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May 2003 IBEW Journal
L.U. 915 (i&mt), TAMPA, FLThomas F. Swindle was the outstanding apprentice among Februarys 20 graduating fifth-year apprentices. Tom received a plaque, a set of Klein tools and $500 from the JATC. Also honored was Clayton P. Bostick, who received the "Brad Felker Humanitarian Award." Bro. Douglas J. Smolt was awarded $50 and a plaque for his perfect attendance for his entire five years of apprenticeshipan outstanding achievement! As outstanding apprentices for the first year through the fourth year, a plaque and $50 were awarded to: first year, Brian W. Maxwell; second year, a tie between Jeffrey A. Maya and Diane Weiss; third year, Steven J. Kira; fourth year, Geoffrey P. Hutchison. A plaque of appreciation was awarded to the family of the late John D. Rivera, who served as chairman as well as secretary-treasurer many times during his 30 years of outstanding service to the JATC. The graduating inside wiremen were: Jason Anderson, Paul Brandis, Patrick Flannery, David Mercer, Carlos Regalado, Ryan Wilson, Patrick Arondel deHayes, Don Canty Jr., Angel Lopez, Vincente Munoz, Francisco Rodriquez, Bradley Stout, Matthew Woodward, Clayton Bostic, Michael Davis, Lionel Mendoza, Willie Poole Jr., Luis Rosas II and Thomas Swindle. Graduating residential apprentices were Joshua Hutton and Mark Cuthbertson. Bob Kaiser, P.S.
L.U. 949 (t&u), BURNSVILLE, MNThe International Office has awarded IBEW Life Saving Awards to Bros. Michael Hansen and Chris Seadlund. Upon arriving at a job site on Sept. 13, 2001, they noticed smoke coming from a nearby residence. After alerting a woman and child, they entered the smoke-filled house and helped another person out. At the time emergency personnel arrived, Bros. Hansen and Seadlund were attempting to get yet another person out of the basement. Bro. Hansen is a gas foreman and Bro. Seadlund is a pipefitter-welder with Alliant Energy, Albert Lea, MN. Our brothers and sisters who work at Xcel Energys Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Red Wing, MN, need our support during this sessions legislative debate over additional dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel. Without this additional storage, the facility will be unable to continue operation. Please take the time to contact your legislators and encourage their full support of additional storage and for continued operation of the plant. Cy Grover, P.S. L.U. 953 (catv,em,lctt,o,spa&u), EAU CLAIRE, WILocal 953 has had recent success in organizing some of the propane gas companies that are rural electric cooperatives but have spun off to maintain their tax exempt status. The local is currently negotiating four first contracts for the new members. Existing contract negotiations for 2002 have finally been completed. Health insurance cost was the number one issue at the bargaining tableagain. On Feb. 4, 2003, the first AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council Legislative Conference focused on stopping the continuing increased loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to unfair trade deals. Last year alone the United States imported $450 billion more in goods than we exported, producing a trade deficit of more than $1.2 billion a day. We need to express our concerns to our legislators at all levels that this kind of trade deficit must stop. Dale Blank, Asst. B.M. L.U. 1049 (lctt,o&u), LONG ISLAND, NYCongratulations to Bro. Richard Fridell, Local 1049 organizer, who effective Feb. 1, 2003, was appointed to the IBEW Third District staff as the outside construction organizing coordinator. Bro. Patrick Guidice has been appointed Local 1049 Organizer. Patty has been a very active member of our local for over 22 years. On behalf of members, I wish Ricky and Patty much success. We have just completed negotiations for our Gas Craft Division. The negotiations were difficult but in the end we were successful in maintaining and improving all of the wages and benefits that the Gas Craft members have earned. Work in all of our outside craft divisions has slowed in the extreme winter weather. The Bush Administration continues to target organized labor. We urge you to get involved, join the Governmental Affairs Committee and call or write your local representative on issues important to working families. In January, Local 1049 was recognized by the American Heart Association for helping to raise over $10,000 for its annual Walk-a-thon. Please continue to bring non-perishable foods to the union hall for our food pantry. Thomas Dowling, R.S. L.U. 1191 (u), WEST PALM BEACH, FLOur membership is growing with the addition of eight new apprentice linemen to our new Palm Beach area (Jupiter to Boca). Our line crews have been working hard taking on more large distribution jobs. In doing this, they are able to provide our apprentices more training in safety and work skills. An added benefit is that we are able to eliminate some nonunion contractors from our area. On the political front, Local 1191 now has four delegates to the Palm Beach Treasure Coast Labor Council, AFL-CIO, which screens and endorses labor friendly candidates. With our Local 1191 PAC Fund we hope to strengthen our voice. The Community Affairs Committee has grown, and has many projects already off to a good start. Entering the 2004 contract meetings, we are conducting a survey of member concerns and opinions. Visit our Web site at www.ibewlu1191.org. Rian McMahon, B.M./Pres.
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