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| March 2005 IBEW Journal
L.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa &u), POCATELLO, IDThe year 2004 ended with our second annual IBEW/NECA Christmas Donation Drive. This venture involved four Saturdays, four cities (Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Blackfoot and Pocatello), nearly 40 volunteers, and close to 400 miles. We collected donations of blankets, food, toys, coats and other slightly used and new items for families in need. Our Local 449 Christmas party attendance was good considering that our low employment has caused many members to seek available work with neighboring and distant locals. Unfortunately our last wage increase gained in 2004 was eaten up by a health-care cost increase. 2005 started with these graduating apprentices: Maurice Sowell, Mark Secrist, Shelton Palmer, Martin Moore, Zeke Martin, Nathan Luce, Tim Knievel, Jeff Jagger, Erroll Gillman, Jason Foley, David Doxey, Danny Clark, Zane Casperson, Fred Buntz, Mike Brookbank, Theresa Barzee, Tate Bailey and Zachary Atkinson. Congratulations to all. Code update classes began in January. A reminder: Idaho is requiring 16 hours of Code update along with 8 hours of industrial-related courses to maintain licensing. Officers are seeking input from members for upcoming negotiations, as well as ideas for our 100th anniversary. Write down your ideas and get them to the hall. Laurie Watters, P.S. L.U. 459 (ees,em,so&u), JOHNSTOWN, PAAt this writing in late December, Local 459 is nearing the end of our annual food drive. Our stewards and officers have worked very hard collecting food and monetary contributions. Also, our members and employers have been very gracious this year. We have well exceeded last years goal. To this point, we have collected nearly $1,000 worth of food products, which we have passed on to local food pantries. We are also closing in on the $6,500 mark. This money will be distributed back out to area food pantries located in the districts where our members live. With the economy the way it is, local food pantries are telling me the number of people collecting food has doubled. Some of our contributions went out to a few of our members who have been off sick and nearly out of benefits. Thanks to all Local 459 members for generously helping the less fortunate. Kenneth L. Richards, Pres./Sr. B.R. L.U. 465 (lctt&u), SAN DIEGO, CAOn Nov. 13, 2004, Local 465 held its 100th anniversary picnic and open house. Activities and entertainment included clowns, astro-jumps and a vintage transit bus for the kids, and a great live band for the adults. Thanks to all the members and their families who attended and made the picnic a great success. Local 465 sends special thanks to our Executive Board Rep. Jerry Rios for all his help in organizing this momentous event. In addition to planning the picnic, the union and its employees have been hard at work moving into the new hall and getting everything in order. The new hall is better, and more accommodating to the members and their needs. The locals SDG&E Unit recently ratified a new, four-year contract, which was approved by a 63 percent majority. The contract included wage increases across the board, and five new job classifications. Thanks to our negotiations committee: John Hunter, Marty Hunter, Jeff Strickland, Jerry Rios, Dave Goodman, Joe Pounds, Phil Gomeau and Craig Leatherman. Great job, guys! John C. Hunter, B.M.
L.U. 557 (i,mt,rts&spa), SAGINAW, MIIn August the work expected long ago put hands to work in Delphi, and our local also was able to put members from other locals to work. It is interesting that these jobs appeared just before the November election. Half the crew I worked with at a fuel station did not have health insurance for themselves or their families, yet there are billions for bombs in Iraq. And meanwhile, theres not enough armor to protect our soldiers serving in Iraq. It seems that our leadership in the White House has a crusade going like the kings of England did. The Trade Center was a tragic loss, but what of the 3,000 homeless we lose every year? Are their lives deemed as worthless as those of the people on the ground in Iraq? We will never win by dropping bombs of destruction. Bob Orr, our new business manager, is available to address the needs of the membership. Pres. Charlie Gricar is trying to get more people involved in assignments to committees so the union experience can be appreciated and expanded. We extend condolences to the family of Bro. Bill Fehn, who passed away after an extended illness. He is missed. John E. Clemens, P.S. L.U. 577 (em&i), APPLETON, WIThe Fox Energies Project successfully surpassed completion milestones thanks to the hard work and dedication of Local 557 members, with the help of some traveling brothers and sisters. The cold of December and the ice and snow of January had little impact on completion of the project to date. Customer comments indicate they are very impressed with the high-quality work force assigned to their project by all crafts on this predominately union work site. Organizing activities continue throughout these difficult economic times. As a part of our locals organizing efforts, some members have made themselves available to area non-union contractors through temporary help providers and have been hired. Through their activities, we have been able to break down many myths and inaccuracies that exist about the IBEW. Local 577 appreciates members commitment to inform the uniformed and expand our presence in the areas electrical construction industry. All IBEW members have a duty to the contractors that use our skills to possess the highest level of training and to be the most productive employees the contractor hires. Dont put off your continuing education classes. Enroll and complete at least one course this year. Greg Breaker, P.S.
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