L.U. 35 (i), HARTFORD, CT — Our Golf Committee did an excellent job again this year putting on the 119th Annual IBEW Andy Weigert-Ted Martocchio Memorial Golf Tournament. They were able to make charitable donations to the Lupus Foundation of America-Connecticut Chapter, the Salvation Army, and Make-A-Wish Foundation CT. Thanks to our committee and volunteers!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!

Bruce A. Silva, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 37 (em,o&u), FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA — There's no such thing as a snow day for many of our members. Because when you work for a utility company and a storm hits, duty always calls. Electricity is an essential service, and there are countless homes, businesses, hospitals, and government agencies that count on us to keep the power flowing.

Although winter storms can wreak havoc on the electrical grid leading to significant outages, challenges and increased customer demands, it doesn't stop our members from doing their best to maintain operations at power plants, clear power lines, restore power, answer distress calls, manage the grid, troubleshoot, and provide support to each other.

And let's not forget one of the biggest challenges when you don't get snow days — just getting to work. Digging out snow covered vehicles, de-icing, and clearing driveways is just the prelude to a sometimes-white-knuckle drive through snow, wind, ice — often in the dark.

That's why during winter months we must take extra precautions so that we always make it back safely to our homes and loved ones. Before heading out to work or to a trouble call, always make sure your windshield is cleared and defrosted, that you have good winter tires, extra cold weather clothing, enough fuel, traction sand, and a fully charged cellphone. Always remember - safety takes you home!

Ross Galbraith, B.M.

L.U. 41 (em,es,govt,i,se&spa), BUFFALO, NY — Happy new year, sisters and brothers! 2017 was busy with union events throughout the year. Two events we held had never been done here before. In May, our graduating fifth-year apprenticeship class stepped up and held a gun raffle to raise money for our IBEW Local 41 Charitable Foundation. The event sold out and was run very efficiently, with great prizes and side raffles. Thanks again to our fifth-year apprenticeship class!

Local 41 members, also for the first time, participated in a trap and skeet shoot at Hamburg Rod and Gun Club in July. Members enjoyed the extremely hot day shooting a round of trap and skeet, along with food and refreshments. It was nice to hold a new event, and sisters and brothers who participated found it interesting to attend. We have since gotten together to shoot again and are in talks to enter a team into a league.

This year at our annual retirees luncheon, eligible members received their IBEW service pins. Honorees ranged from members with 20 years of service to two members, Robert Bordner and Joseph Falzone, with 70 years of service. Bus. Mgr. Michael Gaiser thanked all in attendance for their longtime service and also expressed thanks to members for having the foresight to start all of our benefit funds. Thank you!

Gregory R. Inglut, A.B.M.

L.U. 47 (lctt,mo,o,u&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CA — Local 47 members took action during the deadly shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 1 last year. Four Local 47 members involved were shot and still shielded families. Uninjured was journeyman lineman Jake Codemo, who carried a wounded stranger to safety. In addition, Local 47 journeyman linemen Michael Hesselton, Justin Burton and Collyn Berling along with field service Rep. Michael Robertson were all wounded and courageously shielded family members and strangers. Two other of our members' children were shot as well. All our members and their children who were wounded are on the road to recovery.

Southern California Edison (SCE) collective bargaining agreements were ratified by a margin of 94 percent. Negotiations continue at the City of Banning. New agreements are in place at the City of Anaheim. We will soon begin bargaining for a first agreement for newly organized members of Anaheim's Utility Engineering department.

IBEW Local 47's Brotherhood Motorcycle Rally was a great success, raising nearly $7,000 for Casa Colina Rehab and our injured workers' fund.

As this article went to press, we were looking forward to the Local 47 Christmas & Holiday party on Dec. 15, 2017, in Diamond Bar.

We are saddened to report the death of members Pamela D'Spain, Martin Torres, Randy Bierl, Samuel Casillas, Don Vela, Evan Guest and Joann Alkire. Our prayers are with their loved ones.

Mitch Smith, P.S.

L.U. 51 (catv,lctt,o,ptc,rtb,t,u&uow), SPRINGFIELD, IL — Thanks to all who attended our annual picnic in September and to those who volunteered to help make it a success. A special thank you to Bro. Brandon Blair for frying catfish and to Bro. Howard Johnson and his son for the delicious brisket, pulled pork and ribs.

We continue to train our members on the IBEW Code of Excellence. Sixty-one of our members working at the Havana plant recently completed C.O.E. training, bringing the total to 314 members trained in 2017.

Local 51 members were committed to helping Texas and the Gulf Coast after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma hit. Approximately 40 tree trimmers and 85 linemen responded to the calls for help. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for not only restoring power, but also helping residents in the affected areas return to some normalcy.

Our construction outlook remains steady in line, substation, and line clearance tree trimming work. Be safe and attend your unit meetings.

Karlene Knisley, B.R.

L.U. 53 (lctt,o,rts&u), KANSAS CITY, MO — The construction work remains steady and we have standing calls. We have full employment with the LCTT (line clearance tree trimming).

We had a good showing at the 2017 International Lineman's Rodeo. We had multiple teams compete and one team that finished in second place in the Contractor Division. Congratulations to journeyman linemen Steve Ferguson, Andy Pearson and Kurt Schnakenberg.

We also celebrated our local's 100th anniversary on Nov. 4. Around 1,200 members and their guests helped us celebrate this special occasion.

Local 53 will need all our members to take a stand against anti-union Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and make sure we vote so-called "right to work" down in November 2018. [Editor's Note: To read more, see August 2017 news article, "In Missouri, Fight Against Right-to-Work is Far from Over," posted on IBEW website at www.ibew.org/media-center/Articles.]

Brett A. Stone, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 103 (cs&i), BOSTON, MA — On Oct. 14, Local 103's Italian American Club held its Italian Heritage and Traditions celebration at the union hall with more than 500 union members and their families in attendance. This year's honorees were Paul A. Guarracino and Anthony G. Ferzoco Jr.

Paul Guarracino is the founder and principal of J.M. Electrical Company in Lynnfield, an industry leader in building automation systems and control systems. Paul has served as a trustee of the IBEW Local 103 Trust Funds and on the JATC Committee. He is a past president of NECA Boston Chapter and in 2014 was elected into NECA's Academy of Electrical Contracting. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Wentworth Institute.

Anthony Ferzoco Jr. is a second-generation, 37-year dedicated member of IBEW Local 103. Now a retiree, he is enjoying the benefits of his outstanding career as a Local 103 member. Tony comes from a family of Local 103 members, 14 in all, including many of his brothers. His father, Tony Sr., began teaching at Local 103's training school in 1960 and became one of the union's longest tenured instructors.

Congratulations to Paul and Tony, and our thanks for the great participation by our union!

Jimmy Fleming, P.S.

L.U. 125 (lctt,o,t&u), PORTLAND, OR — The IBEW/NECA Safety Summit was held Nov. 1. The event was hosted jointly by the Northwest NECA Chapters and IBEW Locals 77, 125, 483 and 659. Keynote speaker Bill Sims Jr. discussed behavior-based recognition with human and organizational performance to help increase safety partnerships throughout the Pacific Northwest.

After IBEW Local 125 Asst. Bus. Mgr. Jake Carter launched the conference and Bus. Mgr. Travis Eri presented welcoming remarks, Sims delivered his program, entitled "Green Beans and Ice Cream." In June, Sims delivered the message to CEOs, general managers, and executive leadership for all utilities in Oregon and Washington along with the NECA contractor partners. This session focused on middle management and front-line leaders.

"We all want the same thing — to go home safely each night," said Eri. "Our hope is that we can all do better at demonstrating servant leadership and recognizing positive reinforcement with safety."

Thank you to Jake Carter for leading organizing efforts along with the Safety Summit Committee members Travis Eri, Lou Walter, Alice Phillips, Banjo Reed, Tracy Harness, Bill Meyer, Larry Becht, Steve Cant and Byron Allen.

Marcy Grail, A.B.M.

L.U. 191 (c,i,mo,rtb&st), EVERETT, WA — As a new year begins, we want to acknowledge a special highlight from the last year. Our JATC graduated 20 Inside Wire apprentices, with Travis W. Kiefer earning Apprentice of the Year honors. We also graduated 10 Sound & Communications technicians, with Nakos A. Marker earning Apprentice of the Year recognition. Congratulations to our graduates and all who helped make this achievement possible.

Both our work picture and our organizing program remain strong. We continue to welcome many skilled IBEW travellers to our jurisdiction, while also bringing in many previously unrepresented electricians.

I want to remind members of two great volunteer opportunities for this year:

Our president, Damien Fisher, is seeking volunteers for our many social events already in the planning for 2018 — golf, picnics and ball games to name a few. It's a lot of fun and you are sure to run into some old friends at these events.

Lastly, thank you to all our members for manning our work and doing good work, day in and day out. You, the members, are the face of the IBEW every day.

Bill Mirand, P.S.

L.U. 193 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), SPRINGFIELD, IL — We are currently under Donald Trump's "ball bat"! Health care? National budget? All yet to be dealt with by the current presidential administration and the U.S. Congress as of press time — and that's not good! No budget from Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner for three years? Pitiful progress for his so-called "turnaround agenda." How much do our members and working folks have to endure here in "The Land of Lincoln"?

Local 193 recently completed lengthy negotiations with City Water Light & Power. Negotiations resulted in a four-year contract that features 7.2 percent in wage increases over the life of the contract, with residency rules.

Our sympathies go out to the families of recently deceased members Ted Watkins, Robert Wolf and Michael Leach.

I hope IBEW members and their families had a happy Veterans Day, a happy Thanksgiving, and a merry Christmas in 2017! Best wishes to all for the new year ahead.

Don Hudson, P.S.

L.U. 197 (em&i), BLOOMINGTON, IL — We wish everyone a happy new year! We hope our members are busy working in 2018 and stay safe while doing so.

Our fifth-year apprentices volunteered their time to trench in a new power feed to light up a sign for the Bloomington American Legion Post 56. The apprentices were pleased to do something nice for those who have helped secure our freedom — and to also turn the project into a learning opportunity as well. Journeyman wireman Adam Halliday taught the class on how to proficiently and safely operate the trencher, and we are grateful for his time and help. Special thanks go to Weber Electric, which kindly donated the trencher.

Our retirees have been busy helping the community also. Some of the retirees have continued the tradition of lighting up the "Festival of Trees," which is a fundraiser for the Baby Fold, a nonprofit that helps underprivileged children. This is an annual tradition that the Retirees Club has headed up for over 20 years. We hope everyone feels that it is an honor to use our skills to help groups in our community and make it a better place to live. We thank those who do so, another reason we are proud to be IBEW.

Remember to get involved in the local and stay involved!

Mike Raikes, Pres.

L.U. 223 (em,govt&i), BROCKTON, MA — As we look back at 2017, some projects were slowed or delayed until the end of that year, or are scheduled to begin in early 2018. The good news is that we have been able to keep the members working on other projects, and we have brought new members into our local.

We look forward to the Alnylam Pharmaceutical project continuing to hire in the first part of this year, and the Sandwich Power Plant construction is scheduled to begin this spring.

As always, renewable energy projects will be a big part of the upcoming work. In 2018 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will select a developer for offshore wind power. With this selection there will be a new industry in southeastern Massachusetts. Offshore wind will provide jobs at the New Bedford port, which will be the staging ground for the project.

Our RENEW Committee became very active in 2017 and we look forward to them continuing their community service and having more member participation in 2018.

Local 223 wishes all in the IBEW a safe and prosperous new year.

David W. Fenton, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 245 (govt,lctt,o,rtb&u), TOLEDO, OH — Happy new year to everyone. I hope the holidays were good to you. The new year brings changes to Local 245 as a result of last year's local union election. We are welcoming some new officers to the local and we would also like to thank the outgoing officers for their service. Also, Local 245 would like to welcome Shane Bauman to the position of assistant business manager. Shane will be replacing Ken Erdmann, who will retire Feb. 1, 2018. We thank Ken for his service and wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.

The work on the outside is steady at this writing. And we are still working on a few negotiations left over from last year, which should be wrapping up shortly.

With its future still looking uncertain, Davis-Besse nuclear power plant is preparing for its spring refueling. And Bayshore power plant could be looking at new ownership this year.

On the social front, Lisa Tracy and Amanda Parker are planning yet another great night at the Toledo Walleye hockey game to be held Feb. 24. Dinner will also be provided.

Until next time, work safe and get involved with the union. Remember, the union is only as strong as its membership.

Ray Zychowicz, P.S.

L.U. 269 (i&o), TRENTON, NJ — In a resounding rejection of the political ideology of widely unpopular outgoing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, once a key Trump surrogate and head cheerleader, voters ushered in a new era of government by electing Phil Murphy as their next governor. Gov.-elect Murphy defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno by 12 points.

Boots on the ground and a strong get-out-the-vote effort by organized labor across the state ensured that we will indeed have a seat at the table when policy is crafted and acted upon by the New Jersey state Legislature. The good news concerning the governor's race was augmented by the win of an additional Democratic seat in the state Senate and the gain of two Democratic seats in the State Assembly, giving the Democrats a solid majority in both legislative bodies.

While New Jersey once had a governor who sought to curry favor with billionaires at the expense of the state's hard-working residents, we now have a new governor-elect who sought out the middle class to help him achieve his goals and who has promised to return the favor in kind.

Brian Jacoppo, P.S.

L.U. 309 (i,lctt,mo,mt,o,rts,spa&u), COLLINSVILLE, IL — Local 309 participated in the annual Belleville Chili Cookoff on Oct. 6-7 last year. Proceeds from the event totaled nearly $2,500, which went to the distressed members fund. A thank-you goes out to the many members who volunteered their time for this worthwhile cause.

Work on the Inside branch is slow at the present. Thank you to sister IBEW Locals 1 and 649 for employing some of our members.

Outside construction has been very busy and looks to be that way for the foreseeable future.

Bro. Art Minor Jr. passed away Oct. 22, 2017. Art was an electrician and proud member for 35 years. Art was first elected recording secretary in 1990 and served in that role until 1996 when he was elected to the Executive Board. He was brought into the office by then-business manager Jack Whealon to serve as Local 309's first full-time organizer. He worked as assistant business manager/organizer for 12 years. He will be missed by many members and friends. He touched many lives. Art was 54 years old.

Best wishes to all for a safe and happy new year.

Scott Tweedy, A.B.M.

L.U. 347 (em,i,mt,rtb,rts&spa), DES MOINES, IOWA — Happy new year. 2018 will be a pivotal year for labor in Iowa. The Iowa state Legislature and the Iowa executive branch dealt state workers a serious blow by repealing their right to bargain in good faith for conditions of employment including health care, the process surrounding their reviews, vacation time, hours of work and overtime pay.

Furthermore, the 2017 law — which was rammed through the state Legislature and signed by then-governor Terry Branstad in record time (17 days) — requires the bargaining units to recertify prior to the termination of the existing contract and caps the wage increase at 3 percent or the cost of living per consumer price index (whichever is lower). Thus, it is essential that all laboring men and women, union and nonunion, go to the polls this election year to set a new course for the workers of this state. It is necessary this year to remove those who sit in the halls of government and disrespect those who do the work of the people of this state.

I encourage every brother and sister to take a moment at coffee break and look at the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) agenda. It is not limited to government employees — they have their sights trained on us! Shipping jobs overseas, taking away employee rights and lowering wages are their talking points.

Mark your calendar now to vote in every election to be held in your precinct this year!

Mike Schweiger, P.S.

L.U. 349 (em,es,i,mps,rtb,rts,spa&u), MIAMI, FL — At our July 6, 2017, union meeting, installation of local union officers took place. Fifth District Int. Vice Pres. Joseph S. Davis was in attendance and gave a great speech before swearing in the officers.

We appreciate Vice Pres. Davis for taking time from his busy schedule to attend and administer the oath of office to elected officers.

Local 349 officers are: Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Bill Riley, Pres. David Karcher, Vice Pres. Bill Callenius, Rec. Sec. John McHugh, Treas. Brain Rappaport. Executive Board members: Kris Beckford, Kenny Fennell, Paul Gannett, Sergio Mayor and Chris Simpson. Examining Board members: Marcos Gonzales, Cris Mendoza and Dale Stoodt. Welfare Board: Louis Bui, Manny Celdran, Demetrio Gracia, James Naegely and Danny Yoham. Best of luck to all the Local 349 officers.

In October we had our annual picnic. There was a new barbecue cooker and it was a nice day. Pres. Karcher and the Entertainment Committee did another great job getting everything ready for the picnic. There was a good turnout and everyone had a great time.

Remember our military service men and women on duty here and overseas.

Support a strong local union. Attend local union meetings. Help with events the local supports and puts on for the membership's benefit.

Work safe, work smart.

Frank Albury, P.S. Pro Tem

L.U. 375 (catv,ees,et,govt,i&mo), ALLENTOWN, PA — On Nov. 1, Local 375 recognized four of our brothers for their heroic acts in an emergency situation. Bro. Michael Laczo and Bro. Christopher Zippel were presented with the IBEW Life Saving Award. In addition, Bro. Austin Bangor and Bro. Mark Dorsey received the IBEW Certificate of Recognition.

On April 3, 2017, at the Nestle Purina expansion project, Bro. Laczo discovered an unconscious construction employee. He was found lying on the ground, next to a fork truck that had crashed into a dumpster, with a laceration to his head. Bro. Laczo immediately checked for vital signs after noticing that the employee was not breathing.

As Bros. Bangor, Dorsey and Zippel arrived, they assessed the situation and implemented emergency procedures. Lines of communication were established, plant personnel were notified and the nearest AED (automated external defibrillator) was retrieved. For approximately eight minutes, Bro. Laczo, Bro. Zippel and a coworker of the victim performed resuscitation procedures.

As a result of their combined efforts, the employee began to cough and breathe on his own. Shortly thereafter Nestle EMS, Cetronia Ambulance and South Whitehall police arrived at the scene. The employee was transported to a local hospital and ultimately released home to recover.

With their decisive actions and utilization of training, our IBEW brothers were able to stabilize the situation and render aid. The successful recovery of the injured employee is a direct result of our members' training and their confidence in it. In honor of their noble acts of compassion in crisis, Local 375 wishes to commend Bros. Laczo, Zippel, Bangor and Dorsey.

Christopher Kaufman, B.R.

L.U. 379 (i,lctt,o&rtb), CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte held its 18th Annual Labor Day Parade in September and 100-plus IBEW members turned out to help represent the building trades' important contributions to the labor movement.

Also in labor news, IBEW Local 379 Pres. Scott Thrower received the Steward of Labor Award presented by the Southern Piedmont Central Labor Council at its 5th Annual Victory Dinner. The council's yearly dinner celebrates the hard work of union members working on election campaigns and raises money to fund GOTV (get out the vote) programs. The dinner is well-attended by union members, leadership and local politicians. The Steward of Labor Award is presented to a longtime labor leader who has given freely of his or her time and energy to the labor movement in the spirit of servant leadership and organizing.

Work continues at a breakneck pace in the 379 jurisdiction. It has picked up out of our Greenville, SC, office, with new construction projects and work in water treatment facilities. The northwest area of our jurisdiction is part of the "data center corridor" of North Carolina. We have multiple projects in that area; on one project, ground has been broken and construction has started on five new buildings. Another data center is completely renovating its existing gear and distribution systems. Work in the city of Charlotte, the economic hub of our district, continues to see a boom of new construction. The work picture is good here!

Ashley Hawkins, Organizer

L.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa&u), POCATELLO, IDAHO — Greetings, brothers and sisters. 2017 flew by as the years tend to do. There are always new challenges facing us as we start a new year and each day. I would like to thank all of our staff and our members who are helping Local 449 and the IBEW meet those challenges and turning them into opportunities. We have a lot to be thankful for, and I hope you got a chance to slow down and enjoy your blessings during this holiday time of year.

Congratulations to our most recent retirees: Blair Carlson and Benny Beck. Enjoy your retirement, brothers! You have earned it — best wishes to you and yours.

In memoriam: David Ruchti, Richard Davis, Devon Kofoed and Edward Trappen. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends.

Ned Jones, B.M.

L.U. 499 (u), DES MOINES, IOWA — The picture accompanying this article was taken on the day of the funeral of a fellow brother, Jeff Sanders, who passed away too soon in August 2017.

Brother Sanders had a little over 40 years with the IBEW and was very active with the union and as a union steward. Several fellow IBEW brothers made the route of the funeral procession an unforgettable sight as a tribute to Sanders. Various MidAmerican Energy trucks driven by fellow brothers lined the streets, proudly displayed the American flag and the local's flag, and a few members even climbed poles. Makes a person proud to belong to such a great Brotherhood!

Sarah Faber, P.S.

L.U. 569 (i,mar,mt,rts&spa), SAN DIEGO, CA — 2017 was a year of immense progress for IBEW Local 569 and our members!

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law our priority legislation, Assembly Bill 805, authored by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher. This legislation will instill transparency and accountability into our public transit agencies, put us on a path toward building a modern transit system, combat climate change, and require our transit agencies to utilize a skilled and trained workforce or have a project labor agreement (PLA) on all construction projects over $1 million.

Also, we were successful in having the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System move toward a pilot program for zero-emission EV buses — new technology that could create more jobs.

After 22 years in business, Precision Electric has joined the IBEW. We extend a warm welcome to our 40 new IBEW 569 members! Also, a big thank-you to our Executive Board members Nephi Hancock and Joe Heisler for volunteering many hours to update our retiree boards! And congratulations to our IBEW 569 Bus. Mgr. Nicholas Segura for being honored as the California Assembly District 80's Outstanding Latino Community Leader.

2017 was a great year and we're heading into 2018 as a stronger local thanks to you and your hard work!

Gretchen K. Newsom, P.S./Organizer

L.U. 575 (i), PORTSMOUTH, OHIO — Congratulations to retired Local 575 member Lou Imes, who received his IBEW 70-year service pin.

Born June 23, 1923, Lou has seen a lot over his career. In the 1950s, Bro. Imes served as president of Local 575, during the tenure of another Local 575 member, then-international president Gordon M. Freeman.

When Lou came into Local 575, there were a mere 17 members — Lou and his two classmates made it 20 members. Lou served in many capacities throughout his career, including as foreman and general foreman on various projects at the New Boston Steel Mill. It was an honor to present this IBEW service award to such a great union member!

Dan Shirey, B.M.

L.U. 595 (c,cs,govt,i,mt,se&st), DUBLIN, CA — Sister Bridget Hall was honored in September by Tradeswomen Inc. and many of her peers for her work and dedication to the IBEW and the labor movement. Sister Hall serves on the Local 595 Executive Board and the Alameda County JATC Trust and has served in numerous other capacities over the years. Sister Hall exemplifies the commitment and leadership our local continues to foster and Local 595 also thanks her for everything she does.

Another thank-you from Local 595 to Int. Rep. Tracy Prezeau of the IBEW Education Department, who conducted steward training for Local 595 inside apprentices and journeyman inside wireman in November.

Jason Gumataotao, Org./P.S.

L.U. 613 (em,i,o,rts&spa), ATLANTA, GA — Jerome Jackson and James Carr of our Organizing and Business Development team have had a busy year. Under the direction of Bus. Mgr. Kenny Mullins, their efforts have led to organizing three new contractors in the last six months as of this writing. Georgia Green Energies, Red Light Electric, and Pipeline Controls and Services are new to our local and have brought our local to 62 contractors, as of press time. In early November the Local 613 team coordinated a "top down, bottom up" organizing blitz. The results of these efforts have put Local 613 in the position to have four more potential contractors signing on.

The "bottom up" side of our efforts has not slowed down at press time. Attending job fairs and an apprentice blitz at the training center has helped to get the IBEW message out to those interested in the electrical trade. The past six months saw over 120 new members join our ranks. This has brought our local to over 4,000 members. The job of the organizer is essential and never-ending.

James Williams, P.S.

L.U. 639 (i&rts), SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — During an organizing effort, members of IBEW Local 639 displayed a large banner at a new hotel under construction in downtown Pismo Beach, CA.

With over 50 percent of the job salted down, the local filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election. Due to multiple circumstances the petition was withdrawn, and we then sought help from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). State inspection found the contractor to be in violation of California state certification laws and was ordered to stop work.

The banner was an effective organizing tool. It was spring break and Pismo Beach was flooded with tourists enjoying the surf. Within a few hours of our presence at the construction site, the electrical contractor was on the phone with Bus. Mgr. Mark Simonin. By the following Monday, we had a signed letter of assent. We were able to get the job turned around and the project was successfully completed using IBEW Local 639 electricians.

Thanks to the many volunteers, local newspaper New Times, and the Local 639 members who salted the job. The organizing effort was a success.

Kurt McClave, P.S.

L.U. 697 (c,es,i,mt&se), GARY AND HAMMOND, IN — The IBEW Local 697 RENEW Committee put their best foot forward in the community to relight Rosser Park in Hobart Township.

The 40-acre park received a fresh makeover that included tree/vegetation removal, new paint on the playground equipment, sand along the lake to reopen the beach area, and four new LED light towers wired by the Local 697 RENEW Committee.

Over 1,000 feet of underground electric was installed by 697 RENEW members Lloyd Martinez, Jeff Krug, Cor Braner, Aaron Oskam and Sam Coveris. All the electrical material was donated by our signatory contractors A&E Electric, Sargent Electric, Prusak Electric and Austgen Electric.

Local 697 was publicly recognized at the Hobart Trustee's meeting and received a great write-up in our local paper. The park, which had received minimal use in recent years, has become more popular and the recent enhancements have inspired nearby residents to better maintain their properties. The IBEW Local 697 RENEW committee is truly leading by example and we appreciate the support from our signatory contractors.

Ryan Reithel, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 915 (i&mt), TAMPA, FL — It is without question that the IBEW produces the most highly skilled and talented craftsmen in the industry. From the onset of the training provided in our JATC's apprenticeship programs to the continued educational opportunities for our journeyman wiremen, excellence is the hallmark. We, at Local 915, proudly proclaim that we have many successes from the talent that comes from this training.

Our most recent success story comes with the announcement of the 2017 IDEAL Competition Florida State Championship. This competition brings the most elite and talented tradesmen within our industry together to vie for the IDEAL National Championship.

The 2017 IDEAL Florida State Competition champion in the category of professional/journeyman is our very own Local 915 Bro. Jeffery Marotta, and honored for the student/apprentice category is Tampa Local 915 JATC Bro. Imani Poole.

Bro. Marotta is one of our Tampa JATC instructors, and Bro. Poole is a third-year apprentice. They advanced to the IDEAL National Championship, recently held in Orlando. Congratulations to these two brothers on their skill and talents and for bringing the 2017 IDEAL Florida State Championship to Local 915. Their union sisters and brothers are very proud.

Theresa King, P.S./R.S.

L.U. 1003 (c,i,mo&u), NELSON, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — The IBEW Local 1003 Women's Committee donate their skills and time for community service wherever they are needed. Some of the projects they have volunteered on are residential wiring for the elderly, cooking and bringing meals to terminally ill people in their homes, fixing nonunion contractors' substandard workmanship, yard cleanup, dump runs and sometimes just sitting chatting and listening, trying to bring hope to people. When we are offered money in exchange for help, we say we are with the IBEW Women's Committee and just trying to give back to the community.

It is all volunteer work and brings us closer together as a Women's Committee. Most people can't believe we are electricians and are so happy to meet not just one of us but two or more at a time. Volunteering in our communities, from Nelson down to Trail, brings a great sense of pride in who we are, plus a somber sense of humbleness in knowing that many people have a very tough time in life.

Theo de Kruyf, Organizer

L.U. 1015 (em&i), WESLACO, TEXAS — As one of the youngest IBEW locals in Texas, we have achieved great things this past year. Our accomplishments have taken us to a new horizon.

Our local's strong drive and efforts in organizing and education to ensure a most highly skilled workforce in the Rio Grande Valley for IBEW Local 1015 reflect all the hard work we have done and what is still to come.

Bus. Mgr. Sergio A. Salinas and Training Dir. Servando Munguia did not hold back when it came down to providing education opportunities for our construction electricians and construction wireman brothers and sisters, to help them achieve their ultimate goal to become our newest journeymen for IBEW Local 1015.

We believe knowledge is power and a tool for building a strong workforce one journeyman at a time. We all want to be able to provide a better life and future for our families and be able to retire in comfort.

Should you need a helping hand, our doors are always open — we are just a phone call away.

We are very pleased to announce and congratulate our newest IBEW Local 1015 journeymen: Natanael Acosta, Ray Duran, Manuel G. Garcia Jr., Javier Soriano Sr., and Sergio Torres.

Sergio A. Salinas, B.M.

L.U. 1141 (em,i,mow,rts &spa), OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year's.

As 2017 drew to a close, we were happy to award journeyman status to our recent graduates of the JATC apprenticeship training program. Congratulations to the graduates: Joseph Simpson, Robert White, Chase Giles, Brandon Wright, Jose Rios, Keven Davis, Kyle Dean, Hayden Roberts, Jacob Lang, Eric Melton, David Coffey, James Stromberg, Allen Bresemann and Joshua Matthews. Thank you for all the hard work you have done, and congratulations on powering up your career. See you on the jobsite!

Fall gave us another chance to be out in the community helping our fellow neighbors. Members from Oklahoma IBEW locals joined union brothers and sisters from the building trades to help renovate and beautify historic Nichols Park in Henryetta — which is home to a thriving labor community and hosts the annual Labor Day parade. Check out our video coverage of the day at www.bit.ly/1141henryetta.

Following our October industry night, which gave us another opportunity to visit with contractors and prospective members, we have updated www.ibew1141.org in an effort to reach more potential new brothers and sisters. If you know anyone who you think might make a solid electrician, please steer them our way. IBEW Local 1141 and the JATC are building a great team of power professionals.

We wish you the very best in 2018. Thank you for all you do to make IBEW 1141 the world-class organization that it is.

Dewayne Wilcox, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 1245 (catv,em,govt,lctt,o,pet,t&u), VACAVILLE, CA — Local 1245 members have been hard at work in the wake of numerous natural disasters. More than 100 members travelled to Florida to assist with restoration following Hurricane Irma, where they worked 16 hours at a stretch with no days off for two weeks straight. We also had a group of members working in the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria. Additionally, our members have worked tirelessly to restore power and gas after devastating fires tore through the North Bay in October. These fires took the homes of 29 IBEW 1245 members. The local is raising funds to help these displaced union families. Please donate what you can at www.gofundme.com/ibew-1245-wildfire-relief-fund.

Local 1245 members from Turlock Irrigation District took first place in the Municipal Division at the annual International Lineman's Rodeo, and they took third place overall. Our team from Modesto Irrigation District placed second in the Municipal Division.

Local 1245 welcomes EthosEnergy power plant workers in the Sacramento area, as well as the Aerial Patrollers and Revenue Assurance Representatives employed at Pacific Gas & Electric. All three groups voted to join the union.

Volunteer Organizing Committees (VOCs) at our public-sector properties are proactively building union power at their work sites in anticipation of the Janus v. AFSCME ruling. The VOCs are connecting with their co-workers one-on-one to talk about the union difference and urge them to sign authorization cards that declare them as proud, voluntary dues-paying members of Local 1245.

IBEW 1245 received seven awards from the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) in 2017, including two first-place awards for our union newspaper, the Utility Reporter.

In Outside Construction, work has been steady with no end in sight anytime soon. Local 1245 is running open calls for journeyman linemen, as well as operators and fab techs.

Rebecca Band, P.S.

L.U. 1249 (catv,lctt,o,t&u), SYRACUSE, NY — IBEW Local 1249 is excited to announce that plans to build a new union hall are in the works!

Due to the aging infrastructure and changing industry, in 2015 Local 1249's Joint Safety Fund purchased an abandoned airport on 37 acres of land, and in the spring of 2016 the building of a state-of-the-art training center was started. This new training center is a product of the dream to help continue to build on opportunities for a highly trained workforce. It gives us the capability to train on transmission and distribution lines, along with other aspects of line work.

The training center opened in the spring of 2017, and the need for a new office building to house the local union hall, the New York State Lineman's Safety Training Fund, and Local 1249's Pension and Insurance Funds was quickly realized.

The growth of the local and the funds has created a necessity for a building that can serve the local's current needs and the needs of the future. Building is expected to start in the spring of 2018 and be completed by the end of the year. All entities are excited to be a part of an exciting time in Local 1249's history!

Jennifer Schneider, P.S.

L.U. 1253 (i&mo), AUGUSTA, MAINE — The local held its apprenticeship graduation this past summer and wishes to congratulate Damien Boutin, George Howe, Kristina Milliken, Chris Stone and Ed Warman on their graduation. The local congratulates George Howe on being named Outstanding Apprentice.

Local 1253's Apprenticeship Committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Alberico as its new training director. Justin replaces Chris Trider, who gave 14 dedicated years to the Apprentice Committee and now is enjoying his early retirement. Thank you, Chris, for all you did to bring Local 1253's apprenticeship into the 21st century.

The work picture remains strong for Local 1253, and we will need help manning a papermill shutdown in February and March. Any sister or brother looking for a quick hit in February and March please contact the hall.

The local is saddened by the passing of retirees Allie Webb and Gary Perry, two fine brothers who will be missed.

Chuck Fraser, B.M.

L.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet,rts&t), BALTIMORE, MD — It was an honor to be in attendance with our new U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland at an AFL-CIO dinner held in his honor.

Sen. Van Hollen has served in the U.S. Senate since January 2017, replacing our outstanding former Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who was the longest-serving woman in the history of the U.S. Congress and who has retired. Sen. Van Hollen was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003-2017 and prior to that he served in the Maryland House of Representatives and the Maryland state Senate. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College, the John F. Kennedy School of Public Policy at Harvard University, and Georgetown University Law Center.

We are very lucky to have such an outstanding individual representing our state. Sen. Hollen has had the full support of the labor movement every time he ran for office at every level.

James S. Boyd, F.S./P.S.

L.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KY — The local union annual picnic was a success once again. Attendees enjoyed the usual Go-Kart racing, miniature golfing and great Kentucky barbecue. This year's picnic had a lower attendance than usual due to the amount of overtime work that was going on at the time. Nevertheless, the weather was perfect, and it was a good day with our Local 1701 family.

After a long negotiating period and a trip to Washington, D.C., we have a new three-year contract with the Southern Indiana Chapter of NECA. That Inside agreement took effect Sept. 11, 2017.

We congratulate Local 1701 members who retired in 2017: Bill Dixon, Bobby Barrett, Charles H. Payne, David M. Ross, Dennis Clark, Gary Montgomery, Gerald Frey, James M. Colburn, Jerry Parker, Kenny Rafferty, Rex Bellamy, Robert Douglas, Robert Reed, Roger Henning and Vincent Braddock. Thank you to all for your years of service to the local and the Brotherhood. Kick your boots off and relax — you deserve it. Good wishes to all for a happy retirement!

In sadness, we report the passing of Bro. Brian Baggett. May he rest in peace.

Nathan M. Knott, B.R.

L.U. 1753 (mo), CHARLESTON, SC — IBEW Local 1753 extends a warm and heartfelt goodbye to members who retired at the end of September 2017. We wish good fortune to those five retirees: Rick Ellis, Paul McCurry, Richard Mizzell, Dan Price and Allen Wall. These dedicated union members will be missed — together they represent a combined total of almost two centuries of experience.

Allen Wall has 54 years of IBEW service. Allen's flexibility, intellect and meticulous attention to detail allowed him to adapt from the "old school" type instruments to our modern day. Allen also previously served Local 1753 as a business manager/president and E-Board member.

Richard Mizzell has 48 years of IBEW service and was the last Power House boiler mechanic. Paul McCurry has 28 years of service and played an important role maintaining and installing electrical systems. Dan Price has 23 years of service installing and maintaining electrical systems. Rick Ellis has 17 years of service and played an important role maintaining and installing instrumentation; Rick also served as the union steward. Before these men became union electricians three of them, Dan, Paul and Rick, served in the armed forces, protecting our country.

We appreciate the time we have had with these men. Their determination, dedication, influence and traditions set an example of how union members should stand up for their rights and those of fellow union members.

May our retirees prosper and enjoy a long retirement in compensation for years of labor and hard work.

Douglas Ward, F.S.

L.U. 2067 (o&u), REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — 2017 saw the driest summer in 130 years in parts of southern Saskatchewan, Canada, putting the provincial utility in a serious situation. The record-breaking dry conditions caused ground shifting and subsequent strain on feeder conductors to many residential services in the province. In some cases, the strain was so severe that shorting in meter boxes caused house fires.

The utility was in a bad way, but Local Union 2067 members were there to save the day.

More than 70 IBEW Local 2067 linemen, electricians, and other classifications worked during the most critical phase of the project that inspected and/or repaired over 15,000 underground residential services over a two-month period, all with no lost-time accidents. These employees worked long hours in sweltering heat ensuring the Saskatchewan public was kept safe.

"This is a testament to the hard-working, dedicated individuals we have here at Local 2067," IBEW Local 2067 Bus. Mgr. Jason Tibbs said. "All of our members are devoted to safety — they are very proud, and driven to provide services for their neighbors and the public in general. The IBEW Local 2067 leadership is proud of their commitment to the public and to safety; for that, we thank them!"

Curtis Lizée, A.B.M.