IBEW Local Union 180 - Newsletter
Business Manager's Report

I attended the Membership Development meeting in Atlanta, Georgia this month and there were some very informative workshops. At the conclusion of the Conference, there was a day and a half Business Managers meeting. Many mandates were handed down with respect to Organizing. I am proud to report that these items are being instituted as we speak. Stan Nelson has and will remain the full time Membership Development Representative. The bottom line is that there will be accountability, and it will start at the top. Every salaried agent is responsible to meet at least 8 unrepresented workers each month.

There will also be Job Fairs and Open Houses every other month. This will be coordinated with our NECA partners. This is to be held in a neutral place in different regions of the jurisdiction. Stan is currently mapping out the entire jurisdiction, listing union and non-union jobsites. Prior to the Open Houses, we will blitz the jobsites and invite the workers to come and meet our Contractors.

The conversion to BeneSys is progressing and is slated to start on December 1, 2007. This is not an easy task but necessary. Please be patient through the transition.  Feel free to call Mike Smith if you have any concerns or questions.  There is an outline of enhancements shown on page three.

With the Holiday Season almost upon us, I would like to give thanks to my staff that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist not only me but the membership. I also want to thank the membership for their faith and support since becoming Business Manager of Local 180.

Dan Broadwater,
Business Manager

We will have breakfast for everyone that will include:

• Pancakes
• Sausage
• Fruit
• Milk & Chocolate milk
•  Orange juice & Coffee

Bring your camera for some great pictures!

Our new Third Party Administrator (TPA) will take over member benefit services for our Inside Agreement, and all but health and welfare plan for the Residential Agreement which is currently administered by United Administrative Services through the 9th District S&C Agreement).  We estimate that in early 2008 members will be able to:
· Receive monthly benefit statements showing
    · Health & Welfare hour bank
    · Coverage status
        · family members covered
    · Contributions hours / dollars for each benefit item
    · Status of self-payments (COBRA)
· Access the above information via the web
    · See status in real time
    · Pension/401 account history
    · Forms
    · Plan Documents
    · Claim status
    · Eligibility Information
· Trustee tools
    · Monthly “Barometer” of all aspects of each fund

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 Nov 7.  All retirees and spouses are welcome. Widows of retired members are encouraged to get involved and welcome our newest members.  

Annual Christmas Luncheon at the Napa Elks Club on Dec 5, 2007 at 12:30 P.M.  Your choice: steak sandwich, chicken breast and shrimp Louie for $20.00  -  PLEASE RSVP by Oct 31 to Ken!

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 Info.

Please contact Ken Breckenridge more information on these trips at (707) 643-4139

As per the joint endorsement of United Workers for Local Government, Napa Solano Central Labor Council & Napa Solano Building Trades Council

Let me begin by introducing myself.  I am David Iloff, a 3rd-year apprentice working for Napa Electric.  I was appointed to the position of Apprentice Liaison in August of this year by the JATC committee. 

One of my goals as new apprentice liaison is to give an apprentice perspective on issues that are raised before the committee.  Another goal of mine is to inspire my fellow apprentices to get involved not only in the apprenticeship program, but also in the IBEW.  It is my belief that we can empower all apprentices by educating ourselves about membership in the IBEW and how the IBEW/NECA apprenticeship program works.

I will do my best as Apprentice Liaison to represent all apprentices by giving a voice to our ideas and concerns.  The apprenticeship is an awesome opportunity for us all to become union craftsman.  By working together we will obtain all of the pride, skill and knowledge achieved by completing this program.

Hopefully there is at least one other apprentice out there that actually reads this newsletter.  If so, feedback is welcome and appreciated.  I can be contacted by email via www.ailoff01@sprintpcs.com.

Thank you for your time,

David Iloff

When I was a Project Manager, my background in sales and marketing was a huge asset.  It allowed me to perceive, first hand, the value of directly relating with customers on a person-to-person basis.  In fact, a solid person-to-person approach is the only way to ensure that our customers are truly satisfied with our IBEW performance.  We tend to take it for granted that our customers are pleased with us.  But is this always the case?

I’m sure you can recall an instance in which a co-worker or project manager spouted out the wrong thing at the wrong time, or failed to deliver on a promise.  What kind of taste did that leave with the customer?  Did the experience nudge the customer to hire another contractor – or even worse, a nonunion contractor?  A respectful and consistent person-to-person approach is key to influencing good customer relations.

Lisa K. Scheer, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Missouri College of Business, and recipient of the Emma S. Hibbs Distinguished Professor Award, contributed to a study that that illustrates the breadth of this influence.

 “Companies that believe they understand loyalty among their customers may be fooling themselves,” Scheer said. “They may not really understand precisely where that loyalty is directed. Is it to specific individuals who service them and work with them, or is it with the company and its products or brands?  …Scheer said, despite having multiple sources to purchase from and numerous resources to compare prices, the bond between buyer and salesperson greatly influenced the transaction.”

So, how do we, the IBEW, influence a smooth “transaction” and forge a solid “bond” between salesperson and customer in our industry?  It‘s important to keep in mind that each one of us is a salesperson.  Our product?  Superior IBEW craftsmanship and the integrity of our person-to-person approach to the customer and all parties on the job.  In your performance last week, did you help close the sale, complete the project to the customer’s satisfaction, support or kill the relationship?  What about the others on your project or in the company?  How did they perform?

Just imagine the tremendous affects that we could have on customer’s appreciation for the IBEW, if all of us took seriously our roles as salespersons.

Remember, the future of the IBEW & NECA is in your hands.

Mike Smith