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November 2004 IBEW Journal L.U. 459 (ees,em,so&u), JOHNSTOWN, PABy the time you read this, it will be almost time for Thanksgiving. Thats a good time to reflect on the many things we as union workers have that nonunion workers dont have. We should be thankful to our union leaders who negotiated our collective bargaining agreements and worked hard to get legislation passed to help working people. With the winter holidays approaching, remember to buy union and support North American products. Far too many people are shopping at Wal-Mart stores and supporting imports. Americans are losing, while they think they are saving. Help begins at home, so pay attention where your union wages are spent. Attend your district meetings and offer to help your union. Joe Sanna, Asst. B.M./P.S. L.U. 479 (i&u), BEAUMONT, TXLocal 479s work picture is improving. There are still brothers and sisters on Book I, with a handful of travelers on selected jobs. Our local conducted an election of officers this past summer. Elected for a three-year term are: Bus. Mgr. Olan Wise, Pres. Roland Guillot, Vice Pres. David McShan, Rec. Sec. Todd Edgerly and Tres. Wade Cooley; Executive Board members Walter Wood, Mark Stanton, Bruce Carlson, Slade Skinner, Larry Morrison, James Siau and Kevin Kelley; and Examining Board members Daniel Herrmann and Glenn Stanton. At press time we were looking forward to our annual golf tournament and picnic scheduled for October. We also were making plans to participate in the area wide annual Labor Day picnic held at the Entertainment Complex in Beaumont. With the national and local elections upon us, we need to get our members, families, and friends to the polls and VOTE DEMOCRAT. This country cannot tolerate another four years of the present administration and Republican policies. Tony Hollier, P.S. L.U. 481 (ees,em,i,mt,rts,s&spa), INDIANAPOLIS, INThe ground breaking for the new Conrad Hilton Hotel in downtown Indianapolis has taken place and the project is expected to employ about 500 workers. A few other jobs getting ready to start are the Simon Building, Market Square Towers and the Airport Midfield Terminal. These are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2005. All the jobs are being done under Project Labor Agreements. The 2004 Labor Day parade sponsored by the Central Indiana Labor Council was another great success. As parade chairman, Local 481 labor representative Bob Cadwell helped bring the union trades in the state together to remember what we are working for and to look back at how the labor movement has brought about gains for workers over the years. Organizing has had a lot of success with E.L.C. Salting has made this happen by finding a variety of violations. Anyone interested in helping organize should contact Steve Dunbar at the hall. I encourage everyone to visit the local web site at www.ibew481.org. This site gives members quick access to important local union information. Members can find out about work situations, journeyman improvement classes and political issues of concern in surrounding areas. Steve Montgomery, P.S. L.U. 503 (t&u), MONROE, NYJimmy Finneran was appointed temporary Safety chairman, and Eddie Sengstacken was appointed temporary E-Board chairman in Ronnie Lents absence. Congratulations and good luck to both Jimmy and Eddie as they take on their new responsibilities. Best wishes to Ronnie for a speedy recovery. Upcoming events include the Marine Corp "Toys-For-Tots" campaign and the Holiday Food Basket Drive for needy families in the community. Our annual Christmas party will be held Dec. 10 at J.F. Keanes, Pearl River, NY. Toys-For-Tots drop off collection boxes will be stationed in numerous locations for your convenience. Lets make the drive a big success again this year! The Local 503 annual golf outing was a great success. Thanks to our sponsors and to everyone who came out for the good time and to support the outing. Mary M. Casey, P.S.
L.U. 575 (i), PORTSMOUTH, OHIt is exciting to live in a battleground state. Over 98 percent of our members are registered and many are active in the 2004 Mobilization campaign. For the Labor Day parade, we were joined by IBEW Local 176 member Jim Wasser, who served on a Swift boat with John Kerry in Vietnam. "He will make the best president youll ever see," Wasser said. "I know hes tough John Kerry is the right guy to take this country forward." On Sept 1, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH) and Ohio AFL-CIO Pres. Tim Burga spoke at a meeting held at our Chillicothe office to address outsourcing of Ohio jobs. On Sept. 8 John Edwards gave a rousing speech in Chillicothe. He noted, "230,000 jobs have left Ohio under Pres. Bushs watch." Edwards later visited Portsmouth. When George W. Bush visited Portsmouth Sept. 10, union members staged a widely reported protest. Local 575 members worked hard to make these events successful. Thanks to all, especially Cam Detty, Dennis Hawkins, Gary Long, John Allen, Mike Hines, Austin Keyser, Dwight Shaw, Kenny Cochran, Chris Shope, Andy Holsinger, Scott Wilbanks, Mitch Lewis and John Benett. I also thank Bus. Mgr. Lonnie Ervin for his support and our secretary Jenny Colegrove for her hard work. Bill Tipton, Organizer |
