AN EX AMINER CORP ORATION P UBLIC ATION

Saluting
all fellow
Saluting
workers
all fellowon
Labor
workersDay!
on
Labor Day!
GOLDEN TRIANGLE LOCALS
PORT ARTHUR BEAUMONT PORT NECHES

GOLDEN TRIANGLE
LOCAL 13-423
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PORT ARTHUR BEAUMONT PORT NECHES

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 John L. Lewis,
a Hero of Labor
John Llewellyn Lewis (1880-1969) was
president of the United Mine Workers of
America from 1920 to 1960 and a major
force in organized labor in the 1930s and
40s. He was a prime mover in the organi-
zation of industrial unions in steel, rubber,
automobiles and other mass-production
industries. During World War II and after-
ward, Lewis led the miners in strikes that
won them substantial medical and retire-
ment benefits. He was truly a giant among
union leaders and indefatigable in his
efforts on behalf of the working man.
A tireless speaker on behalf of working men and women, the following is one of his most famous speeches:

Captain of a Mighty Host

The thing that gives me strength is the fact that I am able correctly to interpret the aims of my people. I know the psychology of
the coal miner. I know about his dreams and his ideals and trials and tribulations. I have lived with the coal miners. I am one
of them. My family has been associated with the mining industry for a century and a half and an understanding of the miners
problems is inbred in me.

I have laid down in a mine tunnel with my face in half an inch of water, and pulled my shirt up over my head expecting to die
the next minute in an explosion I heard coming toward me. And when God performed a miracle and stopped that explosion
before I died, I think it gave me some understanding of what men think about and how they suffer when they are waiting to die
in a coal mine explosion.

When I speak, I speak the thoughts of the membership of the United Mine Workers of America, because I understand them. I
remain true to them and they remain true to me.

As an individual, my opinions and my voice are of no more consequence in our world of affairs, or in the coal industry of the
country, than the voice or the opinions of any passerby on the street. It is only when I am able to translate your dreams and
aspirations into words that others may understand, that my tongue possesses any strength or my hand has any force.

I have never faltered or failed to present the cause or plead the case of the mine workers of this country, I have pleaded your
cause from the pulpit and the platform; in joint conference with the operators of this country; before the bar of state legisla-
tures; in the councils of the Presidents cabinet; and in the public press of this nation - not in the quivering tones of a feeble
mendicant asking alms, but in the thundering voice of the captain of a mighty host, demanding the rights to which free men are
entitled.

John L. Lewis who never tired of identifying himself in terms that workers could easily understand.
This page sponsored by Wayne A. Reaud and Family
Labor Day 2016 2016
PUBLISHER / CEO
Don J. Dodd ..........................................................dodd@theexaminer.com, ext. 223

EDITOR
Sharon Brooks ....................................................sharon@theexaminer.com, ext. 241

CONTRIBUTORS
Kevin King ........................................................... kevin@theexaminer.com, ext. 227
Theresa Ener ...................................................................theresa@theexaminer.com
Lamar University student photographers Shelby Strickland and McKenzie Harken

EDITING / GRAPHICS
Adam Balla ............................................................adam@theexaminer.com, ext. 243
Joshua Cobb ....................................................joshua@theexaminer.com, ext. 233
Jennifer Jackson ............................................ graphics@theexaminer.com, ext. 224

Phone: (409) 832-1400

Fax: (409) 832-6222
E-mail: mail@theexaminer.
795 Willow St. com
Beaumont, TX 77701 www.theexaminer.com
Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm
or corporation which may occur in the copy of The Examiner will be gladly corrected upon
being brought to the attention of the editor. Work continues on the Purple Heart
Published Thursdays, 52 weeks a year. ISSN 1551-9198. The Examiner is published by Memorial Bridge over the Neches River.
The Examiner Corporation. Copyright 2016 The Examiner Corporation. All rights reserved. Photo by Sharon Brooks

CREATING CHEMISTRY.
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Labor a bright
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proud member of Industry of Southeast Texas

proud member of Industry of Southeast Texas

Riding the
rising tide
Waterways bring jobs,
money to Southeast Texas
By Sharon Brooks
Editor
Every day in parts of Southeast Tex-
as, fishermen and shrimpers may be
glimpsed readying their boats for the
water, looking for a big haul. Crews are
moving onto and off of offshore oilrigs.
Tankers, barges and other transport
vessels are importing and exporting
goods along the Sabine Neches Water-
way, or the ship channel, at any given
moment.
With miles of coast and major ports
in Beaumont and Port Arthur, water-
ways are vital to the Southeast Texas
economy, and maritime jobs support
numerous families throughout the area.
The Port of Beaumont
At the Port of Beaumont, business is
booming.
In a recently released economic im-
pact study, the Port of Beaumont re-
ported that in 2015, marine cargo ac-
tivity at the public and private marine
terminals at the Port of Beaumont sup-
ported a total of $21.2 billion of eco-
nomic activity in the state of Texas.
With well over 400 ships and barges
Martin Gas
LNG import location
at Golden Pass
visiting the port annually, generating
jobs, taxes and salaries, the port has
become the economic engine of South-
east Texas generating $1.8 billion in di-
rect economic impact and 12,608 jobs,
said Port of Beaumont Director and
CEO Chris Fisher.
According to the economic impact
study, 52,462 jobs in Texas are in some
way related to the cargo moving via the
public and private marine terminals. Of
the 52,462 jobs, 6,391 direct jobs are
generated by the marine cargo and ves-
sel activity. The majority of the direct
Golden Pass LNG storage
tanks and import location
jobs are created by the movement of liq-
uid chemicals, crude oil and petroleum
products on the Sabine-Neches Water-
way; 7,096 indirect jobs were sup-
ported by $722.9 million of local pur-
chases by businesses supplying services
at the marine terminals and by busi-
nesses located at the Port of Beaumont.
Channeling energy
The Sabine-Neches Navigation Dis-
trict is responsible for managing, ad-
vocating for and improving the ship
channel and navigable waters of Jef-
ferson County to enhance the econo-
my, environment and quality of life in
Southeast Texas.
The navigation district was formed in
1909 and, as a political subdivision of
Texas, serves a variety of functions. The
navigation district promotes and sup-
ports the maintenance of the Sabine-
Neches Waterway in order to facili-
tate and sustain commerce in the ship
channel for Southeast Texas and the
nation; manages the saltwater barriers
WATERWAYS | SEE PAGE 6
Labor Day 2016 5
WATERWAYS | FROM PAGE 5 Fishing vessels
and flood control structures
at Taylors Bayou; and funds
and shares responsibility for
waterway security on the
ship channel.
Improving the ship chan-
nel is key to ensuring South-
east Texas remains a viable
place for cargo vessels to
make port, and the naviga-
tion district is undertaking
the deepening of the chan-
nel. Dredging of the channel
is slated to begin in Septem-
ber. Deepening the channel
will allow super cargo ships
access through the waterway.
Refineries and other fa- up near the waterway on the ship channel, is a highway Protecting the
cilities have access to ports Texas side. through which more than
along the Sabine-Neches The navigation district de- 125 million tons of cargo waterways
Waterway for easy import scribes the waterway as the is transported each year to Protection of Southeast
and export of various prod- lifeline that drives the econ- energy, petrochemical and Texas waterways is crucial
ucts. Cheniere is along the omies of Southeast Texas military users. That cargo as an attack or accident that
ship channel on the Louisi- and the U.S. includes natural gas, crude shuts down the ship channel
ana side, with Golden Pass According to the dis- oil, gasoline, jet fuel, chemi- not only negatively impacts
LNG, Martin Gas and other tricts website, The Sabine- cals, steel, lumber, grain and the local economy but also
large companies also setting Neches Waterway, or the many other products. WATERWAYS | SEE PAGE 8

Cullen White Happy

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6 Labor Day 2016
 Committed to exCellenCe

Training Director Secretary

Chairman
Danny Prosperie Robert Martin
Chris Reeves
Committee
Jimmy Burk Michael Jones Kyl May David Thomas Sid Picard Robert Martin Brent LaBorde

The Beaumont Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee is jointly funded from
the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers (IBEW). This is a true Apprenticeship Program, registered with the United
States of America Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Electrical
Workers trained through the Beaumont Electrical J.A.T.C. have the know how to install the job
right the first time, without expensive rework, whether it is a large construction project or a
delicate fiber-optic installation. Each graduating apprentice will have earned the equivalent of
55 semester hours of college credit, according to the American Council of Education.
The B.E.J.A.T.C. offers QualiTy apprenTiCeShip!!!!
If you are looking for a meaningful career in the Electrical Industry of
Southeast Texas ---- a career that offers
character and pride a nationally recognized curriculum
guaranteed periodic advancement sound health care
and a guaranteed pension. For more information,
visit our website at

www.bejaTCTx.org

Skilled Career Training

Ibew electrical workers

WATERWAYS | FROM PAGE 6
has far-reaching repercus-
sions that could affect the en-
tire nation.
Along with the help of the
U.S. Coast Guard and the
navigation district, the Jeffer-
son County Sheriff s Office
( JCSO) Marine Safety Patrol
division serves to keep all of
Southeast Texas navigable
waterways safe.
JCSO Deputy Chief Ron
Hobbs is the director of the
Marine Safety Patrol, based
in Sabine Pass. His crews
work day and night to secure
the waterways.
In the state of Texas, any
navigable waterway falls un-
der the jurisdiction of the
county sheriff, said Hobbs.
Post 9/11, the government
did a series of threat assess-
ments down here and all
across the country and deter-
mined that security was very
lacking on our waterways,
(the ship channel) especially.
AAAJUDGE
8 Labor Day 2016
Thats how we got into this.
Deputies John Leger and Brad Beaulieu
At that time, we had a couple
of boats, and we were ap-
proached by the Coast Guard
to undertake this mission.
We were requested to take on
this mission for the Marine
Unit because of the industry
here. The government had de-
cided that these vessels were
possible terrorist targets.
Hobbs estimated that about
13-14 percent of the gasoline
that is burned in this country
every day is refined here.
In terms of energy, were
a big, big player, he assert-
ed. Over half of what the
US military burns in jet fuel,
over half the jet fuel used in
America, is manufactured on
this waterway.
Its not just the protection
of the ships while theyre in
transit. We also have a vast
amount of critical infrastruc-
ture here. If you did manage
to close this ship channel
for any reason, whether its a
JUDGE FOR
JUDGEFOR ALL
FORALL
ALL

sunken vessel or an event at
one of the refineries or pipe-
line, if you close this channel
for a week, the price of gaso-
line would probably be im-
pacted within days. It would
impact the whole country. It
would make the stock market
take notice. Were a humble
place, but in terms of energy
and the importance of this
Bob Wortham
Criminal District Attorney
waterway to people across
America, it cant be overesti-
mated.
According to Hobbs,
JCSO was not in a financial
position to acquire the vessels
necessary for the grand safety
effort the Coast Guard sug-
gested, but they were even-
tually able to buy boats and
other equipment through the
I salute the
hard-working
men & women of
Jefferson County.
Thank you for your
continued support.
Pol. Adv. PAid for by bob WorthAm.
federal Port Security Grant
Program. The grants con-
tinue to support equipment
purchases, like necessary en-
gine replacements for the pa-
trol boats.
The Coast Guard assisted
in acquiring those grants,
Hobbs said, adding, We
have an interlocal agreement,
the first in the state of Texas,
International Alliance of
Theatrical Stage Employees
Providing trained stage, sound, lighting
and wardrobe technicians since 1910
Happy Labor Day!
with the Coast Guard that
allows us to enforce not only
state law, but any security
zones that the port captain
establishes.
Hobbs said the marine divi-
sion started about 15 years ago
with two deputies. Now, he
has 16 deputies, not includ-
ing Hobbs himself, and seven
patrol boats. All deputies in
the division must undertake
strenuous training and are li-
censed Coast Guard captains,
allowing them to operate JC-
SOs various vessels.
Everyone who comes into
the unit cross-trains with the
Coast Guard. We also have
a training program that we
subject people to, so we can
take someone who doesnt
know the stern from bow, or
the port from the starboard,
and train them up to operate
these boats.
The ship channel is a very
active place. Especially at
WATERWAYS | SEE PAGE 10
Labor Day 2016 9
WATERWAYS | FROM PAGE 9
night, its very dangerous.
Its a tough job, said Hobbs,
and Marine Safety Patrol
deputies work a schedule
similar to that of a firefighter,
24 hours on-duty with 48
hours off-duty following a
shift. They have bunks to
sleep in and designated times
they are able to rest, emer-
gencies withstanding.
Theres always a crew
manning the station, 24/7,
365 days per year.
According to Hobbs, his
crews are generally quite busy.
We escort military ves-
sels in and out of the Ports of
Beaumont and Port Arthur.
We escort hazardous cargo
carriers, whether they be
LNG ships, barges carrying
liquid petroleum gas, tankers
carrying gasoline.
Besides escorting cargo
ships and military vessels,
Marine Safety Patrol Deputy
John Leger said the marine
10 Labor Day 2016
division patrols the water-
ways and investigates any
suspicious persons or activ-
ity. They also respond to ac-
cidents and perform search
and rescue missions.
Labor Day weekend is
busy. The summer is busy,
said Leger, remarking that a
lot of people who dont boat
regularly are out on the water
during peak times, and a lot
of them are drinking not
a good, or legal, combina-
tion, according to the officer. he loves what he does. He said, because of the po-
There are some accidents. Its the best cop job Ive tential for extreme danger,
There are a lot of rescues of ever had, said Leger, who only senior deputies are part
stranded boaters. has worked for the division of the marine unit.
Leger said when they are for seven years and been in Leger agreed.
not performing an escort or law enforcement for 30. We dont get a lot of calls
responding to a call, they are Deputy Brad Beaulieu for service, but when we do,
on patrol, often taking to the works with Leger in the ma- its pretty serious, said the
water for eight to 10 hours at rine division. He said depu- veteran law enforcer. Were
a time. ties who work in the division out here for what we might
Patrolling the same area, should be ready to spend have to do.
day in and day out, familiar- time outdoors. He said the goal of the Ma-
izes the crews with the large Youd better like being rine Safety Patrol is to prevent
area they have to cover. It can outside and on the water, those serious situations from
get boring, Leger warns, but Beaulieu commented. arising in the first place.
USW District 13 Salutes all
union members on Labor Day!
USW District 13
1300 Rollingbrook Drive, Suite # 504 Baytown, TX 77521
(Office) 832-556-0370 (Fax) 832-556-0378
Ruben Garza, Director
John H. Link Jr., Assistant to the Director
 L a b o r D a y !
py
Hap We support the
Te x a s .
o f S o u theast
labo r force
SETMA: Healthcare
Where Your Health Is The Only Care!
409-833-9797
1-888-833-0523
Setma I 2929 Calder Suite 100 Setma neDerlanD 2400 Hwy. 365
Setma II 3570 College Setma orange 608 Strickland Dr.
mark a. wIlSon 2010 Dowlen Setma lumberton 137 lHS Drive

Appointments, referrals, and prescriptions are available at: www.setma.com

 2016 Volunteers with the American Red Cross
of Southeast and Deep East Texas work
on disaster preparedness backpacks to
distribute in Orange County in 2015.

Collin Slaughter, 18, an intern at Praise

Church, working on production and setting up
music equipment for Sunday services
Photo by Shelby Strickland

goLDen
triangLe
feDeraL creDit union

5211 parkway groves, tx (409) 962-3434

We would like to thank

In Memory of all the men and women
Todd Edgerly of Southeast Texas for
The Labor Movement lost a great ambassador, a great
man and a proud member of IBEW Local Union 479.
their hard work.
Todd was an excellent electrician and an officer of the
Sabine Labor Council, Texas AFL-CIO and IBEW www.gtfcu.coop
Local Union 479. His kindness, integrity and goodness
rubbed off on all who knew him. We miss you more
today than the day God took you.
We love you dearly Son.
Mom and Dad Happy Labor Day!
12 Labor Day 2016
ISTC held a grand opening in April for its 3749 Highway 69 facility in Beaumont. The $20 million, state-of-the-art facility will be used to train personnel and
contractors for more than 75 refineries in the area, focusing on site-specific safety training.
ISTC opens state-of-the art, $20 million safety
training facility for plant personnel, contractors
By Kevin King
Contributing Editor
Contractors account for nearly 20
percent of all fatal work injuries, accord-
ing to statistics from the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). In 2014, according to the lat-
est numbers available on OSHAs web-
site, 4,679 workers were killed on the
job. On average, thats almost 90 a week
or more than 13 deaths every day. Out
of 4,251 worker fatalities in private in-
dustry, 874 or 20.5 percent were in con-
struction that is, one in five worker
deaths. The leading causes of worker
deaths on construction sites were falls,
followed by electrocution, being struck
by an object, and being caught or pinned
between two objects. These Fatal Four
were responsible for more than half
(58.1 percent) of construction worker
deaths in 2014, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) reports. Eliminating
the Fatal Four would save 508 lives in
14 Labor Day 2016
Photos by Kevin King
America every year, according to BLS. The plants didnt own the contrac-
Chris Lamson, president/CEO of the tors, and it was hard for them to make
International Safety Training Council sure the contractors met the minimum
(ISTC), says he knows firsthand how safety requirements, Lamson said.
important safety training is to plant Plant managers and owners of contrac-
personnel. tor companies got together and
I was born and raised in Port said, Weve got to fix this.
Arthur and actually worked in- From the plant owners per-
side Texaco (refinery), he said, spective, they needed an orga-
where there was a strike in nization to ensure that their
January 1982. That year they standards were met before the
started the big layoffs. They contractors came into the plant,
employed around 5,000 people Lamson said. And from the
and by the end of that strike, contractors perspective, they
they were down to about 2,500. needed an organization that
All of the plants went from Lamson could conduct training and
employed maintenance personnel to manage training records. Thus, in 1991,
contractors. Thats how the contractor ISTC was born and has since then pro-
maintenance industry built up around vided much-needed safety training for
here. When that happened in the early both plant personnel and contractors.
to mid 80s, safety fell off. With the grand opening of its new
In October 1982, when a ruptured 67,000 square-foot, $20 million facil-
line spewed superheated powder on ity at 3749 Highway 69 in Beaumont
employees, five were killed and eight on Tuesday, April 5, the 501(c)3 edu-
were injured. cational organization is even better
equipped to do so.
ISTC offers safety, health, environ-
mental, security and emergency services
training for refineries, petrochemical
plants, manufacturers, offshore ma-
rine services and energy facilities, and
custom-developed training programs
to meet varied businesses needs. ISTC
also offers a variety of other services
including background checks, drug
screenings, medical services, custom
badge design, online pre-qualification
service, pipeline operator qualification
courses and distance learning.
The Beaumont facility houses the
ISTC corporate offices, training and
conference centers on 12.5 acres of land,
with five acres of parking for students, There are 761 computer-based training stations across six classrooms, and six facilitator-led classrooms
for specialized courses and training.
guests and clients. ISTC has stream-
lined check-in procedures for students said. What we do is we provide rally point? We ensure employees
with 18 check-in stations and 10 self- OSHA-standard and plant site spe- meet those requirements.
service kiosks for frequent visitors. cific training. Each plant, and there are A lot of plants also require other
There are 761 computer-based training about 75 in this area, all have their own courses in addition to site specific train-
stations across six classrooms, and six requirements for minimum safety stan- ing such as confined space, scaffold and
facilitator-led classrooms for special- dards to get into the plant. Site-specific hole watch training. Fire watch and fire
ized courses and training. training revolves around how many safety training courses are also offered
For the plants, we are a contractor whistles for an emergency. If theres a at ISTC.
safety compliance manager, Lamson gas leak, what do you do, wheres the TRAINING | SEE PAGE 16

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PROVIDING QUALITY INSTALLATIONS AND
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BEAUMONT PLUMBING NOACK PLUMBING
898-2528 866-3500
CONNOR PLUMBING PLUMBING SPECIALITIES
838-6433 832-5889
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724-0100 842-0997
Labor Day 2016 15
TRAINING | FROM PAGE 15
The massive fire at ExxonMobils Bay-
town refinery two days after the open-
ing of ISTCs new facility highlights
the importance of this type of training
to contractors and plant personnel. The
fire was quickly extinguished, and no
injuries to employees were reported.
Importantly, safety courses at ISTC
are offered in both Spanish and English,
Lamson said. Around 789 Hispanic or
Latino workers were killed from work-
related injuries in 2014 more than 15
deaths a week, or two every single day of
the year, all year long.
Our courses go nationally and there ISTC uses streamlined check-in procedures for students with 18 check-in stations and 10 self-service
are international students that come in kiosks for frequent visitors.
to take our courses both here and at our
fire field at our (Beaumont Emergency kitchen and dedicated parking for more ISTCs new facility is equipped to
Services Training) BEST complex near than 100 vehicles. handle dramatic increases in those
the Port of Beaumont, Lamson said. In 2015 alone, prior to opening training numbers moving forward.
ISTC also operates a smaller training the new facility, ISTC trained a total This state-of-the art facility will en-
center in Baytown. of 166,237 students, and conducted sure that ISTC can meet the needs of
The Beaumont ISTC complex fea- 408,600 courses, 58,515 background new and expanding industries in our
tures a separate conference center with checks, 3,736 drug screens and 14,627 region for years to come, Lamson said.
2,900 square feet of meeting space, Social Security Verifications (SSV). For more information about ISTC,
state of the art A/V equipment, a fully Last year was actually a slow year for visit www.istc.net or call (409) 724-
equipped business center and catering us, Lamson said. 2565.

Residential CommeRCial industRial

Proud to Have Served the

Beaumont Community Serving our Community
EEE since 1971 EEE
Since 1951

Your job is hard enough.

Your finances shouldnt have to be.

tx# 18185 3805 W. Cardinal Dr. Beaumont, TX 77705

20 0 5 Pe Cos st. 409- 833 -28 28 409.833.8271 1.800.400.2890 www.ibewfcu.com
16 Labor Day 2016
Labor Day 2016 17
 2016

Photos by Sharon Brooks

Jack Elliott of JackBuilt

describes renovations
underway at the historic
Orange Train Depot.

JackBuilt contract
employees work on the
Orange Train Depot.

Happy Labor Day!

Business Manager
Clinton Trahan
Asst. Business Manager
Eddie Smith
Construction & Maintenance
Asst. Business Manager
Stephan Babin
Utility
President
Mike LaVergne
18 Labor Day 2016
LIT Utility Lineman Rodeo
Lamar Institute of Technologys Utility Line Technology pro-
gram held its annual lineman rodeo Friday, May 6, at the Frank
Robinson Center in Silsbee, where students showcased their skills
in exercises such as hurt man rescue, egg climb, insulator change, ar-
restor change, rigging and more. They were judged on safety, proper
work procedures and time.
Jake Jones of Buna was declared the rodeo winner. Jones won Best
All Around, and first place in Arrestor Change, Hurt Man Rescue,
Insulator Change, Rigging and Egg Climb. Photos courtesy of LIT

Jake Jones (1) participates in

the Arrestor Change, as Coy
Placker (11) works on the
Insulator Change and Jake
Hiser (7) takes part in Rigging.

Coy Placker,
Rigging

Anton Schell, Rigging

20 Labor Day 2016

 Zaccary
Weatherford
participates in Jake Jones of Buna was declared the rodeo winner. Jones
Damien Marceaux, the Hurt Man won Best All Around, and first place in Arrestor Change, Hurt
Insulator Change Rescue exercise. Man Rescue, Insulator Change, Rigging and Egg Climb.

Judge Pipefitters
Local Union 211
Donald J. Floyd Zone 195
172nd District Court, Jefferson County

Officers, Members & Staff:

I am very
happy to sends a tribute to the men and women of the
recognize our organized labor movement who have worked
working men and fought for respect and dignity through
& women this relentless hard work and dedication. Through
Labor Day! their continuous efforts, these men and women
have brought about retirement, health and welfare
benefits, safety, training, as well as a better way
Happy Labor Day! of life for all members of labor unions!
3184 Hwy 69 N Nederland, Texas
Steve Parker Todd Longron Jerry Pillsbury
Pol. Adv. Pd. for by the Committee to Re-Elect Judge Donald J Floyd, Guy Goodson, treasurer. Training Director Business Agent SWPT Organizer
In compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
409-727-1686 409-722-0434 409-474-2191
Office Staff - Cassie Bush

Labor Day 2016 21

 2016

Beaumont Parks Division employees replace

old flags at Delia Harrington Park downtown.
Photos by Sharon Brook

Gerald W. Eddins
Judge
County Court at Law #1
Pays Tribute to
the Hard-Working
Men and Women
of Southeast Texas
Political advertisement paid for by Judge Gerald Eddins Re-Election Campaign.
Lynda Kay Makin, Campaign Manager. Tom Hanna, Treasurer. In compliance
with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

22 Labor Day 2016

 Happy Labor Day
to the hard working men & women
of Southeast Texas.
Pol. Adv. Paid for by Zena for Sheriff Campaign

Labor Day 2016 23

 Sea Emergency Deployment
Readiness Exercise at the
Port of Beaumont
Capt. Jamila
Gale-Agans
and Lt. Col.
Charlie 2016
Fisher at
the Port of
Beaumont

Cape Trinity

EntErprisEs llc

Port arthur refinery

Thanks to all our employees for working together
to safely operate North Americas largest refinery.

24 Labor Day 2016

 Saluting Working
Men & Women
Labor Day 2016
AFGE LOCAL 2139
AFGE LOCAL 2413
Sabine Area Central Labor
AFSCME LOCAL 3921
Council, Its Officers and
BOILERMAKERS LOCAL 587
Members, Encourage Workers
CWA LOCAL 6139
to Pursue Their Right to Join
FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 399
into Union Membership.
IAM LOCAL 823 - dISTRICT 161

Our Council Supports Federal, IATSE LOCAL 183

State and Local Elected Officials IBEW LOCAL 479

IBEW LOCAL 2286
Who Support and Protect
ILA LOCAL 154
Workers Rights.
InSuLATORS & ALLIEd WORKERS LOCAL 22

We wish all workers a most IuPAT LOCAL 130

OPEIu LOCAL 66
joyous and safe Labor Day! OPEIu LOCAL 277
PIPE FITTERS LOCAL 211 ZOnE 195
Wm. Ruelle Parker PLuMBERS LOCAL 68
President SEAFARER'S InTER'L unIOn

Gene Edgerly SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 54

Secretary - Treasurer uSW LOCAL 13-228
uSW LOCAL 13-243
409-982-8180 uSW LOCAL 13-423
uSW LOCAL 13-8586
 Catholic
Happy Labor Network
2016
Labor Day "Yet the orientation of the
economy has favoured a
kind of technological
to One and All! progress in which the
costs of production are
reduced by laying off

Everette Bo workers and replacing

them with machines."
(Laudato Si #128)

Alfred Pope Francis

County Commissioner
Precinct 4 The Catholic-Labor Network
www.catholiclabor.org

Come See Us For All of Your Electrical Needs.

We Support the Hard-working Basic Foods re-opened at a new location

Men & Women of SETX

on Phelan in Beaumont on Thursday,
Aug. 25. Caitlin Rice and Catelin Hall
operate the register (below) while
Marcia Cavett, an investor in the
company, cleans the windows.
beaumont 4052 washington blvd 842-3141 Photos by McKenzie Harke

26 Labor Day 2016

 Animal Control Services Ocer Carol Hettinger
2016 poses with Honey, Beaumont resident Jerry
Mazzolas 15-year-old dog. Honey, partially
deaf and blind, was lost in the woods, but
Hettinger rescued her in February 2016.

Jenn of Beaumont Animal Services holds dachshund Beefy in 2015. Workers

like her ensure shelter animals living spaces stay fresh and clean, and that the
animals receive proper care.
Photos by Sharon Brooks

Sabine Area
Sheet Metal
Contractors
Association

A-1 Sheet Metal

Beaumont Sheet Metal
Burts, Inc.
Kieschnick Industries
Metal Industries
Triangle Metals

Happy & Healthy Labor Day

to Local Union No. 54!
30 Labor Day 2016
 Beaumont
Area Pipefitter
Apprentice School
student Joey
Neyland of Orange
measures a bend for
fabricating.

Training for the future Beaumont Area Pipefitter Apprentice School

looking for next generation of skilled laborers
By Kevin King Times have changed, however, and to Houston and were not even here
Contributing Editor now years later, Williams is a rigging anymore, said Todd Longron, business
and math instructor at the school. And agent for Local 211 Zone 195.
When Terry Williams attended the after merging with Houston-based These buildings are still here. Were
Beaumont Area Pipefitter Apprentice Pipefitters Local 211, the Local 195 still here, and were not going any-
School for training decades ago, it was union and its school seem to be flying where, Longron asserted.
bustling with students. under the radar. The school provides a variety of
The parking lot was full of cars. You Theres people right here in the training including welding, pipefitting,
couldnt hardly find a space, Williams Golden Triangle that heard 195 was
said. merging and think everything moved PIPEFITTERS | SEE PAGE 34
Student
Samuel Miller
of Groves
practices at
the Beaumont
Area Pipefitter
Apprentice
Schools
Have a safe & happy Labor Day! welding shop.

Thank you to all the

hard working men & women
of Southeast Texas.
Pol. Adv. Pd. for by Raquel West Campaign, Patrick Terry Doyle, Treasurer In Compliance With the Voluntary Limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act. 409-813-2700

32 Labor Day 2016

PIPEFITTERS | FROM PAGE 32
instrumentation, drafting, HVAC, rig-
ging and more, and even offers stu-
dents a chance to earn Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI) and United
Association (UA) certifications.
This skill set is needed more than
ever, with a combination of baby
boomers retiring and with trades-
people having cross-trained to other
careers during the Great Recession
(2007-09), leaving fewer workers in
skilled labor professions nationwide.
Its hard to find (workers) that are
skilled and have the training, said Joe
Khoury, director of Gulf Coast opera-
tions for Hayes Mechanical, a pioneer
in the boiler, constructions and repair
industry. Hayes Mechanical is based
in Chicago but runs its Gulf Coast
operations out of Nederland, and it is
one of 15 contractors the Beaumont
Area Pipefitter Apprentice School
utilizes for jobs to put its students to
work, giving them valuable hands-on
training.
Anything to do with the pipe in-
dustry right now is suffering on quali-
fied people, Longron said.
34 Labor Day 2016
WHY THE SHORTAGE?
According to Tulsa Welding Schools
whitepaper Addressing Worker Short-
ages in the Skilled Trades, there are a
few reasons that have caused worker
shortages in the skilled trades.
High school students are often
pushed toward university education
and then onward toward white collar
jobs, the whitepaper states. Some peo-
ple believe that these jobs have higher
earning potential than manual work, an
idea thats been popularized with the
rise of IT professionals. In general, high
schools have promoted academic values
rather than career-oriented ones.
Ridge Tool Company, a leading man-
ufacturer of innovative tools for the pro-
fessional trades and known for its tool
brand Ridgid, commissioned a study on
the interest of high school students in Rigging students learn how to safely maneuver a
skilled trade professions and found that 470-pound piece of pipe.
only 16 percent of the 1000-plus stu-
dents they interviewed were planning TRAINING THE FUTURE PIPEFITTER
on taking a vocational class in the skilled Unions like Local 211 Zone 195
trades. However, once these students ac- remain proactive in trying to attract
tually took such a class, the respondents potential apprentices by sponsoring
became twice as likely to consider pur- training programs and putting their
suing the trade as a career. PIPEFITTERS | SEE PAGE 36
The Firefighters and Paramedics of
Beaumont Professional Fire Fighters Local
399 would like to thank the citizens of
Beaumont for their support during the past
years. The Beaumont Fire Rescue Services
and Beaumont Emergency Medical Services
answered over thirty-thousand calls in the
last year. We stand ready to answer the
emergency needs of the City of Beaumont.
Thank you,
Beaumont Fire Fighters Local 399
Labor Day 2016 35
PIPEFITTERS | FROM PAGE 34
students to work.
According to the article Still a
wedge in the door: Women training for
the construction trades in the USA by
University of Utah economics profes-
sors Gunseli Berik and Cihan Bilginsoy,
around 70 percent of registered appren-
tices are trained in programs sponsored
jointly by unions and contractors. Col-
lective bargaining agreements between
the union and the contractors specify
the responsibilities and obligations of
the trade union and signatory contrac-
tors in the training process, the appren-
tice-journey worker ratios and training
wages, and a joint apprenticeship train-
ing committee oversees the program.
Were all self-funded, Longron
said. None of this was given to us; Catherine Odom of Vidor draws in Greg Lamberts drafting class. The school has several women in its
program, perhaps arming reports from the United States Department of Labor Womens Bureau that
weve built it. It takes 55 cents an there is a trend of more and more women pursuing careers in skilled trades.
hour (from every union member) to
run this school. Well look at the work forecast, and take in, he said. Its not going to be
The key to having a successful ap- if it looks like we can take in X number fair if we have 90 applications to bring
prentice school is being able to put stu- of students, the apprentice committee 90 students into the school if we cant
dents to work, said Steve Parker, train- will interview the applicants and will get them employed. They can come to
ing director for the Beaumont Area decide amongst themselves how many school and learn all they want to, but
Pipefitter Apprentice School. and which ones that theyre going to PIPEFITTERS | SEE PAGE 38

We love all of our volunteers

and supporters who make this
region a great place to live.
BEAUMONT FOUNDATION
of America
The Beaumont Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization, gratefully
acknowledges another fulfilling, productive year. Since our inception in 2002,
we have made over $100 million in grants. We will continue to make a lasting
impact in Texas and across the nation. We take great pride in our work and
the legacy it will generate. To all the local charities and other organizations
we support, we say thank you and keep up the good work.

www.bmtfoundation.com

Ben Rogers/Lamar University/BISD

"I Have a Dream" Program
Thank you for helping us serve our community.

Happy Labor Day! Jerry Wayne Pillsbury

Wishes Everyone A
TTT Happy & Safe Labor Day!
36 Labor Day 2016
 PLUMBERS LOCAL UNION NO. 68
695 CHAMBERLIN / P. O. BOX 20382
BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77704
409-842-3680

Protecting Your Familys Health & Safety

Their license, training and professionalism protect not only your family, but also
your largest investment your home. They are knowledgeable about plumbing
codes written and understand the obligation they have to you to by installing it
right the first time!

Licensed Plumbers protect you and your family from more than 50 possible
diseases that can be transmitted via blood, air, and water entering through
a cut in the skin or ingestion. Some of those pathogens are:
Hepatitis, Meningitis, Typhoid, Tetanus and Dysentery

Additionally, Gas Piping and Appliance Leaks in your home coming from a water
heater, stove, furnace or fireplace can cause devastation, injury or even death.

Rememberyoure the Boss when hiring professionals.

Ask to see their License!
Calvin B. Speight
Business Manager

Michael E. Cramer
Financial Secretary-Treasurer

Wayne Lord Business Agent Jeff LaBroski Business Agent

Jim Cadden Organizer Jeff Warden - Organizer
PIPEFITTERS | FROM PAGE 36
theyre not going to have any practical
experience. If you can get them on the
jobs, your numbers in the school are go-
ing to increase dramatically. The train-
ing is going to be there and youre going
to be able to put out that skilled worker
that the industry desperately needs.
While one year of training at a trade
school like Tulsa Welding School might
cost around $18,000, perhaps forcing
attendees into student loan debt, stu-
dents of the Beaumont Area Pipefitter
Apprentice School need only pay for
their books the tuition is free.
Not everybody is cut out for college
for financial reasons, or whatever the
case may be, said Parker. Youre not Dustin Shelton and Chris Sizemore, both of Beaumont, study to receive their EPRI certification.
going to come out of this school and be
going to train in welding. You are go- in a college classroom, you dont get to
$15,000 $20,000 in debt.
ing to take everything. You are going to leave that classroom and go work in
APPRENTICESHIP be a well-rounded pipefitter when you what you are training for, even in your
What does it take to be a student at graduate. technical schools, Parker said. We have
the Beaumont Area Pipefitter Appren- Students attend the school for two contractors that hire from us. When our
tice School? nights a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays contractors need people, we send our
It takes a commitment to do this, from 6-10 p.m. It is a five-year program students. They are working during the
Longron said. If you get in, you take and has semesters similar to a univer- day and coming to school at night.
it and run with it. This is a school, sitys schedule. And many of the instructors still have
and we have rules. You arent just You work during the day. If you are full-time jobs.

THE COASTAL SABINE

LABOR MANAGEMENT
COOPERATIVE COMMITTEE
The Southeast Texas Chapter NECA
& IBEW Local Union 479, would like
to wish Contractors & Employees a
SAFE & HAPPY LABOR DAY!
IBEW LOCAL UNION 479 SOUTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTER NECA THE ELECTRICAL TRAINING CENTER (JATC)
1430 SPINDLETOP 2825 WILCREST DRIVE, SUITE 303 707 HELENA
BEAUMONT, TX 77705 HOUSTON, TX 77042 NEDERLAND, TX 77627
(409) 833-8252 (713) 977-2522 (409) 727-3102

38 Labor Day 2016


Instrumentation instructor Rodney Clark Jr.
stands next to the flow lab. His students will
learn how to troubleshoot the unit. Clarks father,
Rodney Clark Sr., underwent the same training at
the Beaumont Area Pipefitter Apprentice School.
There are three generations of instrumentation
in Clarks family, as his grandfather was an
instrument fitter as well.
The Parker
Fighting for Working People Since 1958
The Parker Law Firm
1 Plaza Square Port Arthur, TX 77642
409-985-8814 409-727-8111
www.theparkerlawfirm.com
The training at the pipefitter ap-
prentice school comes from guys who
are in the craft and out there doing the
work, Khoury said, stressing that this
makes all the difference in the world in
the quality of the laborer.
When looking at some of the com-
petition who bring in guys who havent
been through the school, our guys are
much more skilled, he said.
Students become part of the union as
well, and as part of the union, are eli-
gible for insurance, an added benefit of
attending the school, Parker said.
This is a career; its not just a job,
Parker said. You have retirement, you
have an annuity thats figured in for you.
The school has several women in its
program as well, perhaps affirming re-
ports from the United States Depart-
ment of Labor Womens Bureau that
there is a trend of more and more wom-
en pursuing careers in skilled trades.
THE PAYOFF
According to the Bureau of La-
bor Statistics Occupational Outlook
Handbook (OOH), the median annual
wage for all construction and extraction
occupations was $42,280 in May 2015,
Law Firm
higher than the median annual wage
for all occupations of $36,200.
Theres very good money in it, Lon-
gron said.
Employment of construction and
extraction occupations is projected to
grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024,
faster than the average for all occupa-
tions, increasing from 6.5 million jobs
to 7.2 million jobs, the OOH states.
Overall growth in the economy and
population will increase demand for
new buildings, roads and other struc-
tures, which will create new job open-
ings for construction and extraction oc-
cupations, according to OOH.
Instrumentation student Chris Size-
more is already working as an instru-
mentation tech for the Newtron Group
but returned to the apprentice school to
get his EPRI certifications.
This is awesome for me, Sizemore
said. Where else can you get this type
of training?
The Beaumont Area Pipefitter Local
211 Zone 195 Apprentice School is
at 3194 U.S. 69 Access Road in Neder-
land. For more information, call (409)
727-1686.
Labor Day 2016 39
 THE LABOR FORCE
Jefferson County Sheriff Mitch Woods swears in new deputies.

Law enforcement eld oers diverse jobs for trained ocers

By Sharon Brooks New hires are either police cadets
Editor or police officers, Flanagan explained.
A police cadet is someone who needs
A career in law enforcement isnt to attend the police academy. They are
for everyone, but those brave men and considered civilian employees until
women who decide to bear a badge and they take the peace officers exam at the
take on the responsibility of protecting end of the academy.
the community have a lot more career Departments hire the cadets and
options than most civilians realize. sponsor them at the academy, mean-
Peace officers working with various ing that as long as they complete the
police departments, sheriff s offices and course and pass the Texas Commission
other entities could find themselves be- on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace
hind a computer screen monitoring officer exam, they will be hired on as
cities during emergen- officers for the sponsoring
cies, piloting a boat, entity.
like the Jefferson Flanagan said, The
County Marine whole point of going
Safety Patrol, talk- the police cadet route is
Officer Carol Riley of the Beaumont Police
ing to the media that we pay them a sala- Department answers questions from the press.
about local news, ry and enroll them in the
leading community program, and you for sure start work at a law enforcement agency.
meetings, patrolling have a job as a police officer And some people cant get into a police
city or county streets, here because we sent you to academy at all.
taking crime scene pho- the academy. Before sponsoring a cadet, and defi-
tos or doing one of so After passing the exam, a nitely before hiring a police officer,
many other jobs officers cadet is still not a police officer Flanagan said BPD subjects applicants
must perform as law enforcers. until he or she is sworn into the de- to physical, mental and psychological
Officer John Flanagan of the Beau- partment, and officers must be at least tests. No pass, no police.
mont Police Department (BPD) is re- 21 years old. Flanagan said BPD also does a thor-
sponsible for hiring and training officers. Going to the police academy is only ough background check on applicants,
He said new hires must meet certain re- one part of a long process prospective going so far as to speak with prospects
quirements in order to make the cut. peace officers must endure in order to family, friends, neighbors and employers.

40 Labor Day 2016

 A criminal history could shatter
someones dream of becoming a peace
officer. Anyone with a class B misde-
meanor conviction must wait 10 years
before taking the TCOLE. Anyone
with a class A or higher conviction can-
not be a licensed peace officer.
Being a peace officer inherently en-
tails danger, but the job offers good
benefits, like health and life insurance.
Beyond that, it offers a sense of satis-
faction, said Flanagan.
Local police academy trains
ocers of the future
Police, fire and EMS respond to an accident in downtown Beaumont.
Many of the areas best and brightest
officers graduate from the Lamar Insti- the police academy that you think of thing from Verbal De-escalation to the
tute of Technology (LIT) Police Acad- when you think of police academies. intermediary courses Missing and
emy in Beaumont, a regional academy The second is in-service training. We Exploited Children; Death; Injury;
that serves Jefferson, Orange and Har- provide in-service training, state- Sexual Violence.
din counties. mandated training, all the continuing Smith said the curriculum changes
Police Academy Director Robert L. education required by the state. Every with the criminal landscape.
Smith retired from the Beaumont Po- peace officer who is working is required We try to meet the needs of the
lice Department after close to 25 years to get 40 hours of training every two region, Smith explained. There are
of service. His experience makes him years. trends and we have to make sure were
uniquely qualified to run the program Classes cater to the needs of the stu- meeting the needs of the community.
that shapes future peace officers. dents and tackle crime trends. Smith said all peace officers in the
We have two missions, said Smith. We offer a variety of classes, stated state of Texas must attend an academy.
One is the basic peace officers course, Smith. This year, weve offered every- SEE POLICE, PAGE 42

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AT ToRney AT L Aw
Donation Drive-Thru : Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5
Out with the old and in with the new! Board Certified in Criminal Law
Remember to donate and come shop our Thrift Store! Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Benefits Port Neches Groves & Nederland Athletic Booster Clubs

Nederland High School Band Booster Club
1900 Broadway
at 3rd
3417 Nederland Ave. Nederland, TX (409) 300-1038 Beaumont, TX

NTNEWTRON
NT NEWTRON BEAUMONT, LLC
BEAUMONT, LLC
BEAUMONT, LLC
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409-833-2827
www.jamesrmakin.com
Salutes the working men
Salutes the
Salutes the working
working men
men
& women
women ofof Southeast
Southeast Texas.
Texas. A salute to the working men
& & women of Southeast Texas.
Happy Labor
Happy Labor Day!
Day! Enjoy your Labor Day!
1905 Industrial
1905 Industrial Park
Park Dr.
Dr.
Nederland
Nederland
409-727-2469
409-727-2469
1905 Industrial Park Dr. Nederland 409-727-2469
TECL # 27270

Labor Day 2016 41

POLICE | FROM PAGE 41
The Jefferson County Sheriff s Of-
fice offers its own academy, as do some
other agencies. Other law enforcement
entities, like the Texas Department
of Public Safety and Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department, require bach-
elors degrees or equivalent, said Smith.
The police academy does its own
battery of tests to qualify applicants,
similar to those administered by BPD
and other agencies. That helps prevent
students who would not pass the simi-
lar tests from enrolling in the program,
saving them time and money.
Smith said although independent
students enter the academy with no Beaumont Police Department Detective Charles Duchamp teaches class on the Constitution at the
promise of a job in law enforcement, Lamar Institute of Technology Police Academy.
he is confident they can find a position
somewhere in Texas. The LIT Police worked for the sheriff s department,
Academy boasts a 100 percent TCOLE said Knowles. I just waited until later
peace officer exam pass rate, and has in life to follow that path.
been visited by agencies Engle and Knowles said
from around the state they began the lengthy
looking for recruits. application process with
Recruiters from PAPD in January and
across Texas drive past were hired in August,
other police academies starting the academy in
to come talk to us, said the fall semester.
Smith. Im proud of Lofton, 29, is a Marine
our program. veteran. As an indepen-
Tammie Engle, James dent student, he is willing
Knowles and Chris to travel, but his heart is
Lofton currently attend the LIT Police in his hometown Nederland.
Academy. Engle and Knowles are both Thats where I want to go, obvious-
sponsored by the Port Arthur Police ly, he said.
Department (PAPD). Lofton is inde- If that doesnt work out for him
pendent. though, with more than 200 police job
Engle, 32, said she was looking for a listings just on the Texas Municipal Police cadets Tammie Engle, James Knowles and
career change when she decided to ap- League website, he should have plenty Chris Lofton attend the LIT Police Academy in
of options. Beaumont. Classes run in fall and spring.
ply with PAPD.
I went to school for four years and
got my degree in engineering, she re-
vealed. I went to work in the plant for
about a year, and I didnt like it. I just
wasnt getting anything out of it.
As a Navy veteran, Engle said she ap-
preciates the structure a career in law
enforcement promises and looks for-
ward to doing a job in which she can
take pride. She hopes to eventually uti-
lize her engineering skills in accident
reconstruction.
Knowles, 32, said he had family in
law enforcement and had always been
interested in the field. BPD motorcycle officers prepare to
My grandfather was a justice of the escort Blue Santa in 2015.
peace in Jefferson County, and my dad
42 Labor Day 2016
 Beaumont Police
Department SWAT team

2016

A Port Arthur PD ocer escorts a

Courtesy of BPD former city employee to jail.

BPDs Chief Jimmy Singletary swears in new ocers.

Vidor Police Department second shift on New Years Eve 2015

Facebook.com

Labor Day 2016 43

Why we honor labor Without labor, nothing prospers. Sophocles
It is good to set aside a date to honor political leaders state, national and lo- Too often, even our tax policies belie
labor, both the verb and the noun. The cal that they should be ever mindful the degree to which we respect labor
primary reason America has reached its of honoring labor with safe work places, and hard work. We should be asking
level of greatness is because its under- decent conditions and a fair wage for a why our tax policy is such that money
pinning is labor, both the efforts put days pay. earned by money is taxed at a much
out by American citizens, as well as the Unfortunately, in todays political lower rate than money earned by the
people themselves our fellow Amer- climate, too many of our officeholders sweat of ones brow.
icans who provide the real work ignore the fact that many who The right of workers in the labor force
to give us the goods and services labor in full-time jobs cannot to organize themselves into unions to
that make our lives better. It is afford their basic necessities. speak for them should be zealously
truly an American blessing that We, as well as our elected politi- guarded and honored as part of the
we can profit by our labors and cians, should be ashamed that in
American way of life. Organized labor
are free to engage in the laboring a country blessed with the abun-
has lifted workers from the drudgery of
efforts of our choice. With the dant wealth that exists, many
current shrinking of the middle who labor full time are required dangerous and degrading workplaces. It
class, it is especially important Carl Parker to be on food stamps and other has stamped out child labor and provides
that we honor labor. Clearly, forms of welfare. Too many la- some degree of protection to citizens in
in our capitalistic society the infusion borers are not adequately protected the workplace from unfair treatment.
of capital is essential to our economic from the dangerous conditions of their Many of us who believe in Americas
well-being. Still, we should pause and jobs. As an example, many states, in- greatness should remember the words
remember today that nothing would be cluding Texas, do not even require of Ulysses S. Grant, who said, The la-
made, produced or provided without workers compensation coverage for borer is the author of all greatness and
those who work with their hands. those who might be seriously injured wealth. Without labor there would be
We need not only honor labor our- or disabled while producing goods and no government and no leading class
selves but call to the attention of our services for the rest of us. and nothing to preserve.

register

& vote
You must be registered by October 11th
to vote in the November 8th Election.
Contact the Jefferson County Voter Registration Office now at N. G8

835-vote 985-vote
or visit us on the web @ www.jeffcotax.com
why vote? because its your right! Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Joe Deshotel.

44 Labor Day 2016

 A city streets worker manually spreads concrete around a manhole
(left), and a contractor pours concrete for a Beaumont street (above).
Photos By Sharon Brooks

We have been working, successfully, for things like Workers Compensation, Child Labor Laws,
5-day work week, and Labor Day since 1933, and we are still here today representing
the hard working men and women of Southeast Texas.

I.U.O.E.
I U
Local
o
450
e
nternatIonal nIon of peratIng ngIneers
P.O. Box 1410 Mont Belvieu, TX 77580 936-258-5516

The membership of I.U.O.E. Local 450 wishes you and yours

a safe and enjoyable Labor Day 2016!
Business Manager Financial Secretary President Treasurer Vice President Recording Secretary
C.L. Wiggins Tommy Talley Fred Swift Johnny Hinson C.L. Wiggins Mark Maher, Jr.
Labor Day 2016 45
Adjuncts organize after replacing professors
Our nations attention is focusing on professors. However, as student debt right of association, or to form societies,
the ever increasing indebtedness of our doubled, the number of tenured profes- which must be respected by government:
young people in their pursuit of higher sors declined, and they were replaced Private societies ... cannot nevertheless
education. This issue was taken up by by adjunct faculty. These adjunct faculty be absolutely, and as such, prohibited
Bernie Sanders in his presidential cam- receive substantially lower wages and by public authority. For, to enter into a
paign. He argued that, like public ele- benefits than their tenured counter- society of this kind is the natural right
mentary and high school, public parts. of man; and the State has for its office
university should be free. In response to this dispar- to protect natural rights, not to destroy
According to the Institute for ity and their economic hardship, them; and, if it forbid its citizens to form
College Access & Success, 7 adjunct professors are organizing associations, it contradicts the very prin-
in 10 seniors (69 percent) who unions and negotiating contracts ciple of its own existence, for both they
graduated from public and non- with their respective colleges and and it exist in virtue of the like principle,
profit colleges in 2014 had stu- universities. namely, the natural tendency of man to
dent loan debt, with an average Fr. Sinclair Catholic universities have also dwell in society.
of $28,950 per borrower. From Oubre seen their adjunct professors Of the many societies are institu-
2004 to 2014, the share of grad- organize. Georgetown, Trinity tions for the welfare of boys and girls,
uates with debt rose modestly Washington University, St. Lou- young people, and those more advanced
(from 65 to 69 percent) while average is University and St. Marys College of in years. Pope Leo confirms that, The
debt at graduation rose at more than California are a few of the Catholic uni- most important of all are workingmens
twice the rate of inflation. versities that have adjunct unions. unions, for these virtually include all the
One would think that since young These adjunct professors and Catholic rest.
people are taking on so much debt to universities are living out a 125-year tra- This commitment to the natural right
pay for tuition, this money was going dition founded by Pope Leo XIII. In his of workers to form unions and par-
to pay salaries, health insurance and 1891 encyclical, Rerum novarum, he in- ticipate in collective bargaining with
retirement of the full-time, tenured sisted that human beings have a natural their employers is not something that

40 year law enforcement career with the Beaumont Police Department

Promises to restore trust in Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.
Seeks to bridge the gap between law enforcement and community.
Advocates for family values and strongly supports the 2nd Amendment.
Champion of fiscal responsibility, advanced internal education, and training.
Aims to increase safety and patrol for our neighborhoods and businesses.

Facebook: @RayBeckForSheriff | Twitter: @SheriffBeck | www.RayBeckForSheriff.com

sommer@raybeckforsheriff.com | 409-203-4020
46 Labor Day 2016
is locked away in the past. Pope Pius
XI, St. Pope John XXIII, St. Pope John
Paul II and Pope Benedict have repeat-
ed this teaching.
Our United States Catholic bishops
have stressed this tradition. In 1986,
they wrote in Economic Justice For
All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social
Teaching and the U.S. Economy: On
the parish and diocesan level, through
its agencies and institutions, the
Church employs many people; it has
investments; it has extensive properties
for worship and mission. All the moral
principles that govern the just opera-
tion of any economic endeavor apply to
the Church and its agencies and insti-
tutions; indeed the Church should be
exemplary.
This principle was re-articulated in
each edition of the United States bish-
ops Ethical and Religious Directives for
Catholic Health Care Services. The Di-
rective No. 7 of the fifth edition states:
A Catholic health care institution
must treat its employees respectfully
and justly. This responsibility includes:
equal employment opportunities for
anyone qualified for the task, irrespec-
tive of a persons race, sex, age, national
origin or disability; a workplace that
promotes employee participation; a
work environment that ensures em-
ployee safety and well-being; just com-
pensation and benefits; and recognition
of the rights of employees to organize
and bargain collectively without prej-
udice to the common
good.
S a d l y,
some Cath-
olic Universities
like the University
of Loyola Chicago,
the University of
Seattle, Duquesne
and Manhattan Col-
lege (New York) have
taken a different tack.
Instead of following the guid-
ance of the United States bishops
in their most recent edition of Forming
Consciences for Faithful Citizenship:
A Call to Political Responsibility, they
have followed a path that appears to
be more secular in its origin. There the
U.S. bishops wrote, Employers con-
tribute to the common good through
the services or products they provide
and by creating jobs that uphold the
dignity and rights of workers ... to the
choice of whether to organize and join
unions.
These and other Catholic universi-
ties have chosen to argue that having
a union representing their adjunct pro-
fessors may hamper their
working relation-
ship with their
professors, and
that the union may
not understand the
unique character of
a Catholic university.
As the University of
Loyola Chicago posted
on the web, We believe that
maintaining a direct working
relationship with our faculty
without interference from
the SEIU, an organization that
may not understand our university; our
mission to be Chicagos Jesuit, Catho-
lic university; or our values gives our
university, our faculty, and our students
the best opportunity to build on the im-
OUBRE | SEE PAGE 48
Labor Day 2016 47
Student assistants
covered by the NLRA
Boards 3-1 Columbia decision
overrules Brown University
The National Labor Relations Board
issued a 3-1 decision Aug. 23 in a Co-
lumbia University case that student
assistants working at private colleges
and universities are statutory employ-
ees covered by the National Labor Re-
lations Act.
The Graduate Workers of Colum-
bia-GWC, UAW filed an election
petition seeking to represent both
graduate and undergraduate teaching
assistants, along with graduate and
departmental research assistants at the
university in December 2014. The ma-
jority reversed Brown University (342
NLRB 483) saying it deprived an en-
tire category of workers of the protec-
tions of the act without a convincing
BOARD | SEE PAGE 50
48 Labor Day 2016
OUBRE | FROM PAGE 47
provements that we have made and continue to make.
However, such positions have no foundation in Catholic magisterium or in
U.S. bishops guidance.
These universities also argue that having the National Labor Relations Board
supervise their union elections would be an inappropriate intrusion by the federal
government into the affairs of religious institutions.
This is an interesting argument,
and turns the traditional religious
freedom argument on its head. In-
stead of arguing that the federal
government does not have a right
to force a religious institution to act
against its moral teachings, these
universities argue that the federal
government does not have a right
to make them follow their religious
beliefs.
The interference by the Na-
tional Labor Relations Board could all be avoided, if these universities chose to
uphold the dignity and rights of workers ... to the choice of whether to organize
and join unions.
For me, the battlegrounds for Catholic identity is not in organizing drives of
adjunct professors. Rather, the battlegrounds are in their business schools, law
schools and medical schools. If there is no difference between the University of
Loyola or Manhattan College MBA graduate and the Harvard or Rice MBA
graduate, then the Catholic identity is already lost.
Fr. Sinclair Oubre is the pastor of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange, an active U.S. Merchant Mariner,
and one of the co-founders of the Catholic Labor Network.
BOARD | FROM PAGE 48
justification.
For 45 years, the National
Labor Relations Board
has exercised juris-
diction over pri-
vate, nonprofit
universities such
as Columbia. In
that time, the
board has had fre-
quent cause to apply
the National Labor
Relations Act to faculty in
Salutes
A hAppy And sAfe
labor day
www.texjoy.com
50 Labor Day 2016
the university setting, which
has been upheld by the Su-
preme Court.
Federal courts have 2016
made clear that
the authority
to define the
term em-
ployee rests
primarily with
the Board ab-
sent an excep-
tion enumerated
within the National
Labor Relations Act. The
Act contains no clear lan-
guage prohibiting student
assistants from its coverage.
The majority found no com-
pelling reason to exclude
student assistants from the
protections of the Act.
Chairman Mark Gaston
Pearce was joined by Mem-
bers Kent Y. Hirozawa and
Lauren McFerran in the
majority opinion. Member
Philip A. Miscimarra dis- Photo By Sharon Brooks
sented in the case. Garden of Gethsemane Nursery and Landscaping crew cuts a city lot.
 Sabine Area Building
& Construction Trades Council

We salute all the union members and their families, not just in our area, but throughout the great
state of Texas, and the United States of America as well! Its through your hard work, that has made
America a great country to live and work in. We wish you and your union families a safe and

Happy Labor Day!

Insulators L.U. 22 Business Rep. Lacy Wolf
Boilermakers L.U. 587 Business Rep. Clay Herford
Elevator Constructors L.U. 31 Business Rep. John Bell
Iron Workers L.U. 135 Business Rep. Robert Nebout
Laborers L.U. 154 Business Rep. Robert Anthony
Millwrights & Piledrivers L.U. 2232 Business Rep. Mike Hines
Painters & Glaziers L.U. 130 Business Rep. David Wenninger
Pipefitters L.U. 211 Zone 195 Business Rep. Todd Longron
Plumbers L.U. 68 Business Rep. Jeff Warden
Sheet Metal Workers L.U. 54 Business Rep. Trey Berryman
Sprinkler Fitters L.U. 669 Business Rep. Billy Smith
Operators L.U. 450 Business Rep. Mark Maher, Jr.
IBEW L.U. 479 Business Rep. Jimmy Burk

Officers of the Council

Jimmy Burk President Jeff Warden Bus. Mgr. /Fin. Sec.
Todd Longron Vice President Trey Berryman Rec. Sec. Jerry Wayne Pillsbury Sgt. at Arms
Robert Nebout, Chris Reeves, Steve Parker Trustees

Mailing address: P.O. BOx 20382 BeauMOnt, texas 77720 409-842-3680 Fax 409-842-3531
Labor or lottery: Which sustains our life?
What brings the greater satisfaction ity of labor. ful, satisfying, creative work is the ba-
to a man or woman: winning the lot- Monday, Sept. 5, we celebrate Labor sis of mans contentment with his daily
tery or having a job that gives mean- Day. Set aside to celebrate and honor life. In an agrarian society, the cycles of
ing and purpose to life? When I was a working people, this day has come to the seasons and of crops gave a great
child, there was a wonderful television symbolize the beneficial results of the sense of accomplishment to the labor
show entitled The Millionaire. Each organized labor movement in America. of man. However, industrialization not
week the agent of an eccentric But Labor Day has much deeper only removed man from the land, but
and reclusive millionaire would roots in history and in mans na- also subtly changed his focus to leisure
give a total stranger $1 million. ture. The Knights of Labor in- rather than work. Often, in order to
By the way, in those days, a mil- augurated Labor Day in 1882, enhance ones own leisure, pleasure or
lion dollars was a lot of money. and it is now a legal holiday, profit, the welfare of others was sacri-
The program would then report observed on the first Monday in ficed. This created a need for the labor
the impact of this windfall on September in the United States, movement. Justice for the voiceless was
the life of the recipient. Often, Puerto Rico and Canada. In Eu- made possible by the uniting of the la-
the money brought tragedy, but Dr. James rope, the day on which the his-
Holly bor force, which could then speak with
occasionally triumph. Today, re- tory and accomplishments of la-
one voice, which could not be ignored.
ports are regularly published of bor are celebrated is May 1, and
The labor movement addressed issues
the tragic impact of sudden wealth on it is called May Day.
of safety, satisfaction and salaries, all of
a family unit. Yet no one has ever re- Man, created in the image of the Cre-
ported devastation to a family from the ator God, was created to work. To be which had the effect of restoring dig-
impact of a meaningful, creative job. fulfilling, mans work has to be creative, nity and creativeness to work. In The
As our society increasingly exalts lei- which means that a person must not be Brothers Kamarazov, Russian author
sure, pleasure and toys as measures of simply a cog in the machine, but must Fyodor Dostoyevsky commented on
success, we tend to diminish the nobil- be significant and important. Purpose- HOLLY | SEE PAGE 54

H O N O R I N G O R G A N I Z ED L A B O R
& T H E W O R K ERS O F A M ER I CA
The Progressive Democrats of Southeast Texas support economic justice:
job creation in the United States
useful employment with a living wage for all workers
the right to organize workplaces without employer interference
protection of workers from irresponsible or unscrupulous
corporate practices www.pdsetex.org
TUrn Texas blUe
an economic safety net for all workers and their families

VOTE for DEMOCRATS!

Paid for by the Progressive Democrats of Southeast Texas
52 Labor Day 2016
 Serving our community

40 years
for over

Have a Safe & Happy Labor Day!

409-842-0336
4725 Washington Blvd. Beaumont
www.reedservice.com
Free In-home Estimates
HOLLY | FROM PAGE 52 ed, Having no work at all is a terrible ennobling effect of work on death row
problem. ... (Mans) deep spiritual need inmates. He said, The most surpris-
the need of man for creative and satis-
(is) for fruitful work, for the genuine ing account ... of the spiritual need for
fying work: To crush, to annihilate a
employment of his talents and energies. usefulness being met comes out of the
man utterly, to inflict on him the most
... Human beings are creative by nature, Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville,
terrible of punishments so that the most
and are goal seekers and problem solv- where the inmates on death row have
ferocious murderer would shudder at it ers. Every human being needs to be been allowed to leave their cells and go
and dread it beforehand, one need only an originator of ideas and a creator of to work making uniforms for the pris-
give him work of an absolutely, com- structures. on guards. Noting the positive benefit
pletely useless and irrational character. Born of an age that gave birth to the work had on the conduct, cooperation
Here is the greatest curse. It is not the labor movement, President Theodore and attitudes of death row inmates,
absence of leisure or pleasure; it is the Roosevelt said, Far and away the best Senge concluded, The same force that
absence of meaning in ones work. prize that life offers is the chance to can bring death-row prisoners positive
In The Fifth Discipline, Peter work hard at work worth doing. With- morale can certainly build positive cor-
Senge said, Early on ... we recognized out work worth doing, man finds porate spirit in our businesses.
that there is a burning life hardly worth living. The lottery can provide money, but it
need for peo- Are there ex- cannot provide meaning and purpose
ple to feel part ceptions to this in life; only meaningful and creative la-
of an ennobling principle? Prob- bor can do that. As we celebrate Labor
mission. If you ably not. Day, let us celebrate our nature given
want to kill a If you look for to us by God through which we can
man, take away the population find ennobling and enriching activities
his work. Who that has the least for our lives. And let us celebrate the
has not known hope in the world, heritage of the labor movement that
a person who it would probably has given the voiceless the right and
withers and dies be residents of capacity to speak!
soon after retire- death row. In The
ment from his lifes Fifth Discipline, Dr. James L. Holly is CEO of Southeast Texas Medical As-
work? Senge add- Senge reports the sociates, LLP (SETMA) in Beaumont.

H METOWN
REALTY

hershel manley LUKE NICHOLS IS ENDORSED BY:

Broker
IUOE Local 450
Port Arthur Police Association
409.679.3283 Port Neches Police Association

54 Labor Day 2016

 40 9 - 8 3 3- 3353 Beaumont 409-721-5757 Mid County

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