INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756

1998 ELECTION

The November 3rd general elections are rapidly approaching. Although this is not a presidential election year, many important local and state races will be determined.

The Space Coast Central Labor Council recently screened all candidates running for office in Brevard and Volusia Counties. In conjunction with the local candidates, all state and congressional candidates were invited and all respondents were screened. The purpose of candidate screenings is to ask questions that are relevant to working men and women of this state. Based on the candidate’s response, the endorsement process is finalized and the affiliate unions encourage all members to support these individuals. The process is not to tell anyone how to vote, but this committee of many different union representatives takes the time (almost a week) to meet with, and get to know, these candidates.

Most working people don’t have the time to get involved in this extensive process. The individuals who do volunteer their time to research the philosophies of candidates and eventual electorate should be commended for the many hours required by the endorsement process. The decisions reached by the committee are representative of the diverse group voting on each candidate and requiring a 2/3 majority to endorse. Please consider these recommendations and the process utilized to reach majority consensus in order to achieve endorsement when you visit the polls.

Remember, in order to vote in the General Election, you must be registered to vote by October 5th. You may register at any Post Office, Court House, Division of Motor Vehicles or this Union Hall. Remember, "You can either do politics or have politics done to you". Organized labor has experienced the latter. The time to change that fact is NOW!!!!

Steve Williams

Click here for a list of endorsed candidates.

THE TRUTH ABOUT UNION DUES

Each member of Local Union 756 pays union dues to his/her organization and the breakdown is as follows:

Each member also pays a Working Assessment (4%) when working for a union contractor.

HOW MUCH "DUES" DO NON-UNION ELECTRICIANS PAY EACH WEEK?

Example: If a union Journeyman worked 40 hours at $14.75 per hr. + $4.69 in benefits his total gross package would be $777.60. After 4% working assessment of $31.10 is deducted he has made $746.50 gross income.

A non-union Journeyman worked 40 hrs. at $12.00 per hour but he paid $1.50 per hr. for health insurance for his family. His adjusted wage is now $10.50 per hr. And his weekly gross is $420.00.

If you subtract $420.00 from $746.50 earned by the union Journeyman, you have a difference of $326.50 per week in "non-union dues" by not belonging to the union.

IT PAYS TO BELONG TO THE I.B.E.W.

If you are already out there doing the work in the jurisdiction of Local 756 why not be receiving the benefits you deserve. For more information just give us a call and we will meet with you anytime. Since your employment and union membership involves not only you but also your family we will meet with you and your family at your home through our "Housecall Program".

Call or stop by the Union Hall, all inquiries are strictly confidential.

(904) 756-2756

5901 Airport Road, Port Orange, Fl.

******************************************

QUOTES WORTH REPEATING

This is what some religions say about unions:

"Labor unions have been instrumental in achieving a higher standard of living and in improving working conditions. They have helped to obtain safety and health measures against occupational risk; to achieve a larger degree of protection against child labor; to relieve the disabled, the sick, the unemployed; and to gain a more equitable share in the value of what they produce. These and other gains which labor unions have done much to win have reached far beyond their own membership and have benefited those who have not shared in the activity."

"We recognize the right of labor to organize and to engage in collective bargaining to the end that labor may have a fair and living wage, such as will provide not only for the necessities of life, but for recreation, pleasure, and culture."

"Collective bargaining, in its mature phase, is democracy applied to industrial relations. It is representative government and reasoned compromise taking in the place of authoritarian rule by force in the economic sphere. In its highest form it is the Christian ideal of brotherhood translated into the machinery of daily life. It was proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah when he said ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.’ "

"Labor can have no effective voice as long as it is unorganized. To protect its right it must be free to bargain collectively through its own chosen representatives."

"We believe that the denial of the right of workers to organize and to form group associations so that they may treat as economic equals employers is tantamount to a curtailment of human freedom. For that reason, we favor the unionization of all who labor."

As a Union Member I was very pleased to come across some information that was more accurate and positive regarding organized labor. I found the above quotes on the web/site of I.B.E.W. Local 108

Tampa, Florida.

Respectfully submitted by: Bill Sweeney

JOHN GLENN RETURNS TO SPACE

On October 29th Senator John H. Glenn, Jr., is scheduled to make his second flight into space. In 1962 Astronaut Glenn, aboard the Friendship 7 , became the first American to orbit the earth. Aboard the space shuttle Discovery in October, Senator Glenn, at age 77, will have the distinction of being the oldest person in the world to fly in space.

Members of this local union were part of the support team back then, as well as now. We remain proud of our contributions to the space program.

MEMBERS’ CORNER

We are proud to report that we have added several new benefits to our Health & Welfare Fund. Effective October 1st , they are:

VISION BENEFITS - When using specified doctors after a $10.00 deductible, the Plan covers the full cost of a complete visual analysis every 12 months; lenses every 12 months, and frames every 24 months.

WELL BABY CARE - Dependent children from birth to thru 6 years of age. Physicals and appropriate immunizations with be a $10.00 co-payment if using a PPO provider. If not using a PPO provider it will not be subject to the deductible and will be paid at 80% of the charge.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION - For eligible employee and spouse only. One complete routine physical for up to $200.00 each calendar year.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Dates to remember:

October 14th - Union Meeting

November 3rd - Election Day

December 12th - Christmas Party

************************************************

UNION MADE

Lynn and Robert Burk are the proud parents of a daughter

Kacie Lynn Burk - born August 6th

Susan and Barry Bostwick are the proud parents of a son

Jacob Immanuel Bostwick - born August 21st

Susan and Scott Michels are the proud parents of a daughter

Madison Nicole Michels - born August 25th

***************************************

Continuing Education Courses available: For information contact Holmes Davis, Training Director 756-2776.

ORGANIZING: Call Bill Sweeney 756-2756

**********

REMEMBER TO VOTE!

IF YOU NEED A YARD SIGN OR BUMPER STICKER, CALL US AT THE UNION HALL.

**********

Coming next issue, Old Timers Column, written by Frank Fusco.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

`U’ are the most important part of U N I O N !

IBEW #756 Home Page | What We Believe

Side Cutter | Officers | Location | Apprenticeship

Members On-Line | Comment Page

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

Internet Design by
Lloyd Davis
TYL