| Vol. 9 No. 1 | FEBRUARY 2002 |
THE SIDE-CUTTER |
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INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION NO. 756
| Vol. 9 No. 1 | FEBRUARY 2002 |
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.
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REGULATED INDUSTRIES
(The REAL State of the Union)
Many folks subscribe to the notion that the best form of government is the least form of government. While in a perfect world that would be accurate, simple greed and corporate influence makes rules and regulations absolutely necessary. When big business and government become one, you have the ingredients for major abuse at the expense of the general public. This is not liberal rhetoric, although I am sure you have already guessed that I am fixin to launch on Enron, its executives, and the regulatory agencies responsible for protecting consumers against this type of corruption, fraud and political cronyism. This "international corporation" has stolen millions of dollars from thousands of hard working men and women throughout this country. Where is the outrage? I recognize that this doesn’t rise to the level of infidelity but, where are all the Rush Limbaugh type talk show hosts on this issue. Florida public employees lost 325 million, the most of any state in the nation. Where is the outrage?? The Enron Execs sold all their stocks at inflated stock option rates while the rank and file were not allowed to bail. Ya know, company loyalty and all. Well now these loyal employees have zero retirement to live with dignity throughout their twilight years. Sometimes we forget that the media and regulatory agencies have different functions and obligations, (Rush and Company are self admittedly for entertainment), but where was the Security Exchange Commission? You know, the agency responsible for enforcement of anti-trust laws. I can tell you where they are, or at least who they’re obliged to. The Administration’s list of "who’s who" that were Enron’s Officers and Directors include:
Thomas E. White, Sec. of the Army – Past Vice Chairman for Enron
Larry Lindsay, Economic Advisor - Enron Top Brass
Robert B. Zoellick, Federal Trade Rep. – Enron Top Brass
And most disturbing was the hand picked Security and Exchange Commission Chairman Harvey Pitts, who has an aversion to any type of regulation including energy.
Where is the outrage??? There are thirty-one Bush Administration officials who owned Enron Stock, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. It is clear that oil interests have become too powerful and cozy with government. This is further evidenced by Former Deputy Director of the FBI, John O’Neill, who was quoted as saying, "The main obstacles to investigating Islamic terrorism were U.S. oil corporate interests, and the role played by Saudi Arabia in it." Mr. O’Neill quit the FBI in protest, two weeks before the destruction of the World Trade Center towers. After leaving the FBI he took a position as head of security for the WTC. He died on September 11th, 2001, trying to save people trapped by the attack when the towers came down on top of him. What a tragic and horrifying irony. President Bush is no stranger to energy companies mismanagement, although he himself was extremely fortunate. Harken Oil, a company in which Bush was a high ranking officer decided to sell his stocks for $848,560. A two hundred percent profit only one week before the company lost 23 million plus in quarterly earnings and a 60% drop in company stock value. Inside trading? YA THINK!!!!
We absolutely must regulate some industries in order to protect consumers from those who have little or no conscience. Under the veil of "good business" more and more corporations are able to self justify if there is any negative impact on their bottom line. It is ironic that Enron is part of the electrical industry and yet our policy makers continue full steam ahead on de-regulation of power in many States. Locally, as you know our licenses (comp cards) are toast and now they want to restrict communities from enforcing more stringent electrical installations under the guise of uniformity. "Consumer be damned". I admit this article may be premature but I’ll bet a dollar to a donut that our elected officials will not involve themselves in any of the above issues on behalf of the general public. The exception, of course, will be well tailored professional lobbyists. Unless you have access to these folks, your voice is not likely to be heard. Prove me wrong.. My psychic predictions for 2002: Enron will fade away under the excuse that nothing can be done about the past and reform legislation is guaranteed. Local unified code language will pass and our industry will once again be dumbed down to the basic minimums required by the N.E.C.; and our comp. cards will remain off the table so that the least skilled may engage in electrical installations without any proof of competency. Of course they have to be paid minimum wage, that’s still the law, so far. Oops, I forgot employers can still get around that by utilizing the ole independent contractor scam. Another fraud that ignores federal and state regulations. Why? Because there is little or no enforcement. The policy wonks clearly understand that when you are required to have "feel good" regulatory agencies around that the best way to make them ineffective is limit funding thereby making most enforcement mechanism nothing more than filed paper. I know I’m rambling and I’m out of space, but truly where is the outrage????
Stephen R. WilliamsBusiness Manager
IMPORTANT ! IMPORTANT!
IMPORTANT!
MEETING AT PORT ORANGE CITY HALL
CITY CENTER COMPLEX
Dear Licensed Electrician:
Please be advised that the following information is critical to our trade. On January 23rd, the Port Orange City Commission voted unanimously to adopt the amendments to the NEC, making it more stringent for life safety and quality reasons. As you know, the NEC is a minimum standard only. The State of Florida will be adopting the NEC as of March 1, 2002, without exception. This will allow for substandard work, ie; romex in commercial buildings. OUR AREA DESERVES BETTER THAN MINIMUM STANDARDS.
On February 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Port Orange City Hall Complex in City Center, the Port Orange City Commission will have a second reading on these amendments. There are those that are opposed to any deviations from the NEC and will be at this meeting in force. Your presence is critical for the validation and integrity of our trade. Please make every effort to attend this crucial meeting, as we have all worked too hard to maintain the highest level of craftsmanship for our trade. The Electrical Council of Florida, all of the area electrical contractors, both apprenticeship training programs along with this local union agree that we have worked too hard to maintain this high standard. See you at the meeting! If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 386-756-2756.
Steve Williams
Business Manager
UNION MADE
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NO BABIES REPORTED
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MEMBERS’ CORNER
This year our annual picnic will once again be held at YMCA, Camp Winona. The date for this year’s picnic will be Saturday, May 18th. Please note, this is not Memorial Day weekend!!! Map and more info later………
Dates to Remember:February 13th – Union meeting 7:30 P.M.
February 21st – Retirees Meeting 11:30 A.M.
We have regrettably lost five retired Brothers since the last issue of the Sidecutter.
Wilbur H. Wright, Sr. Oct. 19, 2001
Frank D. Walsh Nov. 7, 2001
Richard V. Ebner Nov.13, 2001
Clem C. Newman, Jr. Dec. 6, 2001
Harold D. Wrenn Jan. 10, 2002
They will surely be missed. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to their families.
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APPRENTICESHIP REPORT
Thank you to the many members who sent me your Letters of Support for our employed worker training grant request. It is still in process and I do not know yet if it has been approved. I sincerely appreciate your continued interest and support.
The Journeyman class on Fiber Optics was well received. I will be scheduling additional classes in the near future and will keep you up to date on the schedule. A special thanks to Journeymen Wayne McCormick, Billy Vick Jr., and Bill Lighthouse for their input – I welcome all Journeymen to please feel free to call me with any suggestions or ideas for additional continuing education classes.
I have received many positive comments from the administrators at the College and the Advanced Technology Center regarding the professional and courteous conduct displayed by our apprentices at school. It makes me very proud! Thanks also to our instructors and apprentices for helping me set up the new equipment in our Electrical Lab. With everyone’s help – Daytona Beach JATC is receiving national recognition and we are well on our way to becoming leaders in our industry.
Please note the new JATC office address and telephone: 225 Carswell Avenue, Suite 1, Holly Hill, FL 32117; 386/257-1955
Check out the new NJATC Website:
www.NJATC.orgClasses are now available via the Internet for Word/Access/Excel – you can receive CEU’s for completing this course. Also, if you have your AA degree, you can enroll at the University of Tennessee, via the Internet and receive your Bachelor’s Degree "on line."
Happy New Year!
Gail Jackson, Training Director
Reminder
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.
WHY JOIN THE UNION ?
I can find a job myself. I don’t need a union to get me a job. Sound familiar? Sure, any proud, qualified electrician should be able to land a job by himself. I don’t think the union has ever promised anyone a job. As a matter of fact, the union doesn’t create work. That occurs from the industry and its contractors. The union’s main goal is representation of the workforce. The difference between a union and a non-union electrician is that one is working with a legal, binding agreement guaranteeing wages and benefits and the other is not. And what about dues? That’s always a rallying point that non-union contractors use to discourage his employees from organizing. The truth about dues is that in most cases, the non-union electrician is paying more in dues than union electricians. He’s paying it in the form of lack of wages. And what about the non-union electrician earning close to or even better than the union wage? That’s a carrot the contractor can hold in front of other employees saying, "Look, if you work harder you can earn the same", hence the merit shop. As far as wages and benefits are concerned, there’s power in numbers. If the majority of electricians in any given area were represented by a union, they could all benefit from the strength of Collective Bargaining. There are many positive reasons for joining a union, but it is always best to find out for yourself. I invite any non-union electrician to go to Local Union 756 and research for themselves. You’ve heard your employer’s reason for not joining the union, why not listen to both sides. Ask for Steve Williams or Bill Sweeney, bring a list of questions and decide for yourself.
Dan Hunt
IBEW Local Union 756 Member
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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