FLORIDA INITIATIVE      

The IBEW will ring in the New Year with an exciting and comprehensive program to enhance membership and employment opportunities in the State of Florida .  This is a positive and progressive concept that considers the needs of both the electrical worker as well as the electrical contractor.  Under the direction of International President Edwin D. Hill, representatives have been assigned to facilitate the “Florida Initiative”, which includes the creation of a new employable and permanent classification.  This new classification, Construction Wireman - Construction Electrician, will allow for those qualified electrical workers to have access to electrical construction referrals as well as membership in the IBEW.  At the same time allowing the employer to remain competitive by establishing a composite crew structure.  With the rapid growth that is expected to continue in Florida , the opportunities are endless.  Simply put, any person engaged in the performance of electrical construction now has the opportunity and invitation to become a member of the IBEW.  Our future is bright and we invite those that may have been “locked out” in the past to check out this newly implemented program that will enhance our industry, the IBEW and YOU!!          

Steve Williams

                                               Business Manager

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It’s hard to believe, but here we are, well underway into 2006! There are opportunities out there for us to take advantage of this year, both in job and membership growth as well as political. As we have pointed out many times in the past. It is hard, if not impossible, to separate politics from the things most important in our daily lives. Things like good paying jobs with benefits to provide health care and retirement security. Things like laws to provide safe workplaces and real accountability for those who violate them, both in the public and private sectors. Things like protecting our environment in order to provide clean air and water for our families. You would think these things would be obvious and desirable to those who tout family values.  

In the Chinese calendar, 2006 is “The Year of the Dog”. It may well be “The Year that the Chickens came Home to roost” for the two legislatures controlling the Country and the State of Florida .  Several years ago, “Jeb and the Gang” abolished the Department of Labor and Employment Security. It just so happens that within that department was the Division of Safety. There were about 220 inspectors throughout the State, who were responsible for industrial safety and health conditions on sites including governmental facilities. Just last week we had an industrial accident here at a Daytona Beach wastewater treatment facility, which claimed the lives of two workers and a third is in critical condition. Now a local state representative, who is a member of “Jeb’s Gang”, is considering having state lawmakers step in, since federal officials aren’t interested in tighter regulations. Well, prior to her party having a death-grip on the legislature, we had tighter regulations.  

Remember the fight we had a few years ago, to save craft licensing; or more importantly, the genuine ability for local officials to enforce the licensing laws?  As important as it was to the safety and well being of families and the workers themselves, it too fell victim to the whims of Jeb and his legislature. It was not too long after the reckless legislation was passed that a youngster was electrocuted at a bus stop, which was wired by an unlicensed electrician. As you may recall, this took place in the home district of the member of “Jeb’s Gang”, who sponsored the legislation.  

It seems as if this “gang” has no regard for the state constitution, as they passed a school voucher plan, which has recently been deemed un-constitutional by the State Supreme Court. Let’s not forget the lame-brain idea to invest millions of dollars of state workers pension money in ENRON stock, after it was public knowledge there was something fishy going on. Over-privatization of public services is just one more thing on a seemingly endless list of things that show what this “gang” is all about, and it isn’t the well being of working families. The ”chickens” aren’t only heading to Tallahassee . There’s a multitude of them heading for Washington to roost on Capital Hill.  

The West Virginia coal mine disaster brings the questions: Why are so many jobs just left completely unfilled at the Mine Safety and Health Administration?  Who is in charge of doing something after a mine gets 205 safety violations in a year? How much has the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s budget been cut since 2001?

Prior to this mining disaster, the last federal agency to deal with national disasters was FEMA during the last two hurricane seasons. We know all too well how efficient that “gang” was after being “reorganized” by the administration in Washington .  

There is a list of things going on in Washington that parallels the one I mentioned in Florida , only on a much broader scale. The two mentioned above just happen to be in the forefront at this time. With corruption, deficits, wars and Patriot Acts there will be much to cover in the coming “Election Year”.  Politics will be an important part of our plan to take advantage of the opportunities, which lie ahead, especially during this coming year.

2006 -  “The Year the Chickens came Home to Roost”.

    Bill Sweeney

    Organizer

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Gail Jackson, Training Director 756-2776.

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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

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