Related Articles
Related Articles
September 2003 IBEW Journal L.U. 595 (c,govt,i,o&st), DUBLIN, CAThis years "Rebuilding Together" (formerly Christmas in April) brought together 37 volunteers from Local 595 to make safe housing for disabled persons and seniors. Local 595 members put in a total of 11,400 hours on 11 projects in Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, and Oakland. This included four complete rewires with service changes. Special recognition goes to retired member Ron Fudala for his part in organizing the effort. Many thanks to all who participated in helping others in our community. It has been a challenging year for the apprentices of Local 595. In response to these tough economic times, our up and coming members have formed a committee comprised of delegate apprentices from each apprenticeship class. Their goal is to promote unionism and camaraderie at the JATC. They have donated a flagpole to the building and a raffle was instated to boost the morale of out-of-work apprentices. Their reports at our union meetings have been an inspiration to the members attending. As the presidential campaign winds up, it is not too soon to be thinking about what the outcome will mean to our union. National Right-to-Work laws are being set into place that are making it difficult if not impossible for organized labor to have a voice. It is time for members to rethink their commitment to the union and what "union" means to them. We need to educate ourselves about the issues, take seriously the threat to our quality of life and our ability to work with dignity. This administration has declared war on unions. Get involved by talking to brothers and sisters in the work place. Vote for candidates that will represent us and take workers needs into consideration during the lawmaking process. Marta Schultz, P.S.
LU 601 (i&rtb), CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, ILAt the Local 601 JATC graduation banquet In June, apprentices graduating were Dirk Van Cleave, R.J. Hettinger, Doug Dahl, Thad Terven, Don Kilgore, Tammy Taylor, Jeff Blackburn, Kirk Lange, Tim Bender, Kenny Hall, Frank Revell and Larry Pittsley. Brother Dirk Van Cleave received an outstanding achievement award for academics as well as involvement in the local unions functions. Our local bass tournament in May had a beautiful day at Clinton Lake with 10 boats entered, and I hope that everyone enjoyed the brotherhood. This years winning team was Bros. Cecil Reynolds and Bill Gantz. We recently negotiated a one-year residential contract for $1.75 and at the time of this writing we are experiencing full employment and currently have 400 on Book II. The local mourns the loss of Brothers: Loren Walston, Howard Barham, Daniel Gula, Russell Quayle, Robert Sullivan and Donald Moore. Chris Cook, P.S. L.U. 625 (ees,em,i,mar &mt), HALIFAX, NS, CANADAThanks to the more than 50 members who volunteered to help rewire the Veith House. This Halifax icon is essential to low-income families and to anyone in need of counseling, pre-school, community internet access, job searches, resumes, etc. When Veith House approached our local they were in danger of being shut down by the Fire Marshall and losing their government funding. Provincial Electric heard our appeal, put two men on site at cost and contacted suppliers for donated material. Under Peter Dows supervision, the job came together as Local 625 members volunteered more than 1,000 hours of labor. Both a new member orientation course and a COMET class were held in May. Both of these courses will be re-offered, and we encourage everyone to attend. A tip of the hard hat to these Local 625 members who retired in the first half of 2003: Winston Cheeseman, Bill Oakes, Dwight Ross, Douglas Oakley, Victor Demont, Garnet Harvey, Keith Bourne, Richard Wallace, Ron McKinley, Howard LeFresne, Barry MacDonald, and Greg Bona. Local 625 and the IBEW wish to thank these members for their many years of loyal service. Good Luck, brothers. Tom Griffiths, P.S.
L.U. 639 (i,o&rts), SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALocal 639 is now training members to pass the California State Electrical Certification (CSEC), which becomes mandatory on January 1, 2005. Some members are enrolled in classroom training while others have chosen an Internet course, obtained through the NJATC, to prepare for the test. Congratulations to Brother Randy Sheets, who was the first Local 639 electrician to pass and be issued a state license. In recognition of his accomplishment, the LMCC reimbursed him the cost of application and test fees. Organizer Mark Satterfield has taken advantage of work being slow by putting on several COMET I and COMET II classes. They were well attended and resulted in several members volunteering to salt. It was especially good to see "repeat customers" in the classes who wanted a refresher course on lessons of COMET. The Buildings Trades Council has secured a Project Labor Agreement on the Dry Cask Storage project at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. There are several more permits that need to be obtained before the project can start, but we are hopeful that it will break ground sometime next year. I am deeply saddened to report the passing of longtime member Larry Martin. Brother Martin was initiated into Local 639 in 1971 and served the local in many capacities including the Executive Board. He was undoubtedly the most knowledgeable electrician and a strong believer in the IBEW. He was a true brother and will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Hank Lewis, P.S.
L.U. 665 (i,rts&spa), LANSING, MIThe weather cooperated, the food was excellent, the prizes were appreciated, all of the activities were fun, but seeing your brothers and sisterspriceless. Everyone had an exceptional time this year at the annual picnic. Thank you to all the members and spouses who helped contribute in making the picnic a success. Our annual Retirees Banquet was held on Sunday, June 1 in Lansing with the largest attendance in recent years. It was nice to see so many of our retirees and their spouses present. These are the brothers who taught us how to be electricians. It was a time that we, as a local, could reflect back at each individuals history and think about how the electrical trade has changed. To remain on top of our field, we must always remember the sacrifices and challenges our retired brothers faced to achieve what the electrical trade has today, and we should seek ways to learn and strive to be the best in our chosen profession. We especially wish to acknowledge Don Fox and Skip Smith with their 65-year service awards. On a less optimistic note, work in the Greater Lansing area is still slow. We are hoping that work will break soon, but with our economy, and the country still in Iraq, our future outlook is bleak. Who knows what will be in store for us? Hope to see you at the next union meeting. Jeremy Hidalgo, P.S. |
Local
595 Rebuilding Together volunteers are pictured with Ron Fudala,
third from left.
Local
601 JATC graduates.
Local
639 Bro. Randy Sheets, left is congratulated by Bus. Mgr. Hank
Lewis.
Pictured
left to right are Local 665 Bros. Don Fox and Skip Smith receiving
their 65-year service awards from Bus. Mgr. Bill Patrick.