| Vol. 6 No. 1 | FEBRUARY 1999 |
THE SIDE-CUTTER |
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INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
| Vol. 6 No. 1 | FEBRUARY 1999 |
THE SIDE-CUTTER |
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VIEWPOINT
Here’s the deal. This great country would not have a middle class had it not been for the dedication, commitment and sacrifices made by organized labor throughout the years. An established middle class is what separates this country from the rest of the world. Is there anyone who really believes that we would have such benefits as worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, minimum wage, social security benefits and Medicare to name a few, without the vision and leadership of the labor movement. History has proven that corporate minds are simply not that benevolent. We should all be concerned with current trends that weaken us as a nation and ask many questions as to our role in this so called "Global Economy". Hundreds of thousands of good jobs have been exported out of this country in recent years and many more will follow. Unfettered Capitalism has resulted in an ever increasing gap between the haves and have nots and if the trend continues the middle class is in jeopardy of disappearing along with this nations status as a world leader. Self serving corporate zealots are responsible for the decline in our standard of living. This is not only unacceptable but unpatriotic as well. The truth is, multi national corporations have zero loyalty to this or any other country. There loyalty begins and ends with the "Bottom Line" Our only recourse as taxpayers is to demand a payback for the millions of dollars in corporate welfare given annually by our elected representatives. A good starting place to express our concerns is election 2000. We should only consider candidates that understand the importance of an established middle class. Well, enough of my rambling.. Anybody know what F.I.C.A. stands for? I didn’t either until our International Vice President enlightened me at a recent meeting. Like most folks, I only know that it is Social Security and I pay into it weekly. President Franklin Roosevelt created the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) and was named so to imply that "contributions", not taxes, were being taken out of the worker’s paycheck. More than 70% of families in this country pay more into F.I.C.A. (more commonly known as payroll taxes) than into income tax. While there have been declines in income taxes paid to the Feds over the years, payroll taxes or FICA have increased 800% since President Roosevelt won congressional approval to implement it. Further, when the politicians talk about tax cuts, they are referring to income tax cuts not payroll tax. In the past 30 years payroll taxes have increased from 12% to 34%. In short, Congress has quietly legislated a shift from a fair income tax to an unfair payroll tax. If not for the payroll tax surplus, there would be no federal budget surplus. This is set up so that the working poor pay the exact same amount as multi millionaires, therefore, beware when politicians speak of tax cuts to benefit us all. Cause it ain’t so!
Stephen R. Williams
Business Manager L.U. 756 IBEW
INFORM THE UNINFORMED
FAIR WAGES, GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS, HEALTH BENEFITS, SECURED RETIREMENT AND RESPECT ON THE JOB. These are the basic things that any worker should expect from their employer in exchange for their skills.
Union members have secured these and other benefits through our Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Agreement or contract is the "signed" document between the employers and the local union.
All contractors have a contract with their customers before they start a project. Why shouldn’t all contractors have a contract with their employees??? With a written contract, nobody has to guess about the terms and conditions of employment. Any changes have to be negotiated. These are things that, we as union members, take for granted. This is the information we have to get to the unrepresented workers in our jurisdiction.
We have the obligation, and should have the desire, to provide the unorganized electrical workers with the truth. They certainly are not going to get it from their employers. When we organize electricians, we help them to improve their standard of living and we improve our position for collective bargaining by increasing our numbers.
Contact Books and organizing tapes are available at the hall and we need to continue to distribute these to the unorganized workers in our jurisdiction. They provide information regarding the benefits of union membership in a condensed form.
We request members to come by the hall and pick up books and tapes and distribute them in the jurisdiction. We invite and encourage any non-member to come by or telephone the hall and we will be glad to provide the information you need regarding union membership.
Bill Sweeney - L.U. 756, Organizer
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DID YOU KNOW?
A fortunate 10% of Americans have 70% of the wealth, and 1% of the upper 10% have most of that.
Today, America has the most unequal distribution of income of any major industrial nation.
Because we are dependent upon private enterprises and markets, working families need unions to provide them with a strong and unified voice. Without a strong union movement, corporations will dictate the future of working families without any input from them and no concern for their well being.
Bill Sweeney
MEMBERS’ CORNER
We are pleased to announce that effective January, 1999, an increase in NEBF pension benefits has been placed in effect. Any NEBF retiree with a pension effective date of January 1, 1999, or later, who has not incurred a "break in service" will have their benefits computed on the basis of $28.00 per month per benefit service credit. The minimum disability payment for vested participants who become totally and permanently disabled on or after January 1, 1999, will be increased to $560.00.
All retirees and beneficiaries on the NEBF pension rolls as of December 31, 1998, will receive a 2% increase in benefit payments commencing with the NEBF payments due for the month of January, 1999.
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VERY IMPORTANT
FOR THOSE REACHING RETIREMENT AGE!
It takes at least 9 months for NEBF to process a retirement application. Therefore, we suggest that you apply at least 1 year prior to your intended retirement date. This will avoid any unnecessary delays in your retirement plans.
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Reminder
Please make sure that your beneficiary cards are up to date. Due to marriages, divorces and unfortunately death, the beneficiary cards need to be updated from time to time. We will be glad to assist you.
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I would first like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope your holidays were enjoyable. With the work situation improving hopefully the New Year will be very prosperous.
I am sure most of you know by now that Brother Carter resigned as President and the Executive Board elected me to fill the remainder of the term. I am proud to be your President and will do the best job I can for our local.
If any of you are interested in committees, please let me know, as I will be having a few openings.
Also, negotiations are coming soon and I will be appointing a negotiations committee. Anyone interested in being involved, let me know in the near future. There will be more discussion on this at the union meeting.
Remember! Our union is only as strong as its members. Be involved ! See you at the next union meeting. PAC and Advertising at 7:00 p.m. Union meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Fraternally,
John Barrington
President
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Dates to remember:
Feb. 10, 1999 - Union Meeting - 8:00 P.M.
Feb. 11th - Retiree's Meeting - 11:30 A.M.
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We have regrettably lost four of our retired Brothers.
Dewane D. "Tommy" Thompson - Nov. 04, 1998
Ronald E. "Ronnie" Pine - Jan. 05, 1999
Herman W. "Pete" Peterson - Jan. 10, 1999
Raymond J. "Ray" Lammers - Jan. 23, 1999
They will surely be missed. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to their families.
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UNION MADE
Rodney and Arletha Mack
are the proud parents of a son
Roman Renard Mack
- December 22, 1998
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Continuing Education Courses
available:
For information contact Holmes Davis, Training Director
756-2776.
ORGANIZING: Call Bill Sweeney 756-2756
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THE SPACE SCHEDULE
*A Delta II rocket is scheduled for launch 4:07 p.m. February 6th on the "Stardust" comet sample return mission.
*Shuttle Columbia is scheduled to lift off in Mid-April. It will carry an advanced X-ray telescope.
*Shuttle Discovery is scheduled for launch May 13th on the second flight for construction of the international space station.
*Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for launch August 5th on the third international space station construction flight.
*Shuttle Endeavor is scheduled for launch Sept. 16th on the shuttle topography mission.
*For a recorded message of upcoming launches, call (407)867-4636.
*For rocket launch information, see Web site: http://www.pafb.af.mil/launch.htm
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INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
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LOCAL UNION NO. 756
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