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July/August 2003 IBEW Journal

Joint Organizing Effort

L.U. 131 (i,rtb,rts&spa), KALAMAZOO, MIWe have good employment throughout the local. We are now in the last stages of completion of the Covert Power Plant at Covert Michigan. I would like to thank all of those traveling brothers and sisters who made this project possible.

In our continued effort to organize, we have joined forces with our sister Local 445 of Battle Creek to build and improve our residential market share. This is an important step for both locals in the building of a sound foundation with a common goal of organizing.

Our sincere condolences to the families on the deaths of Bros. Bill Slater, Omer Plothow, Norman Williams, James Crabtree and James Burkhead.

Mark Szekely, P.S.

New Wiremen

L.U. 141 (ees,i,o&u), WHEELING, WVThe work picture in our area looks more promising, as site work has begun for a Cabelas superstore and distribution center, and developers are interested in another site in South Wheeling.

The IBEW 141 Federal Credit Union held its annual dinner recently, with many members in attendance. Also, a family picnic is scheduled for August of this year.

Congratulations to our newest wiremen. Those recently completing their five-year apprenticeship include Adam Combs, Fred Ebert, Joe Hall, Jeff McGlaughlin, Tom Schiffer, John Sharpe, Tom Steele, and Chad Thornburg.

Our members are currently busy taking training courses in effective supervision, drug awareness, OSHA 10, code changes, and technical topics. Special thanks to all of the instructors involved in the process.

Our members are supporting the Wheeling Police efforts to gain collective bargaining rights, and we are hopeful that they are successful.

Condolences to the family of Bro. Lawrence Duncan, who recently passed away.

Thomas Conner, P.S.

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Girls Labor Activity Day

L.U. 145 (em,i,o,rts,spa&u), ROCK ISLAND, ILOn April 5, the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), in cooperation with the Quad City Federation of Labor, sponsored Girls Labor Activity Day. Approximately 65 girls between 10 and 15 years of age attended.

The goal of the event was to give girls some ideas about careers they may not normally consider and show them work done by union members in our community. Local 145 Journeyman Cindy Burke assisted participants on simple wiring. The third-year technician class, including Mike Hippler, Sean Kirby, Jeff Koehler, Jarad Reynolds and Theresa Shinners, assisted the girls in phone splicing and data wiring punch down.

The annual local union picnic for our retirees, members and their families was scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve. This is always a great opportunity for a casual get-together for our entire membership.

Our sympathy goes out to the family and friends of members we have recently lost. They are: John Coleman, George Curta, Caleb Decker, Frank Ege, Fred Garrett, William Kirk, Daniel Lindgren, Hubert Mathes, Alfred Oppelt, Robert Ryan, Kenneth Sippel and Charles VanCamp.

Gery Schemel III, P.S.

775 Dedicated Years

Local 153 member Ken Moon, center, celebrates his 55 years of service with his daughter Connie Moon and son Dave Moon, both of whom are also IBEW members.

L.U. 153 (em,i,rtb,rts,se,spa&st), - SOUTH BEND, INWe recently presented years of service certificates and pins to some very special individuals with a combined total of 775 years of dedication to our trade.

Congratulations to 55-year members Ken Moon, Robert Douglass, Merritt Gordon, Art Coddens and Robert Newman and 50-year members Dale Barclay, Ben Bonfoey, Leland Clark, James Davis, John Doyle, Roger Gill, Walter Kolasa, Tony Maloney, Frank Parks and Larry Stoops. These members have helped make Local 153 what it is today and we thank them.

Mike Taff, P.S.

Summer Workload

L.U. 159 (i), MADISON, WIGreetings from Wisconsins capital city local, where we are still mired in a profoundly slow building economy. Over 100 members remain idled, waiting to return to the business of building. The Business Office remains confident that the projected summer workload will assure that everyone who has waited will be rewarded.

The effect of protracted unemployment has been felt beyond each individual, as the local must carry on its efforts with reduced dues income. For that reason it is important that the employed members do their utmost to work within the rules of our "documents" (Bylaws, Agreement & Constitution). When you stop to realize that much in the "work-a-day" world is established by precedent, it is good reason not to "freelance" on our rules, even when times are as tough as they currently are. Our working rules are not seasonal, nor do they adjust for high or low(er) employment.

Shortly before this article is printed the local will have its night out at the Madison Mallards baseball park and shortly after that the locals golf outing will take place. "Laborfest" is approaching (Labor Day, at the Labor Temple) and always needs volunteers. Support our UFCW brothers & sisters who are on strike against Tyson in Jefferson, WI.

Michael H. Leaderman, P.S.