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| March 2005 IBEW Journal
L.U. 915 (i&mt), TAMPA, FLIt is an honor to assume the duties as new Local 915 press secretary to fill the post vacated by the resigning Bob Kaiser. Bob has been our press secretary since the early 1970s and has faithfully fulfilled those duties. Bro. Kaiser serves our local as an assistant business manager and dispatcher. He has served on numerous committees including negotiating committees and on the board of trustees for the Building Trades. Bro. Kaiser regularly visits our sick and needy and gives comfort to surviving spouses of our lost members. His proudest accomplishment is designing our current union hall as well as getting the financing for construction. After spending some one-on-one time with Bob, I realized how much he has done behind the scenes to serve our localservice that most never knew of and that he still doesnt like to take credit for. His loyalty toward his union runs deep. He is a wise and sincere man with a true sense of brotherhood. I hope I can serve my local union as proudly as he does. Theresa King, P.S.
L.U. 1245 (catv,em,govt,lctt,o,pet, t&u), VACAVILLE, CALocal 1245 won representation rights covering three groups of employees at Modesto Irrigation District. The Administrative, Technical and Clerical employees and the Professional and Supervisory employees overwhelmingly chose Local 1245 in state-supervised elections. The District recognized Local 1245 as bargaining representative for Utility and Maintenance employees after the union presented cards demonstrating support by a majority of the 231 employees in that bargaining unit. The representation elections amounted to a vote of confidence in Local 1245, which has negotiated contracts on behalf of District employees for years but previously was not recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent. Prior to elections, the District recognized Local 1245 only as an "employee organization," a status it also conferred on another union. Local 1245 is now the exclusive bargaining representative of a united workforce. "They looked at how we conducted business for the past 25 years," said Local 1245 Bus. Rep. Lynne Morel, who coordinated the organizing drives. "We had a reputation that kind of carried us through this. The overwhelming majority of people at MID know who we are, and whether they ever joined or not, I think they respected our work "Its kind of refreshing. They really appreciate what the union is." Eric Wolfe, P.S.
L.U. 1307 (u), SALISBURY, MDThree longtime members recently retired. Sister Carolyn Annis was hired by A&N Electrical Co-op in 1961. She was employed as a receptionist clerk and in 1965 accepted the job of cashier service order clerk. Carolyn also worked as a payroll clerk and in 1991 was awarded a bookkeeper position, the job she held at the time of her retirement on Sept. 30, 2004. Bro. Frank Colonna started with A&N Electrical Co-op as an apprentice groundman/lineman in 1966. Bro. Colonna accepted an apprentice tree trimmer job in 1967 and in 1992 was awarded a 2nd class lineman position. In 2001 Frank became a quality control lineman and remained in that position until he retired Aug. 30, 2004. Bro. Howard Wright was hired by Delmarva Power as a laborer at Indian River power plant in 1976. NRG Energy later purchased Indian River power plant. Bro. Wright held a fuel handler and maintenance helper job before accepting a machinist 2nd class job in 1981. Bro. Wright advanced to power plant machinist in 1983. In February 1993 he was awarded a "laboratorian" position, the job he retired from on Oct. 1, 2004. May these three retirees enjoy a long and happy retirement. E.D. Sparks, F.S. L.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet,t&rts), BALTIMORE, MDOur local sponsored a stewards training course for shop stewards and local officers. Present were stewards from every location that we have labor agreements with: AmTote (racetrack division)Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA) and our new group, AT&T (Maryland Relay). The course was presented by Int. Rep. Thomas E. Cook with the able assistance of Int. Rep. Tommy G. Maynard. Also present was Alan Gross of the law firm Berman, Sobin & Gross, which sponsored the event. Gross made an informative presentation of Maryland law as it applies to workers compensation. Commissioner Bill McFadden of the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service said the program presented was one of the best hed seen. Last year ended on a positive note. Bus. Mgr./Pres. Dion F. Guthrie gave me a copy of a letter he received from Bro. Gunter Egloff announcing his impending retirement after "38 wonderful years" as an "A" member. Bro. Egloff thanked all the members with whom he has worked, "especially those who made 1501 a very well organized union who worked so hard for our benefits." Thanks to Bro. Egloff for his kind words, which inspire us to continue providing good representation into the new year. Thomas J. Rostkowski, P.S. L.U. 1505 (em), WALTHAM, MAUnion members have been fighting attacks on workers rights and protections on many fronts. These are not random attacks. They are the result of a coordinated strategy by a corporate-funded movement intent on destroying the labor movement. We must stand up and let our enemies know that the labor movement is here to stay. We will fight for the right to organize. We will fight the outsourcing of our jobs, especially defense work. Their most evil attack of all is reserved for Social Security. Social Security is one of Americas most comprehensive family protection programs. It is responsible for keeping millions of retired or disabled workers out of poverty. We will fight for Social Security by making it crystal clear to our senators and congressmen that we have no desire to divert our payroll taxes that currently fund our Social Security benefits into the hands of private investors who will gamble with our futures. Betty Lapointe, P.S.
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