Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
IN THIS ISSUE
2
Nebraska local expands its horizons
Tennessee Members Shine in Solar Panel Plant
3
Casino workers win with IBEW
4
North of 49°
Legislative Update
5
Circuits
IBEW on Duty
n the past 20 years, 119,000 IBEW manu- son work force at Sharp started producing Helps Air Force Harvest Solar Power,”
7
Local Lines I facturing members have lost their jobs.
As delegates to May’s IBEW
Telecommunications, Broadcasting and
Manufacturing Conference gathered in
Atlantic City in early May, they expressed
photovoltaic panels in 2003. One of only a
few unionized solar producers in the United
States, Sharp now employs 190 members
making solar panels. The plant is praised by
environmentalists and studied by academics
The Electrical Worker, February, 2008).
George Sterzinger, director of Nevada
Energy Independence Partners, a non-profit
organization, worked with Las Vegas Local
357 on building a solar array at the union’s
14 their determination to fight to rebuild our who recognize the facility’s progressive labor apprenticeship training center.
nation’s industrial base. They agreed that, in relations as one of its keys to success. “We bought Sharp solar panels for Las
Editorials addition to stopping bad trade deals, one of The 450-employee Sharp plant, which Vegas precisely because they were domestic
the keys to growth is “green” manufactur- produced TVs until production was out- and unionized,” he says, adding that he is hope-
Letters to the Editor
ing—creating jobs in environmentally- sourced to Mexico in 2000, also manufactures ful that the federal government will support
advanced technologies to help restore the microwave ovens and copier toner. Japan- domestic production and prevailing wages in
Who We Are
American Dream to working families. based Sharp has been in the solar market renewable energy technologies. The alterna-
Green jobs are no dream for members of since 1963, but its sole U.S. involvement was tive, he says, is that there will be more negative
Memphis, Tenn., Local 474, where a 55-per- a sales division in California until the solar examples like the nonunion solar plant in
product line opened in Memphis. The plant’s Nevada operated by a Spain-based firm with all
yearly panel output, for residential and com- components made overseas. “They are union-
mercial customers in the United States and ized in Spain, but not here,” says Sterzinger.
Europe, creates 64 megawatts of potential At the Sharp plant, workers solder sili-
power yearly, enough to supply 14,000 homes. con solar cells made in Japan into PVC pan-
Sharp supplied panels to North els installed in frames. The units are then
America’s largest photovoltaic power system, inspected and moved into an oven for seal-
installed by members of Las Vegas Local 357
outside Nellis Air Force Base. (See “IBEW SOLAR PANEL PLANT continued on page 2
www.ibew.org
2 T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008
A
partnership between Indianapolis More than 300 race track and casino workers at
Local 481 and Indiana’s two horse the Indiana Downs Race Track have signed up
racing tracks could translate into with Indianapolis Local 481 this year.
more than 600 new members for the
IBEW in the state’s growing gaming industry.
The deal will increase membership in the
local by twenty percent, said Business
Manager Tom O’Donnell. “We’re looking for- Former state House Speaker Mike
ward to welcoming these new members.” Phillips, who acted as legal consultant for
The Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs Hooiser Park, says the work of Local 481
racing tracks, both located in central Indiana members was key. “We look forward to many
outside Indianapolis, were facing declining years of mutual success,” he said.
revenues due to a shrinking customer base. While the IBEW represents race track
The owners were pushing the Indiana The casino at the Hoosier Park Race Track, built by members of Indianapolis Local 481, is expected to open
this month. workers in other states, including in neighbor-
General Assembly for legislation to allow ing Illinois, this is the first track site to be
them to install slot machines at their facili- represented by Local 481. “Our job is to organ-
ties, creating a combination race track and casinos are set to open this month. give and take on both sides that, in the end, ize workers—everyday Americans wanting to
casino known as a “racino.” But management Business agents Jason Haltom, Steve resulted in a five-year contract that provides better their lives—whatever their industry,”
needed help with the grassroots lobbying Montgomery and Marshall began visiting with for significant wage increases.” O’Donnell said. ❚
effort, so they turned to Local 481 and the workers at both tracks soon after the neutral-
Central Indiana Building Trades—whose ity agreement was reached. At Hoosier Park,
president is O’Donnell—for assistance. more than 250 race track employees—includ-
The local was immediately interested in ing gatekeepers, tellers and money man- DEADLINE EXTENDED
the project, O’Donnell said. While boosting rev- agers—have gone without a raise for nearly
SAFETY POSTER
enues for track owners, in addition to generat- five years and were open to hearing what the
ing millions in additional state taxes, the IBEW could offer. They signed their first col-
casinos would create more than 1,000 new jobs lective bargaining agreement in February.
for a state that has suffered badly from plant
C O N T E S T
The contract, in addition to giving work-
shutdowns. “And we were in a position to make ers a raise, increased health and retirement
sure they were good union jobs,” said Local 481 benefits. Workers at the casino section will IBEW 2008
Business Representative Kevin Marshall. likely have a contract by the end of the June,
An agreement by management to card Haltom said.
check neutrality at both casinos cemented the At Indiana Downs, the local has organ- THERE’S STILL TIME!
local’s commitment to the project. Both tracks ized more than 300 track and casino workers,
also signed a project labor agreement with the many of whom are new employees. Local lead-
Extended Deadline for entries is JULY 31, 2008.
building trades for the casino’s construction, ers said they are confident that an agreement
putting more than 120 electricians to work. will be reached this summer, Marshall said.
“It’s a win-win for IBEW Local 481, for the “Negotiations with IBEW Local 481 were Posters will be judged on content of the safety message, originality and artwork.
casino employees and for track management conducted in a professional and respectful For more details go to www.ibew.org.
to expand their business,” O’ Donnell said. The manner,” said Rick Moore, president and gen-
bill was passed by the legislature last year. The eral manager of Hoosier Park. “There was
4 T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008
Circuits
Number of Outside Apprentices Hits Record High Code of Excellence Makes Believers in Minnesota
The growing power needs of the United States and the large number of baby boomer outside IBEW’s Code of Excellence garnered some new believers in April on a Minnesota construction
electricians approaching retirement age has many company officials and government leaders site. When a general contractor and the new building’s owner arrived at the site at 3:12 p.m.,
worried about a possible skilled worker shortage. they were met by a sizable exodus of tradesmen. But after entering the building, they heard
But relief for the transmission and distribution industry is on the way. In March the workers still on the job.
National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee reported that the number of inden- A crew of electricians from Minneapolis Local 292 employed by signatory contractor
tured outside apprentices has nearly doubled in the last five years, with a record number of Parsons Electric stayed on the job until 3:30 p.m., the end of their shift.
apprentices—more than 1,600—entering the industry in 2007 alone. After a getting a compliment from Knutson Construction, the general contractor, Jay
IBEW Utility Department Director Jim Hunter says that increasing awareness about Goldsmith, general superintendent of Parsons Electric, passed it on. He sent a note to Local
the problems of an aging power infrastructure due to recent blackouts coupled with new 292 journeyman wireman foreman Tim Och thanking him for the work of his crew—giving the
investments has spurred interest in the industry. The NJATC has also been aggressive about owner eight hours pay for eight hours work.
recruitment, producing DVDs about the apprenticeship program and running commercials Since the Code of Excellence has been adopted, electricians and contractors have made
on cable TV. a conscientious effort to live up to its standards, says Local 292 Business Manager Steve
“You can’t get much for free these days, but apprenticeship training is one of them,” said Claypatch. “This isn’t the first compliment we have received, but it is important to recognize
NJATC Executive Director Michael Callanan, who added a plug for the IBEW and industry the impact it will have on an area where there is much more to gain than lose,” he said. ❚
sponsors. “We are providing an invaluable service to our economy at no cost to the taxpayer.”
To accommodate the new apprentices, the NJATC has expanded its class sizes and
increased the number of trainings held throughout the year.
“The outside industry is perhaps one of the most demanding fields for electrical workers,
but it is also the most critical,” Callanan said. “We must do more to increase the numbers in
our outside program…however these numbers are a great start.”
Transitions
Deceased One of Rogers’ main projects while busi- Ninth District International Anderson’s family includes his wife,
ness manager centered on political engage- Representative Charlie Silvernale said Deborah, and three children. He plans to
Richard Rogers
ment in state legislative issues. Rogers worked closely with locals and taught remain active with the labor movement, work-
The IBEW is saddened Rogers, a Vietnam veteran, is remem- countless seminars on union organizing, ing on the upcoming presidential election. He
to report that retired bered for employing tenacity and fairness in upping the ante for his district’s active role also hopes to spend time golfing and fishing.
Ninth District Interna- labor and management negotiations, said in state politics. He retired three years ago. The officers and members of the IBEW
tional Representative Local 77 Business Manager Don Guillot. Ninth District International wish Brother Anderson a healthy, fulfilling
Richard “Dick” Rogers “He could be very commanding, but he Representative Rick Hite said people will and well-deserved retirement. ❚
died on April 15. He was also a behind-the-scenes kind of guy,” remember him as a “lineman’s lineman” who
was 67. Guillot said. “He was there to defend the was a good friend to many. “He would do
A native of Monroe, working man and woman, and he had no prob- extraordinary things to help people when Retired
Wash., Rogers was initi- lem letting someone else take the credit.” they were in their time of need,” he said. David Feller
ated into Seattle Local 77 in 1957. An outside Jim McClain, retired business manager of IBEW staff, members, and officers
Medford, Ore., Local 659, said “Richard was send our most heartfelt condolences to Eleventh District
lineman who worked for various contractors for
just an all-around great guy.” Brother Rogers’ family and friends, and we International
more than two decades, he become business
Appointed International Representative honor him for his decades of tireless serv- Representative David
manager in 1978, where he represented the
in 1982, Rogers serviced locals in the areas of ice to the movement. ❚ Feller retired April 1.
union in outside line construction negotiations
utility and outside line construction through- Feller was initiated
for more than 70 contracts.
out the Ninth District. into Sioux Falls, S.D.,
Retired Local 426 in 1966,
James Anderson entering his inside
journeyman wireman
IBEW On Duty Fifth District
International
apprenticeship. “We were a small local and if
you showed a little interest in the union, they
Representative James put you on a committee,” says Feller, the son
Anderson retired April 1 and grandson of union railroad men. Feller
New Jersey Members Mourn Afghanistan Loss after a 29-year IBEW was elected to the local’s executive board and
New Brunswick, N.J. Local 456 member William Koch Jr.’s son died career. A native of was a trustee of its pension and health plans.
March 3 while on patrol in the Sabari district of eastern Afghanistan. Quincy, Fla., Brother After serving as the local’s business
Cpl. Steven R. Koch, 23, died from injuries sustained by the explo- Anderson served in the manager for 22 years, Feller, who attended
sion of a car bomb. A paratrooper, he was on patrol as an assistant U.S. Army in the late Northern States University in Aberdeen, was
gunner assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. ‘60s after graduating high school. Returning appointed to the International staff in 1998
His decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and home, he enrolled at Florida A&M University to service locals and organize in South
the Army Commendation Medal. He was buried at the Arlington while working full-time as a machine operator Dakota and Nebraska.
National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. for Southern Wires. Frustrated by low pay and Feller faced a unique situation organiz-
He leaves behind wife Amy Bethany Koch and his daughter, deteriorating working conditions, Anderson ing public sector workers in Nebraska, where
17-month-old Zoe Koch. His brother, William Koch III, is also a member of Local 456. asked his father, a long-time member of the a state agency resolves all disputes regarding
Anyone wishing to help his family is asked to contribute to the Cpl. Steven Koch Fund, Steelworkers union for advice. “He told me wages and union representation. Unions are
c/o William Koch Jr., 8 Garden Terrace, Milltown, N.J., 08850. that things weren’t going to get any better often forced to spend large sums of money to
without a union,” he said. finance state-conducted surveys of prevailing
Anderson reached out to the IBEW for wages and working conditions before they
Portland Members Help Build Home for War Victim’s Family help. As a volunteer organizing committee can win bargaining unit certification.
member, he helped convince his plant of more “I was so proud of the Nebraska utility
One Saturday morning in March, nearly 25 members of Portland, Ore., Local 48 arrived
than 450 manufacturing workers to join the locals, especially Grand Island Local 1597, for
in eight vans to help the family of Cpl. Jeremiah Johnson, who died in Iraq.
union, forming the now-defunct Local 1965 in banding together with the Nebraska Utility
“The idea was to provide the family a mortgage-free home built entirely from dona-
1979. Anderson was elected its first president. Workers and the International union and put-
tions of labor and materials from the community,” said member Terry Riegle.
Two years later, he was appointed ting their money where their mouths were,
Members spent half a day roughing in the electric with the assistance of signatory con-
International Representative and assigned to despite a ton of money being spent by the
tractors Diamond Electric, which helped with the permits and installed the service conduit;
the Organizing Department. He traveled the other side,” says Feller. Local 1597 started out
Capitol, ABC, McKinstry, West Side, and Stoner Electric supplied tools and ladders. ❚
country assisting on campaigns. “You name it, representing members at three or four utility
I went there,” he said. units and now represents workers at four-
One of his career highlights was the six- teen, says Feller.
year battle at the Avondale Shipyard in “What a great organization to have
Louisiana. The campaign, which involved worked for,” says Feller. “We’re all lucky to
more than a dozen unions, won representa- have the opportunity to be a part of it and we
tion for the more than 4,000 workers in 2000. need to take advantage of good times.”
In 1994, he was transferred to the Fifth After years of job-related traveling,
District. Anderson put his college degrees to Feller looks forward to staying put before hit-
work running classes on labor education. He ting the road again on pleasure trips with his
received both his bachelors and masters in wife, Diane. He plans to construct a model
industrial education from Florida A&M. railroad, while also enjoying time with his
In addition to his service with the IBEW, two children and two grandchildren.
he served as president of the Florida chapter The officers and members of the IBEW
of the A. Phillip Randolph Institute in the wish Brother Feller much health and happi-
early ‘80s. ness for a retirement well-deserved. ❚
w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008 7
Prize Winning Parade Entry Several of the hall’s most seasoned veterans
Local Lines L.U. 6 (c,i,st&u), SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Our local
decided to further the purposes of the IBEW by
forming an active Local 16 Retirees Club. Club
union participated in the annual St. Patrick’s Day functions have included using retirees’ skills for
parade and received third place honors for the community support projects, promoting the local’s
float built by our members. Local 6 took second legislative goals, and lively discussions on every-
place for our marching contingent and third place thing from the best bird dog to taxes. To attend
for our motorized cable car entry. Each year the the monthly breakfast or for more information,
committee starts working on the float months in call (812) 867-9670.
advance to build a structure that captures the
theme of the parade and promotes our local’s con- Donald P. Beavin, P.S.
tributions to our city. Everyone had a great time.
Local 6 Industry Compliance Officer Sabrina
Hernandez left employment at the local union to August Picnic Planned
pursue other opportunities in the electrical L.U. 26 (ees,em,es,govt,i&mt), WASHINGTON,
industry. Sabrina contributed greatly to the elec- DC—Our annual picnic in the D.C. area will be
trical industry in San Francisco. Her efforts held at Camp Letts in Edgewater, MD, on Aug. 2.
enhanced the unionized electrical contractors’ Don’t miss out on the fun and brotherhood.
success in securing work in the public works sec- Watch your quarterly magazine for details or go
tor as well as creating jobs for our members. online at www.ibewlocal26.org for information
Sabrina was instrumental in the formation of the and a ticket request form. We are excited that
women’s group at the local union, was active in this year’s picnic will also incorporate a health
the EWMC, and served as a member of the fair and 5-K run!
Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors. She Congratulations to Bro./Bus. Agent Randolph
attended the 37th International Convention in Scott on his recent retirement. Bro. Scott is a 36-
Cleveland as an alternate. We wish Sabrina well year IBEW member and has worked in the busi-
in her future endeavors. ness office since 1989. We wish him many happy
Emily S. O’Rourke years of retirement.
Unit 1 Chair/P.S. Sister Violet Quick was brought on staff as
a new business representative. We welcome her
San Francisco IBEW Local 6 won honors for its St. Patrick’s Day parade marching contingent, float and on board!
cable car entries. Code Update Classes We are saddened by the deaths of the fol-
lowing members since our last article: Sisters
L.U. 8 (as,em,i,mar,mt,rts,s&spa), TOLEDO, OH— Nancy Neidert and Katrenia R. Hawkins; and
The out-of-work book has been steadily decreas- Bros. Benjamin D. Medley, Thomas D. Hicks, Neil
ing, and should continue to get better, as there are M. Belt, Harry G. Ulrich, Larry L. Henley, Roger
projects of decent size coming up. Thanks to the Andrew Myers, Frank Vincent Moran, Lloyd Reeves,
many locals that helped our traveling brothers and Lawrence E. Allen and William M. Kesecker.
sisters with employment. Hopefully we can repay Congratulations to the brothers who retired
the favor in the future. since our last article: Robert T. Goss, Thomas A.
Trade Classifications Be sure to sign up for your Code Update Masinissa, Robert M. Metler, Joseph V. Pittore Jr.,
classes. The state of Michigan and city of Toledo William G. Enlow and Richard D. Stover.
(as) Alarm and Signal (mar) Marine will require that you take a 15-hour and a 10-hour
course, respectively, in order to renew your 2009 Charles E. Graham, B.M.
(ars) Atomic Research Service (mps) Motion Picture Studios licenses. We encourage you to take advantage of
other journeyman education classes available to
(bo) Bridge Operators (nst) Nuclear Service Technicians you as well. ‘Best of the Best’
(cs) Cable Splicers We have a list of warm weather events L.U. 34 (em,i,rts&spa), PEORIA, IL—The work
(o) Outside planned, starting with our annual LMCC golf out- outlook at this writing in Local 34 is not pro-
(catv) Cable Television ing on June 15. Our annual picnic is Sat., June gressing as scheduled, due to the lack of building
(p) Powerhouse
28, at the Electrical Industry Building picnic materials needed (mainly structural steel).
(c) Communications grounds in Rossford. The perch tourney will be
(pet) Professional, Engineers and Technicians Some projects are three months behind because
held in late August, and don’t forget the annual of this shortage. The overall picture for this year
(cr) Cranemen Labor Day parade!
(ptc) Professional, Technical and Clerical is still very bright though. Local 34 will need a
(ees) Electrical Equipment Service Be safe at work and at play. We hope to see lot of help from our traveling brothers and sis-
(rr) Railroad you at a union meeting! ters when things break loose.
(ei) Electrical Inspection Code of Excellence plays in Local 34. We
(rtb) Radio-Television Broadcasting Red Tackett, P.S.
Jim Kozlowski, B.M. must all show our customers that we are the best
(em) Electrical Manufacturing
(rtm) Radio-Television Manufacturing of the best! To survive in this competitive age we
(es) Electric Signs must embrace change. Local 34 is planning a
(rts) Radio-Television Service Alternative Energy Class History of the IBEW class for all newly organized
(et) Electronic Technicians members. I suggest that everyone take this class.
(so) Service Occupations L.U. 16 (i), EVANSVILLE, IN—The JATC is Sometimes we forget what our forefathers went
(fm) Fixture Manufacturing planning an alternative energy class this fall. through, and why we have what we have today! I
(s) Shopmen The journeyman training class will be multifunc- encourage you to attend your union meetings and
(govt) Government tional in that it will stress both solar and wind volunteer for whatever you can. Power is in num-
(se) Sign Erector generated systems while serving as a practical bers, and we can make a change if we all stick
(i) Inside
working laboratory in which the training cen- together.
(spa) Sound and Public Address ter’s utility costs will be greatly reduced.
(it) Instrument Technicians Congratulations and best wishes to Bro.
Component costs are currently being discussed Robert Higham on his recent retirement.
(lctt) Line Clearance Tree Trimming (st) Sound Technicians
with a knowledgeable local contractor. Bro. Mike Our sympathy goes to the families of Bros.
(t) Telephone Weinzapfel agreed to serve as the classroom Richard Towles and Tom Picton, who recently
(lpt) Lightning Protection Technicians instructor. He is scheduled to attend the passed away.
(mt) Maintenance (u) Utility National Training Institute’s classes on how to
present the information most effectively. This Paul O’Dear, P.S.
(mo) Maintenance and Operation (uow) Utility Office Workers project will showcase the IBEW’s leadership in
innovative green technology, furthering
(mow) Manufacturing Office Workers (ws) Warehouse and Supply America’s energy independence.
8 T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008
Local 38 journeymen
Community Service Award After a slow start this spring, construction
has picked up quite a bit. Don’t forget to carry
Jeremy Petro (left) L.U. 76 (c,i,rts&st), TACOMA, WA—Regional civic your OSHA 10 Hour Card on any prevailing wage
and Kevin Blasko are leaders recently recognized the dedicated commu- jobs; it is a new law and the Department of Labor
among the local union nity service activities of Local 76 members. The will be checking. If you don’t have a card, listen
members working at Tacoma Events Commission presented Local 76 to the job line for the available class. Hope all is
Steelyard Commons with the “2007 Volunteer of the Year” award at the well with you and your families. Work safe and
in Cleveland. February meeting. Special thanks to our members see you at the next meeting.
and families for helping victims of the devastating
floods that hit Thurston, Lewis and Grays Harbor Ron Freida, P.S.
Counties in December.
Also, thanks to our members who helped the
Make-a-Wish Foundation bring to life the dream Newly Signed Contractors
of a 3-year-old girl to have her own bedroom. In L.U. 90 (i), NEW HAVEN, CT—As we move
addition, we support annual events including the toward summer, Local 90 members are reaping
Large Contracts Awarded AFL-CIO Union-Industries Show Daffodil Fest, Tacoma Flower and Garden Show, the benefits of projects and PLAs in the state.
Freedom Fair, Capitol Lake Fair, Ethnic Fest, We recently held a small-business start-up
L.U. 38 (i), CLEVELAND, OH—Local 38 journey- L.U. 58 (em,i,rtb&spa), DETROIT, MI—Detroit Bonney Lake Days and Maritime Fest.
men are working at Cleveland’s Steelyard Commons was honored to host the 2008 AFL-CIO America class for members interested in becoming IBEW
We’re recruiting volunteers for Tall Ships contractors. Also in development is an estimat-
for Ullman Electric. The newly opened giant shop- @Work Union-Industries Show, held May 16-18. Tacoma, an international event held every three
ping center has produced thousands of man-hours Our booth featured demonstrations such as pipe ing course for these members to attend. It is
years. We are also recruiting volunteers for vari- anticipated that some of our members will soon
for Local 38 members. bending, cable splicing and panel wiring. In addi- ous political events.
Cuyahoga County Commissioners reached an tion, we showcased our JATC’s photovoltaic instal- start in the electrical contracting business,
Local 76 is proud of its active and retired always the backbone of our organization.
agreement with Merchandise Mart Inc. to build lation. We are proud of what we do and enjoy an members for their generous dedication in mak-
the new Medical Mart in downtown Cleveland. opportunity to share it with everyone who attends. Local 90 also welcomes its four newest organ-
ing our communities better places to live. ized signatory contractors: EPS Technologies, Latec
With Medical Mart secured, the commissioners Thanks to all who participated and everyone who Remember: On-the-job safety is everyone’s
are pushing ahead with plans to build a new $400 made it down to the show! LLC, Southern New England Electrical Testing and
duty. Work safe, stay safe. Canterbury Communications. Welcome also to our
million convention center. The site is scheduled to Work has continued to be slow in our jurisdic-
be selected by June. Two front-runner sites are at tion. Hopefully, a Democratic presidential victory in Mac McClellan, P.S. new members employed by the newly signed con-
Tower City along the river and the existing con- November will offer leadership for our national tractors. Welcome to the IBEW and Local 90. We
vention center site. economy and a health care plan for all Americans. wish you all the best in your endeavors.
We have several large contracts that were Is everyone in your family registered to vote? Service Pin Honorees Sean Daly, V.P.
just awarded. Lake Erie Electric was awarded the Thanks again to all our sister locals that have
L.U. 80 (i&o), NORFOLK, VA—Work was steady
$12 million electrical contract for the new county put 58’ers to work during Michigan’s long recession.
through the winter and looks to pick up in spring
juvenile detention center and electrical work will We are all fortunate to have our referral system and
and summer. Employment on the Rise
begin this summer. Atlas Electric was awarded a the ERTS. Many of our members tell great stories
The local thanks Terry and Maureen L.U. 96 (i), WORCESTER, MA—A large-scale
$2.5 million contract for the Lakewood High about the hospitality and brotherhood on the road.
McPhillips for their hard work planning our construction project on a Bristol-Myers Squibb
School remodel job. Ullman Electric was awarded
Elaine Crawford, Pres. annual dinner dance held April 12. pharmaceutical manufacturing facility has
the site work for phase two at Crocker Park.
Congratulations to members who recently reached the point where it is putting members to
Upcoming events include the Stewards Stag
received service pins. Recognized for 20 years of work. Other projects in the area are also employ-
on June 14; the Cedar Point picnic July 6; and
the Old Timers picnic Aug. 2. Labor 2008–Election Time service are David Bass, Lucius Bennett III, Simon ing Local 96 members. In addition, as of this writ-
Bettinger, David Hart, Randall Hewitt, Fred ing, the VDV technicians are at full employment
We need to elect a labor-friendly candidate L.U. 68 (i), DENVER, CO—A special Constitutional Kennedy, Igenter McCoy Jr., Howard Moore Jr., and are supporting traveling brothers and sisters.
to the White House. If you think John McCain is Convention for the Colorado AFL-CIO was held at Leonard Newbern, David Skahill; for 25 years— Politically, Local 96, in conjunction with the
a nice guy, all you need to do is check his labor the Local 68 hall on March 28. At the convention, Mark Baillo, Davy Harrison, Robert Mann, Timothy Massachusetts AFL-CIO, showed strong support for
voting record to see that he is not nice to us. the new constitution was ratified unanimously, mov- Pearce, James Pierce Jr., Carey Rumpf, Raymond the governor’s casino bill. Although the bill was
Dennis Meaney, A.B.M. ing the state federation into the future with an exec- Teller, Edmund Wellington, David Wilkerson III,
utive director and a 17-member advisory council. rejected by the legislature, the fight is not over.
Bruce Woolridge; for 30-years—James Beasley Jr., Planning and development of the new union
On March 29, the kickoff for “Labor 2008” was James Burnette, Robert Glass, Kenneth
also held here. Approximately 40 politicians were hall is still in progress. Construction will begin
Giving and Remembering Hutcheson, Michael Jennings, Charles Lowery; for soon. Visit us online at www.ibewlocal96.org.
joined by over 500 labor activists—all joining 35 years—Robert Bailey, Jerry Carson, John Cobb
L.U. 48 (c,em,i,rtb,rts&st), PORTLAND, OR— together to prepare for an exciting, historically sig- III, Leonard Cressman, Dennis Dasher, Ervin Luke E. Carpernter, P.S.
Approximately 20 stewards and their guests enjoyed nificant election year. This year, history will indeed Gregory Jr., Charles Hembree, Warren Rumpf,
fine dining at Local 48 on March 11. The dinner was be made as the Democratic National Convention will Kenneth Taylor, Jimmy Westbrook; for 40 years—
one of two scheduled appreciation dinners planned be held here in Denver! As of this writing, the Eric Ewell, David Millard, Ernest Pacini Jr., Hearl Drug Free Alliance Program
this year to recognize our stewards’ hard work. Democratic presidential nominee will be either a Parris, Fred Smaltz Jr., William Ward; for 45
IBEW Local 48 members volunteered for a woman or an African American. Chances are that years—Murray Goodwin III, Robert Hickman, L.U. 100 (c,em,i,rts&st), FRESNO, CA—In January
community service project to help build a home the Democratic nominee will go on to win the elec- William Minton Jr., Franklin Price, Theodore Sells; 2008, IBEW Local 100 and NECA joined in a Drug
for the family of a military veteran killed in Iraq. tion in November! for 50 years—Glen Bass, Eugene Fentress, Free Alliance program. As of March, two contactors
[Please see “IBEW on Duty” on page 6 of this There is strength in numbers. By working Bertram Harrell, George Harrell Jr., Marvin Tatem, have begun pursuing full compliance with their
month’s Electrical Worker.] through the IBEW Committee On Political Jerry Vick, Lewis Smith Jr.; for 55 years—Rollin work force. By summer of 2008, the local union and
To observe Workers Memorial Day, Local 48 Education and with the AFL-CIO structures, we Alexander, Howard Ange, James Hollomon Jr., signatory contractors plan to have at least six large
invited members to gather at the meeting hall at can truly make a difference. Please contribute to Samuel Motley, Ernest Sykes, Austin Tuck; and for contractors proudly announce a drug free work
7:30 p.m. on April 28, to honor workers who died IBEW COPE today. 60 years—James Armistead and James Durham.
or were injured while performing their work on We extend deepest sympathy to the families
the job in Oregon last year. Names of those who of our lost brothers: Kenneth E. Nichols, Earl V. Dave Schaeffer, P.S.
lost their lives on the job were read and a bell Flint, Bobby D. Barnes, Ellsworth S. Bartlett,
tolled in their honor. Anton B. Sirbin Jr., Arthur P. Murray, Lloyd T.
Nationally, 5,703 workers were killed in 2006 Withrow Jr., Jack C. Anderson, Felix P. Bassignani, Camp Project Volunteers
(the latest year data is available) and more than Donald C. Ramette Jr. and James C. Caron.
L.U. 86 (ees,em,es,i,rts&spa), ROCHESTER, NY—
4.1 million workers were injured due to job hazards.
Ed Knox, Pres. Volunteer members and retirees lit up the faces of
Another 50,000 died of occupational diseases. Our
the kids at the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp
workplace has improved significantly after decades
in Rush, NY. Local 86 teamed up with the rest of
of struggles by workers and unions. However, we
the building trades to build a new wheelchair-
still have much work to do. Continue to work safely!
accessible pavilion there. Our local NECA Chapter
Hope to see everyone at the Local 48 picnic IBEW Local 100 members on the job site at a Fresno,
donated electrical materials and tools for the
on Sunday, July 13. CA, Juvenile Justice Campus project with All Service
project. Thanks to all who helped. Check out the
Donna Hammond, P.S. pictures next time you are in the union hall. Electric. Lance Denton (at far left) is general foreman.
w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008 9
force. In short, Screensafe Inc. will administer the by Local 110 Bus. Mgr. Mike Redlund. John found sentative on the NECA-IBEW Local 146 JATC leader of our local as an active member and a
program, with an outside firm to do the random an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) panel board. Congratulations to Bro. Jason Brummitt mentor to many of us during his retirement years.
selection of individuals to be tested. The program that was mismarked and would have shut down on his appointment to the board. He will be greatly missed. God bless you, General.
will test all participating members every two years, all the UPS circuits, in addition to leaving a Congratulations to Bros. Robert K. Finley
as well as randomly testing approximately 10 per- transformer energized that was supposed to be and Jonathon Thompson on their retirement. John M. DeBouter, Pres./Training Dir.
cent of the members during the year. Participating off—thereby avoiding a potentially disastrous sit-
employers may request, as a condition of referral, uation. All seven Local 110 award recipients are Rich Underwood, R.S.
persons determined to be compliant. employed by Total Construction and Equipment.
Congratulations to the apprentice graduat- Flint Hills Refinery has a Contractor
ing class of 2008. Inside wireman graduates are: Incentive Plan that awards workers for safe work Annual Steward Training
Rafael Adame, Adam Ament, Michael Bowman, practices, observations, suggestions, identifying L.U. 160 (lctt,o&u), MINNEAPOLIS, MN—On Sat.,
John Cain, Lloyd Cannon, Eugenio Cantu, David hazards and finding ways to improve the existing March 1, the local hosted its annual stewards
Davalos, Steven De La Pena, George Edd, Marcos safety program by encouraging proactive partici- training. Fifty-eight brothers and sisters attended
Fierro Jr., Juan Gallardo, Daniel Garcia, Gregory pation throughout the work force. to learn more about the roles and responsibilities
Hakanson, Jason Jones, Michael Miranda, of IBEW stewards. Joe Herbulock, from the firm
Lawrence Morrison, Michael Scaduto, Thomas Steve White, P.S.
Hauer, Fargione, Love, Landy and McEllistrem,
Schrader, Ryan Tobin, Michael Warholm and P.A., briefed us on Minnesota workers compensa-
Rachel Young. VDV graduates are: Richard Bowen, tion laws. He covered the important steps to take,
Scott Furrer, Michael Reyna and Heather Walker. Tribute to Members
following an injury, to protect your rights. Local 164 Pres. Emeritus Daniel Solleder
M.A. Caglia, P.S. L.U. 124 (ees,em,i,mar,rts,se&spa), KANSAS CITY, IBEW Sixth District Int. Rep. James S. passed away in February 2008.
MO—We remember the following deceased mem- Dahlberg gave an excellent overview of the “Guide
bers: Frederick Algaier, John S. Baxley, Joseph M. for IBEW Stewards.” Among topics on which Int.
Kudos for Jobs Well-Done Clark, James Fennessy, Ernest R. Hirt, Phillip E. Rep. Dahlberg provided instruction were: Duty of
Jack, Leonard R. James, Thomas E.. Land, Ronald W. Fair Representation, Basic Legal Guidance, Right 2008 Apprentice Graduates
L.U. 102 (c,catv,i,it,o&t), PATERSON, NJ—On Layton, William O. Portmann, Harold Scott, Vincent to Information, and Know Your Contract. The L.U. 234 (i,rtb,rts&spa), CASTROVILLE, CA—Our
Dec. 10, 2007, Local 102 held its annual children’s J. VanCamp Sr., Logan L. Wilson and Lloyd G. Zuck. training was followed by lunch and door prizes. local proudly announces the graduating apprentice
Christmas party. Special guests included Santa Congratulations to the following retired Local 160 thanks our guest speakers and stewards classes of 2008. Inside apprentice graduates are:
and Mrs. Clause, a magician, cartoon figure Dora members: Edward Alexander, Francis M. who attended this training. Local union stewards Ismael Estrada, Valentin Ivanov, Felipe Jimenez,
the Explorer and other friends who entertained Clatanoff, Jack H. Feeney, Thomas W. Jeffries, are vital to the labor movement and Local 160 Rodolfo Martinez, Frank Rivera, Michael Rodda
the kids. The party was a big success. Mr. Clause Howard W. Johnston, Richard G. McElfish Jr., appreciates their invaluable service. and David White. Residential apprentice graduates
provided toys and games while Mrs. Clause per- Thomas M. Moran, Donald Naff, Loren R. Paden, are: Israel Andrade, Bronson Huerta, Michael
formed creative face painting for the children. Anthony S. Paris, Richard C. Pfeiffer, Trevor Daniel S. Seawell, P.S.
Kulich, Michael Magana, Philippe Miccoli, Joshua
Pictures were taken with Santa, lunch was pro- Stubbs, Joseph Ray and Kenneth W. Spicer. Murray, Ryan Ochinero, Mario Zamora and Moises
vided and everyone enjoyed a good, fraternal holi-
day time. Thanks to our Christmas party Jim Beem, B.M. ‘Rebuilding’ Volunteers Zuniga. The sound and communications appren-
tice graduate is David Boggs. After their years of
committee for a job well-done! L.U. 164 (c,em,i,o&t), JERSEY CITY, NJ—On generous sacrifices to complete their programs, we
Our Local 102 softball team won the New March 29, Local 164 came out in record numbers
Jersey Men’s League championship last year. Update on Projects are pleased to present them as inside journeymen,
to support the Rebuilding Together Jersey City residential journeymen, and sound and communi-
Congratulations to our team for their big win and L.U. 146 (ei,i&rts), DECATUR, IL—In April, we project. I am proud to report that 110 journey- cations installer, respectively. Congratulations and
for gaining our local some great press, all while reported that we were excited about Local 146 men and apprentices volunteered and gave back thanks, graduates, on your years of study and
having great fun. Good job, guys! landing the $1.8 billion Future Gen Project in to people who are less fortunate than we are. training. We welcome you to an industry where
Ed Fredericks, P.S. Mattoon. We are still “excited” about the project, Brothers and sisters wired 10 homes and three your skills and contributions will always be needed
but now it’s because the U.S. Dept. of Energy institutions that were in need of help. We were and appreciated.
decided to scale down the project or scrap it alto- blessed with beautiful weather and the day was a We also congratulate all apprentice gradu-
Safety Awards at Refinery gether. Mattoon was one of two Local 146 sites in huge success. The homeowners who received the ates throughout the entire IBEW and look for-
the running for the project along with two Texas services of electricians, carpenters, plumbers and ward to their contributions to our industry.
L.U. 110 (em,i,rts,spa&u), ST. PAUL, MN—At this sites. Local 146 will now collaborate with the many other volunteers were all extremely grate-
writing work is slow. At press time 281 members IBEW Sixth District and the International Office ful. It was the 17th year for Rebuilding Together Stephen Slovacek, P.S.
are on Book #1, with an additional one member in an effort to convince the Energy Dept. to con- Jersey City, formerly known as Christmas in April.
out on short calls, and 111 members on Book #2. tinue with the project here. We also received dis- Volunteerism is alive and well in Local 164.
The summer outlook is uncertain. turbing news about the Taylorville Power House On a sad note, I must report the passing on IBEW Habitat Volunteers
The November general election is only months project; it is now on hold awaiting Illinois legisla- Feb.16, 2008, of Daniel Solleder, a president emer- L.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts&st), SALEM,
away. Please be sure to support those who support tive action allowing long-term contracts to sell itus of Local 164. Affectionately known as the OR—At this writing in early spring the snow is still
us! Then please vote! electricity. Also, the Secure Energy coal gasifica- “General,” Dan was a 53-year member who served falling here. The work is slow at press time with
Safety awards were given out at Flint Hills tion project is awaiting legislators’ action for the as a longtime Executive Board member and then about 100 on Book I and few calls coming in. The
Refinery on March 25. Bros. Dave Narusiewicz, Mike release of funds. These are prime examples of why as president until he retired in January 1994. He housing bust has hit our jurisdiction hard but
Berry, Terry Fischbach, Eric Meier, Martin Wirt and we need to elect labor friendly candidates. The was a decorated Korean War hero. Dan was a hopefully some jobs will start to break this summer.
Mike Kaiser won $500 each for achieving 180 days Coffeen Power Station work is still on schedule for
without a recordable incident (see photo). the summer and will require additional manpower.
John Scholes received a $500 “play of the Local 146 and the JATC thank Bro. Joe
third quarter” Safety Incentive Award presented Paradee for his years of service as a union repre-
Local 110 members received safety awards presented at Flint Hills Refinery. Shown from left are award Local 280 truck and trailer travels to Habitat for Humanity projects, helping local union volunteers get the
recipients Dave Narusiewicz, Mike Berry, Terry Fischbach, Eric Meier, Martin Wirt and Mike Kaiser. job done.
10 T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008
Our local thanks the Habitat for Humanity vol- ‘We Can Make it Happen’ Negotiations began in April and will con- grown quite a bit since then. This is not the year
unteers who have worked and represented Local tinue with both sides searching for the prover- to “sit out the elections”!
280. These fine brothers and sisters have dedicated L.U. 294 (ees,em,i,rts,spa&u), HIBBING, MN—We bial “win-win” solution. November elections are critical to the liveli-
so much time and effort to help hard working peo- thank locals that employed our members in the last The Social Committee had to pull the hood of all working families! Let’s be sure to sup-
ple in our area get a “step up” to home ownership. year. Soon we should be able to return the favor. Easter Bunny out of his hole and the children all port candidates who understand and back the
Our Labor Management Cooperation Committee Hopefully, after eight years of G.W. Bush, the wore parkas but everyone had a good time at the issues protecting worker safety laws, prevailing
bought a trailer, dedicated for Habitat projects, country will elect a Democrat for president. It annual Easter Egg Hunt! Thanks to all who wages, health care for families, pension plans,
filled with tools and material to help our volunteers’ seems at times our members do not understand worked on this event. Social Security, and the right to bargain collec-
get the job done. Our Public Service Fund also the damage Bush has done to working families and Our condolences to the families of four tively and form unions. Please register and vote
donates $1,500 toward the electrical material, but unions. On the state level we need to gain a few retired brothers, Edgar Patten, Forrest Ryan, in November!
the real difference is the outstanding IBEW mem- seats in the House to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty John Skraba and Chuck Johnson, who passed Work is now better in our jurisdiction than
bers who volunteer. If you know anyone who and his vetoes. U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman is up for away in the spring. it has been in some time. We have several large
donates their time for this great cause, please thank re-election and we need to work hard to defeat Sunshine is welcome after a long winter! projects under way.
them and ask how you can help them and others. him. This will be difficult with the Republican Remember to wear sunscreen and a hat if you We are saddened to report the passing of
With great sadness the local announces the National Convention in Minnesota, but we can don’t want to spend your retirement hours and retired brothers Guy Snow (father of IBEW mem-
passing of Hal Cady, “Hutch” Methvin, “Jack” make it happen. pension checks in a dermatologist’s office. ber Guy Snow Jr.), Robert A Phillips and James
Lonien, Carl Robinson, and Monty Rounds. Local 294 holds its election of officers this E. Boyce. Rest in peace, brothers!
month. We have a good selection of candidates, Robert Sallaz, P.S.
Jerry Fletcher, Pres. and we should thank them for running. A.C. Steelman, B.M.
We can make a difference by donating a few
hours every month to support our union. With a Wyoming Going Strong
Volunteers Aid Flood Victims united effort the union will grow and prosper. Organizing in Utah
L.U. 322 (govt,i,it,lctt,o&u), CASPER, WY—The
L.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS, Sadly, Kimball Electronics (Hibbing work picture here in Wyoming remains good. Local L.U. 354 (i,mt,rts&spa), SALT LAKE CITY, UT—
MN—Local 292 put together a membership volun- Electronics) is closing its plant in Hibbing. That 322 members and the travelers who have manned The work in Utah looks very good for the next
teer group to help with disaster relief for the flood first contract was ratified in 1995. Hard work the work deserve big thanks for giving 8 for 8, 10 for year or two. We have work at the refineries, a
victims of Rushford, MN. When over 15 inches of went into that organizing drive. It will be a sad 10 and sometimes 12 for 12 to keep the customers couple of high-rises, a microchip plant, and sev-
rain fell in the Rushford area last August, rushing day when the plant closes. happy and our contractors profitable. eral other projects already awarded.
water jumped dikes and filled much of the town. Ask yourself: Are you better off now than The Industrial Agreement was negotiated Our local is in a very aggressive organizing
Dozens of homes were destroyed in the flood. With you were eight years ago? It is time for change. earlier this year and ratified in March. The scale campaign statewide. Some of the flyers and
the help of union volunteers from the IBEW and Local 294’s annual picnic is Aug. 2 at in Natrona and Converse Counties will be $26 an commercials on radio and television have been
other crafts, Rushford is beginning to look like Veteran’s Park, Ely Lake, in Eveleth, MN. hour plus $20 a day per diem. In the other coun- very successful.
home again. Scott Weappa, B.M. ties covered by the agreement, the scale will be We have a new Web site,
Eight Local 292 members wired a new house $28.50 an hour plus Building & Trades subsis- www.utahsbestelectricians.com, which links to
for a family who lost their home to the flood and tence or customer negotiated rate. many useful and informative sources.
had been displaced for eight months. These eight Vermont Electricians Volunteer The Activities Committee has been busy Our membership development coordinator,
volunteers were: Russ Agrimson, Philip Matson, cooking meals before the union meetings in George Halliday, is being approached by numer-
Brandon Romann, Steve Gunhus, Andy Melander, L.U. 300 (govt,i,mt&u), MONTPELIER, VT—The Casper. The committee also put together a contest ous unrepresented workers, as well as contrac-
Rodger Kretman, Scott Lundquist and Jim Central Vermont Garden Show recently welcomed for a new logo design. The committee will decide tors who want quality craftsmen doing their
Thomas, former business manager. electricians from IBEW Local 300 into the mix. on the final five designs and then the members at projects. The new members have been going
The area Lutheran church is serving as a Seven IBEW Local 300 members volunteered the summer picnics will vote on the winner. right to work and making our signatory contrac-
temporary mess hall for the trade workers, with nearly five hours apiece March 12 to help set up Participation at the monthly meetings has tors even more successful.
other volunteers spending countless hours prepar- tables, displays and brand new electrical mats for been good, but there is always room for improve- We welcome all our new brothers and sis-
ing meals for the many people rushing to aid the the event. Volunteers included Kyle Brown, John ment. More apprentices are attending, which is a ters to the IBEW. I wish everyone in this trade a
small rural town in southern Minnesota. The Burditt, Tiffany Copley, Randie Dayton, Steve positive thing. They are the future lifeblood of long, safe and prosperous career. Together we
effort is orchestrated by retired Local 292 member Edwards, Katy Ramstack and Greg Tessier. the IBEW. can make a difference.
Russ Agrimson, who owns a farm in Rushford. The IBEW was proud to partner with the
Russ has been diligently working and organizing Garden Show. Community service dovetails with Chris Morgan, P.S. Manya Blackburn, R.S.
volunteers since the disaster happened. our union’s commitment to social responsibility and
the common good. The 2008 Garden Show ran at
Brandon Romann, P.S./B.R. the Barre Civic Center March 14-16. All proceeds Register & Vote! Leadership Series Dinner
benefited the Friends of the Central Vermont L.U. 340 (em,i,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CA— L.U. 364 (catv,ees,em,es,i,mt,rts&spa),
YMCA. The electrical mats—used to safely cover Are you registered to vote? Are your family mem- ROCKFORD, IL—At this writing, our Labor
power cords in pedestrian and vehicular traffic bers registered to vote? It was a real “eye opener” Management Cooperation Committee is prepar-
ways—were later donated to the City of Barre. last March when records showed only 39 percent ing to hold our next Leadership Series Dinner
“We were so thankful for the help from IBEW of Local 340’s membership was registered to vote. scheduled for May 20. At press time, we are very
electricians,” said Garden Show Chairwoman I am happy to say that, due to the hard work and pleased that Int. Pres. Edwin D. Hill is our
Jeanne Daniele. “Their much-appreciated volun- dedication of our voter registrars and our dedi- scheduled special speaker for the event. Look for
teerism embodies what union labor is all about cated apprenticeship instructors, that figure has a report in our next Local Lines article.
… and certainly helped make our first-ever pro-
motion a success.”
Matthew Lash, P.S.
Work Plentiful the event was a success. We are giving these work-
ers an opportunity to skill assess and then pro-
L.U. 538 (i), DANVILLE, IL—Local 538 members ceed through the steps to make membership.
mourn the passing of Leonard Colleen, a 61-year With the primaries over in Texas, we have
IBEW member. Work in the jurisdiction remains numerous members representing us as delegates
plentiful, with many traveling brothers and sis- and alternates at the state convention. We wish
ters helping complete projects in the area. Dan them the best. We were successful in the primar-
Smith is doing well. We wish him a speedy and ies with our labor-endorsed candidates, even with
full recovery. The members thank Gary Pollard some disappointing losses. We will continue to
for his service as press secretary over the past work to get our candidates elected in November.
years and wish him well in his new endeavors. Recent successes in 716 include participa-
Local 538 officers are: Bus. Mgr./Fin.Sec. Jim tion in the Cesar Chavez March; the Local 716
Bailey, Pres. Eric Bell, Vice Pres. John Butts, Golf Tournament; the Local 716 Brotherhood
Sec. Schuyler Bailey, Treas. Larry Van Vickle; and Bash picnic; and the Houston St. Patrick’s Day
Exec. Board members Jeff Owen, Mike Walters, parade, at which we took first place in the
Tom Huls, Colby Rennick and Luke Modglin. Also pickup-drawn float division.
serving the local are Asst. Bus. Mgr. Rex Modglin Local 640 members Scooter Godwin (left) and Kevin Trujillo test a 230-kv oil breaker. Congratulations to apprentice David
and Office Sec. Barbara Johnson. Joseph, who won first place in the IBEW Seventh
1,500 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, and The members employed by Alcoa Power District Apprenticeship Contest. This is the sec-
Kathie Porter, Training Dir.
32 substations. Parker Dam and Davis Dam, also Plant in Newburgh, IN, were recently recognized ond year in a row that a Local 716 apprentice has
Local 640 units, are located on the Colorado River, for their productivity and reliability by a leading taken first place. Thanks to all who participated.
New Motor Control Lab downstream of Hoover Dam, and supply electrical industry magazine, Reliable Plant. In addition, John E. Easton Jr., B.M./F.S.
energy to Arizona and southern California. the members received recognition awards for
L.U. 606 (em,es,i,rtb,spa&u), ORLANDO, FL-The WAPA is currently looking for lineman high having over 450 days without a recordable acci-
new motor control lab is finished. The two lead voltage substation electricians and meter relay dent and nine years without a lost-time accident.
instructors, Richard Merriam and Juan Santos,
Kudos to IBEW Electricians
craftsmen experience. For information on how to Prairie State Energy Campus has broken
assembled all the parts and mounted all of the apply go to www.wapa.gov or www.usajobs.gov. ground at Lively Grove. We expect it to be 2009 L.U. 756 (es&i), DAYTONA BEACH, FL—Signatory
devices to complete the lab. The JATC will use Current scale is $36.37 hr. before we have manpower needs. contractor Greenway Electric completed a renova-
this motor control lab to enhance the skills of tion in an existing AT&T building in Daytona
the journeymen along with the apprentices, CWs Frank Cissne, B.R. Marsha Steele, P.S. Beach. The facility, which has been around since
and CEs. Walt Disney World is building an identi- the 1950s, is being retooled to provide multiple
cal lab on its property for their journeyman media services to customers via regular phone
enhancement skills training also. Award Recipients Neighborhood Action Plan lines. A crew of journeymen and apprentices from
The Orlando Labor Management Cooperative L.U. 684 (c,i,rts&st), MODESTO, CA—The local L.U. 716 (em,i,rts&spa), HOUSTON, TX—The Local 756 installed thousands of feet of EMT con-
Committee is working diligently on promoting the union picnic was held May 31 at Hagaman Park work situation is steady here with more projects duit ranging from 3/4-inch to 3 1/2-inch. Around
image of organized labor and union contractors. in Merced County. Events at the picnic included expected soon. 2,400 feet of 2 1/2-inch conduit was installed
The committee is doing this through career fairs, a kid’s fair and the traditional horseshoe tourna- Our organizing effort is moving forward with under a raised floor in the control room. Another
hosting electrical-safety related classes, and par- ment. Service pins were awarded, as follows. our Neighborhood Action Plan being implemented 4,500 feet of 3 1/2-inch conduit was installed in the
ticipation in the JATC graduation. Receiving 50-year pins were Billy Barnes, across our jurisdiction. Local 716 held another ceiling above and routed to adjacent rooms.
William Dale, Stan Hicks, Alfred Rocha and open house, earlier this spring, to recruit and edu- The control room houses the uninterrupt-
Janet D. Skipper, P.S.
Robert Thompson; 55-year pins—Warren Brown, cate unrepresented workers about the IBEW, and ible power supply (UPS) system, which is tied in
Charlie Clem, Ed Hurley and Sam Nickerson;
and 60-year pins—Ed Perry and Walter Ransdell.
Congratulations and thank you to the award
recipients for their years in service to our union.
Congratulations to our newly graduating
apprentices: Jordan Aivas, Justin Barrington, Local 716 Apprentice of the
Jeremy Davis, Michael Lattin, David Pierce and Year David Joseph (second
Jerrett Stagno. (See photo below.) Good luck, guys. from right) receives award.
From left are: Asst. Training
Torrey Newton, P.S. Dir. Gene Brinkmeyer, Bus.
Mgr./Fin. Sec. John E. Easton
Jr., Joseph and Training Dir.
Awards for Achievement Gary Strouz.
L.U. 702 (as,c,catv,cs,em,es,et,govt,i,it,lctt,mo,
mt,o,p,pet,ptc,rtb,rts,se,spa,st,t,u,uow&ws),
Local 606 Bros. Richard Merriam and Juan Santos, WEST FRANKFORT, IL—A special thank-you to
lead instructors. the nearly 1,100 Outside Construction workers who
helped restore power during the ice storm and the
heavy rainfall encountered in recent months.
Western Area Power Units
L.U. 640 (em,govt,i,mo,mt,rts,spa&u), PHOENIX,
AZ—Western Area Power Administration is
Local 684 congratu-
another of Local 640’s fine units in Arizona. At
lates newly gradu-
the WAPA Unit, Ted Miller is the chairman stew-
ating apprentices.
ard and Tim Alme is steward.
From left are:
WAPA markets and transmits reliable, cost-
Training Dir. Mark
based hydroelectric power and related services.
Bowden and
WAPA sells power from 56 power plants operated
apprentice gradu-
by the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army
ates David Pierce,
Corps of Engineers and the International
Jerrett Stagno,
Boundary and Water Commission. Western’s
Jeremy Davis,
service area covers 1.3 million square miles
Justin Barrington,
(3.38 million square kilometers).
Michael Lattin and
The Parker-Davis Project, which is the
Jordan Aivas.
Bureau of Reclamation, consists of Davis Dam,
Parker Dam and corresponding power plants,
w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008 13
with a basement full of batteries to insure there going to the local’s benefit funds. Funds Manager I wish to recognize the hard work that
is no interruption in the power supplying panels John Love reported on the status of our funds. He Training Dir. Judy Berkley puts into our appren-
and equipment. Supervisors from AT&T were very stated that increased funding to the pension plan ticeship program. Her efforts and commitment
pleased with both the quality electrical installa- would not help the plan at this time, and although ensure that our apprentices become quality jour-
tion and that Greenway was able to complete the it never hurts to add money to the annuity or neyman electricians. We appreciate all Judy does
project within the schedule. Kudos to the IBEW health plans, there is no immediate need to do so for the apprenticeship and training program.
electricians for exhibiting craftsmanship, while this year. There are still three remaining $1.50 Remember, the local union is run by those
also meeting the needs of a good customer. increases for the current Inside Agreement. The who participate. Attend your union meetings.
last is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2011.
Daniel Hunt, Pres./P.S. The Brotherhood Committee works hard for Robert Westerman, B.M./F.S.
member solidarity. Many projects have been
held. This spring a bowling tournament was held.
Meet & Greet Luncheon A buck contest took place last fall. A raffle was a Pole Installation:
L.U. 824 (t), TAMPA, FL—Local 824 was honored
big success last summer and another is planned Union Linemen Answer Call
this summer.
to host a “Meet & Greet” luncheon for Int. Vice L.U. 1116 (em,lctt&u), TUCSON, AZ—Who do
The Brotherhood Committee helps our
Pres. Joseph S. Davis on Mach 27 at our union you call to install a 155-foot tall, 62,000-pound
members and families at Christmas. They also
hall. The attendees included Vice Pres. Davis, steel pole when you have time constraints? If you
donated $500 to the Local 910 Greg S. Maur
Fifth District Int. Rep. Danny L. Johnson, the answered “a union lineman” you are correct.
memorial scholarship fund.
Local 824 Executive Board, officers, organizers In March, our TEP linemen successfully
and staff as well as business managers and staff
Our Organizing Committee came up with a
completed just that project at a new Pinal West
Pension Settlement Ratified
jobsite photo contest. The NASCAR contest was
from Locals 108, 199 and 915. We enjoyed a good substation located between Tucson and Phoenix. L.U. 1220 (rtb), CHICAGO, IL—We are pleased
held last summer and fall with great success.
southern barbecue lunch prepared by our very While the regional line was taken out of service to announce that a settlement was reached with
own members Robert Dixon and Robert Bellott Roger LaPlatney, P.S. for this construction (which could have taken up the Tribune Company that will provide first-year
Jr., and honorary member Robert Bellott Sr. Good to eight days), crews completed their work and credit on all of our members’ pensions. Contracts
food and good times were shared by all. released the line in less than five days. were extended for one year with a raise in pay
On a more serious note, Vice Pres. Davis Banquet & Pin Ceremony Not only was new structure being put up, but and no loss of jurisdiction as part of that settle-
discussed with us some of the problems facing old towers were simultaneously disassembled; ment agreement.
locals across the nation as we prepare for the L.U. 932 (c,i&st), COOS BAY, OR—The work crews also raised new fiber-optic cable to the top Our members who work for WGN-AM Radio
upcoming contract negotiations in 2008-2010. situation in Local 932 is slow at press time. of new poles, energized a new transformer, and receive their pension credit and raises immedi-
Local 824 was honored to host this special Thank you to members and their families worked alongside other construction crews on-site. ately. WGN-TV members will receive their pen-
occasion. Sincere thanks to all who made it who attended our winter banquet and pin cere- This union lineman crew was a mix of old- sion credit immediately and their raises as of
come together. mony held Feb. 9, 2008, at the Mill Casino in school and up-and-coming apprentices, so our July 1, 2008. We worked for more than four years
North Bend, OR. Congratulations to members young work force got some great on-the-job expe-
Shauna Fulco, P.S. to get the first work year included in the Tribune
awarded service pins! Receiving 60-year pins were rience for a project of this type. Working on this Co. pension plan. Thanks to the stewards who
Eugene Bradley, Robert Cook, Ernie Speaker; project with our linemen were our HEAT, got the word out about terms and conditions of
55-year pins—Richard Borig, Joe Gillespie, James Welding Dept., Automotive, Substations, and
Member Solidarity Projects the settlement offer.
Gorman, H. Al Hindman, Eddie Snook; 50-year Warehouse union members. Just goes to show Local 1220 initiated a new contract for
pins—Pete Brophy, Leonard Butt, Jerome Lambe; that when you need a job to shine, shine it with
L.U. 910 (i&rts), WATERTOWN, NY—At the Sports and Entertainment. Previously, these two
45-year pin—David Coxford; 40-year pins—Jerry union craftsmanship and union labor.
March regular meeting, the Local 910 member- divergent types of productions were covered
Edmonton, Bill Foster, Lowell Lewallen; 35-year
ship voted overwhelmingly to put the entire $1.50 under one contract. Aesthetic Abstractions,
pins—Ted Cherry, Bill McCaffree, Roy Snook; R. Cavaletto, P.S.
contractual increase from the Inside Agreement whose contract was recently ratified by Local
30-year pin—Roger Dunithan; and 20-year pins—
into the paycheck. For the first time in many 1220 members, has joined Program Productions
Ed Steele and Eric Tobert.
years, the increase was not split with portions and Camera Originals as Sports and
Entertainment providers.
Recent layoffs at WBBM/CBS Chicago have
affected Local 1220 bargaining units in Chicago
and across the Midwest. Bus. Mgr. Madeleine
Monaco said, “It is time to hone our skills as
technicians and as union organizers so the work-
place is safe and profitable for all.”
IBEWHourPower.com Jim Sterne, B.R./P.S.
The Electrical Worker was the name of the first official publication of
the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1893 (the NBEW
became the IBEW in 1899 with the expansion of the union into
E one-time manufacturing powerhouse like western
Pennsylvania. So it was good to return to my home state
in April to address the Beaver County AFL-CIO and cel-
ebrate last year’s 11 percent increase in union membership in
Pennsylvania. It shows what the labor movement and the IBEW
Canada). The name and format of the publication have changed over can do, and that those who keep trying to assign us to the his-
the years. This newspaper, along with the IBEW Journal magazine, tory books are learning that we’re really part of current events.
now published quarterly, now constitute the official publications of Nowhere is our road more difficult than in manufactur-
the IBEW and seek to capture the courage and spirit that motivated ing. The latest chain of shutdowns is hitting IBEW members
the founders of the Brotherhood and continue to inspire the union’s at General Electric’s refrigerator plant in Bloomington, Ind.
Edwin D. Hill Even the Hershey chocolate plant is going down in eastern
members today. The masthead of this newspaper is an adaptation of
International President Pennsylvania. Bad trade policy is still killing jobs and dreams.
that of the first edition in 1893. A powerful national economy, once based upon produc-
ing goods of value, has been replaced by one where states compete over legalized gambling to
fill the cracks left by their declining tax bases. Meanwhile the gamblers who control Wall
EXECUTIVE Fourth District Fourth District THE ELECTRICAL
OFFICERS Jackie E. Goodwin Salvatore J. Chilia WORKER Street ask the American taxpayer to insure their risky bets on mortgage securities. Millions
face mortgage foreclosures.
Edwin D. Hill Fifth District Fifth District Editor
But perhaps the most telling detail of the global economic mess caused by the subprime
International President Stephen Schoemehl Joe S. Davis Edwin D. Hill
mortgage and credit crisis is that some nations are weathering the storm. Why? Because they
Lindell K. Lee Sixth District Sixth District C. James Spellane had the good sense to develop plans for manufacturing and for training a skilled work force.
International Secretary- Gregory A. Lucero Joseph F. Lohman
Mark Brueggenjohann They are exporting capital goods, the tools of industry. And they had the foresight to develop
Treasurer
Seventh District Seventh District
Mike Nugent
universal health insurance. Industrial employers there stay competitive because they don’t
INTERNATIONAL Patrick Lavin Jonathan B. Gardner have to plow their profits into the accounts of pharmaceutical and insurance companies.
EXECUTIVE Malinda Brent
Eighth District Eighth District Developing an effective U.S. manufacturing policy is not a pipe dream. More shining success
COUNCIL
Rick Dowling Ted C. Jensen Len Shindel stories like the Sharp plant featured in this issue are possible. It will take a major change in
Chairman Washington, D.C. Join our union’s grassroots movement to elect leaders who won’t gamble with
INTERNATIONAL Ninth District Carol Fisher
Robert W. Pierson
VICE PRESIDENTS Michael S. Mowrey the futures of working families. ❚
First District Alex Hogan
First District Tenth District
Joseph P. Calabro Lucas Oswalt
Phillip J. Flemming Robert P. Klein
Second District
Myles J. Calvey
Second District
Frank J. Carroll
Eleventh District
Curtis E. Henke
James H. Jones
Elizabeth Pultar
A Fight For Us All
Third District
Third District
John R. Clarke here are less than two months left in the countdown
T
Donald C. Siegel
to the contract expiration at Verizon, the nation’s
second-largest telecommunications firm, and the
eyes of working families from Virginia all the way up
HOW TO REACH US to New England are focused on what is certain to be a diffi-
cult round of negotiations.
We welcome letters from our readers. The writer should include his or her name, address and, if At stake are the jobs, health care and pension benefits of
applicable, IBEW local union number and card number. Family members should include the local
more than 10,000 IBEW members and 50,000 CWA members
union number of the IBEW member to whom The Electrical Worker is mailed. Please keep letters
as brief as possible. The Electrical Worker reserves the right to select letters for publication and edit at the telecom giant. Workers at Verizon and its predecessor
all submissions for length. companies have historically had wage and benefit packages
that set the pattern for the industry and brought telecommu-
Send letters to:
Letters to the Editor, The Electrical Worker, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 nications workers into the ranks of the middle class. Lindell K. Lee
Or send by e-mail to: media@ibew.org But management didn’t grant these benefits out of its International Secretary-
©2008 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
own generosity. Working families had to fight for every one of Treasurer
them. Sticking together on the job and on the picket line and
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. on Union-made paper. keeping the heat on management—like in 1989, 1998 and 2002—has kept Verizon a good
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Electrical Worker, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., place to work for those covered by a union contract.
Washington, D.C. 20001. Once again the company is trying to chip away at those benefits and continue to deny
The Electrical Worker will not be held responsible for views expressed by correspondents. more than 65,000 employees at Verizon Business and Verizon Wireless their right to organize.
The company has made clear it’s out to maximize its profits on the backs of its employees.
Paid advertising is not accepted.
This fight is about what the workplace of the future will look like, both in the telecom-
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40011756. munications industry and beyond. At the company’s growing nonunion sector, workers have no
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
job security or pensions, high medical deductibles and a pay scale based on favoritism.
P.O. Box 503
RPO West Beaver Creek The other alternative is the workplace that generations of workers fought for: a place
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6 where workers have a voice at work, where their families’ health care costs are fully covered,
and where they are properly compensated for a hard day’s work.
Make no mistake, corporate America is watching the Verizon fight very closely. The
results will set the pattern for workplaces across the nation. For working families who are
struggling to defend a middle class that is increasingly under siege, this is the front line. ❚
w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008 15
Who We Are
Letters
to the Editor If you have a story to tell about your IBEW experience, please send it to
media@ibew.org.
Tragedy Strikes
I have been an IBEW member of Local 1245 in Woodland, Calif., for 25 years. IBEW has
done many great things over the years, from worldwide events, local community fund-
raising, and helping with individual tragedy.
On March 4, my son Timothy Royce, age 27, was brutally murdered in an attempted
robbery while he was on duty driving his taxi cab in Tucson, Ariz. His passing affected
Buy America or Bye, America?
many people in the Tucson area as well as the community of Woodland where he grew up
and was a part of the IBEW family. Among many friends and family, Tim is also survived ance Biglin cares passionately
by his fiancé Melissa Bothwick, who is pregnant with Tim’s child.
Homicide Survivors Inc. has established a Timothy Royce Fund, which will be used to
help with the birth and care of Timothy’s son. If he has touched your heart in any way,
please make donations to:
L about an important way of
American life that he sees fad-
ing. As president of Local 688 in
Mansfield, Ohio, he has witnessed the
Homicide Survivors Inc. deterioration of the manufacturing
32 North Stone Ave, Suite 1408 sector in his native state and beyond,
Tucson, AZ 85701 as countless companies have shut
Memo: Timothy Royce Fund their doors to American workers and
Donald Royce moved operations abroad.
Local 1245 member, Vacaville, Calif. In times like these, workers pour
their collective energy into ramped-up
organizing efforts spreading the mes-
Daddy’s Helper sage of union solidarity. But Biglin has
My husband was called also taken it one step further: he
out to work one stormy wants to reach the workers of tomor-
winter night and awoke row. In a novel burst of inspiration,
our son Jack. He was Biglin recently released his first self-
only nine months old published book, “Bye, America,” which
when I shot this photo he wrote to teach children about the
loss of America’s industrial base. Mansfield, Ohio, Local 688 President Lance Biglin—pictured
in December of 2005
“This whole area has been dev- with his family—wrote “Bye, America,” a book on the decline
and he loved to “help”
astated by closing factories,” Biglin of manufacturing in the United States.
daddy put on his boots.
I was making John a said, citing the local demise of Neer
Manufacturing (an electrical fittings plant), Tyco Local 688 member Dan Lloyd, a fifth-year
pot of coffee to fill his
thermos when I (a plastics factory) and Miami Systems (a printing inside wireman apprentice at Lake Erie Electric
plant), to name a few. More than 224,000 man- and father of a two-year-old boy, said Lance’s
snapped this photo of
ufacturing jobs have disappeared from the state book offers a lesson on the importance of having
the two of them. We call
since 2001. solid jobs here for the middle class.
it the “Littlest Lineman.”
“I got to thinking, what happens if my kids Biglin’s first foray into the writing world
It remains a favorite
don’t get into college?” Biglin said. “What will became a family affair. The book’s crisp, colorful
photo today.
they be doing? They’ll be making french fries illustrations were drawn by Biglin’s wife, Kristi.
Angela Clements because of the loss of good manufacturing jobs.” Even the characters in the story are based on
Spouse of John Clements, “Bye, America” tells the story of young Biglin’s three children: Kimberly, 3; Brady, 7; and
Local 77 member, Isabelle, 10.
Seattle, Wash.
Brady, whose father loses his job when the local
vacuum cleaner factory suddenly closes its doors The endeavor has been self-financed, with
and moves to China. As Brady’s father tells his $8,000 of the family’s money generating the first
son, “It’s important to be good neighbors to other 1,000 issues. Books are available for purchase
countries, but we must stop giving away our through his Web site, www.buyamerica.com.
A Bright Idea All copies of the book were published in the
American workers’ jobs.”
After suggesting to my husband, Biglin said that writing a book for children United States. He said he hopes to spread the
Rik, that we needed a new mail- would be an effective way to start a dialogue word of the book by providing free copies to
box, he provided—in miniature with the next generation of American workers. locals and other trade unions.
and purely American made! I’m His own father worked for auto glass plant PPG “My children look at tags continuously
sure the mailman now knows Industries in Crestline for 45 years. Biglin himself now,” Biglin said. “One of them will say, ‘Daddy, I
his occupation. He loves and is logged four years in manufacturing—doing elec- won this toy at school, but it’s made in China.’” ❚
proud of his job. trical maintenance for Plastipak and crafting mili-
tary and aircraft components at Hartman
Misty Nussmeyer
Manufacturing—before beginning his appren-
Get Connected
Spouse of Rik Nussmeyer,
Local 702 member, ticeship. He spent 13 years as an inside wire- If you would like to receive your
West Frankfort, Ill. man before taking office at the local. Electrical Worker via e-mail instead
The book is no work of fiction. Last year saw of in your mailbox, contact us at
the close of the Hoover plant in North Canton. media@ibew.org. Give us your name,
Hundreds of workers—including more than 600 IBEW local union number, card num-
Local 1985 members—lost their jobs. Soon after, ber and e-mail address and we
Biglin set to work on the book to help his own will send you the link to access The
children understand what happens when corpo- Electrical Worker electronically.
rations give the boot to the American worker.
16 T h e E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r ❘ June 2008
ADDRESS 5. Photo and video entries must have an IBEW theme of some sort, with IBEW members at work,
engaged in a union-related activity or subjects conveying images of the electrical industry or the union.
6. If members are featured in the photo, they should be identified. If large groups are pictured, the
name of the group or the purpose of the gathering (e.g. a safety committee, a lineman’s rodeo,
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP/POSTAL CODE a union meeting) can be submitted in place of individual names.
7. Photos previously published in the IBEW Journal are not eligible for submission.
PHONE NUMBER
8. The video contest offers two categories: one for members working in the broadcast branch
(professional) and one for everyone else (non-professional). Each video entry must be
LOCAL UNION NUMBER clearly marked for category.
9. Video entries must be submitted on DVD-R and only one entry per DVD-R. All DVDs must be clearly
IBEW CARD NUMBER OF EACH ENTRANT(S)
marked in permanent marker with entry title, entry length, category name, entrant(s) name and a
short, written synopsis of the video entry and how it relates to the IBEW.
VIDEO ENTRIES ONLY
TITLE/POSITION OF EACH ENTRANT (I.E. PRODUCER, VIDEOGRAPHER, EDITOR, WRITER) 10. All photo and video entries must include a completed contest entry form below.
11. Video entries must be submitted as either a Windows Media File or full non-compressed video in the
CATEGORY TITLE (PROFESSIONAL OR NON-PROFESSIONAL) NTSC format and can be in either the 4x3 or 16x9 aspect ratio. No other video file formats will be
accepted. Entries are limited to 10 minutes in length.
ENTRY TITLE 12. Video entries must be produced specifically for this contest. No entry should have been previously
broadcast, cablecast or webcast.
ENTRY LENGTH (MUST BE NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES) PRODUCTION DATE
13. All video and still photographs (unless historical in nature) used in the video production must be
original video shot and edited by entrant(s). Use of video or stills (unless historical in nature) from
Fill out this form and attach it to the back of each VIDEO or PHOTO entry and mail to: other sources is forbidden.
IBEW Photo and Video Contest, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001