On December 9th, 1999 we were granted an Occupancy permit for our new "Industry Center" at 720 Technology Way, located in the Gateway Development near the Napa Airport. This culminates nearly ten years of commitment from both the IBEW & NECA.

Although the building is complete there are still some issues yet to be resolved. The Joint committee overseeing the Building is confident that these will be solved in a timely manner. Classes started in the new facility on December 20th.

Many thanks to our interim Training Director Dan Pinkard for all his hard work in getting classes started and making the move to the new location.

The business office has given the Carpenters notice that we will be vacating 404 Nebraska St. on January 31st, 2000. We will be moving into the new offices throughout the month of January. It is hoped that this will be accomplished with the least amount of disruption to our Members. With this in mind your patience will be appreciated.
 

Awards

At the annual Electrical Contractors Trust Holiday social there are awards given for both the outstanding Inside Apprentice (the Bob Covey Award) and residential Trainee (the Russ Ellis Award). These awards are given to those in our industry who have exemplified excellence in both on the job and in the classroom. The recipients of these two awards are Dave Sollis is (inside) & Lonnie Huss (residential). They both received a plaque and a monetary reward. Their names will appear on the perpetual plaque in the Training Center
 

December Regular Meeting

Did you miss it? The Regular Union Meeting held in December was thoroughly enjoyed by the 100 or so in attendance. A short business meeting, followed by refreshments and socializing, made it a nice way to end the year. Thanks to; President Dan Broadwater who  helped with the sandwiches and 1st year Apprentice Geno Figueroa who served our refreshments". Also appreciated was the efforts of our Organizer Rich Mattson and member Rich Day who did the major cleanup on Friday after the Party.
 

January 13th Regular Meeting

Join your Brothers & Sisters at the next meeting to be held on Thursday, January 13, 2000. It is expected that this probably will be the final meeting to be held at 404 Nebraska Street. So join in celebrating the move by attending the last Regular Meeting scheduled in Vallejo. Meeting starts at 7:00 P.M. See you there!
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED
 

Retirees

RETIREES CLUB HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2000 AT THE NEW TRAINING CENTER, 720 TECHNOLOGY WAY, NAPA.
 

CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS TO Ryan Edwards on the birth of his daughter, Dominique, born November 16.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Val Miller on the birth of his son, Shane, born on December 3.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Jeff Lucas on the birth of his daughter, Shayna, on November 8.
 

Condolences

Condolences to the family and friends of Robert Pryor who passed away at the age of 75 on December 3. Brother Pryor was a member of the IBEW since 1949. He worked as an electrician for 45 years, including 34 years as a superintendent for Collins Electric.

*Exerts from a media release dated November 29, 1999, from the office of Altshuler, Berzon, Nussbaum, Berzon & Rubin, Attorneys at Law.

An unfair business practices case brought by six Northern California IBEW Local's against W.S.B. Electric, Inc. has ended with the entry of a judgment against W.S.B. Electric and its managers enjoining them from continuing to violate the state prevailing wage law. W.S.B. also agreed to pay $150,000 to the unions to cover their attorney's fees. The company, which performed almost 100 percent of its work on public works projects, was previously banished from public works projects for three years based on information uncovered in discovery during the lawsuit.  The lawsuit was filed against W.S.B. Electric in March 1998, charging it with committing unfair business practices on state projects by : failing to pay employees for all hours worked; failing to pay required overtime; taking credits for pension contributions that were never made, and overstating its contributions for employee health benefits. After the Labor Commissioner debarred W.S.B. Electric, the company agreed to settle the unions' lawsuit by paying $150,000 to cover unions' attorneys fees and by stipulating to the entry of a judgment enjoying W.S.B. Electric from violating the state prevailing wage law in the future.  ...

The plaintiffs in the case were IBEW Locals 551, 595, 302, 180, 234, and 332. They were represented by Peter D. Nussbaum and Scott A. Kronland.

Peter Nussbaum stated that "Contractors who violate the prevailing wage law not only cheat their workers, they also obtain an unfair competitive advantage over responsible contractors who follow the law. That is why failing to comply with wage laws also constitutes an unfair business practice. Hopefully, this case will send a message to other unscrupulous contractors that they face not only debarment but also costly litigation if they violate the state's prevailing wage law."
 

COMMITTEES We have had a good response on volunteers for committees. We can still use more involvement. If more members participate it increases each members "ownership" of their union. If you can help contact the Business Manager or the President. Thank you.

Defined Contribution/401K/Annuity/Money Purchase Plan

At the regular meeting on October 14th the membership voted to have the Business set up a "Seminar" dealing with the upcoming $.50 per hour contribution by the contractors for a "defined contribution" plan. This meeting has been scheduled on January 22nd, 2000. The location will be at 404 Nebraska St. We will start promptly at 9:00 A.M. Coffee and doughnuts or pastries will be provided.
 

Residential Agreement

It has been almost 7 years since we last negotiated an Agreement for our Members working under the Residential Agreement. It has also been that long since we have had any wage adjustments. An "opening letter" will go out of this office shortly after the 1st of the year. Any input from those working under this agreement would be welcome. Our Residential wireman are and have always been the backbone of our Industry. we should be able to gain benefit improvements as well as substantial wage increases for our brothers and sisters working under this agreement. As soon as we get some dates for negotiations to begin you will be notified. we need people to be involved in the negotiating process who are currently working under that agreement. If you can serve, contact the Business Manager or the President.
 

Calendar Notes:

Regular meeting - 1/13/00 (404 Nebraska St.)

Defined contribution seminar -1/22/00 (404 Nebraska St.)

Business Office to move.-2/1/00
 

Updated 01/03/00 Copyright© 2000 IBEW L.U. 180 Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President