IBEW Local
Union
180 - Newsletter
Volume 2006, Issue 8 August 1st, 2006
SERVING NAPA AND
SOLANO COUNTIES SINCE
1901
Business Manager's Report
Work
We are in the second half of 2006. The work opportunities that we
have been talking about for the last year have finally materialized and
we have virtual full employment. This is both a benefit and a
potential problem. We have struggled on occasion to fill
calls. This concerns our contractors, who must bid work to keep
future work in the pipeline, the developers who depend on our skilled
workforce and ultimately the end user who wants their project completed
on time and on budget. We have always been able to meet these
criteria in Local 180 and I am confident that we will continue.
With the work and man-hours our benefit plans are healthy and we
should have a very good second half.
Pension
Our trust fund office recently mailed out the Defined Benefit Pension
Plan reports. The office has received many calls about missing
hours. We are working with the Administrator to make sure that
all hours worked are being reported and credited. (The money should
follow the man)
Most of the confusion comes from the way
reciprocity is reported and credited. According to our Trust
Attorney and the National Reciprocity Reporting requirements the
following is how reciprocal hours and benefits are “sent
back”. For pension contributions made under a Collective
Bargaining Agreement where the work is performed, and the
member/participant has signed up on ERT’s all money collected will be
returned to the “home local”. The assignment of money to a
particular type of Pension Plan is determined as follows; Like plan to
Like plan. i. e. If the Local in which the work is performed only
has a DC plan (such as a 401, money purchase, or annuity plan) and the
“home local has a DC plan, all of the money sent back will be credited
to the DC plan. If the local in which work is performed only has
a DB plan then all of reciprocated money will be credited to the home
locals DB plan. If the work is done in a local that has both and
the “home Local has both, as we do, then the money is credited in both
plans as it was intended. We are checking to make sure that these
credits are applied where they belong. If you have questions or
problems call me. Because this is so important to all of us we
are trying to use one contact person. I will be that
person. Once the problem is defined we can then get the proper
person to address it. If it is a reciprocity issue, a reporting
problem, a legal matter, or just late payments, we will address and
solve the problem. Once again, if you suspect a problem call me.
Bruce Gourley,
Business Manager
CONDOLENCES
Dan Chandler passed away on Sunday, July 16th, at home, after dealing
with a long session of breathing difficulties, due to the affects of
asbestos. There will be a memorial reception in his honor at the
Napa Valley Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 1040 Orchard Ave., Napa, on
Thursday, August 3, 2006 from 2pm-4pm.
CAL/OSHA'S HISTORIC HEAT ILLNESS VOTE
The
Cal/OSH Standards Board approved the permanent version of its
landmark heat illness standard for outdoor employees June 15. The vote
was significant enough to prompt Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to hold
press conference in the state Capitol to announce the adoption just
minutes after the board voted.
The regulation, which has been in place in largely the same form since
last August as an emergency standard, requires employers to provide
workers access to potable drinking water of at least one quart per hour
for the entire shift. Employers providing plumbed water are not bound
by the quantity requirement.
The standard also requires employers to provide shade for employees who
are either suffering from heat illness or who need a "preventive
recovery period." Non-agriculture industries are allowed to provide
alternative cooling methods, such as misting machines, but the burden
will be on employers to demonstrate that they are as effective as the
shade requirement. DOSH Acting Chief Len Welsh told the board that the
Division will cite employers if the alternatives are found not to be at
least as effective.
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
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 meeting for the Retirees’ Club is held 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—SOLD OUT!!!
Reno Overnight September 12 & 13
Las Vegas/Laughlin April 9-14 2007
Please contact Ken Breckenridge more information on these trips at
(707) 643-4139
From the President:
Brothers and Sisters, the work that was just around the corner is here.
It is about a year later than we told, but here all the same. Valero
Refinery started punching holes for foundations on the Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel project. It will not take a large volume of men, a dozen through
the fall, but will peak in January at about 50 hands. Kaiser Vacaville
is coming along with manpower requests slated for late summer.
Man-hours for the month of May were the highest ever for the month,
over 67,000. Not only is this a healthy indication of more individuals
working, but this will improve our Health and Welfare fund.
Black and Veatch contacted us about a Substation addition in Napa. It
has approximately 7,000 inside hours on it.
We are in negotiations with Solano County for a PLA at this time for 3
projects totaling over $60 million dollars. Clay Bank jail is going to
add a $30 million expansion, Vallejo will add a Social Services
Building at $19 million, and Fairfield will add on to the existing
Social Services Building at $12 million. They are scheduled to start in
the summer of 2007. Timing should work out with the Genentech project
winding down in May of 2007.
We will meet with representatives of SMUD in the first week of August
to discuss a large Windmill project in Collinsville. They are scheduled
to install 33- 3-megawatt towers. These are to be taller than the
1.5-megawatt towers installed at the Shilo project. We have come to an
agreement in principal with EnXco for the next phase of the Shilo wind
project. This will be an additional 100 towers.
Dan Broadwater
From
the Organizers:
After one of the wettest winters in recent history, the work is finally
here. All indications are that it will continue for quite some time. At
present calls are plentiful and we struggle to fill all the needs of
our Contractors. We have outstanding calls for apprentices of any
level. Journeymen can pick and choose where they want to work. What
does any of this have to do with organizing?
Organizing will save our collective a--. Now is the time to organize.
We have an obligation to man our work. We have an obligation to
organize our jurisdiction. Please get involved. We all have friends,
neighbors and see Electricians who are unrepresented. Talk with them,
send them to the hall. When you see a new member on the job, help them
if you can. We all have a stake in the success of our Union, please get
involved.
Rich Mattson & Skip Lucier
Organizers
JATC
http://www.jatclu180.org/
FREE BEER & FOOD!!!
Next Month’s newsletter will have a full page story, map* and parking
pass for the Union Picnic at Lake Solano Park.
What you need to know now:
September 23, Noon to 5 P.M. for Food, Drinks, Fun, Family and Drinks
(camping & fishing also)
Lake Solano County Park, 8685 Pleasants Valley Road, Winters, CA 95664,
800-939-PARK
* map for the ladies, real men don’t need maps or directions—we
just leave early!
PHOTOVOLTAIC—NOW
THAT IT IS HOT!!!
Realities of Photovoltaic in IBEW LU 180’s area…
Contractors have more work then they can handle and do not want to
expand into new markets. We have no training and no people ready to man
the work.
No the above is not about reality, it is about excesses…
Photovoltaic is being done, done on every new public building.
Photovoltaic production plants are being built worldwide to handle the
huge demand. It is time to show you are into photovoltaic and
saving money by filling out page 3 and faxing or mailing it in—time is
of the essences!!!
NPCP LLC
National Photovoltaic Construction Partnership
IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION
IBEW LOCAL 180 MEMBERS’ RESIDENTIAL SOLAR POWER PACKAGE
- We believe we, NPCP.LLC, has found a way to offer each member an
electrical solar system, - (power up your own home) - complete with a
reasonable finance program – very low or no money down and a low
payment per month.
- You would provide the labor and expedite the work. We
anticipate there would still be some cost for your miscellaneous pipe,
wire, and switches to a trade value of approximately $600.00.
- This special package is really well engineered. The modules
link into the integral roof mount. All parts are computer sized
and computer C.A.D. drawings will be supplied, ready for your permit
applications.
- A computerized list of all components assists each install.
Since the Solar system will produce power for at least 25 years, your
system will pay for itself several times over its useful life.
- NPCP.LLC would, on a best efforts basis, locate and assign all
rebates and grants to your account, lowering the monthly cost.
- You would automatically gain the value of electricity saved per
month. In most cases, we would anticipate your electrical savings
for the above would come close to covering your monthly payment.
Frankly, should this happen, it should be an automatic “go”
decision. Even if there is a differential to pay, you need to
take a hard look at the benefits.
- The installation value, should you install a 6 kw, could reach a
$40,000 home improvement. The monthly savings for the above
system would be at least 85% of your present electrical payment and, of
course, no increase in electrical rates, even if your Utility raised
the rates.
- For those electricians that are located in a No grants or rebate
area, we need you, to participate. You will be able to obtain a package
of approximately 1000 watts for under $7000 and $2000 back from the
feds therefore an estimated net cost =$5000.
- Because NPCP.LLC will buy solar modules and inverters in bulk
packages, these savings will be passed on.
- The intent is to supply – through volume - this top-notch solar
package at prices low enough to permit I.B.E.W. members and I.B.E.W.
contractors to compete across the board for Residential Solar.
This program is our entrance back to the residential market.
- In addition, everyone participating would be eligible for a
Federal tax credit of $2000.
- Here is what to look for: south facing roof preferred (can
be southeast or southwest). Get your available square footage and
make sure the roof area picked has no shade. Take 10 watts per
square foot and this calculation is the number D.C. watts possible.
Now, please fill out the form below.
Solar Coordinator: IBEW LU 180
Phone Number: 707-251-9180
Name: ____________________
DC. Watts: ____________________
Address: ____________________
State:
____________________
Phone: ____________________
Fax:
____________________
E-Mail ____________________
We would like to become an I.B.E.W. Solar Advocate by powering up
our own home with the NPCP.LLC/I.B.E.W. Members Power Up Plan.
Please send me the information and sign up kit.
____________________ ____________________
Name (Please Print)
Date
____________________
Signature
Please forward the completed form by fax to NPCP.LLC at 604-983-2869
for processing
Please send a copy of this completed form by fax to the Solar
Coordinator at your Local.
Or e-mail completed form to: operations@npcpunited.com and the Solar
Coordinator
Thank you - NPCP.LLC
George W. Ingham, Director
Lee Smith, Director
SUPPORTING OUR CAUSE
AND COUNTRY
While California
suffered from heat and lack of power, the Northern Joint Board Meeting
on July 22 was cool and had plenty of power. Business Managers,
Officers and Agents gathered to hear reports from the Northern
California IBEW Local Unions. We were also honored to have very
powerful speakers address us.
International Vice President Mowery addressed us with a bit of
history. As long as VP Mowery can remember, each election has
been the most important and required our full attention and
effort. However, each year for sometime we have been losing
ground. He reminds us from President Kennedy, “ask not what your
country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” and the
same goes for your Union. It takes every Union member to make the
Union work—not just the elected and appointed ones.
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi addressed us on what
he can do as Lt. Governor and has done for working people in
California. Any preconceived ideas of John as typical State
politician are way off. We spoke for a short bit afterwards and I
am convinced he is working for the people and now understood why
insurance companies and large corporations are spending millions to
beat him.
Charles Ramsey, President of the West Contra Costa Unified School
District, is driven to produce skilled workers for local jobs, driven
to keep local tax dollars local, driven to expand the teamwork between
IBEW and local schools. Charles only asked for a few things, to
help us get PLA’s on as many school projects as possible, to help us
expand opportunities and help us remain determined and honest about our
expectations.
All we have been hearing are attacks, no options, no hope and the need
for more money. These speakers had a positive outlook for the
IBEW’s 9th District and our country when we work together. It was
great to get recharged for the cause.
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 9/7/06 Copyright© 2006 IBEW L.U. 180
Information on this site has been approved
by the Business Manager and L.U. President
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