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| January/February 2005 IBEW
Journal
L.U. 577 (em&i), APPLETON, WIThe work outlook has improved for some of the local members as they have found some employment in this and other locals. I hope the holidays were a bit more optimistic this year for those families. The local LMCC committee met several times last fall and has contracted a marketing firm to develop and implement a focused, strategic marketing plan. The campaigns goal is to raise public awareness of the value of using union electrical contractors. We should be starting to get back information from the market survey by the time this issue gets to your house. We anticipate a springtime launch of the media campaign. IBEW Sixth District Int. Rep. Terry Roovers instructed a Steward Training class in November 2004. Thanks to members Pat Heindl, John Moore, Mike Schindel and Steve Willison for taking the time to gain insight on how to be good stewards for Local 577. Safety training topics chosen for this year are First Aid and CPR. Watch for class schedules in our local newsletter for these and other night classes. Thank you to the Education Committee and instructors for their dedication to continuing education. Greg Breaker, P.S.
L.U.583 (em,i,o,rts&spa), EL PASO, TXAt the 68th annual Sun Bowl Parade in El Paso, the famed Sun Court float made its first appearance in 20 yearsthanks to IBEW Local 583 volunteers and El Paso Chapter NECA. The float was designed by one of our NECA members, B. Kendrick of Kendrick Electric. Twenty-four Local 583 third-year apprentices volunteered for the float construction project. The floats theme was "Lights, Camera, Action" and it featured a green-turf football field with lots of lights and a camera built of parts and pieces. The 12 Sun Court princesses rode on the float. The Sun Bowl Parade theme came from the filming of a movie here in El Paso, "Glory Road," based on the 1966 NCAA champs and our now-famous UTEP Coach Haskins. Local 583 Bus. Mgr. Javier Casas extends thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the float a reality for the city of El Paso. Ofelia S. Castaneda, P.S. L.U. 586 (em,i&o), OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CAFrom time to time, in various locals, a feeling appears that hurts the actions and strengths of these locals. It is a feeling of distrust and confrontation between the officers of the local union and the officers of the Contractors Association. It can be caused by various reasons such as personal animosity, insecurity, political expediency or greed, to name a few. The result of this lack of co-operation is deterioration of our standards. We lose jobs and market share and by not having regular meetings, small problems remain unsolved and grow. We in Local 586 are fortunate to have a model for how co-operation should properly be handled. Bus. Mgr. James Barry, his assistants Bert Olmstead and John Bourke, and also Pres. Doug Parsons are brothers who want to do the job not just have a job. The Contractors Association of Ottawa is well represented by Mgr. Dan Brennan, Pres. Bill McKee, Vice Pres. Mike Sharp and past Pres. Mike Tremblay. Our meetings are held regularly regarding all issues. Any issues, regarding our agreement, work conditions or improvements to our Pension and Benefit Plans, are quickly solved. Both parties realize the Electrical Industry requires all of us to work together to thrive. We are all dedicated to improving everything possible. Doug Parsons, Pres./P.S. L.U. 595 (c,govt,i,o&st), DUBLIN, CALocal 595 thanks all members who helped get out the vote for the 2004 election. Several members traveled to help in other key states. Phone banks were also successful tools. But confidence in the countrys voting system is now questioned. Union members should pay attention to new voting systems such as "Ranked Choice" voting, which could open up political races to candidates based on ability and not connections to wealth. We must prepare for whats ahead, as the interests of working people are not being represented. Our local recently observed the 25-year anniversary of women being accepted into apprenticeship programs. A celebration at the Oakland Museum Dec. 2 honored the work of women trailblazers who helped open doors for other tradeswomen. One such trailblazer, sister Judith Jennings, received her 25-year pin at Local 595s recent "old-timers" night. Sister Jennings entered the apprenticeship in 1978 and began work with Mercury Electric. In 1986 she became the first woman inspector for the City of Oakland and 18 years later she is the senior supervisor in her division. This 25-year road has had its bumps for women in the construction trades. Union members continue working together for progress for all. Marta Schultz, P.S. L. U. 596 (i,o,u&t), CLARKSBURG, WVAfter many years of devoted service to the trade, Truman Keene, Larry Smith, Ralph Auvil, Carl "Doc" Strakal, Robert Thorne, Robert Wilson, John King and James Walker are retiring. We wish these brothers good luck with their retirement. The work picture is still very slow, but many large projects are being planned for this area. Were hopeful that something will get started in 2005 that will put our union brothers and sisters to work. Butch Adams, P.S.
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