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June 2003 IBEW Journal
L.U. 40 (em,i&mps), HOLLYWOOD, CACongratulations to the first Local 40 IBEW/NECA journeymen graduating class. On Sunday, Feb. 23, Bus. Mgr. Rick DesJardins, Training Dir. Lawrence Boudreaux and a group of our finest apprentices came together in Studio City at the Sportsmens Lodge for a Certification Ceremony. Mr. Paul Manning, from the State of California Apprenticeship Standards Division, addressed the group at lunch. Special congratulations to Bro. Jerry McLinn, who was awarded the Outstanding Apprentice award. This proud group embodies all the ideals and knowledge that make the IBEW a strong brotherhood and a skilled workforce. We look forward to the contributions that these newly certified journeymen will make to our union in the years ahead. We wish them all the best in their exciting careers as IBEW electricians. Michael Courtois, P.S. L.U. 46 (c,em,i,rtb,rts&st), SEATTLE, WAWork is still slow here in the Emerald City. We have many out of work members on Book I and no chance of work for our traveling brothers and sisters. This is a good time to participate in service to the union, and we always need people to help with organizing and other committees. The stewards are asking all members to attend their meetings. The Political Action Committee will give you a positive way to protect union rights through political ACTION. Thanks to Bus. Mgr. Gary Price and his staff for addressing the issues that are important to the membership. We have seen a great deal of change since his induction as business manager and hope that through working together we can continue to create an employment opportunity working people will be proud to fight for. With summer here in the Pacific Northwest, many of us will be boating, hiking and riding motorcycles. REMEMBER that safety is important off the job too! Kevin Quinlan, P.S. L.U. 48 (c,em,i,rtb,rts&st), PORTLAND, ORLocal 48 has many members serving our country in the Armed Forces. Many of these brothers and sisters are currently stationed in the Persian Gulf and Iraq. They are in our minds and prayers daily. We wish them well and support them and their familys efforts to fulfill their duty to the USA that they have volunteered freely to do so. May God bless them and keep them safe and return them home to their loved ones. Oregon once again leads the nation in unemployment. Over 7.5 percent of the people in Oregon are unemployed at this time and many of them are Local 48 members. Washington is not faring much better and is in the top three for unemployment. The few large jobs are now winding down and very few are in the immediate future. Perhaps as the Iraqi conflict abroad comes to an end work will pick up. Many Local 48 members are using this time to complete their continuing education needs as the next license cycle in Oregon is quickly approaching. The Training Center has sent out listings for spring classes. Classes are filling rapidly; so respond quickly for the best selection. Dave Jacobsen, P.S. L.U. 58 (em,i,rtb&spa), DETROIT, MIIts all about the economy. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity in the U.S. and it is on the decline. When an individual is unemployed for more than six months, which has climbed to 1.7 million of us, you tighten the belt and spend less. The manufacturing sector continues to shed jobs and long-term joblessness is still rising. The economy is not creating jobs, and Michigan ranks number 42 in highest unemployment out of 51 states and is 6.2 percent as of January 2003. President Bush has ordered the Labor Department not to publish statistics of mass layoff since the January report. Economic good times didnt provide every American with health care coverage. What will happen in darker days, as the number of uninsured seems destined to grow? For Detroit, it is not all bad news. As the weather breaks, members are looking at a $660 million job at Mazda, a Visteon project near Metro Airport and the public schools bond issues will continue work in Dearborn, Huron Valley and Milford schools. There is also seven years left on the 10-year plan for the Tech Center at GM, and there are still the casinos. Think positive and work safe. Kathy Devlin, P.S. L.U. 68 (i), DENVER, COThese are troubled times for all Americans. Our sons and daughters are on foreign soil fighting a war that provokes many conflicting views. Whether you agree or disagree with the war, one thing that we all must remember is that our brothers and sisters are fighting for us. It is my belief that above all else they are fighting for our right as Americans to agree or disagree with this conflict, and all of the rights that we as Americans enjoy. So it doesnt really matter what side of the argument you stand onas long as you remember that our troops are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives, they need all of us to stand together and support them. It is my greatest hope that by the time you read this our troops are heading home. God speed, brothers and sisters. Daniel J. Curtin, Pres.
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