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January/February 2004 IBEW Journal L.U. 684 (c,i,o,rts&st), MODESTO, CA-The work picture for Local 684 remains dismal as we progress into spring, with most of our contractors picking up smaller jobs, just enough work to maintain their core employees. Collins will lead the pack out of the hole with work at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumme County and Merced Junior College. The TID 250 megawatt co-gen still out to bid should start the underground this spring. Medical offices near Memorial Hospital are still out to bid, and the Kaiser Hospital complex begins underground (PLA) when the traffic engineering is completed in northwest Modesto. Thanks to James McCarthy, Don Clifton and all others who helped the city of Riverbank with its Wine and Cheese Festival. Community service is a good way to remind folks of our presence in the community, especially since our union hands haven't been seeing as many jobs as we had in previous years. The state licensing certification deadline is approaching, with the Saturday test date more difficult to schedule as rush hour approaches. The local won't dispatch to a job without state certification papers. Torrey Newton, P.S.
L.U. 692 (i,mt&spa), BAY CITY, MI-Congratulations to our 2003 apprenticeship graduates! It seems like yesterday that they were brand new "cubs." We also have five residential graduates: Randall Bernhard, Thomas Harmon, John Ratajczak, Drew Seifert and Casey Stoike. Work in our jurisdiction has yet to improve. It will be a long winter. High unemployment in our state and the loss of many manufacturing jobs have left the construction market cold. In the last four months I have seen many "for sale" signs go up. Foreclosures, repossessions and personal bankruptcies are up dramatically. Is this shape of things to come? It is if Americans continue to ignore what is happening to this country. We need to hold accountable those who are empowered to uphold our inalienable rights and keep our system an economic power that honors all workers rights. We hope and pray things will turn around in this new year and we will see some justice served in the upcoming election. We are not only the IBEW but we are also the united brotherhood of Americans. T.J. House, P.S. L.U. 697 (i), GARY AND HAMMOND, IN-Organized labor and indeed all working people in Indiana lost a good friend when Gov. Frank O'Bannon passed away last fall. O'Bannon was in his second term as governor after serving two terms as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Evan Bayh. Prior to this tragic loss, then-Ltd. Gov. Joe Kernan had announced he would not be a candidate for governor in the next election. That decision was devastating to the labor movement, because Joe has always had great concern for working people in Indiana. He will fill the remainder of Frank O'Bannon's term. We are pleased that Joe Kernan has reconsidered his decision to run for governor. Now, we in labor must get behind this effort to keep a governor who is concerned for working people throughout the state. We union members must register and vote and encourage our family and friends to do likewise. David A. Soderquist, P.S. L.U. 702 (as,c,catv,cs,em,es,et,govt,i, it,lctt,mo,mt,o,p,pet,ptc,rtb,rts,se,spa,st, t,u,uow&ws), WEST FRANKFORT, IL-Work is slow. We currently have 86 journeyman wiremen on our Book I out-of-work list. We anticipate several proposed projects in our jurisdiction, but due to the economy, we have no idea when these projects will start. Our local has been involved with raising money for underprivileged children and their families for the holidays. The program is called "Pat's Kids." Thanks to all who contributed. We are in the process of some very hard negotiations concerning health insurance. This is the same story as the past few years. With no end in sight, I am sure health insurance will be a problem for a few years to come. Thank you to all the locals that have found places for our apprentice wiremen to work. Marsha Steele, P.S.
L.U. 704 (catv,em&i), DUBUQUE, IA-The accompanying photo shows the IBEW crew that completed the Grand River Center addition at the Port of Dubuque. These Local 704 members, with the help of some IBEW travelers, completed this project on time and within budget. The project topped out with 30 journeymen and apprentices working a total of 28,500 man-hours. The cost of the center was approximately $20 million with $3 million electrical. We extend condolences to the family and friends of Bro. Chuck Opperman, a retired member who passed away suddenly. We will remember him as a man who was always willing to share his knowledge and who believed a job worth doing was worth doing well. Our work situation has declined since last fall. The winter outlook appears slow, with 20 percent of our membership on Book I. Projects being bid now are scheduled to start in the spring of 2004. Ron Heitzman, P.S. |
