IBEW L.U. 180

IBEW Local Union 180 - Newsletter

Volume 2008, Issue 2 February, 2008

SERVING NAPA AND SOLANO COUNTIES SINCE 1901

Business Manager's Report

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We enter the New Year having closed 2007 with the best man-hours record in our local union’s history.

Also, through the United Workers for Local Government, we helped identify and elect some influential, union-friendly officials to key positions throughout Solano County. This, combined with our continuous pro-active political involvement, should help us sustain and promote policies and initiatives that benefit working families.

However, last year’s successes shouldn’t make us blindly optimistic. The sub-prime lending crisis has had devastating consequences, especially in California. Many phases of construction will be impacted in some way. And the State’s $14 billion dollar shortfall projected for this fiscal year will reduce available funding for certain government projects. The pain will be felt by all but those who orchestrated this mess.

It’s all the more critical, therefore, that we do our part to aggressively advocate that projects go union, and demonstrate to our elected officials the benefits of doing so.

We will continue to work with the elected officials that “get it” – that is, when local people work on local projects the local community benefits. Nearly two-thirds of the economy is driven by consumer spending, and good paying jobs are pivotal to economic vitality. If our elected officials fail to appreciate and promote this, then either they’ve got to come to terms with our voice, or be replaced. REMEMBER TO VOTE! And keep in mind that how you vote will impact your ability to earn a living wage, maintain the benefits of healthcare, and enjoy the security of a pension at the end of your career.

It’s also important that we pay close attention to our new signatory electrical contractors. Keep in mind that effective Foremen with a Local 180 work ethic are critical to their success. This could easily mean the difference between the solid expansion of union market share continued nonunion and the invasion of our work.

Clean and renewable energy in California is the order of the day, and we need to position ourselves to take full advantage of the increasing demand for work in this sector. Companies that grow in response to new market opportunities share a common characteristic – they aggressively market themselves! So, we’ll be teaming up with NECA and signatory contractors who are interested in expanding into this area.

Finally, your delivering “8 for 8” remains a necessary building block to our reputation and success in the industry. Keep up the great work!

Dan Broadwater,
Business Manager

Upcoming Events Holidays	Inside this issue
MEETINGS: REGULAR MEETING 7 P.M. SECOND THURSDAY B-B-Q - 5 P.M. Only on Blood Drives RETIREES MEETING FIRST WEDNESDAY @ 12:30 P.M. E-BOARD MEETING 6 P.M. FOURTH TUESDAY EXAM BOARD MEETING 5 P.M. SECOND TUESDAY HOLIDAYS DEC 24 - INSIDE & RES. AGREEMENTS DEC 25 - ALL AGREEMENTS DEC 31 - INSIDE & RES. AGREEMENTS The Union Office will be closed on all the above holidays	Business Manager's Report Congratulations Condolence NORTH POLE REPORT Third Party Administrator Other News: Skate Park OSHA Training Retiree's Corner 2008 Recommendations ELECTRICAL PROJECT SUPERVISION, LEVEL 1 - NAPA The Apprentice Monthly Election Calendar GIANTS GAME BUS TRIP
All meetings will be held at: 720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558	New web sites for union members in Napa & Solano counties: www.nsworkers.org & www.napasolanoclc.org find out what’s up!

Congratulations
Derek & Valeri Robers, married 12/1/2007 and the birth of daughter, Shaunaleah, on 12/30/2007

Linda Lee Brightwell Lawler passed away suddenly on Wednesday December 26th. She was born on May 21, 1942 in Fresno, California. She grew up in the Hanford area where she attended Central Union Elementary School and graduated from Lemoore High School in 1960. She married Don Brightwell in 1961 and moved to Vallejo to start their family.

Linda was a devoted, loving, caring wife and mother. In 1978 she went to work at the Vallejo Moose Lodge as a secretary. In October of 1979, she started a new career as the office manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #180 where she retired in March of 2006 after 27 years of service.

Family was always Linda's first passion and priority. She was the oldest of eight children and spent much other early life caring for her brothers and sisters. Once married, she was also a very devoted mother who stayed home to take care of her three children when they were young. As her children grew up and moved on, she always spoke of them and their life endeavors with great pride and love, and she could always lure them back for a visit with her famous beans, potatoes and cornbread for dinner.

During her retirement, she combined love for family with one of her favorite hobbies and spent many hours researching family genealogy. She collected hundreds of old photographs and used them to create beautiful scrapbooks. Linda also loved to shop and was always looking out for something special to buy for her loved ones.

Linda treasured her grandchildren. With camera in hand, she attended countless sporting events, and school functions capturing precious memories. Linda always made it a point to give each grandchild one-on-one time. She made everybody feel special and she always had plenty of room in her heart for anyone who needed a "Grandma Linda."

Recently, Linda found a new love and travel companion in Deane Rader. The pair spent much of the year traveling the country, exploring parts of the United States she had always dreamed of visiting.

Santa came and visited the Hall on December 15 in the morning and he had his biggest turn out of Kids and Families ever. The morning started off with an all you can eat Pancake and sausage breakfast. Santa then made his appearance with his helpful Elf. The children were full of energy and Christmas spirit it was great to be there.

The smiles of all the children were captured on camera by Rich Mattson and pictures are available at the Hall. The children all received a gift that they were able to choose from a large variety of toys, games, and puzzles.

A big thank you to the early morning volunteers who made the morning possible Kerry McCard, Bev McCard, Jacob McCard, Curtis Lyle, Chuck Brown, and Markus Lloyd.

What is the IBEW-NECA Substance-Free Workforce Program?
The Substance-Free Workforce Program is a drug testing and member assistance program that is implemented under the IBEW Local 180 Health & Welfare Plan. It affects all IBEW members employed by Participating Employers of the Inside Construction Agreement within Napa and Solano Counties.

INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
Testing Procedure
If you are working for a Participating Employer, you will be given information on testing sites and a Test Authorization Form to take to the site chosen by you to do the test. You must sign a form acknowledging receipt of the testing information and the Test Authorization Form.

At your chosen testing site, you must submit the Test Authorization Form. This Form qualifies “Active” participants in the Local 180 Substance Free Workforce Program (including Travelers) for the $50.00 “Wellness Benefit” check (initial test only) provided their tests are negative. A urine specimen will be collected following procedures consistent with Federal testing standards. Once obtained, the specimen will be screened for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, PCP, and other prohibited substances. Alcohol testing will be conducted in accordance with Federal standards.

Every effort will be made to ensure a member’s privacy. However, should a member be caught attempting to alter his or her sample, a second one will be collected immediately under direct supervision.

If the initial screen is positive, testing and handling procedures will be reviewed a second time before confirming the positive result. In addition, before confirming a positive result, the Medical Review Officer (MRO), a physician, will review the test results and the member will be interviewed to determine whether the positive result was due to a valid medical or dietary reasons.

Members are entitled to copies of verified positive test results, which they may request by telephone or in writing from the MRO.

Testing Schedule
Initial Testing
All current employees of Participating Employers may test voluntarily between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2008. Mandatory testing will commence on April 1, 2008. Employees of new Participating Employers (after April 1st) will have 30 days from the date the employer signs the DER form to complete their initial testing. Testing will be done outside of working hours.

Prehire Testing
Effective April 1, 2008, members dispatched by Local 180 to Participating Employers must be tested within two working days of dispatch, unless in possession of “Active” status earned within the past 12 months.

Random Testing
Effective April 1, 2008, employees of Participating Employers will be subject to random selection by the Program Administrator for drug testing. Random selection may result in testing more than once during the year, or not at all.
If you are selected for random testing, your employer will notify you. You will be free to choose the time of your test (outside of working hours) at any approved site, as long as it takes place within 24 hours from the time you are notified.

Post-Accident Testing
Drug and alcohol testing will be conducted after a work-related accident which is caused in part by an employee’s performance, and which involves either a reportable injury as defined by OSHA regulations, an injury which requires medical treatment that cannot be handled at the accident scene, or at least $1,000 in property damage. The alcohol testing will be completed within two (2) hours of the accident, if possible, and the drug testing must be completed within 24 hours of the accident.

The Local 180 members listed below attended six or more regular Union Meetings in 2007 and are being rewarded with one free t-shirt from the Local. This has been an ongoing effort over the last few years.
Their participation at the meetings is greatly appreciated.

MARE ISLAND MUSEUM
Housed in Building #46, built in 1885, at 50,000 sq. ft. it is open the first and third weekends of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Current exhibits include Women at Mare Island

USE YOUR VISA OR MASTERCARD FOR DUES!
YES, CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS WITH THE MASTERCARD OR VISA LOGO, IN PERSON OR OVER THE PHONE FOR DUES, SORRY NOT FOR T-SHIRTS

IF YOU HAVE MOVED
Please notify the office so we can keep your information up to date. However, if we do not have a good address - then you should not be getting this newsletter… Please remind your co-worker.

Easter is coming early this year.

We have arranged for the Easter Bunny to come see us at the Union Hall on Saturday March 15th from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. We will have some arts and crafts for the kids; the Easter Bunny always brings candy. There will be a hot dog lunch with chips and drinks following the bunny’s visit. So, come see the Easter Bunny and bring your camera for some great pictures!

For those of you who are interested in helping, in any way possible, please contact Dean Lloyd at (707) 337-0347

The meetings for the Retirees’ Club are held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Training Center / Union Hall at 12:30 P.M.

The next meetings will be Feb 6 and March 5. All retirees and spouses are welcome. Widows of retired members are encouraged to get involved and welcome our newest members.

FUTURE TRIPS:

Queen of the West, September 14—21, 2008: Roundtrip Transportation to Portland included {We are considering roundtrip Amtrak or flying}, 7 Nights aboard the Queen of the West, All Meals and Entertainment on board.

Southern Nevada & Grand Canyon February 25-March 1, 2008:Motorcoach Transportation

Please contact Ken Breckenridge more information on these trips at (707) 643-4139

ELECTRICAL PROJECT SUPERVISION, LEVEL 1 - NAPA
A good foreman is often a company’s most valuable asset. This course will provide important knowledge and skills for foremen with a wide range of responsibilities. It will enrich an understanding of the business and process of construction and enable IBEW foremen to ensure that work is done correctly, safely, within budget and on time. Anyone interested in improving their skills as a foreman should attend this training class. This class is a requirement to qualify for foreman callout by name. Please contact Darlene Besst at the NECA office at 925/828-6322 if you have any questions or require additional information.

This month the JATC will be instituting rotation. Some of you out there may be dreading the change, while others are probably eager to leave and try out another employer. I know that it can be a bit unsettling to have to uproot from a place that you have begun to feel comfortable, but rotation definitely has its benefits.

One of the positive aspects of rotation is the opportunity for Apprentices to get s feel for the different employers and for the different types of work that they do. One day in the near future we will be Journeyman and will face the decision of where we will choose to work, and what kind of work we want to do. We also have the opportunity to meet other electricians and learn how to work with and get along with a wide variety of people, which is definitely beneficial to us in the future. With the IBEW being a brotherhood it is important for us to make connections with other electricians, as this makes the Union stronger.

Another positive aspect of rotation is the opportunity for Apprentices to learn from other Apprentices and Journeymen. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the unique experiences that different Journeymen have. Working with these Journeymen will enable us to learn all of the "tricks of the trade" that cannot be found in our textbooks. Working with other Apprentices is also a great experience because we can help each other in gaining skills. It is also very uplifting to have fellowship with others who are going through the same struggles of learning both in the field and in the classroom.

I hope for the best for all of you fellow Apprentices out there who will be rotating. We can all look forward to gaining skills through these experiences in the field, and one day we too will be passing down the knowledge discovered over the years by IBEW craftsmen to the next generation of wiremen. I can be contacted by email at www.ailoff01@sprintpcs.com

David Iloff

February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election

Jan 7 to Jan 29 Absentee Voting Period.

Jan 21* (*Holiday) Last day to register to vote for the Presidential Primary Election.

Jan 22 to Jan 29 New Resident and Citizens Registration Period

Jan 30 to Feb 5 Absentee Ballots – Late Conditions

Feb 5, 2008 Primary Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

June 3, 2008 Statewide Direct Primary Election

May 5 to May 27 Absentee voting period for the Statewide Direct Primary Election.

May 19 Last day to register to vote for the Statewide Direct Primary Election.

May 20 to May 27 New Citizens Registration Period

May 28 to Jun 3 Absentee Ballots – Late Conditions.

June 3, 2008 Primary Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

THE 4TH ANNUAL GIANTS GAME BUS TRIP WILL HAPPEN SUNDAY AUGUST 10TH.

We will see the LA Dodgers for a 1:00 pm game.

The bus will leave the Union Hall at 10:15 am and stop and pick up in Vallejo at the ferry terminal around 10.30 pm.

You will receive: A bus ride there and back, an upper reserved ticket into the game, deli sandwich with chips, beer, soda, water. A chance to win some prizes on the bus (gift cards to home depot) and the chance to win part of a cash raffle (the size of the raffle depends on the size of how much we all put into the raffle). All of this for $ 40.00!

To reserve your spot on the bus you must buy your tickets early by calling Dean Lloyd at (707) 337-0347. Last year the tickets sold out in 3 weeks!

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.


Updated 1/28/08 Copyright© 2008 *IBEW L.U. 180* *Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager*