THE OBJECTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS

ARE YOU READY ???

Are you ready for a bonafide "third" political party? I know I am. Working families will NEVER have a serious voice in our current "two" party system. Both major political parties are controlled and directed by Corporate interest. That's the facts, end of story. Sooo, what is the solution?? Well, common sense would dictate that working families need a political party that understands and is willing to represent their needs, Simply put, a party that would concentrate on the single issue of quality employment opportunities. My vision (and many others) is that the political platform would consist of issues ONLY as they relate to jobs, enhancements of working conditions, safety in the work place, labor law protections, livable wages, etc....What would not be a part of the discussion would be abortion, guns, sexual orientation, religion or ANY other divisive and/or personal preference issue. Simply put, all priorities would center around you and I being able to provide for ourselves and our families. In my opinion, if the "tea party" folks can effect policy in just a short two years, no one can tell me that the millions of working families cannot have a viable political party operating within a short period of time..... Also in my opinion the natural incubator for this undertaking should begin with the leaders of the AFL/CIO, after all, representing workers is their singular mission and the working family party should be a natural progression of their overall goals... How about it AFL/CIO President Trumpka, Are you up for it ???? The question has been posed and I can assure you that millions of working Americans are waiting on the answer as they are sick and tired of watching a Corporate run Government gone amuck. They are tired of dead and jobs at minimum wage, tired of struggling to make the mortgage, tired of politicians selling them out for selfish short term gains, tired of the never ending political posturing from both major parties constantly fighting for control, and maybe the most important, tired of worrying about their kids and grandkids future as we continue to send more and more of their opportunities to foreign lands. Again I ask?? Are you Ready?? You can make a difference and now is the time to "Stand Up" for America and future generations of working families!!

Money Talks, But Who Speaks For You?

The Legislature

The Florida Legislature, (40 Senators, 120 Representatives) are finishing up their 9 weeks session the first week of May. During this time period an all out assault on working families has taken place. I would not have believed it unless I had seen it myself. Workers representing various labor unions were present throughout the session, monitoring the many bad bills that attack the working class of Florida. These were not just anti-union bills either (although there were plenty of those). I watched as our state Senators and Representatives were falling over themselves demanding that businesses in Florida get all the breaks possible, while simultaneously disregarding the needs of working class citizens. Here are a few bills to research: SB728/HB1283 (limits unemployment benefits), SB830/HB1021 (attacks Collective Bargaining rights of public employees), HB1023 (public union decertification), SB982/HB241 (deregulates wage theft protection), SB1128/HB7274 (Attacks Public Pensions), SB1352/HB923 (outlaws Project labor Agreements), SB2086/HB1355 (makes voting and registering more difficult).
I did meet with the Representative and Senator of my District (Metz and Hays), and gave my perspective of these and many other bad bills. Unfortunately, those in charge have clear marching orders to disregard the citizens and their rights and make our Senate a Corporate Paradise. This Session is over, but I encourage all readers get to know your legislators and contact them (it makes them nervous when they see working folks). For those readers who think this is just a union thing and that it does not effect you, remember this; as the union goes, so goes the middle class!

MEMBERS' CORNER

Dates to Remember:

MEMBER'S DATA BASE

Please let the hall know if you have an active email address, so we may add it to our records for the purpose of short notice communications. Email Steve Williams at swilli0756@msn.com

UNION MADE
	David & Micki Mansfield Are the proud parents of a son David Michael Mansfield January 25, 2011

Special Notes:

• Please note that the IBEW logo is available for the use in the paid notice section for member obituaries in the Daytona Beach News Journal. To use the logo, you must let the funeral home know to ask for the logo to be placed in the paid notice. If the family places the paid notice themselves, they must also request that the logo be placed in the notice. Currently, there is an additional charge of $27 for this logo.
  
• Please make sure that your beneficiary cards are up to date. Due to marriages, divorces and unfortunately deaths, the beneficiary cards need to be updated from time to time. We will be glad to assist you.
  
• Please also make sure we have your current address and phone number so that we can keep our records up to date.

Apprenticeship Report

Our 2nd and 3rd year classes are going to be finishing up soon. Our 5th year class is well on their way to having their block tests passed and getting their licenses. We are looking at graduating eleven new Licensed Journeyman this coming August. Our OSHA 30 class is about to wrap up in the next week.

We are beginning an Electrical Boot Camp for our new apprentices this year. That class will start May 10th and continue for 14 weeks. We have completed all the interviews for this year's class and we are hoping that out of 28 listed, we will have 25 start this August. Roy Moore has proudly stepped up to take on this task. Roy will be our new 2nd year teacher after Bob Nelson retires this year. The NJATC has developed what they are calling a "Core Curriculum" that starts this year and will introduce a new core for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th through the next couple years. Roy is going to follow this class from boot camp right through their 2nd year.

I want to send a big THANK YOU to all of our Contractors and Members that have donated the much needed materials for this boot camp. Without the generosity, this boot camp would not have been able to take place.

A pipe bending class will be coming as soon as we get the boot camp rolling. I still do not have very many names for this class. If you are interested in attending this pipe bending class please contact the JATC office.

A Note From Our Retirees

The monthly meetings of the IBEW Local Union 756 Retiree’s Club are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. with a covered dish luncheon immediately following. Please see the list below for a schedule of the menu. This will be the last meeting for the summer. Meetings will start up again beginning on September 8, 2011. Have a Great Summer!