| Vol. 8 No. 2 | APRIL 2001 |
THE SIDE-CUTTER |
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INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
| Vol. 8 No. 2 | APRIL 2001 |
THE SIDE-CUTTER |
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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.
WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
According to OSHA there were 54 construction fatalities this past year in Florida. There were no televised services, no memorial parades, no eternal flames lit in memoriam no fanfare of any type. These working men and women lost their lives at their work place while simply trying to do their jobs and make a living. Their families and friends quietly grieve and the media reports on things of greater interest.
Saturday April 28th is recognized as workers memorial day both nationally and in Volusia County. The Central Labor Council of Central Florida will, this Workers Memorial Day remember individuals who have lost their lives at their place of work with a Memorial Service at lake Eola in Orlando. This candle light vigil is to let the families and friends of these workers know that there are people who care.
I cannot imagine any other type of employment where over 50 employees lose their lives in their workplace in one year and not have public policy to correct the problem. Florida’s answer, our legislature eliminates the Department of Safety. Compassionate Conservatism at work. (Maybe the funds saved will be utilized to update our voting equipment). I am sure that must be the plan. Sorry for the Sarcasm but people working on construction projects in this state should not be considered a disposable commodity. Jobsite safety should be a serious concern for all, however, actions speak louder than words and this legislature as well as the congressional legislation has shown that if there is a negative impact on the "bottom line" then safety is reduced to simple lip service.
Please remember to work safely and just say NO when asked to perform an unsafe task. Tell your employer the real bottom line is that you are not willing to compromise safety for profit. You have nothing to gain and your life to lose; 54 did last year.
OSHA AREA DIRECTOR 904-232-2895
Stephen R. Williams
Business Manager
UNION MADE
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John and Dawn Pearson are the proud parents of a son Sean Patrick Pearson – January 28, 2001 Dale "Russ" and Michelle Larrimore are the proud parents of a son Daniel Russell Larrimore – February 27, 2001 Barry and Kim Bowles Are the proud parents of a son Brady Matthew Bowles – March 7, 2001 A.J. and Carolyn Pascoe Are the proud parents of a daughter Ashtyn Kylee Pascoe – March 15, 12001 Christian and Jennifer Libutti Are the proud parents of a son Christian M. Libutti, Jr. – March 29, 2001
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MEMBERS’ CORNER
THANKYOU! THANKYOU! THANKYOU!
Thanks to retired members Al Gurley for the maintenance work done around the hall, George Severance for the shelving in our storage room and Bob Murphy for the 16-ft. IBEW banner. These retired brothers are giving back to the local union and we wish to thank them for their generous contributions.
Dates to Remember:
May 2nd - Nomination of officers 7:30 PM
May 9th – Union Meeting 7:30 P.M.
May 10th – Retirees’ Meeting 11:30 A.M
May 26th - Picnic
Remember, this is an election year! Nominations for officers will on Wednesday, May 2nd at a special called meeting for nomination purposes only.
We have regrettably lost one active and two retired Brothers since the last issue of the Sidecutter.
Silas H. Connell February 25, 2001
Michael M. Sheridan March 29, 2001
L. Merritt "Hoss" Brown April 6, 2001
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BUSH’S AGENDA WAS PREDICTED
The Bush Brothers’ steamroller is in high gear, full speed and on target. Unfortunately, the working families of America and the land itself are in the bullseye of the target.
Warnings went out before the election. Many heeded the warnings and turned out to vote and this was reflected in the numbers. Over 25% of votes cast were from union households. However, many did not listen and this is evident by who is sitting in the White House. There were those who would not believe that Bush and his "compassionate conservative" allies would do the things that were predicted by labor leaders and environmental advocates. Unfortunately, the Bush agenda is more aggressive and faster moving than most critics expected.
To silence the voices of 13 million union workers is high on the list of both Bush brothers. Paycheck Protection or "Paycheck Deception" as it should be called, is on the front burner in Washington and Tallahassee.
Undercutting union power and effectiveness in the workplace through reintroduction of the Team Act, which will open the door to company controlled unions.
Project labor agreements are under attack in Washington and Tallahassee. One of George Bush’s first executive orders was to eliminate project labor agreements on federal jobs and Jeb is accomplishing this on a state level through legislation. Last year project labor agreements accounted for $13 Billion for the Building and Construction Trades.
In Florida, Jeb Bush is going after state workers with a vengeance. It’s bad enough that he is eliminating 25% of the state work force, but those workers left will have little or no protection. If he accomplishes his goal with state workers you can count on county, municipal and private sector workers moving to the Bush bullseye.
Labor is the only victim in the Bush crosshairs. Environmental issues, which affect the quality of life for average citizens, are also prime targets for these "compassionate conservatives". Another of the president’s first executive actions was to throw out the federal standards on how much arsenic can be dumped into our drinking water. Next he reneged on a campaign promise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Bush said that adding smog controls would be a financial hardship to utilities.
The two industries that will gain the most from Bush’s reneging are mining and electric power which were responsible for two thirds of the 7.7 billion pounds of toxic chemicals released into the environment in 1999. The figures come from the EPA itself and guess what agency’s budget is being cut by 6%? Bush has wasted no time in revealing his anti-worker, anti-environment agenda. His priority is simple and straightforward and that is to fatten corporate profits at all costs. In only three months he has unleashed an unrelenting attack on the working families of America as well as degrading the very air they breathe and water they drink.
Just think about it, this is only the beginning.
Bill Sweeney
Asst. Bus. Mgr.
APPRENTICESHIP REPORT
"FREE MEMBERSHIP TRAINING"
In an effort to enhance our training program, I have been aggressively pursuing various avenues for additional funding. I am pleased to report that our JATC has been successful in obtaining grant funds for apprenticeship and journeyman continuing education.
With this additional funding our JATC can now offer supplementary training classes and material at little or no cost to members or our training committee.
Plans are being developed to offer a NEC update workshop in December. In addition, training will be provided in Motor Control, Fire Alarm service and installation, as well as any other training where sufficient interest is shown. But I need your help. It is imperative that I have an accurate number of members interested in this training to contact me. This will enable our grant documentation to continue and move forward without unnecessary delay.
The JATC also request that members interested in becoming instructors please contact me as soon as possible as that is the obvious first step in scheduling training. We need your skills to be shared with other members. I also would like to thank Brother Bobby Brown for agreeing to teach our conduit bending class. As soon as we have enough signed up for the training we will certainly avail ourselves to his offer.
So please call in and get on the continuing education list as soon as possible. Remember grant funding is predicated on participation; let’s not waste this opportunity for the training classes by not participating. CALL TODAY!! 756-2776
Gail Jackson,
Training Director
Joe Smith started the day early, having set his alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6:00a.m. While his coffee pot (made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (made in Hong Kong). He put on a dress shirt (made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (made in Singapore), and tennis shoes (made in Korea).
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (made in India), he sat down with his calculator (made in Mexico), to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (made in Taiwan), to the radio (made in India), he got in his car (made in Germany) and continued his search for a good-paying American job.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (made in Brazil), poured himself a glass of wine (made in France), and turned on his TV (made in Indonesia), then wondered why he can’t find a good-paying job in AMERICA.
Global Economy Good for Who?
Editorial next issue of the "Sidecutter".
Tips, topics, suggestions, and criticisms are welcome. Send your responses to:
The Side Cutter c/o IBEW L.U. 756 5901 Airport Road Daytona Beach, FL 32124 Names will remain confidential upon request
Continuing Education Courses
available:
Gail Jackson, Training Director 756-2776.
ORGANIZING: Call Bill Sweeney 756-2756
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INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
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