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L.U. 1141 (i,rts&spa), OKLAHOMA CITY, OKAt a February open house, we officially christened our new union hall located at 1700 S.E. 15th St. in Oklahoma City. The Activities Committee provided a barbeque lunch with all the trimmings. We had twice the expected turnoutan overwhelming success!

The new union hall sits on 10 acres and is a modern, newly remodeled facility with 17,700 square feet of local union offices and meeting hall facilities, with expansion available under the same roof. We are delighted to have this new facility and sadly bring to a close the history and tradition of the 1141 N.W. First St. location that served us very well for 80+years. Come by and see us.

Also, we would like to recognize 158 members and congratulate them for 4,080 years of combined service. These honors were distributed in March 2003. Thanks to all for your dedication to the union by always striving to uphold the ideals of the labor movement.

H. Marty Crain, Jr., B.M./F.S.

Annual Picnic Held

The annual picnic of Local 1191 was enjoyed by all.

L.U. 1191 (u), WEST PALM BEACH, FLOur annual Picnic was held on April 27. More than 130 members and family attended, and everyone had a great time. Special thanks go to the picnic committee for a job well done.

FPL is continuing to give more new construction work back to the union. Most of this work had previously been given to contractors. Reports have been positive regarding the quality of work and the adherence to safety by our union workers. We hope that continued excellent work along with feedback that we supply, will result in more new construction work being offered to FPL union crews.

We now have nine apprentice lineman positions in the Boca and Boynton Service Centers. These apprentices are utilizing show-up locations throughout the L.U. 1191 area to get the training they need.

Workers comp has issued new guidelines concerning "light duty". Our job stewards will use these guidelines to help our injured employees get back to work. Even injured employees with "restrictions" can be productive. Visit our Web site at www.ibewlu1191.org.

Harry Thomas, P.S.

Hall Named for Weakley

From left to right, Local 1245, member Ron Weakley is shown here in 50s with then-Int. Pres. J. Scott Milne, middle and Senior Asst. Bus. Mgr. L.L. Mitchell.

L.U. 1245 (o,u,t,em,catv,trtr,govt, &pet), WALNUT CREEK, CAThe Executive Board has decided to name the local unions new headquarters after founder Ronald Weakley. Located in Vacaville, the new building has twice the size of the unions current Walnut Creek facility.

Weakley, who now resides in Hawaii and maintains an active interest in union affairs, plans to attend a dedication ceremony this fall in person or via a pre-recorded video.

Weakley began organizing at Pacific Gas & Electric in 1941 under the banner of the Utility Workers Organzing Committee, affiliated with the CIO. But fierce competition between the Utility Workers and the IBEW prevented either union from successfully organizing PG&E employees. In pursuit of unity, Weakley was the driving force behind some 5,000 Utility Workers joining the IBEW in the late 1940s.

Weakley served as Local 1245s business manager throughout the 1950s and 1960s, a period that saw rapid growth in the number of employers organized by the union, and the establishment of many of the principal features of the PG&E contract.

Meeting rooms at the new headquarters will be named in honor of three other respected leaders of the union: former Bus. Mgr. L. L. Mitchell and former Pres. Lee Thomas, both now deceased, and former Bus. Mgr. Jack McNally.

Eric Wolfe, P.S.

Mourning Our Loss

Former Local 1260 Bus. Mgr. Norman Ahakuelo

L.U. 1260 (u,mo,rts,rtb,ees,catv,& spa) HONOLULU, HIOn May 4, 2003, retired Bus. Mgr./F.S. and former Honolulu Fire Commissioner Norman Elias Ahakuelo died. This esteemed and visionary leader was honored by countless friends and constituents in the business, labor and political community. "Norman led the union through a lot of changes always with compassion and dignity," said Mike May, Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc. president. "He always had our utmost respect," said Harry H. K. Kameenui, Bus. Mgr./F.S. "Norman will be remembered as a man of his word and we will always be grateful for his contributions in making the quality of life better for the membership."

This great man was a revered leader and a dear friend with a powerful commitment and passion for the labor movement, always striving to improve the working conditions and the quality of life for the membership. His legacy is a lesson to us all: "to learn from the past in order to focus on the future." Aloha and Mahalo Norman.

Patrick Custino, R.S.

Generous Volunteers

Some Local 1289 members and their children gather around the Easter Bunny.

L.U. 1289 (u), LAKEWOOD, NJLocal 1289 is very fortunate to have great volunteers who are extremely generous with their time and talents. It shows in such events as the annual Easter Egg Hunt in which children separate into age groups for the hunt and for a picture book coloring contest for which prizes are given. The Easter Bunny posed with each youngster for a picture. Parents brought home-baked goods.

Ed Stroup, B.M.