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November 2002 IBEW Journal

Retirees Honored

L.U. 97 (u), SYRACUSE, NYDuring our August regular meeting, Bus. Mgr. Thomas Primero, Jr. presented jackets and years of service pins to many of our brothers and sisters who retired over the past year. Bus. Mgr. Primero and staff congratulate and wish them a long and happy retirement.

Many of those retirees were at one time or another a steward or officer. Like the companies we work for, our union will also be facing an aging work force. Our younger members need to keep that in mind and start getting involved in the business of the local. Time flies, and it wont be long before they will have to step up to the plate.

To those who are beginning to become involved, many thanks from Bus. Mgr. Primero and staff. Often the only reward is the knowledge that you are helping your brothers and sisters, but we could not run the local without you. We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer and will finish the year in the same manner. See you at the meetings.

Dan Wismont, Bus. Rep.

Work Together
L.U. 99 (govt&i), PROVIDENCE, RIThe membership elected Bro. Allen P. Durand as business manager. As with every election, there are good candidates with good ideas, but then it seems that those who lose take their ideas and go away.

I would like to suggest that all members work together to help the new business manager and all elected officers put us on the right path. The union is not one person or one elected official, it is the hearts and minds of all the good sisters and brothers and elected officials moving forward as one.

Christmas in April was another success, with a turnout of about 100 inside wiremen helping to fix homes of needy families. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped, and for the tireless efforts of Bro. Mike DAmico for organizing the event.

Work has been great for years now, so lets keep that momentum. Remember what Will Rogers said, "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." Get involved!

Joseph L. Walsh, Jr., P.S.

License Renewals
L.U. 103 (cs&i), BOSTON, MALocal 103 hosted its first annual brotherhood family cookout on Labor Day weekend. Parents and children alike participated in activities, games, moonwalks, face painting, raffles and food. Thanks to Lou Antonellis, Jim Fay and the financial secretarys office staff for all the hard work that made it a great success.

At the fourth Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Jimmy Fund/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute held in August 16, approximately 100 members raised money for cancer research, which has hit close to home for several of our members and their families. A special note of thanks to the organizations that helped sponsor this event

Massachusetts state licenses must be renewed within the next 20 months. This will either take place on three Saturdays or six evenings. All members should have already received paperwork, but if you have not, please call the JATC office at 617-436-0980.

Bill Molineaux, P.S.

Negotiations Update
L.U. 111 (em,lctt,mt,o,rtb,spa&u), DENVER, COSoutheast Colorado Power ratified a three-year contract, with the inside (clerical) receiving 3 percent on each anniversary date and the skilled (outside) receiving 5 percent the first year, 2 percent the second year and 3 percent the final year. All members will maintain medical insurance co-pays of 90 percent paid by the company and 10 percent paid by the employees.

Negotiations are in progress under the Service Contract Act S.M.I. at the Schriever Air Force Base.

An agreement has been reached and ratified by the newly organized engineers at United Power REA. These new members received substantial wage increases and their pay now ranges from 103 percent to 108 percent of the journeyman lineman rate.

PSCO Distribution Substation Operators are still in negotiations, without a contract after over two years of negotiations.

Intermountain REA membership ratified a one-year agreement, which gave a 3 percent across the board wage increase, with the company paying 100 percent of the employees health insurance premiums.

Nonunion employees of Public Service Company of Colorado have been flooding to the Union Hall to have union protection, and the right to collectively bargain with their employer. We have had approximately 10 separate work units of former nonunion PSCO employees who have become members of our Local Union.

John L. Davis, P.S.

New Flag Poles

L.U. 125 (lctt,o&u) PORTLAND, ORThe Local 125 hall now has flag poles outside its main entrance. The American flag and the Local 25 flag fly side-by-side and are visible from the Interstate 84 freeway, which runs north of the halls parking lot. Thanks to the local staff for installing the poles.

The Sixth Annual Benefit Golf Classic was held July 6 in Hood River, OR. The 2002 event raised over $57,600 for the Oregon Burn Centers Burn Education and Safety Awareness Program. Major sponsors included IBEW Local 125, Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp, Northwest Natural and OPEIU Local 11. The Classic has raised over $305,000 for the Burn Center.

The ninth-annual Northwest Linemans Rodeo was held July 27 in Portland. Thirteen lineman teams, 11 apprentices and four tree trimming teams competed, and spouse and childrens events were also offered. The Rodeo raised $1,500 for families of the Utah Power electrical accident victims and $600 for the Burn Center.

The 18^th Annual Local 125 Charity Softball Tournament was held August 17-18 in Bend, OR, and also raised $2,000 for Burn Center programs. Some 250 individuals participated in or attended the event.

Marc Anderson, P.S.