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April 2003 IBEW Journal L.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS, MN A dinner was held to honor our recent JATC apprentice graduates, and around 100 brothers and sisters received certificates validating their apprenticeship completion. We wish them all the best in their careers. JATC Director Tony Maghrak does a great job, along with his staff of Bob Loscheider, David Long, Paul Holum, Paul Krmpotich, Steve Kullander, Don Chap, Richard Jennum, Todd Leadens, Karen Diers, Linda Legler, Holly Lindholm and Chris Miller. The retirees, childrens and the members holiday parties were all well attended. A special thanks to the following members who helped: Keith LeClair, Jason Guiney, Sean Hickey, Rob Morrison, Tim Swenson, Chuck Berger, Hap Pretzel, Charlie Ryan, Gary Sandberg, Mike Richard, John Hall, Dustin Hall, Mark Nelson, Scott Nystrom, Kenneth Viken, Dennis Blanchard, Gene Oliva, Don Chlan, Tony Lobash, Rodger Kretman, Jim Marold, Van Welke, Dan Ferguson, Tom Cherioli, Steve Claypatch, Cody Jackson, Larry MacDonald, Devin Ferguson, Eric Hoag, Shayla Ferguson, Paul Krmpotich and Doug Moschogianis. Work is very slow here, with around 500 members on the bench. Chuck Gleason, P.S. L.U. 294 (ees,em,i,rts,spa&u), HIBBING, MN The work situation and economy in Northern Minnesota continues to be very bleak, with major layoffs at Blandin Paper Corp. in Grand Rapids. Retired Bro. Don Brown, 75, has been swimming since high school and has been competing with the Minnesota Masters Swimming Organization for seven years. Bro. Don won three medals at the Masters World Championships held this past March in New Zealand that drew over 2,300 athletes worldwide. Bro. Don currently swims four times a week at the local YMCA. Bro. Don has collected several gold medals from Minnesota competitions and will compete in the 18th annual Long Course State Championships on August 11 at the University of Minneapolis. The Masters World Championships in Rome, Italy, are in Bro. Dons future plans. Local 294 proudly congratulates and wishes the best of luck to a fine union brother and athlete. Please buy American made because you are one. God bless America. Dan Aho, P.S. L.U. 300 (govt,i,mt&u), MONTPELLIER, VT At this writing in early February, we have picked up a few small jobs and our contractors are hoping to pick up more. We all hope that newly elected Gov. Jim Douglas and his legislative staff will find more ways to bring economic prosperity to an ailing Vermont. Congratulations to Ludlow town employees on their new three-year agreement. Unit 7 will be starting negotiations in May. Leigh A. Girouard, R.S. L.U. 306 (i), AKRON, OH Service awards were presented to a distinguished group of brothers at our December 2002 meeting. Present to accept their awards were 55-year recipients Russell "Beanie" L. Beahn and Howard D. Wood and 50-year recipients Milo Ball, Robert Biehl, Charles Bindel, George Csanyi, Joe Duncan, Laverne Dutt, Duane Ganyard, William Henninger, Jr., Samuel W. Oaks, Jr., Robert Trettel and Daniel Vaughan. Twenty-five year watches were presented to Don Burt, Lawrence Chavis, Thomas Deshon, Richard Jones, James Pittman and Jimmie Whitfield. The 810 collective years of service gave every brother and sister in attendance a new goal to ponder. Training Dir. Paul Zimmerman reports completion of a successful fall journeyman-training program. At this writing, the winter program is in full swing, and we are reminded under the terms of our new agreements, "It pays to learn." Our Social Committee is working hard to make this dreary winter pass quickly. Take time to enjoy the fruits of their labor on your behalf. We mourn the passing of retired Bros. Russell Workman and Robert L. Heidish. Remember to check your smoke and CO detectors; your family is counting on you. Bob Sallaz, V.P./P.S. L.U. 332 (c,ees,i,o&st), SAN JOSE, CA The Electrical Training Center is offering many classes for journeymen and apprentices to keep up with the advances in our industry. Training Directors Ed Murphy and Don Dixon tell us that there are new classes in LANWORKS, HVAC controls, photovoltaics, BICSI, computers, PLCs and many more. There are whole segments of the industry that our contractors dont bid now, but might if our members were prepared. Classes for the California State Certification test are also offered every Saturday morning on a drop-in basis. Dont wait until near the deadline to prepare for the test. Work is very slow in the local after quite a few years of more work than we could man. If you were able to work in our local during the good times and now have work in yours, let us know. With the current situation in the economy and foreign affairs, the importance of being engaged in the political process cannot be emphasized enough. Unions play an important role in shaping the debate. Let your voice be heard. President Lyndon Johnson had it right when in 1965 he said, "The AFL-CIO has done more good for more people than any group in America in its legislative efforts. It doesnt just try to do something about wages and hours for its own people. No group in the country works harder in the interests of everyone." Alan L. Wieteska, P.S.
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