State Controller    State Treasurer  Attorney General
Johan Klehs          Phil Angelides   Bill Lockyer

Superintendent of Public Schools           State Insurance Commissioner
         Jack O’Connell                             Open

U. S. Representatives                              State Senate
District  1 Mike Thompson                     District 2  Wes Chesbro
District  3 Howard Beeman                    State Assembly
District  7 George Miller                        District 7  Pat Wiggins
District 10 Ellen Tauscher                      District  8  Open

Board of Supervisors
Solano County                                       Napa
District 3 Duane Kromm                       District 3   Ken Slavens
District 4 John Vasquez

Solano County District Attorney  Dave Paulson
Solano County Assessor/Recorder  Skip Thomson
Solano County Sheriff/Coroner  Gary Stanton

Ballot Propositions
Proposition  40  YES    Proposition  43  YES
Proposition  41  YES    Proposition  44  YES
Proposition  42  YES    Proposition  45  YES

Explanation of Endorsements

      Business Manager,

      Bruce P. Gourley

Upcoming Events Holidays 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 23, 2002 @ 11:00 a.m. INVESCO Presentation March 27, 2002 @ 6:00 p.m. S&C Unit Meeting April 3, 2002 @ 4:30 p.m. Residential Unit Meeting April 24, 2002 @ 4:30 p.m. 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. Business Manager's Report 1st Annual Children's Easter Egg Hunt PENSION INFORMATION Condolences From the President Organizing LU 180 Credit Union Endorsements Retiree's Corner S&C Unit Residential Unit

Condolences
I N   M E M O R I U M
We have received information that our Brother Al Williams recently passed away.
Alvin D. Williams was initiated in the IBEW August of 1971 and retired March 1, 1997.
Brother Williams will be missed and our thoughts & prayers go out to his family and friends.

1st Annual Children's  Easter Egg Hunt
Between 11:00 A. M.  and   1:30 P. M. on Saturday, March 23 our Local LMCC will sponsor a Children's Easter Egg Hunt at the Training Facility.   Refreshments will be served and prizes awarded.  Look for more details in the March Newsletter.  Considering the response at the Christmas  party for the kids, we are anticipating quite a turn out.  Bring the kids down for some fun and games.  If the weather permits,  we will be outside for the “Hunt”, and if not we will move the eggs inside.

PENSION INFORMATION
The pension fund fiscal year runs from February 1 through January 31 the following year. For the year ending January 31, 2001 our investment firm, Dodge & Cox, has left us with investment income that will once again allow us to increase retirement benefits.  The Trustees were able to approve an additional $750.00 check paid to all beneficiaries on the rolls as of February 1, 2000 at the last Trust meeting.  This check will go out in
December of 2002. The Trustees are researching other options for plan improvements and will notify the membership when  those are determined.

The firm that handles our 401(k) plan, INVESCO, will have a company representative here March 27, 2002 at 6:00 P. M.
Those wishing to change investment choices during the normal “open enrollment” period or need more information are encouraged to attend.  The “open enrollment” period is from April 15 to May 15, effective June 1.

From the President
As of February 19, 2002, there are 68 JW’s and 12 apprentices on Book 1, 89 Journeymen on Book 2, and 11 Wiremen on Book 3.

Work calls are still sporadic with the picture for the spring looking promising.  McIntosh Electric has cleared in Foremen for the Vallejo School District projects, Mike Brown has the Vallejo High School project, Northern has work at the Safeway in St.Helena and Vallejo, Staggs Leap Winery and the Vintners Wine Warehouse. Work is progressing out of the ground on the to Peaker Plant at Vaca-Dixon. There are 14 men currently on the project and is to top out at 28 men.

The Panda Energy project on Lambie Road was bought out by Cal-Pine. There are 3- 49 Megawatt generators scheduled to be built. The first phase is out to bid. If all goes according to plans, work should start early spring. Another Peaker is planned for Cordelia if it makes it through the Planning Commission. Rumors of these projects are flying as we have had more Traveling Brothers and Sisters sign the books now than we have had in years. It is nice to see some familiar faces come through.

Kaiser Health Facilities has a tremendous amount of work scheduled for the Vallejo Hospital site. This work is to start at summers end and go for up to 5 years. They have also added a hospital to the plans for the Vacaville Clinic for next year. There is also renovation to be done at the Napa Clinic.

The Business Manager  and myself met with a Manager from Valero Refinery. It had a very positive outcome. Bill Tanner was given a tour of our training facility and given literature on our history as a local and what we have done for the communities that we encompass. He in turn told us about Valero’s history and the course in which they are to travel. Fortunately, it does involve our membership. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done in the next 5 years out there and they want Union involvement. I think working together we can get manpower back out there in force.

Dan Broadwater
President Local 180

From the Organizer:
 I’m pleased to report the addition of a new contractor. Benyo Electric signed an agreement with IBEW Local 180 in late February. Benyo Electric has been awarded three school projects in Vallejo.  He is starting on all three projects soon and will be calling for manpower.  Lets show Benyo the benefit of using quality trained craftsmen.

Prevailing wage compliance has been beefed up with the addition of Greg Armstrong, Mission 2000 compliance officer. Greg and myself have been making jobsite visits in Napa and Solano counties and are finding problems under every rock we tip over. There is a tremendous amount of Prevailing Wage work in the jurisdiction at present and a lot more to start in the future. I’m confident in Greg’s ability to help us monitor these projects and level the playing field for our signatory contractors.

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 February 28, 2002.

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

Endorsements
During each election cycle the sound level of campaign rhetoric is such that one some times looses sight of what he or she is voting for or against.  Being one who believes strongly in each person having his or her vote  counted the opinions voiced here are just that, opinions.  These opinions are based on information taken from past voting records of candidates,  answers given at local interviews and other relevant sources.  Labor friendly candidates will almost always get an endorsement.  Included in this report are suggested candidates who by virtue of their records in my opinion deserve the support of Organized Labor.  Also included are propositions that I feel are of importance to Labor and or Families.  I encourage everyone to take the time, research the issues, and vote their conscience.

Retiree's Corner
Lunch to be served at the March 6, 2002 meeting.  Let Ken know if you can attend so that there will be enough food for all.
Everyone is looking forward to Gertrude Kinney’s cookies.

 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.
 

For additional information;

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

S & C Unit Meeting
On Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at 6:00 P. M. the S & C Unit of Local 180 met.  Attendance was great with over 30 attending. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Industry issues that affect us all.  Contract Negotiations will begin in the summer and input from the members resulted in a lively discussion. Also discussed was the apparent shortfall of dues from the S&C unit into the General Fund.  The  upcoming VDV conference was discussed and it was decided to send delegates to represent the local.  Refreshments were served following the meeting.  Thanks to all who attended, your input and involvement are critical to the success of your Local Union.  Next meeting scheduled for April 3, 2002 at 6:00 P. M.

Residential Unit Meeting
On Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 4:30 P. M. the Residential Unit of Local 180 met.  Our current Collective Bargaining Agreement and other relevant issues were discussed.  The Business Manager gave a report on Health and Welfare costs for all participants.  Input from the membership was given and a lively discussion took place.  The meeting was well attended by over 40 members.   Refreshments were  served following the meeting with the opportunity  to meet with other members and discuss industry issues.  The next Unit meeting will be held in April.  We had originally discussed the 17th as a meeting date but for scheduling reasons it is more likely on the 24th of April.  You will receive a letter.  We will have a Bar-B-Que that evening.  Please plan to attend.  Thanks again to all who attended.

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!

Bruce Gourley, Business Manager
 

Updated 2/8/02 Copyright© 2002 IBEW L.U. 180 Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President