1977-02 February IBEW Journal.pdf - International Brotherhood of ...

many locations in Canada. the USA, and
evcn South America. The local wishes to
express its sympathy to the families of thcse
Brothers in their tragi\; losscs.
J. F. H,n"RILLA. I' .S.
the l ake Shore Michigan Central Railroad
which later became the New York Central
Railroad from whkh Tex retired in January
of 1957. Tcx became an eirctrician gangkader
in 1913 and held this title for 37
years until his retirement.
Brother Joe We~hing retired in 1975
Retirement Dinner Party
from the Pcnn Central. He had 42 years of
railroad service as an electrician. He started
Held at Local 183 I
on the l!linois Central. After five rears he
I~U , 183 1. CIII CAGO, ILL.- T he officcrs
Icft to join the Ncw York Central. After the
merger of the New York Central and Pennsylvania
Railroads in 1968, Joe be~ame a
of local 1831. President John L. Sullivan.
Vice President Anton Stigler, Treasurer
Penn Central electrician. Joc Wersching
Robert Lizak. Secretary-Treasurer Michael
Merlin, and Recording Secretary Anthony
served for a period of eight years as treasurer
of Local 794, before Local 1831 was
J. Puishis, wish to thank al1 who helped
in e:llistence. local 794 was the original
make the retirement dinner party at Rainbow
Gardens in Chicago on October 19,
p~rcnt local. as it were. and Local 1831
was formed laler on by breaking :lpart from
1976, a grand success.
Local 794 as a separate unit.
. On hand for this affair were International Brother Joseph M. Bondi started as an
Representatives of the 10th District Brother
Russell Homiak 3nd System Council 7
General Chairman l ames A. McAteer, also
the retirees. George 'Tex" Wachter, Joe
Wersching. Joseph M. Bondi, Jake Hochberg,
Harold J. Phalen, John C. BaliS,
Randy Dodd, Fred Brill, Mickey Feinberg,
. and Joseph M. Pavlica.
Three Brother rctirces descrvc special
mention because of their notable achievements:
George ·'Te."(" Wachter, Joe \Verso::hing.
and Joe Bondi. Brother George Wachter,
age 85. was the oldest rctiree present. He
appeared at the dinner table smoking a
cigar. much to the surprise of his junior
companions. George, Tex as he prefers to
be cal1ed. was born in Austin. Tcxas, on
August 6, 1891. and began working as an
electrician for the Rock Island Railroad in
1909. Later in 1913, he went to work for
Retirement Dinner
electrician Yoith the Pennsylvania Railro:ld
in 13nuary of 194 1, intcrrupting his C:lreer
to serve in the army for three years in
World War II as communications chief in
the First Regimen! of the Armored Division
at Fort Knox. Kentudy. He relUrned in
June of 1946. Joe was instrumenml in bringing
the CIO union along with the Health
and Welfare. Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
hospitalization benefits on the Pennsylvania
Railroad at 12th Street in Chicago in 1946.
He served for 21 years on the E.~ecll1h' e
Boord of the CIO local union until the
merger of the Pennsylvania and New York
Central Railroads took place forming the
Pcnn Central. This merger necessitated a
vote on what union would be representative
on the Penn Central for the electrical craft.
As it turned out the IBEW won, and Local
1831 took charge on the Penn Ccntral in
C.
These four pictures from the retirement dinner held by Loclt 1831. Chicago. Ill.. show retirees Joe
Werschlng. Max Feinberg, Harold Phaten. Jake Hoc:hberg, John eallS, Etmer Britt. Joe Pa~ttca .. and
Joe Bondi enjoying the great party. conversations with their friends. and well·earned congratulatIons.
hbruory, 1977
Chicago in 1968. So, in that year, Brother
Bondi became active in the affairs of Local
1831 serving in various capacities: acth'e
member, committeeman, Executive Boord
member, delegate to \·arious conventions,
and for three )'ears, until his retirement in
June of 1976, as the IOC31 chairman of Loca[
1831 . Brother Joe Bondi Yo'as a great leader
and commanded the respeC! of his fellow
Brothers as well as that of his opponents.
for Joe knew how to get up on his feet and
talk, hilling the nail on thc head every time,
driving home the pOint on many issues that
he took a stand on. Joe will bc missed and
it will be a long time before Local 1831
will again lind a man of his stature.
The party was tied in with a few brief
talks given by Brothers Russell Homiak.
James A. McAteer. and Joe Bondi. There
was some pic;ture-taking amid the popping
of beer bollleS being opened and a lot of
fricndly challer.
Brother R3ndy Dodd arrived a little late
at the party and wishes to say hello to
e\'er)·one.
Since Local 1831 h:1S ne"er been in print
in the IHEW JOllmal, it wishes the editors
will print this, its first \euer .
Tosy P UISIIIS, R.S.
Blood Bank Quota Met ;
Local Joins Association
l.U_ 2074, BA NGOR, PA.-At our Dccem.
ber meeting it was reported that our quota
for the blood bank had been met for this
year. Thanks go to everyone who made thc
last-minute efrort necessary to bring us lip
to date, and a special thanks to SiSler Joyce
Pugh for being the fireball who kept everyone
trying.
Our local has joined the Pennsylvania
Stolte Electrical Workers Association. We
werc one of the last in the area to join but
we hope we can become more active in the
future. Although ..... e may nOt like to admil
ii, these political education and lo bbyist
groups are very important and necessary.
The winter months always seem to bring
a slowdown in our work schedule and this
year has been no different. We have experienccd
layoffs but we hope to sec everyone
back [0 work in the spring.
Don't forget to submit any suggestions
you may have for language ~hanges in the
new contract. The Negotiating Commi!\ee
wants to hear from each of you.
After the business meeting the membership
enjoyed the annual Christmas party.
There was plenty of food and "union punch·'
for all, prepared by the Entertainment Committee.
Everyone present shared in the spirit
of brotherhood that prevails at this season
or the rear.
P"lltte lA hll'[CIATI, P.S .
Hard Days Ahead At
Kennedy Space Center
L ,U , 2088, COCOA BEACn , FLA,-The
Request for Proposal for one of the large
support contracts at Kennedy Space Center,
currently held by Federal Electric Corporation,
has becn released. There :lre several
other support contracts which will be recomputed
in the ne .~t couple of months.
"