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I am proud to announce that we have concluded our labor negotiations. Our signatory employers as well as our membership are progressive and recognize the importance of labor/management cooperation and partnership. This local union and our employers understand and agree that the key to our joint success is continued training and education. The electrical industry is ever changing and we recognize the importance of staying abreast of all the latest technology and installation methodology. In any event the results of these shared beliefs have resulted in a fair wage package for a three year contract. The following outlines the wage increases commencing September 1, 2005 .

These wages and benefits reflect the area market and all journey level electricians should be compensated at these rates or higher. If you are competent, productive and possess a strong work ethic, we invite you to become a part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and participate in the collective bargaining process. IT PAYS TO BE IBEW!!

The housing boom in our jurisdiction is at full throttle and right along with it are the surreal price increases in the most critical commodities of every day living. It has been reported, and we all know, that the cost of a home has increased at least 30% in the last year. In general, wages in our area have remained stagnant and certainly have not kept up with the enormous increases in prices. Somebody is reaping the harvest of the price increases and it is not those who are responsible for the production and delivery of the product, whether it is a house, a machine or a service.

Those who are reaping the harvest are organized and represented by associations such as Home Builders’ Association, Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturer’s Associations and many others. Those directly responsible for the prosperity, the labor force, are for the most part not represented and do not belong to any group or association looking out for their best interests. Doesn’t it make sense that, if companies can prosper and protect their interests by belonging to associations where they share a community of interest, then a worker could do the same. Sure it does and that’s what unions are all about.

Companies are in business to make money and they should. Those responsible for their success, the labor force, should at least earn a living wage with health care and pensions for a retirement with dignity.

It is evident that those workers who are organized do achieve a higher standard through collective bargaining. That is belonging to an organization where you have a community of interest with your brothers and sisters and sticking together in order to reach an agreement in the best interest of both the companies and the labor force.

We have concluded our collective bargaining with our signatory employers and have demonstrated that the organized process works. We are ready to move forward and grow our market share of the electrical industry in our jurisdiction with a three-year contract. The residential market has been booming and is reflected in the increases in our residential wage package.

An essential part of growing our market share is to get our membership involved and to attract qualified electrical workers from the unrepresented segment of our industry, including the residential portion.

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Brother Morgan Remembered

Brother Don Morgan passed away on July 16^th from a short battle with cancer with his family by his side. Don became a member of local union 756 in 1959. Brother Morgan was elected Business Manager of Local 756 in 1977 and served in that capacity for 21 years before his retirement in 1998. During his 21 years as Business Manager, Don served labor in many ways. He was Vice-President of the Florida Building and Construction Trades Council, President of the Volusia County Building Trades and Central Labor Councils, served as a cabinet member for the United Way and also attended many IBEW conventions. Don served as chairman for the Kennedy Labor Relations Council and served on the Executive Board for the Florida Electrical Workers for many years. In 2000, Brother Morgan was inducted into the prestigious AFL/CIO’s Hall of Fame. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

We have regrettably lost two brothers since the last issue of the Sidecutter:

Paul F. Malone July 11, 2005

Don E. Morgan July 16, 2005

Alfred F. Turner, Jr. July 19, 2005

We extend our deepest sympathies to their families.

Apprenticeship Report

Our JATC has been extremely busy in preparation for the new school year, which began August 23^rd. We had over 180 applicants in our electrical and telecommunications programs. We are starting our new class with 25 Inside Apprentices and 13 Telecom apprentices and everyone is working.

Mr. Buddy Hart, Mr. Kurt Durette and I recently returned from a week’s training at the National Training Institute in Knoxville , TN. It was a very busy week as always. There are many changes this year, not to mention the changes to the curriculum and new books.

JATC is in the process of scheduling a Journeyman Cable Splicing Class: Also, we are making plans to implement a new Residential Wireman Apprenticeship program.

We are continuing to make progress on the new building for the JATC offices. We have a target date of September 12^th.

This year we have a large graduating class of 31 new Journeymen Wiremen. Graduation was held on Saturday night, August 13^th at the IBEW union hall. We were all honored to have Mike Williams, President, Florida Building & Construction Trades Council as keynote speaker. Bill Sweeney was our host for the evening and I hope everyone had a great time. This year our top Apprentices are Inside Wireman, Christopher Weathers and Tele-Com Installer Tech, Stephen Duplack. We congratulate the 2005 graduating class as they have made the transition from apprentice to journeyman.

Inside Journeymen Wiremen: Angie M. Adams, Leanne R Keplinger, Troy E. Schaefer, Christopher A. Weathers, Gregg R. Williams, Shelley J. Whaley, Charles E. Michaud, Russell J. Shadowen, Vincent P. Colosi, John R. Carson, Allen V. Budd, Ryan S. Thomas, Grady A. Bellomy, Jason C. Gregorc, Ruthie A. Jordan, Nasser Ghadimi, Keith D. Roberts, William G. Lamb, Pastor L. Mancilla, Joseph R. Cole, Robert C. Martin, Hezekiah H. King, Damian A. Wright, Ricky S. Roth, Charles N. Moore, Jr., Bruce E. Jones, Sterling H. Miller and John R. Bennett, Jr.

Tele-Com: Stephen M. Duplack, Paul E. Segren and Stephen Welch

Vivian Levine

Training Director

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
5901 Airport Rd.
Daytona Beach, Florida 32124
904-756-2756
FAX 904-756-2785
info@ibew756.com

Vol. 12 No. 4	September 2005
THE SIDE-CUTTER
EAST COAST EDITION

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS COMPLETED