INTERNATIONAL
BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
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Vol. 11 No. 2 |
May 2004 |
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THE SIDE-CUTTER |
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THE OBJECTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL
WORKERS
TO ORGANIZE ALL WORKERS
IN THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, INCLUDING
ALL THOSE IN PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING INTO LOCAL UNIONS,
TO PROMOTE REASONABLE METHODS OF WORK, TO CULTIVATE FEELINGS OF FRIENDSHIP
AMONG THOSE OF OUR INDUSTRY, TO SETTLE ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
BY ARBITRATION (IF POSSIBLE), TO ASSIST EACH OTHER IN SICKNESS OR DISTRESS, TO
SECURE EMPLOYMENT, TO REDUCE THE HOURS OF DAILY LABOR, TO SECURE ADEQUATE PAY
FOR OUR WORK, TO SEEK A HIGHER AND HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING, TO SEEK SECURITY
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, AND BY LEGAL AND PROPER MEANS TO ELEVATE THE MORAL,
INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF OUR MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND
DEPENDENTS, IN THE INTEREST OF A HIGHER STANDARD OF CITIZENSHIP. The Side
Cutter is a publication of I.B.E.W. Local Union #756 -
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HOW TO CLEAN A
TURTLE
I was recently at a meeting discussing current events
and things of great importance when one of the participants made the comparison
of computer technology to that of
“cleaning a turtle”. My response
was, say what!! However, after
explanation it made some sense to me.
You see, my good friend explains that the best way to be proficient at
operating computers is to develop, throughout life, the skills that seem to
come so naturally to our children and grandchildren. It’s like us just naturally knowing the
fastest and most efficient way to clean a turtle. (He ain’t talking about
giving it a bath!) Well, the truth is
I’m feeling pretty down about this time since I am terrible on computers and
know even less about cleaning turtles.
In my defense I am a quick study and listen carefully to those that have
the expertise and life long experience through exposure, many times out of
simple necessity for survival. The point
that was being made was that you have to have some point of reference in order
to relate. These points of reference are
from life long learning and the experiences that result. Unfortunately, for working folks the current
administration has NO reference point or barometer in which to relate to what
many are now experiencing. For example,
trying to make a mortgage payment, obtain family health care, pay for fuel, and
the nine zillion associated expenses that are required to sustain a family in
today’s climate. These elitist people in
power who make decisions daily on our behalf are absolutely clueless as to what
working families struggles are in their effort to maintain some level of
quality in their daily lives. It is
everyone’s responsibility to remind our elected representatives of the
priorities that impact the majority of American working families. Stopping the outsourcing of jobs would be a
great start. Failure to stand up and be
counted will result in the continuation of the systemic erosion of the middle
class that has made this country the best in the world. Since the current
Administration simply does not know how, maybe it is time to elect those that
have the experience or are willing to listen and learn the ways to “CLEAN A
TURTLE”…..
P.S. next issue, how to smoke mullet…
Steve
Williams
Business Manager
HIDE THE TRUTH
The last three words were left out of my article in the
last edition of the Side-Cutter. The article was entitled “Masters of Deceit”
and the last three words were supposed to be “hide the truth”. Those missing
words seem appropriate for the title of this article. Keeping the truth from the American public
appears to be routine, and is “business as usual” for President Bush and his
administration.
The latest example is the handling of the prisoner abuse
situation in
The
secrecy of the energy task force, headed up by Dick Cheney, is another example
of the disdainful attitude this administration has toward the rights of
American citizens to information, which has dramatic affect on their daily
lives. Gas is over $2 a gallon and has an affect on every phase of our lives,
but according to Bush/Cheney we don’t even have the right to know who was on
the task force, much less what they planned for us. We know Ken Lay, former
Enron executive, was one of them if that’s re-assuring for you.
Here’s
another one you’re probably not aware of and the Bush/Cheney team surely
doesn’t want you to be. We are borrowing $50 BILLION a month from COMMUNIST
Did
you know that the Energy Department spent $330 million taxpayer money to
reimburse private contractors for legal bills, including for lawsuits they lost
and settlements of sexual harassment and whistle-blower allegations. When a
private contractor for the Department of Energy gets sued for engaging in
wrongdoing, 95% of its legal fees and settlement costs get paid by the federal
government. Are they some more of Bush/Cheney’s corporate buddies?
This administration’s dealings with corporations and
individuals, with more than dubious reputations, are outrageous. Ten companies
with billions of dollars in
A
company from
How
about this one for a little Bush/Cheney Hypocrisy? Another company was found
guilty of ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS and bid rigging. They were awarded a
Hopefully,
the cloak of secrecy and deceit worn by Bush and his administration will
continue to unravel between now and November and will at least become
transparent to the majority of the American public. You know! The majority who
didn’t vote him in in the first place.
Bill
Sweeney
Organizer
GREETINGS FROM YOUR
BUILDING TRADES REPRESENTATIVE IN
Hello
workers in the electrical industry. My name is Mike Williams, past Business
Manager and current member of IBEW Local 177. I appreciate Business Manager
Steve Williams giving me the opportunity to communicate with you. I have the
honor and responsibility of working for each of you as President of the
The
Council is comprised of the 50
The primary responsibility of the Council is
Legislative. Specifically, any issue
affecting workers in the construction industry that is being considered by the
State Legislature or an entity of State Government. With the assistance from each Building Trades
Local, including #756, the Council works to influence such legislative issues
to result in a positive impact for our workers. The Council also works with the National
Building Trades Department on our workers’ issues in Congress at the Nation’s
Capitol.
The
Council is very involved in the election process of our public officials.
Generally, our Legislative ability to successfully represent workers in our
industry is directly proportional to the number of Legislators that share our
views. As a result, we work hard to influence elections such that we will
produce Legislators that will work with us rather than work against us.
On
behalf of each of you, the Council is involved in many other activities that
are too numerous to name in this message. Be aware that you have a voice in
Sincerely,
R.
Michael Williams, President
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Clayton & Lisa Simons Rusty & Michelle Larrimore |
Jeremy & Jennifer Ertleare
MEMBERS’ CORNER
Dates to Remember:
June 2nd -Local
Union Elections
June
9th – Union meeting
We also presented year pins at the picnic. We were fortunate enough to have five of our
50 year members present to get their pins.
They were Byron B. (Pete) Cox, Joseph P. (Pete) Davies, Arthur B. (Brad)
Doughty, Leroy R. Hawkins and Frederick E. (
In addition to these five 50 year members there are
several more 50 year members that have achieved this very impressive
milestone. They are, Donald L. Carter,
Lawrence R. Craddock, Morris P. Culpepper, James R. Haller, James S. Harrison,
Fred R. Hughes, Paul C. Jeans (posthumously), Bryant W. O’Quin, Lawrence B.
Parker, Richard C. Ransom, Martin J. Severson, Hubert J. Smith, Clyde L. Snell,
George H. Vaughn, Everett J. Waters and James R. Westberry.
We are pleased to also be able to present to Peter
S. Parise his 55 year pin for dedicated service to the IBEW.
Congratulations to all of these retired members on
receiving such a prestigious award!
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We have regrettably lost four Brothers since the last issue of the
Sidecutter:
Frank J. Heller
Paul C. Jeans
Apprenticeship Report
The JATC will be indenturing
25 Inside and 15 Tele-Com Apprentices for the Fall of 2004. Please encourage people to apply, as there is
not much time left. The last aptitude
test before our selection is
Congratulations to our
Tele-Com Apprentices who placed into the 4th year of the Inside
Wireman program
after completing the Proficiency Exam.
Not an easy task. We, as the
Daytona Beach JATC, invested our time and energy into this process. Students, instructors, IBEW, contractors,
NJATC and NECA have used the approved, accredited Proficiency Test to make our
final decision. Thanks to all of you.
Apprenticeship graduation has not been scheduled yet
due to the fact that our 5th year apprentices will not complete
class until
Buddy Hart has accepted our offer to become our new
OSHA instructor. Bob Nelson will teach a
(3) week math class for the new selection before classes begin in August. Kurt Durette is our 4th year
instructor this summer and A.J. Pascoe is teaching our 5th year.
Our web page address has changed to electricalcareer.net
As always, I’m asking for your help. I welcome all Journeymen to please feel free
to call me with any suggestions or ideas for additional continuing education classes. Let me remind you that the pathway for
Journeymen certification for Tele-Com is in place with our National JATC and
all we need is the interest of all of you to put it in place here. Have a great summer!
Vivian Levine, Training Director
· Tips, topics,
suggestions, and criticisms are welcome. Send your responses to:
The Side Cutter c/o IBEW L.U.
Continuing Education Courses available:
Gail Jackson, Training Director 756-2776.
ORGANIZING:
Call Bill Sweeney 756-2756
IBEW #756 Home Page | What We Believe
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INTERNATIONAL
BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
5901 S. Williamson Blvd.
Daytona Beach, Florida 32128
386-756-2756
FAX 386-756-2785
info@ibew756.com
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