IBEW L.U. 180

Volume 2003, Issue 12 December 1st, 2003

SERVING NAPA AND SOLANO COUNTIES SINCE 1901

Business Managers Report

Special Called Meeting There will be a Special Called Meeting held December 10, 2003, 7:00 P. M. at the Training Center. The purpose of the meeting will be to allocate or re-allocate wages for the purpose of Health and Welfare. As we all know the cost of Health care is a National Crisis. As the Cost of Living Index rises at a historical average of 2% to 3 % per year, our Health Care costs have averaged about 15% nation wide. With all of the cost savings measured that we have had to endure, we still find ourselves under-funded. There is no way to sugar coat the solution! We must increase the contribution rate or seriously reduce benefits. Neither of which is attractive, yet unavoidable. With the major benefit reductions that have occurred over the last year, and discussions with many members, it seems that most of us would rather increase our contribution than suffer further benefit reductions. All ideas must be considered. At the Special Called Meeting a discussion of options available will be presented as well as any ideas or input from the membership that can help in dealing with this crisis. Local 180 is not unique. Most bay area IBEW locals have received wage/benefits increases in which most, if not all, have gone to Health & Welfare. Some have put as much as $3.25 per hour into H & W (Local 302). Other locals have permanently reduced other benefits to bolster the H & W contribution. Each local is different and must decide for themselves how to address the problem. If anyone has ideas that they think will help, please don’t hesitate to call and share them with me. I would be able to do some research prior to the meeting regarding impact and legal issues that might affect our ability to institute any changes.

California Electrical Certification The date is fast approaching. The local and the LMCC are still offering, “rebates” to encourage our members to get certified. Contact the office for specifics.

Residential Members I have had several requests from Residential members that they would like to have a Unit meeting. We will schedule one right after the beginning of the New Year. There are issues that are of particular interest to our Residential brothers and sisters. A letter will be sent announcing the time and date. Please join the entire membership at the Regular Meeting and Annual Christmas party on December 11, 2003.

Sound & Communication Members The negotiation for the Sound & Communications agreement was settled and ratified by membership. A letter to all S & C members will be sent detailing these changes. Please join the entire membership on December 11, 2003 for our regular meeting and Annual Christmas Part

Fraternally,
Bruce P. Gouley


Upcoming Events Holidays	Inside this issue.
*Regular Meeting* *7 P.M.* December 11, 2003 *Bar-B-Que* None for December *Retirees Club Meeting* December 3, 2003 Special Call Meeting at the Union Hall December 10, 2003 - 7:00 PM *Santa at the Union Hall* December 13, 2003 - Noon Christmas Off Days December 25 & 26, 2003 - Inside & Residential Agreements December 25, 2003 - S&C Agreement Only *New Years DAY* Janurary 1, 2004	Business Manager's Report Congratulations Condolences Retiree's Corner Other News... 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

No Bar-B-Que before the December Meeting, Join for refreshments after the meeting.

Congratulations
Curtis and Stacy Capitani had a baby boy, Cole Michael,born on Oct 30, 2003
Matt and Deanna Cole had a baby boy, Mathew, born on Nov 9, 2003
Brandon and Brandy O’Neil had a baby boy, Ryan, born on Nov 13, 2003
Chris Goff and Sarah on their Nov 6, 2003 marriage

Condolences
John H. “Hank” Krueger

We are saddened by the passing of long time member and unionist John Krueger. Brother Krueger was initiated into the Brotherhood in September of 1942. He was awarded his 60 year pin in 2002. Condolences to his family and friends.

Retiree's Corner
The Monthly Meetings for the Retirees’ Club are held the first Wednesday of each month. They are NORMALLY 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...

The Christmas Luncheon at Jonesy’s will offer chicken, steak sandwich or shrimp louie.

Ellie Miller won the overnight trip to Reno by attending the Meetings. You receive one ticket at each meeting. After 6 meetings they declare a winner for the Reno Trip. So attend the Retirees Meetings!

We will be collecting deposits for the Death Valley, Las Vegas and Lake Mead tour in March.

Fraternally,
Ken Breckenridge

Upcoming “Electrical Retirees Club” Trips
“Death Valley, Las Vegas, Lake Mead March 22~27, 2004”
“Alaska in ‘04—see our web site for more info”

Looking for ideas for our next “Adventure” and new retirees to join us for the fun

Ken can be reached at (707) 643-4139.

From the President:
I would like to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season. It has been a banner year for our Local Union. The energy market has been driving the man-hours to record numbers.
After much anticipation, work is starting to break at Valero Refinery for Guarantee Electric, formally Fischbach and Moore. As of this writing there are 72 hands with a 10-man call coming for Monday 11/24/03.

I want to thank the members that attended the Solano College Board Meetings. Although there was not a need for us to speak on the issue of the PLA, the support was impressive. The Sheet metal BA asked for affiliates of the Building Trades that supported the PLA to stand up. It makes you proud to have the whole room full of people to stand up and show the Board members who we are.

With winter coming on, please take extra precautions at work. Muddy boots and wet lumber and steel make for a bad combination. Be safe and enjoy a healthy holiday season.

Health and Welfare issues are plaguing the construction industry, and we are not immune from the problem. We are more fortunate than most in the fact that we have alternatives to help with the situation. The special call meeting on December 10th, shall cover the options and the wisdom of the membership shall prevail.

From the Organizer:
With the holiday season fast approaching, I often reflect on what we have to be thankful for. The first thing that comes to mind is family, friends and good health. I also feel thankful for our UNION. Thankful of those who came before us and made the sacrifices that paved the way for the wages and conditions we enjoy and often take for granted.

The continued success and lifeblood of our organization is and will always be ORGANIZING. The officers and staff have been nothing short of excellent in our duty to organize; however, I believe the MEMBERSHIP deserves the most credit. Without the support of you, the rank and file, organizing would fail. Thank you for your commitment to the brotherhood. Thank you for your commitment to UNIONISM.

JATC
Certification Classes: Two classes of 20 each began on November 17th & 18th and will run for eight weeks. The next classes will start in the middle of January. There has been a drop off of sign ups and if we do not have enough for a class we will postpone these classes. We only have until December 31, 2004 to complete our certifications. The cost of the class will be $62.50 for texts and materials due the first night of class.

There will be a Supervision & Productivity Class starting some time in January for those journeyman and fifth year apprentice's interested.

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.

Agents Report
Every company’s operations are different. Some may or may not have Project Managers (PM) that manage and schedule the projects. If you are on your own, the schedule is up to you. What I want to write about is the two or three week schedule.

Commonly called a “look ahead” or “rolling schedule” these schedules take the plan from your head and puts it on paper. It reminds you who and how many are doing what and with what. Moving this from your head helps others understand the game plan and frees your mind to move on to other tasks. For myself, a whole lot of paper is needed because of lack of memory space and function…

Here is a quick start, take a tab of paper and make three columns:
1.    In the middle column make a to do list of the required tasks to be done from now to four weeks out, no order is needed
2.    In the left column number the list from the first installed to the next
3.    In the right column, make note of the special tools or subcontractors needed
4.    Take a standard calendar and start with the first task on Monday (example)
5.    This task takes two days so you draw a line with an arrow from Monday through Tuesday and pointing to Wednesday
6.    In Wednesday, enter the next task and duration to the next
7.    After this is done for all tasks, you will fall back and make notes on the dates to confirm deliveries, subcontractors and extra manpower – as needed
8.    Also on each task, you will note how many men are needed

These simple steps show the crew and the general contractor how this job will progress over the next two to three weeks. If the foreman is off for one day, people can stay on course and schedule. You now have a baseline to base a claim for impact due to outside forces impacting your plans – the general not having the site ready.

I can not teach you how to schedule a job in one short article. However, Larry will be teaching an outstanding class on foremanship starting in January. Scheduling will be one part of the class. If you wish to become a foreman or sharpen your skills – take the class.

Mike Smith

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 11/28/03 Copyright© 2003 *IBEW L.U. 180* *Information on this site has been approved by the Business Manager and L.U. President*