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January/February 2004 IBEW Journal
L.U. 150 (es,i,rts&spa), WAUKEGAN, IL-On Dec. 3 Local 150 honored its retired members. With 50 years of service are John Foli, Leathel McDaniel, Merrill Miller, Richard Schubert, Eugene Temple, James Wieder and with 55 years is Jim Holst. Thank you brothers for all your years of service and dedication to our members. Rick Lang, son of retired Bro. Norm Lang, was honored with 150's first honorary membership for his committed service to our brothers and their families. The local Christmas party was a great success thanks to the hard work of retired members and their families. Scholarship applications are available Jan. 2-April 30 for all 150 members and their dependants. Congratulations to Russ Koch, the new president of the "150 Sparks" program, and thanks to John Crawford, past president, for all his hard work to continue this very important program. Scotty Klepac, P.S.
L.U. 153 (em,i,rtb,rts,se,spa&st), SOUTH BEND, IN-We wish a happy retirement to Al Liedtke. Al has worked at DC Cook since the late 1960s as a journeyman wireman, foreman and general foreman. After nearly two years the University of Notre Dame will soon have a new performing arts center. Local 153 members on the Trans Tech project at the university have done a great job. The Marie P. DeBartolo Center for Performing Arts will include a THX cinema, concert hall, main stage theater, recording studio and an organ hall. Mike Taff, P.S. L.U. 159 (i), MADISON, WI-We are optimistic that our employment fortunes will rebound from a long torpor as a few large jobs gain momentum. The addition on the University of Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium is starting up, and the West campus co-gen is shaping up quickly. The Holiday Fantasy in Lights display is working its magic. Thanks to our apprentices, retirees and all others involved with the setup and operation of the display. The December service award ceremony featured 11 50-year pin recipients and five 55-year pin recipients. Having recently completed a stint as an "LTE" (limited term employee) at the University of Wisconsin Physical Plant, I commend our brother and sister full-time employees working there for their impressive level of professionalism, skill and commitment to keeping the wheels turning on campus. The same can be said of IBEW employees at the University Hospital. All Local 159 LTE's also bring the same level of commitment to their 1,040-hour tours. We should remember fellow union members and working people who are struggling in these turbulent, anti-union times. Workers at the Whole Foods Market here in Madison, the first Whole Foods store to vote (in 2002) for union representation, have been subjected to terrible retribution, which culminated in a decertification vote. The vote carried, after the company harassed, intimidated and dismissed many pro-union employees. In Jefferson, WI, Tyson Foods is waging war on its unionized work force (UFCW Local 538), having locked employees out since February 2003. Union members have been hanging tough, but winter is here and they have been without income for a long time. Declare which side you're on by donating food items for the UFCW members at Tyson, and stay away from Whole Foods Market. I hope we are seeing the waning months of labor's darkest hours (which coincide with the presidency of George W. Bush). The era of "compassionate conservatism" turned out to be one of mean-spirited extremism. Michael H. Leaderman, Pres./P.S.
L.U. 164 (c,i,o&t), JERSEY CITY, NJ-Local 164 JATC held its annual apprentice graduation and academic achievement awards banquet in the auditorium of our state-of-the-art training academy in Paramus, NJ. Addressing the graduates were Dennis Fitzgerald, U.S. Dept. of Labor-BAT; Robert Sieminski, New Jersey Dept. of Education; and NECA Chapter Manager Roger Simonds. Bus. Mgr. Richard Dressel delivered the keynote address and presented academic achievement awards. He urged them to attend the many journeyman skill improvement courses offered by Local 164 and to stay on the "cutting edge" of technology. Local 164's 2003 outing at Krucker's Grove in Pamona, NY, saw more than 700 members in attendance. Festivities began with breakfast and lasted until 6 p.m. with food, games, sporting events and the famous tug-of-war. David Milazzo, Pres. L.U. 180 (rr), VALLEJO, CA-The school bond money has helped counter the major downturn in private work. All of the new school projects are manned. What has helped put traveling members to work is the summer modernization work. This should be available again in June-August of 2004. Stay informed, visit the "Work Picture" at www.ibewlu180.org. Thanks to all who helped man the work. Thanks to members for supporting our candidates in the last election. With this election, we have increased the number of labor friendly people on city councils and school boards. This has afforded the local increased exposure to our training and input in putting local people to work. The high road has its rewards. We now have the end user requesting the PLA. Two Local 180 brothers made the big move and became home grown electrical contractors. Bill Woltz and Brad Wilson approached Curt Jaggers of Solano Communications with an opportunity. One month later, the three incorporated into Solano Communications and Electric. Thank you for expanding the contractor base and we wish you the best of luck. Michael C. Smith, Bus. Agent |
