Congratulations
Gerald & Cari McCormick had a baby girl, Alexandria, Jan 31, 2008
Keith & Tammie Feigel had a baby boy, Karson, Jan 25, 2008

Condolence
Luis Perez, 27
Local 180 Member since 2005, died from fatal gunshots just outside of his home in San Pablo.  Police are trying to figure out what he was doing the moment he was shot and ask anyone with information to call San Pablo police at 510-215-3150. Anonymous calls can be made to West Contra Costa Crime Stoppers at 510-799-5255.

Alice Breckenridge,
Alice was born 1-1-1914 and in 1936 joined Ken Breckenridge for 72.5 years of marriage.  Ken is a 55-year member of Local 180 and is the current president of the retirees club and Alice served as the recording secretary of the retirees club.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential
TSA will review the results of the checks to determine if the person poses a security threat, and will notify the applicant of the results. When TSA determines that an applicant qualifies to receive a TWIC, a credential will be produced and sent to the enrollment center at which the applicant applied. The applicant will return to the enrollment center for issuance and activation of the TWIC. Possession of a TWIC does not guarantee access to secure areas because the owner/operator controls which individuals are granted unescorted access to the facility or vessel. Rather, TWIC is a secure, verified credential that can be used in conjunction with the owner/operator’s risk-based security program that is required in security regulations issued by the Coast Guard.” 

We have received word the TWIC process should start for Benicia in the 2nd qtr of 2008 and Valero should start their projects in the 3rd qtr of 2008. 

TWIC is a common identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials. TSA will issue workers a tamper-resistant “Smart Card” containing the worker’s biometric (fingerprint template) to allow for a positive link between the card itself and the individual.

• Who needs a TWIC?
Company, vessel, and facility security officers and personnel responsible for security duties are required to obtain a TWIC. Individuals who frequently access secure areas in the course of their employment will also need to obtain a TWIC. These populations include but are not limited to:

• Why should I pre-enroll?
Applicants are encouraged to pre-enroll to save time at the enrollment center. The pre-enrollment process will allow you to submit necessary biographic information before enrolling, select the enrollment center of your choice to complete enrollment, and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center to mitigate long lines.

• How do I pre-enroll?
Call 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942) or visit www.tsa.gov/twic. 

• How much will a TWIC cost?
The TWIC will cost $132.50 and is payable by Credit Card, Money Order or Certified Check. MML, HME, and FAST card holders may pay a reduced fee of $105.25

• When will I be able to register?
Enrollment dates, locations, and information on enrolling will be available soon. To save time, you can Pre-enroll online or by phone. When enrollment begins in your area, you must visit an enrollment center to complete the enrollment process and pay the associated fee.

• By what date must I enroll?
USCG will publish in the Federal Register the TWIC compliance dates for each Captain of the Port Zone (COTP). In accordance with the TWIC Final Rule, USCG will provide at least 90 days notice prior to the compliance date. In no case will the compliance date be later than September 25, 2008. The dates for the initial enrollment periods can be found in the current TWIC schedule available on the TWIC website.

•What documentation will be required for TWIC?
Applicants must provide the appropriate documents in order to verify their identity. They must provide one document from list A or two from list B:

List A (Any 1 of list below)

List B (Need two and one must be a government-issued photo ID)

MAN-HOURS FOR 2007 - “OFF THE CHART” - SORT OF SPEAKING... 905,735!

Other News

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

Retiree's Corner

OAKLAND A’S GAME
Sunday, July 13th against the Angels.  The Union Hall has purchased a block of 50 tickets for the game and they are on sale at the office window for $15.00 each; they are regularly priced at $35.00. 

We are sitting in the “all you can eat” section.  It is on the third deck behind home plate.  They are offering hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, ice cream, soda, and water. They will only give you three items at a time but you can get into line as many times as you want.  The food and drinks are offered through the 7th inning. 

Sorry, no beer, you have to purchase that separately. 

Pick up your tickets asap.  When they are gone; they are gone.  If you have any questions about the game you can call Dean at 707-337-0347

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.

The Apprentice Monthly

Agents Report

The upcoming November election will be one of the most important elections in the history of the labor movement. The current administration has dealt us some bad cards in the last eight years. An alarming example of this would be the anti-labor appointments made to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The NLRB was formed after the great depression with the passing of the Wagner Act. It is an arm of the federal government that regulates labor law and, specifically, the right for workers to form unions. The board has lost vision of their purpose. Recent decisions have been very pro business and openly anti-labor. These, and many other changes, will change the labor movement like never before. 

If we don’t regain a labor-friendly presence in the White House this November our ability to organize workers and contractors to secure the conditions you now enjoy will simply be a distant memory of how things used to be. 

Please understand how important your ability to vote has become. If you are not a registered voter consider it your duty as a union member to become registered and to vote. Your union’s existence depends on you!

Rich Mattson

LMCC at Work

Installed by D.A. Mills Elctric

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!

PREPAID ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

Local 180, in conjunction with Vubiz, an IBEW Training Partner is proud to announce the availability of 143 prepaid online training courses for you - our members - and your friends and families
We are proud to announce that we have prepaid for courses covering subjects from Improving Your Listening Skills to Time Management to Back Safety to All About the Internet. The courses will be available to you and your friends and families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until February 28th, 2009. Be sure to take advantage of as many courses as possible, we are certain that you and all of your friends and family members will find a number of courses that will address both your needs and interests.
Hundreds of other courses will also be available to you at discounted prices that we have negotiated on your behalf. These include courses that are offered Online, on CD and in Book form to accommodate all learning styles.
To start your learning experiences go to:
 http://vubiz.com/chaccess/IBEW3/
Every time that you sign on, you will need to enter:
The IBEW Password which you have to call the Union Hall for
Your Membership Card Number: That is the number on your IBEW Membership-Card If you cannot remember your Membership Number, call the Union Hall.
The First time that you sign on, you will need to enter a little extra information so that we can set you up.
Membership Card Number (confirmation): This is to confirm the information that you keyed above.
Local Number: This is a way to identify the local union to which you belong.
First Name & Last Name: So that we can identify you properly in the system when you return.
Once you are logged in, click on My Content and then launch the course that you would like to view.
It should be noted that these courses do not count toward continuing education credits for state certifications.

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.

 Dan Broadwater, Business Manager

Updated 3/19/08 Copyright© 2008 IBEW L.U. 180 Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager