INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756

Vol. 14 No. 2

March 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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“Fair Competition” Clause Now Available

For years, many employers have stated that they would like to provide benefits for their employees if they could just remain competitive.  Well that time has now come through the creation of the Florida Initiative and its “small works agreement”.  Responsible employers can absolutely fulfill that wish yet still remain competitive in their particular market. In addition, this local union has developed a “fair competition” addendum to compliment the “small works agreement”. This progressive resolution basically works as follows.  Joe’s Electric has established a presence in a market that includes medium labor-intensive commercial work and has been successful in obtaining a fair share of the work over the past few years.  His major competitors are Bob’s Electric and XYZ Electric.  This addendum would allow Joe to agree to terms as long as his competition would agree to the same.  The agreement would be non-binding nor activated until all three employers are signed off therefore, competing at the same level.  This would allow for a better standard of living for the employees of all three of the contractors, creating a happier more productive work force.  Bottom line, the conduit is now in place to accomplish the goals of both the employer and employee without any risk of being less competitive.  Yes, it’s about time, so share this with your employer!!!   Read On!!!

            Steve Williams

            Business Manager

 

 Let’s Get it Started

It’s hard to believe that it has been over 10 years since the fight to save journeyman licensing was at its’ peak. Unfortunately, the general public and craftsmen within the Building Trades were the losers in the outcome of this hard fought battle. For years and years the industry invested time and money in education and training to achieve a competent workforce and the methods to enforce the proper distribution of this workforce throughout the industry. This not only helped to insure public safety, but also economic stability for qualified craftsmen.

As you may remember the Legislature, under the direction of special interests, passed legislation which crippled the enforcement of journeyman licensing and along with it life safety and the validation of qualified craftsmen were lost.

It’s time to bring the issue of craft licensing to the front burner again. There may be a temporary slow down in growth, but it is just that, temporary. People will continue to move to Florida by the thousands and the building boom will continue. It would be foolishly reckless not to provide for the safety and quality of life for the newcomers as well as the current residents of our state. Quality and life safety should be at the top of the agenda for our Legislature in the future.

At the time when Florida lost control of journeymen licensing, other states were doing just the opposite and implementing licensing laws. We don’t like to compare ourselves to other states, but California and other high growth Western states have implemented licensing laws. Even “Texas” has done so.

We once had a comprehensive system, which should have been built upon and not eliminated. We can have it again and now is the time to start rebuilding the coalitions of the past and building new ones. Let’s get it started!

    Fraternally Submitted,

   Bill Sweeney

   Vice President

Florida Initiative

 

 

Representatives from the Florida Initiative have been visiting electrical contractors in the state and showing them the benefits of having a working relationship with the IBEW.  Access to qualified journeymen, indentured apprentices and the new classifications of construction wiremen and construction electricians are all part of the new flexible small works agreement.

 

Another advantage employers will have is access to health insurance and retirement plans.  Responsible contractors who are concerned about the health and future of their employees can participate in member and full family insurance available through the IBEW. Benefits for workers and access to qualified manpower is a win-win situation for both employers and employees.

 

The electrical industry is best served when there is a mutually beneficial relationship between labor and management.  Contractors and electrical workers can bring the standards of the trade back up to the level it once held.  This can only be achieved with a genuine employer/employee partnership.

 

 

Dan Hunt

Florida Initiative

Member L.U. 756

 

 

UNION MADE

 

Russ and Michelle Larrimore

are the proud parents of a daughter

Lindsey Danielle Larrimore – January 11, 2007

 

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:

April 11, 2007                         Union Meeting, 7:30 P.M.

April 12, 2007                         Retiree’s Meeting, 11:00 A.M.

May 2, 2007                           Officer Nominations, 7:30 P.M.

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

Henry E. Cosper                    November 30, 2006

Andrew John Paulk                February 4, 2007

We extend our deepest sympathy to their families.

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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 Speed Week and Bike Week this year.  We have a couple of announcements for training opportunities to mention. First off, there is OSHA 30. Buddy Hart will be holding an OSHA 30 class beginning on April 2nd at the Union Hall, from 6pm to 9pm. This class will be held every Monday night except for May 28th (Labor Day) and end on June 11th. There are 8 seats available to JW’s that want OSHA 30. This class is now being added to the 3rd year curriculum for students to complete. As you know our 1st year students are required to complete OSHA 10 and First Aid in their 1st year. Both of these classes will have openings available to our Journeyman Wireman if needed. Please call ahead to be placed on the list so we can contact you when the next class is being held.

 

We also have an EPS-1 (Electrical Project Supervision) class scheduled to start April 3rd. We have 45 students slated to start that class. EPS-1 is a NECA based class and the instructors will be from Jacksonville. This class will be on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s and run until April 24th. We are looking at getting our own instructors qualified for this course along with EPS-2 and EPS-3 in the very near future. There is a class slated for May 22nd to get these instructors qualified. If you are interested in taking the EPS-1 class, please contact your contractor to let them know you are interested. The students for this class will be made up from a list the contractors provide us.

 

There will be a Pipe Bending class coming up this summer. The date for this is to be announced.

 

I also invite you to check out a few websites that offer training. Bluevolt.com, njatc.org, njatc.webex.com and ibewhourpower.com. Please check out these sites for more opportunities for training. The njatc.webex.com is a web site that holds online seminars. The next webinar will be on March 19th and it will be for about 2 hours. This webinar will be about the Solar Industry Curriculum Development. The webinars are free. You can also E-mail the NJATC webinar host at webinar@njatc.org for more information.

 

Please contact the JATC office if you have any questions.

 

386-322-6236 office               C. Scott Jarvis

386-322-6238 fax                   Training Director

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

 

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·  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

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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