The following editorial was submitted to the News Journal editorial section. They chose not to print it. Working men and women deserve recognition for their sacrifices in the workplace. In some cases the ultimate sacrifice has been made. Although untimely for this issue please, READ ON...

April 28th is the anniversary of landmark legislation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was created on this date in 1970. Additionally, the United States Workers’ Memorial Day was created on that date in 1989, as a day of remembrance for the thousands of working men and women who have lost their lives in the workplace. Statistics show that sixty thousand U.S. workers die on the job each year. Many of those fatalities occurred on construction sites in the state of Florida. According to OSHA, 10% of the construction fatalities, nationwide, occur in Florida alone. In addition to these staggering numbers, another six million workers are injured on the job annually.

The Volusia County Council also proclaimed April 28th as Workers’ Memorial Day for Volusia County. As Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 756, and Vice President of the Volusia/Flagler Central Labor Council, I encourage all working men and women to remember their colleagues who have lost their lives in the workplace. Support continued funding for OSHA and ALWAYS WORK SAFE!

Steve Williams

Business Manager

Florida has been consistent in achieving high rankings. Unfortunately the high rankings seem to be consistently negative for working people. We all know that Florida ranks real high in low wages and other conditions having a negative impact on our work force.

Well, this time Florida has achieved a number one ranking. That’s right, number one. Number one in fatalities in construction. Last year there were 68 construction workers killed in Florida. Ninety-three percent of the 68 construction fatalities occurred on non-union job sites. According to the latest data, 59% of the fatalities in our region are occurring in Florida. The Fort Lauderdale and Tampa area offices are currently #1 and #2, in the nation, in the numbers of fatalities investigated by OSHA.

OSHA statistics reveal that over the last three years in Florida, the number of construction fatalities has increased from 50 to 68 (1996-1998). The percentage of fatalities relating to construction compared to the total of fatalities is also increasing from 46% to 51% (1996-1998). The increase in construction fatalities accounts for the increase in total fatalities in Florida. In other words, the non-construction fatalities in the last three years remained fairly constant.

Since 1970, when OSHA was created, the population of Florida has more than doubled. It is unfortunate that, along with this amazing growth, the negative statistics are also rising at alarming rates. Sixty-eight construction workers killed. How many of these deaths did you hear about? Probably not very many. If there had been 68 lawyers, doctors, bankers or politicians killed in the performance of daily work you would have heard about it, and there would have been something done about it.

A large house was being built and the owner of the house stopped in daily to check on the progress. One day she noticed that the roofer wasn’t there. So, she asked the contractor where the roofer was. The contractor told her that the roofer had fallen off of the roof and had broken his back, but not to worry, because he would get another one tomorrow.

There is an apparent disregard and callus attitude toward construction workers. Those workers killed in construction had families. They were husbands, wives, sons and daughters and they had children waiting for them at home. But they didn’t come home one day. Were they expendable? The callus comment made by the contractor would make it appear that they were. If these 68 workers were in any occupation other than construction the publicity would have been extensive and a public outcry would have caused action to be taken.

OSHA has at least recognized the problem and is now trying to do something about it. Even though our elected representatives in Washington continue to cut funding to OSHA, the officials in our region (Region IV) have initiated a new program to address the problem of construction fatalities. Kickoff sessions for the new program, known as C.A.R.E., were held in South Florida on February 24, 1999, and on April 9, 1999 in North Florida.

Construction Accident Reduction Emphasis (CARE) has been initiated to reduce construction accidents and fatalities in Florida by focusing resources on enforcement, partnership and outreach. Additional resources were brought into Florida, beginning March 22, 1999. The emphasis is on South Florida at this time, because the incident rate there is the highest.

South Florida was also the location of another tragedy involving the death of a 12 year old boy who was electrocuted in a bus stop shelter. As a result of legislation passed by our elected representatives in the State of Florida, the ability to enforce licensing was taken away from local jurisdictions. Thus, an unlicensed electrician installed lighting in the shelter five days before the 12 year old boy was electrocuted. The unlicensed electrician and his supervisor have now been taken into custody and charged with manslaughter.

It’s too late for the young man and it’s too late for 68 construction workers, however, something is being done at last. The arrest of the unlicensed electrician and the initiation of the CARE program is only a start. Our elected representatives in Washington and Tallahassee are responsible for bad legislation, which cuts funding from programs designed to protect workers and takes away the authority of local government to protect its citizens and their safety. Let’s not forget to hold them accountable.

Bill Sweeney

Vice-President

"There's a very upset inspector from OSHA to see you, sir."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MEMBERS’ CORNER

Our annual picnic will be held at Camp Winona on Saturday, May 29th. Please try to attend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

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

We have regrettably lost four of our retired Brothers and one active Brother since our last issue of the Side-Cutter.

Daniel Rosetti - March 2nd

Thomas W. Karrick - March 4th

Roland W. Cayard - March 10th

Alfred H. "Jack" Hays - March 12th

George "Harold" Utter - April 11th

They will all surely be missed. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to their families.

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

UNION MADE

Gillian Nichol McCoy - February 18, 1999

What does the future hold for the IBEW?

So where do we go from here? We can still meet potential members when we’re on the job salting, but how about the hundreds of potential members we miss because we never see them when we’re salting? I want you to ask yourself how many unrepresented electricians do you know? Why haven’t they joined our ranks? What is missing? How about education and information? Many of our members have spread the word of brotherhood through "salting". Maybe it’s time we spread the word without having to rely on "getting on the job". I know many of our members know these potential brothers. They hunt with them, they fish with them, they golf with them, they party with them and they even are related to them! So why aren’t they members??

If we are to survive and prosper, we need to become better "salesmen" for our union. Think about it. When you buy a car, what would you do if the salesman just said to you, "This is just what you need" and did not elaborate on all the features within the car that makes your life more comfortable. Tell him or her all about the things that they are entitled to when he or she joins the I.B.E.W. All of our new members can relate to them how you and your families’ lives have changed for the better. Ask them "When you get ready to retire, are you going to do so comfortably or are you going to be working part time? Let them know about our pensions, the Local’s, International and don’t forget the NEBF.

So take the time to talk to ALL potential brothers. If you don’t know the answer to their question, go out of your way to find the answer. After all, we are talking about not only our survival, but whether or not our wages, benefits, working conditions and standard of living keeps getting better.

Potential Brothers, take charge of your life!
Make the switch for you and your family!
My Brothers, keep the faith, spread the word!
In unity, there is indeed, strength!

Stephen E. Ching

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

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