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November 2004 IBEW Journal L.U. 359 (u), MIAMI, FLThe utility FP&L has been hiring in a few areas (lineman, cable splicers, journeymen) in the nuclear and fossil plants, but we are still not back to the levels of previous years. We have been in negotiations with the company. In Lake Worth negotiations were completed with some good results, including a pay increase plus upgrades. Thanks to that negotiation committee headed up by Pres. Dwight Mattox, Bro. Gill Palmer and Int. Rep. Richard A. Doak Jr. In Homestead prepping has begun for negotiations. November elections approach. Working families need to send Bush back to Texas. How could a U.S. president be so biased against working families and union members? Bush runs the most anti-worker, anti-union administration ever. The attack is on U.S. workers and their unions. Bush supports outsourcing our jobs overseas. Health care costs are exorbitant, other costs are on the rise and workers face pension fund shortfalls. In my plant the new reactor heads are made in Japan and machined in France! Kerry/Edwards offer a new deal to working families. Take a hard look at the big pictureits about you future. Bush needs to goPlease Vote! Steve Flynn, F.S./P.S. L.U. 387 (em,lctt&u), PHOENIX, AZCongratulations to the topped out apprenticeship class and the newly appointed apprentices. At this writing in late August, we still had lots of work with the hot temperatures and people running out of time on DOT hours. We are still facing major issues with the smaller companies we represent and the tree trimmers. Also, very shortly we will begin contract negotiations with all of our small companies and with Arizona Public Service Company. November elections are vitally important. Vote! APS has very important franchise elections next year that are crucial to our workforce. As Labor Day approached, we took time to reflect on our accomplishments. There is still a great deal of work to do in the future. Sam Hoover, Pres.
L.U. 415 (c,govt&i), CHEYENNE, WYThis article is dedicated to all the brothers and sisters who donate so much time and effort to our union. Without their dedication it would not be the great organization it is. We appreciate all the contributions officers and committee members donate to keep us going. We thank everyone who helped make our annual picnic a great success. Committee members cooked for us, held door prizes, and passed out service pins for some of us old guys. It was a lovely day thanks to the efforts of Chase Fisher, Scott Bremer, Jason Pressnell and all others who helped. Congratulations to Bill Dale of W.G. Dale Electric on his retirement. W.G. Dale Electric has been a union contractor in this jurisdiction for over 50 years. The industry will miss you, Bill. You will likely know the outcome of November elections as you read these comments. I hope and pray we will not face four more years of the greedy, union-busting attitudes we endured the last four years. Local 415 work is very slow now. We must prove that union workers can do the work better and more safely than non-union workers. We can regain this work John Occhipinti, P.S. L.U. 445 (catv,i&spa), BATTLE CREEK, MIMembers of Local 445 have had access to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan as a resource for many years. Recently, retired Bros. Chris Tramel and Rex Mcadow started a food bank for Local 445 members only. A freezer and shelving set up at the hall are stocked with food for members in need. The locals food bank is funded by donations from members. Members may call Chris Tramel to make donations. We thank Local 252, Ann Arbor, for their generous donation to our food bank. This unexpected, unsolicited donation demonstrates the true spirit of brotherhood. Dick Cheney campaigned in Battle Creek in August. Among the group of 150-plus protesters on hand for the event were Local 445 members Eric Copland, Steve Franklin, Jerry Helbling, Bill Kazlauskas and Tom Morse. An enthusiastic mix of trades people, families and young adults joined the protest, despite the rain. Justin Vore, son of Local 445 member Dave Vore, was deployed to Iraq with the Marines in September. We hope and pray Justin returns safely. Watching the Republican National Convention protests in August, I spotted a sign that said, "Empty Warhead Discovered in White House." Aint it the truth Bill Kazlauskas, V.P. L.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa &u), POCATELLO, IDYou can affect your future or accept your future, but what you choose will affect us all. Local 449 has chosen to affect the future by completing member contacts for voter registration in all major counties in our jurisdiction. Among choices our members face are: getting registered to vote, identifying candidates who support labor issues, and voting on Election Day. Thanks to the IBEW Journal for well thought out articles presenting working family issues and identifying labor-friendly candidates. These issues are brought to us at our monthly meetings, and are available online at www.ibew.org. Our members are paying higher costs for more limited health care coverage and suffering longer periods of unemployment without extended unemployment insurance benefits. Together we must present our views on these issues to our elected representativesand advocate that they act to protect workers rights and interests. Political activism should be as much a part of our lives as paying our monthly bills. Our condolences to the families of the following brothers who recently passed away: journeyman wireman Lance Cannon and retired member John Adamson. Laurie Watters, P.S. |
