Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President
Labor Day 2000
As we begin a new century it is time to reflect on the Labor movement
and how far we have come in the last 100 years.
IBEW Local Union 180 has served Napa and Solano Counties for 99 of
those 100 years.
Nationally, Organized Labor has gained many achievements. Fair
wages and benefits, the eight hour day, laws against child labor , the
right to Organize and bargain collectively are just a few of the many battles
we have one.
None of these came easy and we owe a debt of gratitude to those
who preceded us. Many gave hours of committed effort to win those
things we take for granted today. Many people died in the struggle.
Lets all appreciate those who came before and continue the battle. So that
we can reap the benefits of our LABOR.
| Upcoming Events
Holidays Carpenters Off Day September 1, 2000 Labor Day September 4, 2000 Admission Day September 8, 2000 Veterans Day November 10, 2000 Thanksgiving Day November 23, 2000 Day after Thanksgiving November 24, 2000 Christmas Day December 25, 2000 New Years Day January 1, 2001 Meetings
All meetings will be held at 720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558 |
Inside this issue.
Labor Day
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Best wishes to the NEWLYWEDS:
Jose & Vickie Oseguerra Married August 26, 2000
Richard & Jacquelyn Vanier Married July 15, 2000
WELCOME TO THE NEW ADDITION:
A daughter, “Amanda Grace” Born August 17, 2000 to Jeff & Traci
Taylor
A daughter, “Ashley N.” Born August 30, 2000 to Todd Thom
In our Thoughts:
In Memory of Tom Sweeney
Tom lost his bout with cancer Saturday August 12, 2000. A funeral
service was held on August 18, 2000 in Piedmont. Our thoughts and
prayers go out to Tom’s wife, Ann, and the family during this difficult
time. We will all miss him. Tom was the Business Manager for
Local #595 for many years.
Financial issues
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION 401(k) PLAN Up and running!
As of August 24, 2000, Invesco, the company that handles our 401k went on-line. PIN numbers were sent out and participants now have the ability to self direct their investments. The plan started with 33 investors and $9,000.00 in redirected wages.
Requests for wage deferrals for the 401k Plan must be in place by September 30, 2000. If not received by then, Members will have to wait until June of 2001 to make a change. Elections then must be made annually in May and they will become effective in June.
After the membership voted to have the wage increase of June 1, 2000 applied to the defined benefit plan, the local had another special meeting to discuss improvement allocation. The Labor Trustees then met with the plan professionals on two occasions to discuss the best way to accomplish goals set by the plan participants. With guidelines established, a proposal was made to the full Trust. The following are improvements that will take affect as of June 1, 2000.
The minimum retirement benefit for those retirees with ten years of service will be $750. This will affect approximately 30 retirees or their widows. (Cost = $.10/hr)
The 10% reduction for the Joint Survivor benefit option has been eliminated. This will benefit 85% of people at retirement. (Cost = $.40/hr)
All past credits will be raised to $109 per month per
year of service. This will benefit 100% of the plan participants.
All future credits will be raised to $119 per month per
year of service. This will benefit 100% of the plan participants.
These improvements are based on 1400 hrs per year. (Cost = $.50/hr for each of the credit improvements)
From the President
The Napa/Solano LMCC will be promoting a “JOB FAIR” on Saturday, September
9, from 12:00 –4:00 p.m. There will be area Contractors available
to answer questions from prospective “New” Members.
Local Union #340 in Sacramento has used Job Fairs quite successfully.
Their first Fair had 40 resumes submitted with a total of 12 brought into
membership. They now hold a Job Fair every Wednesday evening, with
the previous month bringing in over 100 men.
This office is seeking out and implementing any and all plans that
will protect our vested interest in the manpower pool for Napa and Solano
Counties. At this time we have 12 Men on Book 1, 5 on Book 2, and
3 on Book 3. We have been able to fill most of the calls, with the
exception of the reduced rate work, such as Valero (formerly Exxon) and
the Residential work.
A reminder about the upcoming elections. Make sure you, REGISTER AND VOTE. Forms are available at the Hall. Or call me and I will make sure you get one.
Dan Broadwater
President Local 180
From the Organizer
Organizing is going great. Thanks to those of you who have sent people
in to apply for membership. We continue to have a demand for skilled Electricians.
Fischbach & Moore continues to request manpower. Their contract may
be in jeopardy if we cannot fill their needs. The new refinery owners have
no problems hiring non-union. Last week they brought in a non-union electrical
contractor from Contra Costa co. IBEW LU 180 has historically been there
for the Benicia refinery (VALERO) and must continue to be there now and
in the future.
Organized Labor is Victorious in Vallejo!
On Tuesday, August 22, there was a city council meeting to discuss using
Project Labor Agreement on a 25 million dollar Parking Structure and future
developments that were negotiated by the Napa/Solano Building Trades. The
non-union came out in FORCE, but were out numbered and they were sent running
with their tail between their legs. PLA’s and pre-qualification are great
victories for Union Men and Women. They are under attack by the Merit shop
contractors and we must make a showing in numbers when called upon to defend
them.
Rich Mattson, Organizer
Upcoming Journeyman Classes and the JATC
Journeyman classes will begin on September 12, 2000 (code)and
September 14, 2000 (code &motor control). The code classes are
primarily structured to give our members a refresher to enable them to
better prepare themselves for the State Certification (licensing) that
will take effect in 2001. The motor control class is part of our
ongoing Journeyman upgrade that goes on throughout the year.
(707) 251-0315
Call the JATC to sign up.
Apprenticeship classes for the 2000/2001 school year are about to begin. This year we have a bumper crop of apprentices and are having to change our operating procedures to accommodate all the classes that will be offered. For the first time we are going to have day classes for the first year Inside Apprentices (30) and the first year Sound and Communications Apprentices (70). The remaining classes will be held following the old evening schedule.
Local #180 starts “Day Classes” for Apprentices - Gary McCoy to teach
Gary has been a member of Local #180 for the over ten years. He graduated from our JATC Inside Apprentice program and has worked on various jobs in the local and surrounding areas. He has been teaching the Third Year Inside Apprentice for the last three years. Recently he graduated from the NJATC’s National Training Institute at the University of Tennessee.
Gary is now moving on to a new challenge. He is going to be teaching
days at our JATC facility. He will be teaching the First Year Inside
Apprentices and the First Year Voice, Data, Video Apprentices, which will
constitute approximately one hundred apprentices. Class will be held
five days a week, eight hours a day, in week long blocks. With the
surge in the construction industry and the advent of new technologies the
apprenticeship programs across the country are having to re-invent the
wheel. We are sure that Brother McCoy is up to the challenge.
State licensing of Electricians is moving along and will meet the mandated times established by the Legislature. The actual testing will probably not start until mid to late Spring 2001. There will be no “grandfathering”. Initially there will not be “reciprocity” with other States.
A Website is being developed and will have information available to
interested parties.
Licensing changes;
1. Journeyman Electrician
(4 years experience + Test)
2. Residential Electrician
(Limited to Residences)
3. Voice Data Video
Separate License Required for Life Safety (Fire Alarms)
Business Manager Bruce Gourley has been appointed to sit on some of
the panels associated with state licensing and will be able to keep
our members informed with changes as they occur. Meetings are held
every month or so and as the deadline nears they will be more frequent.
ROAST-Plus
The “Roast” held for Kevin Coleman at the Training Center on
August 12, 2000 was well attended by both Union members and the Contractors
whom Kevin represented. We were all there to wish him well in his
new position as Field Representative for NECA. Kevin was the Assistant
Chapter Manager for NECA and has always been a life long supporter of Organized
Labor. He was one of driving forces in construction of the building.
Good luck Kevin!
Retiree's Corner
Dear Brothers & Sisters
The Local Union #180 Retiree’s Christmas Luncheon will be held at Tonelli’s
Restaurant on December 6, 2000. Menu: Prime Rib ($14.00) Louie
($13.00) includes tax & tip. Door prizes for all. Reservations
due by November 1, 2000.
Our regular monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00p.m. at 720 Technology Way Napa CA.
HAWAII
The retirees club will be traveling to the Hawaiian Islands from May
24 – June 2, 2000. The trip is includes round trip airfare and 7
nights cruise aboard the ms Patriot. “You’ll venture far from
the crowded resorts into another Hawaii, a hidden paradise of lush emerald
valleys, spectacular waterfalls, smoldering volcanoes and secluded black
sand beaches.” Prices are as low as $2280.00 per person.
For information concerning reservations or membership call:
Ken Breckenridge
(707)643-4139
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!
Our last meeting was well attended. Let’s see if we can do better.
Negotiations on the contract will begin on September 12, 2000. Contract language and conditions are being discussed as well as benefits and wages.
We hope to have a productive negotiations and be able to bring to the members a package that is acceptable. Remember, you will vote on approval.
Residential
Work continues to be good in the area and manpower is still hard to
come by. Apprentice classes will be starting and all electricians
doing electrical work must be in a State Approved Apprenticeship program
or be “Certified’ by the state as a licensed electrician in 2001.
Journey level classes are starting in September and those of us who have
been out of school for any length of time will benefit from a “refresher”.
Call the JATC (707) 251 0315 to sign up for any of the classes being
offered.
Bruce Gourley, Business Manager
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Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President |
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