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November 2002 IBEW Journal

Lifesaving Award

L.U. 949 (t&u), BURNSVILLE, MNBro. James Beeler was recently awarded the IBEW Lifesaving Award from the International Office. Bro. Beeler, a lead station electrician at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Red Wing, MN, came to the aid of co-worker Pat Litterer who had come in contact with 500-volt wires and could not release them. Bro. Beeler pulled the wires out of Bro. Litterers hands and transported him to a security building where emergency personnel was called. Bro. Litterer sustained serious burns on both hands. Congratulations to Bro. Beeler and best wishes for a complete recovery to Bro. Litterer.

Bus. Mgr. Vince Guertin is in negotiations for initial contracts with Xcel Energy for two recently organized work groupsthe Engineers and the RPS/Rad Chem groups. The company is putting a great deal of effort into stalling the negotiations.

This local has seen a sharp increase in the number of arbitration cases with investor owned utilities Xcel Energy, Reliant Energy/Minnegasco and Alliant Energy. With the advent of corporate mergers, the pressure seems to be on to break the unions. Bus. Mgr. Guertin stresses the importance of presenting a united front and standing up for workers rights.

Ray Turner, P.S.

Project Delays

L.U. 953 (catv,em,lctt,o,spa&u), EAU CLAIRE, WIThe Duluth-Wausau 345 kV transmission project is creeping forward. Delays are being caused by landowners not allowing surveyors to access their land to finalize the building plan and route. Also, the process to cross private land "Eminent Domain" doesnt apply to public land, which was largely utilized for the proposed route. County Boards are now reluctant to allow the line to cross county land.

Our Annual Golf Outing in August at the Whispering Pines Golf Course in Cadott had 72 golfers participating in the 18-hole best-ball team event. Congratulations to this years winning team of Pat Grass, Brian McGuire, Chris DeGeorge and Rick Oborne. Thanks to Bernie Pagenkopf and Bill Lavicka, who conducted a putting contest during the event to raise money for COPE. It was a nice sunny day, and I think all who participated had a good time.

The Local 953 Executive Board appointed John Kiesling to fill the vacant seat on the Board. John is currently employed by Xcell Energy at the French Island Plant in La Crosse, WI. He has been active as a union steward, unit chairman and on the Labor Management Committee. Congratulations, and welcome aboard, John.

Roger Erickson, Asst. B.M.

Helping the Children
L.U. 983 (em), HUNTINGTON, INWe would like to thank everyone who participated in the School Supplies for Children in Need program. Annually we collect school supplies to be given to the Central Labor Council of Grant County and the Youth Services Bureau of Huntington. Although the final totals are not in for Huntington, there were approximately 120 children helped in the Grant County area. Not only did the members give their own money and supplies, but several members also donated their time to help distribute the supplies.

We would also like to congratulate and thank everyone for meeting our United Way goal of $50,000, with a final tally of $51,385.

A note of congratulations also to all of our stewards and officers for successfully completing recent Steward/ Officer training.

Lastly, thanks to all who attended the Union Picnic on October 5. A special thanks to Picnic Committee members Barb Miller, Annie Coats, Alice Dollinger, Brad Woodring, Jody Mauller and Terri L. Lahr for putting the picnic together. Everyone did a great job.

Terri L. Lahr, B.M.

50 Years of Service

L.U. 1007 (t&u), EDMONTON, AB, CANADABus. Mgr. Jerry Larson was pleased to present a 50-year service award to Bro. Alton R. Crowell in May. Bro. Crowell was initiated into Local 1007 in 1952 and worked in the Telephone Unit before his retirement. Congratulations, Bro. Crowell!

The Local 1007 hockey team won the "A" side of the City of Edmonton Managers Cup in April. Congratulations to team members Paul McKnight, Clayton Edge, Cory Christensen, Gerald Faulder, Rick LHeureux, Fred Perri, Chris Hamilton, Tyler Campbell, Dale Hore, Norm Aust, Colin Gingles, Gavin Mitchell, Dennis Christensen and Dan McWilliams.

Local 1007 was host to the annual Dave Jillings Memorial Golf Tournament at the Victoria Golf Course in downtown Edmonton in June. The event was well attended, with 92 golfers teeing off on a perfect weather day. Many thanks to Bro. Barry Virostek for organizing the event. Congratulations to the winning team of Bryan Budge, Ken Cooper, Jeff Patterson and Sean Sedor.

Dale Southwood, P.S.

Brother Mourned

L.U. 1049 (lctt,o&u), LONG ISLAND, NYOn Friday, August 2, Local 1049 suffered a tragic loss. Journeyman lineman Dennis Strittmatter succumbed to electrical burns and internal injuries received in a work related accident involving the reconductoring of a 13.2 kV distribution line. Bro. Strittmatter was an active 16-year member, and was also one of the first in the group of outside apprentice linemen to complete the IBEW Local 1049 NEAT Program.

About one year ago, Bro. Strittmatters wife, Becky, passed away after a long illness, leaving Bro. Strittmatter a widower with four children, ages 5-19. Local 1049 established the "Strittmatter Childrens Fund." Many thanks to all who generously contributed to the fund.

Thanks to the members of the community affairs, governmental affairs and organizing committees for participating in a volunteer project at the Pal OMine Equestrian Center in June. Twenty-six members built an equestrian obstacle course and upgraded existing structures where events for disabled children are held.

Our LCTT members recently ratified a new 4-1/2-year collective bargaining agreement by over 95 percent. The contract provides enhanced wages, health and welfare benefits and significant improvements in the Annuity Fund.

Thomas J. Dowling, R.S.