2009 will be remembered by many as the worst year in their working career. Almost $2 Billion dollars worth of work in our jurisdiction was either temporarily canceled or shelved indefinitely.
Several things have occurred that add optimism to 2010. Our Pension Fund has made a huge comeback. Investment earnings coupled with membership contributions and benefit cuts have brought the Fund back to approximately $79 million dollars. The Plan year ends on January 31, 2010 at which time the Trustees and Actuaries will discuss benefit improvements. On another positive note, several projects that were canceled have been resurrected. Solano County was awarded a $75 million dollar grant through the State of California for the Clay Bank Jail expansion. It will be a 318 cell facility. I will keep you posted on the project as it goes through the County process. I was contacted by River House Land Company about assistance with financing the Ritz Carlton Hotel with Union Pension Fund money. I referred him to the NEBF fund manager, National Building Trades and the AFL-CIO. Although hotel funding is difficult at best, the fact that they are contacting us as a resource is encouraging. With an investment of close to $20 million dollars in the project, I would hope they wouldn’t walk away from the project.
The staff of IBEW Local 180 will allocate additional time and resources to pursue project opportunities for the members of our Local Union. One of my top priorities for 2010 is pre-qualification for public works projects.
When you get down to it, it is our tax money funding these projects. As a taxpayer, I am pissed when the general contractors resort to change orders and claims to extract additional profits from the owner. As Business Manager I am, well, beyond words when I see no apprentices or revenues directed to our LOCAL apprentice program. This has to change. My lofty goal is to get strong pre-qualification language in every public agency in our jurisdiction, even the 800 pound gorilla known as Travis AFB!
Dan Broadwater, Business Manager
Josh & Stephanie Glaze on the birth of a daughter, Olivia, 12/17/2009
David & Teran Cramer on the birth of a son, Wyatt, 12/12/2009
David & Holly Schallon on the birth of a daughter, Audrey, 11/19/2009
John & Laura Blevins on their marriage on 12/12/2009
Kevin & Jolene Delzompo on their marriage on 10/10/2009
None
The Crown Royal went to Tom Sgrenci. The $100.00 cash drawing #349, Tim Hood, who was not present so a ticket was drawn and the $100.00 went to Dan Huss. The drawing for the January meeting will be $25.00.
The benefits fair in December was attended by many persons seeking information. Doctor Striker the head of Kaiser doctors for both Vallejo and Vacaville started off the information gathering by commenting on how Kaiser is working to stream line the business to be more efficient and how we can best use their facilities. He spoke for about 20 minutes and answered many questions. Then our other professionals were split into different rooms for privacy. Kaufmann & Goble Associates, our 401a administrators were very busy. BeneSys our third party administrator was also very busy as was Kaiser, and Wurt associates. There was a nice raffle for the persons attending.
Thank you to all who attended
Dean LloydEPS—Electrical Project Supervision NECA has revised dates for the January EPS-1 classes… Mon, Tues, Wed., Jan 11, 12 & 13, 2010 Tues, Wed, Thurs 19, 20 & 21, 2010 Look for a flyer at the hall, on the web and in the next newsletter. This is a NECA class.
The classes ARE NOT managed by the JATC.
Happy New Year to my brothers and sisters of the IBEW and Local 180 in particular. I have been a member of four different locals in my 55 years of membership. Locals 882, 76, 617, and 180, I can tell you for sure that Local 180 is the best and I think they have the most qualified members.
Our Retiree’s Club had our annual Christmas party 12/2/09 at the Elks Club in Napa, I think everyone present had an enjoyable time that afternoon. We were given a choice of steak, chicken or shrimp louie. I had the steak and it was delicious, especially with the fine wine donated by Local 180, this was followed up with chocolate mousse for desert. Next we had a drawing for gifts that you picked off the gift table. Everyone received a gift. But the best part of the day was being together with all the familiar faces from the past. Try to come next year if you missed out this year.
2009 will not be remembered as a great year, starting in 2000 we had a disputed presidential election, a tech bust, a terror attack, an anthrax attack, a war sold to us on faulty intelligence, a terrible hurricane, a housing debacle, a financial panic, and the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. It depends on who you are listening to, the left or the right, but the president is either socializing health care or selling out liberalism. The banking system is on the brink of collapse.
The economy is improving. The last time unemployment topped 10% was in 1983, I remember the 80’s very well since I drew plenty of unemployment in those years.
On a more positive note, last month the unemployment rate dropped from 10.2 to 10%. The economy grew by 2.2% in the third quarter. The Dow Jones average is up 60% from its bottom in March. Many major banks have either paid back their money from the 2008 bailout, or have announced plans to do so. The Treasury Department recently said that most of the $700 billion appropriated by Congress would either be returned or never spent.
Unfortunately in our Capitalistic economy the people who get hurt the most during a recession or a depression are the people who had nothing to do with causing the problem. That would be the working class and the poor. I have high hopes that 2010 will see good times return again or as Ronald Reagan declared in 1983 it will be “Morning in America".
Bud Huss
FUTURE TRIPS: 15-night cruise via the Panama Canal from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale on October 6-21, 2010— one year to plan!!! Information about upcoming trips is posted on www.ibewlu180.org. (Click on “Retirees” and then “Latest News”.)
Information about upcoming trips is posted on www.ibewlu180.org—click on retirees and then latest news.
Santa visited the Hall on December 12. The families started the day at 8:00 A.M. with a pancake and sausage breakfast with fruit. There was Starbucks coffee, milk and juices for the kids. The kids were kept busy with arts and crafts and mixing chocolate milk until Santa arrived. The kids got so excited with Santa’s arrival. Everyone had a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and get pictures. There were a lot of great toys for the kids to pick from. Each child was able to take home a gift of their choice. The best part of the day was after Santa had to leave and head back to the North Pole; the families remained and visited with each other. The kids were playing, making ornaments for the tree, or coloring with each other. A special thank you to all Santa’s helpers: Kerry McCard, Brandy O'Neill, Curtis Lyle, Fernando Chavez and Joan Taramasso.
Thank you to all the families who attended
Dean Lloyd
The JATC has a number of classes listed at their website, www.jatclu180.org. They also have the Solar Trainer up and running - or should we say spinning!
Career Advancement Training
JATC Upcoming Classes
Class |
Hours 32 8 8 (4+4) 8 32 32 16 (4X4) 8 |
Start Date |
Call the JATC at 707-251-0315—www.jatclu180.org
TBD = to be determined
IBEW Salting / Comet / Code of Excellence is the last Wednesday of every month – RSVP to the office by phone or email – richm@ibewlu180.org
Details of where the job calls went on the books and refusals will be provided in a timely manner on both the work picture page via www.ibewlu180.org and the recorded work picture message at extension 180 on our phone system. You can access the website 24/7 and reach the recorded message after hours or by asking for extension 180 during business hours.
Newtron requires steel toed boots. If you must purchase a pair, turn in the receipt to Newtron and you will receive a reimbursement up to $150.
At time of dispatch, you will have to present all of your documentation (Driver’s License, SSN card, TWIC card and BAT card), complete some paperwork for your badge/parking and then complete a drug test in Vallejo. You will report two days later to the Valero East Building for safety training and to complete the Newtron new-hire paperwork.
The TWIC security card will be a Refinery requirement, effective February 1, 2009. So, don’t hesitate. The cost of TWIC is $132.50 and is valid for five (5) years. Workers with current, comparable background checks will pay a reduced fee of $105.25. The Local will reimburse the TWIC cost after working for at least thirty (30) days at Valero. Additional information concerning TWIC is available at
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm#twic_cost
The latest information from Newtron is a late January, early February manpower need for the Scrubber project. Due to the delays the project is projected to require 150 to 180 hands working 6 ten hour shifts with 2 shifts. The Scrubber will be complete in August of 2010.
Redwood City Electric has the Verizon Call Center in Fairfield. This project has started and will begin hiring in the early spring or sooner if the weather permits. The projected manpower they will need is 15 to 20 hands.
Del Monte Electric has been awarded a project at the Solano County Government Center in Vallejo. This will be a fast track project with a major remodel of an existing structure which the Health and Social Services used to occupy. The project will require 15 to 30 hands and run approximately 3 months. Hiring is expected to ramp up mid January. Weather will not affect this project as it is a remodel.
Shetter Electric has been awarded a sizable contract to expand the North Bay Medical Center in Vacaville. They are currently mobilized on site and project hiring to begin in the spring. The project will require 30-plus hands for at least a year in duration.
Rosendin is rumored to start another Wind Farm at the Shilo Wind Resource Area. These projects typically require at least 30 hands sometimes more. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hopefully the project will begin in the spring.
The Solano County Jail Project is back on the radar. There is a PLA on the project and it is quite large—a 318-bed facility near the existing Clay Bank facility. Additional information will be provided as project planning advances.
Nordby Electric has the Hunter Hill Rest Stop—manpower requirements were unavailable at press time!
For those on the out-of-work list, please remember to re-sign. You can use the fax re-sign forms provided at the hall, or you can get one off the web site.
The start of the normal chain of events that generate a Local 180 job call is the owner’s need to have some type of work done – which requires capital. So how do we get around the fact capital does not exist, is difficult to get, or protected if available? One newsletter will not provide enough space for a detailed explanation. However, I can report on connecting all the dots from my many hats to stimulate projects.
Business Agents wear many hats. I also wear many hats as member of the public. Roles outside of the IBEW include planning commissioner, energy committee, transportation committee and chair of a large nonprofit managing government grants working to end poverty and homelessness. With that said, at times, it comes across as a joke that I am trying to save the world starting here.
All of the people I meet at various meetings are having a tough time. They are in need to cut their costs and they feel the pressures to be green. With the best of intentions they want to create green jobs. I have, repeatedly, said to anyone who will hear me, electricity is color blind! The training electricians receive to install a gas fired gen-set is the same training to install the windmill - electrons do not know the difference.
They have heard me. They have come to the conclusion that another 50 PV installers is not the answer, people to create projects are!
IBEW/NECA has the best training program and facility. We also have the best model to fund the effort. We give back to the community with resources, personal support and funding (when available). So this diverse group and I are working together to create the jobs that will put people back to work.
I have worked with two groups to develop a green job pathway. Grants have been received and training is forthcoming. Partnerships are now forming. Soon, students will stimulate the demand and show owners that green produces a financial return with positive environment side effect. I have identified the owners that either have or have access to the capital required. Things are moving quickly.
This article was written as PG&E held their Energy Auditing Class in the meeting area of our Training Center; written as Kevin Coleman fined tuned an M.O.U. to form the Green Technical Institute between us and a private power provider.
The common thread is the IBEW offered the resources, personal support and facility to foster the green jobs and projects that are needed to re-employ our existing green collar members. Development is the key word in one of my job tiles: Business Development. Much needed in these times. It takes time. And, it takes many hats.
News Release
U.S. Department of Labor |
For Immediate Release |
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES $100 MILLION
IN GREEN JOBS TRAINING GRANTS THROUGH RECOVERY ACT
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced nearly $100 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The grants will support job training programs to help dislocated workers and others, including veterans, women, African Americans and Latinos, find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations. Approximately $28 million of the total funds will support projects in communities impacted by auto industry restructuring.
Through the Energy Training Partnership Grants being administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, 25 projects ranging from approximately $1.4 to $5 million each will receive grants. These grants are built on strategic partnerships – requiring labor and business to work together.
“Today’s announcement is part of the administration’s long-term commitment to fostering both immediate economic revitalization and a clean energy future. It’s an investment that will help American workers succeed while doing good,” said Secretary Solis. “Our outstanding award recipients were selected because their proposed projects will connect workers to career pathways in green industries and occupations through critical, diverse partnerships.”
Training activities funded through this grant program will be individually tailored based on occupations and skills identified as in demand in local areas around the country. Training programs will seek to prepare workers for a range of careers including: hybrid/electric auto technicians, weatherization specialists, wind and energy auditors, and solar panel installers.
Grant recipients are expected to work in conjunction with a diverse range of partners, including labor organizations, employers and workforce investment boards. Bringing together the workforce expertise of these groups will allow grantees to develop programs that are responsive to the needs of both workers and employers, and that provide participants with the support needed to successfully complete training. The grantees will utilize these partnerships to design and distribute training approaches that lead to portable industry credentials and employment, including career opportunities in registered apprenticeship programs.
These grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative — totaling $500 million — to fund workforce development projects that promote economic growth by preparing workers for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. The Department of Labor expects to release funding for two remaining green grant award categories over the next several weeks.
For a full listing and project description of each grant recipient, visit http://www.doleta.gov. To view a video or listen to radio actualities (in English and Spanish) with introductions to the green jobs training grants by Secretary Solis, visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/grants.
ENERGY TRAINING PARTNERSHIP GRANTS:
California State Labor Management Cooperation Committee for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association (LMCC-IBEW-NECA) for $5,000,000 applied statewide for unemployed and underemployed electricians.
>>Editor’s Note: This is the Statewide LMCC that is funded through your local membership dues.
Union Dues
With the New Year comes an increase in the International dues. Therefore, the new monthly total for membership dues will be $31.70 per month. The increase of one dollar is for the International Pension. Following, is a review of how the monthly dues contribution is allocated.
Starting January 1, 2010, the monthly International portion for pension is $14, and the per capita contribution is $12, for a total of $26.00 per month. The local portion remains at $5.70 which is dispersed as follows: Local CLC $0.30, Building Trades $3.00, Statewide LMCC $3.00, AFL-CIO $0.51, for a total of $6.81 per month. The negative balance of $1.11 is compensated for by a redirection of “working dues” in the same amount.
It is important to note that one additional item dispersed is $.04 per hour worked to the State Building Trades. This also comes from working dues – not membership dues. Our local operations are funded by working dues – not membership dues.
Local News Starting January 2010 the International portion of your membership dues will increase by $1.00 bringing the total monthly membership dues to $31.70. For members on auto-payment with their banks we ask you please adjust the amount. For those members on participating withdrawal, your dues to the International will be $26.00 paid directly to Washington D.C.
For members on auto-payment with their banks we ask you to please adjust the monthly amount to $31.70.
Refinancing? Financing a purchase?? Submitting a rental application? Speed up the processes by NOT LISTING THE LOCAL AS YOUR EMPLOYER!
When we receive a call to confirm your employment we have to respond that you DO NOT work for LU 180; you are ONLY a member. 99.999% of the time this is not acceptable to the caller. We cannot give out any additional information without your approval.
We can print out a list of all your employers since 2000—with addresses and phone numbers!
Just give us a call/email and we will be happy to print and mail/email this information to you. Provide this to the lender/credit agency and speed-up the process!
Upcoming Member Events—Dates to be announced—(Firm Dates Shall be Announced) Mark your calendar at the first of the month to check our website for the latest details. Look for “Local Event” on the left side of the screen. You can use our Google calendar to email you a reminder!
Easter Bunny in Late March on a Saturday; Grad Night at Napa College in June; Picnic at Lake Solano in September; Santa at the Hall in December; Giants and A’s Games to be determined.
Upcoming Meetings Events & Holidays: 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 6 P.M. By appointment |
Dan Broadwater, Business Manager
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.
| 2/4/2010 |
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