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Summer of Hurricanes

L.U. 1191 (u), WEST PALM BEACH, FLLast summer Florida was hit by four major hurricanes. Three of those hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Jeanne, had a direct impact on Local 1191. The intensity of these storms, along with the immense area they affected in such a short period of time, pushed everyone to their limits. With dedication and hard work our local union brothers and sisters, together with help from IBEW locals across the United States and Canada, restored power to 874,000 after Charley, 2.8 million after Frances and 1.7 million after Jeanne. The accomplishments during this trying time were unprecedented. The sacrifices IBEW members and their families made to complete this task will always be appreciated. Thank you to all.

This year our apprentice program will expand to include "Apprentice Cable Splicer," with "Apprentice Meterman" to follow sometime later in the year. We hope to have further discussions next year concerning the addition of "Apprentice Substation Electrician" and "Power Generation Apprentices." 

See you at our next union meeting, and dont forget to visit our Web site at www.ibewlu1191.org. Work safe.

Harry Thomas, P.S.

Holiday Dinner/Tribute

L.U. 1220 (rtb), CHICAGO, ILThe 1220 union meeting on Dec. 2, 2004, included the annual holiday dinner where members break bread together. It is the time to wish everyone good cheer and pay tribute to our long-term members in recognition of their service.

Local 1220 Pres. Al Skierkiewicz awarded membership pins and citations, while Bus. Mgr. Robert Wratschko congratulated the recipients as they received their awards.

Members honored for their years of service: for 45-years, Paul Ragan and Glen Robinson; 40 yearsArleigh Erickson, Jr. and Richard Leigh; 35-yearsArmando Barcena, Joseph Lucarelli, James Pasma, Rafael Ramirez and Stuart Swansen; 30 yearsRichard Garofalo, Elaine Hynson, Jessica Logan, Sandra Newcomb, Carlos Tronshaw, Richard Wells and Gary Wright; 25-yearsDe Armon Clayton, Ricardo Garibay, Beata Gaudry, Daniel Gianneschi, Lawrence Gianneschi, III, Bruce Hendrickson, Robert Kent, Joseph Klimovitz, Michael Kolar, Joseph Kozak, James Meyer, Oshun Mugwana, Ken Myszak, Rosa Negrete Livieri, Milton Owens, Jr., Randall Piant, Joann Prihoda-Reece and Rodney White; 20 yearsRobert Bruner, Steven Frank, Gerald Howard, Timothy Jackson, Paul Kelley, John Krupski, Joseph Pausback, Rebecca Pope, Dennis Raymond and Maureen Swake; and 15-yearsScott Jones, Timothy Norris, Roy Otake and Scott Irvin.

Jim Sterne, B.R./P.S.

Richard Hafner Mourned

Former Local 1245 Bus. Rep. Richard Hafner, who served on the union staff from 1977 to 1993.

L.U.1245 (catv,em,govt,lctt,o,pet, t&u), VACAVILLE, CALocal 1245 was saddened by the death of Richard Hafner, a Local 1245 business representative from 1977-93. Hafner served the local well for many years.

A new Local 1245 Web site offers many new features, including resources for new members, tools for organizing, expanded resources for women workers, training materials for stewards, news updates, a new Union Shopper, and more. Check it all out at www.ibew1245.com.

Outside Construction dispatch reports a need for Underground Techs and Operators, as a lot of work is coming up in northern California. You can sign the books at Local 1245s Ron Weakley Hall. Hiring has also begun for the Underground Agreement. For more information, call 707-452-2722.

Frontier (formerly Citizens Communications) and Local 1245 reached agreement after protracted and contentious negotiations.

Pacific Gas & Electric and Local 1245 recently concluded a Letter of Agreement that signals a renewed effort to capture "news business" work for the utility, which the union hopes will eventually lead to an expansion of the PG&E workforce.

Gene McCandless, Local 1245 electric crew foreman at PG&E, won 1st place in the IBEW photo contest. His photo was featured in the December issue of the IBEW Journal.

Eric Wolfe, P.S.

Solidarity Day 2004

Local 1289 co-hosted its Solidarity Day 2004 celebration with Locals 400 and 1820. Master cooks: Bill Pazienza (left) and Doug Bonneau (right), joined at the grill by Pazienzas young son.

L.U. 1289 (u), LAKEWOOD, NJMore than ever before "solidarity" is the main quest of union members. Local 1289 held its annual Solidarity Day celebration Oct. 23, 2004. Local 400 and Local 1820 joined 1289 in hosting the event.

Union members and their families came out in full force, in solidarity, to mark this important display of what their union means to them. This celebration enables members to keep in touch and share experiences and family milestones. Entertainment for the children included a face painter and a clown. Host locals supplied food, with donations from members. Dan Rosato chaired the event. He had many enthusiastic committee members and volunteers, who set up and decorated the auditorium. Two fantastic cooks, Bill "Paz" Pazienza and Doug "Bonsey" Bonneau, were kept busy. Volunteers also did a great job completing the cleanup afterward.

Ed Stroup, Pres/B.M.

Get Involved

L.U. 1306 (uow), DECATUR, ILThe new treasurer for Local 1306 is Robbin Westrich. Our new vice president is Chelsea Nichols.

Macon County had a very successful general election. Thank you, sisters Teresa Boehm, Rhonda Gooding, Kathy McCourt-Cox, Chelsea Nichols, Teresa Potrafka, Sarah Sylvester and Lucinda Wyatt, for your tremendous efforts to get out the vote.

With the recent sale of Illinois Power to Ameren, there is much worry among the membership that AmerenIP will get rid of good union jobs. At the time of this writing, Ameren and the union have agreed to work with each other regarding any potential job displacements, etc.

I am pleased to announce we have two new senior engineering representatives, Steve Kincy and Lucinda Wyatt. Congratulations to both on their accomplishment.

I would like to encourage all members to get involved with projects at the union office. Contact us for more information. Continue to attend your unit meetings.

Karlene Knisley, B.M./F.S.