Upcoming Events Holidays	Inside this issue.
REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2003  FREE BAR-B-QUE -          WITH DONATION BAR-B-QUE @5:30 P.M. INDEPANDCE DAY JULY 4, 2003 CARPENTERS’ OFF DAY AUGUST 29, 2003 LABOR DAY SPEREMBER 1, 2003	Business Manager's Report Congratulations Condolences Retiree's Corner Introducing American Income Life From the President From the Organizer JATC From the Agent
All meetings will be held at:	720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558

Bar-B-Que before each Regular Meeting (next on is 6/11/03) starting @ 5:30 p.m.

Congratulations

Condolences

Introducing American Income Life

A True Friend of Labor

IBEW 180 would like to introduce its members to American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL).  Established and growing since 1951, its dedication to working people has made it the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States.  It has earned respect of Unions nationwide because it is a 100% wall-to-wall Union Label insurance company.

A letter will be sent out this month to all members of IBEW 180 informing them of our new Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage provided to our Local 180 members at ‘No Cost’ by AIL.  Included with this letter will be an enrollment card and we ask that each member and retiree fill out and mail back the postage-paid card within ten days in order to receive the “No Cost” benefits.  To briefly summarize the Program:  AIL is providing at no cost to each member and retiree a $1,000 AD&D Policy, $500 for their spouse and $250 for each child under 19 years of age.

NOTE:  These supplemental benefits do not conflict with or replace any benefits currently provided by Local 180, but are in addition to it. 

The AD&D coverage is automatic for all members, retirees, spouses and minor children however, you must return the yellow enrollment card to receive your AD&D Policy and designate your beneficiary, as well as, receive information about other programs and services.

Here are some of the many reasons why AIL is the Insurance Company of choice for Unions:

1.  It supports the union movement both in deeds and words.  AIL contributed $100,000 to help defeat Proposition 226 in California.
2.  Premiums are waived for members holding AIL policies while the insured member is on an authorized strike.  Those members never have to pay those premiums back.  AIL is the only insurance company with strike waiver.
3.  AIL maintains a food bank for union families in need.
4.  AIL representatives are active in union activities.  They promote a “BE Union – Buy Union” philosophy and have been cited as an all-Union Company by the AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department.
5.  AIL is very active in voter registration drives with Local Unions.
6.  AIL supports pro-labor candidates and legislation.
7.  AIL provides scholarships, strike relief, food banks, and supports many worthwhile pro-union community causes. 

 American Income Life looks forward to working with the membership of Local 180 while giving them a union choice for their insurance needs.  For any additional information please contact Mary at American Income Life, Toll Free at 1-888-252-3550. DO NOT CALL THE UNION OFFICE.

Retiree's Corner
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.  So carve out a spot of your busy retirement schedule and join us...
The next meeting will be held June 4, 2003 at the Training Center
           
                                Fraternally,
                                Ken Breckenridge

Upcoming “Electrical Retirees Club” trips
Reno overnight tour June 9 & 10, 2003—note the new dates!
Spaghetti Feed June 20 SOLD OUT   
“Lake Michigan Getaway” July 14-25, 2003 SOLD OUT    
   
Looking for ideas for our next “Adventure”
For additional information;
Ken can be reached at (707) 643-4139.

From the President:
 Alan Jarlson, a retired journalist from Vacaville wrote an editorial opinion on May 18, 2003. I think some of the content should be shared with the membership. To “flimflam”, is to con the mark, make him or her believe that what you are laying on him or her is the real skinny, the unadulterated truth.

 Let’s touch on several items on the Bush agenda.

• Tax cuts: The House has passed the $550 billion tax cut. Bush told audiences “talk of deficits is merely an excuse to avoid passing tax cuts.” Bush is touting his tax cut plan as a means to create jobs. He says it will restore 1 million jobs by the end of 2004. It is less than half of the 2.7 million jobs lost since he was elected.
• Foreign Policy: Bush justified attacking Iraq on the grounds that Saddam Hussein harbored weapons of mass destruction. They have searched unsuccessfully with biologists, chemists, arms treaty enforcers, nuclear operators, and computer and document experts.

 Having voted for Bush senior, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford, Alan Jarlson cannot be accused of leftist liberalism. He is however, just an American who does not like to be flimflammed.

 Work for the first quarter has been exceptional. The windmill project taking the majority of the hands. It will be winding down in June, which will be just in time for the schoolwork. Napa Electric was the successful contractor at Armijo High School. This will be an eighty-day project. Sasco is to start the downtown project in June. They were also successful in taking the Co-Gen project at the downtown away from Vasco Electric out of Sacramento. This was mainly due to the Project Labor Agreement in place.

 Mark your calendar for June 4th. There will be a meeting in the Council Chambers of Benicia for a vote to proceed with the VIP project at Valero. There will be strong opposition. Benicia residents and hands that work at the refinery need to show up in support of this project. It will be a $150 million dollar job.

Dan Broadwater
President Local 180

From the Organizer:
Residential work is picking up and has enable us to put newly organized members to work.  The inside work remains strong and all of the inside apprentices have enjoyed full employment. 

 We have been taking apprentices from LU 595 and 302 to meet the need until the new class can be started.  Applicants working for non-signatory contractors are being organized and slotted into our apprenticeship program.

 The time is great for organizing.  The interest rates are still moving down for the 3,000 plus homes that are approved.  Many new schools and major upgrades are fully funded.  Plus we are offering State Certification training and have the pay raises for both inside and residential electricians!

Rich Mattson, Organizer

JATC
JOURNEYMAN CLASSES
Certification Classes will begin on May 8, 2003 and will run for eight weeks.  Three new classes will start on July 10, 2003, hours are 5:00 ~ 8:00 pm for a period of eight weeks.  We have approximately 25 students signed up now with room for 15 to 20 more.  The sign up sheet is at the Training Center or call Larry Poyser at the JATC office.  (251-0315). 
State Certification is upon us.  Within just 20 months all electricians in the state of California will be required to be certified or will not be able to be employed.  The longer you wait the harder it will be to take the exam.  Those who send their applications in will have priority for enrollment in the classes. 

There will be a $50.00 deposit for each class at the time the class begins.  If you complete the class all monies will be returned minus any expenses for class materials and books.  There is a sign up sheet at the training center.  These classes will be offered as long as there is a need.

Information is available on-line at www.ibewnecaforcertification.org

The clock is ticking.

Agents Report
The Small Business Incubator is up and running.  Currently we have three interested people and one studding for the contractor’s license exam.  The office is open to all members and contractors.  Thanks to LMCC and NECA for providing a library of reference books.

Our web site has been updated.  Look for an “information” link on the menu to direct you to PDF files for wage sheets, tool lists, dispatch rules, referral procedure, certification application, ERTS forms and more to come.

I’m scheduled to take the certification test 6/2/03 and will report on the test at the next union meeting –  regardless of the outcome!

If you are interested in helping out by keeping an eye out for building activity, notices in the local newspaper, searching the internet and the like – contact me at mikes@ibewlu180.org

Mike Smith

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! PROTECT YOURSELVES

 Bruce Gourley, Business Manager

Updated 6/16/03 Copyright© 2003 IBEW L.U. 180 Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President