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March 2004 IBEW Journal
L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i, mt,rts,s,se,spa,st&ws), ST. LOUIS, MOOn Dec. 15, 2003, U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt (MO), then-Democratic presidential hopeful, appeared at the Local 1 union hall for a rally. Hundreds of Local 1 members and other union members came out to show their support. November elections are critical. Volunteers are always needed to work the polls, handbill, etc. Get involved! Please be advised of the following member deaths: Henry Erder, Larry Miller, Pete Frisella, Walter Lubbers, Nick Patredis, Henry Koerber, Donald Vogel, Raymond Goss, Lonie Neely, William Hoppe, William Harding, Lonnie Duncan, Bernard Lorson, Bessie Boyd, Frederic Drake Jr., Frank Tripodi, Robert Gray, Earl Sowell, Robert Weissflug, Paul Cummmings, Henry Ayres, Robert Roesch, James Wilkson, James Militzer, James Bardot, John Burke, Billly Creason, John Laubersheimer, Samuel Nixon, Joseph Baccala, Ken Schwent, Andy Fahrenkrog, Marion Sauer, Clyde Buff, Louis Tacchi, Janet Nash, John Hilsman, John Hirschbuehler, David Wright, Michael Clarkson, Stanley Antonich, Erwin Telthorst, William Davault, Carol Myrick, Nelson Moses and Marion Conrey. Matthew Gober, P.S. L.U. 15 (u), DOWNERS GROVE, ILOn Dec. 12, 2003, the membership on the Exelon properties overwhelmingly ratified a two-year extension to their collective bargaining agreements. The ratification vote extended the contract and the voluntary separation plan until Sept. 30, 2007, for Exelon Nuclear employees; and until Sept.30, 2008, for the ComEd Energy Delivery and the Business Service Company employees. The current health benefits coverage and the pension plan is extended until Sept. 30, 2008. Our members at Midwest Generation are busy as they prepare the units for the upcoming summer months. On the political front, primary elections across the country are leading up to Election Day in November. It is essential that every union member get involved politicallyregister to vote and then exercise that right! Attacks on organized labor during President Bushs four-year term make clear the need to elect a president and members of Congress who believe the American worker is a valuable asset and not a throwaway liability. It can be done, but only with your help. Elect labor-friendly candidates; defeat your enemies! Ronald V. Welte, P.S. L.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MIWhen deregulation of the electric industry was initially proposed, the IBEW and Local 17 were vehemently opposed to the concept because we felt it would bankrupt utilities and jeopardize the safety and reliability of the systems. Until August 14, 2003, most people in this state gave little thought as to how electric utilities were connected. As Pres. Bush addressed the nation that evening, it was apparent that even he had realized that the way the electric utility system is interconnected is important. Thanks for noticing. With the situation that faces DTE Energy, we should take an approach that: advocates repeal of PA141, stresses that deregulation is bad (and we tried to tell you so), and promotes re-regulation as a solution. In this presidential election year, theres a lot at stake for union members and their families. Register and exercise your right to vote. Support candidates sympathetic to the cause of working people. With sadness we report the loss of brothers James T. Washam, John Eberhardt, James D. Casey, Harold E. Stephens Jr. and William M. Wildman. Bob Eckhout, P.S. L.U. 21 (catv,govt&t), DOWNERS GROVE, ILPres./Bus. Mgr. Ron Kastner continues to prepare the membership for several battles Local 21 will face in the months ahead. With the 2004 elections right around the corner, increased member education and COPE deductions will help us all show Bush the door in 2004. Mobilization, education and communications are the keys to success in maintaining and improving conditions at SBC. The current agreement expires June 26, 2004, and the company has made it clear that cost cutting and gaining investors drives the decision making at SBC, not the concerns of the employees or the customers we serve. At the end of December 2003, SBC notified tens of thousands of retirees that they would have to share costs on health care in 2005 and beyond. Speaking of retirees, Local 21 is helping union retirees form the new Local 21 Retirees Club. By joining hands with our retired members, we can present a stronger, more unified front at SBC, Comcast and other employers doing battle with both working and retired families in our jurisdiction and across our country. In organizing news, just as 2003 ended, 18 workers at SBC DataCom in Itasca, IL, successfully organized for Local 21 representation and collective bargaining rights under a card-check agreement negotiated with the company. A hearty welcome goes out to these new brothers and sisters. Solidarity! Thomas Hopper, P.S.
L.U. 35 (i), HARTFORD, CTCongratulations to our graduating Apprentice Class of 2003. The IBEW apprenticeship program produces the most highly trained electricians in the industry. During their apprenticeship, this gradating class has been exposed to the ups and downs of the vicious economic cycle we all know too well. We work in an industry that is driven by the economy. The poor economic conditions over the past few years have forced many of our members out of work. The Bush administration has destroyed the worlds most powerful economy, along with the lives of over 2 million people in this country who are unemployed at this time. This president has catered to the interests of big business at the expense of working families, and will continue to do so if re-elected. We do not want to see what the results of four more years of anti-worker polices of this administration will do to unions. We must join together and vote this president out of office. President Bush is a union buster! John Sardo, Pres. |
