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June 2003 IBEW Journal
L.U. 236 (catv,ees,govt,i,mo,rtb &t), ALBANY, NYThe Local 236 television media campaign "Powering New Yorks Tech Valley" is up and running on Albanys ABC Channel 10, whose blue-collar workers are Local 236 members. The ads are a combination of stills and video that run 30 seconds, anywhere from 15 to 30 times a day. There are four varieties of the ad, with the video scenes showing our members on various jobsites doing tasks such as pipe bending, wire pulling and other work common to our trade. The montage of stills brings out our community involvement and some of the social activities we enjoy as a union family. The focus of the ads is to display the advantages of an IBEW way of life. The nonunion sector of our industry will see we have been here a long time and will be here for a longer time to come. The campaign also emphasizes that our doors are always open to all workers and contractors in the electrical construction industry. Michael V. Doyle, P.S. L.U. 238 (i,mo,o&u), ASHEVILLE, NCGreetings, brothers and sisters. Local 238 is ready and able to begin a new season of community service projects. I have been elected the Asheville Tourists Childrens Fund vice president for the 2003 baseball season. This will allow our members to be involved in fund-raising for the "If The Shoe Fits" program to provide shoes to county school children who cannot afford them. We are quickly becoming known for our generosity and hard work as we work with this group for the betterment of childrens lives. A short list of this years events include: the Human Race 5K walk/run, a Charlie Daniels concert (we will work concessions), a meet the players and team mascot Ted E. Tourist Lunch for kids, with speed pitch and batting cage, Friday and Saturday home games (where we will help operate a tennis ball throw for prizes including $1,000 worth of gasoline) and a golf tournament. Dont forget our annual picnic and awards day on August 16. Clear your schedule to attend this wonderful day of fellowship and fun. Rick Sluder, Pres. L.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts &st), SALEM, ORThe University of Oregons new football stadium opened for business in September 2002, and thanks to the hard work of our members it is a beauty! Signatory contractor L.H. Morris, with a very compressed time frame, undertook the $80 million expansion. Over 60 electricians worked overtime and weekends to get the project done for the opening game of the college football season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The stadium was expanded from 45,000 seats to 57,000 seats, and impressive private suites were added along with concession stands, elevators and other amenities. When a job of this magnitude, size and scope has to be done on time and under budget only the best get called into action. Local 280 electricians performed admirably, making us all proud of our skill and craftsmanship. Good job, brothers and sisters! Spring is the best time to take advantage of the classes offered through our journeyman-training program. Take time out of your busy schedule to keep up on the latest code changes and technology! Jerry Fletcher, P.S. L.U. 288 (i,rts,spa&u), WATERLOO, IALocal 288 celebrated its 100th anniversary this past June with a dinner dance, along with presentations by several guest speakers, including Int. Pres. Edwin Hill. What a great opportunity it was to celebrate this milestone, reminisce on our past and look forward to our future. We also remember those who led the way for Local 288. The slogan for the celebration was "Honoring Our PastDedicating Our Future." With that in mind, Local 288 held a rededication of our charter to the next 100 years. We thank the Anniversary Committee for their time and efforts in putting together an excellent celebration. It was by no means an easy task. Since George W. Bush has become president, unemployment has been steadily rising throughout the United States. It doesnt appear as though things are going to turn around any time soon. In slow economic times such as these, it is important to be active in your local union and to be politically active. Local 288 currently has approximately 30 percent of our members on the out-of-work list. Fortunately, there is a bright spot in our Mason City area. The Local signed onto a project labor agreement for the Interstate Power and Light powerhouse in Mason City for work scheduled to start in February 2003. Tom Adamson, P.S. L.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS, MNAny member who thinks that it doesnt matter who wins election can etch this Republican-controlled era into your memory. We have far too many members who say they are not going to be told how to vote, and will vote against labor if their special interest isnt being fought for as they see fit. In a fashion these brothers and sisters are like "Reverse Salts." Theyre accomplishing exactly what the anti-union contingent wants: slowly causing our destruction. Work is still slow here and the appearance of a good summer does not look good. At this writing we have around 500 journeymen and around 200 apprentices out of work. At this writing our negotiating team is busy with the contractors. Work safe and buy American, although the task becomes harder and harder with the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country. When will enough be enough? Chuck Gleason, P.S.
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