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July/August 2003 IBEW Journal

Contractor Troubles

Local 196 members and officers are: back row; Andy Taft, Rec. Sec.; Darwin Markham, 10 years; Dave Remer, 10 years; Ed Mings, Bus. Mgr.; Rich Reed, E-Board. Front row; Rod Brossart, Pres.; Jeff Vesley, 5 years; Don Wendlandt, 5 years; Steve Alexander, 30 years; Steve Jones, Sec. Tres.

L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u) Rockford, ILLocal 196 congratulates those members who came to the April meeting to receive their service pins. The accompanying picture shows the members and officers. Receiving service pins were: Steve Alexander, 30 years; Darwin Markham, 10 years; Dave Remer, 10 years; Jeff Vesley, 5 years, and Don Wendlandt, 5 years.

Our local will continue to fight to keep all IBEW work under our collective bargaining agreements.

Edgar R. Mings, Jr., B.M.

Delivering Under Pressure

L.U. 237 (i), NIAGARA FALLS, NYThe Seneca Nation of Indians was granted permission from New York State to build a casino on sovereign land in downtown Niagara Falls that included the outdated convention center. The decision was made to retrofit this building to house a new, $80 million temporary casino. The only problem was that it had to be up and running by December 31, 2002.

Thanks to the round-the-clock work of over 100 of our members and four separate electrical contractors, as well as over 1,300 other union trades workers, the casino opened in the 100-day time frame. This was impressive because the building is basically brand new inside the old shell. New electrical distribution, service equipment, and lighting had to be coordinated with other trades to ensure limited down time.

At the opening ceremony on New Years Eve, the Seneca Nations President, Cyrus Schindler, and others praised the work of union trades. It was a proud day.

Work here is slow again, but there are other projects on the drawing board. Have a safe, enjoyable summer. If you make it up here, come check out our casino!

Jeffrey Plache, P.S.

Progress Has Its Price

From left, Local 245 Bros. Pete Gramza, Carl Yenrick (since deceased) and Ken Erdmann.

L.U. 245 (govt,lctt,o,rtb&u), TOLEDO, OHNew technology is a good thing when it brings us new conveniences and improves our quality of life. Its not such a good thing when it eliminates our jobs and forces us into a shared jurisdiction, such as what is happening at our TV broadcast stations. It is also not a good thing when you are trying to restart a 1970s vintage nuclear plant with 2000s technology and everyone questions what these new accuracies are telling us.

We are currently in negotiations with one of our TV stations WTVG TV (ABC) and Hancock/Wood, our newly organized Co-op.

On the Edison property the Bayshore Plant is looking at solutions to their projected loss of manpower over the next three years. Energy delivery is still struggling with a shortage of manpower and the spring/summer storms.

Davis Besse is working its way through a very labor intense start-up schedule. Current projected on-line date is end of July. Outside construction work continues to be slow.

On a sad note, we mourn the passing of longtime Bus. Mgr., friend and pioneer of the labor movement, Carl Yenrick. Carl was well-respected by both management and union members. He will always be remembered as a man whose word was as good as gold. He will be greatly missed.

Ray Zychowicz, P.S.

A Topnotch Class

Local 257 apprenticeship graduates are, left to right, Richard Saladino, Tracy Smith, Simon Edwards, Adam Haslag, Cody Strickland, Rodney Hart, Jeff Munson, Scott Hart and Brian Kaiser.

L.U. 257 (em,i,rtb,rts,spa&t), JEFFERSON CITY, MOPushing forward into tomorrow with the new graduating apprenticeship class. Having worked with several of these men, I know they will do well training the journeymen of tomorrow. Congratulations to Richard Saladino, Tracy Smith, Simon Edwards, Adam Haslag, Cody Strickland, Rodney Hart, Jeff Munson, Scott Hart and Brian Kasier.

With all the changes in technology, our local has upgraded the training facility and equipment and is offering a new program for organized hands. We now have an accelerated apprentice (two-year) program for those who qualify, which helped bring in men at a higher rate of pay and get them away from the non-union contractors.

Greg Schrock is the first-year teacher for the accelerated class, with Mark Gillmore teaching the second year. Terry Ruff has moved to second-year teacher of the standard apprenticeship class, filling the space left by Dave Scott, all under the direction of our new Apprenticeship Director Ron Burket.

Work on the new prison is in full swing, with about 50 electricians, between the two contractors. The University of Missouri is keeping several men working, as always. Its still pretty slow but starting to pick up.

I regret to inform you of the passing of Bros. Charlie Bax and William Beeler.

John Christian, P.S.

Horalek Wins Scouting Award

Local 265 Brother Blaine Horalek proudly displays his George Meany Scouting Award.

L.U. 265 (i,mt,rts&spa), LINCOLN, NELocal 265 Brother Blaine Horalek was presented the George Meany Scouting Award at the Lincoln Central Labor Unions Annual Awards Banquet held January 31, 2003. This award is a national recognition approved by the AFL-CIO Executive Council. It may be presented to any union member who has made a significant contribution to Scouting. The honor is in recognition of Blaines many hours of volunteering in various roles on a number of Scouting projects for several years.

Brother Horalek is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster and Camping Coordinator for Troop 8, as well as Unit Commissioner for the Cornhusker Council of Boy Scouts of America. Blaine is a leader, a friend, and mentor for Scouts and their families in our community. Local 265 congratulates him on his award and his commitment to Scouting.

Kristopher Swanson, P.S.