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May 2004 IBEW Journal L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i, mt,rts,s,se,spa,st&ws), ST. LOUIS, MOIt is with a heavy heart that Local 1 announces the passing of retired Bro. Matthew ONeill. During his 48-year membership as a journeyman wireman, Bro. ONeill served our local in numerous capacities, including recording secretary, vice president and president. Along the way, Bro. ONeill served as a Local 1 representative on the St. Louis Labor Council for 29 years, and served the citizens of Missouri for six terms as a state representative (66th District). Bro. ONeills contributions, dedication and hard work for the good of IBEW Local 1 will never be forgotten. Please be advised of the following member deaths: Michael Clarkson, Stanley Antonich, Erwin Telthorst, William Davault, Carol Myrick, Nelson Moses, Marion Conrey, Ben Mazzola, Ronald Burrows, Norman Thaller, Ronald Koch, Joseph Spiller, Albert Bokermann, William Motsinger, Charles Keen, Emil Singler, Fred Schoemehl Jr., Russell Whitworth Sr., Henry Wischmeyer, James Mathews, Louis Easley, Fred DeLarber, George Finazzo, Henry Schermann, James Reed, Henry Bolte, Dave Hartwig, Earl Trumbull, Paul Pietrowski, Vincent Rivet, Clifford Burnham, Robert Leahy, John Calabrese, Harold Sprick, Jerry Campbell, Herbert Holtzmann, Roy Clark, Edward Harlow, Matthew ONeill. Local 1 extends condolences to the families of our departed brothers and sisters. Matthew Gober, P.S. L.U. 15 (u), DOWNERS GROVE, ILMembers at Kincaid Power Station, located southeast of Springfield, are proud of their latest accomplishment: The Kincaid Station was selected as Power Plant of the Year for 2003 by the Powder River Basin Coal Users Group. The award was presented March 30 at the 2004 Electric Power Conference in Baltimore. Local 15 Chief Stewards Russell Moore and Mark Podeschi attended the conference representing the Local 15 members at the plant. This marks the second time the station, owned by Dominion Energy, has won the award. In the weeks following the 2003 blackout in the Ohio River Valley/New England states, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich created a task force to study electric reliability in Illinois. Local 15 Bus. Mgr. Robert Joyce met Feb. 17 with Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who led the task force, to outline ComEds aging workforce, lack of training and construction schools, layoffs, excessive overtime and a mapping system as a disaster waiting to happen. Lt. Gov. Quinn reportedly promised that the IBEW would be involved in guaranteeing that electric ratepayers get what they are paying for in Illinois. Register to VOTEDo it now! Elect our friends; defeat our enemies. Ronald V. Welte, P.S. L.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MIEnergy deregulation. For many the term itself is like a bolt of lightningweve seen the brownouts, the blackouts and Californias electric power debacle, which jeopardized the viability of utilities and brought consumers much higher electric bills. A coalition called CLEAR (Citizens for Long-Term Energy Affordability and Reliability) has asked the legislature to fix PA141 in an attempt to make electric choice work for all of Michigan. The union urges members and their families to join this coalition. Michigan is heading into a dangerous time both economically and politically. The Big Brawl is coming. DTE Energy recently announced the successful bidders for the outside construction work for the next three years: Hydaker-Wheatlake, Energy Group, N.G. Gilbert and Asplundh Construction. DTE Energy also announced the companies selected to perform line clearance work for the remainder of the year: Energy Group, Asplundh Tree Expert Company and Davey Tree. The union welcomes Davey Tree back. Members at Thumb Electric Cooperative recently completed six consecutive years with no lost-time accidents. Members on the line construction agreement logged over 1 million man-hours with 2.7 recordable injury accidents. Utility members also had achieved an excellent safety record. With sadness we report the loss of Bros. Don Fogle, Donald Bevan, David Frenette, James Washam and Lewis Gardner. Our condolences. Bob Eckhout, P.S. L.U. 21 (catv,govt&t), DOWNERS GROVE, ILNegotiations continue for almost 12,000 members at SBC. Our current agreement expires June 26, 2004. Local 21 members are mobilized and participating in collective actions geared toward supporting the bargaining team and moving the talks in the right direction. Major issues include job security, contracting out of bargaining unit work, pension protection and the shifting of health care benefit costs. SBCs profits continue to increase, worker productivity is up and profits per wire line employee have skyrocketed by 19.8 percent since 2001. We must stand strong and hold the line on concessionary talks. Volunteer organizers and activists are keeping the heat on Comcast and exposing its union-busting strategy. Despite prolonged contract negotiations that have in some units continued for over five years, members beat back a recent company driven campaign to decertify the group. Hats off to the brothers and sisters working at Comcast. Their voice was heard loud and clear. Also, we are glad to report that the national AFL-CIO has launched a strategic long-term campaign to all Comcast workers. Local 21 congratulates Sister Martha Pultar on her recent appointment as director of the IBEW Telecommunications Department. Thomas Hopper, P.S. L.U. 25 (catv,i,o&rts), LONG ISLAND, NYOur 34th Long Island IBEW Softball Tournament will be held at Baldwin Park, Long Island, NY, on Aug. 27, 28 and 29. We are looking for teams to join this exciting tournament hosted by IBEW Locals 3, 25, 1049 and 1381. If your local is interested in playing in the August softball tournament, please contact the presidents office at Local 25 at (631) 273-4567 Ext. 241. Rich Kammarada, P.S. |