INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO.
756


Vol. 14 No. 1

January 2007

THE SIDE-CUTTER

EAST COAST EDITION


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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Grab Hold and Hang On

Even though the building trades appear to be starting the new year rather slowly, all projections indicate this year to be a year of rapid and sustained growth…  This is good news, and cannot start soon enough for those of us who “pay the bills” based on the sometimes fickle construction industry.

Even though we continue to perform approximately 6 percent of our work in the residential area, residential has been slow.  However, that being the case, small commercial and light industrial has somewhat propped up the temporary slow down.

The good news, as the title to this article indicates, is this year should be one of our best for all building and construction tradesmen/women.  Power plants, both conventional and nuclear are scheduled for major renovations and in many cases have compressed schedules. The “next generation of flight” for our space program promises updates and even new launch facilities.  These projects will require high skill levels for all tradesmen/women.  In addition, it is projected that the state of Florida will be the leader nationwide in “smart growth”.  This local union fully expects to be involved in all phases of construction and remains excited about the opportunities for our members and their families.

Here’s wishing you and yours a Happy New Year filled with opportunity, good health and wealth…

            Steve Williams

            Business Manager

 


 Nothing Funny at All

I used to laugh at the “Bushisms” that have been so plentiful since “W” came upon the scene. As time has passed it has become abundantly clear that there is nothing funny about George W. Bush and his nefarious band of handlers.

He was very focused and stone-faced the other night as he read the words prepared for him regarding the commitment of additional young men and women to the quagmire in Iraq. His deliberate presentation still could not mask the hypocrisy, which is usually present anytime he utters a word. This time it was when he said that one of the things necessary for the new plan to work is to have a government in Iraq, which answers to the people. Wouldn’t we love to have an administration in our own country, which answers to the people?

Over 70% of the American people, including well-respected members of his own Grand Old Party do not agree with him. Some polling showed only 18% agreed with him. We still have just under 2 years for George Bush and his detestable cadre of advisers to defy the desires of the American People and our beleaguered constitution.

 

As a result of the last election, we have new leadership in both Houses of Congress. The President will surely meet much of what the new Congress tries to achieve with the same defiance through his veto power and other methods. Methods like just ignoring them.

 

Political cycles are broken down into specific times on a calendar. We have elections and then there is supposed to be a time in between elections for the politicians to conduct the business of the people. However, the reality is that there is never any down time in the political cycles. As soon as one ends the next has already started regardless of the date on the calendar.

 

We should not wait until November of 2008 to get involved in the political process. There are activist web sites from the IBEW, AFL/CIO and others which make it very easy to send letters to our elected officials. The Senators and Congressmen also have sites through which they can be contacted. Once you register with such sites it is very quick and easy to become involved.  It does make a difference.

    Fraternally Submitted,

   Bill Sweeney

   Vice President


Florida Initiative

 

 

With the new year comes the prospect of opportunities for workers in the electrical industry in the state of Florida.  In 2006, representatives from the Florida Initiative met with many workers in the electrical trade and invited them to join our ranks in the IBEW throughout the state.  With the new classifications available, workers at all skill levels were able to obtain jobs with signatory contractors throughout Florida.  Contractors using the new small works agreement with these classifications were able to secure more work.  In many locations, electricians and helpers were invited to an industry night where electrical contractors and IBEW representatives informed them of opportunities available.

 

The Florida Initiative is going to continue reaching out to unrepresented workers in the electrical trade in this new year.  Through invitations to industry night meetings, or on the job visits or just word of mouth we will continue to contact electrical workers throughout the state.  Many electrical workers were not aware the IBEW existed in Florida, or they thought it was too hard or impossible to join.  That is not the case, actually the opening sentence to the preamble to the IBEW constitution states as one of its objections, “to organize all workers in the entire electrical industry”.

 

In addition to reaching out to workers, we are also meeting with non-signatory contractors and talking about forming a mutually beneficial relationship with them; after all, employers and employees both need each other.  The IBEW has been a part of the electrical industry for over 100 years, and will continue to be so.  With this new small works agreement and its new classifications there are opportunities for both electricians and contractors.

 

Dan Hunt

Florida Initiative

Member L.U. 756

 


 

UNION MADE

 

Ryan and Sarina Thomas

are the proud parents of a daughter

Amelia EvelynnDec. 12, 2006

 

MEMBERS’ CORNER

If anyone is interested in volunteering for labor walks or phone banks, please contact John Barrington at the union hall.

Dates to Remember:

February 8, 2007                    Retiree’s Meeting, 11:30 A.M.

February 14, 2007                  Union Meeting, 7:30 P.M.

 

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Very Important

 

As you all are well aware, we have gone to the NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan effective January 1st, 2007.  If you had health coverage prior to January 1st you should have received an enrollment packet for the new plan.  If you have not already done so, it is very important that you fill out the enrollment form enclosed in the packet and return it to the NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan in Ringgold, Georgia.  We have enclosed a Quick Reference Guide listing all the contact phone numbers.

 

Unfortunately, we no longer have the expertise of Karen Van Nuss at Administrative Services to assist us with our many health insurance questions.  Karen assisted our members as a courtesy, as all she was supposed to do was handle member eligibility.  However, the staff at the NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan office in Georgia is extremely pleasant and helpful.  They will be glad to assist with any questions you may have.

 

If you have any issues with vision or dental claims or eligibility prior to January 1st, 2007, you will need to contact the Atlanta Office of Administrative Services at 1-800-959-3953.  If you have issues with medical claims prior to January 1st you need to contact BCBS of Florida at 1-800-830-1501.

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

John L. Burton                       December 2, 2006

Richard Darl Mellette            December 13, 2006

We extend our deepest sympathy to their families.

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Our first annual children’s Christmas Party on December 2nd was a huge success! Santa and his elf arrived on a Port Orange Fire Truck with lights flashing and horns and sirens blowing, much to the delight of all the kids.  The kids had a lot of fun decorating cookies and making a few small Christmas crafts.  The thank you card with the children’s handprints was presented to the firemen/firewomen and we have been told that it is hanging up in their sleeping quarters at the fire department.   At gift giving time all the kids were very patient and well behaved waiting for Santa to call their names and give them their gifts.  A huge thanks to Santa and his elf for taking time out of their busy schedules to spend time with our IBEW families.  We can’t wait until the 2007 Children’s Christmas Party.

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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

Hope everyone had a safe holiday break. We would like to start off by congratulating our Apprentices that have completed their 4th year. Joseph Bardwell – Miller Electric, Michael Beauchamp – Miller Electric, Bobby Blackwell – Giles Electric, John Boettner – C&R Electric, Mike Carter – Palmetto Electric, Jarrett Coleman – Giles Electric, Chris Conaway – Woodson & Associates, Justin Dixon – Giles Electric, Hector Flores – Palmetto Electric, Colleen Gaudy – Miller Electric, Beau Griffin – Olson Electric, John Jenkins Jr. – Giles Electric, Richard Kelley – Miller Electric, Michael Lyon, Kennedy Nemasango – Giles Electric, Luis Sanchez – Giles Electric, Larry Stokes – Cogburn Electric, and Paul Rimini – Giles Electric. Make sure to congratulate them on a job well done. This class will resume on January 9th and complete their apprenticeship in August. We are strongly encouraging them to complete their block test this year and thanks to A.J. Pascoe, our 5th year instructor, we should have Licensed Journeyman and Journeywoman turn out this year.

 

We are trying to put together some Journeyman Classes this year but we need to have Journeyman that will attend them and Journeyman that will teach them. If anyone is interested in teaching a class please contact me here at the office or at the Union Meetings that are still held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Union Hall.  I would hope to see more Apprentices that are members of this Local at the Union Meetings.

 

We had an OSHA 30 class scheduled to start on Jan. 6th but we only had 3 people sign up for the class. We need a minimum of 10 to hold a class. The OSHA 30 classes will be held once we have a minimum of 10 people signed up at a later date. There are still openings for the First Aid classes that will be held on Jan. 15th and also on the 17th. Please contact the office here if you are interested.

 

If there is anyone needing UGLIES books we have them here at the office please stop by or call. We would hope that anyone that is interested in training this year to please contact me so we can get something scheduled for you.

 

Thanks to everyone for their support this past year. This year we are hoping to take in 50 apprentices. 30 for the inside program and 20 for the Residential program. We are presently interviewing apprentices every month and we now have around 20 applicants that are ready for interview.

 

Have a wonderful 2007 year and remember to train your apprentice to be the best he or she can be.

 

386-322-6236 office               C. Scott Jarvis

386-322-6238 fax                   Training Director

386-527-2088 cell                   (scottdbjatc@aol.com)

 

C. Scott Jarvis

Training Director
(scottdbjatc@aol.com) 


A WORD FROM OUR RETIREES

Next Retiree’s Meeting will be on Thursday, February 8th at 11:30 A.M. 

This luncheon will be “Pot Luck”.  Bringing a covered dish or dessert would be greatly appreciated.

.

 

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

The Side Cutter c/o IBEW L.U. 756,  5901 S. Williamson Blvd.,  Daytona Beach, FL 32128

Names will remain confidential upon request.


Continuing Education Courses available:
C. Scott Jarvis, Training Director (386) 322-6236

ORGANIZING: Call Bill Sweeney (386) 756-2756


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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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