IBEW Local Union 180 - Newsletter
Volume 2006, Issue 6 June 1st, 2006
SERVING NAPA AND SOLANO COUNTIES SINCE 1901


Business Manager's Report

Over the last several years we have been doing outreach to our local communities and sharing with them the positive things unions in general and specifically what the IBEW Local 180 does for the local area.
The yearly financial impact on the local economy;
Wages earned and spent locally =In excess of $25,000,000.00
Over and above the wages;
Health Care costs borne by our membership =$5,000,000.00
Yearly Pension contributions = Over $3,000,000.00
Local community support of non-profits (From Little League to Women’s Shelters) $100,000.00
Local Political Action $35,000.00

These are things that we can and should be proud of.
We are a major part of our communities.

The following members have attended 6 or more Union meetings in the last year and are eligible for T-shirts. Call the office and give us your size.We will announce when they are ready.They will be given out at a regular meeting.Thanks for participating.You put the B in IBEW.
Brian Almeida, John Bogart, Thomas Conley, Mike Evans, Glenn Flores, Allan Guhl, Steven Hennion, Dean Lloyd, Robin Lucier, Gary McCoy, Carroll Nuckolls, Chris Pallares, Jack Paulson, Randy      Petersen, Larry Poyser, Jack Price, Richard Reilly,   Michael Samansky, James Smith, Russell Taylor, Gene Watson, Herb Watts and Adam Willis.

Bruce Gourley,
Business Manager
Upcoming Events Holidays
 Inside this issue
MEETINGS:

REGULAR MEETING 7 P.M.
July 13, 2006
Bar-B-Que - 5 P.M.
Second Thursday

EXAM BOARD MEETING 5 - 9 P.M.
Second Tuesday

E-BOARD MEETING 7 P.M.
Fourth Tuesday

July 5, 2006
Retirees Club Meeting
First Wednesday @ 12:30 p.m.

HOLIDAYS:
July 3 - Carpenter’s Off Day*
July 4 - Independence Day 

*-Inside & Residential Agreements Only
*-Genentech excluded - under PLA
 Business Manager's Report

Congratulations & Condolences

Wireless Internet

The State Of Our Union 2005

Other News:
A's Game

Exam Board Report

Retiree's Corner

From the President

From the Organizers

JATC



  "Traffic" Report.

All meetings will be held at:
720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558 		logo for IBEW hour power

Congratulations & Condolences

Santiago & Gladdess Moreno on the birth of a son, Seth, on 5/14/06


Wireless Internet

Local 180 now has a “hotspot”, a place with a high-speed wireless internet connectivity provided by an active wireless access point. If you are in our lobby and your lap top computer has a compatible wireless G adapter, then you can access the wireless network and access the internet. 
Travelers are welcome to use this to “keep in touch”.

We now have a computer with high-speed internet access to view the IBEW’s new “Hour Power” web site in the lobby.  This computer also has many of the IBEW videos and power points installed - ready to view.  Past power points from Union meetings are also available for viewing.


International President Edwin D. Hill: The State Of Our Union 2005

“State of Our Union” is the video message from International President Ed Hill that has generated attention throughout the construction industry. President Hill speaks directly to rank and file IBEW members in the construction industry, with plain talk and common sense about our goals, our future and our commitment to excellence – and the obstacles, including self-imposed problems -- that prevent us from succeeding. Released in the summer of 2005, this message has won praise from IBEW members, other trades, contractors, those who use the services of the unionized electrical construction industry.
Watch the video at the Union Hall and also visit the IBEW HOUR POWER web site.

Other News

Giants Game
2nd Annual “Road Trip”
Take the bus and see the Giants play the A’s on Sunday June 25th. The bus will pick up at the Union Hall and the Ferry Terminal Building on the way to the 1:05 P.M. game. Deli sandwich and chips for lunch, plenty of drinks available (beer and sodas).  Games and raffle on the bus. Come have a great time.  The cost is $40.00 per person and tickets will go fast. For more information or to reserve your seat - call Dean Lloyd at (707) 252-3996.

We would like to thank the following for taking time out and helping with Old Timers:
Shauna Reed, Donna Ochs, Kim & Robert George, Gary McCoy, Dean Lloyd, Betty Gourley and Terry Broadwater.


LOANS & EMPLOYMENT
The office receives many calls from lenders to verify employment.  IBEW L.U. 180 is not your employer - we refer you to employment.  We cannot give out your information, we can only confirm you are a member and the wage rate (public records for prevailing wage).  Some lenders understand the nature of construction work and will accept your listing of IBEW L.U. 180 - however, many other will not.
Please save your self time and missed opportunity for your loan by providing your employment information to the lender.  What we can provide you is a report of every job this Local has referred you to.  The report will list dates of employment, wages and the employer’s address.  We cannot report on referrals outside of this Local.

NEW MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY
Be it a marriage, birth, adoptions or some other method of adding to your family, you need to add them to your medical coverage.  The proof is a certification of the event (marriage, birth, adoption).  It is also important to remember the beneficiary role this/these new family member(s) play in your estate/insurances.

Please keep in mind departing member(s) affect the above and you must remove they from coverage/beneficiary - unless you are obligated to retain them.
Please call us if you need more information on the above or other matters relating to your “benefits of being an IBEW” member.
 

 
Exam Board Report
In an attempt to assist our brothers and sisters, the Exam Board will be providing a Pending Exam Class at the Hall, the second Tuesday of every month from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.  [The first class will be May 9th.]  This class is offered to those electricians who have not yet passed the Local’s Journeyman Inside Wireman Test.  The class is free to all participants and does NOT require registration.  Simply show up the night of the class (no later than 6:00 pm) and the Exam Board members will assist you in those areas where your skills could be strengthened.  You may attend these classes as many times as you wish.  This is NOT a class to prepare you for the State Certification Test.

Retiree's Corner
The Retirees’ Club holds meetings on the first Wednesday of the month.  They are held at the Training Center at 12:30 P.M.  All retirees and spouses are welcome. Widows of retired members are encouraged to get involved.
7 NIGHTS FALL FOLIAGE CRUISE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER - TRIP CHANGE
With a choice of Two ways to get there, 1. Round trip Air November 1-8, 2006  2. Air on Outbound November 1-8, 2006 Amtrak on return.
 A Deposit $300. Due at time of sign up.  Final Payment Due - July3, 2006.
Mail To: Ken Breckenridge, 220 Scenic Drive, Vallejo, Ca 94591
Make Checks Payable To: Talbot Tours Trust Account

Call Ken Breckenridge for more info or attend a meeting.  (707) 643-4139

Departure Point: Vallejo Elks Lodge, Redwood Parkway.  Price Per Person: {Prices Based on Senior Rates)
 CRUISE CATEGORY / #1 Round trip Air / #2 Air on Outbound & Amtrak on Return
“G” Large Inside / $2470 / $3085
“E” Outside Standard Semi Private Deck / $2820 / $3430
“D” Outside with Bay Windows / $3045 / $3655
“C” Outside Deluxe Semi Private Deck / $3155 / $3770
“A” Large Luxury Outside Private Balcony / $3495 / $4109
SAVE $50. per couple or $25. per person! Deposit 2/1/2006
(this discount will be taken off your final payment.)

From the President:

FRAUD”. The dictionary defines this as; deceit, trickery, impostor, and cheat. This sometimes occurs to our loved ones, and in the most unlikely ways. The people who commit these heinous crimes don’t deserve to breathe our air. At one time in our lives, you could take a man at his word and it meant something. Society has had to become more suspicious and rightly so. Elder Abuse, especially financial fraud is on the rise. Protect yourself. Shred any paper that may have your personal information such as Social Security number or Account number on it. Never give your Social Security number out over the phone, especially if it is for verification. Never use Social Security numbers or Phone numbers as Passwords. Financial crimes committed against the Elderly are a Felony. If you are a victim, there is recourse. Contact the numbers below as soon as possible:

Napa County-Health and Human Services 707-253-4398
Solano County-Department of Health and Social Services 800-850-0012

Also, you should be very careful of having these three items on one form: Name, Driver’s License and Social Security Number.  If you have a passport - use that number!

Dan Broadwater


From the Organizers:

As we approach the summer season, the local contractors are gearing up for the many projects they have under contract and ready to begin. We’ve spoken with most of them lately and they are excited about the work ahead. There are numerous school projects, housing, car dealerships in Vallejo and wineries ready to bust loose. Mare Island has work for our contractors as well.

 Our newly signed contractors report they have a lot of work and will be looking for help in the coming months. Some have even stated that they are starting to have to turn work down as they are being offered more than they can handle at this point in their business careers. While this can sound frustrating to those out of work, it points to jobs ahead with other contractors that can man the work. Most of the new contractors know each other and have been referring the work they can’t handle to the “friendly” competitors. This keeps the work with our signatory contractors and bodes well for our future.

 With all the “Big” work going on in our Local, we sometimes forget that our local contractors are doing a large amount of work out there as well. Please don’t hesitate taking a call when one comes in from our local contractors. The work is nearby; the work is steady, and the experience can be rewarding.

Rich Mattson & Skip Lucier

Organizers

JATC

http://www.jatclu180.org/

SLOW TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT AGAIN

CLOSE THE PROP. 42 LOOPHOLE
Restore Accountability to the Voters. Improve Traffic Now.

A broad-based coalition of business, labor, taxpayer, local government, transportation and public safety officials are gathering signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the November ’06 ballot to close the Prop. 42 loophole and ensure once-and-for-all that the existing sales taxes we pay at the pump go to fund local and state transportation improvement projects.

The Problem:
    * In 2002, nearly 70% of California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 42 – dedicating the existing state sales tax on gasoline to fund transportation projects like congestion relief, road repairs, transit and safety improvements.
    * However, Prop. 42 includes a provision that allows the legislature and Governor to divert funds to non-transportation expenses. That provision was only intended to be used during fiscal emergencies.
    * Unfortunately, that “Prop. 42 loophole” has been abused repeatedly and the will of the voters is not being upheld.

Explore http://www.close42loophole.com for more information about the efforts to improve traffic now and to see how you can get involved!  You can also help out by signing an endorsement or gathering signatures - call/email Mike Smith for more information.




 


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 6/14/06 Copyright© 2006 IBEW L.U. 180
Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President
 Send e-mail to Business Manager