Our Annual Picnic was held July 15, 2000 at lake Solano Park. A good time was had by all. Special thanks to the Picnic Committee. Executive Board members, Gary McCoy and Al Guhl did a great job. Gary and Al also had a group of volunteers who deserve our appreciation.

We had approximately 200 RSVP'S from members.  Our attendance was very close to that number. There were 60 +
'parking tickets" redeemed by the Local. The turnout was great and every one had a good time. The 'dunk tank seemed to be especially popular.

If you have any ideas that will make next years picnic an even better one, please contact one of the officers, and make your suggestions. It is never too early to plan.
 

Upcoming Events Carpenters Off Day                    September 1 2000 labor Day                                   September 4, 2000 Admission Day                           September 8, 2000 Regular Meeting                         August 10,2000 7:00 P. M. Special Meeting (401-k Seminar)August 11. 2000 7:00 P. M. Special Meeting (401-k Seminar)August 12,2000 10:00 A.M. Roast                                        August 12, 2000 2:00 P. M  Sound & Comm. Unit Meeting    September 20,2000 7:00 P.M. Centennial Celebration                May 5, 2001 ValIejo All meetings will be held at 720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558

Inside this issue. Picnic Review  Congratulations Our Thoughts  New Arrivals From the President Financial Issues Organizing State Licensing ROAST Kevin Retiree's Corner S&C Residential

Best wishes to the  NEWLYWEDS:
Matt & Jennifer Shipp Married June 17, 2000
Richard & Jacquelyn Vanier Married July 15, 2000

WELCOME TO THE NEW ADDITION:
A daughter; "Brandi Ann" Born July 20, 2000 to Danielle and Charles McDowell

In our Thoughts: Best wishes to Tom Sweeney, Retired Business Manager of Local 595. Tom is suffering from a form a cancer and is hospitalized. Tom, over the years put many of our local Brothers & Sisters to work and set an example of Trade Unionism that is a standard we all should aspire to.  Those wishing to send a card or letter should contact;
Local 595
(925) 556-0595

John Tjan the husband of Melanie Holloway died suddenly July 25, 2000. Melanie worked locally for NECA and more recently the Napa Solano Electrical Contractors Trust. Our prayers go out to her and her Family.

Financial issues
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION 401(k) PLAN
There will be Special Meetings held Friday August 11.2000 at 7:00 P. M. and Saturday August 12. 2000 at 10:00 A. M. Information regarding the new 401(k) plan available to our members will be discussed. Plan representatives from INVESCO will be there to answer your questions. Please plan on attending at least one of the presentations. Spouses are encouraged to participate. Refreshments will be available at both meetings

Defined Benefit Plan Improvements
At the special meeting held on July 14, 2000, the members present informed the Trustees on how they would like to see the $1.50 increased contribution to our Defined Benefit Plan used. There are many options. The ideas ranged from increasing the benefit, lowering the retirement age, reducing the cost to fund the joint spousal option, to a formula for retirement (combination of age and service credits) and increasing the minimum
benefit for existing retirees. There was much discussion and the Trustees came away with enough input to make decisions that will benefit all. Meetings of the Labor Trustees and the professionals who help administer and assign costs for plan improvements will be held prior to the regular Pension Trust Meeting in September. The Trustees will evaluate and discuss the best course of action to benefit all plan participants. We will then present this to the full Pension Trust for approval and implementation.

Common  Sense Economics
Following the Invesco 401(k)  and  before  the 'Roast" for Kevin Coleman on August 12, 2000 there will be a presentation of "Common Sense Economics" if time permits. This is an excellent program that details what has happened to wages and benefits over the last several decades. It is critical information that will arm our members with the knowledge of what we as working people can do to protect ourselves and our families in the future.

From the President
Thanks to the efforts of Lou Franchimon, Business Manager for the Napa/Solano Building Trades Council, and a concerted effort of the area craft Business Managers, “Pre-Qualification" language will remain in the Bid packages that the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District offers. This requires all bidders to pay prevailing wage, have graduated apprentices in the last five years and have a clean record with the State contractors License Board.

As a consumer and tax-payer and an individual who wants to play by the rules, this does not sound like a request out of the ordinary, however the ABC and their non-union coalition certainly objected. This issue had passed previously 7-0 earlier in the year, but because of the efforts of the ABC non-union coalition, it was brought back up for discussion. After a long evening at the Board Meeting, It passed again 5-2 in our favor.

IBEW Local Union #332 Member, Dennis Chacon, spoke on our behalf. He was once an ABC apprentice, and spoke of the differences between Union and ABC training. He stressed how superior the education process of the IBEW was compared to the ABC Program.

Thanks to the organizing efforts of Rich Mattson and Members coming home, we have been filling most of our calls.

I am continuing to pursue certified payrolls on many projects that are under prevailing wage. With the continuing help of Mission 2000 and their Compliance Program, I hope to level the playing field on prevailing wage projects.
Fraternally,

Dan Broadwater, President

From the Organizer
Through the continuing efforts of Local #180 to organize, our membership numbers have increased to 507 as of July 2000. In July 1999 our membership totaled 486 members. With at least 12 members retiring last year, we continue to grow in numbers.

If we are doing 50% of the electrical construction with 500 members, that would mean that there are 500 non-represented (RAT) Electricians doing the other 50% of the work in our jurisdiction. We can and must continue our efforts to organize and capture our market share. We should represent all Electrical Workers and DOMINATE the market.

Rich Mattson, Organizer

Upcoming Journeyman Classes
Journeyman level classes are currently underway. Motor control classes will begin on September 26, 2000. There will be two additional Journeyman level classes starting in September. The main focus will be on State Licensing. The classes will start on Tuesday, September 12, and Thursday, September 14, 2000. There will be two separate classes.

State Licensing soon to be a reality!

Licensing changes;

1. Journeyman Electrician (4 years experience + Test)
2. Residential Electrician (Limited to Residences)
3. Voice Data Video
All License holders will be tested on "Life Safety" Fire Alarms etc.)

(707) 251-0315
Call the JATC to sign up.

ROAST-Plus
Kevin Coleman, former Assistant Chapter Manager for NECA has been promoted to a field Representative position. He worked with Local 180 for several years as a Management Representative on all of our  Joint  committees  and Trusts. He is active in many community activities supporting organized labor. We wish him well in his new position! Please join  in  a  farewell "ROAST" to be held following the 401(k) meeting on Saturday August 12, 2000. The festivities will begin at 2:00 P. M. There will be food, drink and an opportunity to "ROAST" Kevin.

Retiree's Corner
Dear Brothers & Sisters
The Retirees Club of Local 180 was granted a Charter on June 18, 1985 and has been active since that time and before.

This is an urgent appeal to all our retirees, and especially our newly retired local members. The Retirees Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Our meetings are held at the Training Center and start at 1:00 P. M. The retiree's group is very active and assists in political activities sensitive to labor issues.

We have committed ourselves to assist the Local in a voter registration campaign. This is of course a critical time for working people. If we can elect politicians that are sensitive to working peoples needs, from local elections to the White House we can regain our rightful place in society.

For information concerning membership call:

Ken Breckenridge (707)6434139
or
Gordon Darling (707)644-8366

Sound & Communications
The Regular S&C Unit meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month. The next one will be held on September 20, 2000. Refreshments will be provided.

All members are welcome at our regular monthly meetings held on the 2nd Thursday of each month!

The last meeting was well attended and wages, benefits, and contract language was discussed extensively. An updated list of items for formal negotiations was given to the Negotiating Committee. We will keep you informed of progress.

Work continues to be good and Local 180 anticipates Apprentice classes to start at our Training Facility in September, 2000. Apprentices will be notified.

Residential
Residential work in the area is continuing to grow. Indications are that this will continue. To enable us to gain control of the Market we need manpower. Some contractors are nervous about bidding work with the manpower shortage. If you know anyone with experience have them contact the office and we can put them to work. There are several meetings scheduled and you should make every effort to attend. See the upcoming events calendar on page one.  Of particular interest might be the 401(k) meetings.

Bruce Gourley, Business Manager
 

Updated 08/8/00 Copyright© 2000 IBEW L.U. 180 Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President