july 2006 · pasadena, texas 77504 seventh district patrick lavin c/o ibew local 47 600 n. diamond...

www.ibew.org July 2006

®

www.ibew.org July 2006

LETTERS EDITORTOTHE

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

First District

PHILIP J. FLEMMING1450 Meyerside Drive, Suite 300

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5T 2N5

Second District

FRANK J. CARROLL, JR.4 Armstrong Road, 2nd Floor

Shelton, Connecticut

06484

Third District

DONALD C. SIEGEL500 Cherrington Pkwy.

Suite 325

Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108

Fourth District

PAUL J. WITTE8260 North Creek Drive, Suite 140

Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

Fifth District

JOHN F. SCHANTZEN100 Concourse Parkway

Suite 300

Birmingham, Alabama 35244

Sixth District

JOSEPH F. LOHMAN8174 Cass Avenue

Darien, Illinois 60561

Seventh District

JONATHAN B. GARDNER320 Westway Place, Suite 531

Arlington, Texas 76018

Eighth District

TED C. JENSEN2225 West Broadway, Suite H

Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402

Ninth District

MICHAEL S. MOWREY2500 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 250

Sacramento, California

95833-4221

Tenth District

ROBERT P. KLEIN5726 Marlin Road, Suite 500

Chattanooga, Tennessee

37411-4043

Eleventh District

LINDELL K. LEE6601 Winchester Avenue

Suite 150

Kansas City, Missouri 64133

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

EDWIN D. HILLInternational President900 Seventh St., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20001

JON F. WALTERSInternational Secretary-Treasurer

900 Seventh St., N.W.Washington, D.C. 20001

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Chairman

ROBERT W. PIERSONc/o IBEW Local 9

High Point Plaza Office Ctr.

4415 W. Harrison St. #330

Hillside, Illinois 60162

First District

JOSEPH P. CALABROc/o IBEW Local 1158

1149 Bloomfield Avenue

Clifton, New Jersey 07012

Second District

MYLES CALVEYc/o IBEW Local 2222

122 Quincy Shore Drive

Quincy, Massachusetts 02171

Third District

SALVATORE J. CHILIAc/o IBEW Local 38

1590 E. 23rd Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Fourth District

LONNIE PLOTTP.O. Box 181

Dacula, Georgia 30019

Fifth District

STEPHEN SCHOEMEHLc/o IBEW Local 1

5850 Elizabeth Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63110

Sixth District

GREGORY LUCEROc/o IBEW Local 66

4345 Allen Genoa Road

Pasadena, Texas 77504

Seventh District

PATRICK LAVINc/o IBEW Local 47

600 N. Diamond Bar Blvd.

Diamond Bar, California 91765

Eighth District

JOSEPH FASHIONc/o IBEW Local 353

1377 Lawrence Avenue, East

North York, ON, Canada

M3A 3P8

Brotherhood DefinedIn February 2002, I became a member of Norristown, Penn., Local 380.

While I never doubted that this career choice was the right choice, I did notanticipate the support and friendship that I would receive from my brothers inyears to come. In May I suffered a serious leg injury while working. Both GarySiter and Mike Wolfgang, who were on the site, rushed me to the emergencyroom, where I received visits from several other brothers: Fran Clark, JoeZeleski, Jason Shanaman, Bill McGullam and Steve Cameron. Unfortunately,the injury would require many doctor visits. Fran Clark and Tom Friel pro-vided me with more assistance than I could ever expect. They have driven meto doctor’s appointments, spoken with my doctors and stood by my side.

While I’ve always felt that joining Local 380 was like joining a family, thisexperience has shown me the true meaning of Brotherhood that this organi-zation represents. My thanks, gratitude and appreciation goes out to Local380 and its members. I am proud to be a family member of Local 380.

Stephen W. Malinowski

Local 380 member, Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Great RideI’m a journey-

man at Local 11, LosAngeles, where Ihave had the grandopportunity to builda new roller coasterat Six Flags MagicMountain. As elec-tricians, we are themeat of the meal,providing electricityto thousands ofoffice buildings andrefineries alike. This time we are providing power to a new roller coaster,Tatsu, which millions of people from around the world will come to ride andenjoy. It is a special opportunity that many brothers and sisters do not get intheir career. Newhall Electric is the contractor. I’d like brothers and sistersaround the United States to see how good it is to be a union electrician.

Melvin Straughter, Jr.

Local 11 member, Northridge, California

Peace’s PriceIn the May edition of the Journal, Brother Charles Greer said that the

Peace Corps “should not be linked to the military in any way.”Sadly, Brother Greer’s comments are very offensive and incorrect, to say

the least. Without our fine military we wouldn’t have the Peace Corps andwe definitely would never have peace! Our fine military is what gives us theopportunity and freedom to send the Peace Corps to help people and coun-tries in need. I know it is a growing feeling in the Democratic party to loathethe military and it highly offends me as a former Marine vet of the DesertShield/Storm War! Without our military to defend our rights given under the

(Continued on page 26)

Melvin Straughter on roller coaster Tatsu.

July 2006 Volume 105 Number 6

FOR THE

LATEST NEWS

VISIT

www.ibew.orgIBEWJOURNAL®

Organizing Wire:IBEW Reaches Out8 From mobilizing existing units to

bringing new members into our ranks, the IBEW is reaching out to more workers

IBEW JOURNAL

Edwin D. Hill, EDITOR

C. James Spellane, DIRECTOR

Carol A. Cipolari, MANAGING EDITOR

Carol M. Fisher, SR. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Malinda R. Brent,COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Len Shindel,COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

ARCHIVES

Mike Nugent,INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

HOW TO REACH USWe welcome letters from our readers.

The writer should include his or her name,address and, if applicable, IBEW local unionnumber and card number. Family membersshould include the local union number of theIBEW member to whom the Journal ismailed. Please keep letters as brief as possi-ble. The Journal reserves the right to selectletters for publication and edit all submis-sions for length.

Send letters to:

Letters to the Editor, IBEW Journal,900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001

or send by e-mail to:[email protected]

©2006 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. on Union-made paper.

IBEW Journal (ISSN: 0897-2826) Publishedmonthly, except January/February and Octo-ber/November, which are combined issues,by the International Brotherhood of ElectricalWorkers, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washing-ton, D.C. 20001. Subscriptions prices in theUnited States and Canada, $4 per year inadvance. Periodicals postage paid at Wash-ington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes toIBEW Journal, 900 Seventh Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20001. This Journal willnot be held responsible for viewsexpressed by correspondents. Paid adver-tising is not accepted.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40011756Return undeliverable Canadian addresses toB&M Mailing Services Limited, 35 VanKirkDrive, Unit 15, Brampton, Ontario L7A1A5. E-mail: [email protected]

COVER

FEATURE

SDEP

ARTMENTS

IBEW ON DUTY14

OBJECTION OVERRULED10

ORGANIZING IN ACTION8

2 President’s Message

3 Secretary-Treasurer’s

Message

4 IBEW Currents

14 Safety Corner

15 Local Lines

27 In Memoriam

29 Get Your Motor

Runnin’ with the

IBEW Cookbook

and Apron

Illinois Court ReportersClose to Winning FightFor Representation10 Over judges’ objections, court

reporters win 16-year fight for bargaining rights

12 Labor-ManagementReporting and Disclosure Act Notice

14 IBEW on Duty IBEWJOURNAL®

If you would like toreceive your IBEWJournal via e-mailinstead of in your mailbox—contact us at [email protected] us your name, IBEW local unionnumber, card number and e-mailaddress and we will send you the linkto access the Journal electronically.1

Get Connected!

2 IBEW JOURNAL, JULY 2006

s people’s attention is focused on thewar in Iraq and Afghanistan and highgas prices, the Bush administration isserving up another ominous threat tolabor that is below the radar of manyworking Americans.

President Bush’s appointees tothe National Labor Relations Board willsoon render a decision on whether or notto redefine the term “supervisor” that willhave consequences in every workplace inthe United States.

If the majority of this board votesaccording to the right-wing ideology forwhich they were chosen, their decisioncould force tens of thousands of unionmembers out of bargaining units and dotremendous damage to employers as well.In foreign policy, it’s called “blowback.”

This is a word game, but one with highstakes. Broad categories of IBEW work-ers—from journeymen on the constructionsite, to electric system dispatchers at thelocal utility, to working foremen in the fac-tories—could be stripped of union mem-bership against their will.

Triggering the controversy is a 2001Supreme Court decision, NLRB vs. Ken-tucky River, which held that RNs whosometimes supervise the work of nursingaides or students, were supervisors. TheNLRB, stacked with several membersnewly appointed by President Bush, isexpected to decide this summer whetherto extend this ruling to other workplaces.

A journeyman, for example, answersquestions and guides apprentices in difficult and dangerouselectrical work. This is on-the-job training at its best—gettingthe work done efficiently, safely and with the high quality thatis the trademark of the IBEW. If the NLRB issues the wrongdecision, it would disrupt this system, which produced first-class work and benefits contractors and customers alike.

During the past three decades, the IBEW and other unionsbargained with employers to improve our members’ productiv-ity. We implemented thousands of employee-involvement pro-

grams and developed new job classifications that carriedgreater responsibilities for safety, quality, training and team-work. Many of those efforts have achieved remarkable success.

Now, some of the same employers who argued that unionmembers should “step up to the plate” and accept moreaccountability are lobbying the NLRB to rip off some of ourbest players and put them on management’s team. This wouldrevive old divisions between employees and set back the pro-

grams that our members worked so hardto build; it would be industrial blowback.

There is a clear danger that the NLRBwill sanction this radical new interpretationof the National Labor Relations Act. CornellUniversity professor James A. Gross says,“They are pressing the outer limits of whatcould be a reasonable or legitimate inter-pretation of the balance between employerprerogatives and workers’ rights.” This, hesays is “fundamentally inconsistent withthe purpose of the NLRA, which is toencourage the practice and procedures ofcollective bargaining.”

The management-oriented members ofthe NLRB may well yield to pressures fromthe reactionary elements of the business andideological communities to deny us newnumbers and power—by playing the super-visor word game. Apparently, their intensehatreds for trade unionism trump any con-sideration of decency and common sense.

The IBEW is not taking any chances.The Building and Construction TradesDepartment, AFL-CIO, has submitted alegal brief in three cases before the NLRBthat consider supervisory definitions.

The building trades’ arguments parallelthose made in an IBEW brief to the NLRBin Entergy Mississippi Inc. and IBEW LocalUnions 605 and 985. The Brotherhood

argued in Entergy that electric system dispatchers belong inour bargaining units, not in supervision.

To win this fight, IBEW’s legal efforts need to be supple-mented by an informational campaign by locals that reachesinto our surrounding communities. We will defeat managementextremism with plain old common sense. 1

AAnother ThreattoLabor

“ BROAD CATEGORIES OF

IBEW WORKERS COULD BE

STRIPPED OF UNION MEMBER-

SHIP AGAINST THEIR WILL.”

EDWIN D. HILLINTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

IBEW JOURNAL, JULY 2006 3

wonder if Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.), whojust called for Congress to put private SocialSecurity accounts at the top of next year’sagenda, truly grasps the irony of his plea.

On one hand, McCrery is reigniting a fuse beforeNovember’s mid-term elections on an issue that is a provenloser with Americans. Elderly retirees,

their baby boomer sons and daughters andeven their grandchildren said “hands off”the last time the Republicans talked aboutprivatization.

On the other hand, McCrery—said tobe headed for leadership of the powerfulHouse Ways and Means Committee—recently appealed for help for his district’svictims of Hurricane Katrina. He invokedfederal disaster relief programs from theNew Deal administration of PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt.

When FDR proposed Social Security in1934, he eloquently compared the plightfacing many retirees and their families tohurricanes, fires, floods and other disasters.He made speeches at the site of such cata-strophes, presented citizens with federalaid and asked them to support efforts toextend that protection from risk to theelderly, the disabled and the unemployed.

In 2006, elderly Americans are againfacing an economic tempest. Every daymore employer-based pension plans failand more retirees lose employer-fundedhealth care insurance. With half of Amer-ica’s aged citizens relying upon SocialSecurity as the only federal program thatkeeps them above the poverty line, the lastthing they need is a plan which could putthis lifeline at risk.

That would be the outcome if the pro-posal to invest Social Security monies in private accounts wins.The only guarantee would be immense broker fees to a fewWall Street banking firms handling the transactions.

While Republicans overstate problems with Social Security,both parties understand that the system needs some fine-tuning tostay solvent. In the January/February 2005 Journal, we discusseda few safe and prudent proposals to shore up Social Security.

President Bush’s followers, however, want Social Security tobe an experiment in their brand of economics, like theMedicare prescription drug benefit, which ended up being aconfusing and expensive mess of private choices for beneficia-ries and a giveaway to drug companies.

Private accounts are a money grab by big campaign contrib-utors. McCrery’s voting record reveals that his rating on issuesaffecting organized labor is a dismal 13 percent. But his rating

from Financial Executives International, thevery money managers who would benefitfrom private accounts, is 100 percent. Andit’s disgraceful that, while putting working-class retirees in jeopardy, the right wing isstill clamoring to reduce estate taxes for thewealthiest American families.

“But wait,” says the privatization crowd,“we are looking out for the younger work-ers by helping them invest for retirement.”Hogwash. The Center for RetirementResearch at Boston College has developeda retirement risk index, showing that ifSocial Security is privatized and benefitsare cut, one of the groups at greatest riskwill be two-earner couples born between1965 and 1972. They are vulnerablebecause most of their retirement moniesare already in 401(k)’s and other market-based vehicles.

On Election Day, a parade of retireesand elderly citizens will edge toward vot-ing machines in precincts across the coun-try. Some will be in wheelchairs; otherswill shuffle behind walkers. Many will bewearing caps embroidered with “WorldWar II Veteran,” or “Vietnam Veteran.”Only death would keep most of themaway from the voting booth. They havepaid their dues to family and country,often at the price of inconceivable hard-ship.

They don’t deserve to be put at risk. Weowe it to our elders and to ourselves to get to work now togive the Republican right wing and their callous privatizationexperiment the boot in November. 1

IHereIt ComesAgain

“WHILE REPUBLICANS

OVERSTATE PROBLEMS WITH

SOCIAL SECURITY, BOTH

PARTIES UNDERSTAND THAT

THE SYSTEM NEEDS SOME FINE-

TUNING TO STAY SOLVENT. ”

JON F. WALTERSINTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER


This year was the 61st show of itskind. With 150 exhibitors featuring union-made products and services, Cleveland’sInternational Expo Center hosted 250,000visitors. Among IBEW exhibitors wereCleveland Local 38 employers FirstEnergy,General Electric, American Line Buildersand American Products as well as theNational Joint Apprenticeship and Train-

ing Committee. Show attendees spoke toIBEW members working in the utility,manufacturing and construction branches,said Will Paul, IBEW Support ServicesDepartment director.

“The people of Cleveland and theregion are the friendliest and most enthu-siastic folks we’ve seen in a long while,”Paul said.

IBEWCURRENTS

Union-Made-in-North AmericaShow Draws Cleveland CrowdsUnion pride and values were on display at the annual eventcelebrating labor’s contribution to life in North America. Thisyear titled “America@Work: 100% Union-Made, American-Made Products, Services and Jobs,” formerly known as theUnion Industries Show, the three-day exhibition in ClevelandMay 5-7 emphasized educating the public about trade unionismand the role unions play in the economic and political life ofthe community.

At the IBEW’s booth at the America-at-Work expo in Cleveland are from left, IBEWemployee David Salazar, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, IBEW InternationalSecretary-Treasurer Jon Walters, IBEW Support Services Department Director Will Paul

and Fourth District International Representatives Ken Cooper andDon Vidourek.

The public also had the opportunityto make the acquaintance of ever-popu-lar crowd-pleaser I-bew, the IBEW’srolling robotic ambassador.

More than $1 million in prizes andproduct samples were raffled off at theshow, including two GE refrigerators andthree Toshiba televisions assembled byIBEW members. The marquee prize wasa 2006 Harley Davidson Electra Glide, aclassic chrome motorcycle union madeby America’s premiere bike companywhose workers are represented by themachinists union.

While the show, organized by thefederation’s Union Label and ServiceTrades Department, was a success, italso presented the labor movement withthe opportunity to educate the publicabout the decline of domestic manufac-turing. This year’s event was smallerbecause of the wi thdrawal of several international unions from theAFL-CIO. 1

South Jersey, N.J., Local 351 BusinessManager Edward Gant holds a plaquepresented by members and officers inappreciation of his 10 dedicatedyears of service and advocacy asbusiness manager. 1

A Hearty Thank You

While the practice of allowing electri-cal workers to make inspections appar-ently has been discontinued along theMississippi Gulf Coast, the city of NewOrleans is operating under an emer-gency ordinance that allows residentialproperty owners to waive city inspec-tions and have electrical inspections

done by licensed electricians. Once thehomeowner and the electrician completethe necessary paperwork, the electricalservice provider, Entergy New Orleans, isauthorized to restore service. There areseveral concerns:

n The emergency ordinance in NewOrleans provides the opportunity fornumerous abuses such as compromis-ing the inspection process, whichcould lead to serious safety problems.

n Buildings in other areas previouslyinspected under other emergency pro-cedures may have been reconnectedto power even though electrical com-ponents were damaged by floodwaterand should have been replaced.

n For contractors making inspections,there is the risk of liability should fail-ures occur in properties they inspected.

n In addition, it has been reported thatbuildings in other South Louisianajurisdictions are being reconnected topower without replacement of water-damaged electrical components.

Floodwater can compromise the

NECA Investigative Report Uncovers Possible Wiring Disaster in New Orleans



In Good Company Scranton, Pa., Local 81 played a big part in this year’s annual St. Patrick’s DayParade. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) marched behind the Local 81 banner,as did the Sword of Light Bagpipe Band from New York Local 3. The fifth-yearapprentice class also displayed a float. Pictured from left are Local 81 memberBill Sweeney, Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo, Scranton MayorChris Doherty, Local 81 President Rick Schraeder, Gov. Rendell, Local 81Business Manager Jack Flanagan and former Scranton mayor Jimmy Connors. 1

O u t s t a n d i n g E m p l oy e r s

Two union employers are settingstandards for exemplary labor-man-agement cooperation. Kaiser Perma-nente and GESD Capital Partnersreceived the 2006 Labor-Manage-ment Award from the Union Labeland Service Trades Department,AFL-CIO, at a breakfast in Clevelandon May 5. The two were chosenfrom a field of enterprises nomi-nated by affiliated unions.

“These firms are outstandingexamples of high-road corporateleadership, the kind that balancesobligations to customers and share-holders with good citizenship and asense of responsibility towardemployees and their families,” saidULSTD President Charles Mercer.

Kaiser Permanente employs86,000 union-represented workerswho belong to 10 national and inter-national unions and 29 locals, collec-tively known as the Kaiser Coalition.Kaiser Permanente, which servesthe health care needs of 8.4 millionplan members through a network ofhospitals, clinics and health centersstaffed by union health profession-als and administered by a union sup-port staff, was nominated by Officeand Professional Employees Interna-tional Union, the American Federa-tion of Teachers and the AmericanFederation of State, County, andMunicipal Employees.

GESD Capital Partners operatesa chain of retail and wholesale bak-eries in California and Chicago. Thecompany’s top executive isrenowned as a civic leader who isactive in such vital communityissues as education and homeless-ness. GESD was nominated by theBakery, Confectionary, TobaccoWorkers and Grain Millers.

IBEW International Secretary-Treasurer Jon Walters, who serveson the board of the ULSTD, con-gratulated the companies on thepositive example they set in corpo-rate leadership. 1

EDITOR’S NOTE: As New Orleans strug-

gles to recover from the devastations ofHurricane Katrina while an activenew hurricane season bears down onthe Gulf, the unionized electrical con-tractors may have discovered anothertragedy in the making. The NationalElectrical Contractors Associationmagazine, Electrical Contractor, in itsMay issue found in an in-depth inves-tigative report that the city’s electricalwiring inspection system has been sus-pended, with possibly disastrous results.

The article titled “Disaster After theDisaster” by reporter Jeff Griffin isexcerpted below. The full article canbe found at www.ecmag.com.

T R A N S I T I O N S

integrity of electrical components: insulation can bedestroyed, metals can rust, trip units in molded-case circuitbreakers can be impaired, and filler material in fuses candegrade their interruption capabilities. In addition, motors,power equipment, transformers, wire, cable, ground-fault cir-cuit interrupters, surge protectors, lighting fixtures and elec-tronic devices can be affected.

The National Electrical Code states the equipment cannotbe exposed to agents, including fumes, vapors and liquids thatcan have a deteriorating effect on the equipment. Apparently,however, many property owners think that if wiring and elec-trical components were dried out and cleaned up, servicecould be safely reconnected. It appears that many propertyowners and workers they hired did in fact, clean debris fromcomponents and flush them with water—a step that can causefurther damage and create a false sense of security.

The electrical industry issued a public warning on the cityordinance.

“While an expedient approach, allowing ‘self-inspections’by installers removes a critical element of the electrical safetysystem,” said Alvin B. Scolnik, vice president of technical ser-vices for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.“Relying on harried homeowners to make an uninformeddecision to eliminate experienced and technically competentinspectors from the process of inspection and verification,while well intentioned, could lead to an unanticipatedfire/shock hazard later on.” 1


A25-year careerfor a ground-

break ing un ionactivist comes to aclose July 1 withthe retirement ofIBEW Human Ser-vices DepartmentDirector RoyettaSanford.

Ini t ia ted intoIBEW Local 18, LosAngeles, in 1981,S i s t e r S an fo rdstarted out as a union activistby developing and implement-ing a substance abuse pro-gram. In 1982, she became abusiness representative at thelocal whose members primar-ily work at the city’s Depart-ment of Water and Power.During 11 years as a represen-tative, she served on the nego-tiating, political action, safety,health and ergonomics com-mittees. She was responsiblefor arbitrations, civil serviceappeals and representation ofunits such as electrical testers,electrical conduit mechanics,water operators, warehouseand custodial workers. Shealso was a key member of theElectrical Workers MinorityCaucus.

In 1992, Sanford wasappointed International Rep-resentative to head the newly-created Human ServicesDepartment at the Interna-tional Office in Washington,D.C., where she has left hermark on a number of con-stituency groups inside theIBEW as well as serving asthe IBEW liaison to severalnational and internationalorganizations.

Leading the department

respons ib le forhuman and civilrights, her dutiesincluded retireec lubs , women’saffairs, charitablefundraising, workand family pro-grams, communityservices and youthactivities. She hasdeve loped andi m p l e m e n t e ddiversity and His-

panic outreach programs andorganized the first nationalIBEW Women’s Conference in1997. She also manages theIBEW Union Privilege benefitsprograms.

She said most gratifying toher IBEW career has been“representing the interests ofwomen and people of colorand helping them understandtheir value and place in theunion movement.”

Sanford is a nationalelected officer of the Coalitionof Labor Union Women andserves as national executiveboard member for the Allianceof Retired Americans, Coali-tion of Black Trade Unionists,A. Philip Randolph Instituteand Wider Opportunities forWomen. She serves on theUnited Way of America boardof trustees and is the vicechair of the National BlackCaucus of State LegislatorsLabor Roundtable. She alsoserved as the vice chair of thePresident’s Committee onEmployment of People withDisabilities.

Sanford serves as the Inter-national’s liaison to the Electri-cal Workers Minority Caucus,Labor Council for Latin

R E T I R E D

Royetta K.Sanford

IBEWCURRENTScontinued from page 5

Toledo, Ohio, Local 8 is enthusiastically endorsing U.S.Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, in his campaign forgovernor. IBEW grassroots efforts on his behalf arewell underway. On May 20, Strickland (left) appeared inToledo with Sen. John Kerry, where he shared his visionfor a better Ohio. Strickland told supporters that theeyes of the nation will be on Ohio this fall. “The key isin our hands,” he said. “After we give Ohio back to theOhioans, in ’06, we will take that key and give the coun-try back to the American people in ’08.” 1

Toledo Local Supports Gubernatorial Candidate


The IBEW is saddened toreport the May 11, 2006,

death of retired Fifth DistrictInternational RepresentativeJohn L. Erickson. He was 79.

Brother Erickson was initi-ated into Jackson, Miss., Local480 in 1950. A journeymanwireman, he served on thelocal’s negotiating committeeand on the executive boardbefore his election as businessmanager in 1961, a position heoccupied until his appoint-ment as International Repre-sentative in 1971. During thoseyears, he was president ofboth the Jackson Building

Trades and the Mis-sissippi State Build-ing Trades.

Upon becomingInternational Repre-sentative, Ericksonserved as adminis-trative assistant tothen-Fifth DistrictVice President J.B.Pate. In that capac-ity, he handledaffairs of the officeand worked withthe rest of the district staff. Healso serviced local unions andassisted with organizing in allthe branches. A notable victory

was a Jacksonville,Fla., generating sta-tion owned byFlorida Power andLight, organized inthe late 1980s.

“He was a greatl eade r, a g rea tadministrator andan all-around goodguy,” said RobertH. King, a retiredFifth District Inter-national Represen-

tative who worked withErickson.

In his last five years on thestaff, Erickson traveled the dis-

trict presenting COMET (Con-struction Organizing Member-ship Education Training)sessions. He retired in 1992.

His retirement kept himbusy; Erickson had many inter-ests, including golf and a loveof flying. He was an aerobaticflyer, a crop duster and a flightinstructor. A World War II Navyveteran who served in theSouth Pacific, he was a mem-ber of the Masonic Blue Lodge.

A dedicated family man,Erickson leaves behind hiswife of 30 years, Nancy, twosons and three grandchil-dren. 1

D E C E A S E D

John LeoErickson

IBEW Interna-tional Represen-

tative Carolyn J.Williams has beenappointed Directorof Human Services,effective July 1.Williams, a memberof Atlanta Local 613,replaces RoyettaSanford, who hasretired.

Sister Williamssaid she is excitedabout serving the IBEW in hernew capacity, adding that thediverse demographics of theelectrical industry need to bemobilized to “combat the neg-ative forces that hinder unions

from representingall workers.”

Williams enteredher four-year insidewireman appren-ticeship after gradu-ating from SpelmanCollege in Atlantai n 1 9 7 8 . “Mymother felt that I was wasting myco l l ege degreegoing into a trade,”says Williams, “but

my psychology degree hashelped my union careerbecause so many of our issuesare on a human serviceslevel.”

Only one woman had com-

A P P O I N T E D

Carolyn J.Williams

pleted Local 613’s apprentice-ship when Williams enteredthe program. Five years aftercompleting her apprentice-ship, Williams was appointedto supervise members as fore-man on a series of commer-cial electrical jobs. “Myauthority was challenged attimes,” says Williams, whonotes that she took strengthfrom some of the womenwho followed her into thetrade in Atlanta and thenumerous journeymen whohad encouraged her through-out her apprenticeship.

In 1996, Williams wasappointed as one of Local613’s assistant business man-agers. She performed a multi-tude of tasks, from organizingto conducting new memberorientation courses and edit-ing the local union newspa-per. Williams implemented amore efficient dispatchingprocedure, conducted COMETtraining, designed and main-tained the local’s Web site andengaged in political educa-tion, candidate screenings andcommunity coalition-buildingefforts.

Appointed InternationalRepresentative and assigned

to the Construction and Main-tenance Department by Presi-dent Edwin D. Hill in 2002,Williams continued to applyher skills to a broad array offunctions. She reviewedagreements and letters ofassent, and served as liaisonto the U.S. Department ofLabor. Sister Williams super-vised data and file manage-ment and served on theBuilding and ConstructionTrades Department’s Davis-Bacon committee.

In 2000, former GeorgiaGov. Roy Barnes appointedWilliams to the board of theGeorgia Regional Transporta-tion Authority. Sister Williamshas also served as a delegateand chairman of the board oftrustees of the Atlanta LaborCouncil and as a member ofthe executive board of theElectrical Workers MinorityCaucus and TradeswomenNow and Tomorrow.

A married mother of threechildren, Williams enjoysreading, fitness activities andlistening to music.

The officers and membersof the IBEW wish SisterWilliams great success on hernew position. 1

American Advancement, AsianPac i f i c Amer ican LaborAlliance, Pride at Work,NAACP, Urban League, Ameri-can Red Cross and the Leader-ship Conference on CivilRights.

As a native of Los Ange-les, she attended the Metro-politan College of Businessand California State Univer-sity in Los Angeles and stud-ied advanced arbitration andother labor-related courses.

As the mother of two sonsand grandmother of three,Sanford plans to move toAtlanta to be closer to family.She also plans to travel andcontinue work with retireesand union leadership advo-cacy for people of color andwomen.

The IBEW officers, staffand members thank SisterSanford for her outstandingservice and wish her a longand healthy retirement. 1

Members of Pascagoula, Miss., IBEWLocal 733, are among trades who duginto their pockets to cover the costs of apicnic on May 20. The picnic—open toall workers and managers in the 4,500-employee yard—kicked off a concen-trated organizing campaign to increasethe unions’ leverage when their currentcontracts expire in 2007.

In the first week of the campaign, 25new IBEW members signed up.

All shop stewards in the yard—whichbuilds ships for the U.S. Navy—attendedclasses to sharpen their organizing tech-niques. A three-point contact method wasintroduced that has been successfullyemployed by the Metal Trades and theBoilermakers.

First, stewards approach unrepre-sented members and outline the benefitsof joining an affiliate. This introduction isfollowed with contacts, sometimesincluding house calls, by achief steward and, finally,

the local union president or lead orga-nizer.

“Since this is a right-to-work state, oneof the first questions we always need toanswer is where union dues go,” saysMerland Farria, assistant business man-ager for Local 733 Unit 6 and former chiefsteward at Avondale, located 15 milesfrom New Orleans.

Fifth District International Representa-tives Rick Tira and James Anderson andLocal 733 internal organizer Kenny Letthelped compile other questions andanswers to enhance the effectiveness ofthe campaign. Their efforts were encour-aged by Fifth District International VicePresident John Schantzen, who co-spon-sored a Metal Trades exploratory commit-tee to develop organizing targets on theGulf Coast.

Shipyard Organizing on Gulf CoastPrepares for 2007 ContractMetal Trades workers at Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, La.,aren’t leaving the task of organizing almost 2,000 nonunion co-workers to the next guy.

The IBEW ranks third in union densityamong trades at Avondale. The drive hasthe potential to increase Local 733 by 200members. IBEW International PresidentEdwin D. Hill said the union is in for “aslong as it takes,” recalling the eight-yearstruggle that preceded Avondale’s orga-nizing in 2000 and the year that it took tobargain a first contract with employerNorthrop Grumman Ship Systems.

Farria has high hopes that union rollswill swell before 2007. Metal Trades affili-ates are given a half hour by the com-pany to meet with each new hire as partof an orientation program. Many workershave signed union cards after the ses-sions. “Our track record shows that we’rehere to help them, not hurt theemployer.” 1

Rhode Island Independent UnionJoins IBEW

Members of the Ashton Cable Workersindependent union at Okonite, thenation’s largest privately-held producer ofwire and cable, have joined the IBEW atthe firm’s Ashton, R.I. plant. The vastmajority of the 70-member unit signedauthorization cards for the IBEW in April.

Okonite, which shares a long-standingbargaining relationship with the IBEW—atthe company’s 200-worker Richmond, Ky.plant—then agreed to recognize theBrotherhood after a May phone call byIBEW Manufacturing Department DirectorBob Roberts to the firm’s vice president ofemployee relations.

“Workers chose the IBEW because ofour reputation for service,” says SecondDistrict International Representative JohnFaria, who met with the Ashton workers,accompanied by fellow InternationalRepresentative Rui Carrinho.

Speaking in favor of IBEW affiliationwere two former members who hadserved as chief steward and shop stewardof bargaining units in other wire plants.The independent union’s president, whowas previously discharged, also sup-ported affiliation. His grievance will bearbitrated on September 11. The indepen-dent union’s contract with Okonite willexpire in 2008.


ORGANIZINGWIRE

Darrell Smith, center, chief steward, IBEWLocal 733-6, Avondale operations ofNorthrop Grumman Ship Systems, dis-tributes internal organizing literature.

The newest members in Ashton willstrengthen the IBEW’s influence in coor-dinated bargaining with Okonite, whichincludes members of the Steelworkers ata facility in New Jersey.

Roberts said he looks forward toexpanding the union’s scope and rela-tionship with Okonite, pointing to thecompany’s unique features. Employees atthe firm have been part of an employeestock ownership plan since 1976.

U.S. utilities will need Okonite’ssuperior products to make up for losttime in rebuilding a worn-out powergrid. Those products are typified by the5,000-volt, five inch-wide cables whichthe firm donated to the restoration of theStatue of Liberty, receiving recognitionfrom President Ronald Reagan. 1

Internal Organizingand Contract Cam-paigns Win in Texas

Winning good contracts and internalorganizing are flip sides of the same coinin Texas and other right-to-work states. AtSiemens circuit breaker and switch gearmanufacturing plant in Grand Prairie,Texas, coins are turning to dollars as aresult of a simultaneous IBEW internalorganizing drive and contract campaign.

Sixty newly-organized members bringthe IBEW’s numbers up to 230 out of a totalof 380 eligible union members at the facilitynear Dallas. A new collective bargainingagreement improves pay and promotionaland training opportunities and strengthensthe grievance and arbitration procedure.

Union density had dropped to 30 per-cent at Dallas-Fort Worth IBEW Local 20’sbargaining unit at Siemens as contract nego-tiations kicked off last December. SeventhDistrict International Representative RalphMerriweather was assigned to work with thelocal to initiate internal organizing efforts atseveral industrial units, including Siemens,Federal/Heath Sign Company, TXUComanche Peak Nuclear Plant and Sprint.

IBEW members at the plant receivedletters outlining the importance of bringingtheir nonunion co-workers into the Broth-erhood. At the same time, flyers were sentto non-members informing them of the


IBEW PIERCES BRINKS’ ARMORNewly-organized members at Brink’s Home Security in Minneapolis were not

going to let company scheduling frustrate their hard-fought campaign to join the

IBEW. In early May, they stood in the parking lot facing the company’s offices

and were sworn in as members of IBEW Local 292. As they take on the firm’s

stalling tactics to reach a first contract, their shop leader, Todd Rudquist, reflects

on how far they have come.

Two years ago, Rudquist, an installer, decided that he wasn’t going to spend

another day dealing with heavy-handed managers at Brink’s Home Security

without doing something about it. He knew that it wouldn’t be easy organizing

workers at a firm whose history of relations with unions was as unbending as its

fabled armored trucks which service the nation’s banks. But enough was

enough.

Rudquist placed a call to Minneapolis Local 292 asking for help to win union

representation for the Brink’s workers. He reported that workers were angry

about being assigned to work extra hours on short notice without overtime pay.

Workers and union representatives met for a year before managers got wind

of their plans. The company called captive audience meetings, explaining to

employees that a union “would not work at Brink’s.” But it was too late. On

March 16, Brinks’ Minneapolis crew voted 5 to 4 for union representation, the

only location nationwide to organize.

Now, Brink’s executives, including the firm’s general counsel, fly into Min-

neapolis for first-contract negotiations and generally meet for two hours at a

time, says Steve Everheart, Local 292 business representative and organizer.

“They are stalling because they know that when we reach a contract here, a

thousand other Brink’s workers across the United States will be watching.”

Everheart said.

The company presented the union with three and one-half pages of manage-

ment rights, but still ignores basic issues raised by union negotiators.

Rudquist is not giving up. He greets every newly hired worker with a union

card. “It will be a long haul, but we’ll get it done,” he says. 1

President Rodger Kretman, Minneapolis, Local 292, administers membership oath tonewly-organized Brink’s Home Security employees Scott Brumm, left, Chris Larson,Greg Willy, Kahmmany Douangmala, Kevin Gehan, Leo Reece and Todd Rudquist.


But the Illinois Supreme Court judgesmet their match with their own courtreporters, who in the end were able toorganize following a law change by theIllinois legislature. Finally, an end to a 16-year fight for union representation is insight.

“You have to give them credit,” saidformer Chicago Local 1220 Business Man-ager Jessica Logan. “You say that justicedelayed is justice denied but these guyshave kept up the same fire you see in a30-day campaign.”

Poor treatment on the job, low payand inadequate benefits were the drivingmotivations in the court reporters’ multi-year effort to organize. Judges commonlydenied court reporters lunch breaks andfailed to provide them with even the

most basic equipment to perform theirjobs, like chairs.

For the more than 200 members of thebargaining unit who are Cook Countycourt reporters, the fight was neither easynor fun. But in the two-day March elec-tion, the workers stood firm in their con-viction to form a union. Out of 165 votes,146 voted for IBEW representation. Only19 voted no.

Although a rumor has been circulatingthat the Cook County Department ofHuman Resources would attempt to stallcontract negotiations, Chicago Local 134representatives have already started bar-gaining.

The Teamsters attempted to organizethe court reporters in 1990. But theIBEW’s story of the Illinois court reporters

starts with Chicago’s Local 1220. Since2001, three subsequent business man-agers have been involved in the struggleto gain collective bargaining rights forcourt reporters statewide.

At every turn they were stymied by theSupreme Court judges, who fought backthe best way they knew how: using courtactions, injunctions, procedural stalling tac-tics and demands for more documenta-tion. They continuously changed theground rules and raised the bar ever-higher when the conditions they set weremet. But every legal trick in the book wasnot enough to discourage the courtreporters in their goal to gain a voice intheir workplace.

Although not all of the justices weredead-set against allowing the courtreporters union representation, a majoritywere.

“In general, the feeling was that sincethe Supreme Court made the rules, theydidn’t have to observe the rules,” said for-mer Local 1220 Business Manager Robert“Ro” Wratschko, now an international

Most judges aren’t used to defiance. Wielding absoluteauthority in their courtrooms, they can consign people tojail with a whack of a gavel. Not many people risk angeringthose with such power.


Illinois Court Reporters Close to Winning

Fight For Representation

Illinois court reporters attended an IBEW Sixth District organizing conference in 2004.

representative in the IBEW BroadcastingDepartment. “That was the biggest frus-tration. We met the thresholds they setand they said it wasn’t good enough.”

Local 1220 first petitioned theSupreme Court for voluntary recognitionof the count reporters, or failing that,requested a representation election in2001. The court responded by requiringthe IBEW to produce documentation thatit represented a majority of the unit. Afterthe Illinois Department ofLabor verified that the 373signatories constituted asubstantial majority of thecourt reporters, theIBEW again asked theSupreme Court

to recognize it as bargain-ing representative for thecourt reporters. Threeweeks later, in early 2003,that request was denied.

Meanwhile, the IBEWbrought its considerablelobbying influence in thestate capital of Springfieldto bear on the matter.Wratschko described theday he brought the case

of the court reportersto IBEW members

gathered in thecapital for lobbying activities.

“After hearing how they hadbeen treated for years,

the people in theroom were deter-mined to take thisissue to the legisla-tors from theirhome districts thatday, to make clearthat dignity for thecourt reporters wasa necessity, not anicety,” he said. “Asthose fellow IBEWmembers at thatmeeting started totick off the namesof the legislatorswith whom they

would be speaking, Irealized that practicallythe entire body wasgoing to be covered. Ourpeople had pressingissues of their own toaddress and time withthose at the capital isvery limited, so I wasvery grateful.”

Between 2003 and2005, the state legislaturepassed and the governorsigned two laws relatingspecifically to the courtreporters’ right to bar-gain. The first law essen-tially gave court reportersthe same rights to orga-nize as the rest of thestate’s employees, andrequired the SupremeCourt to collectively bar-gain over wages, hoursand terms and conditionsof employment. After thecourt assured lawmakersin Springfield it wouldcomply, they did not. TheIBEW filed a petition tocompel its compliancewith the new law, whichit denied.

The cour t thenannounced it had con-ducted an independent

survey of the court reporters, followingwhich the court recognized the IBEW asofficial bargaining representative for thecourt reporters of Cook County. But sixmonths later, in early 2005, it reversed itsrecognition. In July 2005, the courtreporters were split into three units forcollective bargaining purposes.

The second law advanced by the leg-islature removed the court reporters fromemployment by the Supreme Court andmade them employees of the chiefjudges of various county circuit courts.This law removed the court reporters’final barrier to a legal shot at organizing:the state constitution’s separation ofpowers clause, which prevents encroach-ment of executive or legislative branchesonto the judicial branch.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signs into law a bill recognizing the court reporters’ right to organize. With himare, from left, Local 701 member Art Ludwig, state labor department director; Sixth District reps LonnieStephenson and Al Goddard, Janet Lamonica, court reporter Debbie Grant, Sixth District Vice PresidentJoseph Lohman, IBEW President Ed Hill, IBEW Secretary-Treasurer Jon Walters, court reporter SueCosgrove-Gruszka, former Local 1220 Business Manager Ro Wratschko, court reporters Renia Boykin andJohn Tominello, state AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and Decatur Local 146 member Michael T. Carrigan andPresident Margaret Blackshere.

11


Cook County court reporter SueCosgrove-Gruszka.

Poor treatment on the job, low pay

and inadequate benefits were the

driving motivations in the court

reporters’ multi-year effort

to organize.


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ATTENTION ALL READERS

Would you like to receive the IBEW

Journal via e-mail instead of in your mail-

box? If so, please contact us at jour-

[email protected] and give us your name,

IBEW local union number and card num-

ber (if applicable) and e-mail address, and

we will send you each issue of the Journal

electronically instead of the printed ver-

sion. 1

ATTENTION ALL READERS

Alaska Local Issues “MilitaryAppreciation” Checks

Concerned that some fellow union members were being deployed to Iraq withoutnecessary body armor and other equipment, Anchorage, Alaska, IBEW Local 1547 gavethem $1,500 checks for “military appreciation.” Local union members also assisted fam-ilies of the service members by plowing driveways and helping with other tasks.

Returning Alaska Air National Guardmembers Brad Baldridge, apprenticelineman; Boyd Moring, journeymanwireman, and Art Koenig, electronicstechnician (still active) presented aplaque to Business Manager Larry Bellin appreciation of the local’s support.

Paul Lincoln, a journeyman wire-man and Nate Maplesden, a waste-water treatment plant operator, arecurrently on active duty. 1


Alaska Air National Guard members Baldridge, left, Moring and Koenig presentLocal 1547 Business Manager Larry Bellwith a certificate of appreciation.

Members Keep Soldiers Close in Spirit

Members of Allentown, Pa., IBEWLocal 375, keep Brotherhood alive aftermembers depart for military service.

Pictures of journeymen wiremenBruce Snyder, Jason Wieand, KimShollenberger, Jason Kondravy andapprentice Eric Sommers—who are cur-rently or have been stationed overseas—are displayed at the local union hall. Thelocal regularly calls their families tomake sure that they are all right.

Co-workers e-mail members in theservice, or contribute food, disposablerazors and other gifts to “BrotherBoxes” which are set up at the localhall. 1

2 0 0 6 S P R I N G S A F E T Y C A U C U S

The National Safety Council’s Labor Division concludedits spring meeting in Nashville, Tenn., in May. NashvilleIBEW Local 429 Business Manager Bobby Emery wel-comed the attendees to Music City and served as the host

for four days of activities.The labor division

provides a forum for net-working, developinglabor-specific programsand exchanging informa-tion on leading-edge top-ics in safety, health andthe environment with

other labor safety professionals. Each division member isactively engaged in contributing to measures that focus onfurthering occupational, home and community safety andhealth initiatives.

Prior to the start of the National Safety Council meet-ings, nearly 100 IBEW members representing inside andoutside construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommu-nications, and other jurisdictions gathered for the spring

meeting of the IBEW Safety Caucus. The Safety Caucusmeets twice yearly.

The IBEW Safety Caucus gives members the opportu-nity to share information about recent accidents, preventionmethods, state and federal regulatory efforts and legislativeproposals. The primary goals of the caucus are to:

n Provide a forum for IBEW local unions to coordi-nate with the IBEW Safety Department to promotesafety and health within industries where union mem-bers are employed

n Assist local unions in accident investigations and report-ing serious and fatal accidents

n Help develop legislative measures designed to raise thelevel of safety in our workplaces

n Identify workplace safety and health trends

The next meeting of the IBEW Safety Caucus will takeplace in November. Local unions will be notified of registra-tion for the caucus, labor division meetings, and theNational Safety Council Congress in the next couple ofmonths. 1

‘Light Up St. Louis’L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,

i,mt,rts,s,se,spa,st&ws), ST. LOUIS,MO—Local 1 thanks the more than 70members who made the trip to theCapitol in Jefferson City for the laborrally March 25.

Hundreds of union workers fromacross the state converged on theCapitol to show the Republican-con-trolled Legislature that labor has apowerful voice and is ready to fightfor what is right for working people.

Thanks also to members who vol-unteered for the annual Light Up St.Louis campaign. Since the program’sinception Local 1 members, along withNECA contractors, have made electri-cal improvements in over 30 neighbor-hoods. This number includes over 850homes improved and well over$450,000 donated in time, tools andmaterial to help better the lives ofsome of St. Louis’ most disadvantagedneighborhoods.

Local 1 mourns the death of: Bros.Walter Culpepper Jr., William C. Hajek,Jess W. Dyer, Earl T. Blum, Donald E.Mitchum, Jack R. Linneman, Donald A.Pelham, Grover J. Bridger, William C.Hartley, Torbjorn M. Knutsen, LorettaD. Nash and Andrew Comparato.

MATT GOBER, P.S.

Six Habitat HomesL.U. 11 (i,rts&spa), LOS ANGELES,

CA—Exec. Board member Steve Hep-burn noticed the fence around theHabitat for Humanity site in Clare-mont. He contacted Pomona ValleyHabitat to offer Local 11’s services,which were welcomed.

Bus. Mgr. Marvin Kropke asked Asst.Bus. Mgr. Kim Craft to coordinate Local11 volunteers. Craft contacted severalof Local 11’s outstanding contractorsand requested that Walton Electric VicePres. Tanyon Dunkley supervise andcoordinate layout and material on theproject. Several Walton Electric employ-ees, along with volunteers from theLocal 11 hall, set the services on thehomes in early Oct. 2005.

On Oct. 29 several Walton Electricforemen, Local 11 staff and 52 othervolunteers—from Meadows, Sasco,Esco, Shasta, Angeles Electric, CSI andO’Bryant Electric—roughed in all sixhouses. Local 11 staff memberscooked lunch for the volunteers.

Local 11 returned to the site inMarch 2006 with another 45 volunteersand completed installation of all elec-trical fixtures that day. Local 11 againserved a lunch.

Thanks to all the contractors whoencouraged their employees to partici-pate and show up with trucks, laddersand tools, and to all the members whovolunteered.

BOB OEDY, P.S.

Tree Trim JamboreeL.U. 17 (catv,em,lct t ,o&u),

DETROIT, MI—The work picture inour jurisdiction remains strong. Wehave more work than we can man onthe tree side and the lineman side. Weare expanding all our apprenticeshipprograms to help staff our jobs.

The Local 17 Tree Trim Jamboreewill be Aug. 26 at Stoney Creek MetroPark. It includes a family picnic andfriendly competition. Come watch ourtree trimmers in action.

The Lineman’s Rodeo will be Aug. 5in Lansing. Teams interested in partici-pating may contact Local 17.

Congratulations to Dale Cole on hisretirement from the N. G. Gilbert Co.Dale was initiated into the IBEW in1965 and retired after a 40-year careerin overhead line work. Happy retire-ment, Dale. Thanks for your hardwork and dedication to the IBEW.

So-called “right-to-work” legislationwas introduced in Michigan. Both thestate Senate and House are controlledby Republican majorities. If these billspass on party line votes, the only onewho can stop the bills from devastat-ing Michigan unions is Gov. JenniferGranholm, with her veto power. Let’skeep this in mind when we vote inNovember.

We mourn the loss of Bros. StephenK. Yenshaw, William A. Soucie, CliffordStreet and Ray L. Lee.

JIM BEAUBIEN, P.S.

Make a DifferenceL.U. 41 (em,es,i,se&spa), BUFFALO,

NY—The past few years the work pic-ture has been bleak, not only here butalso across the nation. Some may say“it’s just a phase” or “it’s bound tobounce back,” or even throw all theblame on the government. We cannotsit idly by and let this continue. Weneed to use all the resources availableto us. We need to get involved, comeout to our monthly union meetings.Get out and exercise your right tovote, call your congressmen and con-vince them to support labor, volunteeryour time on phone banks and get theword out. We can make a difference—put the “you” back into union.

We hope to see you at some of theupcoming local union events. Watchfor more information on the golf out-ing and annual outing.

Be strong—stand united.KENNETH C. ZACK, V.P./P.S.

Successful NegotiationsL.U. 47 (lctt,mo,o,u&uow), DIA-

MOND BAR, CA—Outside line con-struction negotiations concludedsuccessfully and a new three-yearagreement was ratified by 81 percentof the members. The contract calls for

(as) Alarm and Signal(ars) Atomic Research

Service(bo) Bridge Operators(cs) Cable Splicers(catv) Cable Television(c) Communications(cr) Cranemen(ees) Electrical Equipment

Service(ei) Electrical Inspection(em) Electrical

Manufacturing(es) Electric Signs(et) Electronic Technicians(fm) Fixture Manufacturing(govt) Government(i) Inside(it) Instrument

Technicians(lctt) Line Clearance Tree

Trimming(mt) Maintenance(mo) Maintenance and

Operation(mow) Manufacturing Office

Workers(mar) Marine(mps) Motion Picture Studios(nst) Nuclear Service

Technician(o) Outside(p) Powerhouse(pet) Professional,

Engineers and Technicians

(ptc) Professional, Techni-cal and Clerical

(rr) Railroad(rtb) Radio-Television

Broadcasting(rtm) Radio-Television

Manufacturing(rts) Radio-Television

Service(so) Service Occupations(s) Shopmen(se) Sign Erector(spa) Sound and Public

Address(st) Sound Technicians(t) Telephone(u) Utility(uow) Utility Office Workers(ws) Warehouse and

Supply

LOCALLINES

15

ATTENTION PRESS SECRETARIES:

The Journal has an e-mailaddress dedicated exclusively toreceiving “Local Lines” articlesfrom press secretaries. If you wishto submit your articles via e-mail,please forward them directly [email protected]. This willhelp expedite the productionprocess. As always, inquiries of a general nature or letters to the editor should still be sentto [email protected].

IBEW Local 1 President andMissouri state Rep. Tom Georgetakes a break from a March 25labor rally in Jefferson City, MO,with grandkids Owen, Nathen andEmma.

Local 11 members and contractors volunteered for a six-home Habitat forHumanity project in Claremont, CA.

a 6.5 percent increase in June 2006;5.5 percent in 2007; and 5 percent in2008 for linemen and related classifi-cations. At the end of the agreementlinemen will be making $43.07/hour.Groundmen and equipment operatorsget 3.5 percent increases each year.NEAP will increase $0.25/hour eachyear. Employers’ Lineco contributionswill increase to $5/hour and$5.25/hour in 2007 and 2008, respec-tively. There will be voluntary check-off for PAC/COPE. There were notake-aways.

Agreement was reached withHenkels & McCoy on a two-yearagreement for our Teledata Unit—6percent increase in year one and 3percent in year two.

The City of Anaheim agreed toreopen a 42-month contract that wassettled last year. Our members willreceive, in addition to current wages, 2percent more this year. Equity adjust-ments were made for 75 percent of theunit, ranging from 2 percent to 5 per-cent. The contract was extended oneyear, with a 4 percent wage increase.

We are saddened to report the

passing of Francisco Barron and Char-lene Morgan, a longtime IASTSE mem-ber and wife of Exec. Board memberDwight Morgan.

STAN STOSEL, P.S.

Lifesaving AwardL.U. 83 (u), BINGHAMTON, NY—

Local 83 member Mike Godboutreceived the IBEW Lifesaving Awardfor his immediate response to a car-bon monoxide leak. Bro. Godboutinstantly dispatched the EMS team,who were able to save two lives. Ifnot for his quick response and reac-tion, two people would have died.Mike received his award from theInternational at the Local 83 office onApril 17, 2006.

DON S. TUTTEL, P.S.

Outlook ImprovingL.U. 99 (govt&i), PROVIDENCE,

RI—The work outlook is slowlyimproving, with many large projects

opening up throughout the state. Fullemployment could be attainable bythis summer.

Code update classes are ongoing atour union hall. Let’s thank our instruc-tors for their time and effort to helpkeep us the most informed and edu-cated trades people.

Our Solar Voltaic project is nearingcompletion and will produce 50 kilo-watts of clean renewable energy. Thehard work of Asst. Apprenticeship Dir.John DiBiase and Bro. Kirk Rerick,along with many others, will reaphuge benefits given rising utility costs.

It’s time for contract negotiations,and escalating costs of health benefitsare our biggest hurdle.

Local 99’s ongoing organizingefforts are beginning to pay dividends.Seven salts were entrenched at theRoyal Mills renovation project and wewon the representation election onApril 27, 2006. Congratulations to allinvolved.

The annual Everett “Tommy”Woodmansee Golf Tournament is July15 at Triggs Memorial Golf Course.This event is always a success withmuch money raised for charity.

We remember all veterans whohave fought for our great country.

STEPHEN CALLAGHAN, P.S.

Waterfront ProjectL.U. 103 (cs&i), BOSTON, MA—

After years of fits and starts, the rede-velopment of South Boston’swaterfront is finally kicking into fullgear. News Corp., the media companyheaded by Rupert Murdoch, just

wrapped up its acquisition of 24 acres.Last year, Massachusetts Mutual LifeInsurance Co. joined with local devel-oper Joseph Fallon to buy the 20-acreFan Pier site next to Boston’s federalcourthouse.

Current projects in the seaport dis-trict include Boston Children’s Museum(a 23,000 sq. ft. addition and renova-tion), and the Institute of ContemporaryArt (a 65,000 sq. ft. museum). Millen-nium Partners unveiled plans to con-struct a 14-story residential block onWashington Street. A proposed 40-storytower, bus station expansion, and resi-dential and hotel complex at South Sta-tion are planned. The 1.7 millionsquare-foot project is to be built startingnext year through 2014.

We are proud to announce thatSafety Committee Chairman, Bro.George Kuers, has taken the reigns atthe Labor Division of the NationalSafety Council. Bro. Kuers is a 35-

year member of Local 103 and has spent 20 years on the Safety Com-mittee.

BILLY MOLINEAUX, P.S.

Apprentice GraduatesL.U. 141 (ees,o,o&u), WHEELING,

WV—Work in the area is good, withmany projects underway. School is outfor summer, but training continues.Congratulations to the class of 2006graduates. New journeyman wiremenare: Leroy Coe, Rick Dillon, JustinKlempa, Waylon Mlynek, Brian Shaw,Jason Stewart, Mike Tucker, Jim Wiseand Matt Wise.

As a 2006 graduate, I thank allthose who make our apprenticeshipprogram what it is today. Our trainingdirector is Tom Connor and the com-mittee includes: Bus. Mgr. John Clarke,Tom Namack, Dave DeFelice, BobbyKubovich and Tom Knight. Ourinstructors: Rick Yahn, Doug Yahn,Charlie McFadden, Paul Simmons andGreg Parisi.

We thank all of you, including thejourneymen who have worked with usfor the past five years, for the knowl-edge and confidence you have givenus.

We also welcome our new instruc-tors: Mark Dunfee and John Sharpe.

Journeyman training is underwaywith classes including First Aid, CPR,OSHA 10, Aluminum Conductors anda PLC overview. Sign up today!

JUSTIN KLEMPA, P.S.

Picnic in JulyL.U. 145 (em,i,o,rts,spa&u), ROCK

ISLAND, IL—Local 145 once againhosted its annual blood drive. A bigthank you to our dedicated membersand retirees who donate each year.

This year we surpassed our collectiongoal! Thank you to Jon Pohl, blooddrive chairman, and the committeethat helped organize the event.

Work picked up slightly this springwith the shutdown at our local powerhouse. Currently 120 members are onBook I. Work is expected to pick upthis summer and fall.

Our local had 28 apprentice wire-men graduate from their five-yearapprenticeship on May 1; at presstime six teledata apprentices wereexpected to graduate from their three-year apprenticeship in June. Congratu-lations to all!

At press time we were anticipatingour fourth annual Local 145 Golf Out-ing on June 3. Local 145’s annual picnicis July 29. Both summertime events aregreat get-togethers for our members,retirees and their families. Join us!

Our condolences go to families oflocal members who recently passedaway. Also, we pray for any membersrecovering from illness.

ALAN ANDERSON, P.S.

Motors ClassL.U. 153 (em,i,rtb,rts,se,spa&st),

SOUTH BEND, IN—Each year ourinside journey wiremen are offered ahands-on motors class taught by Bro.Jimmy Overmyer and Bro. Otto Taylor.For approximately eight weeks classparticipants have both book and labwork instruction to learn the ins andouts of AC and DC motors. For the lastclass night participants get a “fieldtrip” to local contractor Northern Elec-tric’s motor shop.

This class is so popular and educa-tional that the University of NotreDame has taken interest in it. For thepast several years graduate studentsfrom Notre Dame’s Electrical Engineer-ing School have been mixed with ourjourneymen for the presentation atNorthern’s shop. Hats off to NorthernElectric and Bros. Jimmy and Otto forproviding a higher education to all.

MIKE TAFF, P.S.


Local 47 Bro. Enoch Hughes (center) receives his 60-year pinpresented by Sr. Asst. Bus. Mgr.Mick Moore (left) and Bus. Rep.Mitch Rolow.

Local 83 VicePres. Gary L.Bonker (left), Pres.Danny E. Addy,LifesavingAward recipi-ent Michael L.Godbout andStewardStephen W.Middlebrooks.

Local 103 members worked on the$99 million Liberty Place project, a 28-story residential high rise indowntown Boston. Pictured is theproject’s 13,800-480 volt “collectorbus.” Members who worked on the Norfolk Electric project includ-ed: Butch Strukul (general fore-man), Brian Condon, TonyMondello (foreman), RichStimpson, Vinny Murdocca andRich Pasquarello.

Local 145 Bros.Tom DeBo(seated, left)and TomYeager volun-teer for theannual blooddrive.

From left, University of NotreDame Prof. Ken Sauer, Local 153instructor Otto Taylor, Apprentice-ship Coordinator Ron Michaelisand instructor Jimmy Overmyer.

Service HonoredL.U. 159 (i), MADISON, WI—We

thank Trish Hallman for her years ofservice as Local 159 administrativeassistant. Trish was honored at ourApril Exec. Board meeting with anIBEW watch in appreciation for herdedication. We wish her the best inher new position and will miss her inour office.

Local 159 heartedly welcomes thenew addition to our office staff, LindaHendrickson. Linda served in the U.S.Air Force, as a U.S postal serviceemployee, and as customer servicecoordinator with CenturyTel. She has abachelor’s degree in accounting and aCIS-Programmer-Analyst degree. Pleasesay hi to Linda the next time you stopinto the office.

At press time, the Local 159 “Day atthe Mallard’s” was scheduled for June 4.

Retired member of 53 yearsClarence Schenck passed away April 1,2006. A moment of silence was held atthe April local union meeting in honorof Clarence.

As of this writing, the May localunion meeting was expected to be anactive one with many membershipvotes conducted concerning wage ratedisbursements and proposed bylawchanges.

BILLY HARRELSON, B.M.

Spring Family EventL.U. 177 (bo,ees,i,mo,o&pet), JACK-

SONVILLE, FL—On Sat., April 15, Local177 held its first annual Billy AbernathyMemorial Easter Egg Hunt at ourapprenticeship facility. The event alsofeatured lunch cooked by Local 177brothers, door prizes, and “moonwalks”for the children’s entertainment. All thechildren found eggs and the EasterBunny paid a visit. Thanks to Pres.Alan Jones and his committee; Bro. Stu-art Amos, Bro. David Bryant and hiswife, Susan; Carol Dowell, Local 177administrative assistant; Bro. PeteMatthews and his wife, Tammy; and allother volunteers for another successfulIBEW Local 177 family event.

Congratulations to all Local 177retirees who recently reached monu-mental years of service as IBEW mem-bers. Bus. Mgr. Russell Harper

presented service pins and certificatesto several retirees on April 21, at theretirees’ monthly luncheon. Not allretired members could attend, but eli-gible recipients will receive theirawards in the mail with special acco-lades from Bus. Mgr. Harper and Pres.Alan Jones.

LISA M. STUART, P.S.

West Coast NoteL.U. 191 (c,i,mo,rtb&st), EVERETT,

WA—Local 191 Pres. Joe Peters hasreported from the Ninth DistrictProgress Meeting that the West Coast ofthe U.S. is doing pretty well on theIBEW front. Membership is up severalthousand, with many substantial pro-jects ongoing and others about to com-mence.

MARCUS ABARCUS, P.S.

Tornado Damage ClearedL.U. 193 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), SPRING-

FIELD, IL—Twin tornados hopscotchedacross the capital city March 12. Dam-age was extensive—at least $100 mil-lion across the city. Approximately65,000 residents were initially withoutpower. IBEW crews helped their fellowcitizens get the damage cleared andrestored power. An outstanding IBEWeffort was performed as 911 dispatchersdirected the calls for services; tree trim-mers cleared thousands of fallen trees;line crews from CWLP and from acrossthe Midwest replaced poles, hung thelines, and transformers; and insidewiremen and residential wiremenrepaired the house services. All doneby IBEW personnel, and city residentswere proud to have this superb effortin a major outage.

Wireman Gary Staley’s son Toddwon the IBEW scholarship of $500.

Ten inside apprentices are hired,and should start work by press time.No interviews are currently scheduledfor CWLP apprentices.

With sadness we report the passingof Robert Hart. Our sympathy goes outto his family.

DON HUDSON, P.S.

Workers Memorial DayL.U. 197 (em&i), BLOOMINGTON,

IL—We celebrated Workers MemorialDay with a good turnout from ourmembers at a sunrise service orga-nized by our local AFL-CIO Tradesand Labor organization. We mustnever forget those who have beenkilled or injured on the job.

Congratulations to retired Bros.Robert Meade and Richard Olson, whoreceived their 50-year service awards;and to retired Bros. Francis Donovanand Loyde Henry, who received 55-year awards. The late Bro. Heinz W.Doering was posthumously awarded a50-year certificate.

Congratulations also to the follow-ing commercial, residential, and tele-data apprentices who recently toppedout. Commercial—Adam Behnke,Dave Leinweber, Chris Neumann,Lester Parker, Mike Raikes, SteveRousey and John Stanek. Residen-tial—James Evans, Justin Powell andBrian Schrof. Teledata—Bruce Mitchelland Greg Reeves.

Bro. Clint Miller organized our firstspring fling horseshoe tournament

held in May. Participants enjoyedrefreshments, “brats and brotherhood.”We are ready for work to pick up thisspring. Take pride in your local union.

MIKE RAIKES, P.S.

Strong and InvolvedL.U. 231 (i,rtb,spa&u), SIOUX CITY,

IA—Local 231 congratulates the newretirees from the past two years.Thank you for all your hard work andyour efforts to improve working con-

ditions for those of us still in the trade.Recent retirees are: Michael Persinger,Bayne Linden, James Gengler, JesseJohnson, Richard Persinger, James Far-ley, Laurence Neilsen, Ronald Wauhob,Richard Bisson, Maurice Becker, JamesMercure, Larry Hennessey, Robert Laneand Elmer Sneller.

In the same vein, congratulations tothe following members who have 50years or more with the IBEW: ThomasBerry, Kenneth Byrne, Thomas Corri-gan, Warren Hansen, Richard Moses,Dean Rush, Marvin Berens, RoyleClause, William Ferguson, OwenHiniker, Robert McClary, Billie Hos-sack, James Bauer, Gerald Schulte,Richard Rysta and Gail Grimsley. Iwonder what they would consider themost important element of being anIBEW member!

Apprenticeship interviews wererecently held. Everyone, includingthese new members. needs to remem-ber the sacrifices that our older mem-bers gave to help make the union astrong entity. We need to continue towork toward a strong union and the

only way to do this is to be involved.Our retirees meet for breakfast the

second Thursday of the month at Tim-othy’s Restaurant.

DEBBY SPENCER, P.S.

Annual Dinner DanceL.U. 237 (i), NIAGARA FALLS, NY—

Our annual dinner dance in February2006 was attended by our Third Dis-trict Int. Vice Pres. Donald C. Siegel.He stressed that all unions shouldstick together in these trying times.Also in attendance was Bro. VinceAnello, mayor of Niagara Falls. Hismessage was: Get involved in yourcommunity and ask questions to stayinformed regarding issues important toworking people.

Many service pins were awarded.Among pin recipients were: for 65years of service—Duane Jordan andRoss Pierce; 60 years—Harold Allen


Celebrating Workers Memorial Dayceremony, from left: Local 197Bros. Steve Rousey, Tom Peasley,Sandy Robertson, Les Parker, ClintMiller and Don Armstrong.

Twenty-threeLocal 231retireesattended theApril Retireesbreakfast.Many were justreturning“snow birds.”

Local 237 retired Bro. Ross Pierce(left) was awarded his 65-year ser-vice pin, and retired Bro. HaroldAllen (standing) received his 60-year pin.

Local 159 honored Trish Hallmanfor her service as former localunion administrative assistant.

Local 177’s Easter Egg Hunt for kids was a great family event.

Local 193 combined crews of several classifications restore power aftertornados hit in Springfield, IL.

and Robert Frank; 55 years—FrankAntonucci, Joseph Barone, WilliamCorbin, Carmen Derose, Greg Ferritoand Anthony Mariano; 50 years—JackDowling. Many others also receivedawards, but space limitations preventlisting all their names here.

Congratulations to our six newretirees, who received watches: Don-ald Ingersoll, Michael Dohring, RonaldPenton, Terry Tempest, James Heftand Brian Parkhill.

Work here looks as though it willbe picking up by press time.

JEFFREY PLACHE, P.S.

Davis-Besse OutageL.U. 245 (govt,lctt,o,rtb&u),

TOLEDO, OH—Davis-Besse nuclearpower plant outages ended after 50-plus days, a little over the expected 35days. But the reactor head lookedgood. If you look closely you can seethe head in the background of theaccompanying photo.

TV negotiations should be windingdown, with WTVG TV-13 reaching atentative after two meetings. WNWOTV-24 is trying to conclude marathonnegotiations and WGTE TV-30 issomewhere in between.

At Bayshore, the plant is goingthrough a new program called FossilExcellence. This is a reorganizationeffort where Bayshore has beenselected to be a model for First EnergyFossil plants.

A couple of new jobs were createdin Energy Delivery in the meterdepartment and transformer repair.There is also some talk of recreating atransmission department. More infor-mation will follow.

Outside Construction took a strangeturn in April when First Energy laid offits supplemental help. Hopefully thatsituation has corrected itself by now.

There is a tentative plan for a unionpicnic after the Labor Day parade. Seeyour steward or call the hall fordetails.

RAY ZYCHOWICZ, P.S.

Labor RallyL.U. 257 (em,i,rtb,rts,spa&t), JEF-

FERSON CITY, MO—Local 257recently joined with other trade unions

in a labor rally at our state Capitol.Our goal was to show support forthose elected government officialswho haven’t forgotten us, and to try toinfluence some of the others to con-sider our position when voting. Withmany wiremen still unemployed inthis local, this was a great way tomake our feelings known. The daywas filled with speakers and approxi-mately 3,000 union members from dif-ferent trades attended.

Work union, buy union.TRAVIS HART, P.S.

George Meany AwardL.U. 265 (i,mt,rts&spa), LINCOLN,

NE—Steven L. McCown of Local 265was presented the George MeanyAward on Feb. 9, 2006, at the LincolnCentral Labor Union, AFL-CIO,monthly meeting. The George MeanyAward is organized labor’s highestaward for service to youth through theprogram of the Boy Scouts of America.The presentation was made by MikePittz, president of the Lincoln CentralLabor Union, who cited Bro. McCownfor over 15 years of volunteer leader-ship.

Work in the Lincoln area remainsslow at this time, for union andnonunion alike. However, many of ourunemployed members have been ableto find work in surrounding jurisdic-tions. Thanks to those locals that areemploying our brothers and sisters.

GLEN ISAACS, ORG.

Community ServiceL.U. 269 (i&o), TRENTON, NJ—In

April and May, Local 269 membersparticipated in various community ser-vice projects.

In April two Adopt-a-Highway pro-jects began. One in Pennsylvania wasspearheaded by Bro. Sean Cullen, andanother in Bordentown, NJ, by Bro.

Mark McTammney. Also, Bro. SeanMcSherry led another group thatcleaned up a section of U.S. Route 1 inLanghorne, PA, in memory of thedaughter of Diane Marseglia.

Bro. Bob Froelich organized an MSwalk in Belmar, NJ. They were 168strong.

May also brought many brothersand sisters together for another suc-cessful blood drive at the CommunityBlood Council of New Jersey, whichservices all area hospitals.

It’s good to see Local 269 members acting as a beacon of light totheir community through volunteerism.

BRIAN PROCTOR, P.S.

Lifesaving AwardL.U. 309 (i,lctt,mo,mt,o,rts,spa &u),

COLLINSVILLE, IL—Our work picturefor the inside branch remains slow.We have about 30 members on thebench but anticipate full employmentthis summer. Our outside branchescontinue to enjoy full employment,with approximately 20 traveling mem-bers working in our jurisdiction.

Our line clearance tree trimmersapproved a one-year contract withAmerican Line Builders, effective July1, with a 3.25 percent total packageincrease and a .5 percent safety incen-tive bonus increase (now .75 percent).

Congratulations to Bros. Paul Stal-lons and Scott Fuller for receiving theIBEW Lifesaving Award. On Oct. 10,2005, a pin on a rear center mountcrane truck snapped, allowing theboom to crash down driving their co-worker, Bro. Mike Hayes, to theground. Bros. Stallons and Fullerimmediately immobilized Bro. Hayes,applied first aid to a severe headwound and called 911. Bro. Hayes suf-fered a fractured skull, compressedvertebrae, broken ribs and a fracturedorbital. If not for the quick response ofPaul and Scott, his injuries could haveresulted in paralysis or death; instead,he is on the road to full recovery.

We mourn the loss of Bro. Frank A.Szedlar, journeyman maintenance electrician, and Bro. Edward D.McCormick, journeyman lineman andpast assistant business manager.

JIM BERGER, B.M.

Officer AppointmentL.U. 313 (i&spa), WILMINGTON,

DE—Congratulations to Bro. JamesKing on his appointment as recordingsecretary. Thanks to Bro. GeorgeMatarese for his time served in thisposition.

Hats off to the 2006 graduatingapprentice class: Bros. Stephen Auger,Aaron Bush, Anthony Carvo, Martin

DeWalt III, James Fitzsimmons III,Richard Foster, Brandon Fox, ThomasGordon Jr., Bryan Gullion, CharlotteHarris, Geoffrey Hylton, David LawsonJr., Ronald Moore, Michael Rosche,Ricky Savage, James Warrington,Mathew Watson, Steven Westling andErnest Wright. Steven Westling isapprentice of the year.

Local 313 participated in the Wilm-ington St. Patrick’s Day parade. Mem-bers and their families were greeted bylarge crowds along the parade route, asthey proudly marched wearing IBEWshirts and carrying flags and banners.On April 7, Local 313 had its annualshrimp feast at the local union hall.

Hundreds of active and retired membersenjoyed an evening of excellent seafoodand camaraderie. Thanks to Bro. EricLewis and the entertainment committeefor making this event a success.

Thanks to all members who partici-pated in the Adopt a Highway clean-up crew. These members served thelocal union well by showing that wecare about the community and aregood neighbors.

SCOTT A. LUPINEK, P.S.

Centennial Celebration L.U. 319 (u), SASKATOON, SK,

CANADA—In May 2006 SaskatoonLight & Power celebrated 100 years ofservice to the citizens of Saskatoon.Central celebration took place on May26. IBEW representation was later won.On Oct. 1, 1927, eleven linemen andline apprentices, employed by the Cityof Saskatoon, applied to the Interna-tional Brotherhood of Electrical Work-ers for a charter to operate an IBEWlocal union.

We are sad to announce the pass-ing of Lionel Dionne on March 24,2006. Lionel dedicated many years toIBEW 319 and served as president/business manager from 1974-1989.Lionel’s devotion and commitment tobrothers and sisters of Local 319 willbe always remembered.

NINKO OSTOJIC, P.S.

New BeginningsL.U. 357 (c,i,mt&se), LAS VEGAS,

NV—Tragedy struck the graduatingclass of 2006 with the death of MichaelJackson, a fifth-year apprentice. Michaelearned the “Mike Laux” award forunion meeting attendance. Local 357,the JATC, and the class of 2006 extendcondolences to his family. Michael willbe missed.

Congratulations to all 2006 appren-tice graduates from Local 357 and theSouthern Nevada JATC. The graduationdinner-dance was May 20 at Ballys


Local 245 members completed outages at the Davis-Bessenuclear power plant in Ohio.

Local 265 award recipient SteveMcCown (left) accepts congratula-tions from Bus. Mgr. Clint Burge.

Local 269 fourth-year instructorDwight Torlay Jr. donates blood.

At Local 309Lifesaving Awardspresentation, fromleft: Asst. Bus. Mgr.Scott Hassall, awardrecipient Bro. PaulStallons, Bro. MikeHayes and Bus. Mgr.Jim Berger. Not pic-tured is award recipi-ent Bro. Scott Fuller.

Hotel. Graduating inside journeymanwiremen: Migal Barraza, Mary Bedell,Michael Blankenship, Joshua Brown,Justin Brown, Kristopher Brown, RobertBrown, Francisco Chavez, GilbertChavez, Douglas Cotner, Michael Durr,Jered Glasscock, Kristopher Gray,Michael Green, Stephen Hawkins,Ronald Helmeci, Michael Hollis,Michael Jackson, David Jensen, KarenJohnson, Justin Laver, JacquelynLenhardt, Larry Mango, La TonyaMcNair, Philip Peters, Logan Peterson,Tony Piekarzyk, Alex Podovich, RyanRedmon, Richard Reibel, AndrewRomeo, Kenneth Thompson, Jose Tor-res, Ronald Vandemark, Tamika Woodsand Emil Yarbrough. New installertechnicians: Melinda Donaghy, OtisFitz, John Furphy, Aaron Georgelos,Scott Green, Melissa Lloyd, BradleyMoore II, Linda Rusk, Brian Scro.

Local 357’s 75th anniversary dinnercelebration is July 29 at the Paris hotel.Come one and all—join the celebration!

TIMOTHY W. BOLTON, P.S.

Hurricane Relief ServiceL.U. 363 (catv,em,govt,i,t,u&ws),

NEW CITY, NY—Last September Local363 member Dave Schnitzer was noti-fied that his specialized training wasneeded to help in the relief efforts afterHurricane Katrina hit the New Orleansarea. Dave is chief of the Blauvelt FireDepartment and is trained in emer-gency response situations.

In Baton Rouge, LA, Dave assistedthe U.S. marshals at first, and then wasassigned to a special task force thatrestored utilities, cleared roads andassisted in the identification of homes.He also assisted as a liaison to the localNational Guard coordinating food andmedical supplies for the local popula-tion. Local 363 commends Dave fordoing a great job. Sometimes commu-nity service can extend to a larger com-munity that we usually think of.

TIMOTHY POULIN, P.S.

‘Vigilant and United’L.U. 375 (catv,ees&i), ALLENTOWN,

PA—Local 375 recently settled ourInside, VDV and Residential agreee-ments. Our labor-management com-mittee worked diligently to provide uswith an equitable contract.

Please remember our members onactive duty in the Middle East. Write,e-mail or donate to the “BrotherBoxes.” Local 375 brothers who areserving or have served overseas are:Bruce Snyder, Jason Wieand, KimShollenberger, Jason Kondravy andEric Sommers. Let’s express our grati-tude for their service and sacrifice.

In this sixth-year of the BushAdministrations’ assault on unions andon the rights and wages of Americanworkers, let us remain vigilant andunited to help elect a labor-friendlyCongress. Elections are approaching.Please assist in phone banks and other

volunteer activities. Contact yourunion hall on how to help. Our fami-lies’ and local union’s future dependson it.

We hope to see everyone at ourlocal clambake Sat., Sept. 9, 2006, atthe Willow Tree Grove in Orefield, PA.There may possibly be a golf tourna-ment before the bake. Details will beavailable at the July union meeting.

ROGER GAYDOS, P.S.

Arizona Lineman WorkL.U. 387 (em,lctt&u), PHOENIX,

AZ—As of this writing in May, aftermonths of negotiations our members atNavopache Electric Cooperative still donot have a new contract. Navopachefelt it was in its best interest to have alawyer do its negotiating. At press time,we are requesting arbitration.

There is a lot of work in Arizona.Currently, we are looking for linemenand substation electricians.

The linemen recently voted andpassed a 3.75 percent increase for rub-ber gloving.

Special thanks to Darren Skogen,apprentice electrician, who took timeoff to go help the victims of Katrina byworking to rebuild their community.

SAM HOOVER, P.S.

Medical Screening ProgramL.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa

&u), POCATELLO, ID—Recently it wasannounced that the drought plaguingIdaho is over, with the wet winter andspring. Now we have too much waterand some minor flooding. We hopethe “drought” in our work picture alsochanges this summer. Thanks to all thesurrounding locals that have kept ourmembers working.

I recently participated in the Build-ing Trades National Medical ScreeningProgram offered to workers who haveworked or are working at the fol-lowing U.S. Department of Energysites: Hanford, Oak Ridge, SavannahRiver, Amchitka, Pinellas Plant, INEEL,Paducah, Kansas City, Mallinckrodt,Weldon Springs, Brookhaven, Fernald,Mound and Portsmouth. Offered is anin-depth physical that includes workhistory, blood work, hearing test, chestX-ray and many other options. To par-ticipate (if you live in Idaho or haveworked at the INEEL), call: Dan Obrayat (208) 233-4611. For other areas call:1-800-866-9663 or go to Web sitehttp://www.btmed.org.

Congratulations to recent retirees:Bros. Michael Peck, Jim Gibson andRon Eccher.

Our condolences go to the familyof Dale Empey, a retired tube bender,who passed away March 15, 2006.

RUSSELL HILL, R.S.

Support Union GoalsL.U. 459 (ees,em,so&u), JOHN-

STOWN, PA—Our local, like manyothers, is having some serious issues

at negotiations. At present, we are inthree negotiations. Health care has tobe the biggest issue. More and moreemployers are passing the costs on totheir workers and retirees. Less staff,more overtime and less benefits. Wedo have a few good employers leftwith hearts and souls, but more andmore say competition is forcing themto cut back. As more consumers buyproducts from foreign countries likeChina, workers in our country will suf-fer. We need all union members tobuy union, buy North American, andto participate in the political process.Apathy and lack of support for thegoals and ideals of the labor move-ment will help employers cut jobs,wages and benefits. Attend your unionmeetings and help your union.

JOE SANNA, A.B.M./P.S.

Work PlentifulL.U. 479 (i&u), BEAUMONT, TX—

Our union hall is finally being repairedfrom all of the damage caused by Hur-ricane Rita. We look forward to thecompletion of the construction andhaving our hall like a new building.

Work is still plentiful and should befor three to four years. Many industrialcompanies are expanding and thedemand for workers will be greaterthan this area has ever seen. Local 479is basically a “walk-through” as Book1 stays clear with about 10 people onBook 2. Housing is still in highdemand but apartments and hotels arebeing built all over the area. Check theIBEW Web site for updates. All calls are listed under “jobline” at www.ibew479.com.

DAVID GONZALES, B.M./F.S.

Robert Citrolo RetiresL.U. 503 (t&u), MONROE, NY—Con-

gratulations to recently retiredPres./Bus. Manager Robert Citrolo, fromLocal 503 officers and members.

Bob retired May 1 after 22 years asleader of Local 503 and 38 years of ser-vice at O&R. He has done an outstand-ing job not only for our local but alsofor many other statewide organizationsand charities.

He has helped blaze a trail into thefuture for union members with regardto deregulation and the technologicalchanges and challenges our industryfaces. His strong labor relations skills,union pride and belief in fellowshipmade him a great leader. Bob served inthe U.S. Marine Corps and is a deco-rated Vietnam veteran.

Bob was responsible for continuingthe Toys-For-Tots and the Family Holi-day Basket drives every year withgreat success.

On April 21, some 320 guestsattended Bob’s retirement party. Guestspeakers representing various organi-zations, the International and localunions paid tribute to Bob. His leader-ship and sense of humor will bemissed. Wishing all the best to Bobbyand his wife, Sue, in his retirement!

As Bob leaves, this will be my lastarticle as press secretary. It has trulybeen my pleasure to serve the local inthis capacity.

MARY M. CASEY, P.S.

55-Year AwardL.U. 547 (rr), GALESBURG, IL—In

April the IBEW issued a certificate andpin for 55 years of membership to CarlL. Foltz of Kansas City, MO. Local 547is very proud to have Bro. Foltz as a member and we congratulate him onthis tremendous accomplishment.When Carl graduated from high schoolin 1950, he followed in his father’s foot-steps and joined the CB&Q Railroad inMontgomery, IL, as an employed in theTelegraph Department. On Dec. 1,1951, he became a member of theIBEW. Carl was drafted into the Armyin 1952 and the training he receivedthere benefited his career on the rail-road as an electronic technician. Work-ing exclusively in the Midwest (Illinois,Missouri and Nebraska) Carl retiredfrom the Burlington Northern Railroadin June 1994 with 43 years of service.He and his wife, Marilyn, have enjoyed12 years of retirement. They have fivechildren and 11 grandchildren. Congrat-ulations, Carl!

PAUL D. MILLER, F.S.

Code of ExcellenceL.U.557 (i,mt,rts&spa), SAGINAW,

MI—Code of Excellence may be abuzzword elsewhere, but in Saginawclasses and training are ways to marketand improve our product. Bus. Mgr.Bob Orr recognized this as a way togain the edge where we need to shineand grow market share on a specificjob that can put many hands to work ifwe continue to create good will withthe managers who buy the install. Weneed contractor cooperation! Will theygo beyond reading the title? When ameeting highlighting the processattracts only one contractor we worry.On the job we need tools, parts andlayout to produce productive workersto compete with any less paying entity.Negotiations are underway and supple-mentary unemployment insurance for


Local 357’s class of 2006 graduates gather for a group photo with localunion officers, JATC director and instructors.

Local 547 Bro. Carl Foltz betweenrelay racks in North Kansas City,MO, in the 1970s.

Supporting school bonds hasresulted in jobs in Local 557’sjurisdiction. Pictured at the newLoomis Elementary School jobsite,from left: Brian Chiesla, CharlieTrumble, Tim Iles and Glen Cooper.

local hands may begin funding soon.Keep focus on our political process.State and federal legislators are stilltrying to remove prevailing wage andmake more “right to work for less”workplaces.

The local observed a moment ofsilence for Bruce Winchell, who was apast Executive Board member andLocal 557 supporter all the years Iknew him.

JOHN E. CLEMENS, P.S.

Progress MeetingL.U. 569 (i,mar,mt,rts&spa), SAN

DIEGO, CA—Local 569 had ten mem-bers in attendance at the 2006 IBEWNinth District Progress Meeting heldin Palm Springs, CA. Int. Pres. EdwinD. Hill highlighted his vision on thesteps needed to lead the IBEW backto controlling the work in our respec-tive districts. We need to continue tobe more proactive and progressive ingetting IBEW members working incertain jurisdictions that have little orno IBEW presence in parts of thecountry.

For example, by allowing moreflexibility to contractors in areas withlimited man-hours and making it morecomfortable for the customers to wantto use the IBEW, our union improvesits presence. The IBEW stands forquality and we must continue to bethe best in our industry. The term “8for 8” is an old expression but it isone that has always proven to be true.Int. Pres. Hill is also determined tofight back the other unions that haverecently tried to steal the IBEW’swork. Progress meeting speakers pro-vided valuable information on topicssuch as prevailing wages and takingon the nonunion apprenticeship pro-grams.

NICHOLAS J. SEGURA JR., P.S.

Journeyman StatusL.U. 577 (em&i), APPLETON, WI—

The work picture has not improved.Many journeyman wiremen havetaken residence on the out-of-worklist. All members shudder as we getnews of another local factory closingor moving production away. Commer-cial work seems to be strong, but ourunion contractors have been shut outby a ridiculously low nonunion bid.

The negotiations team recentlycompleted a new two-year agreement.The local and the contractors madesome radical changes in the way wedo business to take back the work thatour competitors seem to think belongsto them. Most of you recognized the

need to do something different.Approach these changes with opti-mism and enthusiasm. Our survivaldepends on your attitude.

The Appleton/Oshkosh JointApprenticeship Committee recently rec-ommended the following apprenticesfor inside journeyman wireman status:Michael Bevers, Charles Frederickson,Cody Johnson, James Kraft, Jason Mills,Kevin Schuh, Thomas Sobojinski, Matt Van Asten, Michael Voight

and Mike Werner. Congratulations!Spring safety classes have been

well attended. The OSHA regulationsfor confined space entry are coveredas well as the safe use of test instru-ments using Fluke meters for-hands ontraining. Watch your newsletter for fallsemester classes.

GREG BREAKER, B.M.

Hospital ProjectL.U. 611 (catv,es,i,lctt,o,spa,t&u),

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—As of this writ-ing negotiations on the state contracthave been difficult. At press time themembership was scheduled to vote ona new contract on June 24. Work in ourjurisdiction has been steady with theUniversity of New Mexico hospital pro-ject currently employing about 65members and scheduled to be manningup to about 100 by mid-summer. Thecompletion date is set for February2007. The hospital job is a New MexicoBuilding Construction Trades Councilproject labor agreement with over 370trade unionists on the project.

With sad regret I report the passingof yet another young journeymanwireman. Brian C. de Baca passedaway on March 16. Brian joined theapprenticeship in 1995 but, because ofongoing health problems, was unableto complete the apprenticeship until2005. Brian was diagnosed with Type Idiabetes at age 16. In May of 2000 hereceived a liver from his father, Joe C.de Baca (also an IBEW member).Brian will be missed by all who knewhim. He is survived by a wife and son.

Local 611 extends condolences tothe families of Clifford K. Fox,Lawrence E. Swanson, Bob Phillips,

Brian C. de Baca, Jose P. Sanchez, andClyde P. Hillis.

DARRELL J. BLAIR, P.S.

Congratulations, Brothers!L.U. 625 (ees,em,i,mar&mt), HALI-

FAX, NS, CANADA—Bros. JamesMatthews, Chris Graham, Richard G.Morrison, Travis Lobban, ShawnDelorey, Chad Gray, Frank Purdy,Warren MacKinnon and Sister ChantalO’Neil achieved Interprovincial Jour-neyman status. A proud day!

At the Provincial Skills CompetitionMarch 31, Local 625 Bro. JonathanFaulkner won the gold medal; Bro.Don Abbott the bronze; and honor-able mention to Bro. Dane MacDon-ald, who finished fourth. At press time,Jonathan was set to represent Local625 and all Nova Scotian apprenticeelectricians in the nationals in late May2006.

On April 3, our local adopted thejob-line and lay-off line method of dis-patching. Although this may be a bigchange for our members, many localshave used similar systems for decades.It is working well; dropping the refusalpenalty has been very popular. Bus.Mgr./Fin. Sec. Cordell Cole and Asst.Bus. Mgr./Dispatcher Tim Swinamerresearched and worked out the detailsbefore implementing this big step intothe 21st century.

The work picture remains slow atpress time, although there is encourag-ing news. Several “big box” stores inthe new Dartmouth Crossing Develop-ment went union without the need toimplement our Market Recovery Pro-gram. Organizing has dried up thesupply of nonunion workers. Fewnonunion shops can devote a largecrew to these fast-paced jobs.

TOM GRIFFITHS, P.S.

New ContractorsL.U. 649 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), ALTON,

IL—Bro. Keith Becker has assumedresponsibilities as the organizing agentand Plus 5 marketing representative.Keith is a journeyman wireman with22 years of service and experience as

a contractor himself. Members lookforward to his serving this local and itsstaff.

We have some new contractors get-ting established in Local 649. Congrat-ulations to: A.C. Springman Electric,Braydon Electric, Edwards Electric,Mariah Point Electric, Trico ElectricalContractors, Quality Sign and Robien’sSign. We wish the best of luck to thesenew contractors in a very competitivemarketplace.

Planning has begun for a centennialcelebration of our charter. Committeesare now being formed to organize theevent, which will take place in 2009.

Our inside wireman contractsexpire Sept. 1, 2006. Negotiationsstarted in June. We are confident ournegotiating committee will be success-ful in obtaining the best possible pack-age.

BRYAN BERG, P.S.

Open House a SuccessL.U. 665 (i,rts&spa), LANSING,

MI—The open house for the LansingElectrical Joint Apprenticeship andTraining program was a great success.Apprenticeship Dir. Lawrence HidalgoJr., staff, and a handful of apprenticesdid a tremendous job preparing thefacilities for our members and theLansing community. It was nice for thecommunity to see the depth of ourapprenticeship training and the sophis-tication of our program.

Although the General Motors Deltaplant has been good for us these lastthree years, it is ending. The Deltaplant employed people from acrossthe United States and has beenremarkable for our local and the mid-Michigan economy.

The renovation of the union hall isnearly complete, and we look forwardto the much needed updates.

It was nice to see old friends at the2006 Retirees dinner. Service pinswere distributed, including many 65-year service awards. The idea of start-ing a monthly Retirees breakfast wasproposed also.

JEREMY HIDALGO, P.S.

Power Plant ConstructionL.U. 667 (u), PUEBLO, CO—Local

members employed at Aquila Inc. havestarted relocating some of their powerlines for the Comanche Station 3power plant construction project. Thisproject will be built 100 percent unionand is starting to bring in work for theIBEW as well as many of the other


Local 611 crew on the University of New Mexico hospital project. The con-tractor is McDade and Woodcock.

Local 625 Bro. Jonathan Faulknerworks on his gold medal-winningproject at the Provincial SkillsCompetition at the Nova ScotiaInstitute of Technology in March.

At the Local 665 Retirees dinner,Bros. Fay Franklin (left) and KeithHuyser enjoy the spirit of brother-hood.

IBEW International Officers with Local 569 leaders at the Ninth DistrictProgress Meeting.

unions in southern Colorado. Local 667members thank Exel and everyoneinvolved with this project for buildingit union. The overhaul at the CannonCity power plant has been completedwith the help of all plant employeesand central maintenance.

San Isabel added nine linemanpositions throughout its service terri-tory; four of those jobs have beenfilled. There is plenty of work butovertime is still limited.

Our membership is growingsteadily, in big part due to the addi-tions at San Isabel in recent years.

Congratulations to Rob Martin, whocompleted his apprenticeship and isnow a journeyman lineman.

JERRY BELLAH, B.M.

Community VolunteersL.U. 697 (i,c,es,mt,se), GARY AND

HAMMOND, IN—On April 29 approxi-mately 40 Local 697 members volun-t ee red on seve ra l commun i t yChristmas in April projects. It wasencouraging to see that the largestgroup of civic-minded people wasfrom organized labor and IBEW Local697 with the largest craft to answer thecall for help. The day was one ofcamaraderie and cheerfully assistingthose who need a helping hand. Manyparticipants were apprentices and thevolunteers spanned age categoriesfrom entry level to near retirement.The elderly lady on whose home weworked was greatly appreciative.

In the same weekend, 28 Local 697members and their families walked inthe March of Dimes “Walk America”raising over $4,500 for research to aidchildren with birth defects. Also, ourblood drive in March produced themost pints of blood we have everdonated.

This is what the union is allabout—family, community, helpingothers and making this country a bet-ter place to live. On July 4, celebrateAmerica and thank God for the free-dom we have to do what is right.

DAVID A. SODERQUIST, P.S.

Officer Election ResultsL.U. 759 (u), FT. LAUDERDALE,

FL—The Local 759 Executive Boardheld midterm elections to fill thevacant positions created by the retire-

ment of Pres. George Skillas. Nameswith an asterisk are newly elected totheir respective posts.

Officers elected are: Pres. Bus. Mgr.Tim Haynick*; Vice Pres. Keith Mur-phy*; Rec. Sec. Steve Donovan; Fin.Sec. Heidi Killebrew*; and Treas./ Distri-bution Delegate Tim Brucker*.

Our first group of apprentice cablesplicers and meter men are scheduledto complete their training by the endof 2006.

As of this writing we still have out-side crews assisting us in making per-manent repairs from our direct hitfrom Hurricane Wilma. Local 759 onceagain thanks these crews.

GLEN PLOCK, P.S.

Tampa Bay ProjectL.U. 915 (i&mt), TAMPA, FL—The

2003 Super Bowl champions, TampaBay Buccaneers, are building a newtraining facility and IBEW Local 915 isa part of the project. A&A Electric, alocal signatory contractor, is doing theelectrical work and employing localarea hands. We are proud to be a partof Tampa Bay’s football future.

We had a great April meeting withour annual service pin presentationand Brother of the Year Award as wellas a cookout. It was a great success.Thanks to the following for their hardwork cooking: John Dehmel, StanLenas, Dennis Kuhn, Jason Cline,Stephen J. Foster, Shawn McDonnnelland Eddie Roberson.

Congratulations to Brother of theYear Award winner, Bro. Steve Fair-clough, and to all the members whoreceived years-of-service pins. Bro.Marvin E. Gower received his 60-yearpin.

We welcome Bro. Brian Young, our

new full time instructor for our St.Petersburg area Apprenticeship School.

Pres. Randall King reports a recordnumber of 32 new members initiatedinto the local. Our local is growingstrong.

THERESA KING, P.S.

Solidarity & TrainingL.U. 965 (em,govt&u), MADISON,

WI—Local 965 held an all-day solidar-ity and training session April 1. Speak-ers included Phil Neuenfeldt,Wisconsin State AFL-CIO secretarytreasurer; Local 965 Bus. Mgr. ShawnReents; Local 2304 Bus. Mgr. DavidPoklinkoski; Local 965 Asst. Bus. Mgr.Tony Bartels; and University of Wis-

consin School for Workers Asst. Pro-fessors Courtney Dewinski and DavidNack.

After an introductory presentationon the status of labor in Wisconsin byPhil Neuenfeldt, Bus. Mgrs. Reents andPoklinkoski presented an update onthe current labor-relations climate forthe employees of the major utilitycompanies represented by their locals.

The outlook indicates that currentand upcoming contract negotiationswill be difficult, as these highly prof-itable utilities engage in an agenda toboost profits by slashing workers’ ben-efits and cutting services for customers.Asst. Bus. Mgr. Bartels spoke on Local965’s Solidarity Committee and itsprogress in developing a communica-tions strategy for mobilizing the mem-bership.

Professors Dewinski and Nack pre-sented a training program on strategicbargaining campaigns and the impor-tance of membership mobilization.The session was well received by theattendees.

KURT A. ROBERTS, P.S.

Officers ReceptionL.U. 1007 (t&u), EDMONTON, AB,

CANADA—The local had its annualofficers reception on March 24 at theSanta Maria Goretti Community Cen-tre. This reception is held to showappreciation to the shop stewards fortheir work for the union and to honorpast local business managers (LarryKelly, Kelly Budge and Harry Edge)and presidents (John Heck, DonTurner and Ron Tithecott).

The local was honored to present a55-year service award to longtimemember John Heck. Bro. Heck joinedIBEW in 1951 and was a longstandingpresident of the local.

Local 1007 is currently in contractnegotiations with the City of Edmon-ton. On the negotiations committee are

Bus. Mgr. Jerry Larson, Treas.Pat Elliottand Asst. Bus. Mgr. Dale Southwood.Jerry and Pat are also in benefit negoti-ations with the city.

The local will begin contract nego-tiations with EPCOR in the fall.

DALE SOUTHWOOD, P.S.

Service & ReliabilityL.U. 1049 (lctt,o&u), LONG

ISLAND, NY—Since the acquisition ofKeyspan by National Grid wasannounced, Bus. Mgr. Ralph Ranghelliand the business staff have been verybusy—testifying before legislativecommittees, meeting with otheraffected labor leaders, consultants andpoliticians. With these efforts we arehelping to ensure that our membersare protected and also that all LongIsland residents are protected from adownturn in service and reliability.

Our community Affairs Committeehas been reenergized with the appoint-ment of Bros. Bill Roulette and BobSchellhorn as co-chairs. Through vol-unteer efforts, the committee has par-ticipated in March of Dimes WalkAmerica, food banks, playgroundrestoration projects, and more. Toassist the committee, please contact theunion offices.

In March LIPA Chmn. Rich Kesselwas a guest at our general meeting.Chmn. Kessel thanked the 1049 workforce for their hard work and dedica-tion. Unfortunately most of LIPA’s 2006capital budget has been set aside fornew equipment and a few major pro-jects. Therefore, the work picture forour electric craft group remains slow.Work has also slowed for our gas craftgroup. Line clearance tree trim workremains steady.

THOMAS J. DOWLING, R.S.

New Employer SignedL.U. 1105 (i), NEWARK, OH—With

great excitement I announce the sign-ing of a former non-signatoryemployer, Fetter Electrical ContractorsInc., to a local agreement. Fetter Elec-tric has been in business for manyyears and has been a highly successfulcompany. We welcome all Fetteremployees into our membership. Wewish the company great success andhope this is the start of a long relation-ship.

At the April 2006 union meeting,the membership overwhelmingly rati-fied a new Inside Collective Bargain-ing Agreement. The major changes inthis three-year agreement include: atotal package increase of $3.25 over


Local 667 lineman apprentice ScottDougan works on a “reconductor”job out of the Canon City servicecenter.

Local 915 crew, from left,front row, J. Hackett, D.J.Prescott, K. Shepard, M.Lusund, W. Poole, I. Ortiz;second row, R. Alvarez, K.Brewer, J. Berlinski, J.Bruns; third row, D. Lopez,J. Pringle; and fourth row,E. Perez, J. Swetokos, B.Miljanic, J. Shepherd, D.Moon and M. Lowery.

Local 1007 Bus. Mgr. Jerry Larson(left) presents IBEW certificateand pin to Bro. John Heck.

Parade ContingentIBEW Local 949 members proudlydisplay IBEW banner in the SiouxFalls, SD, St. Patrick’s Day parade.Pictured are Local 949 membersBob Olson, Brian Hopp, ShannonSpah, Jeff Brende and BradHammer, joined by young JacobOlson.

three years, establishment of a Vaca-tion Fund and adoption of the CW/CEprogram. We thank the NegotiationCommittee on a job well done insecuring a reasonable agreement forour members.

With great sadness I announce thepassing of Bro. Ron Lashley, formerLocal 1105 business manager andowner of Lashley Electric Inc. Ron suc-cumbed to cancer on May 23, 2006. Hewas 55. Ron’s colorful personality willbe sadly missed. Our heartfelt thoughtsand prayers are with his family.

BILL HAMILTON, B.M./F.S.

Recent RetireesL.U. 1191 (u), WEST PALM BEACH,

FL—Our local had a record number ofmembers retiring in the first sixmonths of 2006. Local 1191 congratu-lates and thanks the following for theirdedicated service: Elisa Hesse (WBO),Danny Kite (Martin), Lee Humphreys(RPO), Vic Irving (Martin), Gary Sharp(Martin), Jack Williams (JPO), Bob Rule(WBD), Maurice Adams (Riviera), EdCrawford (WBO), Richard Wallace(BYO), John Vincent (WBO), Ed Evans(WBD), Craig Billman (WBD), MikeClark (WBD), H.B. Moore (OKE), TedDyke (DME), Dennis Geoghan (DME),and Howard Ennis (BYO).

Our annual picnic in March atOkeeheelee Park was a wonderful dayof union fellowship and fun.

Our Community Affairs volunteersjoined in the Solid Waste Authority’s“Great American Clean-up” in a localneighborhood in April. We painted thehome of a very appreciative lady.

Make sure you are registered tovote—the election cycle starts later thisyear. See you at our next union meet-ing. Visit our Web site at: www.ibewlu1191.org. Be safe.

HARRY THOMAS, P.S.

NegotiationsL.U. 1245 (catv,em,govt,lctt,o,pet,

t&u), VACAVILLE, CA—Local 1245 andPacific Gas & Electric reached agree-ment on several aspects of the com-pany’s Transformation plan aftermanagement made concessions. Unionmembers are participating in jointwork groups with PG&E in an effort tomitigate possible impacts of the com-pany’s plan.

In ongoing negotiations with SierraPacific Power, the company hasinsisted on large concessions, includ-ing massive takeaways and eliminationof current work rules. Local 1245members packed a recent meeting of

the Reno Unit, where gubernatorialcandidate Dina Titus called on thecompany to negotiate in good faith.

Local 1245 retirees are organizingthemselves with gusto; 37 peopleattended the first meeting of theMerced Chapter, the union’s fifthRetirees Club chapter.

The local hired Ron Cochrane asbusiness representative. He joinsSenior Bus. Rep. David Crawford inrepresenting Outside Constructionmembers.

The local launched a campaign toorganize up to 3,700 PG&E employeeswho are eligible for union member-ship but are not covered by the laboragreement.

Local 1245 mourns the passing ofKathy Tindall on April 18. Tindallserved on the local’s Exec. Board for30 years. She was a tireless advocatefor Local 1245 members in general, forwomen workers in particular, and forthe Democratic Party.

ERIC WOLFE, P.S.

Three RetireesL.U. 1307 (u), SALISBURY, MD—

Local 1307 congratulates three recentretirees: Bros. Stanley Johnson,Edward “Skip” Redmer and Fred Wil-son.

Bro. Johnson started as a meterreader for Delmarva Power in theOxford District in 1965. Since 1995Stan worked as a district utility man.He retired in April 2006.

Bro. Redmer began work with Del-marva Power in 1968 as an engineer’shelper in the Cambridge District. Skipwas promoted to engineering fieldman in 1983 before becoming a seniorengineering field man instructor in1998. Skip retired in May 2006.

Bro. Wilson was hired by DelmarvaPower as a laborer at Vienna PowerPlant in 1971. Bro. Wilson held main-tenance helper and auxiliary operatorpositions at Vienna before going toIndian River Power plant as an auxil-iary operator. In 1980, Fred wasawarded an assistant control operatorposition and became a plant equip-ment operator in 1981. He returned toMaintenance as a power plant machin-ist in 1981 and advanced to qualifiedmachinist in 1988, the position fromwhich he retired in April 2006.

May these brothers enjoy a longand happy retirement.

E.D. SPARKS, F.S.

An Active 2006L.U. 1381 (uow), HICKSVILLE,

NY—2006 has been extremely busyfor our local. We recently held our 2ndAnnual Family Bowling Night, as wellas a Family Day on Ice. Both eventshad a tremendous turnout and every-one had a great time.

Local 1381 received the prestigiousDiamond Award from the New YorkBlood Services for an overwhelmingnumber of blood donations during2005. Our members’ generosity inhelping their fellow neighbors andlocal communities was greatly appre-ciated.

We also sponsored the WorkersMemorial Day ceremony held April 28.

Our local was proud to donate theplants for the event. During the cere-mony, the flowers were planted at themonument and will continue bloom-ing. Our thoughts and prayers for allworkers who lost their lives while onthe job will always be there for thefamilies left behind.

CATHERINE MALINOWSKI, P.S.

Union ProfessionalismL.U. 1439 (u), ST. LOUIS, MO—This

year has been busy with new workdue to storms. Our Transmission andDistribution departments did a greatjob bringing the system back up, with-out any injuries or fatalities. Thisincluded a 345-kv, double circuit, bun-dled conductor; four-tower rebuildtaken down by a tornado; and seven138-kv wood structures, all restored,rebuilt and powered up in 32 days bya department with 25 linemen andfour supervisors.

Safety is our watchword. It’s a greatfeeling to come through all thisunscathed. We take pride in our unionprofessionalism, and safety is the foun-dation it’s built on.

We have a five-year agreement forAlliant Energy members in Iowa. Theseagreements do not come easy and I’mgrateful for the hard work by all whobrought this to pass.

Bro. Mikel Perry is in our prayers.He made electrical contact in a 4-kvswitch gear and remains in intensivecare.

We pray for and support our mem-bers in arms. Our freedom existsbecause of them.

Local 1439 mourns the deaths of:Sister Jody Stiers and BrothersTheodore Hodges, Arnold O. Zimmer-man, Melvin Swengrosh, Alfred Sona,Kenneth Holden, Paul D. Scott,Nathan Daniel Weis, Raymond T.Ritchey, Lawrence P. Hinds, Joe E.Beamon, Maurice Ferris and LesterBurkart.

LEO BEISHIR, B.M.

Elections ApproachL.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet,rts&t),

BALTIMORE, MD—As the 2006 elec-tions are upon us, we all need to takea look at the direction this country isheaded—with the worthless war, thou-sands of soldiers dying, gas pricesgoing through the roof and energyprices right behind them. We need totake a look at the candidates we will

be voting for this fall. If you have “hadenough” then you need to step up tothe plate and see that your vote iscounted. This may be one of the mostimportant elections of our time. Weneed to examine the candidates’records and vote for those who havethe best interests of the working peo-ple of this country in mind. In Mary-land, everyone from the governor allthe way down the line must run forelection. It is our hope to turn out theexisting governor and replace himwith a Democrat who is most sympa-thetic to the working men and womenof our state. It is our hope that youwill do the same.

DION F. GUTHRIE, B.M./PRES.

Pro-Labor CandidatesL . U . 1 5 4 7 ( c , e m , i , o , t & u ) ,

ANCHORAGE, AK—Campaigning on apro-development, pro-working familyplatform, our IBEW-endorsed Anchor-age mayoral candidate and two schoolboard members were elected by anoverwhelming margin.

Members of the Matanuska ElectricAssociation and the Homer ElectricAssociation co-operatives selected pro-IBEW candidates during their mostrecent utility races.

In the highly contested ChugachElectric Association race, our membersplayed an active role in the reelectionof a pro-labor incumbent and in thevictory of a challenger. “This was astunning victory for the IBEWendorsed candidates. A hostile anti-labor board member … was resound-ingly defeated. These two victories aredirectly related to the energy bothChugach labor and management putinto this utility race. Both sides of thetable worked together to remove adirector that was not acting in the bestinterest of the co-op. I am extremelyproud of our members,” said Bus. Mgr.Larry Bell.

Local 1547 Alaska Air NationalGuard members Brad Baldridge, BoydMoring and Art Koenig presented aframed memento to Bus. Mgr. LarryBell in appreciation for the supportLocal 1547 provided them during theirdeployment to Iraq. (See photo in“IBEW On Duty” in this issue of theJournal.)

MELINDA TAYLOR, P.S.

Frankfort Labor RallyL .U . 1 701 ( c a t v , e e s , i , o&u ) ,

OWENSBORO, KY—The ExaminingBoard gave the journeyman-wiremanexam to our fifth-year apprentices, andall passed. Congratulations and bestwishes, graduates!

Work in the jurisdiction is pickingup. Several commercial projects areongoing. Dynalectric has a shutdownat the Wayerhouser paper mill inHawesville, KY, and is currently hir-ing.

On the organizing front, the Targetstore addition in Owensboro was letto Northern Kentucky Electric, anonunion contractor. Organizer MikeRoby and Bus. Mgr. Gary Osbornereport that after contacting Targetmanagement and negotiating withNorthern Kentucky Electric, a portion


Kathy Tindall served for 30 yearson the Local 1245 Executive Board,until her death in April 2006.

Local 1501 Bus. Mgr./Pres. DionGuthrie at a recent fund-raiser forDemocratic candidates.


of this project was subbed out to oursignatory contractor Premier Electric. Ajob well done. Mike needs salts forother jobs. If interested contact theunion hall.

At a March labor rally at the Capitolin Frankfort, union workers opposedprevailing wage repeal and right-to-work legislation. With over 3,000voices strong we sent a message tolegislators and both bills weredefeated. Local 1701 was well-repre-sented. We thank all members whoattended.

Most of our labor-friendly and not-so-friendly legislators will be up for re-election in 2006. We will need

volunteers soon to help get out thevote and to walk precincts. Contactthe hall if interested.

Remember union meetings, heldthe third Monday of every month.

TIM BLANDFORD, PRES.

Congratulations!L.U. 1749 (u), NEW JOHNSONVILLE,

TN—Bro. Tony Troyani, a 15-yearmember and the instrument shop fore-man, recently was awarded theemployee of the month plaque. Con-gratulations, Tony.

Congratulations to the graduatingCumberland electrical class of 2006(see photo). We welcome you all tothe Electric Shop at Cumberland SteamPlant.

MARK J. DEJULIIS, P.S.

A Great ConferenceL.U. 2249 (em), BLOOMINGTON,

IN—Pres./Bus. Mgr. Glen Collins, Rec.Sec. Carolyn Anderson, Shop StewardGina Benson, Exec. Board memberAnna Sachtjen and Exec. Board mem-ber/Press Sec. Vickey Shahan-Smithrecently attended the 2006 Women’sConference/Progress Meeting held inIndianapolis, IN, on May 17-19, 2006.

Following Thursday’s meeting, theState Conference held our reception atthe Indianapolis Speedway. After ashort rain when we first arrived, theattendees were served a luncheonthen invited into the garage area tomeet some of the drivers. At the con-clusion of the conference on Friday,our local held a drawing for a Side Xside refrigerator, which was a huge hit!

On behalf of all who attended, Iwish to thank the conference for theirsupport and the hospitality extendedto participants.

VICKEY SHAHAN-SMITH, P.S.

Seven-Day CruiseRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 3, NEW

YORK, NY, WEST FLORIDA CHAP-TER—This spring, eight club membersand their wives took a seven-daycruise aboard the Carnival Miracle outof Tampa. We visited four ports ofcall in the western Caribbean. Theweather could not have been betterand a great time was had by all. Pic-tured in the accompanying photo withtheir spouses are Bros. J. Cornell, N.Bachrow, J. Ziegler, R. Poskitt, K. Gal-lagher, F. Ledetsch, W. DeJohn and B.Costa.

Plans are already in the works for alarger and longer cruise next yearthrough the Panama Canal.

BEN COSTA, P.S.

Club’s 30th AnniversaryRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 8,

TOLEDO, OH—On March 3, 2006,our Seniors Club celebrated their 30th

anniversary. We have great officersand dedicated members.

Lou and Chuck Olender compileda journal that took us along a memorypath—it included a list of officers,summer picnics and bus trips. Theyalso set up a table display of photos,service awards, a list of members whowere killed or injured on the job,Local 8 Retiree T-shirt and cap, and abouquet made of “scotch locks” and acopper-wire bow sitting on a 4-inchsquare junction box.

Our meetings begin with a potlucklunch on the second Wednesday of the

month. There is a picnic in August anda catered dinner in December withentertainment. Local 8 very generouslyfunds some of our activities. MarianMiller and her committee members doan excellent job coordinating ourmonthly potlucks and outings.

We welcome new members and lookforward to many more anniversaries.

CURTIS BLANCHARD, P.S.

‘Friendship Luncheon’RETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 24, BAL-

TIMORE, MD—On April 18, in addi-

RETIREESRetirees andspouses ofLocal 3, NewYork, NY,RetireesClub, WestFloridaChapter,aboard theCarnivalMiracle.

Retirees and guests enjoy the annual picnic of the Retirees Club of Local3, New York, NY, South Florida Chapter. Photo by Dan Simon.

South Florida Chapter Picnic

Local 1701 welcomes class of 2006 graduates. From left, front row, gradu-ates Shane Mattingly, Tim Howard, Justin Harrington and T.J. Hampton.Back row: Instructor Larry Boswell; graduates Nick Haynes, Clint Howardand Brad Jennings; and JATC Dir. Mike Roby.

Local 1749 welcomes the 2006 Cumberland electrical class. From left: ShopSteward/Training Rep. Diane Conger, James Pate, Chuck Allen, InstructorRandy Spivey, O.Z. Ballard, Instructor Dwight Dew, Chris Doering and CoreyTerry.

Local 8 RetireesClub Vice Pres.Albert Fischer(left), Pres. JamesInebnit, CommitteeChairpersonMarian Miller, Rec.Sec. CurtisBlanchard andTreas. Jack Ulery.

tion to our regular meeting, we had a“friendship luncheon” and serviceawards presentation. Local 24 Bus.Mgr. Jim Jarvis and Pres. Gary Griffinpresented awards to members with50-, 55-, 60- and 65-years of service.Everyone enjoyed the festivities.

In March we had representativesfrom Kaiser Permanente speak to ourmembers. This is an alternative healthinsurance offered to retirees strictly ona volunteer basis. In May we had aspeaker from Members First CreditUnion.

A luncheon/trip aboard theLantern Queen was held June 15. Theriverboat cruises the SusquehannaRiver and the Chesapeake Bay. Wetoured Cal Ripken Stadium on thereturn trip home.

Our anniversary luncheon will beheld July 20 at the Club 4100.

We welcomed this year’s newmembers Bob and Rosemary Bull andJohn and Nancy Schoff. Late last yearJoe Plummer, Richard Harrison andJim Carr joined us.

The club meets the third Tuesdayof each month at 11 a.m. in Martin’sChampagne Room at the union hall.Refreshments are served. Membersand their spouses are welcomed.

BETTY PFAFF, SEC./TREAS.

Nashville Trip PlannedRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 58,

DETROIT, MI—On April 29 a service-awards luncheon was held to honorlongtime members with 50-, 55-, 60-and 65 years of IBEW service. Morethan 225 people attended the lun-cheon. Bro. John Ahern, president ofthe Retirees Association, and his staffonce again paid tribute to a large groupof 58’s finest. Local 58 Bus. Mgr. JoeAbdoo spoke on the upcoming distrib-ution of benefits for this year. He also

complimented our retirees on maintain-ing their loyalty to the union. Heknows he can always count on uswhen needed.

Bro. Charlie Mott is planninganother excursion for our group, toNashville, TN, in the fall. Membersinterested in the trip may contact Char-lie at home or leave a message for himat the union hall. Last year’s trip wasexcellent. An extra bus had to beadded to accommodate all the partici-pants.

FRANK A. MAISANO, P.S.

Continuing EducationRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 90, NEW

HAVEN, CT—On April 21, 2006, I anda large number of fellow retirees andactive Local 90 members attended aseven-hour continuing educationclass. A recent mandate from the stateof Connecticut requires these classesyearly for electricians, including con-tractors and journeypersons, prior torenewing their state license.

The class was held at Local 90union hall in Wallingford, CT, and wasput on by our JATC Dir. Paul Costelloand his staff. It covered OSHA,National Electric Code and Laws &Standards for electric installations inConnecticut. I commend Paul and hisstaff for their professionalism and thor-ough knowledge of the subjects dis-cussed.

Retirees thank IBEW Local 90,NECA and the JATC trustees for pro-viding us with this useful informationand a great lunch.

Welcome home to all our retired,part-time Floridians.

RICHARD LAUNDER, P.S.

What a Season!RETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 105,

HAMILTON, ON, CANADA—We are

coming to the end of our 2005-2006season. What a year we have had.Our Christmas dinner dance, ourValentine dance and our trips to CairnCroft in Niagara Falls, Ontario, wereoutstanding in attendance.

Thank you to all Local 105 seniorsand their spouses. You made all thispossible, by your attendance and yourhard work.

To the Executive Committee: Youare all Trojans and we are blessed tohave you. The committee comprises:Pres. Gary Turner, Vice Pres. JohnMacNeil, Treas. Betty Gill, Rec. Sec.Helen Lagan, Chmn. Lloyd Hicks,Larry Baverstock, Dale Bochek, JimFernihough, Dorothy Elliott and AlGill.

Thanks also to our dedicated SocialCommittee: Trudy Turner, Ruth

Bishop, Joanne Bochek, Cathy Smithand Margaret Kinsman-Hicks. Pat andLou Baff and Mary and Hal Cooper doan outstanding job running the euchreevery Monday. Thanks also to Daleand Joanne Bochek for their outstand-ing dedication to the bowling.

You do not fall off a bicycle untilyou stop peddling. Keep activethrough the summer and we hope tosee you all again in the fall.

JOE CAMPANELLI, P.S.

Bro. Lawson MournedRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 130, NEW

ORLEANS, LA—With a heavy heart wereport the passing of Retirees ClubVice Pres. Harold Lawson. Bro. Law-son always kept us laughing with hisjokes and sense of good humor. Healways worked diligently making sureour meetings were successful. He willbe missed by all.

Our new Vice Pres. George Tavanworked with Harold and is a verygood replacement. We also wish Win-nie Salathe success in his position onthe Board of Directors.

Our next membership meeting isThurs., Sept. 21, on the third floor ofthe Alexander Room at 11:30 a.m. Forthis meeting members’ spouses or oneguest are invited to attend. Food andrefreshments will be served.

The bus excursions have not yetbeen rescheduled because of the dis-aster that hit the Mississippi GulfCoast. Hurricane Katrina really seteveryone back, but we are working torebuild and have a fresh start.

We are saddened by the passing ofBros. Dominic Adorno, Elbert Bostick,Frank Cambas, Charles Gras, OscarHastings, Myron Kennedy, PhilipLagrange and Edward Lambert. Maythey rest in peace.

We thank the Toronto, Canada,Local 353 Retirees Club and their trea-surer, Robert Rynyk, for their dona-tion.

BUDDY CARVER, P.S.

Officers ElectedRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 134,

CHICAGO, IL—In March we had ourelection of officers. Elected were: Pres.Robert Mersch, Vice Pres. JoeMcCormick, Rec. Sec. Don Mahoneyand Treas. Carl Bosch. Elected to theExecutive Board: Vito Alberotonza,

Mario Coletta, Bernie Martin and BobSmedberg.

We have some new faces with thiselection and we welcome them. Wealso thank our past president, CarlBusch, for a job well-done.

In June we honored our 50-, 55-, and 60-year brothers with a luncheon and entertainment. Con-gratulations, brothers.

RICHARD E. BRONARS, P.S.

All Are WelcomeRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 150,

WAUKEGAN, IL—We thank all themembers who worked on our localChristmas party, especially Mr. & Mrs.Santa (Art and Carol Bandman), RuthLange and Diane Holst. We had a greatDecember, a lovely luncheon at DoverStraits and a terrific trip to Grand Geneva,Lake Geneva, WI, for a show and lun-cheon.


Local 24 Retirees Club service awards presentation. From left, front row,seated: award recipients Al Seipp, Vernon Landgraf, Lee Rains, WilliamSutphin, Frank Schoenfeld, Percy Branham and Joseph Prestiana. Backrow, Local 24 Pres. Gary Griffin, Retirees Club Pres. Joe Albers and Local24 Bus. Mgr. Jim Jarvis.

Local 58retireesreceive their50-year pins at April 29awards lun-cheon. Awardsalso were presented to 55-, 60- and65-year mem-bers.

At the Local 105 Seniors’ Club 2005Christmas party. Seated, front, MaryCooper and Hal Cooper; standing,Pat Baff and Lou Baff.

Local 134 Bus. Rep. Mike Caddigan (back row, left) installs Retirees Clubofficers. From left, front row, Vice Pres. Joe McCormick and ExecutiveBoard officers Louis Rodrigues, Bernie Martin and Vito Alberotonza; backrow, Caddigan, Pres. Bob Mersch, E-Board officer Mario Coletta and Rec.Sec. Don Mahoney. Not pictured, Treas. Carl Busch and E-Board officerBob Smedberg.

At this writing in April we wereplanning a trip to the Harley-Davidsonfactory and on to Cedarburg for lunchand sightseeing. We also were plan-ning an overnight to White Pines StatePark for a lunch, show, dinner andbreakfast. We stay in neat little cabins,with their own fireplaces. For ournext Christmas trip we will head toChicago and the Adler Planetarium, adriving trip through Chicago neigh-borhoods and lunch at Stanley’s.

If any of these outings interest you(whether you are a Retirees Clubmember or not) please contact DianaHolst (847) 662-2445 or Ruth Lange(847) 356-5638 for further information.We’d love to have you join us.

Meetings are the second Tuesdayof the month at 1 p.m. at the unionhall.

DIANE HOLST, P.S.

20 Year CelebrationRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 353,

TORONTO, ON, CANADA—Our clubcelebrated 20 years of service to ourmembers in 2005 along with guestsfrom Locals 105, 120, 303, 586, 804and the IBEW First District Office.

From the first seeds planted by the45 founding members in 1985, ourclub has grown to a membership ofapproximately 1,300 Local 353 retireesand their spouses, residing acrossOntario, throughout Canada and inthe USA.

Our monthly luncheon meetings areattended by 80-90 club members, eventhrough the winter months. OurRetirees Club enjoys full support,morally and financially from Local 353for all our events, bus tours, shows anddinners. Local 353 Retirees bylaws pro-vide that, “Retired members and theirspouses are all considered Retiree Clubmembers.” (Whether they participate ornot is of their choice.)

We recently enjoyed a great two-day trip to the Ottawa War Museumwith some of our war veterans andenjoyed a meet-and-greet dinnerhosted by the Local 586 Retiree Club.

For more information on our clubevents, visit our Web site www.ibew353.org, click on Tec Ed, click onRetirees; or www.teched353.com/retirees.htm. Visit our archives also.

ROBERT RYNYK, P.S.

Retirees LuncheonRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 400,

ASBURY PARK, NJ—The Local 400Retirees Club, Monmouth and OceanCounties, was formed in the 1980s byBro. William Ramsey. The club’s cur-

rent chairman is Joe Caliendo. We cur-rently have over 185 retired members.Our meeting is held the first Tuesdayof every month at our union hall. Wehave a very informal meeting startingwith a luncheon, then move on topolitical and social events. All retireesand their spouses are welcomed.

RICHARD J. FOGACCI, P.S.

Honoring Jim ElrodRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 428, BAK-

ERSFIELD, CA—If we had a reward forretiree of the year, Jim Elrod wouldreceive it. Jim joined Local 428 in 1956working for A-C Electric as a materialexpeditor/warehouseman. After nineyears he started his apprenticeship andlater became a journeyman wireman.Jim excelled as a journeyman, a super-visor and later an estimator for OilfieldElectric. Jim served as Local 428 busi-ness agent for two terms, served on theExecutive Board and was a representa-tive to the Building Trades and theCentral Labor Council.

As a retiree Jim, whose son JimElrod Jr. is Local 428 president, contin-ues his service to the union and theRetirees Club. Jim Sr. organized andled a committee to research Local428’s 100-year history for a journal.He organized our monthly RetireesClub breakfast, as well as a retireescommittee for Local 428’s annual pic-nic. Thank you, Jim. We all appreciateyour dedication to Local 428 and ourmembers.

IVAN BEAVAN JR., P.S.

Club CruiseRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 617, SAN

MATEO, CA—Despite constant rainsour club, with over 100 members,enjoyed a busy activity schedule thisspring.

The first club cruise was a week tothe Mexican Riviera by a group of 30.A trip to the San Francisco Cable CarBarn and our spring brunch were alsowell attended. The Local 617 servicepin party on April 28 included 56retirees receiving awards for 50 yearsor more.

Those achieving service of sixdecades or more were: Eno Ferrando(for 70 years); Charlie Balestrero,Oliver Devany, Joe Radetich andClarence Soucie (for 65 years);Andrew Anderson, Bill Baird, BobBjorner, John Carrington, LeonardCreed, Carroll Fristrup, FredFromherz, Dick Helfrich, Ernie Hills,Ernie Howe, Herb Hurley, EnriqueLamout, John Levet, Chuck Masters,Alpheus Russell, Warren Schiechl,Billy Taylor, Wayne Thomas andCharles Upp (for 60 years).

The Retirees Club thanks Bus. Mgr.Mike Meals and the active membersfor their continued support of ourretiree health benefits.

If you are missing out on the activities or the monthly newsletterplease contact the local union office.

JOE HOGAN, P.S.

‘The Best Food’RETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 760,

KNOXVILLE, TN—IBEW Local 760had the first meeting for 2006 on April15. Approximately 45 retirees, spousesand family members attended. Ourclub meets the third Saturday of eachmonth.

Club officers for 2006 are: Pres.Charles Goodman, Vice Pres. Richard“Dick” Arnold and Sec./Treas. GretaBales.

We encourage more retirees andspouses to become involved in theclub. We always serve the best foodand at times have entertainment. Mostrecent was Con Hunley and everyoneenjoyed the occasion.

Our condolences to the families ofBros. Glen Hall, William A. Poston,Richard P. Griffey, Don Haire, CharlesDickerson, Donnie Richmond, Charles“Chuck” Long, Robert W. Lee, KeithAkins and Troy Martin. Our brotherswill be missed. Glenn and Robertalways played a big part in the

Retirees Club and will be especiallymissed at meetings.

JANICE DAVIS, P.S.

Awards DinnerRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 970,

KELSO-LONGVIEW, WA—On May 6Local 970 honored this year’s graduat-ing apprentices, service-award recipi-ents and newly retired members witha diner and awards program at therestaurant Henri’s.

Graduating apprentices were Dar-ren Byman and Jordan Lehner.

Receiving years-of-service awardswere: Christina Daniels and LoreeneQuillen (for 15 years); Daniel Malone(20 years); Jerone Lehner (30 years);Steve Doehne (35 years); and Gary Het-land (40 years). Special awards werepresented to: 50-year member EverettLibby, 55-year member Ivan Andersonand 60-year member Art Huntington.

This year’s retirees included DanielComer, Frank Specht, Donald Wardand William Lucore.

Bro. Art Huntington congratulatedthe new journeymen and wishedthem well in their IBEW careers. Healso welcomed the new retirees to theLocal 970 Retirees Club. He spoke ofsome of his memories of being amember of Local 970 for 60 years.

ART HUNTINGTON, P.S.

Spectacular BeginningRETIREES CLUB OF L.U. 1245,

VACAVILLE, CA—The Merced Chapterof the Local 1245 Retirees Club got offto a spectacular beginning when 37


Local 428 retired Bro. Jim Elrodserves with dedication.

Local 617RetireesClub enjoysa cruise onthe SapphirePrincess.

Local 760RetireesClub mem-bers attenda recentmeeting.

Local 970 Retirees Club memberand 60-year service award recipi-ent Art Huntington (center) withgraduating apprentices JordanLehner (left) and Darren Byman.

At a recent Local 400 Retirees Club luncheon. From left, seated, Billy Hood,Jim Correia, Artie Newman, Pat Rampino, Al Rutledge and Chmn. JoeCaliendo; middle row, Rich Wilbert, Richie Eng, Doug Brauer, Don Mazza,Woody Seiler, Phil Dinkelberg and Rich Fogacci; back row, Bob Cushman,Jim Berry, Bruce Bollinger, Walt Antrim, Klaus Faller and Tim Grace.

people crammed into the conferenceroom of an area restaurant on April 5to express frustration over risinghealth care costs and stagnating pen-sion benefits.

Merced now becomes the fifth chap-ter in the club, following the formationof the Vacaville/Sacramento and SantaRosa Chapters in 2005. Chapters havebeen active in the East Bay and in SanJose for over a decade.

Rising medical costs and stagnantpension income have fueled the recentburst of organizing activity amongretirees. They have flooded the localunion newspaper with letters to theeditor and seem determined to have animpact.

“We have worked long and hard sowe can build momentum to get thejob done,” 78-year-old retiree GordonBorges told the huge turnout ofretirees at the first meeting of theMerced Chapter. “Today we haveproven we are not a bunch of senilecouch potatoes.”

ERIC WOLFE, P.S.


______________________________________________________________________________________NAME______________________________________________________________________________________

NEW ADDRESS______________________________________________________________________________________

CITY STATE ZIP/POSTAL CODE

PRESENT LOCAL UNION NUMBER ____________________________________________________

CARD NUMBER _______________________________________________________________________(If unknown, check with Local Union)

CURRENTLY ON PENSION ❏ Soc. Sec. No.__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________OLD ADDRESS (Please affix mailing label from magazine)

______________________________________________________________________________________CITY STATE ZIP/POSTAL CODE

FORMER LOCAL UNION NUMBER _____________________________________________________

Don’t forget to register to vote at your new address!AD

DR

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Brothers and Sisters, we want you to have your JOURNAL! When you have a change of address, please let us know. Be sureto include your old address and please don’t forget to fill in L.U. and Card No. This information will be helpful in checking andkeeping our records straight. If you have changed local unions, we must have numbers of both. U.S. members—mail this form to IBEW, Address Change Department, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Canadian members—mail this form to IBEW First District, 1450 Meyerside Drive, Suite 300, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2N5.All members—you can change your address on line at www.ibew.org

Retiree Gordon Borges, a long-time professional body-builder,tells the Local 1245 Retirees Clubit’s time for retirees to flex somemuscle in their effort to winimprovements in pension andmedical benefits.

benefits of collective bargaining and theirrole in helping to get a decent contract.

Organizers held meetings with stew-ards to hone their recruitment techniquesand establish a volunteer organizing com-mittee. Armed with a newsletter, pro-duced by IBEW’s Membersh ipDevelopment Department and tailored tothe Siemens work force, stewardsanswered questions asked by unorga-nized workers about union affiliation.

Local 20 requested that Seventh Dis-trict International Representative GeorgeCrawford assist in contract negotiationswith Siemens and act as chief spokesman

for the union. “The rank and file felt mis-used and abused by certain provisions ofthe expiring contract,” says Crawford.Specifically, they wanted tighter languageon promotions, job descriptions and jobbidding procedures. Siemens dispatchedone of the firm’s human resource man-agers to Texas and an agreement wasreached.

The three-year pact provides for wageincreases of 3.5 percent the first year; and3 percent during the second and thirdyears.

The union also secured Siemens’agreement to provide IBEW with a pri-vate room for meeting with union mem-bers who have problems on the job, aswell as providing locking filing cabinetsfor union records and materials. The

contract includes company-paid, union-run, orientation sessions for new com-pany employees, as well as a revised,more employee-friendly grievance pro-cedure.

The IBEW’s success at Siemens isalready spreading. At Federal/HeathSigns, internal organizing efforts haveboosted the 19-member bargaining unitby 31. With a majority of the 84-workerplant now organized, hopes are high forrecruiting more new members. 1

Members of the Siemens negotiating committee are, from left, Willard Spoon, Local 20;George Crawford, International Representative, 7th District; Martin Martinez, Local 20;Damon Terry, Local 20; Edna Taylor, Local 20; Conrad Alvarez, Assistant BusinessManager, Local 20; and Brian Dalton, Local 20.

ORGANIZNGWIREcontinued from page 9

Constitution we wouldn’t be able toprint our fine union journal and wewouldn’t be able to collectivelynegotiate our contracts.

Remember brothers, peace nevercomes from doing nothing. It defi-nitely doesn’t come by teaching peo-ple how to plant crops or buildingbridges. It may help win the heartsof people, which I respect, but wecouldn’t have stopped tyrants likeHitler, Stalin, Hussein, and Hirohitoby planting them corn. Only with thestrength of our military and resolveof the American people could weever hope to win peace.

Mark C. Metler, Sr.

Local 26 member, Washington, D.C.

LETTERS EDITORTOTHE

continued from inside front cover


1 Blum, E. T. 3,000.001 Culpepper, W. . 3,000.001 Murphy, D. L. 6,250.001 Rose, D. M. 6,250.001 Rosenthal, L. G. 6,250.002 Straub, W. H. 2,891.183 Alameda, C. . 3,000.003 Connelly, J. J. 3,000.003 Demakakos, T. N. 2,960.003 Giambrone, F. J. 3,000.003 Izen, M. J. 2,955.193 Kelly, E. R. 1,000.003 Loschl, R. R. 3,000.003 Moglia, J. P. 3,599.505 Catlin, C. B. 2,932.005 Irion, J. F. 3,000.005 Toomey, A. J. 3,000.006 Collins, W. J. 3,000.006 Kutlik, H. A. 3,000.006 Sharpe, S. . 2,940.008 Hagerman, W. L. 2,878.369 Bauer, R. W. 3,000.009 Carey, J. M. 3,000.009 Larson, E. . 1,168.009 Libal, J. J. 1,500.009 Neal, O. N. 6,250.009 Oswald, L. . 3,000.0011 Di Giampaolo, S. . 6,250.0011 Griffin, J. J. 1,000.0011 Mercado, D. . 2,000.0011 Otte, W. . 6,250.0011 Singer, G. W. 3,000.0011 Sweeney, P. A. 2,959.9911 Tessler, M. . 3,000.0011 Whitney, J. H. 2,969.9411 Wood, D. L. 2,873.0617 Shores, L. E. 2,916.5018 Bonner, F. D. 3,000.0018 Corwin, J. . 3,000.0020 Lindecker, M. V. 2,954.3021 Lewis, R. L. 3,000.0022 Billig, R. T. 6,250.0022 Toll, W. M. 3,841.8024 Godman, M. B. 1,500.0024 Kozlowski, K. A. 6,250.0025 Becker, A. . 6,250.0025 Lee, R. G. 3,000.0025 Sapienza, D. J. 3,125.0026 Streichert, D. H. 6,250.0026 Williams, J. R. 6,250.0026 Wooten, R. L. 3,000.0034 Hale, C. E. 3,000.0038 Barnes, R. . 3,125.0038 Hayes, A. F. 1,500.0038 Jagusch, N. E. 3,000.0038 Roglin, N. . 3,000.0038 Seelbach, L. . 3,000.0038 Siegel, H. R. 2,939.1838 Thornhill, V. A. 6,250.0040 Dunne, C. T. 3,000.0041 Stuber, R. P. 2,929.3642 Guerrette, D. E. 2,976.2246 Siegfried, R. G. 3,000.00

47 Crozier, J. A. 2,869.9848 Bagne, B. B. 3,000.0048 Hampton, S. W. 3,000.0051 Aaron, J. F. 3,125.0051 Hughes, R. L. 2,952.5057 Harwood, M. F. 3,000.0058 Bizek, S. . 3,000.0058 Bondch, L. F. 2,955.1958 Clay, W. A. 3,125.0058 Kepich, G. . 6,250.0058 Peters, R. P. 3,000.0058 Pileri, E. . 3,000.0058 Platt, H. . 2,897.5858 Sanders, C. F. 3,000.0060 Gonzalez, J. M. 6,250.0064 Canfield, W. T. 3,000.0068 Stiner, C. D. 3,000.0070 Underwood, O. E. 3,000.0071 Bibb, R. F. 4,166.6671 Johnson, C. R. 3,000.0076 Boardman, F. R. 2,807.9677 Cooper, W. B. 6,250.0077 Gatewood, H. S. 3,000.0077 Kunkle, H. P. 3,000.0077 Price, J. E. 3,000.0077 Thorn, R. A. 5,513.2077 Wardell, S. E. 3,000.0084 Buckalew, J. S. 3,000.0084 Lanier, J. Q. 3,000.0090 Johnson, L. O. 2,855.9790 Strong, R. . 2,955.5097 Grice, D. J. 2,940.2698 Howlett, J. W. 6,250.0099 Demers, M. L. 3,000.0099 Williams, J. B. 6,250.00100 Bispo, P. B. 6,250.00102 Costa, R. T. 4,208.17102 Mastrian, F. J. 2,966.67102 Nuzzi, J. G. 3,000.00103 Donovan, R. E. 3,000.00103 Mangano, A. J. 3,000.00103 Mulledy, J. J. 3,000.00103 Schuko, A. J. 2,958.00103 Sullivan, T. D. 2,500.00103 Taylor, W. L. 3,000.00105 Couture, J. . 3,000.00105 Markwick, W. . 6,250.00105 Neal, W. W. 2,950.00109 Potter, W. L. 3,000.00110 Ranallo, E. A. 3,000.00111 Gregg, K. N. 2,000.00112 Williamson, R. W. 1,500.00115 Wildenbeest, B. . 3,000.00117 Gitchel, P. . 3,000.00124 Cox, J. E. 3,000.00124 Herrin, W. J. 6,159.15125 Reich, B. W. 2,936.00126 Hicks, S. C. 3,000.00129 Bereznay, A. A. 3,000.00130 Duvernet, P. J. 3,000.00130 Suhre, E. F. 3,000.00134 Carr, L. J. 3,000.00134 Dul, E. J. 3,000.00

134 Knuth, C. P. 1,500.00134 Liedke, A. . 3,000.00134 Loner, R. A. 3,000.00134 Mortell, T. I. 3,000.00134 Stanko, T. . 3,000.00134 Storm, W. E. 3,000.00143 Keffer, J. J. 3,000.00145 Bell, L. A. 3,000.00146 Price, M. P. 3,000.00152 Stebbins, G. F. 3,000.00159 Emerson, C. G. 3,000.00159 Kleisch, H. W. 6,250.00160 Kaiser, H. M. 3,000.00163 Greer, W. E. 6,250.00164 Heuer, E. J. 3,000.00164 Whitehead, G. J. 3,000.00175 Cannon, C. W. 3,000.00175 Hayes, B. D. 12,500.00175 Pack, W. T. 3,000.00175 Rodie, E. . 3,000.00175 Smith, C. H. 6,250.00177 Williams, J. E. 3,000.00191 Burrows, J. H. 3,000.00191 Craner, C. A. 2,900.78191 Smith, S. R. 6,250.00191 Townsend, L. D. 2,962.73193 Adams, W. C. 2,000.00194 Hutto, G. R. 3,000.00196 Benson, V. A. 3,701.60210 Blose, H. . 3,000.00210 Ward, C. H. 2,849.19212 Beiderhake, C. H. 1,000.00212 Pappas, T. . 3,000.00213 Gibb, D. H. 3,000.00226 Duling, W. C. 2,848.00226 Geisler, D. W. 6,250.00226 Reasoner, R. C. 3,000.00229 Burkhardt, C. E. 2,871.96229 Green, D. R. 2,949.00230 Busby, J. R. 6,250.00230 Denniston, D. D. 6,250.00236 Jarvis, R. A. 3,000.00236 Omalley, W. F. 3,000.00258 Cross, B. W. 2,785.04258 Kozevnikov, A. . 6,250.00258 Nadeau, A. A. 6,250.00269 Bacon, G. F. 3,000.00275 Fox, L. U. 3,000.00275 Watros, C. D. 6,250.00288 Devary, J. L. 3,000.00288 Gates, J. K. 2,939.18292 Canton, R. J. 3,000.00292 Tangen, F. A. 6,250.00295 Conyers, H. D. 2,500.00295 Stegall, R. . 3,000.00302 Bailey, R. F. 2,930.00302 McKinney, D. B. 2,928.00302 Ryan, E. L. 1,443.99304 Crossno, L. L. 3,000.00305 Bash, T. D. 6,250.00305 Smith, R. L. 2,954.00309 Thornton, O. C. 2,695.50317 Mick, H. C. 6,250.00

317 Zeigler, R. S. 2,920.00322 Pulley, R. R. 6,250.00322 Story, J. T. 3,000.00325 Costello, T. . 3,000.00329 Oxley, T. L. 3,000.00332 Gibb, D. C. 3,000.00332 Nagata, J. M. 6,250.00340 McKarson, J. J. 3,000.00343 Brouillet, C. H. 3,000.00349 Allison, J. D. 3,000.00349 Brown, F. R. 3,000.00349 Chapman, S. K. 3,000.00349 Eggleston, D. W. 3,000.00349 Ellis, J. B. 6,250.00351 Doran, J. L. 3,000.00351 Smith, O. R. 3,000.00353 Artickonis, A. . 3,000.00353 Delduca, P. . 6,250.00353 Jolly, R. W. 3,000.00353 McAskin, T. V. 1,464.00354 Gray, O. C. 1,000.00357 Armentrout, R. H. 2,941.19357 Autry, R. L. 3,000.00357 Farr, D. F. 2,926.00357 Jenner, J. D. 4,450.64357 Willis, L. L. 6,250.00363 Benedict, C. B. 3,000.00363 Pedoto, J. P. 2,916.78364 Gardner, L. W. 3,000.00365 Bostic, E. T. 12,500.00365 Jeffers, E. . 3,000.00369 Lesshafft, O. . 3,000.00369 White, A. O. 2,956.66387 Pace, C. L. 2,920.00387 Ransom, I. G. 2,868.76388 Benson, S. T. 2,948.79388 Berens, L. R. 2,930.00388 Wenzel, O. . 3,000.00424 Budinski, R. P. 3,110.00424 King, R. J. 6,250.00424 Sorochan, S. A. 12,500.00424 Wallis, S. R. 4,166.67429 Taylor, C. N. 3,000.00441 Minor, A. F. 3,000.00449 Empey, D. . 3,000.00456 Butch, J. C. 6,250.00456 Rehl, W. L. 6,250.00465 Houle, A. L. 3,000.00466 McGraner, W. P. 3,000.00474 Hunter, C. B. 3,000.00479 Phelps, C. . 2,931.18481 McCaslin, R. F. 2,890.14481 Thomason, M. L. 3,000.00483 Blackburn, H. . 3,000.00483 Crocco, D. R. 3,000.00488 Grady, M. D. 6,250.00488 Nettleton, D. A. 3,000.00494 Hayward, D. J. 6,250.00494 Kangas, C. G. 3,000.00494 Leitner, J. E. 5,208.30494 Patsches, B. J. 6,250.00494 Roethle, R. A. 2,944.52495 Lominac, W. J. 3,000.00

Local Surname Amount Local Surname Amount Local Surname Amount Local Surname Amount

INMEMORIAMPBF Death Claims Approved for Payment in April 2006


495 Pierce, W. K. 3,000.00505 Morris, M. E. 3,000.00505 Parish, K. R. 6,250.00506 Srur, A. G. 3,000.00508 Yeo, W. R. 3,000.00511 Miles, D. E. 2,943.19518 Barela, R. E. 3,000.00524 McCann, L. B. 2,934.00527 Lawhorn, R. H. 6,250.00527 Little, S. W. 3,790.00527 Richardson, N. L. 3,000.00551 Kelly, J. C. 6,250.00551 Smith, K. G. 3,000.00558 Sullivan, L. F. 2,908.00569 Rizzo, M. . 5,649.79569 Sheggeby, L. K. 2,968.08569 Valersky, L. E. 3,000.00573 Mackendrick, C. J. 3,000.00574 Martin, C. F. 3,000.00576 Alexander, J. D. 2,939.18576 Craig, J. H. 3,000.00595 McBride, C. E. 3,000.00595 Pitts, J. F. 1,500.00602 Kellison, K. D. 3,000.00611 Hamner, C. R. 3,000.00613 Emmanuel, L. . 6,250.00613 Reynolds, L. M. 4,166.67613 Rowe, J. F. 6,250.00617 Gendotti, E. J. 3,000.00617 Johnson, W. M. 3,000.00639 Papich, W. J. 3,000.00640 Bell, D. R. 1,500.00640 Deleon, J. T. 6,250.00654 Wiltsie, J. C. 3,000.00659 Dunphy, J. P. 2,945.59666 Jarvis, M. E. 6,250.00666 Vandevander, L. J. 6,250.00676 Sapp, H. H. 3,000.00683 Hursey, W. D. 3,000.00683 Kirby, W. G. 3,000.00684 Livingston, R. B. 2,938.00697 Nichols, J. A. 3,000.00701 Koczka, J. L. 2,919.00

701 Semmerling, E. J. 3,000.00702 Pool, T. J. 3,000.00716 Barton, H. E. 3,000.00716 Fox, R. E. 3,000.00716 Poston, W. C. 3,000.00716 Useary, L. H. 3,000.00721 Suddeth, C. W. 6,250.00725 Edmondson, E. V. 2,950.00725 Enstrom, H. A. 3,000.00728 Alfonso, E. E. 6,250.00728 Reherman, T. . 12,500.00760 Griffey, R. P. 3,000.00760 Haire, D. R. 3,000.00760 Rush, P. J. 1,353.00760 Skidmore, J. H. 1,000.00768 Smith, T. A. 3,125.00776 Cockcroft, C. C. 3,000.00794 Stigler, A. G. 3,000.00804 Overall, R. A. 3,000.00816 Lawrence, H. F. 3,000.00824 Farrar, W. B. 3,000.00861 Trahan, J. C. 3,000.00873 Yentes, M. J. 6,250.00876 Fowler, R. . 3,000.00889 Movius, G. E. 3,000.00894 Kearnes, D. . 6,250.00903 Denison, O. J. 975.33910 Trombly, G. R. 2,982.31917 Hamilton, C. R. 3,000.00917 Pogue, E. M. 3,000.00934 Chumley, W. M. 3,000.00934 Dillard, J. E. 3,000.00949 Sellin, D. D. 3,000.00952 Glass, R. D. 3,006.48952 McKillop, C. J. 3,000.00953 Whiteman, R. . 3,000.00969 Gawf, R. E. 3,000.00993 Wafler, G. G. 3,000.00995 Bonaventure, G. . 3,000.00995 Macaluso, P. J. 2,977.691002 Stewart, C. H. 2,958.001105 Kominar, J. D. 3,000.001116 Gates, W. E. 3,000.00

1141 Duren, E. C. 2,948.001141 Johnson, C. E. 2,917.221141 Rollins, A. D. 6,250.001151 Nelson, W. L. 3,000.001186 Apo, F. K. 3,000.001204 Rogers, F. E. 2,892.001205 Peters, V. D. 6,250.001245 Hardin, W. H. 3,000.001249 Brady, D. R. 3,000.001253 Adams, A. A. 6,250.001253 Dolan, T. E. 3,000.001323 Jennings, J. F. 6,250.001393 Adams, L. C. 737.221393 Higgley, J. F. 3,000.001426 Duggan, R. T. 6,250.001432 Yates, M. C. 2,887.981475 Layton, A. T. 3,000.001516 Couturier, R. S. 3,125.001547 Falconer, J. G. 2,952.001547 Irwin, G. M. 4,665.551547 Walker, V. L. 6,250.001579 Barton, L. E. 3,000.001579 Thompson, D. H. 3,000.001600 Putman, J. B. 3,000.001631 Puglia, P. A. 3,000.001710 Grover, P. C. 3,000.002032 Chapman, B. P. 6,250.002084 Wolniak, A. . 2,862.002131 Cripe, R. G. 3,000.002265 Mann, S. J. 3,000.002295 Fike, C. R. 2,944.52

I.O. (763) Cloyd, E. C. 4,748.62Pens. (0) Elko, S. F. 3,000.00

Pens. (101) Conn, W. . 3,000.00Pens. (323) Spencer, V. C. 1,200.00Pens. (637) Taylor, J. D. 3,000.00Pens. (835) Spaulding, R. E. 3,000.00Pens. (1003) Mitchell, W. A. 2,902.00Pens. (1095) Boone, H. L. 2,966.37Pens. (I.O.) Backer, D. R. 2,932.78Pens. (I.O.) Bryant, R. L. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Buchholz, L. W. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Burford, F. J. 3,000.00

Pens. (I.O.) Choy, M. . 2,924.00Pens. (I.O.) Colby, J. W. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Curvin, M. M. 2,948.00Pens. (I.O.) Dadosio, J. . 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Drew, W. B. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Durkee, I. V. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Elkins, J. M. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Felix, R. L. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Field, H. V. 2,862.36Pens. (I.O.) Foreman, C. M. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Fraterman, M. . 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Frye, J. M. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Hamarich, J. . 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Henderson, H. M. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Hennies, R. E. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Hollick, W. J. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Holmes, E. W. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Jarvis, H. S. 1,500.00Pens. (I.O.) Johnson, A. N. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Long, V. A. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Loyd, W. B. 2,963.19Pens. (I.O.) Luhman, H. W. 2,951.99Pens. (I.O.) Millies, F. G. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Nelson, L. E. 2,963.23Pens. (I.O.) Orischuk, T. M. 3,772.53Pens. (I.O.) Patterson, E. J. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Polansky, R. F. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Price, A. W. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Quinn, P. D. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Rask, R. A. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Rikard, R. C. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Rinaldi, D. . 2,250.00Pens. (I.O.) Schnackenberg, H. A. 2,888.19Pens. (I.O.) Tennant, R. J. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Triggs, M. C. 1,500.00Pens. (I.O.) Waters, D. R. 2,947.19Pens. (I.O.) Waters, A. H. 2,913.58Pens. (I.O.) Wright, S. G. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Wubbens, E. C. 3,000.00Pens. (I.O.) Young, R. C. 1,000.00

Total Amount . . . . . . . . . . . $1,478,024.80

Local Surname Amount Local Surname Amount Local Surname Amount Local Surname Amount

“The IBEW’s influence in the capitalgot this going,” said Sixth District Inter-national Representative Alan Goddard.

Last fall, at the request of the SixthDistrict, IBEW jurisdiction over the courtreporters was turned over to Chicago,Local 134. “We wouldn’t be where we’reat if it wasn’t for Local 1220,” said Local134 Business Representative Rich Mur-phy.

With an election finally set, Local 134didn’t take anything for granted. In theweeks leading up to the vote, theyhosted meetings and phone banks. Over

a two-day vote March 1-2, the 210-employee Cook County unit voted over-whelmingly for IBEW representation.Local 134 plans to go after the other twounits, approximately 300 more courtreporters, after successful negotiation ofthe first contract.

Dignity and respect were among thebiggest issues for the court reporters,who have been forced to endure shoddytreatment at the hands of some of thejudges. Goddard said even conservativeattorneys who spend their time in thestate’s courtrooms agree that the courtreporters need a more powerful hand intheir relationship with some judges.Judges have held their own courtreporters in contempt of court for puni-tive reasons. One judge cruelly evenwent so far as to deny a court reporterwho had recently been diagnosed with

diabetes a timely opportunity to eat andcheck her insulin.

“They bully them,” Goddard said.Former court reporter John Tominello

said after 15 years of antagonism, it willtake time for hard feelings to soften.

“We want the court reporters office torun be run like a profession, not akindergarten class they’re running it likenow,” Tominello said.

Sixth District International Represen-tative Lonnie Stephenson, who has longbeen involved in this fight, especially atthe state capital, said he has beenbuoyed by the spirit shown by the courtreporters. “I have never felt what I feltwhen I first them—their dedication anddetermination to get it done,” he said.“We didn’t have to convince them theyneeded to organize, they already knewit.” 1

Illinois Court Reporters(Continued from page 11)

Get Your Motor Runnin’with The IBEWCookbookand Apron

After a long ride on the

open road, IBEW Utility

Department Director

Jim Hunter and his son,

Sean, a Washington, D.C.,

Local 26 apprentice, like

to relax with one of

several wild game recipes

available in the “Taste of

IBEW.” Take your choice

of baked groundhog, road

kill “crew stew,” or, Jim’s

personal favorite, Deer

Summer Sausage, sub-

mitted by Lisa Kendziorski,

from Steubenville, Ohio,

Local 246 (“Taste of

IBEW,” page 146). With

more than 900 recipes,

you’ll be sure to find a

recipe that suits you. And

don’t forget your stylish

denim apron. 1

Mix all ingredients together. Roll into 3 or 4 sticks, wrap in

foil, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Unwrap and bake for one hour. Slice and serve with crackers.

May also be frozen.

IBEW APRON & COOKBOOK ORDER FORM

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________

Local Union ______________________________________________ District________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________State _______________ Zip_______________________

Phone ____________________________________________E-mail ______________________________

IBEW Aprons Qty: __________ Total: ___________(Price: $30.00 Each)

IBEW Cookbooks Qty: __________ Total: ___________(Price: $25.00 Each)

Grand Total:_______________________All Orders include: Taxes, Shipping & Handling

2 pounds ground deer meat

2 tablespoons tender quick salt

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1-1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke

1 cup water

1 tablespoon mustard seed

Deer Summer Sausage

Make Checks Payable To: IBEW 37th International Convention Fund

ALL PROCEEDS Go to the

37th International Convention Fund

You can also order online at:

http://www.4ibew.com Mail To:IBEW Fourth District • 8260 Northcreek Drive,

Suite 140 • Cincinnati, OH 45236

Printed in the U.S.A.

july 2006 · pasadena, texas 77504 seventh district patrick lavin c/o ibew local 47 600 n. diamond...

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