INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756

Vol. 13 No. 3

May/June 2006

THE SIDE-CUTTER

The Side-CutterEAST COAST EDITION The Side-Cutter

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 - Daytona Beach, Florida.

  

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WE’RE ALL SAFE ONCE AGAIN

 

 You know the old saying “no one is safe while the legislature is in session”.   Well, the 2006 Florida legislative session came to a close late in the evening on May 5th (Sine die)..    During this 60-day time frame many proposed bills made their way through a variety of committees and eventually (if not killed in committee) proceeded to the House and Senate and finally to the Governor’s desk for signature or the dreaded VETO pen.  The latter was the fate of a labor sponsored training bill that would have provided for an additional 3 million dollars to apprenticeship programs for training approximately 1500 students statewide.  EDUCATION GOVERNOR!!??????  We are experiencing an extreme shortage of skilled tradesmen and women and traditionally the trades rely on apprenticeship programs to provide for all trades construction needs.  Other means of funding for training must be found if the building trades are to expand its sorely needed work force. 

The Florida Initiative is rapidly moving towards its goal of strengthening the electrical construction industry, Statewide.  The initial reception by most employers and electrical tradesmen has been positive and everyone seems to understand the concept.  That is, for all parties both labor and management, to prosper from standardized and progressive collective bargaining language.  As reported in the last newsletter, the initiative allows for employable classifications of every skill level maintaining the highest standard of living established by the electrical construction market.  That market continues to be very strong and I encourage both employer and employee to capitalize on the current boom we are now experiencing.  The conduit to excel and fulfill your potential is now available through the Florida Initiative for ALL in our industry.  Please contact this Office or the Florida Initiative Office at 407-678-1127 for further information and to become a part of this historical and positive change in Labor/Management relations.

                       

Steve Williams

                                                Business Manager

HERE WE GROW AGAIN

 

It would be practically impossible for anyone who has lived in Florida for a few years not to recognize the unbridled growth of our state as we race toward becoming the 2nd most populous state in the country. It is certainly true for those of us born and raised here. Our natural coastline is disappearing and is being replaced by condo canyons. There are more and more boats, but fewer places to launch them. All of our roads are over crowded and their expansion projects are obsolete before they are completed. Where am I going with this? I guess I just hate to see the real Florida being sold out from under us while the working families of Florida are being exploited and obscene profits are being sent to places like the over 200 banks in the Cayman Islands. I can’t help but think of the “carpetbaggers” after the Civil War. Anyway, as this simultaneous growth and destruction is going on, something is happening to our industry.

While we are wrapped up and pre-occupied with the fast pace of daily living in this environment, and with burdens being placed upon the average worker, we are unwittingly witnessing the decline of our industry. We are busy trying to figure out how to cope with high fuel prices and 75% increases in the cost of our homeowners policies and many are no longer paying attention to the condition of the industry. The electrical industry has been good to many of us and can still be for those coming after us, but we must recognize what has happened in the past and where we must go in the future.

The industry was always strong in our area and an electrician was a skilled craftsman who was looked up to. The skilled craftsmen are still here, but the perception of anyone in construction, including electricians, is no longer respected. The industry is very competitive now, as it has always been. But in the past it was more organized and almost everybody was pulling and pushing in the same direction with the goal being the best interest of the industry and its craftsmen. Even as we became a divided industry, the union and non-union sectors worked together, at times, to protect the industry in our area and keep it strong. A few years ago the licensing issue was perhaps the best example.

 

We have always expressed the importance of all electrical workers sticking together and that there is strength in numbers. In the last issue of the Side-Cutter, Dan Hunt expressed his thoughts about shaking the “them and us” attitude and getting on with achieving our common goals. We have been consistent in our message to the unrepresented electrical workers and will continue to be.

 

We have reported in recent Side-Cutters that due to the massive growth in Florida, the International Office has established the Florida Initiative. This initiative includes a small works agreement and has established new classifications.

 

This initiative can be the tool we need to put the industry in our area back on the track to regaining the respect and dignity the electrical industry once had here and is deserving of now. The “them and us” attitude is not limited to the electricians, but also exists within the ranks of the contractors. When we are divided, we are not strong and are subject to and heavily influenced by outside forces. Imagine the strength of our local industry if all of the contractors and electricians worked together in the same IBEW/NECA partnership and we had one quality apprenticeship program.

 

The shortage of skilled manpower has been talked about for at least 10 years and is upon us, BIG TIME. We should be able to solve this problem together, unify our local industry, and take advantage of the current and projected growth.

 

    Bill Sweeney

    Organizer

 

UNION MADE

 

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MEMBERS’ CORNER

Transitions

We are pleased to introduce Scott Jarvis as our newly appointed Apprenticeship Training Director.  Scott is a 20-year member of the IBEW and has been an instructor since 2000. He has attended many industry related classes including the National Training Institute in Memphis, Tennessee.  Welcome Scott, we wish you all the best in your new position.

Dates to Remember:

June 14th            Union Meeting, 7:30 pm

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Labor Day Celebration

Sept. 3rd – AFL/CIO Poker Run. Sign up 9:00 am.  Caribbean Jacks, Daytona Beach.  Last bike out 11:00 am.

Sept. 4th – AFL/CIO Labor Day Picnic – Bethune Point.  R.S.V.P. to Union Hall.

 

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As most of you know brother Steve Martin has undergone a bone marrow transplant.  At this time, we are pleased to report that Brother Martin is at home doing very well.  We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

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IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE

 

Our address is:  5901 S. Williamson Blvd.

Port Orange, FL  32128

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

William L. Hamilton          April 26, 2006

We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

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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

As some of you already know, there have been some administrative changes in our apprenticeship office.  I am proud to have been asked to assume the responsibilities of the new Training Director. It has been a challenging transition, but things are moving along better than anticipated. Mary has been instrumental in helping with the transition. Since the 15th of May, we have been re-organizing the efforts to better suit the needs of the apprentices, our Union Hall, and our Contractors.

 

I have been interviewing new applicants to better inform them of what type of work they are to perform and what is expected of them when they reach the job site.

 

The committee conducted interviews with the new applicants that have completed their requirements for application on the 16th and 18th of May. We also administered an aptitude test at the Union Hall on the night of the 22nd.  We are in need of construction wiremen and apprentices for the workload coming up this summer. If you know of anyone interested in this program, please send them down to see me at the JATC.

 

On behalf of the Daytona Beach Electrical JATC, I participated in the Job Fair that was held at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Field House on the 24th of May. Things went pretty well. I met a lot of people that were looking into a career change instead of just looking for a job.

 

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at the JATC office. The office is open Monday – Friday from 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. There will also be someone available during the lunch time hour between 12:00p.m. and 1:00p.m. If you need to come by the office after 5:00p.m. please call and the office will stay open as long as needed.

 

Please note that on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of June I will be attending a conference in Hollywood Florida and the office will close at 4:30 p.m. on those days.

 

 

C. Scott Jarvis

Training Director
(scottdbjatc@aol.com) 

A WORD FROM OUR RETIREES

Our retirees’ club is on vacation for the months of June, July and August.  Meetings will resume on Thursday, September 14th, 2006. 

 

·  Tips, topics, suggestions, and criticisms are welcome. Send your responses to:

The Side Cutter c/o IBEW L.U. 756 5901 Airport Road Daytona Beach, FL 32124 Names will remain confidential upon request

Continuing Education Courses available:
Gail Jackson, Training Director 756-2776.

ORGANIZING: Call Bill Sweeney 756-2756

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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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