The Electrical Worker July 2011

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

Comcast has a well-earned repu-tation as one of the most anti-union companies in thetelecommunications industry.

“It is the Walmart of the cable andtelecommunications industry,” saysDowners Grove, Ill., Local 21 BusinessManager Ronald Kastner, who has beentrying to organize the cable provider in theChicago area for years. “There isn’t muchthey won’t do to keep unions out.”

But last spring, a group of Comcastworkers in New Jersey successfully took onthe company’s hard-line opposition tounions, winning a small, but key victory.

In May, more than 75 employees atComcast’s Fairfield, N.J., facility made his-tory when they ratified their first contractwith the company. The new members ofEast Windsor Local 827 are the first everpreviously unorganized Comcast workersto join a union.

“This is a company that is willing tospend millions to fight a union contractthat might cost them $10,000,” saysTelecommunications and BroadcastingDepartment International RepresentativeKevin Curran. “To finally win one after somany years is a huge boost.”

The historic victory was the culmina-tion of an eight-year organizing campaign.“The company had tried everything to keepthe union out and it was pretty successfuluntil now,” says Local 827 BusinessManager William Huber.

Employees complained of having no job secu-rity or regular pay raise schedules. “It is the way

most of the company works,” Huber says. “If yourboss likes you, you are just fine, but if he doesn’t, itcould mean your job.”

It is no surprise then,Huber says, that the 11employees who did notreceive raises last yearwere the strongest unionsupporters.

But the breakthroughby employees in New Jerseyremains a unique victory ata company known for doing

anything to stay union free. In Chicago,workers at Comcast’s South Side facilitynarrowly lost a hard-fought election to joinLocal 21 by only 13 votes in June.

“It was a battle from day one,” saysLocal 21 organizer Dave Webster. “The com-pany used fear to tip the vote.”

He saysmanagement used every anti-union tactic there is—from daily captiveaudiencemeetings to public threats toslash bonuses and wages. “They toldemployees that Comcast would never agreeto a union contract.”

They also attacked the IBEW, singlingoutWebster for “excessive” pay. It’s astrange argument, Webster says, from acompany that gave its chief executive BrianRoberts $31million last year.

“Roberts is one of the 10 highest paidCEOs in the country, and theywant to arguethat Imake toomuchmoney?”Webster says.

The campaigns inNew Jersey andChicagohave been carefullywatchedbyunion activistswho are concerned thatComcast’s anti-worker businessmodel isincreasingly setting the bar forwages andworking conditions across the telecommuni-cations industry.

“The reality is that low wages, lowbenefits and punishing work schedules atComcast drag down standards for every-one,” Webster says.

Race to theBottomBefore the rise of wireless and cable, the telecommu-nications industry had traditionally been a bastion ofunionism. Even after the breakup of the Bell Systemin 1984, unions remained strong, givingmost work-ers higher-than-average wages, a solid retirement,strong health benefits and firm job security.

A 2004 American Rights at Work report—“NoBargain: Comcast and the Future of Workers’ Rightsin Telecommunications”—found that union techni-cians earn 7 to 10 percent more than their nonunion

I N T H I S I S S U E

F IRST PUBL I SHED IN 1893

Printed in the USA 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. 5 | No. 7 | July 2011

COMCAST continued on page 2

TAKINGONTHE ‘WALMARTOFCABLE’:

IBEWStepsUpOrganizing at Comcast2 | IBEW video wins contest

3 | Barriers to a greener grid

4 | Amtrak privatization proposed

Ore. members win small works

5 | Recovery pact wins N.C. data centerproject

Gearing up for Verizon bargaining

6 | Big 3 surge benefits IBEW members

A path to IBEW apprenticeship

7 | North of 49°

8 | Circuits

Transitions

10 | Local Lines

18 | Editorials

19 | Letters to the Editor

Who We Are

20 | In Memoriam

Go “Green!”with our e-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!

Please recycle this newspaper.

Union activists worry that Comcast’s low-road workers’ rightsmodel will spread throughout the telecommunications industry.

2 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r | J u l y 2 0 1 1

IBEWStepsUpOrganizing at Comcast

Continued from page 1

counterparts. Cable workers, who aremostly nonunion, are even worse off,earning more than a $13,000 a year lessthan their landline counterparts, whilehaving a job turnover rate that is morethan twice as high.

Today more than 60 percent oflandline telecommunications employeesare union, but increasing competitionfrom nonunion wireless carriers andcable companies like Comcast—whichhas a union density of only 2 percent—isputting pressure on traditional telecoms.

In addition to being the largestcable and home Internet provider in theUnitedStates, it is now the third largesthome telephone provider as triple servicepackages (cable, Internet and phone) dis-place traditional landline connections.

Huber, who is preparing for negoti-ations with Verizon over its East Coastcontract, says the company repeatedlypoints to wages and benefits at Comcastas a reason for pushing cutbacks. “Theytell us that they can’t compete withComcast,” he says.

Carrot andStickCable saw its initial growth in the early’80s just as the assault on private sectorunionism was gathering steam, andComcast has made keeping its workforce union free a top priority.

Managers have resorted to a host ofunion-bustingmaneuvers to keep it thatway—fromdividing thework force by buy-ing off employees through bonuses andpromotions to intimidating union support-ers through unfair disciplinary actions andillegal terminations.

“In preparing this report, weencountered numerous Comcastemployees with strong feelings aboutthe company’s treatment of union mem-

bers and supporters, who insisted onremaining anonymous out of fear thatthey would lose their jobs,” write theauthors of “No Bargain.”

And while management is willingto dole out extra bonuses during anorganizing drive, Comcast is quick totake them back as soon as the campaignends. As current AT&T employee SamJohnson, who tried to organize hisComcast unit, put it: “When the organiz-ing stops, so do the perks.”

Comcast has also been successfulat throwing out contracts at newlyacquired unionized companies by refus-ing to bargain in good faith and singlingout pro-union employees for harass-ment, transfers and layoffs. At one for-mer AT&T Broadband facility, thecompany fought Local 21 for seven yearsbefore employees forced Comcast torenew their contract. (See “Seven YearStruggle Yields Contract at Comcast inIllinois”, IBEW Journal, June 2006)

While the former AT&T workerswere able to squeak out a victory, theyhave been the exception. Starting withseven Comcast units in the early 2000s,Local 21 is now down to only two.

FightingBackComcast’s hostility to unions is pushingorganizers to find new ways to buildpublic pressure on the company.

In Massachusetts, employees atComcast’s Fall River facility, dissatisfiedover unfair disciplinary procedures,signed cards to join Middleboro Local2322 last year. But instead of proceedingstraight to a National Labor RelationsBoard election, which could expose pro-union workers to harassment by man-agement, the two dozen techniciansapproached community leaders and

elected officials to help prove beyond ashadow of a doubt that they had astrong majority behind them.

“We have to build up enough pres-sure,” says International Organizer SteveSmith. “We had to make the processopen and public.”

Local 2322 invited leading lawmak-ers, such asU.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, FallRiverMayorWilliam Flanagan and Jobswith Justice activist KimWilson, to publiclycheck the list of Comcast employeesagainst signed union authorization cards.

Lynch and Flanagan then wroteComcast asking them to “respect theemployee majority and voluntarily recog-nize Local 2322 as their representative.”Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Jim McGovernalso publically called on Comcast to rec-ognize the union.

Management continues to refuseto negotiate but Local 2322 is still keep-ing up the pressure, publishing amonthly newsletter directed at Comcastworkers. And in April, Fall River servicetechnician and pro-union activistChristine Dexter attended a WhiteHouse forum sponsored by the LaborDepartment, where she explained whyshe and her co-workers were fighting forthe right to organize.

“Wewant to sit downwith [Comcast]and begin to collectively bargain for thethingswe thinka union can help uswith,”she told the gathering. “Like job securityand a voice in theworkplace.”

“The fight to keep good jobs intelecommunications starts at Comcast,”says Telecommunications andBroadcasting Department DirectorMartha Pultar. “Comcast’s low roadmodel of worker relations could easilybecome the template for the entireindustry unless employees and commu-nity leaders stand up.” �

Workers at Comcast’s Fairfield, N.J., facility signed their first-ever contract with the company in May. Standing from leftare Edgardo Negron, Heath Lamont Stephen and Guillermo Acevedo, with Local 827 negotiator Dennis Slaman andBusiness Agent Georgeanne Scarpelli. Sitting from left are Comcast’s vice president for labor relations, Patrick Battel;Local 827 Business ManagerWilliam Huber; and Comcast’s labor relations director, Russell Cook.

IBEWShort NamedVideo of the Year

IBEW-produced video “WorkplaceDemocracy:CorporateStyle” is thewinner of LabourStart’s secondannual labor video of the year contest.

More than 3,000 votes werecast online for the five finalists, whichwere nominated by a panel of judges.

With the story of Max, the workerwho gets dragged into a meeting with hisbosses after trying to organize a union,the video sheds light on what really happens in organizing campaigns.

“We wanted to show how little power an individual worker has when hisemployer and the forces of wealth are arrayed against him,” says Media DepartmentDirector Jim Spellane, who wrote the screenplay. “Many companies in the UnitedStates have gone to extremes in their efforts to squash workers’ efforts to organize,and we wanted to shine a light on that.”

Produced in-house by the IBEW’s own video team and cast with union actors,the video has been viewed more than 10,000 times on YouTube, and was featured onWeb sites like Daily Kos, the AFL-CIO Blog and the Huffington Post.

“The most important thing is the story the video is trying to tell, and if thishonor results in a greater number of people seeing our video then that’s even better,”says Media Department International Representative Mark Brueggenjohann.

And the research backs up the basic facts of the drama as portrayed by theearnest Max, faced down first by a mean-looking company henchman and then men-aced by the corporate suits who control his destiny. According to Cornell University’sKate Bronfenbrenner, more than 50 percent of all workers who attempt to organizeare threatened by their bosses, while more than 70 percent of managers bring in out-side anti-union consultants—the kind depicted in “Workplace Democracy.”

YouTube user abrinker commented that “this does happen. Maybe not with dra-matic actors, but this has happened to me.”

Go to www.youtube.com/theElectricalWorker to watch the video. �

An actor in the IBEW’s populardramatic video

T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r | J u l y 2 0 1 1 3


AGreener Grid? NotWithout EminentDomainLaws, IBEWSays

J im Dahlberg likes what he seeseach morning when he steps out ofhis front door in South Range, Wis.,and heads to work: a sinewy sec-

tion of high-voltage transmission cableschanneling power across his communityin the state’s northwest and along toWausau, 200 miles southeast.

It might not be the most aestheti-cally pleasing structure, the SixthDistrict International Representativeconcedes. “Some people don’t like look-ing at them, but we’ve got to have lineslike this to move power from where it’sgenerated to where it’s needed.”

This line—the ArrowheadWestonline—that runs through Dahlberg’sneighborhood transports a mix of energy,including wind and hydroelectric, fromMinnesota andManitoba to customers inthe Badger State. Costing more than $135million, the project employed about 400area IBEWmembers during its construc-tion three years ago.

As a project that brings clean powerto customers hundreds ofmiles fromwhere it’s produced, and as a source ofsolid jobs, ArrowheadWeston is a dualvictory championed by both green energysupporters and union leaders.

But elsewhere in the nation, fric-tion persists. The irony, Dahlberg says,comes from some in the environmentalcommunity who are celebrating renew-able sources of energy—especially windand solar—but who oppose large con-struction projects to expand transmis-sion lines to carry such power.

This is why labor leaders areencouraging local and state legislaturesto adopt eminent domain laws giving gov-ernments greater ability to approve theconstruction of transmission lines to fur-ther connect the nationwide power grid.

Eminent domain laws allow local,state or federal government to acquireprivate property for public use. In theprocess, governments are required topay just compensation—or what theproperty is worth—to the landowner.

“You’ve heard of NIMBYs—peoplewho say, ‘Not inmy backyard,’” Dahlbergsaid. “I guess you could call me an IMFY—‘Inmy front yard.’ We have to do this if wewant to be serious about going greenerwith our power, and the only way that canhappen is with eminent domain.”

The nation’s electrical grid networkis both aging and underdeveloped.Some sections are nearly six decadesold and weren’t designed to carry mas-sive loads of power over long distances.This creates energy backlogs that arehampering the development of thegreen sector at a time when our nationincreasingly needs more renewablepower. With more eminent domain laws

on the books, labor leaders say, theindustry will be better primed to helpmeet the energy demands of the future.

AReal Alternative?Wind energy is themost economicallyviable renewable resource. And thebreezy expanses in areas like the Dakotasand Kansas could produce enough powerthat—if properly harnessed—could helpmeet the Obama administration’sman-dated energy standard of 80 percent ofthe country’s electricity coming from cleansources by 2035.

The 2005 energy bill directed theDepartment of Energy to conduct studiesto develop so called “energy corri-dors”—areas rich enough in wind activ-ity to make construction of turbinescost-effective and beneficial to thenation’s power infrastructure.

“But there’s not adequate trans-mission yet to transport the power, andevery step of the way there’s opposi-tion,” said IBEW Utility DepartmentDirector Jim Hunter.

As a prime example, he citesPennsylvania—which inhabits a large sec-tion of thewind energy corridor—wheresomestate and local politicianshave resis-ted efforts to build transmission lines.

Additional feedback frommany inthe environmental community shows“excitement that there’s supposedly goingto be all these new green jobs,” Huntersaid. “But there are no green jobs inwindif we don’t have transmission to transportenergy and connect it to the grid.”

Legal Clouds inBigSkyCountryChuckDixon andDan Flynn know all toowell how lackof these laws can tie upmajor projects intended to bring power—especially renewables—to energy-hungryareas. The Butte,Mont., Local 44 businessmanager and the assistant businessagent, aswell as theirmembers, havebeen eyeing a $215million project calledtheMontana-AlbertaTie Line for years.Stretchingmore than 200miles, the linewill connect electricitymarkets fromGreatFalls to those north of theCanadian bor-der, providing a potential boon for thestate’s wind energy developers and pro-viding jobs for localmembers.

Last December, a court ruling by ajudge in Glacier County struck down emi-nent domain for transmission projects,threatening the line.

But a bill passed lastmonth by theMontana state legislature stated that util-ities do have the right of eminent domainin transmission projects, a developmentindicating that legal skirmishes could stillcloud the landscape in the near future.

In a recent op-ed in the HelenaIndependent Record, Flynn and ChuckMagraw—an attorney representing thestate’s Natural Resources DefenseCouncil—outlined their support for emi-nent domain law.

“Transmission lines and associatedrenewable energy developmentmeanjobs—good jobs, like linemen, electri-cians, engineers, and construction work-ers—here inMontana,” they write.“Investment and job growth lead tomoreinvestment and employment opportuni-

ties, producing evermore economicbene-fits and providingmuch needed tax rev-enue to local and state governments.Developing a clean energy economy isvitally important forMontana’s future.”

GoldenStateGridlockGov. Jerry Brown signed legislation inApril giving his state the most “aggres-sive alternative energy mandate in theU.S.,” the Huffington Post reported.

The law gives California’s utilitiesand electricity providers nine years toensure that a third of the state’s energycomes from renewable resources.

Paradoxically, project after project tohelp increase the flowof greenpowerhasbeen stymiedbyspecial interests, includ-ing some in the environmental community.

A prime example is a $1.8 billion,118-mile transmission line project tobring solar energy from Imperial Countyto customers in neighboring San Diego,the eighth largest city in the U.S. Thoughplans have been in the works since2005, workers, including Diamond BarLocal 47 members, are just now break-ing ground. But the project is encounter-ing more challenges along the way.

“So farwe’ve had to go around a lotof protected land—which hasdriven up theprice—and right now, it’s bird egg layingseason,” said Local 47BusinessManagerPat Lavin. “Thatmeans the foliage can’t bedisturbed. And it putsmany constraints onconstructing the line.”

The projectwas launchedwith amulti-billion dollar project labor agree-ment giving 95 percent of thework to Local47members. “Whenwe get it up and run-

ning, it’s going to employ at least 350hands for three years,” said Lavin, who isalsoSeventh District IECmember.

The projected line is anything butstraight, weaving around a state park,dipping underground for six miles andavoiding protected habitats for nativewildlife like birds, turtles and mice.

“We’re going to be jumping aroundthis place trying to get the line built,”Lavin said, explaining that helicopterswillfly in sections of transmission towers in afashion usually reserved formoremoun-tainous terrain. “All of thesemodificationsand changes are just going to spike theconstruction costs, andCalifornia’s citi-zens are going to shoulder the burden.”

Lavin has testified at hearingsalong with representatives from projectdeveloper San Diego Gas & Electric to tryto encourage lawmakers to grant author-ity for building future sections of the linethat—to date—are in legal limbo.

“When those birds’ eggs hatch,” hesaid, “we’ll havework.Until then,wewait.”

GreeningTechnologyWith transmission expansion comemany things: less dependence on fossilfuels, increased opportunities for growthin the wind, solar and hydroelectricindustries, and reduced carbon outputsthat threaten the environment.

“And there’s absolutely every rea-son that we should enjoy those things,while at the same time promoting jobgrowth,” said Hunter, the IBEW UtilityDepartment director.

A recent report by a group studyingthe national grid backs this up. TheWorking Group for Investment in Reliableand Economic Electric Systems—orWIRES—released findings in May thatsuggest grid expansion will create hun-dreds of thousands of jobs.

“A truly 21st century electric trans-mission grid represents a major poten-tial source of job creation over andabove the long-term economic and relia-bility benefits of a more robust grid,” theauthors of the report write. In theirstudy, they estimate that transmissionexpansion to harvest renewable energycould add 130,000 to a quarter-millionfull-time jobs in the U.S., and as manyas 50,000 careers in Canada annually.

All this, Hunter said, is a gras-pable reality for the thousands of unionmembers eager for work in the growinggreen sector.

“Butweneed to keep the pressureon lawmakers to support eminentdomainto ensure these projects get from thedraw-ing board to completion—so the cleanerenergy generation of the future goeshand-in-handwithwell-paying jobs,” he said. �

More than 400 IBEWmembers helped construct the massive Arrowhead-Weston transmission line, which connectsenergy markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Manitoba.

Photo©

American

Tran

smission

Co.A

llrig

htsrese

rved

.


When the Daily Journal ofCommerce reported onPortland, Ore., Local 48’sefforts to increase electri-

cal constructionmarket share on smallcommercial jobs like gas stations, restau-rants and stores, Local 48 BusinessManager Clif Davis told the paper, “I’mnot going to sit here and lie and say I did-n’t get push-back from themembers.”But, explained Davis, “I don’t like failureasmuch as the next person. In this busi-ness, you’ve got to take calculated risks.”

Those risks are paying off as Local48 journeyman inside wiremen, appren-tices and workers in the new classifica-tion of construction electrician aregaining work on projects for Starbucks,Target and Ruth’s Chris steakhouse.

Member Chad Campbell, a journey-man wireman foreman, had his doubtsabout Local 48’s “Market AdvancementInitiative.” When his employer, StonerElectric, picked up work on a localStarbucks, he thoughtmarket recoveryfunds would be used to subsidize thepay of workers assigned to the new jobtitle of construction electrician.

“I was torn about what to thinkabout the program until the misunder-standing was cleared up,” saysCampbell, who learned thatmarketrecovery funds were used only during thefirst month of implementation of the ini-tiative to facilitate a smoother start-up.

Davis knows the only way that newprogram will work is when all memberslike Campbell and signatory contractorsare working from the same base of infor-mation. In 2010, after the Ninth Districtrolled out the concept of making IBEWlabor more competitive by bringingdown composite costs using new classi-fications, he immediately put the planbefore his members. With a wide juris-diction, Local 48 is signatory to four sep-arate regional recovery agreements. LastMarch, Local 48 members approved theconcept of employing composite crews.

Davis developed an informationalpresentation on recovery agreements,borrowing some of the materials froma video sent out to members byInternational President Edwin D. Hill.He assigned Business DevelopmentManager Mike Dutton to meet with esti-mators and project managers anddeliver the information. “The presenta-tions took 20 minutes,” says Dutton,“but the discussion took two hours.”

By September, the local’s recoveryplan was ready for implementation. WithTarget remodeling dozens of stores in theWest, Local 48 and signatory contractorsseized the opportunity. Three contractorswere successful bidders on some of thestores’ electrical upgrades. Work has

been completed on eight stores, putting20 inside wiremen, 25 construction elec-tricians and seven apprentices to work.

Without the Market AdvancementInitiative, says Davis, “We would havehad no chance of getting this work.” Theprogram has put other members to workon Starbucks coffee shops and a Ruth’sChris steakhouse.

“These construction electriciansare good guys,” says journeyman insidewireman John Convery, who is workingon the steakhouse project. Chip Onslow,an apprentice fresh out of boot camp,says he relies upon Convery and experi-enced journeymen to learn the trade.And he works side by side with construc-tion electricians to get the job done.

Fifteen unemployed members ofLocal 48 have returned to work since therecovery agreements were adopted and12 newmembers have joined the local.

Davis told the Journal ofCommerce, “You know, I don’t think it’sthe ultimate solution. But this is a startand we’ve gotten a positive responsefrommembers and good reports aboutthe performance of the new workers.” �

Ore. ‘Market Advancement Initiative’NetsSmall Commercial Jobs

House Republicans are onceagain threatening to disman-tle the nation’s passengerrail carrier, putting good jobs

and customer service at risk.HouseTransportationCommittee

Chairman JohnMica (R-Fla.) tells theHillnewspaper that he plans to introduce abillthis summer thatwould sell off Amtrak’sNortheastCorridor to private investors.

Connecting Washington, D.C.,Philadelphia, New York City and Boston,the corridor is Amtrak’s busiest andmost profitable route.

“If Congress pulls the NortheastCorridor out of Amtrak it will dry upfunds for the rest of the system,” saysIBEW Railroad Department Director BillBohné. “The reality is that a lot of theseinvestors would love to take in the ticketmoney but can’t commit to the infra-structure spending necessary to keep apassenger line running.”

New JerseySen. Frank Lautenberg(D), who representsmany constituentsdependent on Amtrak for their daily com-mutes, told a transportation committeehearing that “if we shut down theNortheast Corridor rail service, you’d haveto build seven new lanes on Interstate 95just to carry all the travelers that usethese trains every day.”

Congress created Amtrak in 1971 tohelp keep inter-city passenger rail serv-ice alive after years of underinvestmentby private carriers.

“Without government support, wewould not have passenger rail service,period,” Bohné says. “Amtrakwas cre-ated in the first place because the privatesector—the freight railroads—weren’tinterested in funding it and got out of thebusiness.

A 1998 Federal Railroad Administra-tion report, commissioned byCongress inresponse to an earlier proposal to sell offAmtrak, found that privatization wouldresult in “inconsistent reservationservices, uncoordinated service timesand unnecessary gaps in service.”

As gas prices hit record levels,Amtrak’s popularity continues to grow.The carrier saw an increase of ridershipof nearly 10 percent from last yearaccording to the National Association ofRailroad Passengers.

Privatization of the NortheastCorridor would also be disastrous forAmtrak’s work force. “Taking out themostpopular line puts a lot of good rail jobs atrisk throughout the country,” saysRailroad Department InternationalRepresentative JamesMeyer.

The IBEW represents more than1,300 workers employed by Amtrak. �

HouseGOPCalls forPrivatizingAmtrak

Asmore public sectorworkerstry to decidewhether or not tojoin unions, the simplest sto-ries often speak the loudest.

That could be the case for unorganizedworkers inTacoma,Wash., who are payingclose attention towhat is happening atTacoma Power, amunicipal utility whereworkers are represented by Local 483.

The Tacoma city council voted tofreeze wages for two years for all non-represented municipal workers. But, inearly May, the council passed an ordi-nance granting IBEW utility workers a 2.8percent raise. Local 483’s contract pro-vided for the increase, which is retroac-tive to April 1. The collective bargainingagreement runs through March 31, 2012.

TacomaMayorMarilyn Stricklandanswered residents who said that theraise should be denied, telling the NewsTribune the city could be forced to answerin arbitration or could face an unfair laborpractice charge from Local 483. “In either

scenario,” she said, “the city would be atrisk of violating the contract and the obli-gation to bargain in good faith.”

“There has been a flurry of organiz-ing activity in Tacoma since the ordi-nance,” says Local 483 BusinessManagerAlice Phillips, who chairs a health carebargaining committee for a seven-memberunion coalition that bargainswith the city.“We’re gearing up for a fight,” saysPhillips, who says that non-representedworkers have asked the unions to hold theline on health care “because they knowthey are next if ourmembers take cuts.”

Phillips defended the raises for hermembers as making good businesssense, not just a legal requirement.During Tacoma Power’s wage negotia-tions, she says, the parties compare theutility’s wage earners to their counter-parts in four other companies in the I-15corridor. They include: the SnohomishCounty Public Utility District, Seattle CityLight, Avista in Spokane, and Puget

Sound Energy, all represented by SeattleLocal 77 and Portland Electric repre-sented by Portland, Ore., Local 125.

Phillips told the News Tribune: theraises are intended to keep us in themarket “so we don’t lose the electri-cians. It’s a very competitive trade, andthey will go where they’re valued. Wecould have a recruitment and retentionproblem very quickly if the wage dispar-ity gets very big between Tacoma Powerand the other companies.”

The union’s fight to defend its con-tractual rights is not over. An anti-union cit-izen activist has seized on a clause in thecity’s charter to call for a referendumonalllabor contracts. “I believe his request isuntimely andunconstitutional,” saysPhilips, whohasmetwith lawyers and isconcerned that effective collective bargain-ingwould be severely undermined if thecity council no longer has the authority toreach a settlement at the bargaining tableand every contract goes to referendum. �

MembersDefendWageGains at PublicUtility

Members of Portland, Ore., Local 48are benefiting from competitive bidsutilizing composite crews on smallcommercial jobs.



RecoveryAgreementBoosts Local Economy,Membership in N.C.

Withmore than threedecades in the trade,Steve Price had finelyhoned his skills as a

nonunion electrical contractor. Formost ofthose years, he balanced using his toolswith administering payroll formore than adozen employees in rural NorthCarolina.

But hard times in the constructionindustry—along with the outsourcing ofthe region’s textile sector, which hadonce provided steady work—gave way toa harsh economic reality for Price andhis family last year. His company folded,and even with reliable contacts in thearea, he was barely scraping up enoughwork to get by on his own.

Looking to turn things around, Priceattended an “industry night”—a job fairbringing nonunion electricians togetherwith contractors—late last year spon-sored by signatory contractor RosendinElectric and Asheville Local 238. The com-pany was hiring qualified area residentsas electricians to start work on amassiveFacebook data center in RutherfordCounty in the western part of the state.

The newhireswould join the unionas intermediate-level construction electri-cians or constructionwiremen (CE/CWs) aspart of the IBEW’s recovery agreement.This initiative allows a composite crew—ofjourneymen, apprentices andCE/CWs—tohelp contractors bid successfully on previ-ously out-of-reach or overlooked jobs. TheIBEWhas garnered successwith suchagreements nationwide, including in right-to-work states, by bringing previouslyunrepresentedworkers into the union foldwhile helping signatory contractors bidmore competitively.

Price was curious. “I wouldn’t sayI’d ever been ‘anti-union,’ I’d just neverhad any experience with someone fromthat world,” he said. North Carolina hasright-to-work laws on the books and hasthe lowest union density in the nation,at just above 3 percent. “You never hearanything about how good unions arewhere I’m from.”

With his credentials, Price becamethe first new employee Rosendin hiredfor the job—and he brought friends.More than a dozen formerly nonunionelectricians, many of whom had workedfor Price, joined as CE/CWs on the proj-ect, bringing a range of knowledge andexperience into a growing local.

“We’ve got 100 percent employ-ment with our journeymen and appren-tices on this project, and with the CE/CWprogram, we’re making our local evenstronger,” said Local 238 BusinessManager Dusty Rhodes. As a result ofthe contractor securing the bid—whichwould have gone nonunion if not for thelocal’s flexible crewmix—more than 25

newmembers joined the local under thenew classifications. “We’ve been able toput area people to work, raise wages fortradesmen in the region and add to ourranks. It’s a win-win solution for theunion and for the local economy.”

Since December, about 140 jour-neymen, apprentices and CE/CWs havebeen wiring the new data center. Rhodessaid construction of the sprawling, $60-

million-per-building project should pro-vide work for local members for the nextfour years.

The work force also benefits from asolid partnership with Rosendin, saidCharlie Phillips, the site’s job steward.“We work as a team, and there’s a greatlevel of cooperation.”

Rhodes said the newmembers andseasoned IBEW veterans work coopera-

tively—and becausemany newmemberscame in with previous skills in thenonunion sector, many have tested up tohigher classifications or have begun theirapprenticeships. Along the way, they’repicking up on union values, he said.

“A lot of these guys have neverworked where they get health care orhave a collective bargaining agreement,”Rhodes said. “So they see those immedi-

ate benefits. But they’re also coming toourmeetings and getting educated aboutthe Brotherhood.”

Price, the former nonunion con-tractor, has tested up to the journeymanlevel and is now overseeing quality con-trol on the project.

“Now when people askme what Ido,” Price said, “I’m proud to say I’m aunion electrician.” �

Leaders of Asheville Local 238 used the union’s recovery agreement to net a job building a data center for popular social networking site Facebook. The projectemploys a composite crew of 140 members.

IBEWVerizon EmployeesMobilize for Fair Contract

Flush times for many large corporations are back—and Verizon is no exception.But when representatives of the company sat down at the bargaining tablewith union negotiators last month to discuss new contract talks, IBEWmem-bers didn’t hear any talk about high earnings.

“All of a sudden, when it comes to negotiations, it’s doom-and-gloom on thecompany’s balance sheets,” said Syracuse, N.Y., Local 2213 Business Manager MaryJo Arcuri. “And they use that to try to justify winnowing down health care and threat-ening job loss.”

Arcuri is part of the joint IBEW-CWA team bargaining for fair benefits and jobsecurity for about 50,000 union members in New England and the surroundingregion. Negotiations kicked off June 22 in Philadelphia and Rye, N.Y. The IBEW repre-sents 12,500 Verizon employees in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. The members’ three-year contract expires August 6.

Cutbacks in health care coverage could be economically disastrous for the com-pany’s retirees in New Jersey, said East Windsor Local 827 Business Manager WilliamHuber, who sits on the negotiating committee. The local represents more than 10,000active and retired members in the Garden State.

“We understand that rising health care costs are a concern, but we have morethan 6,000 former Verizon employees collecting pensions and living on fixedincomes,” he said. “If you’re in that kind of situation and the company cuts yourhealth care coverage, what are you supposed to do? How can you pay for that?”

Members are mobilizing with pro-worker signs, T-shirt days, informationale-mail blasts and rally preparations—as well as building momentum through socialmedia sites like Facebook. Local 2213 member Barb Carson, who works at Verizon’sBinghamton call center, said solidarity is the key in winning greater job security.

“I started working here 12 years ago,” said Carson, a shop steward who is active inthemobilization effort. “Back then, there weremore than 100 people here. Now thereare about 30.” Company buyouts have been widespread, andmanagement hasincreased outsourcing of work to contractors and vendors in right-to-work states likeTexas and Arizona as well as overseas. “Verizon is doing what it can to break the union.”

Boston Local 2222 BusinessManagerMyles Calvey said branches of the com-

pany that specialize in older technologies like copper landlines and newer develop-ments with fiber optics—or FiOS—still have strong union density. But Verizon’s mostprofitable sector has been its wireless division, which has stiff-armed organizingefforts for much of the past decade.

“Verizon is right in themix of corporate America trying to squash unionism,”Calvey said. In the last few years, the union lost thousands of members through buy-outs and retirements, as well as from Verizon’s sale of landlines to Hawaiian Telcomand FairPoint Communications—deals that ended in bankruptcy for both of the smallercompanies. The union also lost about 3,500members two years ago when Verizon soldlandlines in more than a dozen states to Frontier Communications.

“And the companyhas so far been successful at shutting us out of thewireless side,so it’s fair to say the future of ourmembership is at stake,” saidCalvey—who is the chair-manof IBEWSystemCouncil T-6, which holds contract agreements for Local 2222;Braintree,Mass., Local 2313;Middleton,Mass., Local 2321;Middleboro,Mass., Local2322;Cranston, R.I., Local 2323;Springfield,Mass., Local 2324; andWorcester,Mass.,Local 2325. Also covered in the agreement are 300members of Philadelphia Local 1944.

Verizon recently announced that it tripled its profits in the first quarter of theyear, due largely to the company’s new iPhone sales.

“We’re the ones who help make the profits and play a vital role in keeping thebusiness together—it’s only right that we get treated fairly,” said Huber. �

Mobilization efforts areunderway as IBEWnegotiators begin talkswith Verizon.


In 2008, Evansville, Ind., Local 16Business Manager Paul Greenfeared that one of the bedrocks ofthe local economy, General Motors’

Bedford powertrain plant, was in dangerof shuttering its doors for good.

“It looked like it was gone,” Greensays of the factory that employs 400 peo-ple, including more than 35 Local 16 elec-tricians who help maintain the facility.

Teetering on the edge of bank-ruptcy after the onset of the economy’snosedive, General Motors, along withChrysler, was rescued by the federal gov-ernment in exchange for cuts to wastefulspending and improved products.

The administration argued that let-ting the big automakers fail would dev-astate the economic security ofthousands of working families whosemembers assemble automobiles, smallbusinesses in their communities andthousands more workers who produceautomobile parts or work on mainte-nance and construction of facilities.

Now posting its first profits inyears, Detroit is putting billions back intothe economy—investments that are help-ing make the Big Three competitive againand putting Americans back to work.

Popular newmodels and improvedolder models are selling hot, boostingFord, Chrysler and General Motors’ repu-tation in the marketplace.

“Many people thought the [GM]bail-out (and a smaller one involvingChrysler, an even sicker firm) unwise …Yet the doomsayers were wrong,” wrotethe Economist magazine.

GM is expanding production andadding jobs, announcing in June that itwould invest $49million in new toolingand equipment for theBedford plant toproducemore fuel-efficient transmissions,which is expected to save or create 91 jobs.

“It shows that the investment thetaxpayer put into the auto industry ispaying off,” says Green. “Those jobsdon’t just help those workers inside theplant, but the entire community.”

The Bedford investment is part of a$2 billion commitment by the automakerto revamp 17 factories in eight states,which is expected to save or create4,000 jobs.

Since GM and Chrysler emergedfrom bankruptcy, the auto industry hascreated 115,000 jobs. The auto indus-try’s turnaround has already put manyunemployed IBEWmembers to work andhundreds more will reap the benefits ofthe industry innovation and expansionprojects in the works.

“The government’s interventionwas absolutely key to helping create achance for GM andChrysler going for-ward,” says AlanMulally, CEO of Ford

Motor Company. “That’s why I testified onbehalf of GM andChrysler, as you know.The reason we did was that we believed—like two presidents [Bush and Obama]—that if GM andChrysler would have goneinto freefall bankruptcy, they would havetaken the supply base down and taken

the industry down plusmaybe turned theU.S. recession into a depression.”

Chrysler, which recently repaid itsoutstanding loans to the U.S. treasurysix years ahead of schedule, announcedits intention to invest an additional $843million into its transmission facilities in

Kokomo, Ind., bringing the total invest-ment in that community to $1.1 billion,and retaining nearly 2,250 jobs.

Kokomo Local 873 BusinessManager Joseph Cousino has dispatchedmembers to Chrysler plant upgrade proj-ects for the past two years. Cousino is

hopeful that an expansion of the Jeepplant and an engine plant in Defiance,Ohio, will boost the incomes and secu-rity of more unemployed members.

In Baltimore,members of Local 24,who just completed aproject installingsolar panels on the roof ofGeneralMotors’AllisonTransmission plant inWhiteMarsh,are looking forward to an expansion of theplant to produce engines for hybrids.

Local 24 Business Manager RogerLash, who attended a May ground-breaking ceremony with Maryland Gov.Martin O’Malley, says up to 100 mem-bers will be working for a year on a $50million electrical contract under theNational Maintenance Agreement.

“As the auto industry tottered on thebrink, someof our nation’s political lead-ers opposed theObamaadministration’srational and effective plan to help theindustry in return for helping itself,” saysInternational President EdwinD. Hill. “Theywere deadwrong. All IBEWmembers oweadebt of gratitude to PresidentObamaandthose leaders inCongresswho showedtheir respect forAmericanworkers byhelp-ing save theU.S. auto industry.” �

Auto RecoveryBoosts Jobs

The resurgence of the U.S. auto industry is one of the few bright spots in the American economy in the last two years.

TransformingMaryland Liveswith Training

Last January, when the state ofMaryland received a $5.8million grant from theU.S. Department of Labor Employment andTraining Administration to preparemore than 1,500Marylanders for green jobs,Washington, D.C., Local 26 and theNational Electrical Contractors Association stepped upwith a plan for success.

They asked their Electrical Alliance’s Joint Apprenticeship and TrainingCommittee to design a 15-week, 90-hour course to attract Prince George’s County,Md., residents into the field of electrical construction and solar generation, usingfunds from the Maryland Energy Sector Partnership.

On April 28th, a recognition ceremony was held at the JATC’s facility in Lanham,Md., for the first group of 30 entry-level residential trainees who have all been placedwith electrical contractors. Maryland State Secretary of Labor Alexander M. Sanchezwas the keynote speaker.

English Harper, who had previously applied to Local 26’s apprenticeship program,was one of the “GoSolar” graduates. A fewweeks ago, says Harper, 18, “I was unload-ing trucks atMacy’s and had zero experience with anything electrical.” When he fin-ished his classes, he says, “I knew about boxes and services, wiring devices andbending pipe. This was the way to get a jump start.” Harper, who is working forContemporary Electric in Arlington, Va., hopes to start the apprenticeship in September.

“We gave the trainees the basics and then we sent them to work. We advisedthem to use their performance in the classroom and on the job to make themselvesas attractive as possible to prospective employers,” says Sean Myers, special proj-ects coordinator at the JATC. All of the program’s graduates, taught by veteran Local26 instructors Ralph Neidert and WilliamMurphy, have applied for the inside wire-man apprenticeship. To date, six have been accepted into the next class.

While some state-licensed pre-apprenticeship programs provide as much as480 hours of preparation, says Myers, they often don’t have the success rate at plac-ing graduates that has already been achieved at Local 26. “The outcomes are here,”says Myers. Drawing from a population of veterans and reservists, low-wage workersand ex-offenders, 35 candidates began the program; only five dropped out.

“They are going toworkmaking $32,000 a year, with benefits, and the chance tomakemuchmore in the future,” saysMyers, who is already preparing for a second class.

Dwayne Stout, another graduate, is working for Perlectric installing lights,

receptacles, fire alarms and security card readers. “I was in the right place at the righttime,” he said about the training program. Stout had worked for years for DirecTV,Comcast and Mr. Tire, but he was still without a career. “When I first started the pro-gram,” says Stout, “I thought it was just a beginner’s class.” But Stout, who will enterLocal 26’s apprenticeship in September, says instructors were anxious to pass on asmuch information as they could squeeze into 15 weeks.

In addition to fueling training for newcomers to the trade, the energy partnership’sfunds have been used to train 100 incumbent Local 26members in alternative energies.

The pre-apprenticeship program aims to train 480 new and incumbent workers.It is one of four funded by the Maryland Energy Sector Partnership that aims to helpcreate at least 100,000 green jobs by 2015. �

Dwayne Stout receives congratulations fromMaryland Secretary of LaborAlexander Sanchez after completing a Washington, D.C., Local 26 pre-apprenticeship program.

PhotoCred

it:Ge

neralM

otors

Few Canadians expected that theMay 2 federal election wouldend up being one of Canada’smost historic, potentially alter-

ing the country’s political dynamics foryears to come.

Conservative PrimeMinisterStephenHarper achievedhis long-sought goal offorming amajority government, while thepro-labourNewDemocrats rode awave ofvoter dissatisfaction and economicanxietyto become the official opposition for thefirst time in the party’s history. At the sametime, the once dominant Liberals and theQuebecsovereigntist BlocQuébécois suf-feredmassive losses that call into questiontheir future relevance.

“It is a whole new situation for us,”says First District Vice President PhilFlemming. “Harper has headed up one ofthemost right-wing Tory governments inour history and now he has a lotmorepower to carry out his agenda, but thestrong showing by the NewDemocratsmeans that issues of concern to workingfamilies—health care, retirement security,and job creation—will be heard in Ottawawith a clarity we haven’t had in years.”

Harper’s election gains mean theTories’ goal of slashing public services—previously hampered by the party’sminority status—is now on the table.

“Working people will be in forsome pain,” says Canadian LabourCongress Political Action Director DannyMallett. “Harper’s cutbacks will meanmore Canadians will be added to theunemployment rolls.”

And there are signs that theConservatives are looking to take onCanada’s public sector unions, just asnewly elected Republican governorshave attempted to do in the UnitedStates. Employees at Canada Post arealready under fire from a federal govern-ment pushing a concessionary contractthat includes a two-tier wage system andcutbacks to their pension plan.

The Fraser Institute, a right-wingthink tank that has been closely linkedwith Harper and the Tories, put out astatement only days after the electionencouraging Canada to follow inWisconsin’s footsteps in rolling back pub-lic worker benefits. That state was the siteofmassive demonstrations in the wake ofcontroversial legislation pushed byGov.ScottWalker that revoked collective bar-gaining rights for government workers.

CatherineSwift, president of theright-leaningCanadian Federation ofIndependent Business, has also chimedin, calling for scrapping publicworker pen-sion plans and raising the retirement age.

While threatening the benefits ofpublic sector employees, theConservatives are blocking efforts toexpand the underfunded pension plansof Canada and Quebec.

The 2008 recession revealed theinadequacy of Canada’s retirement sys-tem, with more than 1.6 million seniorsstill mired in poverty.

“The situation promises to getworse in the future because many youngworkers are not able to save enough forretirement,” says CLCPresident KenGeorgetti in a statement.

On the jobs front, Harper’s emphasison fiscal austerity is causing concern that

federal support for infrastructure invest-ment and job creation is at risk, threaten-ingCanada’s economic recovery andadding to itsmanufacturing sectorwoes.

“Much of the job growth in con-struction and other fields was due tofederal stimulus spending, and we needto keep that on track,” Vice PresidentFlemming says.

But despite the looming threat ofcutbacks, many labour activists feel thatthe new political alignment in Ottawaopens up new opportunities for workingfamilies in the legislative arena.

“Sometimes the Liberals wouldback our issues, but in a mushy, compro-

mising way. The NDP has spoken withmuchmore clarity on the things that areimportant to workers,” Mallett says.

Many of the newly elected NewDemocratMPs are unionmembers them-selves, and party leader Jack Layton wonrousing support at the CLC’sMay conven-tion with his call tomake the needs ofworking families Parliament’s top priority.

“We’ve steadily grown the unionvote each election cycle, with themajorityof votes going to the NDP,”Mallett says.

But regardless of party label, unionmembers say the most important thingis to keep the focus on the key issues,working with members of both the

majority and the opposition.“We are reaching out to everyMP,”

Vice President Flemming says. “And wewon’t let partisanship prevent us fromsupporting elected officials who workwith us on the items that are themostimportant to ourmembers. Things likesupport for the energy industry, more jobtraining, tax legislation to encourage fulllabourmobility and policies that createjobs. Politics isn’t something unions dojust around election time, it is somethingwe have to do every day.” (See “FederalElections 2011: Activists Keep Spotlighton Jobs”, Electrical Worker, May 2011) �

North of 49° | Au nord du 49° parallèle

Working Families Confront Canada’sNewPolitical Landscape

Les FamillesTravailleusesDevantUnNouveau Paysage Politique AuCanada

Peu de Canadiens auraientpensé que l’élection fédéraledu 2 mai finirait par être unedes plus historiques au

Canada pouvant potentiellementchanger la dynamique politique du payspour les années à venir.

Le Premierministre conservateurStephen Harper a atteint son objectif delongue date de former un gouvernementmajoritaire, alors que l’incertitudeéconomique et l’insatisfaction desélecteurs a permis aux néo-démocratespro-syndicalistes de former l’oppositionofficielle, une première dans l’histoire duparti. De leur côté, les libéraux qui ontdéjà dominé, ainsi que les souverainistesdu BlocQuébécois ont subi de lourdespertes qui remettent en question la perti-nence future de leur parti.

« C’est un nouveau contexte pournous. Harper a dirigé le gouvernementconservateur le plus à droite de notre his-toire et il se retrouve avecencore plus depouvoir pour réaliser son programme;toutefois, nous sommes confiants qu’avecla solide performance des néo-démoc-rates, les questions d’intérêt pour lesfamilles travailleuses—les soins de santé,la sécurité de la retraite et la créationd’emploi—se feront clairement entendre àOttawa, ce qui ne s’est pas vu depuisplusieurs années » déclare Phil Flemming,Vice-président du Premier District.

L’objectif des conservateurs d’am-puter les services publics—ce que leurstatut minoritaire les empêchait deréaliser—se retrouve maintenant sur latable, avec les gains obtenus par Harper.

« Les travailleurs et les tra-vailleuses souffriront si le gouvernementfédéral sabre dans les services publics.Avec les coupures prévues par Harper,plus de canadiens viendront s’ajouteraux rangs des chômeurs » affirme DannyMallett, Directeur, Action Politique, auCongrès du travail du Canada.

Et certains signes laissent présagerque les Conservateurs tenteront de s’enprendre aux syndicats du secteur publiccanadien, comme ont cherché à le faireles nouveaux élus du Parti républicainaux États-Unis. Les employés de PostesCanada subissent déjà les attaques d’ungouvernement fédéral, poussant un con-trat de travail à la baisse avec un sys-tème de rémunération à deux niveaux etdes coupures dans le régime de retraite.

Quelques jours seulement aprèsl’élection, l’Institut Fraser, un groupe derecherche de droite étroitement associéà Harper et aux conservateurs, diffusaitun communiqué incitant le Canada àsuivre l’exemple du Wisconsin en ré-duisant les avantages sociaux des tra-vailleurs de la fonction publique.

Desmanifestations imposantes onteu lieu dans cet état à la suite du projetcontroversé du gouverneur Scott Walkerqui dépouillerait les fonctionnaires deleurs droits à une convention collective.

Catherine Swift, présidente de laFédération canadienne de l’entrepriseindépendante, sympathisante de droite,est également intervenue demandantd’abolir les régimes de retraite des em-ployés de la fonction publique etd’élever l’âge de la retraite.

Les Conservateurs menacent lesavantages sociaux des employés dusecteur public, empêchant ainsi tout ef-fort visant à bonifier le régime de pen-sion du Canada et du Québec insuff-isamment financés.

La récession de 2008 a démontréla faiblesse du système canadien derevenu de retraite, alors que plus de 1.6million d’aînés vivent encore sous leseuil de la pauvreté.

« La situation ne pourra qu’empirerparce que beaucoup de jeunes travailleurssont incapables d’épargner suffisammentpour la retraite » déclarait KenGeorgetti,Président duCTC, dans un communiqué.

L’emphase mise par Harper surl’austérité fiscale met en péril l’appuifédéral pour les placements en infra-structures et la création d’emplois,menaçant la reprise économique duCanada et s’ajoutant auxmalheurs queconnait le secteur manufacturier, unesituation très préoccupante.

« La croissance de l’emploi qu’ontconnu le secteur de la construction et lesautres secteurs était due, en grande par-tie, au financement fédéral du plan derelance économique et nous devonsnous assurer qu’elle restera sur la bonnevoie » ajoute le Vice-Président Flemming.

Bien que la menace des coupuressoit imminente, plusieurs militants syn-dicaux pensent que le nouvel aligne-ment politique à Ottawa ouvrira de nou-velles opportunités pour les familles tra-vailleuses dans l’arène législative.

« Il est arrivé que les libéraux nousappuient, moyennant certains compro-

mis; alors que le NPD s’est toujours ex-primé clairement sur les enjeux qui sontimportants pour les travailleurs » ajoutele confrère Mallett.

Plusieurs des nouveauxdéputésnéo-démocrates élus sont eux-mêmesmembres d’un syndicat. Jack Layon, leurchef, a reçu un appui enthousiaste lors ducongrès duCTCaumois demai, alors qu’ilréaffirmait que sa principale priorité auParlement serait de faire passer l’intérêtdes travailleurs canadiens avant tout.

« À chaque élection, nous avonstoujours fait augmenter le vote des syn-diqués et la majorité des votes allait auNPD » poursuit Mallett.

Quel que soit l’étiquette du parti,les syndiqués sont d’avis que le plus im-portant est de se concentrer sur les prin-cipaux enjeux, en travaillant autant avecles membres du parti majoritaire queceux de l’opposition.

« Nous voulons rejoindre tous lesdéputés et nous ne laisserons pas lapartisanerie nous empêcher d’apporternotre soutien aux représentants élus quitravaillent sur les points importantspour nos membres; notamment le sou-tien à l’industrie de l’énergie, une for-mation continue accrue, des mesuresfiscales facilitant la mobilité de la main-d’oeuvre et des politiques visant la créa-tion d’emplois. Les syndicats doivents’impliquer en politique au quotidien etnon seulement en période électorale »conclut le Vice-Président Flemming. (Voir« Élections fédérales 2011 : Les emploisdans la mire des militants », Journall’Electrical Worker, mai 2011) �




DECEASEDWesley I. Taylor

We regret toreport that retiredInternationalExecutiveCommitteeChairman WesleyI. Taylor died May10. He was 89.

A Kentucky native, Brother Taylorwas initiated into Indianapolis Local 481in 1948.

Elected business manager-finan-cial secretary only eight years later, heserved in that role until 1977, followinghis appointment to the IEC.

In addition to his positions in theIBEW,Taylorwas active in the Indianalabormovement, serving as president ofboth the BartholomewCounty andMarionCounty building trades councils and vicepresident of the IndianaState BuildingTradesDepartment. Hewas also presidentof the IndianaState Electrical Workers.

Brother Taylor was appointedInternational Executive Council chairmanto fill the vacancy created by the retire-ment of E.J. Fransway in 1976. He wassubsequently elected at the 1978 and1982 conventions. He also served as atrustee of the Electrical Workers BenefitAssociation and as a member of theNational Electrical Benefit Board. Heretired in 1986.

In his spare time he enjoyed golf-ing and hunting. He is survived by hiswife, Helen.

The officers, staff andmembershipof the IBEW convey our deep condolencesto Brother Taylor’s friends and family. �

DECEASEDJoseph F. Lohman

We are sorry toreport that retiredSixth DistrictInternational VicePresident JosephF. “Jeff” Lohmandied suddenly onMay 27—less

than a year after his retirement.A native of Indianapolis, Brother

Lohman initiated into Local 481 in 1966as an inside wireman apprentice. Hewent on to serve as the local’s businessagent and vice president before his elec-tion as business manager in 1983.

In 1988, Lohman was appointed aSixth District InternationalRepresentative. Three years later, he wasnamed the organizing coordinator for thedistrict and helped prompt a spike in theunion’s market share, which climbedfrom 45 percent in 1995 to 70 percent justfive years later. He also played a vital rolein the development of the union’s COMET(Construction Organizing MembershipEducation Training) program.

Brother Lohman, who served as sec-retary of his home state’s building tradesfederation andwas a boardmember oftheCentral Indiana LaborCouncil, wasappointed International Vice President fortheSixth District in 2005 and served untilhis retirement lastSeptember.

“Jeff’s calm demeanor and sharpdecision-making skills helped move theunion forward,” said LonnieStephenson, who worked as Lohman’sassistant for five years and succeededhim as Sixth District International Vice

President last year. “People respectedhis decisions, whether they agreed withhim or not, because he always thoughtthings out clearly and asked for input.”

Holding a bachelor’s degree fromthe National Labor College gave Lohmanan edge in organizing, Stephenson said.“COMET, and boosting the movementoverall, were his lifeblood. Jeff workedhard right up to his last days, even in hisretirement.”

Local 481 Business Manager SeanSeyferth knew Lohman for 22 years andcalled him “a confidant and a mentor.”

“When I first became an organizerin 1994, Jeff was coordinating statewideorganizing for all the building trades,”Seyferth said. “He would educate us onthe NLRB and give us the ‘dos anddon’ts.’ He was the one who taught mewhat I know—and he was incrediblyintelligent and lived by example.”

More than 450 attendees at May’sSixth District Progress Meeting inIndianapolis honored Lohman for hisdedication to the IBEW and the largerlabor movement.

In retirement, Lohman enjoyedplaying golf and fishing—two longtimehobbies—and spending extra time withhis family.

“Jeff was always very family-ori-ented,” Stephenson said. “He reallyshowed how you can effectively con-tribute to the labor movement whilemaking sure that you are always therefor your loved ones and your friends.”

On behalf of all members of theIBEW, the officers and staff send our con-dolences to Brother Lohman’s wife Jan,his mother Ruth, and his many childrenand grandchildren. �

DECEASEDThomasHammer

RetiredSeventhDistrict Interna-tional Representa-tiveThomas“Tommy”HammerdiedMay 26 at theage of 78.

Born inLivonia, Mich., Hammer was initiatedinto Fort Worth, Texas, Local 116 in 1952.He served the local in many capacities,including as vice president, presidentand business manager.

In 1973 he was appointedInternational Representative, servicinginside locals throughout the Dallas andFort Worth area. He was also assistedorganizing efforts.

“He did his job and did it well,”says Seventh District Vice PresidentJonathan Gardner.

Brother Hammerwas deeplyinvolvedwith community organizationsand the local labormovement. He servedas president of theTexasState Associationof Electrical Workers, vice president of theTexasAFL-CIO and president of the FortWorth BuildingTradesCouncil.

In his spare time he enjoyed outdooractivities, including hunting and fishing.

He retired in 1993. Hammer is sur-vived by his wife Jackie, four children,five grandchildren and five great-grand-children.

On behalf of the members of theIBEW, the officers and staff send condo-lences to Brother Hammer’s friends andfamily. �

Circuits

Lending aHelpingHandto theHomelessMembers from Gulfport, Miss., Local 903volunteered to wire a shelter for home-less women and children.

“We try to help out as much aspossible,” said Local 903 BusinessManager Curtis Murphy. “At a city coun-cil meeting a request for volunteers wasmade to help with renovations for a newhomeless shelter.”

Local 903 covered the cost of thewiring while three members working forsignatory Crews Electric Co. suppliedthe manpower for the shelter that

opened May 12.The Moss Point shelter, which pro-

vides temporary quarters for homelesswomen and their children, was a formercity building that was damaged inHurricane Katrina.

Local 903 members also supportthe community by working regularly withHabitat for Humanity. �

HighSchoolGirls ExploreCareers inNuclear EnergyFor the second year in a row, Fredericton,New Brunswick, Local 37 demonstrated

its strong support for promoting themany career possibilities in trades andtechnology by sponsoring and participat-ing in the 2010 New Brunswick SkillsNetworking Dinners for Young Women.

The dinners, hosted by the NewBrunswick Chapter of Women in Nuclear,are designed to bring female studentsfrom grades nine through 12 together tolearn from professional female mentors,many of whom are Local 37 memberswho work in non-traditional fields suchas electrical technology, chemical tech-nology, instrumentation, power engi-neering, welding, pipefitting and nuclearsecurity, among others.

“I wish that I had something likethis back in my day,” says BerniceLanagan, a 20-year Local 37 memberwho works as a chemical technologist atNB Power’s Point Lepreau NuclearGenerating Station and chairs theprovince’s 46-member chapter ofWomen in Nuclear. The chapter alsosponsors educational activities foryoung people on Earth Day.

Young girls often don’t have con-tacts or know anyone in the trades,says Lanagan.”We don’t want them tolimit themselves in any way, and wantthem to know that by keeping up theirmath and sciences, they will open up

Transitions

www.ibew.orgFrom breaking news tovideo stories, ourupdatedWeb site hasinformation not availableanywhere else. Visit us toconnect with the IBEWonFacebook and to followInternational PresidentEdwin D. Hill on Twitter!

Workers’BattlegroundFromWisconsin toMaine,anti-worker politicians arecoming after our rightsand hard-won benefits.Keep upwith latest newsand learn to how to jointhe fight back atwww.ibew.org/articles/WorkersBattleground/.

YouTubeEvery worker needs avoice on the job, evenlawyers. The IBEW videoteam talks to stateattorneys in New Jerseywho recently joined theBrotherhood.www.youtube.com/user/TheElectricalWorker

HourPowerIn our latestvideo on IBEWHour Power,learnmoreabout our 2010journeymanmentor of theyear, DaveNisley. www.IBEWHourPower.com

ElectricTVHaving productivityproblems on your job? Thesolutionmay lie in ournewest video on ElectricTV—all about 3DBuildingInformationModeling.electricTV.net

IBEWMEDIAWORLD

Inaddition to yourmonthlyissue of The ElectricalWorker, check out thewealth of IBEW-relatedinformation in cyberspace.



all kinds of wonderful and excitingcareer opportunities.”

Many students come to the dinnerand then go away saying, “I can dothis,” says Lanagan. With a slow jobmarket for university graduates andnearly full employment for women in thetrades, the skills dinners can be the firststep up the economic ladder for moreNew Brunswick residents.

Dressed for work and joiningLanagan at the dinner were Local 37members NoraWalsh andCrickySmith,whowork as nuclear security officers, andStacey Kane, amember of the nuclearresponse force team.

Founded in 1993, Women in Nuclearcurrently has around 2,500members in68 countries. Formore information, visit:www.win-global.org/about.htm. �

CaribbeanDiary:Retiree Reflects onPeace Corps ExperienceDetroit Local 58 retiree David Nedwickand his wife took on the challenge of alifetime when they joined the Peace Corpsand headed to St. Kitts, one of the poor-est countries in the Eastern Caribbean.

Almost two years later and at theend of their term of service, David andIngrid count among their accomplish-ments spearheading ecological andenvironmental projects, offering a help-ing hand at a local orphanage andschools in the village of Middletown.They have also helped to restore a his-torical site and collaborated on HIV/AIDSprevention programs.

“As they say in the Peace Corps, itis the hardest work you’ll ever love,”David said.

The idea of becoming Peace Corpsvolunteers appealed to the Nedwicks

after reading an article about positiveexperiences of other seniors who joined.According to the American Peace CorpsWeb site, 7 percent of volunteers areover the age of 50.

“After a couple years into retire-ment I realized I was not ready to hangup my boots so after some deliberationand being of sound mind and body withlots of energy to spare, we decided toapply for the Peace Corps,” said David,who is a 48-year IBEWmember who trav-elled to Arizona, California, and Alaskaduring his career.

St. Kitts is on the eastern edge of astring of tropical islands blessed with nat-ural beauty and challenged by poverty,lack of comprehensive public health pro-gram and a high rate of HIV/AIDS. With apopulation of 35,000, St. Kitts is increas-ingly dependent on tourism.

Their initial weeks on St. Kitts stay-ing with a local family set the tone forthe remainder of the Nedwicks’ assign-ment on the island. “This family openedtheir home, introduced us to neighbors,new foods, customs and a new dialect.

They truly made us feel welcome,” Davidsaid. “This feeling of hospitality and wel-come has carried through our entiretime in St. Kitts.”

In honor of Earth Day April 22, theNedwicks coordinated the cleanup of alocal cemetery that had become an infor-mal dump. By the end of the day, adumpster brought in for the event wasfull of household appliances, bottlesand cans, pieces of old metal roof andhousehold trash.

“While thesemoments are sorewarding andwe aremaking some head-way, there is still a lot to do,” Nedwicksaid. He and Ingrid, a freelance interiordesigner and architect, will leave theirassignment in October and return to theUnitedStates to spend timewith theirthree grown sons and five grandchildren.

David is interested in whetherother IBEWmembers have participatedin the Peace Corps. He asks that peopleinterested in sharing their stories e-mailhim at [email protected]. �

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Local 37 members Nora Walsh, left, Cricky Smithand Stacey Kane discuss their training and responsibilities at the PointLepreau nuclear plant.

Detroit Local 58retiree DavidNedwick, with hiswife Ingrid, at the2011 Peace CorpsDay inIndependenceSquare, St. Kitts, aCaribbean island.

Local Lines


RebuildingTogetherSt. LouisL.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i,mt,rts,s,se,spa,st&ws), ST. LOUIS, MO—Thanks to the nearly 100 IBEWLocal 1 members who donated a Saturday in Aprilfor the annual Rebuilding Together St. LouisCampaign. Members volunteered to help those inneed with residential electrical issues. Volunteersworked on more than 49 homes, installing ceilingfans and porch lights, and making repairs.

Since 2003, Local 1 has volunteered with theRebuilding Together St. Louis campaign. Every yearthe number of members has grown, as well as theneed for help. Numerous contractors donated toolsand vehicles to complete the projects. Metro ElectricSupply provided ceiling fans and porch lights to theRebuilding campaign.

This year, the majority of the work was cen-tered around the Fairgrounds Park area, in the 21stand 4th wards of St. Louis. In addition, a few homeswere helped in the North County area. Thanks to allthe volunteers for a wonderful day.

We mourn the death of members CurtisCookson, Vincent Morrell, Lawrence Campbell,Bill Lindsay, Tony Zakibe, Dennis Murphy andLawrence Killian.

Matt Gober, P.S.

Career of UnionServiceL.U. 9 (catv,govt,lctt,o&u), CHICAGO, IL—Congratulations to Asst. Bus. Mgr. Paul Kane, whoretired after 45 years of membership. Paul has beena member of Local 9 since February 1966. He hasserved the membership for the past 16 years as anassistant business manager. Paul will be missed byall. Best wishes, Paul!

Robert W. Pierson, B.M.

City of CarsonApprovesPLAL.U. 11 (i,rts&spa), LOS ANGELES, CA—The City ofCarson recently approved a project labor agreementcovering approximately $66 million of work for theHousing Authority. Members attended manymeet-ings in support of the measure and we are gratefulfor their support.

Members are reminded to keep their CaliforniaState Certification up-to-date, as the state recentlyreleased information that pass-rates have fallen fromprevious years. Certification Preparation classes andongoing training are being offered through theElectrical Training Institute. Take advantage of thesevaluable resources available to ourmembers.

Thank you to the Electrical WorkersMinorityCaucusmembers who participate inmentoring can-didates everymonth at the Electrical TrainingInstitute. Mentoring helps individuals prepare for asuccessful electrical career. Many candidates creditEWMCmentoring as vital to their entering the appren-ticeship program. EWMCmembers also remain activein community outreach at the Los Angeles DowntownMission. This is the fifth year Local 11members havesupported theSkid RowCareer Fair.

Plans are being finalized for the 2011 AnnualLocal-Wide Picnic in late October. This year’s picnicwill be bigger and better than ever. We have out-grown the facility at the L.A. Police and RevolverClub and are seeking a new, larger location that willaccommodate our growing numbers.

Bob Oedy, P.S.

Utility Local UpdateL.U. 15 (u), DOWNERSGROVE, IL—TheCity ofChicagohas aproposedCleanAirOrdinance that, if passed,could force the closure of FiskandCrawford power sta-tions by July 2012. Hundreds of ourmembers attendeda citymeeting to oppose air pollution standards thatare impossible tomeet in the given time frame.As of

press time, therewasno vote on the ordinance so thecouncil would havemore time to study the issue.

This year Local 15 is offering 13 $500 scholar-ships to ourmembers or their families. Ten of thescholarships were approved by themembership andthree are the result of donations frommembers. Bus.Mgr./Pres. Dean Apple appointed a committee of fivefrom across the divisions to select the recipients.

On the nuclear side, two of our business repsattended a Nuclear Energy Institute workshop on the“new”work-hour rules. At our semi-annual State ofNuclearmeeting, top level representatives from Local15 and Exelon discussed the biggest issues we face.

Many Local 15 members attended rallies forworkers’ rights. Our local sent a bus to Wisconsin,and members also attended “We Are One” ralliesacross Illinois in April.

Members attended the IBEWUtilityConferenceinMaryland, the IllinoisStateConference and a“Taking BackYourWorkplace”workshop. Additionally,our BAPP (Behavioral Accident Prevention Process)facilitatorswent to a safety conference inTennessee.

Our Johnson Controls members ratified a five-year contract, giving them a 13.5 percent wageincrease over the term of the agreement.

Doug Vedas, P.S.

Power of Collective BargainingL.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MI—It’s justmyopinion, but I sometimes think that even unionmem-bers underestimate the value of collective bargain-ing. Nonunion workers obviously don’t have a clue.According to a 2005Stanford University study, unionmembership wages and benefits are 43 percenthigher on average than nonunion workers for the

same job. Watching Republicans launch a full-blownattack against unions across the nation to limit ourrights at the table indicates the power of collectivebargaining. When the union sits down at the negoti-ating table and speaks on behalf of the entire groupand has done all the necessary research and prepa-ration—that, my brothers and sisters, is power. Goingin alone and unprepared is a recipe for disaster.

As of this writing, employment remains strongfor our LCTT agreementwith nearly 600membersworking. Our 6-17-AContractor brothers are starting tosee some signs of life alsowith fewer than 40mem-bers on bookone. OurTrafficSignal andCommercialagreements are doing fairly well withmostmembersworking in our jurisdiction. DTE Energy hired nearly 25journeyman linemen this spring and is expected tohire apprentices later this summer. At press time, wewere looking forward to anotherSoftball SummerClassic in June. Special thanks toChuckDortenzio fororganizing the game every year.

Dean Bradley, P.S.

‘ChargedUp for Change’L.U. 37 (em,o&u), FREDERICTON, NEWBRUNSWICK,CANADA—Recently the IBEW Local 37 Training TrustFund held a conference, “Charged up for Change.”With nearly 100members and invited guests in atten-dance, the conference was the first event of its kindfor the Training Trust, and it was a fantastic event!

Friday night’s banquet dinner was followed bycomedian Marshall Button, who had everyone institches. Internationally renowned speaker JimClemmer gave Saturday morning’s keynote address,“Growing@ the Speed of Change.” His insightful,entertaining presentation was well-received and his

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.

Please note that Local Lines will not bepublished in a combined October/Novemberpost-convention issue of the Electrical Worker.

Attention PressSecretaries:

Local 1 journeyman wireman Kevin Renaud (left)and Bus. Agent Tom Sansevere volunteer forRebuilding Together St. Louis project.

Local 15 members rally to save jobs.



friendly approach encouraged participation.Breakout sessions on various change-related

topics got positive reviews. Professional speakerCarol Lesbirel gave a funny and engaging closingkeynote address on “Choices Today ImpactTomorrow.” She kept the room in stitches while shedoled out thought-provoking insights.

Kids who attended with their parents spentthe day making art projects and visiting a fun, inter-active science centre. The kids loved the entertain-ing and educational activities!

This was a great event and its success hasLocal 37 looking forward to doing it again this fall!

Ross Galbraith, B.M.

SummerWork&Union EventsL.U. 41 (em,es,govt,i,se&spa), BUFFALO, NY—Ourunion hockey team, which was formed only lastyear, participated in the 48th Annual OPCHockeyTournament, held April 29-30 in London, Ontario.The team has grown from 12 to 17 players includingjourneymen and apprentices. It’s always exciting tosee camaraderie in the Brotherhood growing.

As summer is in full swing, so is work in ourarea. Thanks to the traveling brothers and sisterswho have helped man our jobs.

Along with our summer being busy with work,it is also filled with local union sponsored events:July 22—Buffalo Bisons game; Aug. 5—Miss BuffaloCruise; Aug. 20—our Annual Union Outing; andSept. 17—the Annual Charity Golf Tournament.Anyone interested in attending these events, pleasecontact the union hall for more information. Pleasetake the opportunity in attending these events tomeet new brothers and sisters.

Gregory R. Inglut, A.B.M.

‘Days of Action’ RalliesL.U. 47 (lctt,mo,o,u&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CA—Independence Day—the day set aside to celebrateourselves, our ideals and our country. It is a day toacknowledge men and women, past and present,who have served in the Armed Forces to defend ourfreedoms. This year we all owe a special apprecia-tion to Navy Seal Team 6.

Work remains steady at the local. A few con-struction projects have been delayed while environ-mental and other issues are worked out, but othersare already in progress.

We held our annual Desert Days in April. Morethan 200members enjoyed aweekend of off-roadrecreation. Local 47members on dirt bikes, dune bug-gies and quads, were all over theStoddardWells area.

Local 47 members remain very active in “Daysof Action” rallies. The attack on organized labor isreal and we must fight back before it’s too late.

The local has taken a lead roleagainst an effort to disincorporatethe City of Vernon. We represent theworkers at the city-owned utility.

We mourn the passing ofmembers Ryan Bennett, PaulineWalker and Ron Green. Ourthoughts and prayers are with theirfamilies and friends.

Work safe, live well, work union.

Stan Stosel, P.S.

Welcome toNewMembersL.U. 51 (catv,lctt,o,rtb,t&u), SPRINGFIELD, IL—The 128employees who perform operations andmainte-nance work at the E.D. Edwards and DuckCreekpower stations won their NLRB election with 97 per-cent of these employees voting in favor of joining theIBEW. Contract negotiations have started with thecompany, AmerenEnergy Resources. We welcomeour newest brothers and sisters into the local union.

Congratulations to Sister Sarah SylvesterDrake, customer service representative at AmerenIllinois, for winning the 2011 Women of ExcellenceHelen Duncan Labor Award.

Work is looking up for our constructionmem-bers this summer. We currently have one wind proj-ect underway, another startingmid-June, and varioustransmissionmaintenance jobs to look forward to.

Have a safe summer and please attend yourmonthly unit meetings!

Karlene Knisley, B.R.

Groundbreaking CeremonyL.U. 55 (lctt,o&u), DESMOINES, IA—OnMarch 18,Local 55 held a groundbreaking ceremony for ournew union hall, which will be built on the lot adja-cent to our existing building. Construction began inJune, using an all-union work force, including IBEWLocal 347 brothers and sisters. We are shooting fora completion date in December.

We have been fortunate to keep our Book 1members working through the winter and spring, aswell as many from Book II. The summer work out-look seems very encouraging.

Our Unit Rep. AllanMeachamhas been workinghard to settle several of our unit agreements. Asorganizer, I have been following up on leads and coldleafleting several nonunion tree contractors in ourstate. As a result, at press time a representation elec-tion was scheduled to be held June 28 for Asplundh

Tree onMidAmerican property, inWaterloo, Iowa.Our members have attended several rallies at

our state Capitol in support of public sector workersin Wisconsin and Iowa. I am proud, as I attendthese rallies, to see a mix of people comingtogether, in the face of oppression. History hastaught us that we will win, and now is the time tostand up and fight. “Freedom is never voluntarilygiven by the oppressor; it is taken by theoppressed.”– Dr. Martin Luther King

Rusty McCuen, A.B.M.

VolunteersL.U. 57 (lctt,mo,o,t&u), SALT LAKE CITY, UT—IBEWLocal 57 members working for Rocky MountainPower and Idaho Falls Power continue to volunteerin their communities, recently preparing and serv-ing a community dinner at the City of Refuge inIdaho Falls. Members have committed to providingthe meal every month. We are striving to help out inthe community, while getting name recognition inour communities. Many who participate in the mealask who we are and what IBEW stands for.

We are also helping out at the local BigBrothers/Big Sisters golf tournament with a holesponsorship and volunteers. Get out and participatein the community.Many of ourmembers have quietlysupported and volunteered in their communities. This

can, potentially, be one of the bestways to promoteourselves and the unionmovement. The time is right.

On theworkoutlook, construction is slowwiththe potential forwork to pickup this summer.The lightrail project should start up this summer, aswell as a345kV transmission project, outside ofSalt LakeCity.

Scott Long, P.S.

Solar EnergyProjectL.U. 99 (govt&i), PROVIDENCE, RI—At this writing itis a very busy time what with elections, contracttalks, a graduating apprentice class and more.

Bro.Mike D’Amio andmany Local 99 volunteerswere again a big part of Rhode Island’s RebuildingTogether campaign. Their hardwork to help those lessfortunate certainlymerits recognition. Bro. D’Amico’sdedication to this annual event is unparalleled.

The Local 99 JATC graduated 32 inside wire-man “A-rate” apprentices and nine teledata techni-cians on June 2. We wish these fine younggraduates good luck in their careers.

Although work remains slow in our area, sev-eral projects are in the works. One is a renewableenergy project at a local manufacturer. TorayPlastics Inc. will have one of the largest solar arraysin Rhode Island to date. E.W. Audet will be the con-tractor in charge of the 1,600 panel installation.

The National Electrical Code cycle has begunagain at Local 99’s union hall.Local 99 is also offering aContractor Business course formembers on how to run suc-cessful union shops. JATCDir.Joe Anderson has other jour-neyman courses available onan “as filled” basis.

Efforts continue at Local99 to strengthen ElectricalLicense laws. Bus. Mgr. AlDurand and Organizer JohnShalvey, with lobbyist PaulMacDonald, continue to pushfor increased fines for viola-tions of the Rhode IslandElectrical Licensing laws. Thecontinued disregard of rules bymany nonunion shops must be

Attendees gather at Local 37 Training Trust Fund conference.

Local 47 Bus. Mgr. Pat Lavin (left) and Rec. Sec.Chris Avila (center) present a $35,000 check toRiverside, CA, Mayor Ron Loveridge for theSendai (Japan) Relief Fund to aid earthquake/tsunami victims.

Attending Local 55 groundbreaking ceremony, from left: Ken Sawyer, retired InternationalRepresentative; Local 55 Pres. James Blair; Phil Stender, former business manager; Bus. Mgr.Michael Brookes; Don Barrow, former business manager; and Dave Turner, former president.

IBEW Local 57 members volunteer at the City Of Refuge in IdahoFalls, Idaho.

Local Lines


stopped. All the membership needs is a level play-ing field to outperform the nonunion competition.

S.P. Callaghan, P.S.

All-MemberMeetingL.U. 125 (lctt,o,t&u), PORTLAND, OR—Local 125hosted annual training for unit chairs, unitrecorders and shop stewards on April 15 and its All-Member Meeting on April 16. To help fulfill theirroles and responsibilities, participants receivedinstruction, suggestions and information on currenttopics, basic labor relations fundamentals andupcoming issues.

On behalf of the Executive Board and staff,thank you to our members who participated in thisyear’s events. These are difficult times whichrequire the commitment, presence and unity of themembership. The local thanks John Bishop, JohnMohlis, Int. Vice Pres. Mike Mowrey, Christy Piti,AFL-CIO Sec.-Treas. Liz Shuler and Steve Wright foraddressing the membership during the meeting.(Shuler participated via video.)

Bus.Mgr. Travis Eri shared information on cur-rent events, finances, negotiations and safety. “Thiswas a good opportunity formembers to learn fromeach other andhearwhat is happening throughout thelocal,” said Eri. During themeeting, Eri fieldedques-tions from themembership and inquiredwhether themeeting should beheld in the future. Attendees over-whelmingly supported ameeting in 2012.

Thank you to everyone who donated itemsand those who made purchases which generated$1,800 for the Brotherhood Fund.

Visit the local’s Web site www.ibew125.comfor information about these events.

Marcy Putman, P.S.

Protest/Unity RalliesL.U. 159 (i), MADISON, WI—Protest/unity rallies con-tinue at our state Capitol. At press time, the biggestissues include recall efforts. Democrats won back aseat in the state Senate that was vacated by anappointment to the governor’s staff. Unfortunately,Republicans remain in control of both the stateSenate and Assembly.

On May 14 another huge rally took placearound our Capitol square. The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, local labor organizations and unions are work-ing to keep the issues of working people alive andto keep the momentum going through the 2012national elections.

The work outlook remains slow for all sectors,but we are putting out more referrals currently thanlast year at this time.

Our 18th SuchomanScholarship Golf Outing—now known as the Robert Palmer Classic, in memo-rial tribute to our former business agent—will beheld Aug. 20. All proceeds go to our scholarship fundfor members or their children attending college.

Father’s Day was celebrated by Local 159members and their families/guests at the annualIBEW Day at the Mallards, our local semi-pro base-ball team.

Thanks again to all the IBEWmembers fromlocals across the country who have sent their sup-port to Wisconsin. All your efforts in this fight aregreatly appreciated and have helped make a differ-ence. We sincerely thank you.

Joel Kapusta, B.A.

Solar ContractorsSignedL.U. 163 (ees&i), WILKES-BARRE, PA—Greetings.2011 has engaged us in many new and challengingprojects. Our fifth-year apprentice class is in theprocess of taking the craft certification hands-onperformance evaluations.

Construction is complete on our new solar sys-tems and they are online generating power. The sys-tem consists of a 2 kW tracking array for training anda 36 kW system to power our building. This solar sys-tem will give us firsthand knowledge of the newtechnology and a presence in the solar constructionmarket. Thank you to all who have donated theirtime. Bus. Mgr. Michael Kwashnik andMemberDevelopment Rep. JeremyModerwell have beenactive in organizing area solar contractors and havesigned EndlessMountain Solar andMid AtlanticSolar. We welcome our new contractors.

In November 2010, we held our annual retireedinner. Our retired members shared their insightand stories, danced and had a wonderful time. Andfinally, Santa visited our members’ children at ourannual Christmas party. The children enjoyed apuppet show, participated in a Christmas play, andreceived a gift and picture with Santa. Visit us at ourWeb site www.ibewlocal163.com.

David Novak, P.S.

2011 Graduating ClassL.U. 175 (c,em,i,lctt,mt,o&u), CHATTANOOGA, TN—Congratulations to the Local 175 inside apprentice-ship class of 2011.The 2011 graduates are PeteAdkins, Tim Anderson, Justin Baggett, John Barker,Jon Barnes, Jay Birdwell, Brian Blevins, MattBorden, David Bunch, Kris Calhoun, Matt Collins,Cain Collison, Michael Corvin, Nick Cunningham,Coby Curvin, Nick Davis, Almir Dizdarevic, JamesEdwards, Nathan Evers, Ronald Forrest Jr., JimmyFrederick, Ronald Galloway, Jeff Gentry, KrisGilreath, Ricky Gladden, Scott Hastings, TravisHicks, Clifton Hookey Jr., Brandon Jenkins, JasonJordan, Ryan Kelley, Chatt Lavender, Tony LoveladyJr., Joey Massey, Sergey Maystruk, Josh McAlpin,Micah McKinney, Michael McNabb, Luke Moyes,Dale Mull, Jeremy Nolan, Tracey Price, JasonRicketts, Cory Rigsby, Jameson Rogers, Chris Rose,Jasmin Sahbaz, Chip Saucier, Max Scoggins, RustySells, Heath Shoemate, Casey Shotts, Eric Smith,Stacy Smith, Michael Spade and Derek Wilburn.We wish all these new journeymen the best of luckin the future.

Support your local union. Meetings are thefirst and third Monday of each month.

Keith Owensby, P.S.

‘Fight BackFlorida’ RalliesL.U. 177 (bo,ees,i,mo,o&pet), JACKSONVILLE, FL—Although the work picture in our area hasn’timproved and doesn’t showmuch promise for the

near future, Local 177 has been heavily involved inthe fight for working people in our state. Themiddleclass is under attack across the country and theFlorida governor and his cronies have been takinglessons from politicians inWisconsin and Ohio in theattempt to eliminate unions and themiddle class.

Thanks to retiredmemberMarvinMurphy forhis work as the volunteermobilization coordinator forthe North FloridaCentral LaborCouncil, AFL-CIO, dur-ing the Florida legislative session. Bro.Murphy hasbeen doing a great job organizing and recruitingmembers to attend rallies everyweekof the session toshow the politicians thatwewill be heard andwewillfight for Florida. Bro.Murphywill carry thismomen-tumon even after the legislative session is over.

Bros. Ron Scarle and Charles Moody were inan accident recently and both received second- andthird-degree burns from a 4,160 volt flash. Bothbrothers are overwhelmed by the cards and ges-tures of brotherhood from around the country andwish to thank everyone for the thoughts andprayers. Both are continuing to heal at home nowand look forward to returning to work as soon astheir lengthy recovery allows.

Alan Jones, Pres./P.S.

2011Summer& Fall EventsL.U. 191 (c,i,mo,rtb&st), EVERETT, WA—Local 191invites all members to come enjoy family fun thissummer and fall. Come invigorate unionism andsolidarity to help build a stronger union family.Following is the sched-ule of our upcomingevents.• July 16—Westside

Golf Tournament atAvalon Golf Course,8 a.m., inBurlington, WA.

• Aug. 6—EastsidePicnic at Hydro Park,12 noon, inWenatchee, WA.

• Aug. 13—EastsideGolf Tournament atHighlander GolfCourse, 8 a.m., inWenatchee, WA.

• Sept. 18—WestsidePicnic at HillcrestPark, 12 noon, in Mt.Vernon, WA.

• Sept. 24—Retiree & Service Pin Dinner at Angelof the Winds Casino, 11 a.m., in Arlington, WA.

• Sept. 30—Apprentice Graduation at TulalipCasino, 6 p.m., in Marysville, WA.

• The EWMCwill have upcoming UnionSolidarityevents for the North End and Eastside. Please con-tact Jodi Howson (360) 391-9990 for information.

You should receive all the information in themail. Make sure the union hall has your currentaddress. Please call the Everett Hall at (425) 259-3195to RSVP for all events. We encourage all members toget involved. Volunteers are needed for all events. Ifinterested, please call the Everett Hall. Thanks to allwho volunteer.

Rob “Bulldog” De Velder, P.S.

SkillsUSAChampionshipL.U. 193 (i,lctt,o,rts,spa&u), SPRINGFIELD, IL—Bros.Mike Conklin and George Moore volunteered asjudges at the Illinois SkillsUSA Championship heldApril 14-15 in Springfield. SkillsUSA, a national stu-dent organization, complements technical skillstraining with instruction in employability skills atpublic high schools and colleges. The event beginswith contests in classrooms, and winners advancethrough district and regional events, to state com-petition. IBEW Local 193 is proud to sponsor theIllinois SkillsUSA Championship, which showseveryone how vital career and technical educationis to America’s future.

The “We Are One Rally for Workers’ Rights”hosted by the Springfield and Central Illinois Tradesand Labor Council on April 7 on the Illinois StateCapitol steps was well-attended. Our own Local 193Bus. Mgr. David Burns was one of the union keynotespeakers. Thanks to all participants for attendingand standing against the assault on America’s mid-dle class.

Congratulations to all the City Water, Light &Power, Inside, Voice Data Video, and Residentialapprentices who graduated this year. Twelve newInside apprentices and three VDV apprentices havebeen started. Nelson Tree Service has hired six lineclearance tree trimmers.

Our condolences go to the family of our Bro.Jessie Griffin, who passed away.

Don Hudson, P.S.

Local 163’s new solar array.

Local 177 Bro. Rahman Noorali attends “FightBack Florida” rally in downtown Jacksonville, FL.

Local 193 Bros. George Moore (left) and Mike Conklin (second from left)judge residential wiring competition at SkillsUSA Championship.



WorkPicture ImprovesL.U. 245 (govt,lctt,o,rtb&u), TOLEDO, OH—Ourlocal’s work picture is really picking up. We haveseveral wind projects and associated work in con-junction with the wind generators.

More good news: Local 245 worked withQuanta Services and Quanta’s Labor Relations Dir.Bob Asher to bring into the IBEW another Quantafamily acquisition, the Can-Fer Company. We alsobrought into Local 245’s membership 20 newmem-bers from Can-fer. Congratulations to Quanta and toour newly organized Can-Fer members.

Congratulations to Local 245’s new ALBATgraduates: journeyman linemen Jason Kehres andJonathan LaCourse, and Traffic Signal & LightingjourneymanMichael Tscherne.

Our district has gained a new vice president.Kenneth Cooper was appointed Fourth DistrictInternational Vice President. Cooper replacesSalvatore “Sam” Chilia, who was appointedInternational Secretary-Treasurer. We congratulateboth Vice Pres. Cooper and Int. Sec.-Treas. Chilia.We wish Sec.-Treas. Chilia the best and look forwardto working with Vice Pres. Cooper.

Local 245 is working with state and local AFL-CIO labor organizations to gather signatures for thepetition drive to put the Ohio Senate Bill 5 referen-dum on the general election ballot in November. Tohelp gather petitions and register voters, pleasecontact our office. Please sign this petition. Yourbasic rights to bargain are next to be targeted.

Our Treas. Lisa Tracy is throwing a benefit forher sister-in-law Heather, who has leukemia. Pleasecall our office to purchase tickets or assist.

Philip C. LaCourse, Pres.

Pitching InL.U. 269 (i&o), TRENTON, NJ—Local members andtheir family members, along with community vol-unteers from the Friends of the Delaware Canal,teamed up to provide a needed cleanup of theDelaware Canal State Park in Morrisville, PA.Morrisville Borough Council Pres. Dave Rivella, aLocal 269 member, organized the event with a lotof help and support from local members. Thisevent was another example of the local’s commit-ment to serve the communities in which they workand live.

On the work front, crews have started work onthe newMercer County Courthouse located in down-town Trenton, NJ. Having good paying jobs in high-profile, downtown locations has always been astaple of union employment and it is nice to seethis trend continue, especially with so much anti-union rhetoric hanging in the air around our cityand town halls. Also, the various ongoing solar proj-ects throughout our territory will give our membersa chance to apply what they have learned from therecently offered solar training courses. Local leadersare working hard to keep project labor agreementsintact for the upcoming summer work on area pub-lic schools and facilities.

Brian Jacoppo, P.S.

80th AnniversaryL.U. 357 (c,i,mt&se), LAS VEGAS, NV—Local 357 cele-brates its 80th anniversary this month and we areproud of everything our local has evolved into. Our

membership and our leaders have accomplished somuch over the last eight decades.

We thank our JATC for the many hours ofinstruction and education they provide for ourmembers. Local 357 is honored to have graduatedthe class of 2011 on May 14. With 127 journeymanwiremen and 23 installer technician graduates, thisclass is our largest yet.

With this new decade of representation alsocomes new leadership. After serving Local 357 asbusiness manager/financial secretary, Bro. David R.Jones was appointed International Representativeassigned to the Ninth District. And Bro. Al D. Daviswas appointed by the Executive Board on April 26 tolead the local as business manager/financial secre-tary to fill Bro. Jones’ unexpired term. We thank allof our leadership past and present for fighting for aliving wage, better conditions and a safe workplace.

Aaron L. Jones, P.S.

StandingStrong forWorkersL.U. 363 (catv,em,govt,i,t,u&ws), NEW CITY, NY—There has never been a more critical time for allunion members to band together than the time welive in now. Unions are under attack from all anglesand directions. The corporations have taken controlof the Republican Party on a national level and theyare not shy in expressing their hatred for all unions.The most popular Republican proposals of the yearwould take us closer to a past where there was nounemployment insurance, no Social Security, nopensions, no health care and no right to organize.

With that said, you can rest assured that Local363memberswill do everything possible to educateall working people about the importance of standingstrong for the rights of Americanworkers. There is notime in the history of our countrywhere the anti-unionmovement has been so blatant in their open disdaintoward themiddle class.The distinct difference isnow they are trying to takeawaywhat rightswerefought for andwon by ourforefathers.

Let’s unite andorganize ourselves now todefeat the political corpo-rate shills who are callingfor our demise.

Kevin Keeley, P.S.

Veteran ReceivesMedalsL.U. 379 (i,o&rtb), CHARLOTTE, NC—Retiredmemberand KoreanWar veteran, Bro. Earley Brown, wasrecently presented sevenmedals by the KoreanWarVeterans Association, Golden Circle, Chapter 244.Family and fellow IBEWmembers were there forEarley’s big day. [See photo below.] Themedals hereceived are as follows: Korean Peace, KoreanDefense Service, National Defense, Good Conduct,USA Korean Service, United Nations Korean Serviceand Purple Heart. Some of thesemedals were devel-oped since the time of the war and were overdue,and some were replaced after an unfortunate fire.

Bro. Brown is from “The Electric City,”Anderson, S.C., and it’s very fitting that he becamean electrician. He was originally initiated into then-Local 908, Greenville, SC, on Feb. 10, 1964. Histhree sons, Edgar, Mike and Earl “Nick” Brown, fol-lowed their dad into our Brotherhood and their fam-ily has 132 years of service combined! Whendiscussing his electrical career, he states, “I am theproudest man to be in the IBEW, and won’t forgetwhat [the Brotherhood] did for me.”

Earley, we won’t forget what you did for us. Wethank you for your honorable service to our countryand the IBEW!

Circuit 379 open for now. …

Guy B. DePasquale, P.S.

TransitionsReportedL.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa&u), POCATELLO,ID—Local 449 thanks former business manager BobBodell for the years he dedicated to Local 449 andwishes him the best of luck in his new position asthe Idaho National Laboratory site labor coordina-tor. INL is a nuclear R&D facility outside Idaho Falls.The Executive Board appointed Rodney James as

business manager, Mike Miera as president andZeke Martin as vice president.

With the current attack on the labor move-ment across America, I urge all members to partici-pate in rallies and volunteer when needed inpro-union activities to help protect the rights ourforefathers fought and died for.

The membership congratulates the followingapprentices on completion of their apprenticeships:Chris Brunson, Isamu Burton, Cain Calzada, LukeCarpenter, Aaron Dill, Wesley Freeman, CoryGneiting, Ross Harrington, Brandon Harris, WayneHarris, Kyle Jones, Vickie Lish, Scott Mackowiak,Travis Newsom, Jake Stevenson, David Taufui,Brody Winmill, Kelly Worthington and Scott Yearsley.

Congratulations and best wishes to ArlynMcCulloch, Laurel Orr, Alan Christensen and TorryPeterson on their retirement.

Local 449 members extend condolences to thefamilies of recently deceased members: Bros. HarryBlessinger, Marshall Rapp, HarlemWilson, EugeneCampbell and Bobby Smout.

We congratulate former Int. Sec.-Treas. LindellLee on his retirement and thank him for his serviceto the IBEW.

Mike Miera, Pres./Organizer

Bus.Mgr. O’Rourke RetiresL.U. 455 (em&u) SPRINGFIELD, MA—Bill O’Rourke,pictured above with his wife, Joanne, retired effec-tive March 1 as business manager/financial secre-tary of Local 455 after 22 years of service to the local.

Bill holds the distinction of longest servingbusiness manager in the local’s history, which is atestament to the job he did fighting for betterwages and benefits for his brothers and sisters.Bill will be missed by all of us here at Local 455. Wethank him for all the years of hard work and wishhim well in his retirement.

Following Bill’s retirement, Brian Kenney wasappointed business manager to fill the unexpiredterm; Jim DiBernardo was appointed president; andTom Albano was appointed recording secretary.

Jim DiBernardo, P.S.

Attacks onWorkersL.U. 531 (i), LAPORTE, IN—The GOP in Indiana, as inmany other states, has become emboldened as aresult of the last election. In the past when ourfriends controlled at least one of the legislative bod-ies, we were able to fend off many of the attacks byLocal 379 retired member Earley Brown (center) with family and friends.

Local 455 former business manager BillO’Rourke and wife Joanne.

Local 357’s graduating class of 2011, joined by JATC Dir. Madison Burnett, Assistants Robert Buntjerand Jerry White, Bus. Mgr. Al Davis and Int. Rep. David R. Jones.

Local Lines


the right wing. We owe a debt of gratitude to theDemocrats who fled the state to stop the anti-workerlegislation and also to those few Republicans whodo understand and support our positions. The GOP’swhole strategy now is to eliminate collective bargain-ing and weaken the voices of the middle class. Ithank all of ourmembers who joined us at theIndiana Statehouse for demonstrations.

As important as politics are to our localunions, it is just as important to be involved in ourcommunities. Thanks to our members who partici-pated in the United Way Dodge Ball Challenge,Rebuilding Together in Valparaiso, and the L.U. 531Annual Blood Drive. The leaders in our communitiesrecognize IBEW Local 531 as a force in the commu-nity because of what you do.

Welcome to our new Local 531 apprentices:Bryan Michalski, Mike Camplan, JohnathonAppelman and Adam Levendoski.

Dean Harmon, Pres.

Keith Bergeron RetiresL.U. 547 (rr), GALESBURG, IL—IBEW Local 547 LocalChairman Keith Bergeron retired June 9 from theBNSF Railway after nearly 37 years of service. Bro.Bergeron served our local for more than 15 years invarious positions includingpresident, local chairman,financial secretary andExecutive Board member.Keith retired as an elec-tronic technician foremanand had previously heldthe telecom line foremanposition. The knowledgeand service he so tirelesslyprovided to the membersand officers of our local willnot be forgotten or easilyreplaced. Bro. Bergeron, wehope you and Roberta onlythe best in your muchdeserved retirement. Thankyou, from all Local 547members.

Terry R. Pind, P.S.

WorkersDayRallyL.U. 551 (c,i&st), SANTA ROSA, CA—I wish to expressgreat gratitude for the brothers who came out forthe International Workers Day march and rally onMay 1. We marched two miles through the streets ofSanta Rosa. The march ended in Julliard Park,where we enjoyed entertainment and some finewild turkey barbecued by Bro. Russell Heath.

Every unionmember should know the impor-tance of this day. The plight of Wisconsin is a clearstep backward. Yes, back in time—where workershad no rights, were forced to work 12-16 hour workdays. No weekends, no overtime, and of course nosafety standards. Local 551 will not stand idly by andlet this happen again. I urge all IBEWmembers toattend every rally you can get your feet and voice in.

A big thank-you to Charlie O’Neil, who tookcharge of wiring the two solar Habitat for Humanityhomes in Healdsburg! Your volunteerism andskilled commitment are the best of the best! What?You missed this build? Not to worry—two more solarhomes are breaking ground now, and we will belooking for volunteers in July; give your hall a call.

Be active in your union; be safe—without “U”there is no union.

Denise D. Soza, P.S./B.R.

OSHA&StewardTrainingL.U. 553 (i,mt,o&ws), RALEIGH, NC—In April Local553 held OSHA 10-hour training for our members tobe on board with safety training requirements forjobs with our contractors.

Also, the local had a steward training class,which provided valuable instruction for stewardswho represent our members. Thanks go to Int.Reps. Carmella Cruse and Benny Hunnicutt forteaching the informative steward training class.

Contractors have been calling fromother areasof the country for a wage package, indicating thatmaybe theywill be onwork in our jurisdiction forfuture projects.Maybe ourmembers can prosper athome, instead of having towork in other jurisdictions.

The AFL-CIO held a labor rally at the stateCapitol in Raleigh. Labor unions joined together toshow solidarity and support for the rights of work-ing people. The business manager and the organ-izer of Local 553 attended the labor rally in support.

David A. Ingram, P.S.

PromisingSpring&SummerL.U. 557 (i,mt,rts&spa), SAGINAW, MI—As niceweather moves into Michigan, Local 557 looks for-ward to what could be a promising summer. After atough winter for much of the local, we are excitedfor some projects to come our way.

Nearby Gratiot County will play host to a newstate-of-the-art windmill farm. This will be the firstbig venture into the new “green” energy wave forour local. Many members are excited to have achance to work on this rare project. Funding is final-ized and our local is ready to spring into action tohelp build these magnificent structures.

With summer, come school projects. Severalkey remodels and additions are coming up in thearea. These projects can be counted on every sum-mer to help keep our members busy with work thatbenefits the community.

Perhaps themost intriguing project in the areais the construction of a brand new InternationalAirport Terminal. MBS International Airport is cur-rently constructing a brand new state-of-the-art air-port terminal in Freeland, MI. The 75,000 squarefoot terminal should attract many business travelersto our area. Having a wonderful new, easy to use air-port is an invaluable tool to attract new business tothe area. Local 557 is proud to be part of this con-struction and will guide the project to completion.

Evan Allardyce, P.S.

NewClimbingTowerL.U. 573 (as&i), WARREN, OH—At Local 573, we arehaving a busy year. In May construction of ourClimbing Tower was completed by local union con-tractors under the direction of our Training Dir. EricDavis. The 60-foot tall tower has a 12-foot diameterand three interior ladders with cages. It will be usedby our members to train for the wind turbine certifi-cation; and when not in use, local safety forces willutilize it for training. The tower is one of only two inour state and only a few nationwide. It was fundedby a grant and we partnered with the Ohio Bureauof Workers’ Compensation. We are excited andproud to offer this training to our members andenable them to receive their Capstone certification.All classes required for Capstone are now offeredthrough our local, and our training director alreadyhas many classes filled to capacity.

We have also been active with our Relay-For-Life fundraising, and many Local 573 members haveattended rallies protesting Senate Bill 5, which

would strip state unionemployees’ collective bargain-ing rights. Our governor wishesto remove all collective bar-gaining and attack prevailingwage and project labor agree-ments in Ohio. A petition driveto put SB 5 on the general elec-tion ballot is circulating and weall need to do our part to repealthis bill. We thank all our fellowlocals that have supported thisendeavor.

David Bush Jr., P.S.

Oakland ‘WeAreOne’ RallyL.U. 595 (c,govt,i&st), DUBLIN, CA—Local 595 mem-bers joined hundreds of trade unionists and sup-porters at the April 4 “We Are One” rally atOakland’s City Hall Plaza. Local 595 memberLawrence Sanders, whose wife is a public schoolteacher, urged all union members to stand togetherand fight the anti-union, Republican-led waragainst workers. Thanks to all who rallied to standin solidarity with Wisconsin’s workers.

The work situation remains slow; job dis-patches are trickling out to a few large area proj-

Attending Workers Day rally, from left: North Bay Labor Council Exec.Dir. Lisa Maldonado, IBEW Local 551 member Russell Heath,California Assembly memberMichael Allen, Local 551 Pres. JimMcQuaid and member Dan Carroll.

Int. Rep. BennyHunnicutt instructs a Local 553 steward training class.

Local 573’s new training tower.

Local 531 contingent attends March union rally.



ects. Like many locals, we also have hard decisionsto make regarding funding of our Health & Welfareplan. The H&W plan recently mailed information toall members; at our May 12 meeting, attendees dis-cussed the H&W survey and made recommenda-tions to the trustees.

We are holding CALCTP classes at our trainingcenter and encourage members to get this certifica-tion. We foresee an increase in hiring in this area asour contractors do more of the work greening ourbuildings. Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 2X,which increases renewable energy mandates from20 percent to 33 percent by 2020. This will bringincreased production of renewable energy and cre-ate jobs in the process.

Plans for our new JATCbuild-out are progress-ing with a projected completion date of summer2012. The state-of the art facility aims for a “netzero” energy use goal and will serve our industry foryears to come.

Tom Mullarkey, B.R.

Prospects for Future ProjectsL.U. 601 (i&rtb), CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL—As of thisspring writing, the work situation in our area is stillslow. There are some prospects for improvementwith five wind farm projects slated to start in 2011that will produce 593 wind turbines. Carle Hospitalhas plans for a large addition that will start soon,which will help clear some of the 65 members wehave on Book I. At press time, we still have eightapprentices out of work and Book II has 241 broth-ers and sisters looking for work.

Our local has approximately 100 electriciansworking at the University of Illinois Physical Plant.While there are several small remodel jobs, thereare no plans of any big projects in the near future.

Theannual Local 601SteakStagwasheldApril 9.Once againmanymembers, both active and retired,steppedup tomake the event a great success.Thelarge group shared in the great food and fellowship.

Dan Hatter, P.S.

JobsDay inSanta Fe RallyL.U. 611 (catv,es,govt,i,lctt,o,spa,t&u), ALBU-QUERQUE, NM—This year’s Jobs Day in Santa Ferally drew its usual large crowd. The unions met atthe Eagles Club where we were treated to greatfood, speeches by a congressman and the Santa Fecity manager, and then the crowd marched to thestate Capitol to show union unity.

If you recentlymoved or changed yourphone number, pleasecall the union hall toupdate your information.This is a convention yearand we need every mem-ber counted so we canhave as many delegatesas possible.

This year’s annualpicnic is now in July.Make every effort toattend.

Also remember toattend union meetings,held the third Saturday ofeach month at 10 a.m. (Ina previous article, the day

for meetings was mistakenly listed incorrectly.)Local 611 extends condolences to the families

of members who recently passed away: Jerry M.Gonzales, Eugene F. Getz, James E. Smith andHerman L. Sieboldt.

Darrell J. Blair, P.S.

WorkerSolidarity RallyL.U. 617 (c,i,mo&st), SANMATEO, CA—IBEW Local 617members proudly stood with brothers and sisters ofall unions at the April 4 SanMateo County We AreOne events. Wisconsin tactics have surfaced in ourcounty and we are joining publicworkers to protectthe rights unions have won for the American people.Local teachers, first responders andmunicipal work-ers know they can count on determined IBEW sup-port in the battle to secure decent wages, pensionsand health care for families who live in this county.

Under the direction of our local’s officers, staffand EWMCChapter, the Rebuilding Together pro-gram continues to thrive. Thank you to Bus. Mgr.Dominic Nolan, Pres. Mark Leach, Sec.-Treas. D.J.Siegman, EWMCPres. Joe Sweeting and Local 617members Irving Hemingway, Jadaun Williams, ArtLee, Abe Kasitalea, Jim Robertson, Jerry Accristo,Daniel Eaves, Robertson Gembe, Ruben Pacheco,Dave Huston and Steve Kennedy for all their effortsand hard work. We also thank local contractorsArmor Electric, Liberty Electric, Palmer Electric,MorrowMeadows and Redwood City Electric.

Dan Pasini, V.P.

SummerWorkPictureL.U. 625 (ees,em,i,mar&mt), HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA,CANADA—On July 11 this year, the 115th anniversaryof the untimely death of our founder Henry Millerwill be marked. I urge all IBEWmembers to wearyour local’s shirt, hat, jacket, etc. and go donateblood in Brother Miller’s honor.

The offshore gas development work shouldpick up in July or August with the arrival of the pro-duction facility for Encana’s four-well Deep PanukeProject. Maybe this will pick up the slack from thewaning gas wells operated by ExxonMobile on theSable Island Scotia Shelf.

An expansion at the Springhill Institute FederalPenitentiary, and construction of a new provincialcorrections facility in Thorburn, should provide forsome hiring provided both are awarded union.These jobs will come to Unit #2, which to date stillhas 80members employed at the Truro Hospital.

Retired member Clayton Brown passed awayMay 4, 2011. He was 85. Our condolences go to hisfamily.

Congratulations to our newly certified journeypersons: Corey Graves, Jason Stewart, SanderMacMillan, Addison Hawes, Chris Goodie andDuncan MacEachen. Well done, brothers.

Tom Griffiths, Pres.

CaliforniaValleySolar RanchL.U. 639 (i&rts), SAN LUISOBISPO, CA—We thank thetraveling brothers and sisters for their help duringthe recent refueling outage at the Diablo CanyonPower Plant. The California ValleySolar Ranch projectwas approved by the County Board of Supervisors ona 5-0 vote in April. It is a 250megawatt photovoltaicpower plant, built by union electricians. Check ourWeb site for information on this and other large proj-ects that wemight have atwww.ibew639.org. Thislarge solar installation will put San Luis ObispoCounty on themap as a leader of large-scale photo-voltaic projects installed by union labor.

Local 639 has been busy in the community,with journeyman wiremen and apprentices workingwith Habitat for Humanity in San Luis Obispo. Local639 has worked with Habitat for years to serve thecommunity. Organizer Mark Satterfield was featuredon the cover of Local 639’s newspaper, New Times,making the case for union workers.

TheSan Luis Obispo JATC is busy completinganother year of apprentice training and offering a spe-cial program in cooperationwith the localUnemployment/OneStop office to offer a pre-appren-tice,multi-trades 10-week course to 25 local unem-ployed people with an interest in a future in one of thebuilding trades. The course is unique in our area andwe look forward tomany new apprentice applicants.

Our Maymeeting featured officer nominationsand at this writing, elections were scheduled forJune. Please drop by our July 21 meeting to congrat-ulate our newly elected officers. A barbecue startsat 5:30 p.m. and the meeting is at 6:30 p.m.

John Ponzetti, P.S.

‘The Battle Continues’L.U. 683 (em&i), COLUMBUS, OH—The battle forOhio continues. We’ve lost a few skirmishes but notthe war. Union members have attended multiplerallies at the Statehouse. The next battle is togather enough signatures to get Ohio Senate Bill 5,the attack on collective bargaining, on the ballot inNovember. The law was passed by the Republicancontrolled House, Senate and governor. By gettingthis on the ballot we will let the voters decide. Weneed to get the word out that the Republicans areattacking workers, not just unions, all over thecountry. The only firewall some states have is thatone branch of their state government is controlledby Democrats. They can put in roadblocks to pre-vent the legislation even coming to the floor for avote. Ohio has none. We need to protect what wasfought and sometimes died for by our past brothersand sisters. We need to come together not just asunion members but as Americans to stop the greedof corporations and Wall Street manipulation.

We extend our condolences to the families ofrecently deceased members: FrankW. Kollmer Jr.,Richard M. Miller, Thomas H. Savage, Dolph D.Slone and Cecile M. Jeffers.

Rick Deime, Exec. Brd./P.S.

Service Pins&CookoutL.U. 915 (i&mt), TAMPA, FL—Our annual April cookoutand service-pin presentation brought out the broth-ers and sisters ranging from those with 55 years ofservice down to first-year apprentices. The cooks dida great job. The brotherhood and fellowship amongattendees was a joy to be a part of. Thank you to allwho pitched in tomake the event a success.

Congratulations on 55 years of service to:Bros. Armand Chaves, Glenn Lane and HowardRitchie. Our 50-year award recipients were: Bros.Alton Banks and Kenneth Letzring. For 40 years’service: Bros. Robert Bass, Russell Dehmel, WilliamDever, Harold Kronz, Dennis Kuhn and GregLabuda. For 35 years of service: Bros. James Lyleand Richard Smith. For 30 years: Bros. StevenLariviere and Roosevelt Lawrence. Congratulationsalso to all the others who received service pins andthanks to all for your commitment to the IBEW.

Our “Brother of The Year” Award went to Sister

Local 595 member Lawrence Sanders (at podium) addresses “We AreOne” rally at Oakland’s City Hall Plaza.

Local 611 members Guillermo Trujillo (left) andAdolph Chavez attend Jobs Day Rally.

Local 617 Bro. Steven Booker addresses We AreOne rally.

Local 915 Bus. Mgr. William Dever (left) andPres. Randall King congratulate award recipientSister Linda Campbell.

Local Lines


Linda Campbell. Sister Campbell has dedicated her-self to her union with her whole being. She is a fineexample of what giving back represents. We areproud to have Linda be the first sister to receive thisaccredited award.

Theresa King, P.S.

Stand forWorkers’ RightsL.U. 965 (em,govt,ptc&u), MADISON, WI—At presstime, we are continuing to negotiate with Everbrite,our manufacturing sub-unit in Pardeeville, WI. Wecontinue to work through language issues but thebig ticket items, medical, wages and other currentbenefits, are tough to get to an agreement.

A tentative agreement was reached with AlliantEnergy. At this writing, the membership was sched-uled to be voting throughout themonth of June, andvotes were to be counted on June 30, 2011.

As Bus. Mgr. Tony Bartels posted on the local’sFacebookpage: “It has become very apparent inthese negotiations how important it would be to electlabor friendly politicians. The state of Wisconsin anti-worker rights [attacks] led by the current governor arecertainly hindering our ability in these negotiations.… I hope labor is awake and ready to right this wrongin the next election, or we will have a lot of lean yearsahead of us. Weakening labor unions through anattack on workers’ rights will take from the workersand give to the rich and businesses.”

This year’s Solidarity Picnicwill be Sat., July 23,at the Local 965 office in Madison.

Kurt Roberts, P.S.

‘Labor is theSolution’L.U. 1049 (lctt,o,u&uow), LONG ISLAND, NY—Local1049 represents more than 3,500 members whowork under 11 collective bargaining agreements. In2010 we renegotiated seven of those agreements.We recently completed negotiations for members inthe Electric Craft Division (NECA). This two-yearagreement includes general wage increases as wellas employer funded increases to the Health andWelfare Fund, Health Reimbursement Accounts andthe Annuity Fund. We also introduced a new 401(k)plan. At this writing, we are negotiating on behalf ofour Gas Craft members.

With the bulk of our negotiations complete,Bus. Mgr. Robert Shand has taken the opportunityto communicate information about the current stateof affairs of labor in America. For too long, we haveallowed ourselves to become scapegoats for theeconomic woes this country faces—when, in fact,labor is the solution. Once again labor can, andshould be, the voice of all working Americans. Iencourage members, on the third Tuesday of eachmonth, to attend a general meeting—where we canget the facts and discuss real solutions to the prob-lems labor faces.

At the March general meeting Bus. Mgr.Shand, all incumbent officers and Executive Boardmembers were re-elected to new three-year terms.On behalf of the business manager, the businessstaff, my fellow officers and the Executive Board, Ithank the membership for their vote of confidence.

Thomas J. Dowling, R.S.

RollinsMountainWind ProjectL.U. 1253 (i), AUGUSTA, ME—The Rollins Mountainwind turbine project is nearing completion at thetime of this writing, but we expect it’s the beginningof a long-term relationship with signatory contractorThree Phase Line Construction of New Hampshire.The First Wind project near Lincoln employed anumber of members over the winter months.

We’re saddened by the death of retiredmemberMichael PerrySr. and extend our sincere sympathy tohis family. A longtimemember,Mikewill bemissed.

Plans are underway for ourAnnual Family Picnic,to be coordinatedby the third-year apprentices.

Enjoy the summer months and stay safe!

William Gifford, P.S.

SevenRetireesRecognizedL.U. 1307 (u), SALISBURY, MD—With this article werecognize seven Local 1307 retired members: John“Jay” Truitt, Gary Caldwell, David Coulbourne,Joseph Fooks, Patricia Foxwell, Gloria Maull andVance Elbert.

Bro. Truitt began work at Delmarva Power in1970. He worked as meter reader, engineer’s helperand engineering fieldman 1st class. He retiredApril 1, 2010.

Bro. Caldwell began at Delmarva Power in1981 as an apprentice lineman and advanced tojourneyman. He was a lead lineman, meter reader,senior lineman in the Training Dept., and troubleserviceman. He retired May 1, 2010.

Bro. Coulbourne started with Delmarva Powerin 1993. He was a journeyman lineman and leadlineman. He retired Feb. 1, 2009.

Bro. Fooks started at Delmarva Power in 1973.He entered the apprentice lineman program andbecame a journeyman lineman, lead lineman and atrouble serviceman. He retired March 1, 2009.

Sister Foxwell started in 1972 as a junior clerkin Salisbury and became a customer informationspecialist. She retired Oct. 1, 2008.

Sister Maull began as a junior clerk withDelmarva Power in 1969 and became an engineer-ing fieldman. She retired April 1, 2010.

Bro. Elbert started at Delmarva Power in 1969.He worked as engineering fieldman and engineer-ing fieldman 1st Class. He retired Feb. 1, 2009.

May these retirees enjoy a happy retirement.

E.D. Sparks, P.S.

‘We are Indiana’ RallyL.U. 1393 (catv,lctt,o,t&u), INDIANAPOLIS, IN—Numerous IBEW Local 1393 members participatedin the “We Are Indiana” rally March 10 at theIndiana Statehouse with thousands of other union

sisters and brothers protesting anti-union legisla-tion in the 2011 Indiana General Assembly.

Thanks to George Arhos, ALBAT area coordina-tor, for providing OSHA 10-hour and OSHA 30-hourclasses for our outside construction members lastfall and again this spring of 2011.

Union sisters and brothers of Duke Energy inthe Terre Haute district demonstrated union brother-hood recently. When a fellow union brother was sus-pended by Duke Energy unjustly, the unionmembersat this location collectedmoney and donated to thebrother so he would not experience any loss of wageswhile his grievance was pending. This has been along-standing practice in this District.

On September 3-5, members will participatein the 125th Labor Day Celebration at the Princeton,IN, fairgrounds; this is possibly the second oldestLabor Day celebration in the nation. For more infor-mation, go to www.labordayassoc.com.

Robert C. Fox, P.S.

Rodeo&StormRestorationL.U. 1439 (u), ST. LOUIS, MO—St. Louis was proud tosponsor four apprentice linemen at the 1st AnnualIBEW 702 Lineman’s Rodeo in DuQuoin, IL, onSaturday, April 30.

Outstanding performances by Nathen Reedand Phil Barnowski almost resulted in trophies,and also noted were great performances by RyanCzajkowski and SteveSach. They competed inHurt Man Rescue, twomystery events and the“egg-cepetional” speedclimb. This outing is greattraining for the upcoming28th Annual InternationalLineman’s Rodeo inBonner Springs, KS, onOct. 15, 2011. At theInternational Rodeo event,Local 1439 has won firstplace for journeymanteam and our apprenticesconsistently place in thetop three.

Our journeyman teams were called away forstorm restoration in Alabama and they alsoassisted in restoration following the two tornadosthat ravaged St. Louis on Good Friday. Local 1439members worked safe and with no accidents.

Mike Walter, B.M.

Labor Council ConferenceL.U. 1501 (ees,em,mo,pet,rts&t), BALTIMORE, MD—The 20th Annual Leadership Conference of theMetropolitan Baltimore Council of AFL-CIO Unionswas held Jan. 5-7.

In attendance were Local 1501 Bus. Mgr./Pres.Dion F. Guthrie and the undersigned, Rec. Sec.Thomas Rostkowski. The conference, under thedynamic leadership of Council Pres. Ernie Grecco,draws delegates from AFL-CIO unions in the area aswell as federal and state officials.

The conference, which covered issues importantto labor, was opened byMarylandAttorneyGen. DougGansler. His remarkswerewell-received. KeynotespeakerwasGen. Pres. JimmyWilliams, InternationalUnion of Painters andAlliedTrades. Agenda itemsincluded: health care reform and union health carebenefits; workers’ compensation benefits and clarifi-cation of occupational disease; and, for those dele-gates covered by the Federal EmployeeCompensationAct, “Your Rights and Benefits.” Presenters includedthe law firm that represents Local 1501, Abato,Rubenstein andAbato.Most informative was theQ&Asession, which showed that similar problems areencountered bymany of the unions.With labor bene-fits and unions under attack, it ismore important thanever for union representatives tomeet togetherwiththe goal of being informed of the latest laws and theirinterpretation in order to better serve themembers.

Thomas Rostkowski, R.S.

Wichita River FestivalL.U. 1523 (u), WICHITA, KS—The River Festival hasbeen going strong here in Wichita since 1971 andLocal 1523 members have volunteered in manyways throughout the years. Anywhere from sellingtickets at the food court to selling buttons, and ofcourse leading off the Sundown Parade in 2010

and 2011. [Photo, pg. 17.] We werescheduled to lead the 2009 parade,but the weather didn’t cooperate.

Being part of the community iswho we are. Our members’ partici-pation ranges from storm restora-tions, to having a great timesupporting city events.

We have been able to weatherthe storms that come our way andhold steadfast to our solidarity. Withstrong ethics and a will to succeed,that’s what it takes to be winners—and winners we are. Be safe, behappy and be content. Hope all arehaving a great summer.

Candy C. Cruz-Dodd, P.S.

Secondary terminations at Local 1253 RollinsMountain project.

Local 1439 apprentice linemen Nathen Reed (left), PhilBarnowski, Ryan Czajkowski and Steve Sach participated inthe Local 702 Lineman’s Rodeo.

Local 1501 Bus. Mgr./Pres. Dion F. Guthrie (second from right) joins,from left, Joe Hiltz, Dianna Guthrie, Metropolitan Baltimore CouncilPres. Ernie Grecco and Local 1501 Rec. Sec. Thomas Rostkowski.



2011 Graduating ClassesL.U. 1547 (c,em,i,o,t&u), ANCHORAGE, AK—Local1547 graduated two classes from the Tom CashenElectrical Training Center in Anchorage.

The 2011 third-year telephone class wasinstructed by Bill Merry and Tim Digan. The gradu-ating students are: Chris Bond, Brandon Duvlea,Hunter Hegge, Jeremy Heral, AdamMoore, TylerNelson, Shane O’Leary, Michael Pfalmer, TimRathbun, Michael Rogers, Dana Sherfick, KevinStevens and Brian Wood.

The 2011 third-year lineman class wasinstructed by Pete Leov. The graduating studentsare: Jon Birkholz, Sam Clyde, Jacob Fraley, RockyFraser, Byron Grenier, Esau Lealaisalanoa, JoePeters, Aaron Reynolds and Nick Smith.

Melinda Taylor, P.S.

OrganizingSuccessL.U. 1579 (i&o) AUGUSTA, GA—It has been 16months since the National Nuclear Powerhouse PLAwas signed. That was the time when the VogtleProject made a transition from nonunion to union.Although that transition was rocky, current condi-tions are good and continue to get better.

There were 15 nonunion electricians on thatproject who stayed on the project during and afterthe transition. Since Georgia is a so-called “right-to-work” state, these electricians had the option tostay or go. At first that went over like a lead balloon.Bus. Mgr. Kenneth Ward, the job steward and theorganizing staff did an excellent job identifyingpotential qualified electricians and apprentices for

organizing into the IBEW. That project is now 100percent IBEW. This is an organizing success.

Bus. Mgr. Ward was injured in an accidentthat caused him to fall about 10 feet. He was in theICU Trauma Unit at the Medical College of Georgiafor some time. He is now recovering at home, receiv-ing physical therapy and getting stronger every day.Bus. Mgr. Ward asked me to let everyone know thathe appreciates all the flowers, cards, calls,thoughts and prayers.

A reminder to all: If you are fortunate enoughto have a job, do your best, be thankful, come towork on time and give eight for eight. Many IBEWmembers are still desperate for a job.

Will Salters, A.B.M.

Organizing ActivitiesL.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KY—TheExaminingBoard gave the journeymanwiremanexamrecently to our fifth-year apprentices; the board reportsall passed andmosthave taken andpassed theKentucky state licensing exam.Good luck, brothers, asjourneymen—and let’s not forget to pass on our knowl-edge and skills to our upcoming apprentices.

Bus. Mgr. Larry Boswell reports our insidenegotiations are continuing and we hope to have anew contract by press time. We thank the negotiat-ing committee brothers—Bus. Mgr. Boswell, MikeVanWinkle, Pres. Scott Coleman and Executive Boardmember David Carrico—for their time and efforts.

Membership Development Coordinator MikeVanWinkle reports we have ongoing organizingactivities with Tag Electric, Peay Electric and LuthanTechnologies. We have NLRB charges filed on

Luthan and should be hearing from a board agentsoon. Bro. VanWinkle asks that if anyone knows of anonunion electrician interested in becoming anIBEWmember or anyone interested in salting, toplease contact him at the hall.

A workers memorial was held at theOwensboro-Daviess County courthouse lawn onApril 29. Local 1701 was well-represented and wethank all who attended.

In sadness we report the passing of retiredBro. James Gay. May he rest in peace.

Tim Blandford, R.S.

2011OPCHockeyTournamentL.U. 1739 (i&o), BARRIE, ONTARIO, CANADA—Local1739’s hockey team attended the 48th Annual OPCHockey Tournament held April 29-30 in London,Ontario, Canada. Our local is very proud of our team.[Photo, above.] Thanks go out to IBEW Local 120 ofLondon, Ontario, for hosting an entertaining and funweekend. The competition and brotherhoodamongst the 20 teams involved was nice to see.

Frank Kastle, P.S.

United inSolidarityL.U. 2325 (t), WORCESTER, MA—The local has beenactively promoting solidarity with strike preparationactivities and community events. Every Thursday,members are wearing red, walking into work loca-tions together and observing a moment of silence.

Our bargaining team is fighting for our liveli-hoods in negotiations with Verizon. Check the Website www.ibew2325.com, the audio tape,Facebook or Twitter for updates. Stay tuned fordetails on upcoming events. A final rally before con-tract expiration will be held in Boston and the strikeauthorization vote will be mid-July.

Brothers and Sisters, we and our brethren inthe public sector are under attack. We have beenunfairly vilified in the media; been blamed for thecurrent economic crisis; and been the target of atro-cious legislation.

So what do we do? We become activists.Be: • An advocate for the middle class, • Organizerto the unorganized, • A protester to injustice,• A lobbyist to legislators, • A mentor to the futureof labor, • Press agent to the public, • A recruiter forthe cause, • A vocal constituent to elected officials.

We are hard-working, middle-class, Americanunionmembers andit is our time and ourresponsibility toensure themiddleclass and the labormovement survivethis assault.Participate in yoursurvival now. United,we shall overcome.We are one.

Dawn Nelligan Rosa,P.S./R.S.

IBEW Local 1523’s float leads parade in Wichita, KS.

Local 1547 Electrical Training Center graduates.

Local 1701 graduating class of 2011, from left: Matt Royal, Kurtis Frederick,Jason Sharp, Travis Hendrix, Andy Daniel, Matt Roe, Keith Jernigan(kneeling), Cody Manley, Donovan Kirtley, Justin Boggess and Matt Bayles.

Local 1739 hockey teammembers.

Local 2325 members wear their solidarity colors in Marlboro, MA.


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]

©2011 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

Anyone who has ever repaired an automobile or a broken applianceknows that sometimes the failure of one part is caused by our lackof attention or maintenance to another. If only that simple truthwas more evident in our national politics.

Democrats and Republicans are in agreement that the U.S. economy isbroken. The failing part, say leaders of the Republican Party and even someDemocrats, is that government is spending too much money, leading todeficits at the federal level. Cut spending and lower taxes, they say, and theeconomy will be fixed.

They are jacklegs.More competent troubleshooterswould askwhybudgetskeep going in the hole. And I thinkwewould find that the red-hot bearing seizingup our economy is to be found in the 75,000 factories that have shutdownoverthe last 10 years. Ournation simplywon’t see budget surpluseswhenmillions ofhard-workingAmericanswhoonce tookhomegoodpaychecks and fueled theconsumer economyare sitting at homewondering if theywill everworkagain.

This all makes sense to millions of Americans, especially those who work with their hands. But large corpora-tions that have grownmore profitable by outsourcing operations and politicians who benefit from their donationsendlessly talk about budgets, not jobs. Like the great writer Upton Sinclair said in “The Jungle,” “It is difficult to geta man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”

Congressional Democrats, many elected with strong support from our labormovement, with some support fromRepublicans, have packed a toolbox to help fix the U.S. economy. It’s a series of bills called the “Make It in AmericaPlan.” If passed, those bills would includemandates for: more U.S. madematerials for government-funded projects,a tougher bargaining stance with China on currencymanipulation, which keeps the price of their products artificiallylow, andmore federal support for research and development to support domesticmanufacturing.

President Obama has abundant abilities as a communicator. His political future, his legacy and our nation’seconomy now hinge on his convincing Americans that he and his party have a real plan for fixing what is broken.

The president showed great courage in saving the U.S. auto industry. We are ready to stand by his side if hetakes the next big step in revitalizing American manufacturing by using the full power of his office to promote theMake It in America Plan. �

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.

Powerful House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan has beenbusy the past few months touting his budget bill, which would pri-vatize Medicare for a growing population of retirees.

But don’t fret, the Wisconsin congressman says, as thechanges won’t affect anyone inching closer to retirement. “We propose to notchange the benefits for people above the age of 55,” Ryan said last month,allowing for ample time to restructure the system to make health care afford-able and available for the next wave of retirees. Sound good?

Not so, says a recent analysis in National Journal magazine. An article inlast month’s issue reports that Ryan’s budget, which would scrap the 2010Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, threatens to open a chasm in theMedicare coverage system—another version of the dreaded “doughnut hole.”Remember that? When President George W. Bush and his congressional alliesenacted changes in Medicare’s prescription drug system, they created a lapsein coverage that forced seniors to pay all of their prescription drug costs afteryearly totals top out at over $2,800 and not get additional federal subsidies until the amount reaches $4,550.

Ryan’s proposals would put nearly 4 million seniors in this Bermuda Triangle of health care coverage whowould immediately find themselves staring at potentially skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs.

Ryan’s plan would force seniors into paying more for health care with underfunded vouchers, putting retireesat the mercy of private insurance companies, which are free to raise rates and block coverage. The nonpartisanCongressional Budget Office projects that the Republican budget would vault seniors’ average health care spendingover the next decade to greater than $12,000 annually, more than double the current rate.

Everyone knows health care is expensive, and the costs are growing. But Ryan and his allies are trying to bal-ance a budget on the backs of some of the most vulnerable Americans while offering billions in tax breaks to largecorporations and the already wealthy.

Is this how we take care of our seniors? Should the elderly have to work at the age of 70 just to pay for increas-ingly expensive prescriptions drugs and procedures that are the inevitable result of growing older?

Even glib politicians like Paul Ryan don’t have the answers for those questions. �

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

EXECUTIVEOFFICERS

Edwin D. HillInternational President

Salvatore J. ChiliaInternationalSecretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONALEXECUTIVECOUNCIL

ChairmanRobert W. Pierson

First DistrictJoseph P. Calabro

Second DistrictMyles J. Calvey

Third DistrictJohn R. Clarke

Fourth DistrictWilliam W. Riley

Fifth DistrictMichael Walter

Sixth DistrictGregory A. Lucero

Seventh DistrictPatrick Lavin

Eighth DistrictJohn F. Briegel

INTERNATIONALVICEPRESIDENTS

First DistrictPhillip J. Flemming

Second DistrictFrank J. Carroll

Third DistrictDonald C. Siegel

Fourth DistrictKenneth Cooper

Fifth DistrictJoe S. Davis

Sixth DistrictLonnie R. Stephenson

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

Malinda Brent

Len Shindel

Carol Fisher

Alex Hogan

Lucas Oswalt

James H. Jones

Len Turner

Tim Prendergast

Curtis D. Bateman

John Sellman

Salvatore J. ChiliaInternational Secretary-Treasurer

Deception onMedicare

Edwin D. HillInternational President

RealMechanics Needed to Fix Economy



When Madison Burnett wasappointed assistantapprenticeship directorin 2000, the 10 “labs” at

the Electrical Joint ApprenticeshipTraining Committee of Southern Nevadawere empty rooms.

So he asked the JATC trust commit-tee for permission to solicit vendors andcontractors for donations of equipmentto turn the labs into hands-on learningcenters. Today, the 25,000-square-foottraining center contains labs on pro-grammable logic controllers (PLCs),motor controls, voice-data-video, firealarms, transformers, networking plat-form LonWorks, photovoltaics, wind gen-eration and instrumentation.

“I looked around at what I lackedas an apprentice, where I could haveused practical training to accompanytheory,” he said, recalling six-monthstretches of running cable.

Now director of the JATC, Burnetthas won far-reaching recognition coordi-nating the work of 32 instructors, mem-bers of Las Vegas Local 357 whomentorand teach one of the Brotherhood’s mostdiverse student populations, including400 apprentices, construction wiremen,construction electricians and journey-men seeking to upgrade their skills.

Al Harris, a six-termmember of Local357’s executive board, said that humility isBurnett’s greatest strength. HarrismetBurnett in 1989, convincedhim to apply tothe apprenticeship andhasbeen one ofhis strongest supporters since.

“It’s a communication thing withMadison,” says Harris, who said Burnettis an “everyday person” who never talksdown to his peers or his students. Harrissaid he remembers Burnett going onlineto help a student with his homework ona Sunday morning, while attending aconference in Hawaii, and taking calls atmidnight from apprentices facing per-sonal challenges.

Early in his career, Burnett workedat the Nevada Test Site, the 1,360-square-mile expanse of desert andmountains where the U.S. Departmentof Energy had been conducting nucleartests since the 1950s. As an electricalinspector, Burnett, then 26, met IBEWelectricians for the first time. “They werecraftsmen,” he says.

Turning out in 1994, Burnett workedas a general foreman on the constructionof the Monte Carlo Hotel casino, theLuxor and the celebrated Paris. In 1995,he was hired as an apprentice instructor.

Jose Delgado, a fourth-year appren-tice, firstmet Burnett as a 16-year-old atthe area’s technical trade high school.Delgado says hismentors and the JATC,which donated electrical equipment to thehigh school, “changedmy life andmademe a better person and apprentice.”

Burnett visits high schools, middleschools and even elementary classes totalk about careers in the trade. A formermember of the board of directors ofBuild Nevada—an effort to assist futuretrade applicants obtain GEDs and mas-ter the math necessary to enter trainingprograms—he also visits prisons andworks with the College of SouthernNevada’s re-entry program.

“I really push to educate the publicand our community about what we do,”said Burnett, an African American.“Naturally, that brings in more womenand more ethnicities.” The JATC’s stu-dent population is 35 percent Hispanicand 25 percent African American. Tenpercent of the students are women.Burnett partners with Jessie Walker, alongtime Local 357 activist, who worksas a Build Nevada program administra-tor to enhance the local’s outreach.

A nagging recession in construc-

tion, says Burnett, can make it difficultto balance tasks. “It’s a challenge to stillprovide hands-on, quality training andnot go in the hole because of budgetproblems caused by lower employer con-tributions,” says Burnett.

When he interviews instructors,says Burnett, “I wantmembers who arecoming for more than a paycheck.” Heunderstands the challenge of teachingup to five hours after working a full day inthe field. But, he says, “I want peoplewho have a passion to share their knowl-edge.” Of the JATC’s faculty members, headds, “each bring some uniqueness tothe training” and he’s always open tosuggestions about new course offerings.

He recently returned from Chicago,where he previewed a curriculum to pre-pare electricians for developing andmaintaining charging stations for electricvehicles. “We need to be proactive andnot wait for the market to demand train-ing,” he says.

Burnett, says Harris, the executiveboardmember, never forgets the key fac-tor in his success and themain ingredientin a brighter future for his students. “Hetells his students from day one that he isan IBEWmember, first and foremost.” �

Lettersto the Editor

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

Who We Are

In aUnionWorker’sShoesWhen he was running for office, President Obama said that he would be willing toput on a comfortable pair of shoes and walk a picket line if working familiesneeded his help. I think it’s pretty clear that we need his help now with all the anti-union attacks in Wisconsin and around the country.

All of us should send President Obama an old pair of shoes to remind him ofhis promise. If a pile of shoes showed up at the White House, it would help makethe point that promises need to be kept—especially when it involves something asimportant as standing with working men and women and their unions.

I noticed that people in Egypt took off their shoes to show their disgust whenPresident Mubarak refused to resign. The situation is different here, but the samerule applies. Politicians who don’t keep their promises don’t deserve our respect.Any official who refuses to stand with the working class and defend our unionsdeserves to get our shoes—or the boot.

Larry MetzgerLocal 30 retiree, Corvallis, Ore.

ABetter Life for AllI’ve been retired since 1996 and to help keep myself current, I joined a weekly dis-cussion group at our community center. The group consists mostly of conservativeRepublicans and two of us are the only Democrats. We have a moderator and ourdiscussions are kept civil.

Recently there was a discussion on unions and as you can probably guess,much of the sentiment was anti-union. One man commented that he had beendriving past some road work and saw two workers with shovels just talking next toa hole in the road. An hour later he passed the same site and the two were there inthe same spot, still talking, obviously not getting anything done.

When it was my turn to speak, I said, “When I worked in New York City … ifthere was a hole in the ground, two years later, there would be a 50-story buildingon the same site filled with working people. This is the union I belong to.”

My message to you: don’t let anyone put down unions. Remind them of howmuch unions have accomplished: the elimination of child labor, increased safetyat work, pensions, vacations, health care coverage, and much more. The unionmovement was responsible for the creation of a thriving middle class and a betterlife for all.

William BartnickLocal 3 retiree, New York

OldBoys’ Club?In the May issue of The Electrical Worker you featured the retirement of theInternational Secretary-Treasurer (Lindell Lee). It’s not surprising to me that onceagain an International Executive Council member has retired before his term inoffice has ended. And once again, it’s not surprising that another executive wasappointed to that position just months ahead of the International Convention. Thisaction will ensure that the appointee will be elected at the Convention. This tactichas been repeated for the 43 years that I have been a member. It’s so common nowthat the executives of locals are also using this process to get the members theywant elected. I am of the opinion that this practice might be morally wrong for alabor organization that stands for fair democracy for all members.

This practice, for the sake of continuity, I think takes away a little bit of ourunion’s soul. For it is perceived that unless you belong to the old boys’ club, you donot stand a chance of being elected to a position.

We have made great strides in the last decade on the outside; we must nowlook to improving the inside of our organization both at the International and locallevel. We must reach that point where all the members of our great IBEW are madeto feel that they are truly all equal and are exposed to the same opportunities.

Louis MarinoLocal 353 member, Toronto

For LasVegas JATCDirector,Passion Key toSuccess

Madison Burnett, director of the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship TrainingCommittee of Southern Nevada, says, ‘It’s rewarding to see apprenticesmature, learn the trade and make their rites of passage.’

In Memoriam

1 Fischer,W. K. 3/5/111 Mauchenheimer,H.A.1/14/111 Morrell, V. J. 3/15/111 Prunty, J. C. 5/2/101 Zakibe, T. A. 4/8/112 Conner, H. E. 3/29/112 Ketchum, D. A. 1/4/113 Bader, E.W. 12/17/103 Barberi, J. 4/17/113 Bellantone, M. 1//113 Bourazeris, C. D. 1/5/113 Bulger, E. P. 3/11/113 Endrulat, P. E. 12/10/103 Faraci, J. P. 3/11/113 Freed, R. F. 1/23/113 Gettleman, H. D. 3/27/113 Hennessy, R. J. 3/13/113 Hines, R. J. 2/2/113 Johnson,W. 3/27/113 Krawiec, R. F. 2/25/113 Lanza, F. A. 3//113 Mc Spedon, T. 11/2/103 McGuire, R. F. 4/7/113 Mezzoiuso, F. 4/3/113 Molinari, I. F. 12/16/103 Mott, R.W. 1/21/113 Nasta, K. C. 4/8/113 Polchinski, T. R. 2/18/113 Prassas, J. D. 2/14/113 Sanders, F. 2/22/113 Siegmund, R.W. 3/10/113 Tarallo, L. C. 1/24/113 Ylagan, M. M. 3/29/115 Gedid, G. 3/30/115 Neil, T. S. 4/12/115 Walter, R. M. 1/10/117 Williams, R. C. 3/1/118 Klorer, C. M. 3/30/118 Shanteau, C. A. 1/30/119 Mack, N. J. 1/1/119 Powell, R. E. 3/30/119 Sessa, J. 3/30/1111 Fouts,W. J. 9/18/1011 Galicinao, P. A. 3/24/1111 Hillegas, P. E. 8/4/1011 Householder, D.W. 3/6/1111 Jackson, J. P. 3/26/1111 Jones, H. A. 3/26/1111 Leskera, P. R. 4/2/1111 Long,W. B. 11/7/1011 Matteson, M. M. 1/16/1111 Meadows, J. R. 3/22/1111 Mowry, K. C. 4/23/1011 Raisola, D. J. 2/3/1111 Roche, T. J. 2/19/1111 Shinbane, B. L. 2/1/1117 Alexander, B.W. 4/11/1117 Lambert, J. 1/19/0717 Maclay, P. N. 12/6/1017 Statham, J. H. 2/16/1117 Sugden, N. E. 10/1/1018 Heaton, H. H. 3/27/1118 Jones, J. 11/4/1020 Black, R. E. 3/12/1120 Blackwell, B. J. 3/19/1120 Waller, S. C. 3/13/1124 Bruni, A. J. 3/25/1124 Kehs,W. J. 3/30/1124 Lenderking, C. E. 3/29/1124 Robinson El, G. H. 5/6/1024 Vinup, L. L. 3/8/1125 Dehner, A. 4/1/1125 Dennis, C. S. 3/19/1125 Keiffert, N. 2/28/1125 Smith, J. S. 11/11/1025 Williams, L. L. 3/15/1125 Zielinski, E. G. 3/23/11

26 Abel, C. P. 4/3/1126 Chafin, T. N. 3/7/1126 Newberry, J. A. 10/22/1034 Clifford, K. D. 3/27/1134 Nizzia, D. L. 3/15/1135 Driscoll, V. L. 1/29/1141 Platko, R. G. 1/21/1143 Bronzetti, V. 3/11/1143 Korycinski, C. 2/16/1143 Williams,W.W. 2/7/1144 White, D. E. 4/6/1146 Edwards, F. C. 4/11/1146 Leu, G. V. 3/23/1146 Lynch, O. G. 3/15/1146 Stevenson, L. C. 3/1/1146 Williamson, L.W. 12/2/1048 Dickinson, M. 4/3/1148 Eggiman, O. A. 3/27/1151 Dennis, C.W. 3/25/1151 Megredy,W. R. 2/11/1155 Houston, G. S. 4/2/1158 Antonishek, J. J. 2/25/1158 Beauvais, R. P. 4/11/1158 Dennis, C. J. 1/5/1158 Ellison, J. M. 3/19/1158 Forbes, J.W. 3/30/1158 Holmquist, D. 3/17/1158 Lahr, C. A. 2/27/1158 Lipenholtz, G. 4/3/1160 De Los Santos, R. H.2/14/1166 Bamburg, L. 3/22/0770 Hager, T. 4/14/1170 Jones, R. C. 3/17/1173 Dezellem, C. S. 2/10/1173 Zintek,W.W. 3/11/1176 Bergman, R. J. 4/10/1176 Grunwald, R. C. 5/6/1176 Hecox, F. T. 3/24/1176 Helland, S. J. 11/29/1076 Moultrie, M. L. 3/9/1176 Peterson,W. O. 3//1176 Terrien, E. R. 3//1177 Gilbert, F. 3/7/1177 Green, G. 2/4/1177 Lance, D. A. 4/1/1177 Morris, H. H. 3/28/1180 Anderson,W. 2/10/1180 Ratcliffe, M. E. 4/16/1181 Konish, S. 4/8/1181 Sporer, P. G. 3/4/1186 North, S. R. 3/11/1196 Adams,W. C. 2/19/1197 Alexander, C.W. 1/3/1197 Neville,W. C. 3/13/1198 Doughty, S. M. 2/12/1198 Katz, N. P. 12/29/1098 Kolman, A. 12/28/1099 Bell, G. H. 2/10/11100 Orona, R. 1/11/10102 DeFino, P. M. 2/11/11103 Coco, N. J. 2/13/11103 Hickey, J.W. 3/18/11103 Lyko, A. J. 3/5/11103 Marsh, B. J. 3/26/11103 Richardson, N. L. 4/3/11103 Shallies, R.W. 3/5/11110 McKane, R. J. 4/1/11111 Bagwell, T. C. 1/10/11111 Lollar, C. C. 1//10124 Williams, G. E. 12/11/10125 Coe, L. H. 3/29/11125 Groenig, R. P. 3/28/11125 Hansen, D. H. 3/28/11125 Jackson, J. M. 12/6/10125 McGinnis, J. R. 3/11/11126 Camp, J. R. 2/25/11126 Hawkins, J. A. 4/5/11

126 Lecompte, M. 2/2/11126 Moser, R. H. 4/11/11130 Gunn, E. J. 12/9/10134 Agosto, E. P. 3/17/11134 Alevizos, K. J. 3/13/11134 Aylward,W. R. 4/2/11134 Bender, F. H. 4/12/11134 Christensen, R. R. 4/5/11134 Delong, T. G. 2//11134 Embery, F. X. 2/28/11134 Fergus, J. J. 2/25/11134 Filipowicz, B. 3/7/11134 Formentini, L. A. 3/7/11134 Gannon, J.W. 3/27/11134 Gisch, F. J. 3/2/11134 Grendzinski, G. S. 12/3/10134 Hargrove, J. D. 3/12/11134 Jeschke, J. 3/29/11134 Korcyl, M. S. 4/7/11134 Oconnor, D. L. 3/4/11134 Pizzitola, P. 4/1/11145 Fitzwater, B. J. 3/12/10145 Spurgeon, G. A. 2/16/11146 Chesnut, J. M. 3/13/11150 Jemlich, A. C. 3/16/11150 Kidd, F. D. 3/6/11150 Love, J. L. 8/10/10153 Harman, D. E. 4/6/11153 Ritchie,W. A. 11/24/10160 Kauppi, H.W. 3/29/11164 Davis, J. A. 3//11164 Foehner, R. G. 3/6/11175 Graham, J. M. 7/17/10175 Pennington, R. S. 3/15/11177 Roberts, B. 10/14/10177 Woodham, A. H. 4/13/11193 Griffin, J. G. 3/26/11196 Schneiderman,M. D.3/11/11197 Bales, E. E. 3/23/11203 Krom, V. J. 12/8/10203 Silverthorn, L. H. 2/25/11212 Donaldson, F. E. 7/30/10212 Farmer, G. J. 3/19/11213 Kather, D. E. 1/11/11213 Moewes, H. J. 3/18/11213 Shepherd, J.W. 2/21/11223 Ferguson, E. 1/21/11223 Minichielli, E. G. 3/3/11234 Smith, L.W. 3/19/11242 Pearson, T. A. 11/18/10245 Beatty, S. J. 2/3/11252 Schek, H. T. 3/19/11254 Moppett, B. 7/6/08258 Kruckemeier, K. 2/11/11258 Smith, T. I. 12/4/10265 Brase, D. D. 1/4/11265 Chisholm, V. E. 3/25/11269 Seltner, M. A. 4/10/11271 Bates, H.W. 12//10271 Goodman, N. D. 2/16/11271 Sandoval, J. 2/21/11275 Schafer, S. F. 1/13/11280 Reynolds, B. M. 3/31/11291 Lang, C. N. 3/11/11292 Price, R. J. 3/31/11292 Seefeldt, E. H. 1/29/11303 Evans, E. T. 3/7/11303 Kelly, P. J. 3/8/11309 Rettig, J. D. 11/17/10309 Votruba, C. R. 3/24/11317 Brown, J. L. 3/11/11317 Stewart, D. E. 2/19/11317 Stump, A. 3/9/11332 Grimm, K. D. 4/22/11339 Sures, J. P. 3/16/11340 Vanhoy, C. T. 7/4/10347 Crawford, F. M. 3/21/11

349 Hartman, L. B. 1/27/11349 Wilber, J. R. 2/4/11353 Dunn, J. 3/27/11353 Gillespie, J. 3/22/11353 Knott, R. A. 1/10/11353 Nelson, A. 3/28/11353 O’Donnell, J. J. 12/24/10353 Pfeiffer, F. C. 3/23/11353 Smutylo, S. P. 12/6/10353 Walker, R. 3/8/11357 Galvin, E. C. 12/23/10357 Kleinman, S. 12/3/10357 Laub, D. E. 4/15/11357 Lionel, C. E. 1/9/11357 Pease, R. R. 4/17/11357 Wynn,W. R. 3/11/11363 Gillow, P. D. 2/27/11363 Macri, S. 1/16/09364 Carey, J. R. 2/28/11364 Johnson, D. R. 3/13/11365 Woodward, G. F. 3/6/11369 Bowles, K. C. 3/7/11369 Ellwanger, J.W. 3/23/11369 Jackey, K. T. 3/30/11369 Miller, E. A. 3/15/11369 Royalty, H. C. 4/5/11369 Scott,W. E. 4/7/11379 Lamson, J.W. 7/10/08380 Rhodes, A. E. 3/3/11387 Caballero, R. R. 1/9/11396 Behrman, R. M. 2/2/11400 Graham, E. 2/16/11405 Martin, R. L. 3/16/11413 Goninan, C. L. 1/17/07415 Stonecypher, T. E. 1//11420 Innes, B. A. 3//11424 Billard, D.W. 2/24/11424 Budnisky, L. 4/22/11424 Cooper, M. D. 3/12/11424 Duffield,W. J. 2/27/11424 Sunquist, R. 4/1/11426 Tunge, D. D. 3/11/11429 Anderson, B. D. 11/9/10429 Biggs, M. B. 2/7/11429 Gwaltney, J. E. 3/12/11429 Sells, T. E. 3/18/11429 Smith, C. T. 11/15/10429 Woodside, B. E. 3/7/11443 Gantt,W. T. 4/13/11456 Kohn,W. F. 1/6/11459 Howell, R. E. 3/1/11461 Kluber, D. R. 4/10/11474 Escue, R. L. 3/25/11474 Kee, R. L. 3/17/11474 Powell, R. P. 4/16/11474 Travis, J. M. 3/17/11477 Elledge, L. 12/19/10477 Popejoy, T.W. 2/23/11477 Wheat, L. E. 3/29/11479 Deaton, J. R. 4/2/11480 Upton, C. M. 4/2/11481 Webb, T.W. 1//11488 Lawlor, J. F. 3/27/11494 Maley, T. M. 3/9/11494 Werner, K. A. 4/12/11495 Tingle, B. B. 3/11/11502 Corcoran, R. B. 2/17/11505 Morris, G. 3/11/11512 Locke, M. G. 1/28/11520 Holman, N. S. 2/25/11527 Darwin, R.W. 3/12/11527 Thomas, L. H. 4/12/11527 Wales, J. E. 3/23/11530 Ostrom, D. E. 2/26/11531 Nethery, F. C. 3/4/11531 Riehle, M. D. 3/22/11532 Ricketts, K. 3/9/11

532 Stansell, E. L. 3/4/11540 Jones, H. V. 1/29/11540 Yanice, J. 12/21/09557 Eurich, F. 3/6/11558 Burns, R. E. 4/11/11568 Brousseau, J. 8/17/10569 Early, F. 3/25/11569 Finch, R. L. 12/22/09569 Lawhorn, C. F. 3/31/11569 Ogden, R. J. 1/15/11569 Paolino, T. J. 3/15/11569 Thomas, C. J. 1/31/11570 Ferguson,W. H. 4/12/11583 Dietz, C. H. 3/18/11584 Dawson, J. G. 3/16/11584 Lowry, A. M. 3/9/11586 Holt, J.W. 3/5/11595 Albers, H. 2/21/11595 Chloupek, E. V. 2/7/11595 Devlin, R. L. 3/12/11595 Eskew, O.W. 3/7/11595 Germany, T. L. 12/11/10595 Jordan, C. 3/7/11595 Moore, J. S. 10/12/10601 McDonald, E. D. 3/24/11601 Stirewalt, D. B. 3/18/11602 Dickey,W. T. 1/2/11606 Odum, J. L. 3/7/11611 Caddell, T. G. 3/1/11613 Anderson, S. E. 2/15/11613 Cabe, J.W. 3/25/11613 Hart, V.W. 3/14/11613 Lewis, M. R. 12/26/10613 Statham, H. 2/25/11632 Sullivan, R. O. 3/9/10640 Carroll, J. D. 3/13/11640 Lawton, K. A. 3/7/11648 Minor, E. C. 3/3/11659 Erickson, R. D. 3/26/11659 Smith, O. L. 1/4/11661 Bartlett,W. C. 3/23/11663 Maziasz, J. A. 3/14/11667 Lorenz, A. J. 3/1/11673 Miller, J. S. 12/19/10683 Slone, D. D. 3/13/11683 Stenson, J. F. 12/19/10692 Kimberlin, H. H. 3/26/11697 Becker, I. P. 2/5/11697 Weffenstette,W. E. 3/11/11700 Coward, L. E. 2/3/11701 Ervin, R.W. 11/19/10702 Cissell, H. L. 3//11716 Guynn, J. M. 3/29/11716 James, J. L. 9/16/09716 Juma, R. A. 4/1/11716 Mizell, R. H. 4/13/11716 Phillips, B. G. 2/21/11728 Campbell, C. A. 3/27/11728 Cox, G. F. 3/24/11760 Collins, D. R. 3/8/11760 Cross, A. 4/2/11769 Bellows, J. C. 3//11773 Smith, R. G. 3/2/11784 Wertman, L.W. 2/3/11816 Jackson, B. E. 3/4/11855 Mathews, G. A. 3/18/11876 Essner, R. E. 4/2/11889 Rice, H. E. 12/31/10903 De Forrest, J. L. 3/29/11903 Lane, C. B. 4/1/11903 Mangin, E. J. 3/8/11910 Lacy, C.W. 3/21/11915 Diaz, A. P. 3/23/11915 Wilson, K. Q. 3/10/10949 Berg, K. M. 3/10/11953 Peterson,W. G. 3/7/11953 Pomeroy, B. G. 3/7/11

969 Jenschke, K. E. 4/8/111049 Habersberger, J. 3/5/111186 Stock, T. P. 12/19/101186 Teruya, E. 12/12/101205 Green, J.W. 2/28/111205 Hendry, R. H. 2/15/111245 Rowland, E. M. 2/16/111245 Smith, T. H. 3/7/111253 Perry, M. J. 4/22/111340 Conner,W. A. 2/8/111377 Grzywaczewski, J. 3/7/111379 Schroeder, M. L. 4/13/111393 Hundley, R. G. 4/4/111393 Parker, R. 1/14/111412 Mathews, J. J. 6/16/101426 Haltli, R. A. 3/9/111501 Wakefield, D.W. 1/26/111516 Laughinghouse, R. L. 4/14/111547 Busek, A. H. 3/16/111547 Elliott, R. H. 3/4/111547 Garrett, C. 9/30/101547 Gruca,W. T. 3/13/081701 Gay, J. H. 3/23/111710 Knorr, J. P. 12/24/101925 Nanney, G. M. 3/10/111925 Norfolk, J. H. 6/25/102077 Youngblood,W. R. 1/1/112113 Bryant, J. H. 3/23/112150 Larkin,W. T. 4/5/11I.O. (18) Howard, M. F. 3/30/11I.O. (126) Miller, C. A. 3/30/11I.O. (134) Dominy, J. S. 3/8/11I.O. (134) Gallagher, D. J. 3/7/11I.O. (134) Horwitz, H. L. 3/9/11I.O. (134) Nevin, T. G. 2/17/11I.O. (464) Mowles, J. E. 10//10I.O. (1249) LaParr, G. H. 3/13/11Pens. (I.O.) Ball, W. F. 3/14/11Pens. (I.O.) Bandy, C. R. 1/10/11Pens. (I.O.) Bonnemaison, S. 4/12/11Pens. (I.O.) Brunett, R. R. 3/10/11Pens. (I.O.) Bruns, M. F. 3/27/11Pens. (I.O.) Butzer, R. 3/11/11Pens. (I.O.) Capozziello, L. R. 3/23/11Pens. (I.O.) Cowley, G. E. 2/8/11Pens. (I.O.) Dalton, J. E. 12/31/10Pens. (I.O.) Fugere, C. 10/24/10Pens. (I.O.) Harris, R. B. 2/1/11Pens. (I.O.) Hufner,W. D. 3/24/11Pens. (I.O.) Ikner, J.W. 3/7/11Pens. (I.O.) Jarrett, E. P. 11/3/10Pens. (I.O.) Jurglanis, C. R. 3/23/11Pens. (I.O.) Kauffroath, L. L. 2/2/11Pens. (I.O.) Kinling, C. E. 2/25/11Pens. (I.O.) Kurceba, J. 1/6/11Pens. (I.O.) Madsen, R. N. 4/14/11Pens. (I.O.) McClymont, J. F. 3/3/11Pens. (I.O.) Mortimer, E. J. 10/19/10Pens. (I.O.) Nehring, C. L. 3/1/11Pens. (I.O.) Pica, F. J. 3/25/11Pens. (I.O.) Ruhland, F. J. 2/26/11Pens. (I.O.) Russo, H. N. 2/19/11Pens. (I.O.) Schmeltzer, J. 4//11Pens. (I.O.) Slaughter, E.W. 3/15/11Pens. (I.O.) Sonn, R. G. 3/12/11Pens. (I.O.) Strickland, L. D. 2/21/11Pens. (I.O.) Suzuki, H. I. 2/28/11Pens. (I.O.) Thomas, A. T. 4/18/11Pens. (I.O.) Torigoe, J. K. 3/21/11Pens. (I.O.) Tucker, G. L. 11/28/10Pens. (I.O.) Weber, C. J. 3/9/11Pens. (I.O.) Westman, D. J. 4/4/11Pens. (I.O.) Wiley,W. T. 3/7/11Pens. (I.O.) Wrede, J. B. 12/30/10Pens. (I.O.) Yochum, M. K. 3/24/11

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 Local Surname Date of Death

Members forWhomPBFDeathClaimswereApproved inMay2011


The Electrical Worker July 2011

Documents

Transcript of The Electrical Worker July 2011