Copies of our latest By-Laws were mailed out last week. If you did not receive a copy, please contact the Union Office or swing by the hall to pick up a copy. We are in the process of mailing our Collective Bargaining Agreement and should hit your mailboxes very soon.
The California General Election season is heating up (November 4, 2008). When asked to volunteer, please make yourself available. Article XIII Sec. 17(a) of the Local 180 By-Laws calls out 8 hours a year of service to your Union.
There has been a lot of interest shown in Journeyman Training, specifically Solar and Instrumentation. Skip Lucier is in the process of securing an Instrumentation Instructor. He is also coming up with a plan for acquiring a mobile training unit for the Solar Training. Mike Smith and Skip Lucier will also come up with a plan for the solar array that will be mounted to the back of the Training Facility. We will keep you posted on training dates.
To all of those who are running work, I have a 5-year vision of placing 40 new inside apprentices to work each year. Please take advantage of utilizing the new apprentices. I have a 10-year vision of increasing our membership to a total of 1,200 members. With our present workload in front of us, this is achievable.
I want to thank the membership of IBEW Local 180 for the opportunity to serve as your Business Manager for the next three years. There have been changes in the last year for the betterment of the Local, and this trend will continue.
Business Manager
| Upcoming Events
Holidays |
Inside this issue | Regular Meeting 7 P.M.
Aug 29 & Sept 1 Labor Day |
Business
Manager's Report Congratulations Condolence Picnic SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Other News: Oakland A's Game Retiree's Corner |
| All meetings will be held at: 720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558 |
Delmar “Bud” Hefferon
October 2nd, 1913 – Feb. 16, 2008
Bud was initiated into IBEW Local 50 May 14th, 1941 and transferred his membership to Local 180 Jan. 9th 1953. Bud retired November 1978 and resided in Southern California until his passing.
James D. Williams
December 14, 1949 – May 5, 2008
Jim was a second generation IBEW Local 180 member. His Father, Fred Williams, was a Wireman/Welder. Jim was initiated into Local 180 in 1972.
Hurles Edward “Bud” Mackley, 81,
Feb. 4, 1927 ~ May 19, 2008
Bud served during World War II in the U.S. Navy, stationed in the Philippines. He lived in the Napa Valley for more than 50 years and was a 55-year Local 180 member.
The Local Union 180 Picnic has been scheduled for Sept 20th at Lake Solano Park. Last year, with nearly 250 people in attendance, the picnic got so large that we needed help. We are asking for volunteers to help form a picnic committee to develop and oversee this year’s picnic. It is just too big for one or two people to manage. The help can range from just making suggestions to hands-on involvement. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And It could mean the difference between a huge success and a disaster! If you are interested, call Dean Lloyd at 707-337-0347.
April 30: Local 180 Bylaws mailed to all “A” Members*
May 7: Local 180 Inside Agreement mailed to all Inside Members*
May 8: Local Union Nominations at the Union Meeting
May 8: Blood Drive before the Union Meeting
May 19: Deadline to Register to Vote in CA Direct
Primary Elections.
May 27: Deadline for Requesting a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
for CA Direct Primary Elections.
June 3: State Wide Primary & County Elections
June 12: Local Union Elections
July 13: Oakland A’s Game
*estimated dates from the printer
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.
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 me at 707-337-0347 Dean Lloyd.
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 (Home Depot gift cards); and the chance to win part of a cash raffle (the size of the raffle depends on the amount 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!
Picnic
The Local Union 180 Picnic has been scheduled for Sept 20th at Lake Solano Park. Last year, with nearly 250 people in attendance, the picnic got so large that we needed help. We are asking for volunteers to help form a picnic committee to develop and oversee this year’s picnic. It is just too big for one or two people to manage. The help can range from just making suggestions to hands-on involvement. Any help would be greatly appreciated.And It could mean the difference between a huge success and a disaster!
If you are interested call Dean Lloyd at 707-337-0347 (yes this is in here twice - it is important!)
Union Meeting
The May Union Meeting door prize (a wet-dry vac) went to Rich Mattson. The drawing for the $100 CASH PRIZE was # 46 (Dave Behenna). However, Dave was not present. So, the next draw will be for $100.00!
Local Union Elections June 10
Web Site
Local 180 Web Site visits are rated in Visitors, Page views and Hits. For 2007 our site received 42,255 Visitors, 74,357 Page views and 288,662 total hits. There were 13,571 hits to the home page, 4,929 hits to the work picture pages, 1,290 hits to the “Clear-in” forms and 1,079 hits to the “Join” page. It’s all there—24/7!!!
In this edition, I thought that I would talk a little bit about the growing sector of renewable energy and its effect on the Electrical Industry and on our lives. I was surfing the web recently, looking for information about renewable energy both for my own interest as well as for an article when I stumbled upon the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) website (http://www.eia.doe.gov/). This awesome U.S. government website contains many interesting statistics about energy usage throughout the United States. You would have to live under a rock to be oblivious to the growth of renewable and alternative energy both here in California and throughout the country. According to the EIA website, we rank number two in the nation for the production of renewable electricity, with one third of our total electricity coming from sources that are renewable. (Washington State being number one.) As always, we here in California will be at the forefront of technological breakthroughs that will take this sector and the related technologies to the next level of efficiency and widespread use.
I was pleased to learn that the NJATC will be introducing a Solar Photovoltaic Systems textbook into the curriculum so that the union workforce of the future will be educated in the emerging technologies that will pave the way to a future of energy independence for our country. I would like to encourage all of you to try to keep up on the trends and new breakthroughs in producing renewable energy. This will ensure that the IBEW and NECA will have a strong role in the installation and creation of these clean sources of domestic energy. It is great to know that, no matter how advanced the technology gets, you still need wires to get the power to the people and skilled hands to install it.
Questions and Comments are always welcome via email davidiloff@comcast.net..
The meetings for the Retirees’ Club are held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Training Center / Union Hall at 12:30 P.M.
The next meeting will be July 2. All retirees and spouses are welcome. Widows of retired members are encouraged to get involved and welcome our newest members.
FUTURE TRIPS:
Queen of the West, September 14—21, 2008: Roundtrip Transportation to Portland included. (We are considering roundtrip Amtrak or flying). 7 Nights aboard the Queen of the West. All Meals and Entertainment on board. More at www.ibewlu180.org
Brothers and Sisters,
I would like to take a moment to talk to you about a volunteer program that our apprentices run and participate in.
For the past several years, the apprentices of Local 180 have gotten together and helped some our retirees with chores and various jobs around their houses. The program has worked great thus far as it has helped everyone - from the volunteer apprentices to every retiree - feel like they are a part of a special union.
I recently spoke with Doug Van Buskirk, who is currently in charge of coordinating the efforts of this program. He told me that he’s been working on his own to take care of most of the projects. However, he did say that he was going to call on some volunteers to help him with the last couple of projects that he has lined up. What I would like to see in the future is a list of apprentices, and even some JW’s, whom Doug could ask to take care of some of the projects so that he’s not working primarily on his own. Please let either me or Doug know whether you are available to help out with the retiree assistance program. I encourage you all to help keep up the tradition that our conscientious apprentices initiated.
Stan Nelson
Work Outlook
This summer has a promising work picture. The Shiloh II Wind Project should begin soon as well as the Valero Benicia V.I.P. Project. We are told that the refinery work could last up to 6 years. There are also two Solano County projects about to begin: one in Fairfield, and one in Vallejo. A new high school will be built in American Canyon, and should start towards the end of summer. There is more work at Solano Community College about to begin: improvements to the existing campus, and an expansion at the Vacaville site. A new Verizon Switching Center is being built in the Fairfield Business Park. The Vaca-Dixon substation is currently undergoing an expansion. There will be several thousand control terminations for a few lucky Wiremen. Our Local Contractors tell us they will be busy this summer as well with school and winery work. We currently have 40 members on Book 1 and the same on Book 2. These 80 hands better be some tough Hombres. As you can see, there is a lot of work for them to do!!
Please remember to stay hydrated with the summer heat already showing its ugly head. Drink plenty of fluids and seek shade when on breaks where possible. Don’t forget to use sunscreen and wear proper clothing. For more information about heat-related illness, resources, and tips, visit
www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessinfo.htmlRichard Mattson
JATC Continuing Education Class Schedules 2008, 2009
1.) Journeyman Upgrade Class- A twelve week course beginning on Monday July 7th and continuing on Mondays through September 29th 2008. This course will give you the skills and abilities needed to take the Journeyman upgrade test to become a Journeyman Inside Wireman. If you already have your State Certification, completion of this course will give you 48 hours of continuing education credits.
2.) Lockout/Tagout Training- An eight hour course consisting of two, four hour sessions covering this necessary safety training. Course begins on Tuesday July 8th and finishing on Tuesday July 22nd. Completion of this course will give you 8 hours of continuing education credits.
NFPA 70E Training- A four week course beginning on Wednesday July 9th and continuing on Wednesdays through July 30th. Learn about arc flash and other important safety issues. Completion of this course will give you 16 hours of continuing education credits.
4.) OSHA 30 Training- A eight week course beginning on Wednesday August 6th and continuing on Wednesdays through September 24th. Completion of this course will certify you as an OSHA 30 trained electrician. Many contractors are looking for electricians with this card as they need OSHA 30 approved electricians on their jobsites as a condition of project labor agreements and to potentially lower their liability insurance costs. Completion of this course will give you 32 hours of continuing education credits.
5.) Technical Mathematics- A eight week course on Mondays beginning Monday October 20th through December 8th. designed to help anyone needing additional math skills. Completion of this course will provide an approved certification required by the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee to qualify an applicant to take the aptitude test for Inside Wireman apprenticeship. This course is open to all Local #180 members. Completion of this course will give you 32 hours of continuing education credits.
6.) Motor Control Level One- A four week course beginning on Wednesday October 1st and continuing on Wednesdays through October 22nd. An excellent refresher/beginner course in the basics of Motor Control. (Advanced course to follow). Completion of this course will give you 16 hours of continuing education credits.
7.) Motor Control Level Two- A four week course beginning on Wednesday, October 29th and continuing on Wednesdays through November 19th. This advanced class picks up where the Level One class leaves off. (You are not required to take the level one class if you feel you are ready for this class). Completion of this course will give you 16 hours of continuing education credits.
8.) Solar Introduction- An eight hour course consisting of two, four hour sessions starting on Wednesday December 3rd and continuing on Wednesday December 10th to provide an overview of Solar and the photovoltaic field. Completion of this course will give you 8 hours of continuing education credits.
9.) Advanced Solar- A four week course beginning on Wednesday January 7th and continuing on Wednesdays through January 28th, 2009. This is an in depth course to provide you with all the information and background needed to understand and install photovoltaics. Completion of this course will give you 16 hours of continuing education credits.
The membership of Local 180 gives back to the community and markets the IBEW / NECA advantage in many ways. Years ago, the Labor Management Cooperation Committee, (LMCC) placed numerous advertisements on billboards and in area newspapers. A few years back began to support local community and charity efforts.
We’ve also donated several scoreboards highlighted with “NECA & IBEW Working Together with California Schools” logos. Donated scoreboards will display IBEW & NECA for many years to come. But we didn’t want to leave very worthy charities behind in the process. So, we decided to start donating 25+ years of electricity by installing solar photovoltaic panels at their facilities.
Two model projects are being rolled out this June: one in Fairfield (Heather House), and one in Dixon (Dixon Family Services). What is required to make these projects successful is YOUR labor, for which you will receive something of lasting value in return—hands-on PV training! This will leave you with that good feeling of helping others, while you help to reduce both global warming and the costs for a charitable organization to operate. Now that we have your interest, would you like to be part of this worthy cause? Space is limited – so, don’t waste any time getting on the list.
Our next step will be kick-starting a “Give-A-Watt” campaign, where individual and corporate sponsors can donate “watts” that keep on giving! The partnership between labor, management and the public sector will raise our public profile, highlight our skills, popularize the benefits associated with PV, and bring attention to the fact that Local 180 is serious about giving back to its community.
Both projects are highly visible and will help demonstrate how making donations via “Give-A-Watt” is truly a noble and practical investment in our future. We strive to take on these endeavors in furtherance of the objects of our IBEW Constitution—we are to assist each other in sickness or distress and elevate the moral and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents. Conceivably, any of our families or our dependents might need the services of these agencies some day. This is an Investment not only in the economy, but also in humanity.
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov
President:Joe Crow,Stan Nelson
Vice President:Herb Watts
Recording Secretary:Dean Lloyd
Treasurer:Rich Mattson
Business Manager/Financial Secretary:Dan Broadwater
Executive Board:
John Bogart, David Doss, Glen Flores, Tom,
Dennis O'Hara, Jack Paulson, Johnny Sanchez
Exam Board:
Mike Evans, Steve Garcia, George Ingersoll, Glen Loftis,
Marty Ohlemacher, Dave Schallon
ELECTION: Thursday, June 12, 2008, from 12 Noon to 7:00 PM, at 720 Technology Way, Napa, CA
RUN-OFF ELECTION: (if necessary): Tuesday, July 8, 2008, from 12 Noon to 7:00 PM, at 720 Technology Way, Napa CA.
Absentee ballots shall be available to any member upon his or her written request to the attention of Robin Lucier, at P.O. Box 6465, Vallejo, CA 94591-6465. Such requests will be accepted up to 12 noon, 5 days prior to the date of the election. Anyone receiving an absentee ballot will not be entitled to vote at the poll without first presenting the Election Judge with their unused ballot and the envelope used in the mailing.
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 5/2/08 Copyright© 2008 IBEW L.U. 180 |
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