IBEW L.U. 180

IBEW Local Union 180 - Newsletter

Volume 2002, Issue 1 January 1st, 2002

SERVING NAPA AND SOLANO COUNTIES SINCE 1901

Two Thousand and one Changes (2002)

This year has brought many changes, locally, nationally and internationally.
Work in the area has slowed over the last year with the federal government finally declaring that we are in a “recession”. Most experts feel that this slowdown will be of a short duration with the economy picking up by spring. In the year 2001, Local 180 had over 600,000 man-hours worked in the jurisdiction. Our 10 year average is about 430,000. The last 3 years have averaged 510,000.
The NEBF and I/O pension plans are sound and improvements are anticipated. We are currently seeing that recent retirees are getting about as much from these two plans as Social Security.
By working with the Building Trades we have become more politically effective. In years past when the Local Building Trades offered to interview people running for local office, we would get a response from 50% of the candidates. In the last election we interviewed well over 90% of those candidates running for local elections. Of those endorsed 60 to 70% were elected. Our endorsement and support is much sought after. Working families and their needs will have a better chance with labor friendly politicians. We have power when we use it. With this support the building trades have been successful in gaining Project Labor Agreements and pre-qualification requirements of contractors approved. These agreements are good for the community and for organized labor.
The 36th International Convention was held in San Francisco. Because of its location many of our members were able to attend some sessions of the Convention as well as the Bar-B-Q and entertainment offered. Delegates to the Convention elected a new President (Edwin Hill), Secretary-Treasurer (Jerry O’Connor), 9th District Vice President (Michael Mowery), IEC Chairman (Milt Foster), and IEC representative for our area Pat Lavin. There were of course other elections but these most affect Local 180 and the 9th District. For the first time Local 180 had three delegates based on our membership. Prior to this Convention we only had one. On a very somber and serious note the second day of the Convention was marred by the catastrophic events of September 11. All of the Delegates were shocked and the Convention became somewhat surreal until we were able to collect our wits and move on.

Wishing all of you a happy and prosperous New Year
Business Manager
Bruce P. Gourley

Upcoming Events Holidays
NEW YEARS
DECEMBER 31, 2001 (CARPENTERS’ OFF DAY/INSIDE AND RESIDENTIAL)
JANUARY 1, 2002 (ALL)
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
JANUARY 21, 2002 (ALL)
PRESIDENTS DAY
FEBUARY 15, 2002 (CARPENTERS’ OFF DAY/INSIDE & RESIDENTIAL)
FEBUARY 18, 2002 (ALL)
MEMORIAL DAY
MAY 24, 2002 (CARPENTERS’ OFF DAY/INSIDE & /RESIDENTIAL )
MAY 27, 2002 (ALL)
All meetings will be held at:
720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558
Inside this issue.
Two Thousand and one Changes
2nd Annual Children's Christmas Party
Best Wishes
Congratulations
Condolences
From the President
Organizing
LU 180 Credit Union
JATC
Retiree's Corner
Residential Step Up for Habitat

Bar-B-Que before each Regular Meeting (next on is 1/10/02) starting @ 5:30 p.m.

2nd Annual Children's Christmas Party
On Saturday December 15, 2001 Santa visited out Training Facility to meet with and pass out presents for all the children who came. Refreshments were served and pictures were taken. It was a huge success and should continue to be an annual event. Thanks to the Local Labor Management Co-Operation Committee for sponsoring the festivities. Over 70 kids participated. Thanks to Gary McCoy, his “helpers” and Santa(Rod McClean).

Congratulations
To Bret and Rachelle Parrick on the birth of their new daughter, Gillian. Born December 19, 2001.

From the President
I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable time with your families over the holiday season. Cherish the time you have together during this slow time of the year.

During the last 4 to 5 years, we have pretty much been able to pick and choose our work and location. That has changed as evident by the number of men on the books. We need to mentally prepare ourselves for a change. I spoke at the last Union Meeting about refinery work going on in the area. Get a BATT card and have the option of going to the refineries. Certain contractors that you may have passed on for whatever reason should become an option. Protect yourself and protect our industry by manning this work.

Two important items are going to transpire this summer. Our contract ends the end of May. Participate! Don't let second hand information alter your focus. The Business Manager has spent countless hours researching our options as far as a rate increase. All on the negotiation committee support and thank him for his efforts. Questions about the upcoming contract can be answered at the next regular meeting. The other important item is elections. Get involved. I am proud of what has been accomplished in the last term and feel confident this course will continue.

Remember the January 10 meeting is our Blood Drive. It starts at 4:00 P.M. and will run until the meeting starts at 7:00 P.M. Participants in the blood donations will receive a free meal. We need all the support that we can. I am hoping to have at least 35 donors and upwards of 50 would be great!
Public Works projects are on tap from the Governors Office to help jump-start our states declining economy. Once again it shows how labor friendly elected officials are so important. The Business Manager is in the process of gathering information on PAC funding. At a nickel an hour our local could generate close to $30,000 a year to help back labor friendly politicians.

Journeyman upgrade classes start up again in January. There are many that could use the refresher especially with certification coming on. As far as the conduit bending class, they should be full. If you are going to hold steady employment in this industry, you must master the art of pipe bending.
Enroll and complete your commitment. Night classes have the potential to help generate funds for our JATC. Remember you have to not only finish the classroom hours, but also 500 on the job hours before we can apply for the funding reimbursement.

Be safe and get involved with your union!

Dan Broadwater
President Local 180

From the Organizer:
Organizing has been sluggish with work slowing in the area. The RATS are also slow. Lots of non-union are inquiring about working union. Lets hope the new year will bring some of those ‘ Big Jobs’ we’ve been hearing about.

The Habitat for Humanity project was a great success. The Residential Apprentices did a ‘ top notch job’. Those involved were impressed with the quality of work they did. They represented themselves and the local very well. The local Residential Contractors also helped out by donating all the material required to wire the two homes. Thanks to all that participated in this worthwhile venture. Benicia will have two happy new home owners.

Rich Mattson, Organizer

IBEW Local 180 Credit Union
All members in good standing, employees of IBEW Local Union 180 and their immediate families are eligible for membership in the Credit Union. Membership information is available at the Credit Union office located in the Training Center or by calling (707) 256-3180.

Loan rates thru January 31, 2001.

Unsecured Loans (up to $10,000 on approval of credit)
12 Months 7% APR
24 Months 9% APR
36 Months 11% APR
48 Months 13% APR
Share Secured Loans 6% APR
Auto Loans 8% APR

New Used Down-payment or not, Terms depend on loan amount
Office Hours
Monday 12:00-5:00
Tuesday 12:00-5:00
Wednesday 9:00-12:00
Thursday 12:00-5:00
Friday 12:00-5:00
Closed Wednesday Afternoon

It's time to plan ahead

Open a Christmas Club Account in January. Put money in each month based on what you spent this year. When it's time to shop for the holidays again, you'll have all the money you need (A Credit Union Christmas Club Account earns the same interest as a regular share account and there is no penalty for early withdrawal.

JATC JOURNEYMAN TRAINING
There are still openings for most of the journeyman classes. If you have not signed up, please do so. The additional funding available for these classes is dependent on class room attendance.
Step up to the plate, increase or refresh your skills. We all get rusty and all of the classes offered will continue the tradition of the IBEW. “The BEST trained electricians in the industry.”

Brothers and Sisters, remember!

This is not an industry in which we work.

THIS IS OUR INDUSTRY !

Classes: January~April
Monday 1/14/02
Shop - Conduit Bending
Rm#2 - Corning fiber optics
Tuesday 1/15/02
Rm#3 - California Certification
Wednesday 1/16/02
Rm#3 - Auto CAD II
Rm#2 - BICSI
Thursday 1/17/02
Rm#2 - Code
Rm#1 - Productivity and Communication (Foreman Training)

All classes will be held from 6 to 9 P.M.

For more information and to register contact the JATC at 251-0315

Retiree's Corner
The monthly meetings for the Retirees Club are held the first Wednesday of each month. They are held at the Training Center. All retirees and spouses are welcome as well as widows of retired members.

At our January Meeting we will serve a Hot Lunch. Please contact Ken so that we have enough food and refreshment for all.

The Annual Christmas Luncheon was held at Tonelli’s on December 5, 2001. Retirees and their guests all had a good time.

The Retirees are scheduling an overnight Reno Trip on Jan. 16th & 17th. Cost of trip is $47.00. Destination is the Sands Hotel. For information contact Ken .

A reminder of the Canadian trip. The trip will begin June 21, 2002. This is the LAST CALL. If you are interested please contact President Ken Breckenridge.

Ken can be reached at (707) 643-4139.

The Retirees Club wishes us all a
“Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.”

J. D. “Rip” Ripley is home from a recent trip the hospital. He is recuperating nicely. We all send our wishes for a quick recovery.

Residential Steps Up for Habitat (name corrections)
Top Left: Brian Weber, Cody A'Hearn, Don Lorenz, Rich Mattson, Robert Stake, Pete Barchard
Bottom Left: Matt Jones, Robert Shaw, Nelson Rojas

right mouse click on picture to "view image" at full size

UNION BUILT MEANS BETTER BUILT
You want a “ no-worry” electrical system installed in your home Safe, reliable and guaranteed. Then you need an electrical system installed by a union electrical contractor. That’s right– UNION! A competent union electrical contractor who employs qualified IBEW union electricians.

Each IBEW journeyman learns the trade through a 3 to 5 year Apprenticeship program. This extensive training combines on–the-job practical experience with classroom theory and testing. And the training doesn’t stop there. Continuing education constantly up-dates the union electrician’s skills through programs sponsored by the IBEW and NECA the IBEW & NECA were instrument in establishing mandatory state Licensing in California. Why? Because we believe that our work is superior & we stand behind it!

Net'n 2 It maintains this site at no cost to the members of the Local Union