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March 2004 IBEW Journal
L.U. 141 (ees,i,o&u), WHEELING, WVWork remains slow in our area as we await the start of a commercial development near Dallas Pike containing a Cabelas showroom, Cagelas distribution center, and satellite stores. Our December Christmas party was well attended. Bus. Mgr. John Clarke and Pres. Doug Yahn presented service pins to more than 70 members. Fifty-year pins were awarded to Willis Amend, Tom Myers and George Ney, now deceased. Pins for 55 years of service went to Mel Fankhauser, Bob Helfer, Hank Miller and Myles Witchey. Congratulations to the recipients and to all who helped organize the party. Upcoming events for our members include Effective Supervision training and a Credit Union dinner, along with journeyman training. As we begin this election year, remember: Register to vote and vote for our allies at every level of government. Tom Conner, P.S. L.U. 193 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), SPRINGFIELD, ILAfter years of rumors, it looks as if the powerhouse planned for construction near Elkhart is finally a go. At this writing, the 91-megawatt coal-fired generator was expected to go to bid, with bids due the last of January and a groundbreaking scheduled for February 1, according to Bus. Mgr. Dave Burns. At press time the two main bidders were Bechtel, out of New York, and Kiewit Industrial, a Lenexa, KS, firm. The generator will include a scrubber, electrostatic precipitator and cooling towers. At peak manpower the project is expected to employ 450 tradesmen, approximately 120 of whom will be electricians. Before construction can go into full swing, a lot of infrastructure work must be completed. Roads must be built, water and sewer put in place, and a 20-acre retention pond constructed. This project, along with the generator proposed by City Water, Light and Power, should mean a great deal of work for our local over the next few years. It will also mean a need for members with specialized skills, such as welding and instrumentation. Rick Shereda, P.S. L.U. 309 (i,lctt,mo,mt,o,rts,spa&u), COLLINSVILLE, ILFor the first time in 10 years we have some unemployment in this local. At this writing, approximately 30 inside wiremen are on Book I. For some journeymen in our local, this is the first time they have experienced unemployment. Bus. Mgr. James Jim Berger said the outside class is in pretty good shape and the outlook for the inside group looks to open up around March. On the organizing front, Art Minor and Randy Eastwood continue to pound the pavement for the local. I have been appointed the new press secretary for Local 309 and as a third generation IBEW wireman I am proud to be able to give a little back to an organization that has done so much for my family. Remember, guys, it is an honor to do what we do for a living. Treat it as such and attend your local meetings. Jim Bradley, P.S. L.U. 349 (em,i,mps,rtb,spa&u), MIAMI, FLWe would like to thank Int. Pres. Edwin D. Hill and Int. Sec.-Treas. Jerry J. OConnor for coming to Miami and leading our IBEW brothers and sisters in the Free Trade Area of the Americas protest march. Our 2003 childrens Christmas party went great. Santa and his helpers brought good cheer. Pres. Martin Chew emceed and Todd Evans called prize numbers. Thanks to all who made it a success. We thank the Entertainment Committee for a great job on all the many events they helped with last year. Dont forget out locals 100th anniversary in April. Attend local union meetingswithout you we have no union. Frank Albury, P.S.
L.U. 357 (c,i,mt,o&se), LAS VEGAS, NVThe local is proud to recognize Larry Gaskin, a 30-year member, on completing his Aluminum Welding Certification from the International Training Center in Knoxville, TN. He is the first graduate of this NJATC program. Larry recently retired from the trade, but still finds time to teach our apprentices and journeymen how to weld. His dedication and service to our apprenticeship and journeyman upgrade programs has been a vital part of their success. The results of the 2004 election cycle could be disastrous for working people if we do not register and vote for worker friendly candidates. Even though jobs and working conditions are deteriorating at an alarming rate now, things can get worse if we stand by and allow unfriendly candidates to go unchallenged at the ballot box. If you do not register and vote you are part of the problem. Electing worker friendly candidates trumps all other forms of protest. A registration drive is planned to get every member and every household registered to vote this year. Lets all be ready to vote when election day arrives. Dale Walsh, P.S. |
