tom Ellis and Walt Conner.

Thanks to our members in the Grants Pass Unit, who hosted a great summer picnic July 31.

The City of Ashland Clerical Unit settled their agreement. The City of Ashland Electric Unit declared impasse. Lane Electric Clerical is preparing for negotiations. The Avista contract was settled. Central Lincoln PUD is still in mediation. At press time, Henkels & McCoy negotiations were at an impasse over health care. Osmose negotiations were settled. Utility Tree employees voted to be represented by Local 659.

Be careful for what you vote for. In Oregon we have a utility that is using convict labor to do bargaining unit work, enabling the utility to outsource our work. A measure went out to vote in Oregon about 15 years ago and we are still paying the price, sometimes with the lives of the convicts.

Kathy Joy, R.S.

New JATC Courses

L.U. 683 (em&i), COLUMBUS, OH—Nearly 500 attended the annual family picnic. Everyone enjoyed fantastic food, activities for the kids, vintage photos and fellowship. Thanks to Mike Mirones, Rod Sumner and the picnic committee.

Our second annual benefit dinner Sept. 10 raised funds for our Members Assistance Fund. These funds will be used for our working members who need financial assistance because of injury or illness. Thanks to everyone who came out for food, fun and football.

On Sept. 22 and Oct 13, 128 members were awarded their 10-, 15- and 20-year service pins.

The JATC continues to expand and improve education courses. Members are encouraged to attend new classes now offered. To list just a few, courses include: AutoCAD for Wiremen, Cable Splicing, Electrical Safe Work Practices—NFPA 70e, Industry Leadership and Instrumentation.

Barry Hughes, V.P./P.S.

Contract Ratified

L.U. 695 (u), ST. JOSEPH, MO—Local union members at United Electric Cooperative Inc. ratified a five-year contract with wage increases of 4 percent for each year of the contract. Medical insurance and prescription drugs were a major issue during negotiations with a compromise reached by raising the deductibles and co-pays, along with higher deductibles on the medical and prescription drugs. Another job was added to the union that had been a non-bargaining position.

Local 695 and American Water Co. are negotiating modifying a position to Lead Process Technician from Process Technician.

Members at Aquila are waiting to hear who may purchase the former St. Joseph Light & Power utility, one of many Aquila properties for sale.

Bro. Denny Dakans, an Aquila employee, won the 2005 Montana 500 Model “T” race.

David A. Hall, B.M.

Labor Day Parade

L.U. 697 (i), GARY AND HAMMOND, IN—Local 697 members marched in the annual Lowell Indiana Labor Day parade to the lilting sound of bagpipes. On Sat., Aug. 20 the annual picnic at the Lake County Fairgrounds was another beautiful day with friends and family, complete with horseshoes, bingo and good food. Thanks to all volunteers.

The U.S. labor movement is at a critical point. Anti-union forces would rewrite history and redefine the purpose of the National Labor Relations Act as well as the NLRB. This legislation and related government agency came into being to protect the rights of working men and women and to protect our children from exploitation. All we ever wanted was fair treatment and a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. A wise admonition: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It seems that would work for both management and labor.

David A. Soderquist, P.S.