Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President
Health and Welfare I recently attended a National Benefits Conference jointly sponsored by the IBEW & NECA. The situation that we face here is not limited to Napa & Solano Counties. The “CRISIS” is nation wide. Healthcare coverage continues to have cost increases. Decrease in benefits are common, not only in types of coverage but quality as well. One thing that became obvious, at this and at other meetings, is that the approach by the Trustees has been difficult but necessary. By reducing our costs we have been able to stave off more radical reductions in benefits. The funding for the VEBA accounts for our membership is foresighted and will lessen the impact of retirees on the plan in years to come.
Pension The fact that many locals have a Defined Contribution plan as their only retirement was discussed and reports indicate that this type of plan is risky at best. The advice of industry professionals is that the a Defined Benefit plan is generally better, and a Defined Contribution plan is a good supplemental plan. Many DC plans are tied primarily to the Stock market and it’s fluctuations. Those types of plans were much harder hit by the recent Market downturn than DB plans such as ours.
2002 Man-Hours and future work The man-hours for the local in 2002 have exceeded 2001 by close to 30,000. (2001 was 624,000 and 2002 will by close to 654,000) This gives us a 3 year average of close to 600,000 man-hours, with a five year average of 560,000 and has increased our 10 year average to 477,000 (up from 457,000). Without book two we would not have filled calls for the last several months. In the last 3 months 53% of our dispatches to the Peaker Plants have been off of Book II. Future work in the area looks steady and very promising with several major projects starting in the spring.
Staffing Change With our man hours steadily improving
and our membership expanding, as Business Manager, I found that the office
was being stretched past it’s ability to service our members and to continue
in the quest for an increased Market Share. I have asked Mike Smith
to join the staff as an Agent. Mike’s responsibilities will be varied
and his commitment to the IBEW will make him a welcome addition.
He will be assisting in the office, in the field and with Market Recovery
projects.
| Upcoming Events Holidays
REGULAR MEETING
BAR-B-QUE @5:30 P. M.
CARPENTER’S OFF DAY
CAPENTER’S OFF DAY
All meetings will be held at:
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Inside this issue.
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Congratulations to Salvador Alcaraz on his marriage to Gaby on January 22, 2003.
Rumor has it that on Friday January 31, 2003 there
was an “INCIDENT” at a local jobsite where an
alarm clock was demolished in the parking lot and some language used in
regards to the future use of this device if used for anything other than
an early call for fishing.
Congratulations “Corky” Cordel Cowart on his retirement,
effective February 1. 2003.
Joe Smith started the day early, having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 a.m. While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG).
He then put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE
IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes
(MADE IN KOREA).
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet
(MADE IN INDIA) he sat down with his calculator
(MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured him self a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA!), and then wondered…..
“Why can't I find a good paying job in.....AMERICA?....”
WHY INDEED
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. Widows of retired members are encouraged to get
involved.
From President of the Retirees’ Club
Re: Electrical Retiree’s Tours
When I joined the IBEW Local 180 Retirees’ Club a leader was needed
to arrange tours. I accepted the job, so all our tours are listed
under Electrical Retirees’ Club #180. They are sold at cost to all
IBEW members and friends. To those newly retired, we need you
in our club and on our tours.
Fraternally,
Ken Breckenridge
Upcoming “Electrical Retirees Club” trips
Las Vegas & Mesquite 6 day Trip March 17-22, 2003
“Lake Michigan Getaway” July 14-25, 2003
This unique trip will feature “flightless” travel. That is; all
transportation will be by land
or lake. Mode of transportation will include bus, rail,
and cruise ship. Departing from Vallejo on July 14 and returning
on the 25th.
Itinerary; Depart Vallejo aboard Motor Coach and transfer to the California Zephyr to Chicago, arriving in Chicago the afternoon of July 16th. You will transfer to the Grande Mariner and spend the evening in Port departing on the 17th and cruising to Holland Michigan where you will think you have arrived in an authentic Dutch Village on the 18th. Then on to Mainstee on day 6. On day 7 you will travel the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island for a day of experiencing a Victorian Village. Day 8 will find you in Sturgeon Bay ( on of the Great Lakes largest Shipbuilding ports). On to Milwaukee on July 21st (day 8). Arriving in Chicago on the 23rd and boarding the Southwest Chief arriving in Los Angeles on the 25th and transferring to the Coast Starlight for the trip north and home.
There are still several openings on these trips.
For additional information;
Ken can be reached at (707) 643-4139.
From the President:
Work wise, this has been one of our best winters in a long time. Man-hours
are as high as our boom years. We have some major projects out ahead
of us. $400 million dollars of school bond money for Napa and Solano Counties
is slated to begin soon. The downtown Solano County Building is to start
in April. Valero has a major project to start the end of the year, barring
problems with the permit process. This is called the VIP Project. They
are to put a scrubber on the Precipitator, which is slated at $140 Million
dollars.
We lost a billion dollar project at Mare Island. Bechtel/Shell were to partner up and build a gasification plant and a 600-900 Mega Watt power plant. But there was a small-organized group of citizens that said it was too dangerous and got the ears of several politicians. These uneducated people live across the channel from where this facility was to be built. For years, across the same channel were submarines and ships with the nuclear arms and capabilities to destroy this whole damn state! Yet, not in my backyard. A hand full of people stopped 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs because they were organized and they had the political backing necessary to get enough votes. I challenge the members that live in Vallejo to vote these job killers out of the political office they hold!
Please help the staff at the window. When you come off a job, please bring a copy of your termination notice whether it’s a short call or long call. It will help when placing members back on the list.
Remember Valentine’s Day! Bring something sweet home to your significant other!
Dan Broadwater
President Local 180
From the Organizer:
The number of active A members in January, 2002 was 598. At the
end of the year there were 615 active A members. Simple math would
show a positive gain of 17 members. However, in the same time span
there were 81 new members sworn into local 180. What happened?
The largest loss was in the sound and communications unit. The “dot
com” crash and a sluggish economy resulted in these losses. We also had
several members retire and several apprentices have been terminated from
the program. As the Organizer, I find “crunching numbers” depressing.
However, I realized that without organizing the local would have suffered
great losses in membership in 2002 instead of positive gains. The present
composition of membership is as follows:
| INSIDE | RESIDENTIAL | S&C |
| 396 Inside Wireman | 27 Residential Wireman | 27 S&C Installers |
| 82 Inside Apprentices | 50 Residential Apprentices | 33 S&C Apprentices |
Rich Mattson, Organizer
JATC
JOURNEYMAN CLASSES
The JATC is still accepting sign-ups for Journeyman Classes.
Basic Conduit Bending will begin on March 4, 2003. Classes will be on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 P. M.
Basic Motor Control will start on March 6, 2003. Classes will be on Thursdays from 5:00 to 8:00 P. M. It will cover theory, hands on and lab work with computer software applications.
Both classes are eight weeks in duration. If you have not signed up yet contact Larry Poyser at the JATC office. (251-0315). If interest is high enough we will have more than one class.
Preparatory classes for State Certification will start soon as well. We are looking at the possibility of using some interactive Internet Based classes. The Local LMCC has authorized an expenditure to put together a pilot program that will be evaluated by the JATC and implemented. It is extremely important that our members get signed up and tested as soon as possible. If you are having problems with the forms contact the office and we can help.
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! PROTECT YOURSELVES
Valentines Day & Carpenters
off day
February 14, 2002
Presidents Day
February 17, 2 003
Have a nice Holiday and take
advantage of the 4 day weekend.
Bruce Gourley, Business Manager
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Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President |
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