I have been in negotiations with the Asera Energy Group and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that all projects developed by the Asera Group shall be constructed with Signatory IBEW Contractors.
We have been working with the Asera Group on a Solar Project at the American Canyon Waste Site. This would be a 6.75 Mega Watt Solar Array. I have requested funding for this project through our NEBF Pension Department in the tune of $31 million dollars. Although I have requested funding on previous projects in our jurisdiction, this is the most positive results to date. A letter of intent was sent to the Asera Group last evening and I am meeting with Bill Lewis of NEBF next Wednesday. This is by no means a done deal until we have 2” of ink on a contract, but hopefully this will turn into the start of a new relationship and a surge in Green Energy for Local 180.
We are assisting the Asera Group in several other prospects and projects that are anticipated in our jurisdiction. One is a 5 Mega Watt Solar Array at Six Flags Marine World and the other is a 5 Mega Watt Solar Array on Mare Island. The staff of Local 180 will be working with local city officials to move these projects to fruition.
Since the end of 2009, I have informed the membership at meetings that the International Office has mandated a Small Works Agreement in all Construction Local Unions in the IBEW. It is slated to go into effect on May 31, 2010. There are several details left to be worked out. Referral and a means of transmittal are left to be determined. At our next Local Union Meeting, I will hopefully have a final draft and any questions can be answered. I have said it before and it bears repeating, this is to capture work that we are currently not doing. It is designed to increase market share for our Inside Wiremen and Apprentices. In fact, it should provide opportunities to refer JW’s and place Apprentices on projects that our Contractors would normally pass on due to various reasonsDan Broadwater, Business Manager
Derek & Valeri Roberts, a baby girl, Saleen born 03/14/2010
Chester Guillory
12/29/1946 ~ 2/9/2010
Chester Guillory, 63, passed away early morning after a long battle with emphysema. Chester joined the IBEW in 1970 and transferred his ticket from Local 995 to Local 180 in 1990
The BevMo Card went to Clark Diggars. The $50.00 cash drawing went to Dean Lloyd, who was present so the drawing for the April meeting will be $25.00.
ST. BALDRICK'S DAY 2010
One of our members joined 280 people to shave their heads; including 35 women. The goal for this venue was $150,000, he does not have a total yet. The question is, who is this member?
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!
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.
BLOOD DRIVE
Would like to invite you to help Save A Life
All Donors are invited to a Bar-B-Que after donating!
Donor Mobile parked in the Parking Lot
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Contact the office at 251-9180 or register online at www.bloodheroes.com
Click "Donate Blood" and enter Sponsor Code: obew
To schedule your life saving appointment.
The Easter Bunny is coming to the Union Hall. Saturday, March 27th at 10:00 A.M. Come join the fun. There will be Arts and Crafts for the kids and time to decorate their own Easter bag. We will have time to take pictures and visit with the Easter Bunny. There will be a big Easter egg hunt for the kids. We will wrap up the day with a hot dog lunch for the whole family. If you have some time to help set up for the Easter Bunny you can contact me at (707) 337-0347, thank you, Dean Lloyd.
It’s Time to get Together! 2009 was a very tough year. Local 180 was hit very hard by the economy. We are all trying to stretch our dollars and getting out of the house is tough to do sometimes. So we are planning a spaghetti dinner to take place at the Union Hall on Saturday, April 24th. There is no charge to all 180 members and their families. We would like everyone who attends to participate in a pot luck dessert. Dinner will start at 6:00 P.M. and go till about 7:00 P.M. At 7:00 P.M. we will start a movie upstairs for the kids to watch while the adults hang out together sharing with each other the stories of 2009 and looking forward to better times. R.S.V.P. is not a must but would really be appreciated to help in the planning of the evening. If you could call the Hall at 251-9180 and give a head count that would be great. This event will also need some volunteer help if you have some ideas or can lend a helping hand contact me at 337-0347, thank you, Dean Lloyd.
EPS—Electrical Project Supervision NECA Napa: May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12, 2010 Location: Training Center, 720 Technology. Look for a flyer at the hall or download it. This is a NECA class.
The classes ARE NOT managed by the JATC or the IBEW.
The topic that I would like to discuss this month is the idea of stewardship as it applies to the tools that we use every day that are provided by the contractors employing us. It is crucial that we as Apprentices learn to properly use, maintain, and keep track of the various tools that we use to accomplish the projects that we work on. Proper use of tools not only increases our own personal level of safety, but also ensures that the tool will remain in good working order and will not have to be replaced or repaired prematurely. Maintenance is another thing that we as Apprentices should learn and practice as we go through our Apprenticeship. There are many tools that we use that require periodic maintenance, that enables them to operate at peak performance. Paying attention to the condition of the tools we use and noting if they need to be cleaned or serviced is a good practice to get into. Keeping track of tools and their various parts is another thing that can really benefit a jobsite and the level of production that is possible. One aspect of this is keeping track of the tools themselves. On any jobsite big or small it is easy to lose track of tools during the course of the day. The cost of lost tools can have a great impact on the cost of a job. Keeping sets of tools together is also important. Nothing is worse than getting a set of tools and finding that the one piece you need for your task is the one that is missing. If we as Apprentices do our best at being good stewards with the tools that we are provided, we can help ensure that the partnership between the IBEW workforce and NECA contractors continues to be fruitful and that we can continue to produce the highest quality work in the electrical industry. As always, questions or comments can be sent to davidiloff@ymail.com.
David IloffOn February 18th, 2010 four retired electricians, Les Lucas, Ron Ripley, Bud Huss and Ken Rawles went to the Suisun City Hall to attend Congressman John Garamendi’s Town Hall Meeting. The front entrance to the City Hall was crowded with Tea Party protesters who carried signs with their normal slogans and insults to the President and other politicians that are not of their liking. The people who came to hear Garamendi were not the least intimidated by the protestors, nor was Garamendi who chose to listen to some of their grievances before he came inside the building for the Town Hall Meeting.
Garamendi is a very good speaker who has always been a good friend to working people. After his initial presentation, he invited anyone and everyone to come to the podium and ask any question about his position on issues that are of concern to them, health care, jobs, deficit and the list goes on. Garamendi never beat around the bush, with baloney and half-truths. His answers were very clear and easy to understand. We four retired electricians were all pleased that we came to this Town Hall Meeting and I believe that if not before we came, after the meeting we were all John Garamendi supporters.
I need to mention that the Tea Party people did not come in the hall and try to disrupt the meeting as you have seen take place on live network shows. I would guess that the majority of people at the meeting were construction workers that would have not tolerated their rude behavior.
Bud Huss
VP Retired Electrician Club 
FUTURE TRIPS: 15-night cruise via the Panama Canal from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale on October 6-21, 2010 - six months 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.
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
|
Start Date |
Call the JATC at 707-251-0315—www.jatclu180.org
TBD = to be determined
F = flexible hours and days to meet your needs!
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.
Newtron has been slow to man up the Scrubber Project. Once the mechanical subs get out in front the calls should resume in late April and the completion date has been moved to December 2010. Please remember to verify your TWIC pin code prior to taking a call. See our help PDF for resetting your PIN; if such is needed.
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.
Additional information concerning TWIC is available at
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm#twic_cost
Redwood City Electric; Verizon Call Center in Fairfield. 8-10 more JW’s will be needed and calls should be expected in May. Completion is scheduled for July 2010.
Del Monte Electric; Solano Government Center in Vallejo. Another 4 to 6 JW’s will be required, calls may come at any time, completion is scheduled for June 2010.
Recent Projects
Rosendin has been awarded the Queen of the Valley Hospital expansion in Napa. 6 JW’s will be needed for the rest of 2010, 15 to 20 JW’s for the duration of the project, completion is scheduled for 2011.
White Construction has the first phase of the Windmill Project. There will be 13 towers in the 1st phase, manpower needs are unknown, completion is scheduled for late 2010.
R.A Heaps has been awarded the Napa River Trail Project; no manpower estimates at this 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. Do not wait for the forth Wednesday - resign often!
Rebuilding Together * Solano County
Rebuilding Together * Solano County is planning our June 5, 2010 Workday in Vallejo to rehabilitate One - Two homes for low-income homeowners.
Please join us to learn more about Rebuilding Together * Solano County, CA. Our mission is to provide home repair and rehabilitation services free of charge to low-income homeowners – with a focus on providing a healthy and safe home for all. During a one day project, local businesses, community members and concerned residents come together from all walks of life to repair and restore low-income homes and community facilities in our Solano County neighborhoods.
At an orientation, we will introduce you to Rebuilding Together * Solano County and discuss the various avenues you can help us. But most of all, we invite you to come and learn about Rebuilding Together * Solano County.
For questions, please contact:
Elizabeth Johnson Hoffman, Executive Director, via e-mail at:
Elizabeth.a.hoffman@vzw.blackberry.net 
Thanks to Local member and contractor Mark’s Electric for helping them out!
http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/section/about/
Q&A on Dependents Access to BeneSys Website
The other day we fielded two questions as to why a member’s dependent received a user name and password for their access to Health Information through the Solano-Napa Counties Electrical Workers Website—A/K/A BeneSys’s website.
Every participant in the Solano-Napa Counties Electrical Workers Trust Funds has the ability to access to their medical plan information 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the benefit website. Your spouse or adult-age (over age 18) dependent child may have received a letter from the Trust Fund Office indicating that they also have been granted a user name and password to access information through the Trust Fund website. Why does the Trust Fund give your dependents separate access to information on the website when you are the member?
The reason is because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, otherwise known as HIPAA. This is a Federal Law that was passed by Congress in 1996. There is a section of HIPAA called the Privacy Rule that went into effect on April 14, 2003. The HIPAA Privacy Rule was enacted in order to protect an individual’s privacy when it comes to their “protected health information”, or PHI. The medical claims information provided through the Trust Fund website is considered PHI and therefore cannot be accessed by another person, even that person’s spouse or parent, unless the Trust Fund is provided with written authorization to allow another individual to access this information.
The information your spouse or adult-age dependent child can view on the website is limited to the Health & Welfare Claims Information module. All other information on the site, such as your Work Hours, Pension, Profit Sharing, and Medical Claims information can only be accessed by you using your user name and password.
Note, you can access this benefits website from the “Links” menu item on www.ibewlu180.org.Brothers and Sisters,
I know it seems like we just had an election, but there is another one coming in June. Once again you will be asked to vote for your city’s elected leaders and officials. This is an important part of living in this part of the world and it is all of our responsibilities to let our voices be heard. With all that being said, the first part of the process is making sure that we are all registered to vote.
If you have moved, changed your name or your party affiliation you need to re-register to vote. For more information in Solano County, go to www.solanocounty.com and hit the Registrar of Voters link. In Napa County, go to www.countyofnapa.org and hit the Elections link. You can register online at either of these sites or come down to the Union Hall and fill out an application.
Remember, the politicians can’t hear you if you don’t vote.
Stan Nelson
President
We Need Involvement; Not Lip Service!
It’s been a couple of years since I submitted an article aimed at eliciting political action at the local level. It went something like this –
The late British author, G.K. Chesterton once remarked, “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” Essentially, this remark was intended to promote action rather than apathy (giving up and just going with the flow).
For too many years, the basic welfare of the common person has been forfeited for the profit of the elite. Our current economic and political situation underscores this fact. Corporations continue to enjoy hefty profits, bonuses and tax relief, despite having transplanted our manufacturing base to foreign soil. Job opportunities for common people have dwindled to unprecedented lows. Yet the cost of living continues to rise, and education and health care are becoming increasingly unaffordable commodities.
The old maxim, “THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY,” has devolved to “THINK GLOBALLY, AND FORGET ABOUT THE LOCALS.”
Only living, politically active things – like us – having the courage to go against this stream can prevent the further degradation of the common person.
We’ve only got a few tools to leverage change for a more reasonable and equitable distribution of our country’s wealth.
- Registering to vote;
- Actually voting;
- Actively supporting the candidates we endorse.
(Endorsements are fine. And candidates truly appreciate them. But actively helping the ones we endorse get elected is where the rubber hits the road. This is where we can have a concrete impact. And this sort of involvement distinguishes mere lip service from REAL HELP. And it’s the REAL HELP that creates a sense that we are deserving of help in return.)
If you are interested in getting candidates elected who truly appreciate the value of organized labor and look to make our country a more fair and reasonable place for the ordinary person please let me know. With elections right around the corner, we will have plenty of opportunity to turn our endorsements in real help. (Phone Banking, Precinct Walking, Pounding in Campaign signs) – Call Me 707-363-0277 or drop me an email
Kevin Coleman
Building Trades Candidate Endorsements
CANDIDATE |
PUBLIC OFFICE |
Noreen Evans 1275 4th St., #249 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 ID #1293159 |
CA Senate, District 2 |
Michael Allen PO Box 4870 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 ID #1317457 |
CA Assembly, District 7 |
Mariko Yamada PO Box 528 Sacramento, CA 95812 ID #1314088 |
CA Assembly, District 8 |
Jim Spering 675 Texas St., Ste. 6500 Fairfield, CA 94533-6352 |
Solano County Board of Supervisors, District 3 |
John Vasquez 675 Texas St., Ste. 6500 Fairfield, CA 94533-6352 |
Solano County Board of Supervisors, District 4 |
Dan Healy 1930 Sonoma Blvd. Vallejo, CA 94590 |
Solano County Superior Court Judge |
Gary Stanton PO Box 2552 Fairfield, CA 94533 ID #1235662 |
Solano County Sheriff/Coroner |
Jay Speck 2460 Clay Bank Rd. Fairfield, CA 94533 |
Solano County Superintendent of Public Schools |
Brad Wagenknecht 547 E Spring St. Napa, CA 94559 |
Napa County Board of Supervisors, District 1 |
Diane Dillon 1195 Third St., Ste. 310 Napa, CA 94559 |
Napa County Board of Supervisors, District 3 |
Marc Tonnesen P.O. Box 531 Fairfield, CA 94533 ID #1280593 |
Solano County Assessor/Recorder |
Tom Torlakson P.O. Box 21636 Concord, CA 94521 |
State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
Alberto Torrico 1127 11th St., Ste. 550 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
Attorney General |
Also: US Senator Barbara Boxer, District 6; Congressman George Miller, District 7; Congressman John Garamendi, District 10; Congressman Mike Thompson, District 1
IBEW Local Union 180 Supports Brown for Governor
Union Dues
With the New Year comes an increase in the International dues. Therefore, the new monthly total for Inside and Residential membership dues will be $31.70 per month. S&C membership dues will be $28.00 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.
SAVE THE DATE
Napa Solano Central Labor Council’s
“Labor Day in May Festival”
May 1, 2010
12 noon until 5:00 P.M., IBEW Local #1245, 30 Orange Tree Circle, Vacaville
Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show, BBQ, Lots of Activities for the Kids, Raffles Meet & Greet your Labor Leaders & Elected Officials-See Some of them in our Dunk Tank!
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the “Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano” Sponsorships will be available
More information to follow or contact the CLC at 707-552-6602
VIA E-MAIL AND REGULAR MAIL
To: All IBEW Local Unions in the United States and Canada
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
Please be advised that the IBEW Founders’ Scholarship is available to IBEW members who have been in continuous good standing for the four years preceding May 1st of the scholarship year. If a member has been on honorary withdrawal, at any time during the aforementioned period, he/she will not be eligible to participate.
Unfortunately, the IBEW Founders’ Scholarship is not available to the spouses or children of IBEW members. However, Union Plus has a scholarship that is available for IBEW members, as well as members’ spouses and dependent children (as defined under IRS Regulations). The Union Plus Scholarship is available to members of participating unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO. For more information on the Union Plus Scholarship, you can visit the Union Plus Website, at www.unionplus.org.
You can also visit the IBEW Website www.ibew.org., for more information along with a printable application.
The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship Program is a valuable benefit and your encouraging the local union membership to apply would be appreciated.
With best wishes, I am Fraternally yours,
Edwin D. Hill
International President
Napa Electric
&
SOLARCRAFT
are marketing PV
in the Napa Valley
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.
| 3/24/2010 |
|
