Winner! - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

IBEW members with Howe Electric and Contra Costa Sound and
Communications on the jobsite at Local 100’s $10 million Save Mart
Center Arena electrical project on the campus of California State
University at Fresno. The project employed 60 IBEW members for 1 1 /2
years and is projected for completion two weeks ahead of schedule.
Picnic Was a Great Time!
L.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts&
st), SALEM, OR—Our September picnic
was fantastic, with great weather
and friends coming together and
meeting new acquaintances. Picnic
Committee Chmn. Eric Hale, his wife,
Traci, and helpers Teresa Howard,
Dave Baker, Drew Lindsey, Dick Murdock,
Dennis and Brandie Caster,
MaryAnne Murdoch, Chuck Bunnell
and Londa Anklam put in a great
effort to make this a memorable time.
The hair is a little grayer but the
smiles and energy of our great members
have never changed! It is always
a pleasure to see everyone and share
stories and memories!
A big thanks also to the helpers
who attended booths at the Oregon
State and Deschutes county fairs: Greg
Creal, Drew Lindsey, Donna Campbell,
Tom Mann, Allen Dewitt, Ken Tree,
Mike Shoenhals, Verle Strickler and
Dennis Patrick. The booths were heavare
as follows. For 2003-2006: A
mileage increase from 35 cents to 36
cents per mile. From miles 30 to 40
the old flat rate was $16. Now from
mile 30, travel will progressively
increase to $23.10 to mile 40. Subsistence
changed from $30 to $35. Any
questions, please call the hall.
The increased cost of Health and
Welfare has consumed most of the
negotiated wage increase for the 2003
-2006 contract.
Bus. Mgr. Larry Kellerhals reports
that Fresno Unified School District
negotiations are complete; work
remains on temporary maintenance
hiring but it is hoped that in the future
they will hire out of the local.
Local 100’s general meeting is at 7
p.m. every second Tuesday of the
month. Any petition for money must
first come before the Executive Board
before it can be presented to the floor.
M.A. CAGLIA, P.S.
Speak Your Mind—Vote!
L.U. 124 (ees,em,i,mar,rts,se&spa),
KANSAS CITY, MO—Local 124 is spearheading
campaigns to get our members
elected to public office. Eleven of our
members now hold elected public
office. We cannot expect to significantly
influence our government if we do not
take an active part in it. Elections are
not that far away. Our jobs and livelihood
are at stake.
The current administration is the
most anti-labor in history. We can
change the balance of power in favor
of working people by encouraging
union members to run for political
office. It is the grass-roots level of local
and state politics where the majority of
the work can be done. As much as 40
percent of construction is public works
and the people elected to school
boards and city councils are the ones
who decide who will perform that
work. Get Out and Run For Office, Get
out and Elect our Members Into Office!
We remember the following
deceased members: George Garrison,
Donald Lord, Jerry Perkins, and Dennis
Todd.
Congratulations to the following
retired members: Joseph Bedsaul, James
Edge, Phillip Gravina, Jerome Hill, Raymond
“Gary” Hulsey, Walter Janzen,
James Jewett, Gene Mitchell, Henri
Mos, Donald Penson and James Tobin.
FRANK MATHEWS, JR., P.S.
A Better 2004?
L.U. 146 (ei,i&rts), DECATUR, IL—
The NECA-IBEW Local 146 Class of
2003 graduated in May at a ceremony
at the Eagle Creek Resort. Graduates
were Larry R. Apke, Mark R. Creed,
Jason L. Drake, Tony L. Frank, Angela
M. Gilbert, Timothy B. Gosnell, Douglas
L. Hammer, Mark L. Harris, Bob
Lewis, Jr., James D. Miller, John S.
Myers, Gary D. Parker, Joshua D.
Sapp, Mary Catherine M. Sapp and
Wesley J. Watson. Bro. Jason L. Drake
was 2003 Apprentice of the Year.
Our new first-year apprentices
include Kelsey Ashcraft, Kelly Blakey,
Wayne O’Dell, Nicholas Perry, Robbie
Reynolds, Brian Schultz, Earl Taylor,
Nathan Vaughn and Darin Yantis.
Brotherhood is alive and well in
Local 146. We held our annual golf outing,
Labor Day picnic, poker run, and
steak fry this year. Members also volunteered
their time for Summer Start at
Lake Decatur, Decatur Celebration,
Decatur Central Park Christmas lighting,
Coles County Habitat for Humanity, the
Charleston Pavilion project and the
Homeless Shelter of Mattoon. Thanks
to all who serve on the committees and
volunteer for these events.
Work continues to be very slow
and we hope for better times in 2004.
Remember, this will be an election
year and it is important that we mobilize
our membership.
SHAD E. ETCHASON, PRES.
Work Still Slow
L.U. 150 (es,i,rts&spa), WAUKEGAN,
IL—Greetings, brothers and sisters. I
am Scotty Klepac, the new press secretary.
I started my apprenticeship in
’92 and I look forward to serving you
on these pages. Any and all help or
suggestions are welcomed.
We thank former press secretary
Wendy Cordts for her many years of
hard work and dedication.
The work outlook is still slow but
new calls are coming in, with many
short calls and no Book II sent out
since last October.
Local 150 and its retirees took part
in the Zion Labor Day parade. Thanks
to Ray Holst and the retirees for their
continued support of this event.
Thanks also to Dawn Zabroski and her
family for the hard work they did.
Special thanks to Russ Koch for leading
the way in his vintage 1931 Model
A Ford.
The Local 150 softball team continues
to dominate area tournaments
going 15 and 0 to win all three.
Local 146 Class of 2003 graduates, from left: James D. Miller, Gary D.
Parker, Tony L. Frank, Wesley J. Watson, Angela M. Gilbert, Bob Lewis, Jr.,
Mary Catherine M. Sapp, John S. Myers, Joshua D. Sapp, Jason L. Drake,
Timothy B. Gosnell, Douglas L. Hammer, Mark L. Harris, Mark R. Creed and
Larry R. Apke.
Local union meetings are held the
first Wednesday of each month at the
Gurnee American Legion. Everyone
should attend the upcoming meeting
regarding possible changes in our
heath and welfare benefits.
SCOTTY KLEPAC, P.S.
20th Annual Pig Roast
L.U. 160 (lctt,o&u), MINNEAPOLIS,
MN—On Sept. 25, 2003, we held our
20th annual pig roast and more than
600 brothers and sisters attended.
Good food and weather made this a
very enjoyable day. Thank you to the
pig roast sponsors, gift donors, cooks,
and all those who made this event a
huge success.
The pig roast gave many their first
chance to see the newly renovated
grounds and exterior of the Local 160
hall. The building was repainted and
got new lettering. Paver brick sidewalks
were installed in the front and
rear of the hall, with “IBEW LOCAL
160” spelled out in the brickwork. Old
shrubs and bushes were removed and
a sprinkler system was installed. The
many improvements got rave reviews,
thanks to all the active and retired
members who did much of the work.
DANIEL S. SEAWELL, P.S.
Model Health Fund
L.U. 164 (c,i,o&t), JERSEY CITY,
NJ—The International Office recently
recognized Local 164’s self-administered,
self-insured health benefit fund
as a model for similar funds nationwide.
Local 164 has maintained a highly
efficient service by not relying upon
third-party administrators to process
claims.
“At a time when third-party administration
costs have risen at an alarming
rate, and most health funds are
experiencing double-digit inflation
annually, our self-managed fund has
provided dramatic cost savings,” noted
Bus. Mgr. Richard Dressel. “The basic
concept is simple. Rather than rely on
third-party administrators, we rent a
health network from a major health
benefit provider for a per-member,
per-month fee.”
All claims are processed by Local
164’s corps of professional claims personnel,
who remit payments in a matter
of days rather than weeks.
Consequently, Local 164 derives the
discounts that would normally be
pocketed by third-party administrators.
“Because of this tremendous cost savings,”
Dressel added, “Local 164 was
the first and only local in the country
to provide long-term nursing home
care for its members.” All New Jersey
inside locals have visited or will be
visiting Local 164 to learn more about
our system. And in keeping with the
spirit of brotherhood, we invite all
inside locals to inquire.
DAVID MILAZZO, PRES.
Project Labor Agreements
L.U. 180 (c,i,o&st), VALLEJO, CA—
With PLAs, the saying “you can catch
more flies with honey than vinegar”
applies. Perception also applies.
Demanding a PLA by pounding one’s
fist on the table as the project goes to
bid is old school.
The correct perception is the classic
sales approach. Create the need, or
show them their need. Speak positively
about the PLA. Provide written
endorsements. Interview, endorse and
support candidates for school boards
to assist in closing the deal.
Invite all school board and council
members to tour union training facilities.
Nine out of ten public leaders
have no idea how much time, effort
and funding is needed to train our
local young people. On training, we
have a meeting of the minds; we all
want good jobs for local people.
Today the building trades are perceived
as a solution not the problem.
The outcome for our local is two
PLAs presented, two signed. We look
for a snowball effect with other school
districts and community colleges.
The California recall leave us battling
it out in the sequel, “Total Recall
Two—Resurrection of The Working
Class.”
MIKE SMITH, P.S.
Race Track Remodeling
L.U. 194 (i,o,spa&u), SHREVEPORT,
LA—Employees of Wilhite Electric are
working on Phase II of the remodel of
Louisiana Downs Horseracing facility
purchased by Harrah’s Casino. Phase I
was a complete remodel of the track.
The new 185,000 square foot building
in Bossier City, LA, is a $6.8 million
project with 1,500 slot machines and
upgrades. May 2004 is the scheduled
completion date.
In October. Camus Electric completed
construction of a Bass Pro Shop
as an anchor on the Bossier River Walk
District. This store is 106,000 square
feet and the only one built on a river.
In celebration of Labor Day, Local
Local 194 members John Sims, Jr
and Justin Shadoin stand in the
main electric room of the Harrah’s
LA Downs Casino facility.
194 co-sponsored with the Shreveport
AFL-CIO Central Trades & Labor Council
a Union Industries Trades & Service
Show. The free show had union-made
products as giveaways, exhibits,
demonstrations, live music, and a catfish
dinner. Some 4,000 people
attended this first-ever event.
Work is steadily picking up with
the remodel of the racetrack, new construction
of a maximum-security
prison, new construction of Bossier
Parish Community College, the General
Motors’ plant retooling, and several
other jobs including hospital
renovations. By the end of the year,
the local hopes to be hiring travelers.
TOMMY NORRIS, B.M.
Local 196 Bus. Rep. Eric Patrick
(left) presents Bobby Taylor with
his 25-year service pin.
Work Picture Good
L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u), ROCK-
FORD, IL—Officers and members congratulate
Bobby Taylor on his
retirement from Rockford Mass Transit.
We hope he enjoys his new career as
a retiree.
Our work picture at this writing is
good. We are still fighting the IUOE
and LIUNA on a few projects. In our
jurisdiction Henkels & McCoy is one
of the biggest proponents in using
IUOE and LIUNA. We have had
Henkels & McCoy threaten this local
on more than one occasion with 10K
charges. The work involved is installation
of electric conduit. I would suggest
if you have Henkels & McCoy
working in your jurisdiction, check
who is on the project. We have found
in some cases the employees were not
union members at all.
Remember to attend your local
monthly union meetings and vote in
every election.
EDGAR R. MINGS, JR., B.M.
Children’s Fund
L.U. 222 (o), ORLANDO, FL—On
May 2 we held our fifth annual golf
tournament. Forty-five members, contractors
and power company representatives
played and had a good time.
First place went to the team of Bro.
Mike Jetter and friends. Men’s longest
drive went to Patrick Parry; women’s
longest drive to Mary Fobell; men’s
most accurate drive to John Argenbright;
women’s most accurate drive to
Cindy Coppersmith; and closest to the
pin, Cathy Moody. Robert Randall also
won a driver as big as he is.
The tournament raised nearly
$5,000 for the Local 222 Children’s
Fund. The Children’s Fund thanks
everyone involved. The children will
really appreciate it at Christmas.
Congratulations to Pres. Dale E.
Smithmier on receiving his 35-year pin.
On Sept. 11, 2003, we held our first
“Old Timers Re-Union” in Orange
Lake. More than 100 retirees, their
spouses and guests attended the service
pin presentation. Several retirees
received 50-year pins.
Work remains steady in Florida
with a few travelers working. The
local has made great strides toward
recapturing the “underground” and
“sub-station” market in our jurisdiction.
DALE SMITHMIER, P.S.
Apprenticeship Graduation
L.U. 234 (i,o,rtb,rts&sap), CASTRO-
VILLE, CA—On May 31, 2003, our local
proudly graduated nine apprentices
from the five-year apprenticeship program.
The ceremony was held at Monterey
Beach Hotel in Monterey, CA.
Congratulations to all the graduates.
Albert Randall was nominated outstanding
apprentice of his class and
awarded a gold watch. Gold watches
for perfect attendance went to: Manuel
Madrigal, Carlos Cortez and Bryon
Borchard.
A reminder that classes on code
and theory are available at our local
training center to help prepare our
Local 222 retired
brothers gather
for a service pin
presentation.
From left: Bro.
Bob Surama,
retired Int. Rep.
Marvin Apte and
Bro. Jack Baker.
Bros. Apte and
Baker received 50-
year service pins.
members for the long-awaited state
certification exam.
ROBERT W. COLE, P.S.
Vincent Daly Honored
L.U. 236 (catv,ees,govt,i,mo,rtb&t),
ALBANY, NY—Congratulations to
Local 236 Pres. Vincent J. Daly, who
was recently honored by the Schenectady,
New York, Democrat organization
with the 2003 Walter P. Reuther
Labor Leader Award.
The 2003 Albany Labor Day parade
was a great showing for labor and
Local 236 Pres. Vincent J. Daly
receives the Walter P. Reuther
Labor Leader Award.
especially for IBEW Local 236, which
once again hosted one of the largest
contingents of marchers. Accompanying
the marchers were several contractor
vehicles and a 40-foot float
carrying retired members and several
Local 236 families. After the parade,
marchers enjoyed an afternoon of
food and music in Albany’s Corning
Preserve.
MICHAEL V. DOYLE, P.S.
Members Honored
L.U. 238 (i,mo,o&u), ASHEVILLE,
NC—The Local 238 annual picnic in
August was a great success. It was
wonderful to be with members and
retirees who came and shared incredible
stories of days gone by. Pat Hagan
and Ken Lackey retold the story of
Creation. The story goes that when
Local 234 Graduating Class of 2003, from left: James Smally, Brian
Sabado, Manuel Madrigal, Bryon Borchard, Charles Schlesinger, Paul
Gutierrez, Carlos Cortez and Albert Randall. Missing from the photo is
Greg Milller.
Local 238 retirees honored at the
2003 picnic are, from left: Bros. Joe
Bumgarner, Pat Hagan and Ken
Lackey.
God said “Let There be Light,” Pat and
Ken hooked up the temporary power.
Three very special brothers were
honored with certificates and pins for
their faithful years of service. Bros. Pat
E. Hagan and Kenyon J. Lackey were
presented with 50-year awards and
Bro. Joseph W. Bumgarner received
his 55- year award.
We have been asked once again by
the Asheville Merchant’s Association to
marshal the Asheville Holiday Parade,
scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003,
from noon to 5 p.m. Please help if at
all possible. We need all the volunteers
we can get. Please call the union
hall if you can help.
RICK SLUDER, PRES.
A New Pin Program
L.U. 278 (em,gov’t,i&o), CORPUS
CHRISTI, TX—The Brotherhood Committee
of Local 278 is putting together
a Service Pin Ceremony to honor
members with 10 or more years of service.
We look forward to seeing old
friends and making new ones.
The Valero Refining GDU Project is
well underway with about 70 plus
hands so far. The N.R. Johnston and
J.R. Electric joint venture at the multipurpose
arena and expansion to the
Spohn Shoreline Hospital are coming
along slowly. These two projects
should be going pretty good in late
fall. Fairbain Electric was awarded the
jobs at Texas A&M, the Harte Center
for Gulf of Mexico Research and the
Gulf Compress Warehouse that is part
of La Quinta Container Port.
We mourn the loss of Bros. A.A.
Stark, Bobbie Gene Kruse, Frank Self,
Frank Sevcik and Odus Johns.
MIKE CARRANCO, PRES.
20 IBEW JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2003 IBEW JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2003 21