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Faithful Member

Local 547, Galesburg, IL, 50-year member Bro. Paul Long.

L.U. 547 (rr) (GAILSBURG, IL)We would like to recognize one of our longtime members, Bro. Paul Long of Alliance, NE. Bro. Long began his IBEW career with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) in 1947, and retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1973.

Over the years Paul has seen the successful merger of his former railroad and four others to form what became the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. His career began at a time in railroad history when the ever-faithful steam locomotives were phased out. Although Paul did not work on the locomotives, he did help to improve the electrical services, the power in buildings, and railroad yard lighting so that his fellow craftsmen could keep the trains operating.

Paul recently received his IBEW 50-year pin and service award. We congratulate and thank him for his longtime service. Not long ago Paul celebrated his 94th birthday at his home in Alliance, where he and his wife of 74 years, Eva, reside.

Paul D. Miller, R.S.

Work PictureSlow
L.U. 553 (i,o&t), RALEIGH, NCSome of our members have gotten out to other locals, but even out of town work has been hard to find. Hopefully, this will change soon.

We welcome our newest journeyman inside wiremen Jamel Vickers and Heshimu Baker.

The 18th Annual Apprenticeship and Training Forum of North Carolina was held on May 2. Congratulations to apprentice Michael Wallace for receiving a fourth-year Outstanding Apprentice Award. We thank Bro. Wallace for his hard work.

Congratulations also to our JATC program (Raleigh-Durham Electrical JATC) for receiving an Outstanding Apprenticeship Program Award.

There will be ongoing COMET classes throughout 2002. We need all members to participate in these classes. If you have any questions about organizing, contact Organizer Allen Wiley at the hall.

Bill Mills, Asst. B.M./Organizer

Improved Work Picture

Local 557, Saginaw, MI, members, from left, Gary Hamilton, Chad Throop, Bob Schmidt, Pat Clarey, Mike Combs, Robb Stanick and Chad Rockafellow working at the new Bath Works store.

L.U. 557 (i,rts&spa), SAGINAW, MIIdle hands are handling tools again as work opportunities reappear, and the out of work list is shrinking after a long stagnant spell. The Group 3 people are currently taking tests and acquiring Michigan electrical licenses.

Local 557 has negotiated a three-year agreement with our contractors, with an increase of just under $2 each year. This year the increase will go to our apprenticeship program, pension plan and health care. The new contract includes innovative layoff language and reverse order job site layoff by groups. A controversial use of money to support organizing efforts and to expand the apprenticeship program was also negotiated. Im sure some will criticize any contract, but reasonable members will recognize that important issues are being addressed. Each person needs to be reaching out to organize so we can gain better contracts. When contractors are profitable, work at fair pay is available. Special thanks to the Negotiating Committee.

Retirees Peter Kern and John Koski passed away in June. Our thoughts and prayers go to their families.

Having GOP leadership for so many years has left Michigan in economic crisis. Unemployment compensation is only one-third of what it should be, in spite of a record balance in the fund. Fall elections are coming up, vote for friends of labor.

John E. Clemens, P.S.

Preparing for the Bears
L.U. 601 (i&rtb), CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, ILDespite a long, slow winter season, we are relieved to report that work seems to still be on the rise.

At this writing, eight members are working for Bodine Electric on the Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science, a 260,000 square-foot, $84 million project. However, we are hoping to send 36 members to match the August 3, 2003, completion date.

Because of the major renovation of Chicagos Soldier Field, the Bears are coming to Champaign for the 2002 season. With the arrival of the Bears comes the need for updated facilities at Memorial Stadium. Concessions, restroom facilities, locker rooms, sports therapy rooms, and even a new scoreboard, are being added or remodeled. Glesco Electric is expected to have this project completed in early August.

At this writing, our 26th annual Local 601 Softball Invitational Tournament was planned for August, with brotherhood, food and fun.

Congratulations to the graduating apprenticeship class of 2002.

We mourn the recent passing of Bro. Dewey Carley. Our condolences go out to his family.

Chris Cook, P.S.

Linemans Rodeo
L.U. 611 (catv,es,i,lctt,o,spa&u), ALBUQUERQUE, NMElections were held and the initial results were Bus. Mgr. Andy Palmer, Vice Pres. Chris Chavez, Treas. Ben Sandoval and Rec. Sec. Mark Trujillo. The Executive Board members are John Romero, Bobby Martinez, Larry Garcia, Adolph Chavez, Andy Briscoe, Clifford Trujillo and Michael Jaramillo. As of this writing in mid-July, no results had been certified, and ballots were being sent for the run-off between Richard Sandoval and Chris Frentzel for President.

The outside apprenticeship program graduated Alex Trujillo, Pat Archuleta, Brandon Stephens, Mark Salazar and Eric Salazar, who are brothers. This years outstanding apprentice was Alex Trujillo.

PNM had its Family Fun Day at the Beach Water Park on June 8. That was also the day they held their Linemans Rodeo contest. The contest was to place the teams for the National Linemans Rodeo held in Kansas City. The PNM teams will have one more competition in Lubbock, TX, to determine who will go to Kansas City, MO. The Lineman first-place team consisted of John Vigil, Wes McKennzie and Scott Bryan; second-place was Joe Montano, Eric Cox and Gilbert Padilla, and the third-place place team was Chris Perez, Anthony Perez and Maury Varela. Apprentice teams were: firstBrandon Stephens, secondDaniel Vigil, and thirdAndrew Tenerio.

Darrell J. Blair, P.S.