IBEW L.U. 180

Volume 2003, Issue 10 October 1st, 2003

SERVING NAPA AND SOLANO COUNTIES SINCE 1901

Business Managers Report

Politics It is, as always, extremely important that we exercise our Right to Vote.

Do not miss the opportunity to stop this travesty of a recall in California. I do not pretend to try to tell people how to vote, all I can do is look at the facts and give my opinion. This is not done lightly. It is important that we as working people look to those in government to address our needs. Governor Davis has consistently supported our efforts to ensure that the standard of living for working people is not diminished. Pro-Labor legislation is not, I repeat, NOT anti-business. When you hear rhetoric about all the bad things that are happening in California look to see the root causes.

I implore you VOTE, NO on the Recall and Yes, on Bustamante.

Health and Welfare At the Trust meeting held September 23rd a subcommittee was established to go over the projected budget for benefits for the immediate needs and future stability of our plans. This group will meet in the next week and information will go out to the participants as we compile it. There is no magic solution to our problems, and we are not unique.

Pension At the Pension portion of the September 23rd meeting the trustees approved a “13th” check for our Retirees. The plan is healthy and future benefit improvements are likely.

California Electrical Certification Although there has been talk of a postponement of implementation of the certification it is still on track. If it changes it is probably even more important that the IBEW is the leader in having our membership first. The local LMCC has made the following commitment to the membership:

If your have your Certification prior to these dates your reimbursement will be;

Date ~ Reimbursement

January 1, 2004 ~ $175.00

March 1, 2004 ~ $150.00

June 1, 2004 ~ $125.00

September 1,2004 ~ $100.00

This is done to encourage our members to get tested, get certified, and reward those who do.

Fraternally,
Bruce P. Gouley

Upcoming Events Holidays	Inside this issue.
REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 9, 2003 BAR-B-QUE @5:30 P. M. Bar-B-Que @5:30 P. M. October 9, 2003 Retirees Club Meeting October 1, 2003 Veteran’s Day November 11, 2003 Inside Agreement Only Thanksgiving Off Days November 27 & 28, 2003 All agreements Christmas Off Days December 25 & 26, 2003 - Inside & Residential Agreements December 25, 2003 - S&C Agreement Only	Business Manager's Report Congratulations Condolences Retiree's Corner What has Governor Gray Davis done for you? Sound and Communications From the President From the Organizer JATC From the Agent
All meetings will be held at:	720 Technology Way Napa CA, 94558

Congratulations
David & Rebecca Christensen on their July 26th marriage
John & Leslie Lossing on their Sept. 6th marriage
Pat & Melissa Forsberg on the September 19th birth of their son, Hunter
Condolences
None
What has Governor Gray Davis done for you?

These victories for organized labor and the construction trades didn't happen by chance. After 16 years of Republican rule in the California Capitol, unions fought hard to regain these critical rights - all with the active support and cooperation of Governor Gray Davis.

If the recall succeeds in pushing Governor Davis out of office, all of these gains are in jeopardy. If Republicans like Congressman Darrel Issa hoodwink the voters into electing a Republican as Governor, all of these gains will disappear.

Republicans have pledged to overturn every one of the hard-fought gains if they are allowed to sneak into the Governor's office.

Retiree's Corner
The Monthly Meetings for the Retirees’ Club are held the first Wednesday of each month. They are held at the Training Center. All retirees and spouses are welcome. Widows of retired members are encouraged to get involved. So carve out a spot of your busy retirement schedule and join us...

Christmas Luncheon at Jonesy’s is December 3, 2003. PLEASE RSVP by the November meeting—$18.00 each.

Upcoming “Electrical Retirees Club” Trips
“Death Valley, Las Vegas, Lake Meade March 22~27, 2004”
“Alaska in ‘04”

From the President:
It was brought to my attention last week that too much time is spent in the office and at meetings, that I might have lost touch with what concerns the membership. This could not be farther from the truth. We have spent countless hours meeting with public entities, such as School Boards, City Councils, and Developers. Project Labor Agreements have given our members thousands of man-hours. Successes such as the Peaker Plants, High winds Project and the Vallejo School District to name a few. We are very close to agreements not only in the Downtown Vallejo Project but also in Vacaville at the Nut Tree and at Lagoon Valley. Do not think for a minute that the resolve of this office is any less due to the lack of a field presence from this office. When needed, we will be there to serve the membership in the appropriate manner.

The Vallejo Planning Commission has approved the State Farm Building across from the ferry terminal. State Farm has to occupy that facility by October of next year. We should receive approval from the City Council at their next meeting. We have been contacted by the Contractor and have been assured it will be an all-Union job.

Rosendin has nine additional windmills and will need 12-15 hands in the middle of November for about 6 weeks.

Valero is starting to pick up some additional work. Hopefully this trend will continue in the winter.

From the Organizer:
The topic of this article has always pertained to organizing. This month I felt it should touch on something equally important. THE RECALL ELECTION. While most assume that as union members, we are all aware of the importance of the most basic democratic right, the right to VOTE. However, nearly one third of our membership is not registered. It is critical that every member is a registered voter. If you have moved recently, it is likely that you are not registered.

Organized labor has had some very significant gains under the tenure of Governor

Gray Davis. He may not be everyone’s favorite, but he has done more for us than any other. If the recall is successful, we will surely be in for some tough times.

Do not be fooled by all the rhetoric that is going around. Take a good look at what we, as a union, as working men and women stand to loose. Prevailing wages, overtime, the eight hour work day, safety laws, apprenticeship, and the right to organize just to name a few. Take a moment to think of our livelihood. The affect the local economy plays in the ability of our members to make a living. What kind of impact will a change in Sacramento bring? We have been blessed with work while other areas suffer.

Lastly, if you want to gamble, go to a Casino, not the polls! And Vote Twice: No on the Recall and Yes on Bustamante.

JATC
JOURNEYMAN CLASSES
Certification Classes: Three classes of twenty each began on September 15, 16, & 18th and will run for eight weeks. The next classes will start In November; we already have at least sixty journeyman signed up at this time for these classes so it is very important that you sign up as soon as possible to reserve your spot. So Please note that it is most important that you respond to your letter when received from the Training Center.
As we have taught these classes we have refined the curriculum and there will now be a cost of $62.00 for materials and books that are required to take these classes. This money is due and payable on the first night of class. Sign up at the Training Center or call 707-251-0315.
State Certification is upon us. Within just 16 months all electricians in the State of California will be required to be certified or will not be able to be employed. From the Department of Industrial Relations: There has not been an extension of the time to take the test; it remains December 31, 2004.

My idea of increasing market share when I first started in the IBEW in 1986 was to out perform the competition. No way was politics going to help. Now, years latter, the facts are stronger than ever that we need to be involved. Even if we outperform the competition, they still hate us for what we are. To them Union Members are a cancer on America.

That is correct, we are a cancer. There is nothing more UN-American than to hold back a worker’s freedom to set their own pay level, working hours, conditions and force healthcare, pensions and 401’s on them. We work to remove these rights from the unrepresented worker and the right to earn additional money via “side jobs” outside of their normal eight hour day. The eight hour day in itself is a limitation since a worker is born with the right to work as many hours in a day, and days in a week, as they are able. This is the core of how we Union Workers are so unproductive.

That, my fellow Union Members, is how most of the candidates view us. ALSO, how my own family, neighbors, doctor, dentist, barber and merchants that I have been loyal to for over 15 years - view my Union membership.

But after sitting down with the candidates and explaining who we really are - found the above to be false. Before we can truly win market share we must win the hearts and minds of the politicians, or at the least their minds. With like minds we can counter the misinformation and gain support for the Union Members (LOCAL TAXPAYERS) issues.

The issues: Jobs, Healthcare, Good Schools, Public Safety and keeping OUR tax money in OUR local economy. And yes Mr. & Mrs. American that makes us a “Special Interest”, even if the interests are also yours!

So in closing, since we don’t live in Florida you can’t vote twice… But you can get your family and neighbors motivate to vote on the recall and AGAIN in November.

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


Updated 10/19/03 Copyright© 2003 *IBEW L.U. 180* *Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President*