the electrical worker october 2009

W W W . I B E W . O R G

Amid the noisy debate over healthcare reform, many TV and mediasources are focusing coverage onthe polarization between

Americans on the left and right wings of ourpolitical spectrum.

In the vast middle ground—where manymembers of organized labor find ourselves—itseems clear that even families who are satis-fied with their current insurance coverage areconcerned about rising costs, or finding outthat medical expenses that were covered yes-terday are now their personal responsibility.

“There’s a consensus among the mem-bers,” says Phoenix Local 640 BusinessManager Dean Wine, “that something needsto be fixed.”

Fixing skyrocketing costs, expected todouble by 2016, is at the heart of health carereform, says Dan Gardner, InternationalRepresentative, Political and LegislativeDepartment. The medical insurance industry—whose executives profit from price inflation—is pouring millions of dollars into advertisingto “confuse and scare people,” says Gardner.“So it’s more important than ever for unionmembers to get clearer on what change needsto look like.”

Orlando, Fla., Local 606 organizer LarryKidd believes that reform also has to addressthe needs of 47million Americans, including8.7 million children, who lack affordable healthcare insurance. It’s not just a moral issue.

Research studies show that premiums foremployer-provided family coverage are inflatedby $1,000 to cover care for the uninsured.

Kidd regularly reaches out to workers atnonunion electrical shops who receive nohealth care benefits from their employers, cre-ating a competitive disadvantage for signatorycontractors who contribute $5 per hour tohealth care and pensions. “It also shifts theburden for covering some of the uninsuredonto taxpayers,” says Kidd, who is concernedabout Local 606 members who are on thebench paying exorbitant COBRA payments tocontinue their health care coverage while try-ing to survive on one of the nation’s lowestunemployment insurance payments.

By requiring allemployers to pay into afund to cover uninsuredworkers (“play or pay”),another proposal inhealth care reform legis-lation, the playing fieldfor costs between union

and nonunion contractors will be more level,says Kidd.

Rising health insurance costs for domes-tic manufacturers versus their overseas com-petitors put a drag on our nation’s economicrecovery. And real pain is spreading as plantshave shut down and workers are forced tochoose between meals, housing and healthcare insurance.

In Cochran, Ga., outside of Atlanta, 550members of Local 1132 who produce lightingfixtures at Acuity Brands know that with everyopen enrollment period to choose their healthcare, they will be facing rising costs. BusinessManager William Hill has heard about morepaycheck garnishments than ever before.Some folks are in financial trouble, he says,because of health care costs.

While reform’s opponents label a pro-posed “public option” for health care insuranceanother step toward “socialized”medicine,members like Christy Miller, a member ofBellefontaine, Ohio, Local 1691, see it as apotential life line.

F I RST PUBL I SHED IN 1893

I N T E R N A T I O N A L B R O T H E R H O O D O F E L E C T R I C A L W O R K E R S Vol. 3 | No. 10 | October 2009

HEALTH CARE CRISIS continued on page 2

Confronting the Health Care CrisisIBEW Says it is Time for Real Reform

Per Capita Health Insurance Expenditures, in Dollars

$0 $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000

Japan

UnitedKingdom

France

Germany

Canada

United Statesof America $6,096

$3,173

$3,171

$3,040

$2,560

$2,293

Source: United Nations Human Development Report, 2007

Go “Green!”with oure-Edition

Get your Electrical Worker delivered eachmonth via e-mail. It’s convenient & helpscut down on paper waste.Go to www.ibew.org and sign up today!

I N T H I S I S S U E

2 | A Canadian view on U.S. health care

IBEW’s plan for reform

Union, colleges team to train workers

3 | Nonunion co. busted for wage fraud

4 | Members energize Hollywood

5 | Wis. factory promotes excellence

6 | North of 49°

7 | Transitions

8 | Circuits

IBEW on Duty

9 | In Memoriam

10 | Local Lines

18 | Editorials

19 | Letters to the Editor

Who We Are

2 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r | O c t o b e r 2 0 09

Confronting the Health Care Crisis

Continued from page 1

Miller, who worked for 19 yearsassembling electrical breakers atSiemens’ Bellefontaine plant, losther job in March as the companyshifted production to Mexico. Shewill receive eightmonths of healthcare insurance before being forced topick up the cost of COBRA coverage.“In mymind, I should then be able tobe covered by a public plan,” says

Miller, age 50, who is now entering atwo-year training program to be amedical administrative assistant.“Maybe [onmy new job] I can helpolder people comprehend theirhealth insurance options,” she says.

A public option, says Gardner,could provide immediate help toworkers like Miller, but it could alsohelp employed workers by establish-

ing healthy competition for insurancecompanies, driving costs down andimproving quality. Among the benefi-ciaries would be IBEWmembers inthe utility industry—many of whomwork for highly profitable companiesbut already pick up 20 percent of thecost of their health care insurance.

“Health care reform can’t wait,”says International President Edwin D.

Hill. He says rising costs and lack ofaccess hurt our union and ournation’s economic future. “Whetherwe’re talking about a public option,‘play or pay,’ or cutting off legislatorsat the pass whowant to tax our hard-won health care benefits, we need toget active.” Thatmeans talking tofriends and familymembers and con-tacting elected officials, says Hill. �

T oronto, Ontario, Local 353Polictical Action/MediaStrategist for the First

District Office Barry Stevens hasbeen baffled by the distortions ofthe Canadian health care systemspread by opponents of healthcare reform in the United States.

“I’ve heard from right-wingmedia in the states that you have towait months to get basic treatmentor that you can’t pick your doctor,”Stevens said. “None of it’s true.”

Most Canadians would agree.A recent poll found that 82 percentof Canadians think their systemoutperforms the U.S.’

Canada haswhat is called a“single-payer” system. Doctors andhospitals are largely private, butinstead of private insurance compa-nies, the government paid for healthcare. Out-of-pocket costs are zero.

Every Canadian receives amedical ID card, which they pres-ent to the doctor when they receivetreatment. Most treatments arecovered, as are prescription drugs.“No one in Canada is ever turnedaway from getting the medical cov-erage they need,” Stevens said.“And no one goes bankrupt orloses their house because of it.”

The program isn’t totally free,asCanadians pay for publichealthcare through increased taxes. But byspreading the costs of the programequally throughout the country,Canada has cut health care costs tonearly one-half of those in the U.S.

Canada’s health care systemalso takes the financial pressureoff unions, which don’t have toworry about bargaining for basichealth care benefits.

The program is so popularthat even the Conservative Party, aright-wing party, defends it.

While there are major differ-ences between President Obama’shealth care plan and the currentCanadian health system, Stevensthinks trade unionists in the U.S.should take a look at what they’vebeen able to accomplish in Canadawhen creating a model of compre-hensive health care. �

Canadian IBEWMember Looks at theHealth Care Debate

IBEW’s Partnershipwith Community CollegeAttractsNewGeneration ofUtilityWorkers

The economic downturn and decimated 401(k)s may have convincedsome utility workers to put off their retirement for a couple moreyears, but the coming skilled-worker shortage is still on track to puta squeeze on utility companies without the recruitment of a new

generation of linemen and power plant workers.“We are about to get hit,” said Seattle Local 77 Business Manager Don

Guillot. “More than 60 percent of our workers are eligible to retire.”To meet the coming labor crunch in the Pacific Northwest, a partnership

between the IBEW, local utility companies and the Washington state commu-nity college system has pioneered an innovative program to attract a newgeneration of workers to the utility industry.

In 2004, the state board of community and technical colleges desig-nated 11 Centers of Excellence at colleges throughout Washington to supportworkplace development needs.

Centralia College, located in southwestWashington, is home to the Centerof Excellence in Energy Technology—which in only a few years has become oneof the leading training programs for power production workers in the region.

Students in the two-year program are introduced to the basics of energytechnology, using a curriculum jointly developed by the IBEW, utilities andstate officials. They also get to see the workings of local power companies up-close through summer plant tours. Graduates of the program can get credittoward their apprenticeship, which can shorten it by asmuch as a year.

More than a dozen utilities have partnered with the program, as haveLocal 77 and Portland, Ore., Local 125.

“We’re recruiting younger folks to take a look at the utility system andmake sure they have the skills needed to get into an apprenticeship andland a job with a utility,” said Local 77 member Bob Guenther, who helpslobby state officials.

Students can also use credits earned in the program to later on gettheir bachelor’s degree, so going into the trades doesn’t mean giving up ongetting a college education.

Since the Energy Technology program first started, it’s graduated morethan 50 students.

According to the program’s Executive Director Barbara Hins-Turner, 80percent of graduates land positions with local utilities.

Randy Steadman, the human resources manager for the Chelan CountyPublic Utility District told Power Engineering Magazine that the “(program) isa very efficient way for us to develop talent from our local market.”

To facilitate the expected demand for green jobs, the Center forExcellence partnership will unveil its wind turbine technician associate’sdegree through a partnership with community colleges in easternWashington and the new IBEW regional training center located in Richland.

Hins-Turner, Guenther and Guillot were invited by the Democratic PolicyCommittee—the policy group for Senate Democrats—to come to Washington,D.C. last summer to talk about the Center of Excellence program at its GreenJobs summit.

“We think it’s a model for other jurisdictions to look into,” Guillot said.To find out more, go towww.centralia.edu/coe. �

IBEW’s Five-Point Plan for Real Health Care Reform

1. A Public OptionPresident BarackObama andmanyCongressional Democratssupport giving Americans thechoice of a government-fundedpublic insurance plan in additionto existing private insuranceplans. A public plan, which wouldbe voluntary and not affect exist-ing coverage, would provide asafety net for those without accessto a private plan. It would also cre-ate competition with private insur-ers, helping to drive down costsand improve quality of service.

2.Affordable Health Carefor AllIn order to make sure all workingAmericans are covered, employersshould be required to providehealth care to their employees orpay into a public fund to coveruninsured workers. This will levelthe playing field for employers whodo provide health insurance bymaking sure companies like Wal-Mart, which provide minimal ornonexistent coverage, can’t under-cut unionized companies.

3. Limit Employer ExemptionsSome in Congress are proposing toexempt small businesses frommandatory coverage regulations.This would be disastrous for work-ers in the construction industry asthe majority of construction firmshave 10 employees or less, givingnonunion contractors an unfairadvantage over union ones.

4.Cover the Medicare GapFor many companies that providehealth insurance, the biggest costcomes from providing coverage forretired workers who are under 65.

Health care coverage remains thetop reason workers eligible forretirement stay on the job. The gov-ernment needs to provide afford-able coverage for retirees who arebetween the ages of 55 and 64.

5. No Taxation of Health CareBenefitsTaxing existing health care benefitswould hurt workers who have for-saken wage increases in order toget better health care benefits, andit would punish companies thathave done the right thing bymakingsure their employees are covered.

T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r | O c t o b e r 2 0 09 3


Tough prevailing wageenforcement and sharporganizing by two northernCalifornia local unions

have led to 48 felony counts againstNBC, a general contractor infamousfor underpaying immigrant electri-cians from China. In the process ofdocumenting the company’s law-breaking, Dublin, Calif., Local 595has stripped several skilled electri-cians from the company and initi-ated them as journeyman wiremen.

InMay, theAlamedaCountyDistrictAttorney’s office chargedNBC’s owner,MonicaUng, and twoemployeeswith publicworkswagefraud, grand theft of personal prop-erty, forgery and insurance fraud.Theconstruction firm’s illegal activitiesresulted in an estimated$3.6milliondollars in unpaidwages to 19 construc-tionworkers. Lossesdue to illegallymisclassifyingworkers cost the statenearly $1.5million. Fraudulentwagerecordswere submitted to at least 27publicworks awarding agencies.

“This is one of those cam-paigns that make you proud to be aunion member,” says Victor Uno,business manager of Local 595, whohad grown frustrated with NBC’s fla-grant abuse of skilled building tradeworkers within his jurisdiction onSan Francisco’s East Bay.

On the opposite shore, JohnO’Rourke, businessmanager ofSanFrancisco Local 6, was also running upagainst NBC, especially on publicworks projects. Together, O’RourkeandUno decided last year that JohnnyHuang, a Local 6 business representa-tive who specializes in complianceand speaks fluentCantonese, wouldbe best suited to reach out to NBC’swork force. Hewas assisted by com-pliance officer AndreasCluver.

Aftermeeting NBCelectriciansand gaining their trust, Huangreviewed their pay stubs and estab-lished that theywere routinely beingshortchangedwith NBCunderreport-ing their workhours. Somewereeven forced to sign blank time cards.

“John let us know our rights,”says Ricky Lau, a one-year NBCelec-trician who came to the U.S. fromChina with his parents at age fiveand had worked for nonunion elec-trical contractors since graduatingfrom a Job Corps training programnine years ago.

Lau convincedhis co-workers tocome to ameeting at the Local 595 hallwhere theywere given information onthe IBEWand the state’s prevailingwage laws. After themeeting, severalelectriciansdecided to leave the com-pany towork for signatory contractors.Local 595members helped several for-merNBCelectricianspass journeymanelectrician tests.

Monica Ung’s problemswerejust beginning with the loss of well-qualified electricians. Thirty NBCworkers from different trades filed acivil complaint against the company.The charges are being held inabeyance pending the criminal case.

“Because of our lawsuit,dozens of exploited Chinese work-ers came forward and gave testi-mony, not only for their civil suit forwages, not just for economic justice,but for the criminal system as well,”says their attorney Ellyn Moscowitz.

“Our success at NBChinged onJohnnyHuang’s hardwork,” saysO’Rourke, who says that Huangpatiently explained the union’s cul-ture and goals and joined theNBCworkers in after-work activities,including getting up early in themorn-ing and going out to dive for abalone.

O’Rourke likened Huang’sactivism to Local 6’s past battle withthe anti-union Residential BuildersAssociation, which employed Irish

immigrants who “were paid underthe table at the bar.” The success inexposing NBC, says Huang, was nothis alone, but was a product of thecourage of Ricky Lau and other work-ers who stood up and confrontedtheir own fears.

The struggle at NBC has beenwidely covered in the mainstreammedia and in Chinese-languagepublications. After locals becameaware that Ung is being representedby former San Francisco MayorWillie Brown, a traditional laborsupporter, they took on thedefense’s argument that Ms. Ungwas being victimized as a minoritysmall-businesswoman.

An NBCworkers support com-mittee was formed by IBEW Local 595,NECA and the Asian Pacific LaborAlliance (AFL-CIO). Developments inthe case are being closelymonitored,and local leaders, community groupsand unions are joining the effort tosupport the NBCworkers. A lunch-time rally of union tradesmenwork-ing adjacent to an NBCproject drew100 supporters.

Now an IBEW journeyman,Ricky Lau hopes that the exposureof NBC’s scam will lead otherimmigrant workers at nonunionshops to seek out help from unionsto bring renegade businesses to jus-tice. He knows it won’t be easy.

Facing high unemployment and acompetitive labor market with lim-ited English language skills, many ofthese workers “simply have nochoice,” says Lau.

“We are elated that a contrac-tor is finally being held accountable

for many years of illegal activities,”says Don Campbell, executive direc-tor for the National ElectricalContractor’s Association.“Contractors that cheat workers outof wages and cheat on insurancecosts undercut good, law-abiding

San FranciscoContractor Facing48 FelonyCountsfor Cheating Immigrants

�Johnny Huang(right), a San

Francisco Local 6business rep., joinedwith Ricky Lau, a one-year NBC electrician(far right), to set up ameeting, recruitingsome of Lau’s co-

workers into Dublin,Calif., Local 595.

San Francisco tradeunionists andsupporters call forjustice forimmigrant workerscheated by NBC, acontractor chargedwith 48 felonycounts, includinggrand theft, forgery,insurance fraud andpublic works fraud.

You won’t see them on thebig screen. They don’tstrut down the red carpet.And they rarely sip cham-

pagne at glitzy box office premieres.But in a town chock full of big-namestars, big-shot producers and big-budget blockbuster movies, theyare the film industry’s real-lifepower brokers.

“We don’t need the applauseor the attention,” said Don Easy, anIBEW electrician who works onmovie sets around the world. “Butwe do need adventure, and this jobhas plenty of that.”

In the movie business, wherethe lights, the cameras and theaction all require one basic thing—electricity—Easy and about 650other members of Hollywood, Calif.,Local 40 are the behind-the-scenesengine powering a multibillion dol-lar industry. Their work—forUniversal, Paramount, Fox, Disney,Warner Brothers and nearly a dozenother studios—keeps the energyflowing and the movies coming to atheater near you. And they do it withnone of the fanfare of a big-timeHollywood production.

“People always ask what it’slike to rub elbows with the stars,”said Bill Brinkmeyer, Local 40’sbusiness manager and a formermovie studio electrician. “We don’trub elbows. We do all the jobs thatkeep the studios up and running.”

Members of Local 40 are quickto point out that they are bona fideelectricians and not the lightingtechnicians often recognized comeOscar-time. (The work of creatinglighting effects on film went to the

International Alliance of TheatricalStage Employees way back in the1940s.) But IBEWmembers have along history—more than 85 years—of doing jobs critical to the movieand TV industries.

At Universal—which combinesthe world’s largest movie studiowith a massive theme park—mem-bers built and maintain the entireself-contained electric grid, includ-ing a switch and substation power-ing the 420 acres of soundstages,sets and backlots, plus the world-famous studio tour. They are also incharge of audio systems, specialeffects and pyrotechnics for themepark attractions like “Terminator,”“WaterWorld” and “Fear Factor.”IBEWmembers install, maintain andtroubleshoot air conditioning andheating systems for soundstagesand offices. One electrician is evenassigned to the monumental task ofmonitoring and changing thousandsof light bulbs across the studio and

theme park. “Anything electrical, wedo it,” Brinkmeyer said.

On location, IBEWmembers likeDon Easy have a critical role inmakingamovie happen. Easy—who hasworked onmovies like “StarTrek,”“Pirates of theCaribbean 2 and 3,”“Mission: Impossible 3,” “Amistad”and “VegasVacation”—is in charge ofkeeping entire base camps—rowsafter rows of trailers and equipmentused inmovie production—up andrunning forweeks at a time. Thatmeans powering everything, big and

small, from themassive cameraequipment on set, all theway to thehair dryer inside amovie star’s trailer.

Like most people in the indus-try, Easy—who has worked on fivefilms with legendary director StevenSpielberg—has a list of stories aboutmemorable encounters with celebri-ties. On one set, John Travolta rodehis scooter. On another, a youngJodie Foster defended him to an over-bearing boss. On yet another, SirAnthony Hopkins encouraged him to“just call me Tony.”

But Easy says the most impor-tant part of his job is keeping theproducers happy. “We have to pushourselves as hard as we can to do agood job, to uphold the reputationof quality work that the IBEW isknown for,” he said. “We alwayshave to show them we are the best.”

At Warner Brothers, IBEWmem-bers have the same commitment toquality. One of their many jobs isrunning the big electric windmachines that sent a breeze throughthe outdoor set of “ER” and helped

Don Easy (far left) at work onthe set of the “Pirates of theCaribbean” sequels.Hundreds of electrical cables(left) helped power the multi-million dollar production.IBEWmembers operatepower systems at all majorHollywood studios, includingWarner Brothers (above).

IBEWMembersKeep Power-HungryHollywoodUp andRunning


rockGeorge Clooney’s boat duringthe filming of “A Perfect Storm.” Themachine—basically an airplane pro-peller with six-foot wooden blades—is called a “ritter” and provideseverything from a quiet breeze to apowerful gust of wind. Running themis just one of themany tasks for thestudio’s unified electrical shop.

“We are a diversified work forceat Warner Brothers,” said RobertKelly, foreman of the electric con-struction department. “We do pro-duction, maintenance, construction,high voltage. We really do it all.”

At Universal’s theme park,some attractions present specialchallenges for IBEWmembers,according to Alicia Allen, foreman ofthe theme park’s electric depart-ment. Millions of gallons of waterconstantly pour through the “JurassicPark” ride, which takes visitors on awhite-knuckle boat trip through theland of dinosaurs. “Water and elec-tricity don’t mix,” she said. “Boxesand conduits get rusty pretty fast. Wechange out a lot of those.”

Universal was also the firstHollywood studio capable of running

entirely on emergency generators.When rolling power outages struckCalifornia in 2003, Local 40 electri-cians kept the studio goingwhilemany of its competitorswere forced toshut down. The continued productionsaved the studiomillions of dollars.

With more than eight decadesof Hollywood history, just two Local40 members have been recognizedwith the ultimate movie achieve-ment award. In 1997, electricians BillMasten and Rick Prey won AcademyAwards for technical achievement.The pair developed a unique mobilelighting system still used for exteriorshooting today.

Still, few other IBEWmembersever see their names up in lights.While other unions get on-screencredit at the end of Hollywood films,the IBEWhas been satisfied so far tocontinue its work in anonymity. Thatcould change in upcoming contracts,Brinkmeyer said, as Local 40 preparesto askstudios to put its name andlogo in the credit roll of feature films.

“We want people to know theIBEW name,” he said. “And we wantthem to know it stands for quality.” �

IBEWmembers atWarner Brothers(above) work on agenerator. During filmproduction, eachsoundstage requiresdozens of the hugemachines.



Even before the recessionhit, manufacturing in theMidwest was facing hardtimes. But an IBEW-repre-

sented plant in Pardeeville, Wis. hasbecome an exception to the rule. It’sstill operating at 100-percent capac-ity despite the tough economictimes, with little sign of slowdown inthe near future.

More than 80members ofMadison Local 965 are employedat All American Scoreboards—adivision of Everbrite, LLC—wherethey build scoreboards for highschools and community centers.

While scoreboards have tradi-tionally been the plant’smain prod-uct line, commercial signs haveemerged as All American’s bread andbutter. The plant produces signs forall of Marathon Oil Corp.’s gas sta-tions and formany fast food chains.

All American’s geographyworks as an advantage over itscheaper Chinese competitors. Thecompany is able to get a new signout of the door of the factory within48 hours of a customer order.

“Our speed gives us our edge,”said Local 965BusinessManagerTonyBartels. “NoChinese factory could geta sign to the customer that fast.”

The plant’s competitivenessis also a tribute to the IBEW’s Codeof Excellence, which All American’sworkers adopted last year. TheCode, which is already operative in

the construction and utilitybranches of the Brotherhood, is anagreement between managers andthe IBEW to increase labor-manage-ment cooperation and professional-ism in the workplace.

“(The local) ismainly utility and

wewere setting upCode of Excellencetraining for ourmembers atWisconsinPower and Lightwhenwe decided toinvite one of the stewards at AllAmerican to attend,” Bartels said.

While the Code hasn’t beenofficially taken up by the IBEW’smanufacturing branch, leaders ofLocal 965 saw that it could be usefulin opening up clearer communica-tion channels with management andincreasing productivity.

“We’re able to sit down withmanagement to honestly and openlytalk about our issues and differ-ences,” said Local 965 AssistantBusiness Manager Kemp Grutt. “Andboth sides listen to each other.”

Included in the language is acommitment to eight hours’ work foreight hours’ pay and a strict adher-ence to safety regulations.

Bartels admits the reaction frommemberswasmixed at first, but grad-ually the value of theCodewonmostof themover. “Unions get stereotypedas just defending the bad eggs andnot caring about quality,” he said. “Alot of folks appreciated that the unionwasmaking surewewere doingwhatwe are supposed to be doing.” �

Madison, Wis., Local 965 first-year apprentices at Wisconsin Power andLight pose at their training center in front of a new IBEW signmanufactured by Local 965 members at All American Scoreboards.

“We’re able to sit downwithmanagementand honestly and openly talk about ourissues and differences. And both sideslisten to each other.”– Kemp Grutt, Local 965 assistant business manager

SuccessfulWisconsin FactoryAdopts Code of Excellence

Rising unemploymentacrossCanada has forceda serious re-examinationof the nation’s employ-

ment insurance system. If reformsbeing pushed by theCanadian LabourCongress and supportivemembers ofParliament are notmade soon,manyworkerswill be denied neededincome and the government could befacedwith a no-confidence vote.

More than 1.6million Canadiansare out of work. But fewer than half ofthe unemployed are actually collect-ing benefits due to rules, regulationsand red tape in the employmentinsurance system.

Workers are finding it harder toqualify for benefits because they oftenlack sufficient hours on the job due tofrequent furloughs, saysBarryStevens,First District political action/mediastrategy coordinator. The unemploy-ment rate—currently between 8 and9 percent—would bemore than 12percent if it included Canadians whohave given up looking for work.

The IBEW and the CanadianLabour Congress are supporting ameasure being studied byParliament to reform the employ-ment insurance system.

The proposal, under considera-tion by a bilateral panel, calls forchanging accessibility rules to provideregular EI benefits on the basis of 360hours of work, nomatterwhere peo-ple live andwork inCanada; extend-ing benefits to at least 50weeks in allregions of the country; and raisingbenefits immediately to 60 percent ofearnings calculated on aworker’shighest 12weeks of earnings.

Over the past several years, bothLiberal andConservative governmentshave diverted EI funds into deficitreduction and other channels.Because of those cuts, Ontario work-ers will receive $3.2 billion less in EIbenefits in 2009 than theywouldhave under the program in 1990.“Many people who lost their jobs lastfall …will be forced to rely on provin-cial social assistance programs andfood banks,” says KenGeorgetti, pres-ident of the 3.2million-memberCLC.

Labour leaders say that rein-vesting in the EI program wouldreduce pressure on the provincesand provide an economic stimulus

to a suffering economy.“I would like to think that bene-

fits can increase by the unemployedjoining together in some fashion,”says Ernie Boundy, a 47-yearmem-ber of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Local2085, who has been out of worksince April. “The government seemsto have endless funds to assist cor-porations and executives,” he says,denouncing earlier decisions toremovemoney from the EI fund.

If the Liberal Party, the NewDemocrats and the BlocQuebecois allvote no-confidence because of insuffi-cient action on reforming EI benefits,theConservative governmentwouldfall. The panel was due tomake areport at the end ofSeptember. �


North of 49° | Au nord du 49° parallèle

Labour Pushes for Employment InsuranceReforms

Lessyndicats fontpression sur le gouvernementpour une réformeduRégimed’assurance-emploi

Avec la hausse du taux dechômage à l’échellenationale, un sérieuxréexamen du Régime

national de l’assurance-emploi s’im-posait. Si les réformes revendiquéespar le Congrès du travail du Canadaet par plusieurs dirigeants politiquesse font trop attendre, plusieurs tra-vailleurs seront privés de prestationset le gouvernement pourrait s’ex-poser à un vote de non-confiance.

Il y amaintenant 1.6million dechômeurs et chômeuses auCanada.En fait, un peu plus de lamoitiéseulement touchent des prestationsd’assurance-emploi; les autres ensont privés en raison des règles, desrèglements et des formalités admin-istratives définis dans le régime d’AE.

“Il est plus difficile pour les tra-vailleurs d’être admissibles auxprestationsparce qu’ils ne peuventaccumuler suffisammentd’heuresdetravail en raisondes fréquentesmisesà pied.” déclare BarryStevens,

Coordonnateurde l’action politique etde la stratégiemédiatiquepour lePremierDistrict. Le tauxde chômagequi se situe actuellement entre 8 et 9pourcent, pourrait atteindre 12%, si ony incluait tous lesCanadiensqui ontabandonné la recherched’emploi.

La FIOE ainsi que le Congrès dutravail du Canada ont donné leurappui au projet de loi à l’étudevisant à réformer le régime actuel del’assurance-emploi.

La proposition à l’étude par uncomité bilatéral, demande dechanger les règles d’admissibilitépour que des prestations régulièresd’AE soient versées après 360heures de travail, quelle que soit larégion de résidence ou de travail auCanada; d’augmenter jusqu’à 50semaines la durée d’admissibilitéaux prestations d’AE pour les tra-vailleurs et travailleuses de toutesles régions du pays; de hausserimmédiatement le niveau desprestations à 60% du revenu calculé

d’après les 12 meilleures semainesde rémunération.

Au cours des ans, les gouverne-ments libéral et conservateur, ontréaffecté l’excédent de la réserve del’assurance-emploi à la réduction dela dette publique ainsi qu’à d’autresfins. À cause de ces réductions, lestravailleurs de l’Ontario toucheront,pour l’année 2009, 3.2 milliards dedollars demoins en prestations d’AEcomparativement à celles quiauraient été versées sous le pro-gramme en 1990. “Plusieurs tra-vailleurs et travailleuses qui ontperdu leur emploi l’automne dernierse retrouventmaintenant dépen-dants de l’aide sociale et des ban-ques alimentaires.” déclare KenGeorgetti, président du CTCreprésentant 3.2 millions de tra-vailleurs et travailleuses.

Les dirigeants syndicaux sontd’avis qu’un réinvestissement dansle programme d’AE contribuerait àatténuer la pression exercée sur les

provinces et à stimuler uneéconomie encore mal en point.

“J’aimerais croire que leregroupement des chômeurs pour-rait, d’une certaine façon, faire aug-menter les prestations.” dit ErnieBoundy, un membre de la S.L. 2085de Winnipeg au Manitoba depuis 47ans, en chômage depuis le moisd’avril. “Les fonds du gouvernementsemblent inépuisables lorsque vientle temps d’aider les sociétés et leursdirigeants,” ajoute-t-il, dénonçantles décisions du gouvernement deréaffecter l’argent provenant dufonds de l’AE à d’autres fins.

Advenantque le gouvernementneprennepas lesmesures satis-faisantes en vuede réformer le Régimedeprestationsde l’AE, le Parti libéral,le NouveauParti démocratique et leBlocQuébécois pourraient exprimerun vote de non-confiance et fairetomber le gouvernement conservateur.Un rapport préparé par le comité doitêtre soumis à la fin de septembre. �

Canadian IBEWmembers rallywithmembers of the Canadian LabourCongressto support EI program changes.

La FIOE avec d’autresmembres du Congrèsdu travail du Canada s’étaientmobiliséspour encourager desmodifications aurégime d’assurance-emploi.

RETIREDMichael J. Flanagan

Third DistrictInternationalRepresentativeMichael J.Flanagan retiredAugust 1 aftermore than four

decades of service to the IBEW.“It’s been an honor and a privi-

lege to be a part of the IBEW and tobe able to improve wages, benefitsand working conditions for themem-bers and local unions that I serv-iced,” he said.

Born inBuffalo, N.Y., he startedhis career in 1966,working as ameterreader atNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation. Heheldmanyother utilitycompanypositionsuntil being electedbusinessmanager and financial secre-tary of Buffalo, N.Y., Local 1339 in 1975.After serving in the position for nearly13 years, hewasappointed to theInternational staff in 1986, servicingutility local unions inNew Jerseyuntil1989 and inNewYork thereafter. Healso served in theUnitedStatesArmyReserve from 1966 to 1972.

In 1988, Brother Flanagan waspart of the first International teamsent to Japan to exchange ideas andlearn about the philosophy of thatcountry’s labor leaders.

One of his proudest accom-plishments came in the early 2000s,when he helped organize workers atRochester Gas and ElectricCompany,something the IBEW had been tryingto do for several decades.

“Nothing had everworked,” hesaid. “But finally the employees cameto us and it was a terrificwin.”

In retirement, Brother Flanaganplans to spendmore time with histhree daughters and eight grandchil-dren. He also plans to ride his motor-cycle more than he has before.

The staff, members and offi-

cers of the IBEW thank BrotherFlanagan for his dedicated serviceand wish him an enjoyable andwell-deserved retirement. �

RETIREDMichael P. Blanchard

SeventhDistrictInternationalRepresentativeMichael P.Blanchardretired August 1

following more than 40 years ofservice to the IBEW.

Three days after graduating highschool, the native Texan followed inhis father’s footsteps andwas initi-ated into Beaumont Local 479 in1968. As part of his apprenticeship,Blanchard earned an associate’sdegree in vocational electricity fromTexas’ Lamar University. For the nextseveral years, he worked as an insidewireman and took every opportunityto travel the nation, carrying his cardtomore than 35 different locals.

“Being a part of the IBEW gaveme the chance to see what it waslike to work alongside brothersaround the country,” Blanchardsaid. “It was a great experience.”

He later foundhisniche inunionleadership. Blanchardservedonnumerous local committees,wasamemberof theexecutiveboardandwaselectedbusinessmanagerandfinancial secretaryof Local 479 in 1986.

International President J.J. BarryappointedBlanchard to theSeventhDistrict office in 1993.Taskedwith coor-dinatingorganizing efforts in the con-struction field, Blanchardhelpedspearheadapetrochemical plant cam-paign in the late ‘90swhichbecametheGulfCoast Initiative.The first goal oforganizing 1,000newworkers insideof18monthswasasuccess, soherampeduphis efforts todouble thatwithin thenextsixmonths. Rather thanpicket contractors, Blanchardoversaw

productionof aweeklynewsletter thatheandhis teamdistributed tononunionworksites fromMobile,Ala.toCorpusChristi,Texas.The 14,000copies circulating amongstunorgan-izedworkershelpeddrawscoresofelectricians into the IBEWandallowedBlanchard to keepanti-unionopposi-tionatarm’s length. “Thenonunionbossesknew thatyoudon’tpicka fightwith amanwhobuys inkby thebar-rel,” hesaid. “Itwasasuccessfulwaytoboost themembership.”

Blanchard was a member of theresolution committee at the IBEW’s34th convention in 1991. He alsoserved as secretary-treasurer for theSabine Area Central Labor Council.

His family includes his wife,Carmen, and son, Jason. With a lake30 feet from his back door at hishome in VillageMills, Texas,Blanchard looks forward to spendingmore time fishing and doing outdooractivities in his retirement—includingtraveling with Carmen and hitting theopen road in his Corvette.

The staff, members and officersof the IBEW thank Brother Blanchardfor his service and wish him anenjoyable retirement. �

RETIREDCharlesMcKenzie

First DistrictInternationalRepresentativeCharlesMcKenzieretired effectiveAugust 1.

Born nearStratford, Ontario,BrotherMcKenziemoved to Kitchenerafter completing high school andwentto workas a tool-and-diemaker. Hebefriended amember of KitchenerLocal 804who convinced him tobecome an apprentice electrician. Hestarted his apprenticeshipMay 1963.

There was little opportunity forapprentices to be involved in thelocal. Brother McKenzie took a leadrole in creating an apprenticeship

committee to communicate theirconcerns to Local 804’s leadership.“I made sure to never miss a unionmeeting,” he said.

Soon after completing his initia-tion into the IBEW,BrotherMcKenziebecameanactive organizer, success-fully salting differentworksites, includ-ing one campaignwhich brought 27newworkers into Local 804.

In 1973,McKenzie became vicepresident and then assistant busi-nessmanager in 1975 before beingappointed businessmanager in 1980.

In 1976, Brother McKenzieworked with other Local 804 leadersto create a pension plan for localmembers, and he was a foundingdirector of the Union Benefit PlanService, the company established byunion trust funds in 1983.

In addition to his leadershiprole with the IBEW, he was also activein the wider-Ontario labormovement,serving on the education and appren-ticeship reform committees of theOntario Federation of Labor and onthe employment insurance commit-tee of the Canadian LaborCongress.

In 1987,McKenzie joined the FirstDistrict staff. Heoriginally serviced con-struction locals throughoutOntario,butover timehewas responsible forservicingmembers in everything frompapermills to telephone companies.

He was responsible for leader-ship and steward training sessionsthroughout the province. McKenziealso served as a board member for11 years and then as chairman forthe Electrical Utility SafetyAssociation of Ontario.

In looking back at his career inthe IBEW, Brother McKenzie says:“My biggest reward was serving ourmembers. They are really what theIBEW is about.”

BrotherMcKenzie’s familyincludes hiswife, Chris, two sons, onestepson, one daughter, one step-daughter and eight grandchildren. Hissons, Brett and Blaine, followed theirfather into the trade and are activemembers of Local 804, with Brett pre-viously serving as businessmanagerof the local.

He plans to spend his retirementtraveling and practicing his golf swing.

The officers andmembers of theIBEWwish BrotherMcKenzie healthand happiness in his retirement. �

APPOINTEDRandalMiddleton

InternationalRepresentativeRandalMiddleton hasbeen appointeddirector of theManufacturing

Department. He succeeds Bobby R.Roberts, who retired August 5.

Anative of Flint,Mich.,Middle-tonwas initiated intoMilwaukee,Wis.,Local 663 in 1981. Local 663 representselectricians at severalMilwaukee-areamanufacturing plants.

“We can’t be a first class econ-omy without manufacturing,”Middleton said. “We need to enforceexisting trade laws so we can levelthe playing field for workers.”

Elected Local 663 businessmanager in 1996, Middleton workedas a journeyman wireman for ACSpark Plug, which was spun off byGeneral Motors to become Delphi in1999. The plant closed in 2008.

Offered a position with man-agement soon after completing hisapprenticeship, Middleton turned itdown, preferring to get active withthe union. He became shop chair-man before being elected financialsecretary in 1993.

“The company was ignoring alot of our contract, andmy coworkersneeded to have a voice,” he said.

As Local 663 businessmanager,hewas responsible for representingseven differentmanufacturing facili-ties. Themany trades of other unionsthat hadmembers at the plant alsoturned to BrotherMiddleton to repre-sent them in bargaining. “Somework-places hadmore than a half dozenunions,” he said. “And I was selectedto chair the joint union committee andbargain for all of them.”

Middleton also served on theEM-5 council, which represents IBEWmembers at theGeneral ElectricCo. In2007, hewas appointed InternationalRepresentative in theManufacturingDepartment by InternationalPresident Edwin D. Hill.

Married for nearly 30 years, hehas four children and three grand-children.

The officers and members wishBrother Middleton great success inhis new position. �

Transitions



“It’s been anhonor and aprivilege to be a part ofthe IBEWand tobe ableto improvewages,benefits andworkingconditions for themembers and localunions that I serviced.”

“Being a part of theIBEWgaveme thechance to seewhat itwas like toworkalongside brothersaround the country.”

“Mybiggest rewardwasserving ourmembers.They are reallywhat theIBEW is about.”


Circuits

Locals andMediaDepartmentWin 2009ILCAAwards

Two IBEW local union newspapers andthe International OfficeMediaDepart-mentwere recognizedwith awards atthe International LaborCommunica-tionAssociationBiennialConferenceonSeptember 12 in Pittsburgh.

EricWolfe, editor of Vacaville,Calif., Local 1245’s Utility Reporter,took homemultiple awards as inseveral previous years. Wolfe wonfirst place awards for coverage ofpolitical action, news and analysis.Wolfe’s series “Global Warming,Electric Power and IBEW 1245” won afirst-place award for best series ofarticles. The Utility Reporter washonored with additional first-placeawards for best informationalgraphic and best photo essay.

“EricWolfe is a unionist at heartand a journalist second,” says Local1245 BusinessManager Tom Dalzell.“He has a great feel for bringing bignational issues home to people andshowing how things like deregula-tion and health care reform affect ourlives.” Dalzell calls Wolfe the “mostpopular guy in the local” for therespect that comes through in hiscoverage of dues-paying membersand the work that they perform.

IBEW Frontline, the newspaperof Downers Grove, Ill., Local 21, won afirst place award in the general excel-

lence category for local newspaperswith a circulation of fewer than20,000. IBEW Frontline editors TomHopper, Nancy North and BobPrzybylinski also received a second-place award for their organizing storythat focused on an internal campaignto set up a newmobilization structurein the local. They also won a second-place award for best front page.

The IBEW Journal—in its last yearof publication—won an award for bestinformational graphic.Media special-ists LenShindel and LucasOswaltreceived first-place and second-placeawards, respectively, for profiles pub-lished in the IBEW Journal.

The IBEWWeb site received athird-place award and a second-placeaward for short videos dealing withthe 2008 election and labor history. �

Ill. Union Coalition PutsComputers inSchools

Back to school day was a littlebrighter for students in Quincy, Ill.,thanks to Union Difference, a six-month-old coalition of buildingtrades and other unions whichformed to improve the communityand job opportunities for local citi-zens by promoting union principles.

The coalition donated 10 newcomputers to the Quincy Board ofEducation for use in school libraries,says Business Representative RichJones of Peoria, Ill., Local 34, one of

the participating local unions. Inaddition, Union Difference donated$4,000 to the Help Fair, a yearly eventthat distributes school supplies andprovides dental checkups and hair-cuts to students in financial need.

“We’re changing the perceptionof unions in west central Ill., a regiondominated by nonunion employers,”says Jones.

Quincy Superintendent ofSchools Lonny Lemon says, “Wegreatly appreciate Union Differencefor providing the computers.” �

MayorSalutes IBEWA strong supporter of unionlabor, Bridgeport, Conn., MayorBill Fitch, center, stopped byBridgeport Local 488’s annualsummer outing. From left toright, Local 488 AssistantBusiness Manager AnthonySoter, City of Bridgeport PublicFacilities Director and Local 488member Charlie Carroll, MayorFitch, Business Manager PeterCarroll and President RichardDabrowski. �

IBEWOnDutyDelaware ApprenticeWinsAir Force AchievementMedal

Chris Panico, a Wilmington, Del., Local 313 third-year apprentice, was honored withan Air Force AchievementMedal for his service as a journeyman/craftsman electricianin Kuwait fromSeptember 2008 to January 2009.

An enlistee in the Air Force Reserves, Staff Sgt. Panico has served six years in thecivil engineering squadron of the 512th Airlift Wing based at Dover Air Force Base.

TheAir Forcemedalwas accompaniedbya statement crediting Panicowith “signifi-cantly contributing to the security of 301,000 transitioning forces and$3.2 billion in com-bat assets.” Panico executed 50 convoys transporting almost 2,000 tons ofmaterialsthroughhigh terrorist threat areas. He supervised the installation and construction of anautomated vehicle photographysystem that inspects 300 vehicles daily and, says theAirForce, “significantly [decreases] the vehicle borne improvised explosive device threat.”

“Local 313 backed me all the way throughout my deployment,” says Panico.“That’s what true brothers do.” Local members sent care packages and providedbooks for Panico to continue studying during his down time.

“When I returned,” says Panico, they offered me extra tutoring after hours andweekends to catch up with my studies and make sure that I didn’t fall behind.” �

Chris Panico, third-yearWilmington, Del., Local313 apprentice, served asa journeyman/craftsmanelectrician in Kuwait.

www.ibew.orgFrom breaking news to video stories, ourupdatedWeb site has information notavailable anywhere else. Visit us toconnect with the IBEWon Facebook andto follow International President Edwin D.Hill on Twitter!

IBEW on theHuffington PostPresidentHill hasanewblogchampioninggreen jobsandmore. Read it atwww.huffingtonpost.com.

YouTubeThe IBEWhas its ownchannel on YouTube,devoted exclusively to videos about theunion and its members. Watch online atwww.youtube.com/user/theelectricalworker.

HourPowerWithmore than2million videos viewed,IBEWHourPower thismonth features a storyabout two localsworking together. Whythe team up? Tune into

www.IBEWHourPower.com to find out.

ElectricTVNow updated twice amonth,ElectricTV.net has seen a 65% increase inweb traffic. Watch how the NECA-IBEWteam saved the NY Times 70%on itselectricity bill at electricTV.net.

IBEWMEDIAWORLD

In addition to your monthly issueof The Electrical Worker, checkout the wealth of IBEW-relatedinformation in cyberspace.

In Memoriam

1 Holtmeyer, A. H. 7/3/20091 Jordan, H.W. 6/3/20091 Levin, B. L. 6/16/20091 Meyer, A. K. 4/11/20091 Molly, J. E. 6/24/20092 Buyan, J. M. 4/9/20093 Battcher, K. E. 10/27/20083 Berrocales, F. 6/13/20093 Bishop, K. A. 4/14/20093 Boffa, L. B. 5/6/20093 Corns, C. H. 6/20/20093 De Albero, C. 1/27/20093 Kirschner, S. M. 6/26/20093 Llado, M. A. 6/30/20093 Mazzeo, J.W. 3/30/20093 Minuta, M. 5/6/20093 Muccio, V. F. 6/18/20093 Mulroy, J. P. 12/15/20083 Reilly, J. P. 7/4/20093 Rogers,W. F. 5/26/20093 Rosenblum, M. E. 4/28/20083 Schwartz, J. 5/28/20095 Hiles, J. A. 6/18/20095 Wolfhope,W. 6/15/20096 Johnson, H. C. 6/7/20076 Wagner, M. D. 6/26/20099 Danner, R. E. 6/24/20099 Emery, M. H. 5/14/20099 Gallagher,W. C. 6/28/200911 Johnston, J. D. 12/10/200811 Krause,W. H. 5/14/200911 Lynn, J.W. 4/26/200911 Sokol, F. D. 6/30/200911 Stone, C. T. 6/7/200913 Ells,W. D. 3/25/200914 Roellich, T. E. 6/9/200917 Coulombe, M. 4/24/200917 Jones, K. D. 4/30/200918 Maruyama, S. 5/12/200918 Painter, R.W. 6/10/200918 Strawn, R. D. 7/4/200920 Barresi, J. V. 6/14/200924 Smith, H.W. 6/10/200925 Anderson, R. J. 7/3/200926 Fuller, P. M. 7/13/200926 Morris, J. C. 6/7/200926 Williams, J. O. 7/5/200940 Williby, R. B. 6/10/200941 Warner,W.W. 1/8/200944 Simons, R. R. 5/6/200946 Bachman, B.W. 6/16/200946 Cummings, L. C. 5/5/200946 Hauck, P. S. 6/2/200946 Mittelstadt, T. 2/1/200946 Phillips, F. C. 4/30/200946 Warren, J. 7/5/200948 Adams, M. L. 7/3/200948 Shrier, P. P. 9/17/200857 Johnston, L.W. 11/27/200857 Oliekan, H. 4/26/200958 Artley, R. H. 6/20/200958 Sadler, E. B. 4/2/200958 Smutzki, P. J. 12/23/200858 Walsh, R. L. 6/26/200958 Williams, A. 6/15/200964 Lepsik, E. V. 7/6/200966 Britt, H. C. 6/28/2009

66 McGriff, B. D. 5/11/200966 Strickhausen,W. J. 6/8/200968 Elio, D. G. 6/1/200968 Scardello, S. D. 7/6/200971 Daugherty, H. M. 6/2/200971 Kessler, C. A. 6/11/200973 Hooper, B. R. 8/4/200873 Wolverton, A. 6/7/200977 Bewlay, R. H. 5/29/200977 Cragerud, H. 6/8/200980 Garner, A. L. 6/1/200784 Barton, D.W. 7/8/200986 Byrne, M. K. 6/4/200986 Thornton, H. H. 5/16/200990 Lesage, E. A. 5/29/200996 Aquino, M. A. 4/1/200998 Haggerty, S. 2/15/200998 Robinson, M. H. 6/14/200999 Butler,W. T. 1/31/2009100 Ferrare, S. J. 3/15/2009102 Skeliski, P. 1/20/2009102 Weisner, D. 5/22/2009102 Zankowski, J. S. 4/19/2009103 Comtois, R. J. 5/26/2009103 Donovan,W. P. 7/5/2009103 Goodwin, J. D. 6/25/2009103 Kelly, G. F. 6/5/2009103 Maguire, R. F. 2/23/2009103 Stocco, G. A. 4/16/2009105 Kuretski, D. S. 6/27/2009108 Minton, H. B. 6/14/2009109 Edgar, D. L. 5/30/2009110 Koelndorfer, B. V. 5/11/2009111 Nelson, M. D. 6/2/2009111 Thorngate, L. L. 6/16/2009112 Smith, D. D. 6/19/2009115 Bazinet, A. I. 7/12/2009120 White, G. A. 6/7/2009124 Horton, V. E. 4/19/2009125 Sirpless,W. J. 7/5/2009129 Hall, L.W. 6/22/2009130 Caccioppi, S. J. 5/28/2009130 Rolling, E. A. 5/22/2009130 Zimmermen, F. F. 5/29/2009134 Donnelly, E. J. 6/2/2009134 Donoghue, P. 4/1/2009134 Dunn, M. 6/21/2009134 Florian, K. L. 5/14/2009134 Hruby, F. E. 5/28/2009134 Novak, G. A. 6/11/2009134 Oneill, E. M. 5/30/2009134 Pluard, G. C. 5/21/2009134 Quinn, B. F. 12/3/2008134 Rumachik, G. 6/1/2009134 Zaverdas, A. 6/8/2009136 Minor, M. M. 6/9/2009136 Robinson, H. 6/6/2009143 Rittle, E. B. 4/28/2009145 McCutcheon, J. P. 6/18/2009153 Nemeth, F. L. 7/7/2009163 Alles, J. R. 5/15/2009164 Geyer, R. A. 7/6/2009175 Richie, B. C. 6/23/2009176 Keating, A. J. 3/30/2009176 Swanson, R. A. 7/4/2009191 McDonough, D. J. 6/19/2009197 Fick, E.W. 5/22/2009

212 Cannon, A. 4/15/2009212 Johnson, C. V. 4/20/2009212 Wethington, J. A. 5/8/2009213 Gurniak, E. J. 4/30/2009230 Meyer, K. T. 3/1/2009237 Frank, R. J. 1/2/2009238 Taylor, J. L. 5/3/2009242 Ellefsen, L. F. 6/11/2009254 Sawatzky, J. D. 6/25/2009258 Norris, T. J. 3/21/2009269 Disler, N. H. 5/29/2009269 Walters, G. J. 6/2/2009278 Eastwood, J. F. 6/1/2009291 Dean, C. E. 6/14/2009292 Benedix, R. L. 3/16/2009295 Wetherington, E. C. 6/27/2009302 Borders, C. F. 5/26/2009303 Gibson, R. A. 7/10/2009303 Rudd, E. 4/16/2009305 Buuck, J. E. 5/29/2009309 Gibbons, L. A. 5/29/2009317 Bragg, M. B. 5/16/2009319 McWillie, R. 4/25/2009325 Carson, L. E. 6/21/2009332 Brint, D. D. 2/3/2009332 Milan, J. O. 4/30/2009340 Biggs, J. D. 6/26/2009340 Fritts, R. D. 1/18/2009340 Garcia, P. 4/29/2009349 Marquez, A. 1/21/2009349 Poirier, R. J. 6/20/2009351 Bansky, R. P. 3/3/2008351 Murphy, G. R. 6/16/2009351 White, G. M. 6/20/2009353 Boddie, S. 7/3/2009353 Irwin, D. R. 6/28/2009353 Isnor, H. P. 7/13/2009354 Jones, T. L. 5/6/2009357 Andrews, A. L. 5/19/2009357 Bauer, B. B. 1/2/2009357 Oliver, D. R. 12/19/2008363 Meier, F. X. 5/26/2009369 Baker, K. 5/19/2009369 Spradlin, G. A. 6/1/2009379 Fowler, J. A. 7/4/2009387 Barnett, E. L. 3/22/2009400 Megill, K. J. 6/2/2009413 Renfroe, G. M. 7/3/2009413 Yenne, A. L. 6/12/2009424 Garinger, K. 6/19/2009428 Miller, A.W. 5/17/2009429 Cox, E. E. 6/8/2009429 Deering, A. M. 4/19/2009429 Jones, H. L. 4/15/2009441 Cooper, G. R. 6/6/2009441 Evans, J. R. 6/16/2009441 Hayward, R. J. 5/7/2009441 Johnson, R. K. 6/15/2009441 Kehrberg, M. J. 5/30/2009441 Schofield, H. J. 6/14/2009445 Ellis, R. G. 7/4/2009453 Cook, R. P. 6/24/2009461 Patterson,W. R. 7/3/2009466 Alexander, R. O. 5/4/2009474 Ingram, R.W. 7/2/2009474 Keith, D. A. 6/21/2009474 Liles, R. T. 6/6/2009

480 Blackwell, F. 6/10/2009481 Davis, E. E. 6/9/2009481 Manns, D. E. 5/27/2009494 Heinritz, R. E. 5/4/2009494 King, G. 4/14/2009494 Millane, E. F. 6/5/2009494 Sysavan, J. 5/2/2009494 Watson, L. T. 6/1/2009495 Stangeland, B.W. 6/19/2009498 Vanepps,W. I. 5/12/2009499 Truhe, J. H. 6/17/2009502 Briggs, F.W. 7/3/2009502 Folkins, F. C. 6/23/2009508 Olliff, W. D. 5/10/2009520 Kyser, H.W. 3/18/2009527 Schmidt,W. J. 6/12/2009533 Hill, D. S. 5/9/2009557 Coe, D. H. 6/29/2009558 Cutshall, A. J. 6/5/2009558 Sherrod, L. E. 6/15/2009567 Conway, D. D. 4/6/2008567 Groleau, L. G. 6/29/2009568 Crevier, L. 5/1/2009569 Cormier, R. J. 6/5/2009569 Sanchez, M. 6/14/2008583 Nail, E. G. 6/22/2009595 Martin, S.W. 6/5/2009596 Harbert, T. H. 7/3/2009605 McGuffee, J. C. 12/1/2008611 Cook,W. J. 5/17/2009613 Adams, J. O. 6/9/2009613 Entrekin, J. R. 6/12/2009617 Allan, J. A. 7/2/2009639 Ruedi, J. F. 6/27/2009640 Beckham, J. T. 6/7/2009640 Benning, B. F. 5/14/2009640 Fuller, G. L. 6/4/2009640 Gautier, R. K. 9/23/2008640 Hurley, T. 7/31/2008640 Peters, R. D. 6/21/2009640 Ritchie, H.W. 6/17/2009647 Price,W. H. 5/24/2009666 Phillips, G. 5/22/2009668 Harris, I. R. 4/3/2009676 Gard, R. G. 6/20/2009683 Bruner, F. D. 12/11/2008692 Clayton,W. R. 4/20/2009697 Barcus, R. R. 7/4/2009697 Fleischer,W. J. 6/14/2009702 Robertson, J. T. 12/22/2008716 Biddle,W. C. 3/8/2009721 Newell, O. B. 7/8/2009725 Hamilton, R. E. 7/3/2009725 Nickles, D. C. 6/13/2009725 Varda, R. P. 5/16/2009728 Lewis, I. E. 6/29/2009743 Davidson, R. S. 6/23/2009756 Severson, A. M. 6/27/2009760 Phillips, H. G. 6/8/2009760 Reagon, C. L. 6/15/2009769 Jonas, D. L. 6/10/2009776 Lacoste, D. A. 5/31/2009833 Simmons,W. R. 7/7/2009855 Haynes, J. R. 6/16/2009861 Noblit, G. F. 4/27/2009861 Plaisance, C. D. 6/22/2009876 Legault, C. 6/19/2009

894 Immel, R. G. 6/1/2009915 Kline, G. E. 5/13/2009949 Gall,W. C. 6/1/2009953 Kraft,W. E. 6/22/2009965 Schuler, B. L. 6/4/2009968 Dray, N. B. 3/24/2009995 Ballard, H. 5/4/2009995 Hurst,W.W. 5/31/2009995 Wilson, J. 12/17/20081002 Patterson, C. E. 6/11/20091040 Litourneau,W. 1/18/20091066 Lasorsa, I. A. 6/17/20091141 Findley, B. B. 5/31/20091141 Kindrick, P.W. 4/20/20091220 Placko, M. M. 6/4/20091253 Thibodeau, R. L. 6/22/20091306 Barber, B. B. 5/5/20091319 Dixon, T. L. 6/6/20091319 Susarchick, P. 6/23/20091340 Hudson,W. D. 6/21/20091377 Krieger, H. A. 5/12/20091391 Boyd, R. F. 6/14/20091393 Hedden, D. M. 5/8/20091547 Bailey, D. L. 3/30/20091547 Dockery, J. F. 1/2/20061547 Reddington, D. E. 7/4/20091583 Fields, A. P. 9/26/20081600 Breznay, J. E. 12/30/20081701 Cassilly, J. T. 2/27/20091928 Brown, P. B. 1/26/20092084 Przepiora, J. G. 1/20/20092085 Lavergne, R. 5/9/20092295 Tinkham, H. A. 7/13/20092330 Manning, J. 5/1/2009I.O. (134) Slavick, R. 6/23/2009I.O. (134) Taylor, A. C. 5/2/2009Pens. (353) Yonar, B. 6/26/2009Pens. (686) Skeeba, S. J. 7/4/2009Pens. (1393) Clark, E.W. 7/3/2001Pens. (I.O.) Anders, J. P. 6/16/2009Pens. (I.O.) Boyd, N. 12/18/2008Pens. (I.O.) Chapman, D. O. 4/28/2009Pens. (I.O.) Decesare, R. 5/29/2009Pens. (I.O.) Dickson, J. 5/14/2009Pens. (I.O.) Furlan, J. 6/19/2009Pens. (I.O.) Gohde, G. R. 6/3/2009Pens. (I.O.) Golen, A. C. 6/27/2009Pens. (I.O.) Goulet, B. 12/31/2008Pens. (I.O.) Graham, E. N. 7/7/2008Pens. (I.O.) Herzing, M. J. 6/17/2009Pens. (I.O.) Hoffmann, R. H. 6/15/2009Pens. (I.O.) Hultman, R. F. 6/17/2009Pens. (I.O.) Jaszczenski, M. G. 2/9/2009Pens. (I.O.) Johnson, D. L. 6/18/2009Pens. (I.O.) Matier, J. R. 8/29/2008Pens. (I.O.) McElwee, J. P. 5/1/2009Pens. (I.O.) McIntosh, N. J. 6/29/2009Pens. (I.O.) Miller, M. E. 5/30/2009Pens. (I.O.) Moore, J. C. 4/24/2009Pens. (I.O.) Rosenthal, H. E. 6/25/2009Pens. (I.O.) Sackett, R. M. 4/19/2009Pens. (I.O.) Seeley, J. A. 6/17/2009Pens. (I.O.) Wheeler, D. E. 6/9/2009

Local Surname Date of Death Local Surname Date of Death Local Surname Date of Death Local Surname Date of Death Local Surname Date of Death

Members forWhomPBFDeathClaimswereApproved inAugust2009



Note: In order to provide more relevant information, beginning with the last issue we have changed In Memoriam to include the date of death. This replaces the previously published amount paid.

Local Lines


UnionSupport for ProgressL.U. 6 (c,i,st&u), SAN FRANCISCO,CA—On the 75thanniversary in July of the 1934General Strike inSanFrancisco, it seemed in someways historywas repeat-ing itself; the stockmarket had taken a dive, unem-ployment was on the climb, the banking industry hadbeen crippled, and the economywas amess.

However, we nowhave aU.S. presidentwho isconcerned about the needs of working people. TheDemocrats nowhave a strongmajority in both theU.S. House of Representatives and theSenate.

We all need to lend a hand to support Pres.Obama’s leadership. It’s up to us to contact ourrepresentatives in Congress, to show grassrootssupport demanding common-sense solutions andlegislation that benefits working people, not justtransnational corporations.

It pays to find innovative ways to utilize ourresources, as work continues to be very slow in thelocal. Our apprenticeship program has been fur-loughing apprentices in rotation, so everyone sharesthe work together. Of course, in times like these, wehave to rely on and support each other, most of all.

Phil A. Farrelly, Pres.

Update ClassesOfferedL.U. 8 (as,em,i,mar,mt,rts,s&spa), TOLEDO, OH—Our work situation has definitely slowed down. Anote to our members: While you are waiting for yournext referral, consider taking some classes offeredat the JATC, and update your safety portfolio. If youplan on traveling to sign other books, some localsrequire the OSHA 10 card. Our JATCdoes offer thatclass and provides you with said card upon comple-tion of the course. Before you hit the road, contactMark Ehrenfried at the union hall for information onwhere you might find the best opportunity for work.

With a few projects coming up this spring, welook forward to seeing smaller numbers on ourbooks. As of this writing the government’s “cash forclunkers” program for cars was going great, and wehope that will mean more sales in autos and morework for us as a result. The GM Powertrain plant inToledo has been putting in some updated lines andit will be nice to see more updates at other facilities.We are optimistic that Pres. Obama’s policies willhelp stimulate the economy to enable companies tospend more money, which means more jobs for us.

Ben “Red” Tackett, P.S.Jim Kozlowski, B.M.

Successful Political ActionL.U. 16 (i), EVANSVILLE, IN—InAprilmore than 70 repre-sentatives of the local unionwent to the stateCapitolin Indianapolis to lobby successfully against proposedcuts in unemploymentbenefits. This legislationwouldhave reducedbenefits andwould havemade eligibilityso restrictive that few, if any, constructionworkerswould ever have been able to receive them.

In May the JATCput on a great open house thatshowcased the abilities of the IBEW in the field ofalternative, clean energy. The event was well-attended bymembers, contractors and area digni-taries. The JATC exhibits revealed fuel cells and solarpanels. Special thanks to Bright Idea for its dynamicdisplays and demonstration on wind generation,and to Chad Morton of Morton Energy for attending.

In June Local 16 was well-represented at theTri-State Industrial Safety Council’s scholarship ban-quet. Of the 30 award winners from all the partici-pating building trades, industries and businesses insouthern Indiana, 11 were from IBEW families.Council Chmn. Louis Duncan, CharmaineMcDowell,and each of the council directors made this greatevent possible. Congratulations to the followingaward winners: Brittany Beavin, Alan Bittner, AndreaBittner, Lauren Conkling, Kayleen Glaser, DanielleHarth, Sarah Hoppen, Benjamin Lasher, JulieLasher, Rachel Weinzapel and StephenWeinzapel.

Donald P. Beavin, P.S.

RetireesAwardsBanquetL.U. 24 (es,i&spa), BALTIMORE, MD—On July 21, theLocal 24 Retirees Club held its awards banquet anddinner party. Twenty retirees were honored at theevent. Service awards ranged from 50-year to 70-year awards. Among those on hand to receive theirawards were 50-year member Robert Mongan and

60-year member Lloyd “Skeets” Milbourne. Onbehalf of the membership, I congratulate all thehonorees and thank each and every retiree for theirpast service to the local. Without you we would nothave the quality of life we enjoy today.

Gary R. Griffin, B.M.

‘Bondsof Brotherhood’L.U. 26 (ees,em,es,govt,i&mt), WASHINGTON, DC—Local 26 held its 63rd annual graduation ceremonyin June. Congratulations to the 164 “R to A” upgradegraduates and Inside and Telecommunicationsapprenticeship graduates. This year also markedthe 11th anniversary of day school!

Decisions cameback fromCIR on the Inside andResidential wireman agreement, and at press timewewere getting new agreement books printed.We alsoreached a settlement on theTeledata agreement.

Local 26 recently enjoyed many activities thatcement the bonds of brotherhood beyond the work-place: the Dollars Against Diabetes golf outing; clayshoots, softball team games; and the Roanoke andEdgewater picnics. Our retirees are very active, withEastern Shore excursions, fall foliage train trips andcruises, and their annual crab feast!

The following brothers recently passed away:Thomas F. Dixon, Robert O. DeMarr, Gary P. Kilmer,Charles R. Best, JohnC.Morris, BernardThomas Jr.,Paul A.McConkey, Stephen L. Taylor, JohnO.Williams,PeterM. Fuller, Paul J. Webb and Paul S. Reid.

Bestwishes to recent retirees: NormanBlack,ErnestCurtin, John Ebron,WilliamGiusti, ConradGyuras, JamesKingery,Gerald Lafferty, JimmieMiles,CharlesMahoney,Carl Reno, RaymondSmith, RayStansel, LeoMcKeever, GeorgeBailey, JamesBlanche,RogerWhite,CharlesStrickland and JohnM.Anderson.

Charles E. Graham, B.M.

Trade Classifications(as) Alarm & Signal (ei) Electrical Inspection (lctt) Line Clearance Tree Trimming (mps) Motion Picture Studios (rr) Railroad (spa) Sound & Public Address

(ars) Atomic Research Service (em) Electrical Manufacturing (lpt) Lightning ProtectionTechnicians

(nst) Nuclear Service Technicians (rtb) Radio-Television Broadcasting (st) Sound Technicians

(bo) Bridge Operators (es) Electric Signs (o) Outside (rtm) Radio-TelevisionManufacturing

(t) Telephone

(cs) Cable Splicers (et) Electronic Technicians (mt) Maintenance (p) Powerhouse (u) Utility

(catv) Cable Television (fm) Fixture Manufacturing (mo) Maintenance & Operation (pet) Professional, Engineers &Technicians

(rts) Radio-Television Service (uow) Utility Office Workers

(c Communications (govt) Governmentmow) Manufacturing Office Workers

(so) Service Occupations (ws) Warehouse and Supply

(cr) Cranemen (i) Inside (ptc) Professional, Technical &Clerical

(s) Shopmen

(ees) Electrical Equipment Service (it) Instrument Technicians (mar) Marine (se) Sign Erector

Efforts are made to make this list as inclusive as possible, but the various job categories of IBEW members are too numerous to comprehensively list all.

On July 5, IBEWSan Francisco Local 6members and other trade unionistsmarched tocommemorate the 75th anniversary of theWest CoastWaterfront General Strike of 1934, joiningthe International Longshore andWarehouse Union’s “Bloody Thursday”memorial processionalong the Embarcadero. From left are: Local 6membersGeorge Salih andMichael Doherty, Local 6Bus. Rep. John Doherty, Local 1245 Bus. Rep. Hunter Stern and Local 6 Pres. Phil A. Farrelly.

Local 24 congratulatesrecent service awardrecipients. From left are:Retirees Club Pres. RobertTombaugh, 60-year awardrecipient Lloyd “Skeets”Milbourne, 50-year awardrecipient Robert Monganand Bus. Mgr. Gary R. Griffin.



Promoting the IBEWL.U. 32 (i&u), LIMA, OH—A dinner was held to honorthe Local 32 apprenticeship graduating class. Thenew journeyman inside wiremen are: David Tighe,Kegan Pringle, Nick Smith, Chris Lamb, ChuckMcKercher and Matthew Sterrett. Also, the newjourneyman installer technician is Joel Baker. Aftertheir five years of training and hard work, Local 32welcomes the graduates to their new classificationsand wishes them a successful career.

Local 32 members volunteered for a commu-nity service project in Lima for the Faurot Park chil-dren’s fountain construction. This project willprovide many enjoyable hours for area children.Local 32 volunteers were: Doug Beining, TomLandwehr, Brent Shaffer, Derek Sterling, VinceScheid, Larry Kroeger and Jerry Dickrede. ContractorSidney Electric donated the use of a bucket truckand tools. We thank these members for their com-munity service promoting the IBEW.

Jerry Dickrede, B.M.Doug Beining, P.S.

SteelMill OpeningL.U. 38 (i), CLEVELAND, OH—At press time, wereceived great news about the ArcelorMittal steelmill opening back up for production in mid-September. We previously got word that some ofour members from three different shops would beon-site earlier to help prepare for the reopening,with more members to follow as the blast furnacecomes online and the mill restarts projects.

Some of our contractors put in calls for wire-

men recently and several of our contractors pickedup work that they may start hiring for soon.Harrington Electric will start hiring for the VA hospi-tal bed tower construction project, as well as sev-eral jobs at Cleveland State University.

ESI Electrical Contractors has the HillcrestHospital expansion job. Lake Erie Electric picked upwork for the Regional Transit Authority and Key Bankat the Higbees building, as well as other projects.

We had a beautiful day at the Local 38 sum-mer picnic, held at Cedar Point, for nearly 3,200members and their families. The ‘Old-Timers’ Picnicat Astorhurst was also a great success.

Local 38 members with Work Best Electric Inc.performed electrical work on an experimental verti-cal-axis wind turbine attached to the 20’ by 25’cylinder at Cleveland State University. [See photo,below left.] The innovative project was designed bya CSU professor to be effective in areas with lowerwind speeds. Four wind turbines, each rated at1,500 watts, are attached to the side of the cylinder.There is also one 1,500 watt control turbine.

Dennis Meaney, A.B.M.

FamilyTradition ofServiceL.U. 44 (catv,lctt,o,rtb,s&u), BUTTE, MT—Members ofthe Finkbeiner family have a combined total of 194years with the IBEW inMontana. All have worked forWilliams Construction Co. Inc., Mountain Power,Northwest Tree Service, Utility Service ContractorsInc., and/or RockyMountain Construction.

Bob, Russ and Roy Finkbeiner started inLewistown as members of Local 1022. Bob and Roymoved to then-Local 185 in Helena and then on toLocal 44 in Butte and were joined at Local 44 by

Dick, Bryan and Ron Finkbeiner.Congratulations to the Finkbeiner family for

their many years of dedicated service.

Chuck Dixon, B.M./F.S.

USAWeightlifting ChampL.U. 70 (lctt&o), WASHINGTON, DC—On April 5, Bro.Jeff Hickerson participated in the USAMastersWeightlifting Competition held at Fort Bliss in ElPaso, TX. Bro. Hickerson took first place, winningthe gold medal in the heavy-weight division.

Chris A. Brown, Pres.

2009ApprenticeGraduatesL.U. 80 (i&o), NORFOLK, VA—Work remained slowthrough the summer, with very few large jobs in theforeseeable future at press time. Remember to re-signto stay on the books. Initial signingmust be done inperson; re-signs can bemailed, faxed or handled viathe Local 80Web site atwww.ibew80.com.

Local 80 thanks members who traveled toWashington, D.C., on June 25 to rally for health carereform. It was an awesome sight to see so manyunion members standing for this legislation.

Congratulations to the 2009 gradu-ating apprentices. They worked hard forfive years and deserve accolades for theiraccomplishments. Graduates are: KittrellMcNair, Jeffrey Trimm,Wellington Fa,IsaiahSummers, HerbertWynn, AdamFell, Sean Ottey, Jerome Harrell, JamesKloeppel, JeremySmith, ChristopherStone, MarkA. Frazier, Jr. (top apprentice),Swanson Boone and DetrickOwens.

W. Dennis Floyd, P.S.

SteadyWorkPictureL.U. 90 (i), NEWHAVEN,CT—We are all staying busywith a steadyworkpicture. Our vigilancewith projectlabor agreements and targeted projects is keeping ourmembersworking in these tough economic times.

Local 90 had its two golf tournaments over thesummer, both successful. At the Tom LykeTournament, more than 60 members played. Thisyear’s honoree was retired member E.T. Evarts.Tournament winner was Ron Stack.

Two teams of the best scorerswent to theGreater EasternOpen, our second tournament, withover 80 players. IBEW teams from theSecond andThird Districts compete. Local 25won first place; Local35won second, and Local 90was third. All enjoyedthe sportsmanship and brotherhood.We thankourgolf committee: Ken Berkmoes, John Berry,MarioCapozzo, JimClabby, Bill Fitzgerald, John Jerz, BobMordecai, Angelo Palmieri and RonStack. Also thanksto the office staff for their efforts and to all the players.

We also had a great union labor night of minorleague baseball at the New Britain Rockcats.President Frank Halloran threw out the first pitch.

Our two enlisted active dutymembers werehonored on the field by Helmets to Hardhats. Wethank Bros. John Coggshall and Brendon Toth fortheir service to our country and our union. [Watch foran “IBEW On Duty” article in an upcoming issue ofThe Electrical Worker.] Return home safely, brothers.

Sean Daly, V.P.

ProjectGoesUnionL.U. 96 (i), WORCESTER, MA—Wal-Mart broke tradi-tion and is breaking ground with union trades for itsnew store in Worcester, MA. Support from localpoliticians and the building trades was crucial tothis construction project going union.

Let’s show our support in return for localpoliticians. Elections are Nov. 3, 2009. Please getout and vote. To learn more about candidates thelocal is endorsing, or to volunteer as a supporter,contact the union hall or visit the local’s Web site atwww.ibewlocal96.org.

Congratulations to former Second District Int.Rep. Richard Panagrossi on his Aug. 1, 2009, retire-ment. Bro. Panagrossi served the IBEW as anInternational Representative since 1981. Local 96was among the locals he serviced. We thank himfor his service.

Luke E. Carpenter, Treas./P.S.

GreenDayOpenHouseL.U. 102 (c,catv,i,it,o&t), PATERSON, NJ—Led by anintroduction from Bus. Mgr. Lou Baram, along withthe assistance of Pres. Bernie Corrigan and Int. Rep.Wyatt Earp, Local 102 enjoyed a successful day

Local 32 congratulatesrecent apprenticegraduates: DavidTighe, Kegan Pringle,Nick Smith, ChrisLamb, Joel Baker,Chuck McKercher andMatthew Sterrett.

Local 38 members worked on a wind turbineproject at Cleveland State University. At thesite are, from left: Jerry Salontay, MatthewElliot and Bob Wollen.

Local 80apprenticegraduatesgather infront of thesolarphotovoltaicsystem theyinstalled.

Six members of the Finkbeiner family in Butte, MT,Local 44 are: from left, back row, Bob Finkbeiner, with51 years of IBEW service; Russ Finkbeiner, three yearsof service; Dick Finkbeiner, 37 years; Roy Finkbeiner,47 years; front row, Bryan Finkbeiner, 30 years; andRon Finkbeiner, 26 years.

Local 70 member Jeff Hickerson wins goldmedal at USA Masters WeightliftingCompetition.

Local Lines


explaining to guests that the IBEW and Local 102have the best qualified and trained professionals todo the green energy work in a growing market. Theopen house was an opportunity to promote thebenefits of using union labor.

Approximately 70 people attended, includingcity council members, business leaders and repre-sentatives of area vocational schools. We showedguests our new state-of-the-art training center, andintroduced them to our highly qualified instructors,who explained the apprentice program and the con-tinuing education updates for journeymen to staycurrent with green energy technology.

We showed several green projects that Local102 recently completed. Everyone was impressed;some had never realized howmuch training it takesto become an electrician and others wanted toknowhow they could get started on their ownprojects.It was a very positive day for our local.

Ed Fredericks, P.S.

WorkPictureSlowL.U. 134 (catv,em,govt,i,mt,rtb,rts,spa&t), CHICAGO,IL—The work picture remains slow in the CookCounty area as of this writing, with a limited num-ber of new jobs coming out of the ground at presstime. There has been some vertical construction ofthe FedExmaintenance facility as well as the recentstart-up of the FedEx cargo facility to complementthe airfield construction of the new 10C Runway.

On a 20-acre site in the south suburbs ofChicago sits AlliedTube andConduit, which is amajorsupplier of conduit and various electrical constructioncomponents forChicago aswell as national distribu-tion. The existing 13-acre size plant is currently addinga 514,000 square-footwarehouse additionwith railand road access. Local 134members employed byMaron Electric are installing the temp lighting, generallighting and office build-outswhileContinentalElectric is providing the switchgear and fire alarminstallations. [See photo above.]

Always remember to work smart/work safe.

Mike Nugent, P.S.

AppointmentsAnnouncedL.U. 146 (ei,i&rts), DECATUR, IL—Local 146 congratu-lates Asst. Bus. Mgr. Shad Etchason on his recentelection as president of the Decatur Building andConstruction Trades Council. The council representsover 2,000 members in 16 crafts in the Decaturarea. Congratulations also to Vice Pres. Jason Drakeon his appointment as the new JATC training direc-tor for Local 146. Jason replaces Steve Wrigley, whowill retire at year’s end. Best wishes to both.

At our Labor Day parade and picnic in

September, we had one of the largest crowds inrecent years. Everyone had a great time and all wereimpressed with the new Local 146 sign and recentlandscaping at the Local. Thanks to Sister MarySapp and her committee for a great job.

We received bad news regarding the SecureEnergy project. The project was not given the gov-ernment loan guarantees and the project is now onhold. However, we look forward to the Tenaska proj-ect in Taylorville, which was granted loan guaran-tees; and also the upcoming refuel outage at theClinton Power Station.

We remind all that we can only create aworker-focused economy by building power—politi-cally, economically and socially.

Rich Underwood, R.S.

JATCGraduationL.U. 150 (es,i,rts&spa), WAUKEGAN, IL—Recently cere-monies were held for the latest graduates of our train-ing program.Seventeenmembers successfullycompleted their InsideWireman program:Scott Baun,Jeff Buckley, Tobias Hogan, BryanMathes, NicholasPotter, RobertSelin, JamesBirkenkamp, EdwardCameron, JacobHusko, RyanMorley, Derryll Richter,BradleyShields,Michael Brosseit, JosephGrissom,Jayson Lange, Brad Porch andAndrewSchaefer. Sevenmembers successfully completed the ResidentialTraining program: Brandon Fernandez, Edin Rama,IrekTulacz, Christopher Kolar, Justin Ryan, DejanKuljanin andScottSnyder.Wewish heartfelt congratu-lations to the graduates andmay they have long,healthy and profitable careers. Please remember ifsome of them chose to upgrade or re-apply to the pro-gram—they are trying to better themselves and pro-vide for their futures; just like all of us. Be supportive.

The followingwere also acknowledged for theirachievements: highestGPAof 2008/2009 class year—JosephGrissom (inside apprentice) andScottSnyder(residential trainee); highest overall five yearGPA—RobertSelin (inside apprentice); and highest overallthree yearGPA—Justin Ryan (residential trainee).

Retired Brother Don Lahey recently passedaway. Don was terrifically funny and always enjoyedgolfing and bowling. I’ve known Don most of my lifeand he was a wonderful man; a gentleman in thetruest sense of the word. He will be missed.

Wendy J. Cordts, P.S.

Power PlantOutageWorkL.U. 158 (i,it,mar,mt&spa), GREEN BAY, WI—After aslow start to summer, calls for manpower startedcoming in around mid-July. Calls for our two nuclearpower plants employed quite a fewmembers forpre-outage work, as well as for the outages them-

selves. We’re hoping many will be retained. Wehowever didn’t fare as well in the commercial mar-ket. Non-signatory contractors were awarded thefew projects that were available to bid.

Our local continues to be involved politically—attendingmany fund-raisers; writing letters in supportof EFCA, prevailing wage laws and health care reform;and even attending a town hall meeting on healthcarewith Pres. Obama inGreen Bay. Therewas a goodturnout at the Labor Day picnic;many politiciansspoke, therewere games for the kids and lots of food.

We also did a lot of volunteering this summerwith setting up temporary power for a few picnics aswell as some work on houses for the RebuildingTogether—Greater Green Bay project. Efforts of IBEWvolunteers were much appreciated.

Donald C. Allen, B.M.

WorkPictureL.U. 180 (c,i&st), VALLEJO, CA—As of this writing, ourprojected work picture is below normal. Due to theeconomy,many projects have been cancelled as ofpress time, or put on long-term hold. The publicworks pipeline is waiting for the stimulus funding.Most of our renewable, grid and energy upgrade proj-ects are being held up as various interests bicker.

One project that has successfully navigated therough economicwaters and started is the ValeroRefinery in Benicia. This one projectwill putmostmembers to workandmight reach Book II. For thisreason, we have taken proactive steps to keep every-one informed. Everythingwe know about the project—i.e., manpower, duration, job calls, where the last jobcall went, and howmany people are on the variousbooks—is posted on the local’sWeb sitewww.ibewlu180.org under theworkpicture page.

For those without Internet connection, thesame information is provided on a recordedmes-sage. Call in during business hours and ask for therecorded work picture. After business hours, just dialExtension 180. Please remember to re-sign early andcall to confirm that we received your faxed re-sign.

Michael C. Smith, B.A.

‘StandTogether’L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u), ROCKFORD, IL—As of thiswriting we are experiencing high unemploymentwith not much relief in sight. Our work picture ontransmission, overhead distribution and under-ground distribution is very slow. We have had somelighting projects pick up due to road projects in ourarea. We are still in a fight with other trades whoencroach on our work. The other trades go afteralready union jobs instead of trying to organize thenonunion. We will use all our resources to keep thework we have and fight to gain back what has beenwrongfully taken way from our trade. This will be along, hard fight but we must prevail. If we standtogether in this fight, we can win and leave thistrade better than we found it.

Attend your monthly union meetings. BuyAmerican and when possible buy union!

Edgar R. Mings Jr., B.M.

[Editor’s Note: At press time, Edgar R. Mings Jr.was appointed IBEW International Representativeassigned to the I.O. Construction Department,effective Sept. 15. Newly appointed Local 196 busi-ness manager is Eric Patrick.]

Casino Construction ProjectL.U. 212 (i), CINCINNATI, OH—The HollywoodCasinoconstruction project in Lawrenceburg, IN, was a greatjob for IBEW Local 212. Ourmembers were employedby contractorMayers Electric on the project.

General foreman on the casino job was DanNelson and the steward was Rod Fischer. The proj-ect lasted nearly 20 months from start to finish andthe peakmanpower was 82. With the work picturepresently slow in our jurisdiction, the casino projectkept many Local 212 members working.

Wayne Myers, B.A.

NewMeetingHallL.U. 222 (o), ORLANDO, FL—As of summer, the workpicture here was still slow. The last quarter of theyear seems to hold more promise of work than thefirst three quarters. Bus. Mgr. Mike Bell is workingwith our contractors and their customers to secureany and all work coming up.

At our April membership meeting, Local 222was pleased to present Bro. Frank Couch his 60-year service pin. Bro. Frank told us he built a specialcamper trailer to pull behind his motorcycle andtraveled the country for several years. He is nowkayaking the local rivers. Go, Frank.

The July meeting hosted our annual BuildingAssociation meeting. Bus. Mgr. Bell had a presenta-tion detailing progress of construction on our newlocal union offices and meeting hall. At press time,indicators pointed to a move-in date of aboutSept. 30. We look forward to seeing you at ourmonthly union meetings, and with the upswing ofwork, at the December meeting/Christmasparty/grand opening at the new hall.

James M. “Mike” Bell, B.M./F.S.

IBEW crewmembers gather at the jobsite ofthe Hollywood Casino project in Indiana.Local 212 members on the project wereemployed byMayers Electric.

Local 222 Bus. Mgr. Mike Bell (left) presentsFrank Couch his 60-year service pin.

Chicago Local 134membersare employed on the AlliedTube and Conduitwarehouse constructionproject. From left are: JimHilton, Bus. Rep. FrankCunningham,DaveNovotny,JeremyBrandt, Jon Sucic,TomMaloney, generalforeman;Mike Feasley, NickCrissie, Jim Klingelschmidt,Dave Cormir and TomMcLean, general foreman.



CommunityService RecognizedL.U. 234 (i&mt), CASTROVILLE, CA—Local 234 isproud of contributions made by our members andretirees in giving back to the community.

A recent notable project is the work done byBro. Lawrence Mellick, who has invested much timeand energy at a hands-on train museum in Salinas,CA. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience whenchildren go through the museum and operate theequipment—an opportunity made possible throughthe volunteer work of Bro. Mellick’s train club.

Bro. Mellick started his IBEW apprenticeshipin 1960, graduated to journeyman wireman in 1964,retired in 2002. He remains a loyal IBEW supporterto the present day.

Ken Scherpinski, B.M.

National Training InstituteL.U. 252 (ees,i,rts&spa), ANN ARBOR, MI—Local 252is still basking in the afterglow of the NationalTraining Institute. We thank all the nearly 2,000brothers and sisters who attended. NJATC Exec. Dir.Michael Callanan and his staff did a wonderful jobgetting things organized and Ann Arbor was excitedto host for the first time. The University of Michigan,currently doing over a billion dollars of construction(100 percent union), also did an outstanding job asfirst-time NTI host. Our local looks forward to nextyear with a new booth at the trade show for all therequests for union shirts, hats and pins. We alsoplan on an even bigger block party in downtown toget to know our guests even better.

At ourSeptembermeetingwe hosted ourretirees, handing out service pins. It was a great timeto talk about howwe have grown over the years.Whata debtwe owe these great brothers for all they havedone sowe can have somuch today.Wewish themallwell as they enjoy the retirement they greatly deserve.

John Salyer, Pres.

TVAProjectL.U. 270 (i&o), OAK RIDGE, TN—As of this writing ourwork has slowed down tremendously. We have hadseveral large ongoing projects that are windingdown and should finish up soon. D&N Electric outof Atlanta had a major Tennessee Valley Authorityproject at Kingston steam plant that peaked at morethan 200 electricians. Local 270 thanks all the trav-eling brothers and sisters who helped us success-fully staff up and finish our jobs.

Congratulations to our 2009 graduating appren-ticeship class:CaseyRay,Travis Rather, JeremyBrooks,BradHale,TerryBasler, Rocky Estes, AmranAdkisson,LindaWhite andMattMehlorn. Rocky Esteswas

named the 2009outstand-ing apprentice. Heput forthgreat effort anddedicationandhis hardworkpaid off.

At press time, theLocal 270 Family FallFestival was set for Sept.26. We invite everyone tothe annual golf tourna-ment on Oct. 24. Fordetails call the hall orvisit our Web sitewww.ibewlocal270.org.

Regina Guy, R.S.

NewOfficersSworn InL.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts&st), SALEM, OR—On July 16, Local 280 had the honor of swearing inour new officers at our union meeting in Tangent.Let’s welcome them and give them our full support!All positions had an excellent slate of candidates!The results were close and we thank all the finemembers who ran for office to represent our union.

Newly elected officers are: Bus. Mgr. Tim Frew,Pres. Drew Lindsey, Vice Pres. Mike Spade, Rec.Sec. Eric Davis, Treas. TimMiller; Executive Boardmembers Joe Evans, Michael A. Murphy and JulieEmmett; and Examining Board members LarryFisher, Susan Garstecki and TomMann. Delegatesto the International Convention are: Tim Frew, DanCampbell, Mike Spade, Wayne Lathrop, TomBaumann and TimMiller.

Bus. Mgr. Frew gave a heartfelt speech to themembership after being sworn in; he and his staff ofTom Baumann, Bill Kisselburgh and Lance Zifka areready to serve the local. Outgoing businessmangerTim Nicol received applause for his service as well.

Another big thank-you goes to Bro. Mike G.Murphy for his energy, loyalty and commitment forteaching our safety classes such as OSHA 30. Mikehas always been there when we needed him and isa true union brother!

Jerry Fletcher, P.S.

Retirees ‘Paved theWay’L.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS,MN—The annual retiree’s picnic was June 10 atWabun Park. This event is held to honor thosemembers who helped build our union. Local 292thanks the retirees for their longtime service.

Winning protections for worker rights did notcome easy. It took diligence to earn what is just.Because of the passion of those retired, we have asolid foundation to build upon. Our retired membershelped gain the comforts we enjoy today. It isthrough our freedom to organize and their hard workthat gains were made. It is now our responsibility as

IBEWmembers to “further the purposes for whichthe IBEW is instituted.” We took an oath to do so.

I appreciate the hard-fought gains for workingpeople made by those before me. It is because oftheir service that I have all the tools I need to con-tinue the pursuit of a safe and comfortable living formy family. Thank you, brothers and sisters.

Brandon L. Romann, P.S.

Hybrid BucketTrucksL.U. 300 (govt,i,mt&u), MONTPELIER, VT—BurlingtonElectric Department, in continuing its pursuit ofgreenhouse gas emissions reductions and improvedair quality, has included in its fleet a first-of-its-kindbucket truck that represents a basic shift in thefuture of bucket truck engine technology. BED is amunicipally owned power utility whose employeesare represented by IBEW Local 300.

The truck, developed by Freightliner Trucks,together with Eaton Corp. and D.C. Bates, is aFreightliner Business ClassM2e hybrid truck. It isequipped with an Eaton Hybrid Electric DrivetrainSystem and Posi Plus aerial device. The hybrid elec-tric motor provides power to run the hydraulic pumpfor the aerial device andmounted equipment,improving fuel economy and greatly reducing emis-sions at the jobsite. Because the diesel engine onlyneeds to run occasionally for the hybrid motor torecharge the lithium ion batteries, engine on-time is

significantly reduced while in electronic PTOmode.Fuel savings of 40 to 60 percent are anticipated, withcommensurate reductions in emissions.

“In true IBEW fashion, our members atBurlington Electric Department are continually trail-blazers in green technology,” said Local 300 Bus.Mgr. Jeffrey Wimette. “This truck will reduce BED’scarbon footprint and provides workers with cutting-edge technology to get the job done.”

Matt Lash, P.S.

Kudos to ‘PensionBrothers’L.U. 306 (i), AKRON, OH—Congratulations and bestwishes for a happy retirement to Bros. Gil Hart, JohnCollier, Steve Hinkle and JimHuston. Concluding thesecareerswas not an easy decision. Theywill bemissedon the job, in theTrainingCenter and at the Local.

Our annual golf outing ended at the sound ofa nearby storm siren and a torrential downpour, buta good time was had by all.

The annual picnic, held at the Akron Zoo, waswell-attended by members and their families.Retirees were well-represented, and a three-way tiefor the biggest smile went to Howard Wood, TonyFelber and Chuck House! Thanks to the outstandingLocal 306 Social Committee.

Benchmarks for economic recovery are slowlybeing revealed as the American economic enginechugs along. Working people hope and pray for con-tinued improvement.

Work smart, work safe and most of all may youhave work!

Bob Sallaz, P.S.

Union Picnic at Coyote RanchL.U. 332 (c,ees,i&st), SAN JOSE, CA—Local 332 heldits 27th Annual Picnic at the Coyote Ranch on July 11.Over 1,200 attended the outing, which was a bigsuccess. Thanks to all who stepped up to help pre-pare and serve, with special thanks to the cooks,for making it a great day. The Retiree’s Club staffedthe ticket and service pin award table.

Thanks to theMembers Assistance Committeefor creating the beautiful gift baskets; the committeesold raffle tickets and had a drawing at the end of thepicnic to benefit theMember Assistance Fund.Attendees enjoyed a horseshoe tournament, talentcontest, pig calling andmany other activities. Thanksagain to the PicnicCommittee for a great picnic.

At the July union meeting, members donated54 pints of blood during our quarterly blood drive atthe union hall. Thank-you, Cheryl Brady, for coordi-nating the blood drives. Great job.

Gerald Pfeiffer, Pres.

Local LaunchesNewWebSiteL.U. 340 (i,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CA—This pastsummer our local launched our newWeb site,designed by Oswego Creative. This site will be usedas an organizing tool for new employers and newmembers, and also provide local union informationfor current members. Members can now check ondaily job calls, get up-to-date news on members(accidents and illnesses, death notices), businessoffice events, etc. The Web site will also be keptfresh with quarterly news briefs. Check it out atwww.ibewlocal340.org.

Our membership picnic in September

Local 234Bro.LawrenceMellick wiresa controlcabinet forthe signalarm besidea boxcar atthe trainmuseum inSalinas, CA.

IBEW Local270 membersand travelersworked on abig D&NElectric jobat the TVAKingstonFossil Plant.

Retired members of Local 292 gather for the 2009 retirees picnic.

Burlington (Vermont) Electric Departmentdeploys a green technology hybrid buckettruck. BED employees are represented byIBEW Local 300.

Local Lines


(organized by our picnic committee and 2009apprentice graduates) was attended by hundredsof active and retired members and their families. Itwas great to see everyone. We are planning a PinPresentation Luncheon for our members receivingservice pins for 50 or more years of service.

I wish I could report a better work picture, butat this writing work for Local 340, like many otherlocals, is very slow.

I am sorry to report the passing of active mem-ber Bro. Michael Kee and retired Bros. James Biggs,Paul Garcia, Norman L. Grothe, Robert R. Jenkins,James Muck, Jack Robblee, John Wyman and JamesCoatney (father of Local 340 member Nick Coatney).

A.C. Steelman, B.M.

ASalute forServiceL.U. 364 (catv,ees,em,es,i,mt,rts&spa), ROCKFORD,IL—U.S. Army Sgt. First Class and IBEW Local 364Inside Apprentice Chris Collins recently returnedfrom service in Afghanistan as a member of theArmy Reserve. At the union meeting prior to hisdeployment, Bro. Collins was “conditionally” pre-sented an IBEW Local 364 flag to fly at his base;Bus. Mgr. Darrin Golden made the presentation.The condition was that Bro. Collins and the flagreturn home safely at the end of his tour of duty.

Local 364 salutes and thanks Bro. Collins forhis selfless sacrifice to defend our nation. BrotherCollins returned home shortly after Labor Day, andwe welcome him back.

The Local 364 softball team recently partici-pated in both the August IBEWMidwest Regionaland September Illinois State IBEW softball tourna-ments. They played very well and proudly repre-sented our local.

Ray Pendzinski, P.S.

Midwest RenewableEnergySeminarL.U. 388 (em,i,rts&spa), STEVENS POINT, WI—Local388 sent three instructors to a five-day train-the-trainer session at the Midwest Renewable EnergyAssociation in Custer, WI. Also attending were 21other IBEW instructors from around the state.Attendees received instruction in solar photovoltaicsystems and becoming site assessment certified.

The local thanks Julie Brazeau, Gregg Zipp andJohn Klosinski for participating in the seminar. Asinstructors, they will bring the training they receivedback to the local and set up classes for ourmembers.

Thanks to members who helped set up tempo-rary power at the Lincoln County Rodeo Days. Rodeoproceeds go to Children’s Miracle Network, which

benefits sick and disabled children in Wisconsin andother charitable organizations in Lincoln County.

Thanks also to members who helped set uptemporary power at Midwest Renewable EnergyAssociation for the annual energy fair, attended by24,000 people from across the country. IBEW organ-izers fromWisconsin also had a greatly successfulbooth at the energy fair. It gave us a chance to talkto alternative energy contractors and the generalpublic about benefits of working with the IBEW.

Local 388 does not see any projects comingup that would put all our members to work this win-ter. We thank the locals that are employing ourmembers; it is greatly appreciated.

Guy LePage, B.R.

Tribute to LongtimeMemberL.U. 412 (u), KANSAS CITY, MO—Union Steward“Mean” Joe Greene, toolroom attendant atHawthorn Station, has worked with Kansas CityPower & Light for over 60 years. He has been anactive union member for more than 50 years.

As a union steward and former Local 412Executive Board member, Brother Greene says: “It’sbeen a struggle and I hope I’ve been able to help

lay the groundwork for the acceptance of minoritiesto come into the mainstream and be given equalopportunity.”

Debi Kidwiler, P.S.

Annual PancakeBreakfastsL.U. 424 (as,ees.em,es,i,mo,o,ptc,rtb,rts,sap&u),EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA—Sunny skies pre-vailed for our Annual Pancake Breakfasts held inUnit 2 Calgary in conjunction with the CalgaryStampede, and a week later, in Unit 1 duringEdmonton’s “Capital Ex” exhibition. Rec. Sec. DaveHandley is “lead organizer for the Calgary functionalong with Unit 2 Chmn. Paul Stanicky and Asst. Bus.Mgr. Larry Gatner. They served a breakfast of pan-cakes, eggs, sausage/bacon and fruit, and then laterfor lunch smoked hot roast beef and trimmings.

The Edmonton Retirees served the samebreakfast menu. A salute to “Chefs” Bob Hunterand Dennis Unguran, who tended the barbecuegriddles, and to “Sous-Chefs” Russ Taylor, KenDoucette and Bob Wright, who kept a food prepassembly line going so the chefs could stay aheadof the lineup of hungry members and their families.Gordon Thompson, Julio Bailon and Bill Luchakassisted with setup and take-down. Thank you tothe “advisory committee” of wives Priscilla Taylor,Lynn Wright and Rachelle Anderson, who helpedgreatly. Orest “The Banker” Zaozirny was on ticketsales and the planning committee. The Unit 1 crewraised $300 for the Local 424 Retirees Fund.Although we underestimated the crowd a bit inEdmonton, with some fine-tuning, next year’sbreakfast will be even better.

Dave Anderson, P.S.

JATC Instructors AttendNTIL.U. 498 (c,catv,em,i&spa), TRAVERSE CITY,MI—At this writing work in our area is stillslow. At press time our contractors are await-ing the results on some work that was bidduring the summer.

Our annual picnic was Aug. 22 and wethank all who volunteered time and energy.We also send a hello to our members who aretraveling around the country and overseas.

Our JATC instructors will attend trainingclasses at the National Training Institute inAnn Arbor, MI, this year.

Members who have not received theirservice pins may pick them up at the hall.

Our local recently lost retired membersDon Carls and Bill VanEpps. Our condolencesgo out to their families.

Timothy R. Babcock, P.S.

Rigging CoursesOfferedL.U. 502 (c,em,i,it&t), ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK,CANADA—The Local 502 Training Center continuesto offer the best in trades training to our memberswith rigging courses throughout this fall. Newcourses will be added as required.

The Point LepreauNuclearStation refurbish-ment continues to providework for our local and valu-able experience for our new apprentices. TheCanaport LNG construction continues towind down asthemaintenanceworknowbegins.We look forward toa busy fall withmajorwork coming at the Irving OilRefinery and the PotashCorpmine inSussex.

July 2009 saw the last of many traveling broth-ers leave our jurisdiction, capping off 18 months ofunprecedented work in our area. We sincerelyappreciate the support we received from localsacross Canada to bring in these major projects andwe look forward to seeing you all again soon.

The economic downturn caused the EiderRock Refinery project to be postponed, if not can-celled. We will work diligently with our contractorsto secure other opportunities for our members.

We mourn the passing of Bros. GeraldHedburg, Frank Folkins and Fred Briggs.

Dave Stephen, P.S.

Service to CommunityL.U. 508 (i,it&o), SAVANNAH, GA—Local 508 journey-man wireman KenMorgan recently assisted withrenovation of the new location of the Brantley CountyEmergencyMedical Services Facility. This project willprovide EMS employees with a professional atmos-phere in which to work and train—which ultimatelyalso benefits the entire community. Our local isproud of members like Ken who unselfishly givetheir time to worthy causes such as this.

Local 508 bids congratulations and farewell toU.S. Army Sgt. and Rockford, IL, Local 364Apprentice Chris Collins proudly flies theIBEW Local 364 union flag.

IBEW volunteers provided temporary electricalsetup at theMidwest Renewable Energy Fair.From left, front row: Local 577 Organizer DanRickel, Sixth District Int. Rep. Terry Roovers,and Local 388members Rodney Gutenbergerand Ronald Bores. Back row: Local 388Instructor Julie Brazeau, Local 388membersJohn Siegel and David Jaeschke, Local 388Organizer Guy LePage and Local 388Executive Boardmember Robert Cyran.

IBEW Kansas City, MO, Local 412 extends atip of the hat to shop steward “Mean” JoeGreene, a longtime union member andKCP&L employee.

Participating in Local502’s rigging course are,from left: Herb Huizinga,Tom Bass, NormDechenes, Denis Leblanc,Dan Seeley, GaryClements, Adam Rogers,Ted Richard, Carson Daresand John Bosence.

Local 508 member Ken Morgan (second from left)helped renovate a county emergency medicalservices facility. Shown with Morgan are EMSemployees Marc Nadeau (left), Lorne Andreae,Mike Gamble and Brenda Crosby.



recently retired Int. Rep. Gerald “Jerry” Counihan.Jerry joined Local 508 in 1977 and served as busi-ness manager for two terms. He also served as sec-retary-treasurer for the Savannah Building Tradesand the Georgia Electrical Workers Association. In1988, he was appointed IBEW InternationalRepresentative for the Fifth District. Jerry retiredAug. 1 after more than 30 years of IBEW service. Onbehalf of members of his home local, we thank Jerryfor his service and devotion to the Brotherhood andwish him a happy retirement.

Judith Sheahan, P.S.

SarniaSolar FarmProjectL.U. 530 (i,o&rtb), SARNIA, ONTARIO, CANADA—Local 530 is pleased to have our workers back atSarnia’s solar farm. New owners and new technol-ogy are making this project better than before,employing many of our members.

On Aug. 7 we held our annual golf tournamentat Huron Oaks Golf and Country Club in BrightsGrove. While there were many prizes to be won, firstplace went to Nick Powell, Matt Worsley and KevinMorgan with a score of 11 under par.

On Aug. 8 all members and their families wereinvited to attend Family Fun Day at Blue WaterFunpark to enjoy play in pools, waterslides andbumperboats. The weather cooperated and every-one had a great time.

While work has picked up at home, we stillhave manymembers on the road and we thankLocals 1687, 804 and 529 for these jobs.

Local 530 is saddened to report the passing ofretired Bro. Kenneth Brice.

Al Byers, P.S.

National Training InstituteL.U. 538 (i), DANVILLE, IL—This entry is being writtenfrom the hospitable city of Ann Arbor, MI, new hometo the NJATCNational Training Institute. The enthusi-asm and excitement at the NTI event at theUniversity of Michigan has been inspiring. It is hum-bling to be among so many IBEWmembers devotedto training, and rewarding to witness the level ofcommitment by the IBEW and NECA to continuededucation in our industry. NTI offers many trainingopportunities for members, outstanding apprenticegraduates and longtime JATCmembers.

Our JATC2009OutstandingApprentice isMattHinchee.Congratulations toMatt for a jobwell-done inhis five-year apprenticeship.Matt had a superior gradepoint average, andhenevermissed aunionmeeting!

We are saddened by the passing of Bro. FredMorris. Fred was initiated into the local in 1955. He

worked for Anderson Electric for 17 years andremained busy after retirement by helping at theYFRC (formerly YWCA). Our deepest condolences goout to Fred’s family.

The work situation has not improved much inrecent months; however, some of our journeymenhave caught calls nearby. We thank the local unionsthat provide our members with much-needed work.

Kathie Porter, Training Dir.

NewTraining CenterL.U. 540 (i), CANTON, OH—As of this writing, Local540 is gearing up for another apprenticeship schoolyear. This year is especially exciting for us. We havejust moved into our own training center. The class of2014 will be the first class to have completed all fiveyears at our new facility.

Alongwith the new training centerwe are alsoexcited to have all our instructors NTI trained. TheNJATCNational Training Institute is an IBEW/NECAsponsored instructor training class that features pro-fessional educators fromuniversities across theUnitedStates. TheNTI offers awide array of trainingopportunities and during the summer the instituteoffers a one-week class for apprenticeship instructors.

The great “pride” we have in being the bestelectrical workers in the world begins with the“best apprenticeship.” The best apprenticeshiphinges on having the “best instructors.”

Here’s looking forward to another successfulapprenticeship year.

Jerry Bennett, P.S.

Service AwardsPresentedL.U. 558 (catv,em,i,mt,o,rtb,rts,spa&u), SHEFFIELD,AL—The work situation in our jurisdiction hasslowed considerably since the beginning of theyear. Our construction members are seeking workacross the nation. Hopefully relief will come soon.

Here at home, the local held a service-pin pres-entation at our regularmeeting on June 22.Memberspresent and receiving service pinswere: for 60 yearsof service—Donald B. Canaday,WilliamT. Peeden,Charles H.Wright; for 55-years of service—Henry D.Allen; 50 years—Bus.Mgr. James L. “Larry” Farmer,WilliamG.Menne, FrankH.Stoll Jr.; 45 years—JamesR. Robbins; 40 years—Bobby R. Amos, Billy F.Williams; 35 years—WilliamT. Peck, JamesT. Springer,ClevelandWilliams; and 30 years—RickyW. Austin,Michael D. Frye, Franklin D. Holt and LarrySmith.

See you at the next meeting.

Steve Crunk, Pres.

Kudos to Class of 2009L.U. 570 (i,mo,spa&u), TUCSON, AZ—IBEW Local 570and the Tucson Electrical Joint Apprenticeship &Training Program congratulate the 2009 graduates.

We also wish to recognizethe following:• Awarded OutstandingApprentice of the Year—EricBourgois;

• Awarded Overall HighestAverage over the past fiveyears—Greg Chmelik;

• Voted by his peers for overallhighest effort during hisapprenticeship—Philip Blair;

• Passed certification exam ofthe North American Board ofCertified Energy Practitioners(NABCEP)—Robert Crosland;

• Awarded $800 from theAmerican Society ofProfessional Estimators for hiscommitment to communityservice—Jesus Gonzales.The TEJATP had a good response with the first

photovoltaic class and has two more classes sched-uled. Local 570 started the Seventh District’s newforeman training class. We had a good response tothe first class, and at press time, had a secondscheduled along with a NewMember Orientationclass for the incoming first-year apprentices.

The work picture is still very slow in Tucsonand we are anxious for upcoming work to start.

Scott Toot, Org.

JATCApprenticeGraduatesL.U. 576 (i), ALEXANDRIA, LA—We congratulate the2009 JATC graduates. Our fifth-year graduates are:Andrew Brown, Cody Brown, Jeremy Jones, JosephCharrier, Erica Wilson and Joseph Milligan.

Joseph Milligan was our top apprentice for fiveyears straight. We are proud of his exceptionalachievements; he sets an example of what it meansto be union!

JATCDir. Johnny Cook is retiring this year buthe will still teach our first-year students. Werespectfully wish Bro. Cook a great retirement. He

has been a welcome and valued leader at ourschool for the last nine years.

We welcomeMatthew Hennings as our newJATCdirector. He will be a great asset to the JATC.

Vikki Cole, P.S.

Brother Awarded 50-Year PinL.U. 606 (em,es,i,rtb,spa&u), ORLANDO, FL—Bro.Herman “Skip” Bonner was presented his 50-yearpin at the July general meeting and received con-gratulations from officers and members in atten-dance. Bro. Bonner formerly served on the ExecutiveBoard and was very active in the local.

We extend sincere condolences to the familiesof two members who recently passed away,Coleman “Fuzz” Ridings and Kenneth McMahon.

Janet D. Skipper, P.S.

Contract NegotiationsL.U. 612 (u), WHEATLAND, WY—In contract negotia-tions with Basin Electric Power Co-op, we are seek-ing an honest wage package, more vacation, andtraining for the safety and efficiency of our member-ship. Management’s unwillingness to negotiate afair contract has only increased our resolve. Ourunion thanks the core negotiation team of Bus.Mgr./Pres. Greg Masie, Vice Pres. William Allison,Rec. Sec. Kayleen Wunder and Fin. Sec. Scott Olsonfor their hard work, dedication and perseverance.

Every year, our members support many areacharitable activities. This year many raffle ticketswere sold for our college scholarship fund to benefitdependents of IBEW 612 members. The localdonated $3,500 in scholarship money this year. Wethank Nick Cancino for donating four nights at hisLas Vegas condo for our scholarship raffle.

Our stewards have all been busy. The recentoutage created many unusual situations for ourstewards; a few significant grievances were filedand are awaiting decision or arbitration.

Our annual fishing derby was a great successwith over 120 entrants.

Local 538 retired Bro. Lauren “Gene”Carpenter receives his IBEW 50-year servicepin. Following an illness, Bro. Carpenterpassed away in mid-August.

Local 570 congratulates2009 apprenticegraduates. Front row, fromleft, are: Instructor SteveLundvall; graduates PhilipBlair, AlvaroMoreno, KajiReyes-Gertes,MichaelKozubal, Robert Crosland,Eric Bourgois, John Keys;back row, graduates JesusGonzales, Pedro Tachiquin,Joseph Hesselgrave andGreg Chmelik.

Local 576congratulatesthe class of2009 JATCgraduates.

Local 606 Herman “Skip” Bonner (second from left) receiveshis 50-year service award. From left are: Bus. Mgr. HarryBrown, Bro. Bonner, Pres. John Bregg, Executive Boardmember Bob Bartlett, Asst. Bus. Mgr. Rich Sikorski, ExecutiveBoard member James Krause, and Organizers/ExecutiveBoard members Fernando Rendon and Larry Kidd.

Local Lines


Everybody is hoping for relief from themassiveamounts of overtime required in such a short time.We all want to return to our families. Remember tocheck all of your boundaries every day and follow allcompany rules.

Congratulations to Jonivan Stanley and ScottAurich on successfully completing their apprentice-ship. Best wishes to Al Schubic and Terry Rice ontheir recent retirement.

Scott Obertal, P.S.

‘Inspiring Courage&Change’L.U. 636 (as,catv,em,spa&u), TORONTO, ONTARIO,CANADA—Inspiring courage and influencingchange—this is themission of Rob Ellis, an amazingchampion who began his campaign to raise thesafety awareness of young workers after the tragicdeath of his son. The IBEW First District and Local636 are proud to be partners in this noble cause.Support from ourmembers has been remarkable,and we thank everyone who has stepped up to help.

So touched by Ellis’ message, Local 636SisterErin Edwardswent from the sidelines to the front-lines—working tirelesslywith both her employer,Chatham-Kent UtilityServices, and community lead-ers to coordinate a “Day ofChampions” thatwill notbe forgotten. [See photo below.]Wesalute her effortsand encourage all members to stand up against dan-gers in theworkplace that resulted in the injury of47,000 young people last year. Wemust do all we canto ensure that youngworkers are not left on the shoul-der aswe travel down the “Road to Zero” injuries.

It seems that unions are increasingly underattack; but those who criticize the guardians of socialjustice fail to recognize themanyways ourmembersmake a positive difference both in the workplace andthe community. Stay strong—be union proud!

Paddy Vlanich, P.S.

‘Getting theWordOut’L.U. 684 (c,i,rts&st),MODESTO,CA—OnAug. 22 at ourannual picnic, service pinswere awarded. Award recip-ients are: 25-yearmemberWarrenHyer; 30-yearmem-bersMarkBowden, Jerry Field,Michael Pease, RobertStrandwold, DonSullivan,Scott Zeigler, ArtZimmerman; 35-yearmembers KevinDunlop, RonFudala, DanMurray, JohnPacheco; 40-yearmembersSteveDunlop,SteveGardebheir, Larry Partridge,GaryRobbins, JerryWilliams; 45-yearmembersWayneArlberg, Billy Brewer,CarlosHerrera, NormanMcCown,RussSargent; 50-yearmembers JamesDrummer,Richard Peabody, FrankSilveria; and60-yearmemberBill Siglin.Congratulations to all for a jobwell-done.

On Aug. 5 ourmembersmanned the centrallabor council booth at the Stanislaus County Fair andon July 25 wemanned the labor council booth at theMerced County Fair. We are getting the word out.

Torrey Newton, P.S.

Welcome toNewMembersL.U. 688 (em,i,t&u), MANSFIELD, OH—We welcomejourneyman installer technician Brad Cooperriderand apprentices Josh Craft, Dustin Endicott, MichaelGreszler, Jamie Heacock and Dusty Milligan, whowere inducted as newmembers on July 14.

Congratulations to our newest journeyman,Mike Crider, who topped out in July.

Thanks to all who donated time and expertiseat the City of Ontario July 4th Festival to providepower for rides, games and food vendors. Volunteerswere: Mark Danals, Tony Finley, Jim Herrick, CarlNuetzling, Denny Spangler and Jake Thompson

On July 22, the Red Cross held a blood driveat our union hall. Thank you to all the people whoparticipated.

Dan Lloyd, P.S.

‘We CanMake aDifference’L.U. 692 (i,mt&spa), BAYCITY, MI—We have 120 onBook 1 and 750-plus on Book 2. School work keptour bookmoving earlier, but was short lived.Midland Country Club was awarded fair.

“Buy American” sounds easy, but it actually

requires some effort to find American made andassembled products. It’s hard to spot companiesthat maintain manufacturing operations in the U.S.and Canada. As union members, we should searchout these products. For big purchases, such as carsor trucks, it’s easier to determine, but with manyother items, it’s difficult to tell.

Barcodes help indicate where goods come from.The first three digits of the barcode are the countrycodewhere the productwasmade: 00-13Made InUSA, 30-37 France, 40-44Germany, 49 Japan, 50 UK,57 Denmark, 64 Finland, 76Switzerland, 471Taiwan,480-489 Philippines, 628Saudi Arabia, 629UnitedArab Emirates, 690-695China, 740-745CentralAmerica. Some itemsmay saywhere they aremade.Barcodes are not foolproof; some countries ship theirgoods to nearby countries and barcodes get put onthere, but theywon’t have the USA code.

The bottom line: It’s hard to buy all goodsmade in USA, but bymaking an effort we canmake adifference, help our economy and feel good about it.

Our condolences to the families and friends ofrecently deceased retired brothers:WilliamR.Clayton,William J. Allen, Jack A. Rolley.

Tom Bartosek, P.S.

GolfOutingBenefitL.U. 702 (as,c,catv,cs,em,es,et,govt,i,it,lctt,mo,mt,o,p,pet,ptc,rtb,rts,se,spa, st,t,u,uow&ws), WESTFRANKFORT, IL—Our Annual Golf Outing was heldJune 19 on behalf of the Poshard Foundation. Those

in attendance raised $18,331 for the PoshardFoundation for Abused Children in our communi-ties. We had excellent participation and thankeveryone involved for such a worthwhile organiza-tion. Visit our Web site atwww.ibew702.org toview pictures of the golf outing.

We currently have 23 on the journeyman wire-man Book 1 out-of work list and 1,000 on the jour-neyman wireman Book 2 out-of-work list. Our workpicture continues to improve, in our OutsideConstruction and Line Clearance.

Frontier Communications has made acquisi-tion to purchase Verizon in 14 states. Locals 21, 51and 702 have intervened in the sale and will beinvolved in all proceedings going forward.

Marsha Steele, P.S.

ElectionSeasonL.U. 716 (em,i,lctt,rts&spa), HOUSTON, TX—I hopethis finds all members well. At this writing, we aredealing with oppressive heat in Houston andwe lookforward to cooler weather. The work picture is not ter-ribly bad at this writing, but we do havemembers onBook I. By publication of this article, negotiations willhave been concluded on a new inside contract agree-ment, with the likelihood of outstanding issues hav-ing been brought before the CIR for resolution.

I hope the membership and their familiesenjoyed the Brotherhood Bash Picnic and the LaborDay celebration.

Congratulations to all retirees who recentlyreceived service pins. A special thank-you goes toJohn D. Heinlein for 70 years of service.

We welcome our newmembers, includingapprentices who made membership recently.

With the election season upon us and citycouncil races in full swing, I encourage all membersand their families to get involved. The AFL-CIO LaborNeighbor program is sponsoring block walkingevery Saturday. Let’s get our labor-friendly candi-dates elected.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to membersand their families who recently lost loved ones.

John E. Easton Jr., B.M./F.S.

Chatham-Kent Team of Champions, from left: TomoMatesic, CKUS president; Rob Ellis;Randy Hope, mayor of Chatham-Kent; Erin Edwards, Local 636 Executive Board member;Hugh Bridgen, CKUSMetering director; Pat Caron, CKUS Customer Service manager; Local636 member Tracy Richmond, Joint Health & Safety Committee and CKUS customer servicerep; and Gary Aitken, C-K Hydro Risk Management officer.

Local 702 Bus. Mgr. Paul Noble (right)presents donation to Glenn and Jo Poshard ofthe Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.

Give It Your Best Shot

Have you got an eye for captivating images? Visit www.ibew.org toenter this year’s competition, in which $500 in prizes will be awarded to

the best artists. Like last year, IBEWmembers will vote on their favoritephotos—so break out those cameras and see what develops!

DEADLINE: November 30, 2009

FULL CONTEST RULES AT WWW.IBEW.ORG

Enter the 2009 IBEW Photo Contest Today!

Now—Enter online.Visit www.ibew.org.

Helmets toHardhatsNightatBallgameIBEWPhoenix, AZ, Local 640 apprenticesJose Coria (second from left) and TimArellano (right) were among the unionmilitary veterans in theHelmets to Hardhatsprogramhonored on the ball field duringan ArizonaDiamondbacks baseball game.

longtime service and dedication.Please visit our updated Web site at

www.local824.org for the latest news andinformation.

Dawn Livingston, P.S.

DedicatedTradeUnionistL.U. 910 (i&rts), WATERTOWN, NY—The 2008-2009apprentice classes were completed in the spring.Congratulations to the apprentice graduates: EricBombardier, Frank Boyer Jr., Peter “Joe” Coryea,Brian Fikes, Chris Lewis, Bryan Pharoah, MelissaRogers, Randy Trombly and Chad VanBrocklin.

The first journeyman photovoltaic classes werecompleted for both Plattsburgh andWatertown.

Asst. Bus.Mgr. ThomasMillea decided to retireafter 35 years in the electrical industry. Bro.Milleaserved former Local 781 and Local 910 in severalcapacities. For then Local 781, he served on theExecutive Board and theApprenticeCommittee; andas apprentice instructor, training director and organ-izer. In 1990 hewas appointed 781 businessmanager.He served in that office until themergerwith Local 910in 1993, atwhich timeTomwas appointed assistant tothen Local 910 businessmanagerGeorge Intschert.

Bro. Millea has been an active member of thelocal community and of the Plattsburgh/SaranacLake Building Trades Council, having served as itspresident from 1992 - 2008. He is a delegate to theNortheast Central Labor Council and a member ofthe Industrial Development Agency and WorkforceInvestment Boards. Tom is also the labor represen-tative for the City of Plattsburgh EconomicDevelopment Zone and he’s active with the areaUnited Way, Boy Scouts, Elks, Rotary, and ClintonCommunity College Foundation.

Roger LaPlatney, P.S.

Half Century ofServiceL.U. 1116 (em,lctt&u), TUCSON, AZ—Bro. Bernie Youngreceived his 55-yearmembership pin at the Augustmeeting. Bernie was our local businessmanagerfrom 1963-75; was active with the start-up of the firstHMO in Tucson; and returned to the power plant inJuly 2005. Since retiring, he has stayed active assist-ing retired unionmembers with Social Security andMedicare issues. Two other retired service awardhonorees were unable to attend themeeting: 65-yearmemberWesley Bramhall and 50-yearmemberRayel Lozano. Together, Bros.Young, Bramhall and Lozanorepresent 170 years of unionmembership.

Welcome to newmembers:Jason Lock, NormanSee, JoshMyers, GarySympson, RickyBarraza, Ryan Bliss, JamesCosgrove, DallasCox, BrandonGarcia, Alan Laney, JamesMiller,Roman Romero, JonSalazar,JamesThomas, Chase Vaughan,Robert Vaughan, JasonHobson,RobbNorton, JohnMiaglia,PatrickDempsey, JosephSanders, Nathaniel Hartley,ChristopherHill, MichaelStrickland andMindyStewart.

Hopefully our Decemberissue will have good news oncontract negotiations with SES

and Asplundh members. The negotiating commit-tees are working hard in these difficult economicstimes to get the best for our members.

R. Cavaletto, P.S.

Community Activist NetworkL.U. 1306 (uow), DECATUR, IL—Our local union’sbenefit agreement with AmerenIP has been carriedforward “status quo” through June 2012. We sin-cerely thankSister Kim Williamson for her time andeffort with this interest arbitration case.

Congratulations toSteven Johnson,whowasselectedasour2009KennethG.Colemanscholarshipwinner.Steven is thesonof Local 1306memberDebbieJohnson,whoworksatAmerenIP’sGalesburg office.

Congratulations to Bros. David Kuepper andCharles David on becoming senior engineering rep-resentatives.

Sisters Rhonda Gooding, Karlene Knisley andConnie Schabowski are recent graduates of the2009 Union Community Activist Network (UCAN)class held in Decatur. Bus. Mgr. Knisley wasawarded the Helen Duncan Labor Award at the2009 Women of Excellence Awards.

We thank the following members who volun-teered to serve as union stewards: Nikki Taylor,Brauder Smith, Sara Reynolds, Earline Allen, ArleneTrusner, Veronica Beck and Heather West.

Please support your local union by attendingyour unit meetings.

Karlene Knisley, B.M./F.S.

OfficersSworn InL.U. 2324 (t), SPRINGFIELD, MA—Elections for allLocal 2324 officers were held during June 2009. OnJuly 6, Int. Rep. Carol Fitzgerald swore in Bus. Mgr.John Rowley and the newly elected Executive Boardmembers to serve three-year terms. We congratu-late all, including outgoing board members, andthank them for their service to the IBEW.

Congratulations also to Dr. Paul Mark, formerUnit 2 Pittsfield chairman and now a Local 2325member, on receiving his law degree from SuffolkUniversity in Boston, and his doctorate in lettersdegree from Northeastern University in Boston.Good job, Doctor Mark. Education is the key to ourfuture success.

Joe Floyd, P.S.


ToppingOutL.U. 756 (es&i), DAYTONA BEACH, FL—Local 756 isproud to announce the recent graduation of our fifth-year apprentices. The class of 10 students was hon-ored at a ceremony held at the local’s meeting hallAug. 15. Bus. Mgr. Steve Williams, Pres. Dan Hunt,JATCDir. Scott Jarvis, the Apprenticeship Committee,the Executive Board and family members were inattendance to honor the graduates. Special guestspeaker Richard Melton, from the Florida StateBureau of Apprenticeship, gave a fine congratulatoryspeech to the new union journeymen. It is a testa-ment to perseverance to complete a demanding, yetfulfilling, five-year apprenticeship program in theIBEW. Special congratulations to EricC. Tagliamonte,overall Outstanding Apprentice Award recipient.

A new class of 25 began as first-year appren-tices on Aug. 25. We wish the new class and thegraduating class best of luck in their journeys.

Daniel Hunt, P.S.

Habitat for HumanityBlitzL.U. 760 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), KNOXVILLE, TN—Congratulations to the Knoxville JATC class of 2009apprentice graduates.

Local 760, along with Knoxville NECA and theKnoxville JATC, partnered with Habitat for Humanityto complete a 2009 six-house blitz. The KnoxvilleNECA contractors that participated were: ProgressionElectric, Standard Electric, Tennessee AssociatedElectric, Service 1 Electric and BESCO Electric. Thankyou to all who participated. IBEW is on themove!

Congratulations to members who received 20-through 45-year service pins at a recent Local 760regular meeting. At this writing, plans were underway for the local to present 50- through 65-year pinsto eligible members. Congratulations to all hon-orees. We couldn’t do it without you!

George A. Bove, B.M./F.S.

Service PinsAwardedL.U. 776 (i,o,rts&spa), CHARLESTON, SC—Our localhad the recent privilege of honoring threememberswith their service award pins. Creighton Kelly receivedhis 65-year pin, Robert “Shine”WyndhamSr. his 60-year pin, and John “Jackie” Butler a 40-year pin.

That comes to a grand total of 165 years of loy-alty to this local and our Brotherhood. For that weare very thankful. Local 776 thanks these gentlemenfor all their hard work, support and practical jokes.

Chuck Moore, B.M.

Newly ElectedOfficersL.U. 824 (t), TAMPA, FL—We are pleased to announcethe election of new officers and Executive Boardmembers for Local 824. [See photo below.] Voteswere counted on June 6 and the swearing-in cere-mony was held at the July 3 general meeting. Thehall was full of loyal union brothers and sisters.

Bus. Mgr. Prunn thanked our previous busi-ness manager, Doug Sellars, for his years of workat the hall and for helping the transition gosmoothly. Everyone joined a standing ovation tohonor retiring president Harrison Thornhill for his

Local 756 congratulates 2009 apprentice graduating class. Front row, from left: Training Dir.Scott Jarvis; graduates Greg Hood, Eric Tagliamonte, T.J. Lawson, Sean O’Brien; back row,graduates Don Chambers, Jesse Williams, James Oswald, Greg Henry, Andrew Peters, AndrewHanson; and Instructor Jim Downs.

Local 776 service award recipients are, fromleft: 65-year member Creighton Kelly, 60-yearmember Robert Wyndham Sr., and 40-yearmember John Butler.

Newly elected Local 2324 officers are, from left, front row:Executive Boardmembers Todd Lincoln—Unit 4 N. Adams/Great.Barrington, and Chris Casino—Traffic at Large; Rec. Sec. AnnBonneville, Treas. Katherine A. Collins, Vice Pres. Joseph Floyd;back row, Executive Boardmembers Joseph O’Brien—Plant atLarge, andMattMacDonnell—Unit 1 Springfield; Bus. Mgr./Fin.Sec. John D. Rowley Sr., Pres. Martin Feid and Int. Rep. CarolFitzgerald. Not pictured: Executive Boardmembers PaulDanielczuk—AVAYA at Large, DonWasuk—Unit 2 Pittsfield, andJesse Kovalsick—Unit 3 Northampton.


Newly elected 824 officers were sworn in July 3. Gathered are, from left, back row: Rec. Sec.Dora Mullis, Pres. Erik Jones, Bus. Mgr. Robert J. Prunn, Treas. Dan Kemmeling; front row,Executive Board members Michelle Agne and Lee Richardson; Bus. Rep. John Glye, ExecutiveBoard member Noah Kaaa, Vice Pres. Wendell Greenhalgh, and Executive Board membersKeith LaPlant, Dan Wagner, Danny Alfonso and Todd Bolick.


HOWTO REACH US

We welcome letters from our readers.The writer should include his or hername, address and, if applicable, IBEW local union number and cardnumber. Family members should include the local union number of theIBEW member to whom The Electrical Worker is mailed. Please keepletters as brief as possible. The Electrical Worker reserves the right toselect letters for publication and edit all submissions for length.

Send letters to:Letters to the Editor, The Electrical Worker, 900 Seventh Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20001Or send by e-mail to: [email protected]

©2009 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

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

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Electrical Worker,900 Seventh Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20001.

The Electrical Worker will not be held responsible for viewsexpressed by correspondents.

Paid advertising is not accepted.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40011756.Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:P.O. Box 503RPOWest Beaver CreekRichmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6

A nguish grows as thousands of IBEW journeymen and appren-tices are still out of work. Some have exhausted unemploy-ment benefits; others could soon.

Some unemployed journeymen and apprentices are now sug-gesting that they would be working today if only the Brotherhoodhadn’t agreed to negotiate alternate agreements and establish con-struction electrician and construction wireman classifications intheir jurisdictions.

I understand the distress that comes from being out of work,but blaming unemployment on the efforts of our Brotherhood toestablish job classifications to help us move into new sectors of theelectrical construction market is just plain self-defeating.

Our nation’s manufacturing-based economy—which providedthousands of big jobs for our members in steel mills and power

plants—has changed. In this boom and bust economy it’smore important than ever for our contractorsto challenge their nonunion competitors in the small commercial and residential markets that many ofour locals conceded years ago.

When our employers submit winning bids in those markets—using composite crews—we will gainmoremanhours, not just for CEs and CWs, but for journeymen and apprentices.

Can our alternate works agreements be abused? You bet they can. It takes strong local leaders andourmembers standing behind them to keep contractors honest.

Any new programwill have growing pains, but thosemembers who say that by negotiating alternateagreements, we are no better than the players in the nonunion sector of our trade are dead wrong. TheIBEW is the only organization that exists solely to better wages and conditions for everyone in our craft.

Organizing theworkgoeshand-in-handwith organizing newmembers. A videoposted on the IBEWWebsite showsunemployedmembers in Jacksonville, Fla. continuing to organize despite the economicdownturn.

A member commenting on the Jacksonville video on the IBEW’s Facebook page states the case aswell as I can: “When we have all of the electrical workers, or at least the biggest majority,” writes themember, “the contractors will have to come to us ... not because they want to, but because they haveto.” That brother gets it. �

I n t e r n a t i o n a l B r o t h e r h o o d o f E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r s

The Electrical Worker was the name of the first officialpublication of the National Brotherhood of ElectricalWorkers in 1893 (the NBEW became the IBEW in 1899 withthe expansion of the union into Canada). The name andformat of the publication have changed over the years.This newspaper is the official publication of the IBEW andseeks to capture the courage and spirit that motivated thefounders of the Brotherhood and continue to inspire theunion’s members today. The masthead of this newspaperis an adaptation of that of the first edition in 1893.

W hen the International Trade Commission found Chinaguilty of violating Section 421 of the Trade Act for swamp-ing the United States with cheap tires, threatening the

future of our domestic tire industry, President Obama was presentedwith the first major trade test of his administration.

Was his talk on the campaign trail about defending our existingtrade laws and standing up for American manufacturing for real orjust more Washington double talk?

Obama could have taken the easy route and let China continueto violate existing World Trade Organization rules by letting surgingimports put a major domestic industry out of business.

But he didn’t. Despite having more than enough on his legisla-tive plate already, Obama slapped a 35 percent tariff on Chinese tireimports, hopefully slowing the surge and giving some relief to embat-tled rubber workers who have seen their industry decline by almost 30 percent in the last five years.

Wedohave laws that, on paper at least, uphold amodicumof safeguards against unfair trade.Theprob-lem is that there hasbeen little political will to enforce them.WhenChinawas granted PermanentNormalizedTradeRelations in 2000,Section 421—the anti-surge provision—wasadded to theTradeAct to help convincecongressional representatives that free tradewithChinawouldn’t lead to amassivewave of cheap imports.

But the Bush administration turned down the ITC’s recommendation to invoke Section 421 fourtimes to counter such surges during his time in office.

Both the Chinese government and the dogmatic free-trade pundits in Washington are now predict-ing an immediate trade war in the wake of Obama’s decision. Fear-mongering and empty threats shouldhave no role in real discussions on how to make our trade laws work for everyone.

At least four other nations have already adopted similar restrictions on Chinese imports withoutany drastic impact on the world economy. Rules set up to help protect workers and companies fromunfair competition abroad should be taken seriously by lawmakers, and it’s refreshing to finally have apresident who’s willing to make the tough calls to do so. �

F R O M T H E O F F I C E R S

Lindell K. LeeInternational Secretary-Treasurer

Doing the Right Thing on Trade

Edwin D. HillInternational President

Tough Choices, Better Future

EXECUTIVEOFFICERS

Edwin D. HillInternational President

Lindell K. LeeInternationalSecretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONALEXECUTIVECOUNCIL

ChairmanRobert W. Pierson

First DistrictJoseph P. Calabro

Second DistrictMyles J. Calvey

Third DistrictJohn R. Clarke

Fourth DistrictWilliamW. Riley

Fifth DistrictStephen Schoemehl

Sixth DistrictGregory A. Lucero

Seventh DistrictPatrick Lavin

Eighth DistrictRick Dowling

INTERNATIONALVICEPRESIDENTS

First DistrictPhillip J. Flemming

Second DistrictFrank J. Carroll

Third DistrictDonald C. Siegel

Fourth DistrictSalvatore J. Chilia

Fifth DistrictJoe S. Davis

Sixth DistrictJoseph F. Lohman

Seventh DistrictJonathan B. Gardner

Eighth DistrictTed C. Jensen

Ninth DistrictMichael S. Mowrey

Tenth DistrictRobert P. Klein

Eleventh DistrictCurtis E. Henke

THEELECTRICALWORKER

EditorEdwin D. Hill

C. James Spellane

MarkBrueggenjohann

Mike Nugent

Malinda Brent

Len Shindel

Carol Fisher

Alex Hogan

Lucas Oswalt

James H. Jones

Len Turner



As FrankandMonicaMaherretire from the top two jobsat Poughkeepsie, N.Y.,Local 320 this fall, the hus-

band andwife leave behind aunionlegacy fewother couples canmatch.

Frank, 79, and Monica, 57, havebeen together for decades—amajoraccomplishment, of course. But it’stheir combined time in the IBEW thatreally impresses their union broth-ers and sisters. Together, they’vebeen involved with the Brotherhoodfor an amazing 95 years.

“We’ve done this as a team,”said Frank, from the couple’s homein New York’s Hudson River Valley.“But I always know who’s in charge.By day, I’m the boss. At home, shetakes over.”

After serving a tour of duty inthe Far East during the Korean con-flict, Frank started his union careerin 1953, working as a gas mechanicand shop steward at Central HudsonGas and Electric. By 1960, he waselected president and businessmanager of his local. He won thosetop posts again and again for thenext 49 years—a tenure that makeshim one of the longest-serving busi-ness managers in IBEW history.

He got to knowhis future wifeduring contract negotiations at a util-ity company.Monicaworked behindthe reception deskandwatched Frankcome in and out, jokingwith her eachtime he passed by.

Monica would later becomethe first IBEW woman to graduatewith a bachelor’s degree from thelabor studies program at AntiochUniversity. She served as presidentand business manager of the now-defunct Local 2218, until it mergedwith Local 320 in 1999.

The couple has been togetherat the helm of their hometown unionever since.

“They aremore than just amar-ried couple,” saidThird District VicePresident DonSiegel, who praises theMahers’ work and counts the coupleamong his friends. “They are also verygood partners in leading Local 320.”

Making it work has been a bal-ancing act for thismatchmade at theunion hall. Monica praises Frank for

his listening skills. “He’s the negotia-tor, and he loves to argue,” she said.Frank praises his wife for her atten-tion to detail. “She likes to write andread the fine print. It’s been the per-fect combination,” he said.

After nearly a century of com-bined service, the couple’s greatestreward comes from observing thelives of their friends and neighbors.

“Myhusband has helpedmakea huge difference in the quality ofpeople’s lives,”Monica said, referringto Frank’s years of negotiations bene-fiting local workers. “We see familiesthat can send their kids to college,men andwomenwho can retire withdignity and people who don’t have toworrywhen they go to the hospital.”

Frank, who made it through 19or 20 union elections (he lost countat some point), said his proudest

career accomplishment is simplythat he survived in a tough job allthose years. His wife is urging him tospend part of his retirement writinga book about his experiences in thelabor movement.

Both plan to keep paying theirdues to Local 320. “We’ve done it foralmost a hundred years, betweenthe two of us,” Monica laughs. “Whyquit now?”

Frank, facing physical chal-lenges, now uses a wheelchair to getaround. Still, he and Monica areplanning an ambitious road tripsoon, with stops in Florida, NewOrleans and Memphis. And, asusual, they’ll be doing it together.

“We’ve always been a team,”she said. “And so we thought, as ateam, we’ll just keep on going.” �

Lettersto the Editor

If you have a story to tell about your IBEW experience, please send it [email protected].

WhoWeAre

Cleaner, Safer Power for the FutureI have to disagree with Jakob Juntunen (The Electrical Worker, August 2009, Letters tothe Editor) on his letter “AMore Sustainable IBEW.”While I agree that the IBEW hastomove forward to survive, promoting clean coal and nuclear energy does exactlythat. Clean burning coal has come a long way from the Dodge Dart era. And as for thenuclear energy sector, nuclear is a very safe and cleanmanufacturer of energy.

Designs and safety havemade suchmonumental gains that nuclear energy is amajor supplier in other parts of theworld. Both of these industries havemade greatstrides. They’re safer, cleaner,more economical and—here is the kicker—a lot of IBEWjobs are created and kept intactwith these energy producers. I, for one, ama proudmember of the IBEW family and embrace all IBEWmembers and their livelihoods.

To call nuclear or coal outdated is like calling renewable energy and environ-mental issues futuristic ideas. This is not true. All energy produced by IBEWmem-bers is a union-produced commodity, and I ammore than happy to say that Ibelong to this organization.

Mark SchrackLocal 1096 member, Blairsville, Pa.

AProudSisterAfter readinga recent Local Linesarticle, aswell asanew revisionof anNJATCclassbook,I havebeen takenbackby thenewpolitical correctnessbeingdemonstrated inaneffortto notoffend thewomenof the IBEW.The“B” in IBEWstands forBrotherhood, and I amaproudsister in thisBrotherhood. I amnota journeypersonorwireperson, buta journey-manwireman in thisBrotherhood. Iworkedhard tobeasister in thisBrotherhoodandtakeoffense inbeing calledotherwise.Nodisrespect tomy fellowbrothersandsis-ters, butpleasekeepour traditions inplaceandnotallowa few to change thepath thatsomanypavedbeforewomenwereapart of this greatBrotherhood.

Theresa KingLocal 915 member, Tampa, Fla.

Kudos toN.Y. LocalI was hired by Verizon in Buffalo, New York as a service representative in April. Thiswas truly life-saving for me, because I had to leave my job as a service representa-tive in Los Angeles with AT&T to come home.

I want to thank the hard-working members of Syracuse, N.Y., Local 2213 fordoing such a superior job that the upper management chose to hire so many peo-ple in this economically hard-hit area of the state. If it wasn’t for their excellentwork and dedication to quality, I would still be looking for a job that paid me a liv-ing wage and benefits.

A heartfelt thank you to all the members of IBEW 2213.

Robert A. KnightLocal 2213 member, Syracuse, N.Y.

IBEWTradition InspiresArtistA very good friend of mine, Bob Heffelfinger, at age 75, took a course in art and oneof his first creations was this drawing of four generations of proud electricians—members of Aurora, Ill., Local 461. We represent many years of loyal service to theIBEW and hope we will see a fewmore generations follow in our footsteps.

Richard M. MusichLocal 461 retiree, Aurora, Ill.

“Power Couple”GivesNearlya Century ofService

Frank and Monica Maher say teamwork is the best way to build asuccessful union—and a great marriage.


Notice to Employees Covered by IBEWUnionSecurity Agreements:Fee PayersObjection Plan for 2010

Many collective bargaining agreementsbetween employers and the IBEW or its localunions include “union security” provisionsstating that employees must become andremain members of the union as a conditionof employment. The National Labor RelationsAct permits employers and unions to negoti-ate these clauses where they are not other-wise prohibited by state law. These provisionsare also permitted under the Railway LaborAct and under many state public employeebargaining laws. Under these laws, employ-ees may fulfill their “union security” obliga-tions either by joining the union and therebyenjoying the full rights and benefits of unionmembership, or by simply fulfilling theirfinancial obligations to the union.

Employees who elect to become agency feepayers—that is, who choose not to becomefull-fledged IBEWmembers—forfeit the rightto enjoy a number of benefits available onlyto union members. For example, only unionmembers are entitled to attend and partici-pate in union meetings; to run for union officeand to nominate and vote for candidates forunion office; to participate in contract ratifica-tion and strike votes; to participate in thedevelopment and formulation of IBEW poli-cies; to participate in the formulation of IBEWcollective bargaining demands; and to serveas delegates to the International Convention.

Agency fee payers are generally charged thesame dues and initiation fees uniformlyrequired of IBEWmembers. However, agencyfee payers who object to supporting certainunion activities may pay a reduced fee toensure that none of their money is used tosupport those activities. In particular, objec-

tors are charged only for activities or projectsthat are reasonably related to collective bar-gaining. Examples of such “chargeable” activ-ities are negotiating collective bargainingagreements; meeting with employer repre-sentatives; meeting with employees onemployment-related issues; participating inproceedings on behalf of workers under thegrievance procedure, including arbitration;and managing internal union affairs.

Among activities considered “noncharge-able,” which objectors are not required tosupport, are support of political candidates,general community service, legislative activi-ties, certain costs of affiliation with non-IBEWorganizations, and members-only benefits.

The IBEW Agency Fee Payers Objection Planestablishes the procedure for obtaining a feereduction and is set forth in full below. By wayof summary, the objection plan runs on a cal-endar year basis, and objectionsmust be filedannually. Current fee payers who wish to fileobjections for calendar year 2010must do soduring themonth of November 2009.Objectionsmust be addressed to theInternational Secretary-Treasurer, IBEW, 900Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001,andmust be postmarked during theNovember open period.

No special form is required to register anobjection. However, please include your fullname, your mailing address, the local unionto which you pay fees, your nonmember iden-tification number (if known), and your SocialSecurity number. In addition, if you move dur-ing the year, please advise the InternationalSecretary-Treasurer of your new address.

Dues and fees paid by employees covered byIBEW bargaining agreements consist of a por-tion payable to the local union and a portionthat is transferred to the International. DuringJanuary 2010, the International will mail acheck reflecting the reduction in theInternational’s portion of the fees to eachobjector who has filed a timely objection withthe International Secretary-Treasurer, alongwith a detailed explanation of the basis for thefee reduction. Also during January, the localunion that represents the objector will providehim or her with a reduction in its portion of thefees, either by sending a reduction check or byadjusting the amount of the objector’s peri-odic payments, and will provide informationexplaining the basis for its reduction.

Employees who become fee payers at othertimes during the year (either because they arenewly hired into the bargaining unit orbecause they resign from union membership)may file their objections for the balance of thecalendar year during the first 30 days inwhich they are required to pay agency fees.Objections must be addressed to theInternational Secretary-Treasurer, and mustbe postmarked during the 30 days after theemployee becomes obligated to pay agencyfees. The International and the applicablelocal union will provide the objector with hisor her reduction in fees for the balance of thecalendar year as soon as they are able to ver-ify the objector’s status.

The reductions are based on the percentage ofthe unions’ expenditures thatwere devoted to“chargeable” and “nonchargeable” activitiesduring the previous fiscal year, as definedabove. For example, the International deter-mined that during its 2008 fiscal year, 51.91%ofits expenditureswere for “chargeable” activi-ties and 49.09%of its expenditureswere for“nonchargeable” activities. The locals’ portionsvary, withmost local unions devoting between90 and 95 percent of their annual expendituresto “chargeable” activities. In no year has anyIBEW local union spent a smaller percentage ofits expenditures on “chargeable” activities thanthe International, although some of the localsuse the International’s percentage to calculatetheir own annual reduction—thereby givingobjectors a larger reduction than if the localsused their own figures.

The IBEW Agency Fee PayersObjection Plan

1. Nonmembers’ Right to Object.Any employee who is not a member of theIBEW and who pays agency fees to an IBEWlocal union (LU) pursuant to a collectively bar-gained union security provision in the UnitedStates has the right to object to expendituresof his or her fees for activities that are not rea-sonably related to collective bargaining. Forpurposes of this plan, such activities will bereferred to as “nonchargeable activities.” Theagency fees paid by a fee payer who perfectsan objection under the procedures set forthbelow will be reduced to reflect the expendi-tures of the LU and the IBEW that are used for“chargeable activities” (including, for exam-ple, negotiating and enforcing collective bar-gaining agreements, dealing with employerson employment-related concerns, and unionadministration).

2. Procedure for Filing Objections.Objectionsmust bemade annually and will beeffective for a single calendar year (January 1–

December 31). Notice of this plan will be pub-lished annually by the IBEW. Each fee payerwho wishes to file an objection must do so inwriting, addressed to the InternationalSecretary-Treasurer (IST) at the InternationalOffice of the IBEW, 900 Seventh Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20001. In registering theirobjections, objectors must include theirname and address, the LU to which they payfees, their nonmember identification number,if known, and their Social Security number.Objections must be post marked during themonth of November preceding the calendaryear for which the objection will be in effect,or during the first 30 days after an employeebecomes an agency fee payer (either by beinghired or transferred into the bargaining unit,or by resigning from union membership) andbecomes obligated to pay agency fees to anIBEW LU under a collective bargaining agree-ment. All objections must be renewed annu-ally, during the month of November.

3. Reduction in Agency Fees.The agency fees of nonmembers who filetimely objections will be reduced for the 12-month period beginning January 1 of the yearfor which they are registering their objections,and ending December 31 of that calendaryear. (Timely objections filed by employeeswho begin paying agency fees during thecourse of the year will be effective throughDecember 31 of that year). Unless advisedotherwise by their respective LUs, objectorswill be expected to remit the full amount offees charged by their respective LUs. No laterthan January 31 (or as soon as possible, in thecase of timely mid-year objections), both theInternational and the LU to which the objectorpays agency fees will mail to each objectorwho perfects his or her objection under thisplan a check reflecting the reduction in pay-ments to which he or she is entitled, or willotherwise advise the objectors how their pay-ments will be reduced.

Agency fees are composed of a portion for-warded to the International as per capita pay-ments, and a portion retained by the LU.When the IST receives timely objections, hewill forward the names of the objectors to theLUs to which they pay their agency fees. As setforth in greater detail below, the Internationalwill determine the percentage reduction to beapplied to the per capita portion of the objec-tor’s fees, and will issue checks reflecting thereduction in per capita payments to whichobjectors are entitled. In addition, each IBEWLU will establish its own procedure for deter-mining the reduction in its portion of theagency fees and for reducing the objectors’payments by the appropriate amounts.

4. Calculation of Reduction inPer Capita Payments.Before the beginning of the calendar year, theIST will calculate the International’s percapita reduction as follows: The IST will deter-mine the International’s total operatingexpenditures for all purposes during the pre-ceding fiscal year, the expenditures made foractivities that are chargeable to objectors,and the nonchargeable expenditures. The ISTwill then calculate the ratio of chargeable andnonchargeable expenditures to total expendi-tures. The International’s expenditures andcalculations will be verified by an independ-ent auditor.

5. Per Capita Reduction Check.No later than January 31 (or as soon as possi-

ble after receiving a timelymid-year objec-tion), the IST will mail each individual who hasfiled a timely objection a check representingthe reduction in per capita payments to whichhe or she is entitled for the entire calendaryear. The reduction checks will be accompa-nied by a description of themajor categoriesof expenditures, an explanation of how theamount of the reduction was determined andan explanation of the appeal procedure.

6. Appeal to Impartial Arbitrator.An objector who has filed a timely objectionand who believes that the per capita reduc-tion provided by the IST does not accuratelyreflect the International’s expenditures onchargeable activities may appeal to an inde-pendent arbitrator.

a. The appeal must be made in writing andmust be received in the office of the ISTwithin 30 days of the date on which the ISTmails the objector his or her per capitareduction check. The appeal shouldexplain the basis of the challenge.

b. The impartial arbitratorwill be appointedbytheAmericanArbitrationAssociation (AAA)through its Rules for Impartial Determinationof Union Fees, issued on June 1, 1986.

c. Such appeals will be consolidated to theextent practicable and heard as soon as theAAA can schedule the arbitration. The pres-entation to the arbitrator will be either inwriting or at a hearing, if requested by anyobjector(s). If a hearing is held, any objectorwho does not wish to attendmay submithis or her views in writing by the date of thehearing. If a hearing is not requested, thearbitrator will set a date bywhich all writtensubmissionsmust be received andwilldecide the case based on the records sub-mitted. The International will bear the bur-den of justifying its calculations.

d. The costs of the arbitrator’s services andany proceedings before the arbitrator willbe borne by the International. Individuallyincurred costs will be borne by the partyincurring them.

e. While the appeal is pending, the IST willhold in escrow a portion of the fees paidby objectors in an amount sufficient toinsure that the portion of the fee reason-ably in dispute will not be expended dur-ing the appeal procedure. In the event thatthe impartial arbitrator determines thatthe objectors are entitled to a greaterreduction in their fee payments than thatcalculated by the IST, additional checkswill be issued for the balance of the reduc-tion due, as determined by the arbitrator.

7. Appeals from Local Union FeeReductions.An objectorwho has filed a timely objectionandwho believes that the reduction providedby the LU towhich he or she pays agency feesdoes not accurately reflect the LU’s expendi-tures on chargeable activitiesmay appealthrough procedures established by the LU. Anobjector challenging both the International’sand the LU’s reductionsmust appeal throughthe procedure specified in paragraph 6.a.,except that the appealmust be received in theoffice of the ISTwithin 30 days of (a) the date onwhich the Internationalmailed the objector theper capita reduction or (b) the date onwhichthe LUmailed its reduction,whichever is later.�

the electrical worker october 2009

Documents