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In the past 20 years, 119,000 IBEW manu-facturing members have lost their jobs.

As delegates to May’s IBEWTelecommunications, Broadcasting and

Manufacturing Conference gathered inAtlantic City in early May, they expressedtheir determination to fight to rebuild ournation’s industrial base. They agreed that, inaddition to stopping bad trade deals, one ofthe keys to growth is “green” manufactur-ing—creating jobs in environmentally-advanced technologies to help restore theAmerican Dream to working families.

Green jobs are no dream for members ofMemphis, Tenn., Local 474, where a 55-per-

son work force at Sharp started producingphotovoltaic panels in 2003. One of only afew unionized solar producers in the UnitedStates, Sharp now employs 190 membersmaking solar panels. The plant is praised byenvironmentalists and studied by academicswho recognize the facility’s progressive laborrelations as one of its keys to success.

The 450-employee Sharp plant, whichproduced TVs until production was out-sourced to Mexico in 2000, also manufacturesmicrowave ovens and copier toner. Japan-based Sharp has been in the solar marketsince 1963, but its sole U.S. involvement wasa sales division in California until the solarproduct line opened in Memphis. The plant’syearly panel output, for residential and com-mercial customers in the United States andEurope, creates 64 megawatts of potentialpower yearly, enough to supply 14,000 homes.

Sharp supplied panels to NorthAmerica’s largest photovoltaic power system,installed by members of Las Vegas Local 357outside Nellis Air Force Base. (See “IBEW

Helps Air Force Harvest Solar Power,”The Electrical Worker, February, 2008).

George Sterzinger, director of NevadaEnergy Independence Partners, a non-profitorganization, worked with Las Vegas Local357 on building a solar array at the union’sapprenticeship training center.

“We bought Sharp solar panels for LasVegas precisely because they were domesticand unionized,” he says, adding that he is hope-ful that the federal government will supportdomestic production and prevailing wages inrenewable energy technologies. The alterna-tive, he says, is that there will be more negativeexamples like the nonunion solar plant inNevada operated by a Spain-based firm with allcomponents made overseas. “They are union-ized in Spain, but not here,” says Sterzinger.

At the Sharp plant, workers solder sili-con solar cells made in Japan into PVC pan-els installed in frames. The units are theninspected and moved into an oven for seal-

2Nebraska local expands its horizons

3Casino workers win with IBEW

4North of 49°

Legislative Update

5Circuits

Organizing Wire

6Transitions

IBEW on Duty

7Local Lines

14Editorials

Letters to the Editor

Who We Are

I n t e r n a t i o n a l B r o t h e r h o o d o f E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r s Vol. 2 | No. 6 | June 2008

Tennessee Members Shine in Solar Panel Plant

I N T H I S I S S U E

Memphis, Tenn.,Local 474 membersShirley Kidd, left,and Adrienne Coleinspect and overlaysolar cells.

SOLAR PANEL PLANT continued on page 2

2 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

“It took a little bit of getting used to butnow it’s second nature,” Kelly said. “Theseguys want to be part of the program, so theircommitment really makes it work.”

City officials and business leaders, ini-tially wary of organized labor, also had to becultivated. “We joined the Chamber ofCommerce,” Kelly said. “We met with leaders

of all the big groups in town. We had to showpatience and slowly try to gain their respect,but the reception has been great.” In March,the local’s apprenticeship program was fea-tured in the local newspaper.

Commonwealth has recruited 15 newemployees in recent months and has receivedcontracts for some big projects, including workon a new school and an ethanol plant. Kaupcredits the IBEW’s emphasis on education andtraining for its success. “Nobody is offeringwhat we do,” he said. “Our schooling is attract-ing people looking for a career, not just a job.”

Bourne sees the work Local 22 has doneas a model for the region. “We can’t just behappy stuck in the big cites, because there isa lot of manufacturing going on in small townsthroughout the Midwest,” he said. “The skilledmanpower shortage is critical in these ruralareas and the IBEW can show great dividendsin the future if we can capitalize on it.” �

Nebraska Local Branches Out

Columbus, Neb., is a small town ofonly 20,000 residents, but it hasbecome a center of manufacturingin the Midwest in recent years.

This has meant plenty of constructionjobs, but the town—90 miles northwest ofOmaha—never had much of a labor move-ment. So when Commonwealth Electric, aLincoln-based signatory contractor, boughtSteve Kaup’s nonunion shop in Columbus inFebruary, Omaha Local 22 knew it would bepioneering new ground.

“It’s always been a nonunion town, andsome folks there wanted to keep it that way,”said Eleventh District InternationalRepresentative John Bourne.

The sale was encouraged by the local,which saw opportunities for growth. Kaup—now branch manager for Commonwealth—and his 21 electricians became the firstIBEW members in the city’s modern history.

“There was definitely some concern atfirst,” Kaup said. “None of my guys had dealtwith unions before.”

One of the first challenges Local 22Business Manager Gary Kelly faced wasintegrating the new members. Columbus isapproximately two hours away from Omaha,making traveling to local meetings time con-suming and increasingly expensive due torising gas prices.

Business representatives Brad Doyle andBrett Johnson started making weekly trips tomeet with the members to help them feel con-

nected. “We started by meeting wherever wecould, in coffee shops and hotels,” Kelly said. “Ifwe were going to make this work, we needed toprove that we were in it for the long haul.”

The local eventually purchased a store-front office in a central downtown location,cementing its commitment to the town whileincreasing the IBEW’s visibility.

Apprenticeship training presentedanother challenge. The new shop had 10apprentices and Kaup was planning to recruitmore. Expecting apprentices to commute toOmaha two nights a week for classes was outof the question, so Kelly and the Omaha JointApprenticeship Training Committee set upvideo conferencing equipment at the newoffice. Apprentices follow along with theclasses in Omaha through three 60-inch flatscreen TVs. Students can ask questions andparticipate in classroom discussion with two-way microphones.

Members of Omaha, Neb.,Local 22 show off the local’snew office in Columbus.

ing. “It’s very high-tech, and we are excitedbecause the market is looking good,” saysKenneth Ingram, Local 474’s assistant busi-ness manager, who formerly worked as achief steward at Sharp.

“We haven’t arbitrated a grievance inover twelve years,” says Local 474 BusinessManager Paul Shaffer. The plant’s grievanceprocedure is patterned after the Committee onIndustrial Relations in the electrical construc-tion industry. The local, encompassing insideand outside construction trades, municipalemployees and workers at rural electric coop-eratives, sits on a grievance review board com-posed of three Sharp managers and threebargaining unit representatives. The board,which began hearing cases in 2002, makesfinal and binding decisions on all grievances.

“On a scale of one to 10, our relationshipwith Local 474 is nine and a half,” says SharpVice President of Human Resources T.C.Jones, who expects the company to expandproduction in the solar energy division tomeet growing needs.

In February, a tornado ripped throughSharp’s four-building complex, rendering themicrowave facility inoperable. Plant workerswere fearful that rumors—which had sur-faced for years that the plant would be shutdown—would now be realized. But the corpo-ration’s executives in Japan demanded that

� 190 members of Local 474

� Plant capacity: Panels which willgenerate 91 megawatts of power.

� 2007 production: 64 megawatts(enough to supply 14,000 homeswith electricity)

� Milestones:

– 1963—Sharp enters the solar panelmarket.

– 2003—Start-up of solar production inMemphis; 55 bargaining unit members.

– 2008—Sharp produces the 1 millionthsolar module at the Memphis plant.

Sharp Solar PanelProduction Plant

Memphis, Tennessee

Tennessee Members Shinein Solar Panel Plantcontinued from page 1

the plant—the only domestic microwave pro-duction facility—be put back online as soonas possible. “Due to the amazing efforts ofmanagers and bargaining unit employees, theline was back up and running in a little overa week,” says Shaffer. �

w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008 3

Indiana Local Organizes New Slots Workers

Apartnership between IndianapolisLocal 481 and Indiana’s two horseracing tracks could translate intomore than 600 new members for the

IBEW in the state’s growing gaming industry.The deal will increase membership in thelocal by twenty percent, said BusinessManager Tom O’Donnell. “We’re looking for-ward to welcoming these new members.”

The Hoosier Park and Indiana Downsracing tracks, both located in central Indianaoutside Indianapolis, were facing decliningrevenues due to a shrinking customer base.The owners were pushing the IndianaGeneral Assembly for legislation to allowthem to install slot machines at their facili-ties, creating a combination race track andcasino known as a “racino.” But managementneeded help with the grassroots lobbyingeffort, so they turned to Local 481 and theCentral Indiana Building Trades—whosepresident is O’Donnell—for assistance.

The local was immediately interested inthe project, O’Donnell said. While boosting rev-enues for track owners, in addition to generat-ing millions in additional state taxes, thecasinos would create more than 1,000 new jobsfor a state that has suffered badly from plantshutdowns. “And we were in a position to makesure they were good union jobs,” said Local 481Business Representative Kevin Marshall.

An agreement by management to cardcheck neutrality at both casinos cemented thelocal’s commitment to the project. Both tracksalso signed a project labor agreement with thebuilding trades for the casino’s construction,putting more than 120 electricians to work.

“It’s a win-win for IBEW Local 481, for thecasino employees and for track managementto expand their business,” O’ Donnell said. Thebill was passed by the legislature last year. The

casinos are set to open this month.Business agents Jason Haltom, Steve

Montgomery and Marshall began visiting withworkers at both tracks soon after the neutral-ity agreement was reached. At Hoosier Park,more than 250 race track employees—includ-ing gatekeepers, tellers and money man-agers—have gone without a raise for nearlyfive years and were open to hearing what theIBEW could offer. They signed their first col-lective bargaining agreement in February.

The contract, in addition to giving work-ers a raise, increased health and retirementbenefits. Workers at the casino section willlikely have a contract by the end of the June,Haltom said.

At Indiana Downs, the local has organ-ized more than 300 track and casino workers,many of whom are new employees. Local lead-ers said they are confident that an agreementwill be reached this summer, Marshall said.

“Negotiations with IBEW Local 481 wereconducted in a professional and respectfulmanner,” said Rick Moore, president and gen-eral manager of Hoosier Park. “There was

give and take on both sides that, in the end,resulted in a five-year contract that providesfor significant wage increases.”

Former state House Speaker MikePhillips, who acted as legal consultant forHooiser Park, says the work of Local 481members was key. “We look forward to manyyears of mutual success,” he said.

While the IBEW represents race trackworkers in other states, including in neighbor-ing Illinois, this is the first track site to berepresented by Local 481. “Our job is to organ-ize workers—everyday Americans wanting tobetter their lives—whatever their industry,”O’Donnell said. �

More than 300 race track and casino workers atthe Indiana Downs Race Track have signed upwith Indianapolis Local 481 this year.

TY POC O N T E S TSAFE STERDEADLINE EXTENDED

IBEW 2008

THERE’S STILL TIME!Extended Deadline for entries is JULY 31, 2008.

Posters will be judged on content of the safety message, originality and artwork.For more details go to www.ibew.org.

The casino at the Hoosier Park Race Track, built by members of Indianapolis Local 481, is expected to openthis month.

4 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

of transparency around the partnership. Sofar no elected body has been consulted aboutit. It has operated without input from mem-bers of parliament or civic organizations. Theonly group with a voice in the process is ahigh-level advisory committee called theNorth American Competitiveness Council.The council, which acts as an unofficialthink-tank and agenda setter for the partner-ship, is made up exclusively of some of thecontinent’s top corporate leaders, includingBell Canada, General Electric Co. and FedEx.

The secretive nature of the partnershiphas brought condemnation from a variety ofsources, including the human rights organi-zation Amnesty International.

“They don’t speak for Canada…privateinterests holding private discussion abouttheir own business with public officials—that’slobbying,” said Barbara Byers, executive vicepresident of the Canadian Labour Congress.

At the top of the council’s agenda is insti-tuting what Conservative Prime Minister

Stephen Harper calls a “market based”approach to energy. For the energy companieswho run the partnership’s energy task force,this translates into privatization and deregula-tion of each country’s energy resources, saidTeresa Healy, senior researcher for the Socialand Economic Policy Department at theCanadian Labour Congress.

“There is pressure from the corporateleaders of the partnership for each country toscrap independent energy policies,” she said.

The effects of the partnership are alreadybeing felt. In 2007, its commitment to harmo-nize rules on pesticides led to Canada allowinghigher residues of pesticides in food.

The CLC has joined with citizen, envi-ronmental and fair trade organizations, alongwith members of parliament to put pressureon Harper to open meetings of the partner-ship to the public and place its agendabefore parliament.

“Workers in all three countries have aright to know what’s going on regarding theirtrade policies,” Flemming said. �

Ceux qui ont aimé l’ALENA vont sûre-ment se réjouir du Partenariat pourla sécurité et la prospérité (PSP).C’est le message que les militants du

mouvement syndical canadien veulent trans-mettre aux travailleurs syndiqués partout enAmérique du Nord.

Ce partenariat a été convenu en 2005 lorsd’une rencontre entre George Bush, Présidentdes É.-U., Vincete Fox, ex-Président duMexique et Paul Martin, ex-Premier Ministredu Canada, afin d’accroître la collaboration surles questions d’économie et de sécurité.

Décrit comme un effort de l’après 11 sep-tembre afin d’assurer une protection au conti-nent contre toutes attaques terroristes, ce traitéétablit un rapport entre la notion de sécurité etl’objectif de l’intégration économique continen-tale déjà commencée avec l’ALENA. Les mili-tants syndicaux canadiens craignent que cettesituation ne mène à une accélération de ladéréglementation économique entraînant unedégradation rapide de nos normes de travail.

“Cet accord ne favorise que les mieuxnantis et non les travailleurs” déclare PhilFlemming, Vice-président international duPremier District de la FIOE.

Une des plus grandes préoccupations

est le manque de transparence entourant cepartenariat. Le traité n’a jamais été déposédevant les assemblées législatives pour dis-cussion et examen. Seul un organisme con-sultatif appelé le Conseil nord-américain dela compétitivité, bénéficie d’un libre accès auprocessus et peut donner son avis. Le Conseilqui agit comme groupe de réflexion pour lepartenariat, est composé exclusivement decadres supérieurs d’entreprises parmi lesplus importantes du continent, notammentBell Canada, General Electric Co. et FedEx.

Le secret entourant le partenariat a étédénoncé par divers organismes sociaux inqui-ets des répercussions sur les droits humains,notamment par Amnistie internationale.

“Ils ne parlent pas pour le Canada…lorsque des intérêts privés tiennent des discus-sions derrière des portes closes à propos deleurs propres entreprises, avec des représen-tants du gouvernement—il s’agit plutôt de lob-bying” souligne Barbara Byers, vice-présidenteexécutive du Congrès du travail du Canada.

Une des priorités à l’ordre du jour duConseil est d’établir ce que le Premier Ministreconservateur Stephen Harper appelle, uneapproche “commerciale” de l’énergie. “Pour lesentreprises d’énergie qui dirigent le groupe de

travail du partenariat sur l’énergie, cela setraduit par la privatisation et la déréglementa-tion des ressources énergétiques dans chaquepays” déclare Teresa Healy, analyste, Servicedes politiques sociales et économiques,Congrès du travail du Canada.

“Les plus grandes et influentes compag-nies du partenariat font pression afin quechaque pays laisse tomber les politiquesénergétiques indépendantes”, poursuit-elle.

Les effets du partenariat se font déjàsentir. En 2007, l’une des priorités du PSPqui consistait à harmoniser les règlementssur les résidus de pesticides a fait en sorteque le Canada permet des niveaux plusélevés de pesticides dans les aliments quenous consommons.

Le CTC s’est joint aux citoyens, auxorganismes environnementaux et du com-merce équitable et aux députés, pour fairepression sur Harper afin que les réunionspour discuter du partenariat soient ouvertesau public et que l’ordre du jour de ces réu-nions soit soumise au parlement.

“Il faut que les travailleurs de ces troispays soient informés au sujet des politiquescommerciales qui les affectent” conclutM. Flemming. �

If you liked NAFTA, you are going to love theSecurity and Prosperity Partnership. That’sthe message activists from the Canadianlabour movement are working to get out to

trade unionists throughout North America.The partnership was formed in 2005 at a

meeting between U.S. President George Bush,then-Mexican President Vicente Fox andthen-Prime Minister Paul Martin as a meansto collaborate on common issues of securityand trade.

Described as a post-9/11 effort to pro-tect the continent from terrorist attacks, thepact links the issue of security with the goalof continental economic integration startedby NAFTA, which Canadian labour activistsfear will lead to accelerating economicderegulation and a subsequent race to thebottom in terms of working standards.

“The agreement is about serving thewell-to-do, not working people,” said IBEWFirst District Vice President Phil Flemming.

One of the biggest concerns is the lack

North of 49°

Canadian Labour MovementSays No to Trade Partnership

Au nord du 49° parallèle

Le mouvement syndical canadien dénoncele Partenariat pour la sécurité et la prospérité

Pennsylvania House Seeks Aidfor Plant ScrubbersIn a move that will help small, coal-fired gen-erators in Pennsylvania meet new air qualitystandards, the state House voted to create a$25 million fund for the installation of pollu-tion control devices.

“It is gratifying to see that our lawmakersare committed to helping our small generatorsstay in business,” said Third District Vice-President Donald Siegel of the February vote.

New federal and state pollution regula-tions will require coal plants to install costlypollution control devices that could end updriving smaller companies out of business—putting more than 200 IBEW jobs across thestate at risk. “Without access to these funds…many would simply shut down,” Siegel said.“That’s bad for Pennsylvania workers, andeven worse for Pennsylvania consumers.”

One of those small generators that willfeel the squeeze from the new regulations isthe Sunbury Generating Station, locatedalong the Susquehanna River in centralPennsylvania. Producing 420 megawatts ofenergy, it employs more than 100 members ofBethlehem Local 1600. “The big guys canabsorb the costs but it really eats into ourability to stay competitive,” said Local 1600Business Manager Andrew Wolfe. “The bill isa plus for both the company and our members.”

The bipartisan legislation, backed by acoalition of organized labor, utility ownersand environmental advocates, will also helpmake the state a leader in green energy byauthorizing $850 million in new spending onalternative energy sources. It is expected tocreate up to 13,000 green jobs.

The bill is under consideration in theSenate. Gov. Ed Rendell (D), a supporter, hascalled for quick action. “We need to ensureutilities are providing a diverse and reliablesupply of power to their consumers at the low-est cost,” he said.

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO UtilitiesCaucus will be working to mobilize its mem-bers to ensure the final passage of the bill, saidThird District International RepresentativeMichael Welsh. �

LegislativeUpdate

The legislation will

help make the state a

leader in green energy.

w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008 5

Circuits

Number of Outside Apprentices Hits Record HighThe growing power needs of the United States and the large number of baby boomer outsideelectricians approaching retirement age has many company officials and government leadersworried about a possible skilled worker shortage.

But relief for the transmission and distribution industry is on the way. In March theNational Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee reported that the number of inden-tured outside apprentices has nearly doubled in the last five years, with a record number ofapprentices—more than 1,600—entering the industry in 2007 alone.

IBEW Utility Department Director Jim Hunter says that increasing awareness aboutthe problems of an aging power infrastructure due to recent blackouts coupled with newinvestments has spurred interest in the industry. The NJATC has also been aggressive aboutrecruitment, producing DVDs about the apprenticeship program and running commercialson cable TV.

“You can’t get much for free these days, but apprenticeship training is one of them,” saidNJATC Executive Director Michael Callanan, who added a plug for the IBEW and industrysponsors. “We are providing an invaluable service to our economy at no cost to the taxpayer.”

To accommodate the new apprentices, the NJATC has expanded its class sizes andincreased the number of trainings held throughout the year.

“The outside industry is perhaps one of the most demanding fields for electrical workers,but it is also the most critical,” Callanan said. “We must do more to increase the numbers inour outside program…however these numbers are a great start.”

Members Approve Five-Year FairPoint ContractIBEW members in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont overwhelmingly ratified a five-yearlabor contract in April with FairPoint Communications, their new employer.

Approximately 2,200 members in the three states will earn a 15 percent raise over thelife of the labor agreement. FairPoint purchased the Northern New England portion ofVerizon’s landlines for $2.4 billion on March 31.

The agreement that expires in 2013 calls for 3 percent yearly wage increases, with addi-tional cost of living hikes in years four and five of the contract, an annual increase in pensionbenefits and a continuation of the current practice of not charging members or retirees withany portion of health care premiums.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of the local unions, theSecond District and the Telecommunications Department, who worked so hard to bring ourmembers a good contract during a tumultuous time,” said IBEW International PresidentEdwin D. Hill.

Negotiators for Manchester, N.H., Local 2320, Montpelier, Vt., Local 2326 and Augusta,Maine, Local 2327 also won neutrality and card check recognition for FairPoint’s unrepre-sented units in New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The pact also includes corporate profit-sharing, the establishment of a 401(k) programwith an employer match, a $500 signing bonus for each member, a restriction on work trans-fers and the creation of labor-management and work and family committees.

Electricians Turn Apprenticeship Training Into College CreditToo often, high school seniors are told by their guidance counselor that they only have twooptions: go to college or get a trade. But thanks to the American Council on Education andthe National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, a job in the electrical industrydoesn’t mean giving up on higher education.

The organizations are partnering to help electricians translate their apprenticeshiptraining into college credits. Depending on the degree, they can use their training to get up to60 hours of college credit at more than 1,700 institutions across the United States.

The education council evaluates each apprenticeship program to see how many credits canbe applied to the degree pursued. Local JATCs are already helping thousands of IBEW memberspursue a higher education with partnerships with more than 170 colleges and universities.

“It helps our members already working to take advantage of educational opportunities,”said NJATC Executive Director Michael Callanan. “But it will also make going into the trademore attractive for young people.”

Electricians interested in acquiring college credit should contact their local JATC direc-tor for more information.

Code of Excellence Makes Believers in MinnesotaIBEW’s Code of Excellence garnered some new believers in April on a Minnesota constructionsite. When a general contractor and the new building’s owner arrived at the site at 3:12 p.m.,they were met by a sizable exodus of tradesmen. But after entering the building, they heardworkers still on the job.

A crew of electricians from Minneapolis Local 292 employed by signatory contractorParsons Electric stayed on the job until 3:30 p.m., the end of their shift.

After a getting a compliment from Knutson Construction, the general contractor, JayGoldsmith, general superintendent of Parsons Electric, passed it on. He sent a note to Local292 journeyman wireman foreman Tim Och thanking him for the work of his crew—giving theowner eight hours pay for eight hours work.

Since the Code of Excellence has been adopted, electricians and contractors have madea conscientious effort to live up to its standards, says Local 292 Business Manager SteveClaypatch. “This isn’t the first compliment we have received, but it is important to recognizethe impact it will have on an area where there is much more to gain than lose,” he said. �

California Court SupervisorsJoin IBEWOrganizing can sometimes lead to unex-pected victories. San Diego Local 465Business Manager John Hunter was seekingto organize irrigation system workers inImperial County—located in the far south-eastern section of California—when hereceived an unexpected tip.

A sister of one of the workers wasemployed as a court supervisor for the countySuperior Court. The supervisors, who areresponsible for overseeing the day-to-day tasksof court employees, were in the middle of con-tract negotiations and she thought they coulduse some help from the union, said Local 465Business Representative Jerry Fecher.

Fecher organized a meeting with the eightcourt employees last November. The supervi-sors already had an employees association, butdecided that affiliating with a union would put

them in a stronger bargaining position.“They were a little apprehensive at first

because they thought we only representedelectrical workers,” Hunter said. Fecherwent to work studying state labor regulationsafter the supervisors agreed to be repre-sented by the local in the upcoming negotia-tions. Wages and spiraling medical costswere the top issues.

After six tough bargaining sessions andmediation by state officials, the local came toan official agreement with the county, whichwas unanimously approved by the unit.

“We didn’t get everything they wanted,but we helped to tackle some of their long-time concerns and recruited eight new mem-bers,” Hunter said.

The local has already signed up more than300 irrigation system workers and hopes tobecome the exclusive bargaining agent for allemployees soon. “We keep seeing movementand are making a lot of strides,” Hunter said. �

Organizing Wire

Local 292 members Ross Erickson, left, John Shulzetenberg, Jason Morgel, Foreman Tim Och and BrianBeckham are part of the Parsons Electric Crew living the Code of Excellence. Randy Claseman, Gerry Buer,Mike Brown, Tom Gaebel and Nick Hyser are not pictured.

DeceasedRichard Rogers

The IBEW is saddenedto report that retiredNinth District Interna-tional RepresentativeRichard “Dick” Rogersdied on April 15. Hewas 67.

A native of Monroe,Wash., Rogers was initi-

ated into Seattle Local 77 in 1957. An outsidelineman who worked for various contractors formore than two decades, he become businessmanager in 1978, where he represented theunion in outside line construction negotiationsfor more than 70 contracts.

One of Rogers’ main projects while busi-ness manager centered on political engage-ment in state legislative issues.

Rogers, a Vietnam veteran, is remem-bered for employing tenacity and fairness inlabor and management negotiations, saidLocal 77 Business Manager Don Guillot.

“He could be very commanding, but hewas also a behind-the-scenes kind of guy,”Guillot said. “He was there to defend theworking man and woman, and he had no prob-lem letting someone else take the credit.”

Jim McClain, retired business manager ofMedford, Ore., Local 659, said “Richard wasjust an all-around great guy.”

Appointed International Representativein 1982, Rogers serviced locals in the areas ofutility and outside line construction through-out the Ninth District.

6 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

Ninth District InternationalRepresentative Charlie Silvernale saidRogers worked closely with locals and taughtcountless seminars on union organizing,upping the ante for his district’s active rolein state politics. He retired three years ago.

Ninth District InternationalRepresentative Rick Hite said people willremember him as a “lineman’s lineman” whowas a good friend to many. “He would doextraordinary things to help people whenthey were in their time of need,” he said.

IBEW staff, members, and officerssend our most heartfelt condolences toBrother Rogers’ family and friends, and wehonor him for his decades of tireless serv-ice to the movement. �

RetiredJames Anderson

Fifth DistrictInternationalRepresentative JamesAnderson retired April 1after a 29-year IBEWcareer. A native ofQuincy, Fla., BrotherAnderson served in theU.S. Army in the late

‘60s after graduating high school. Returninghome, he enrolled at Florida A&M Universitywhile working full-time as a machine operatorfor Southern Wires. Frustrated by low pay anddeteriorating working conditions, Andersonasked his father, a long-time member of theSteelworkers union for advice. “He told methat things weren’t going to get any betterwithout a union,” he said.

Anderson reached out to the IBEW forhelp. As a volunteer organizing committeemember, he helped convince his plant of morethan 450 manufacturing workers to join theunion, forming the now-defunct Local 1965 in1979. Anderson was elected its first president.

Two years later, he was appointedInternational Representative and assigned tothe Organizing Department. He traveled thecountry assisting on campaigns. “You name it,I went there,” he said.

One of his career highlights was the six-year battle at the Avondale Shipyard inLouisiana. The campaign, which involvedmore than a dozen unions, won representa-tion for the more than 4,000 workers in 2000.

In 1994, he was transferred to the FifthDistrict. Anderson put his college degrees towork running classes on labor education. Hereceived both his bachelors and masters inindustrial education from Florida A&M.

In addition to his service with the IBEW,he served as president of the Florida chapterof the A. Phillip Randolph Institute in theearly ‘80s.

Anderson’s family includes his wife,Deborah, and three children. He plans toremain active with the labor movement, work-ing on the upcoming presidential election. Healso hopes to spend time golfing and fishing.

The officers and members of the IBEWwish Brother Anderson a healthy, fulfillingand well-deserved retirement. �

RetiredDavid Feller

Eleventh DistrictInternationalRepresentative DavidFeller retired April 1.Feller was initiatedinto Sioux Falls, S.D.,Local 426 in 1966,entering his insidejourneyman wireman

apprenticeship. “We were a small local and ifyou showed a little interest in the union, theyput you on a committee,” says Feller, the sonand grandson of union railroad men. Fellerwas elected to the local’s executive board andwas a trustee of its pension and health plans.

After serving as the local’s businessmanager for 22 years, Feller, who attendedNorthern States University in Aberdeen, wasappointed to the International staff in 1998to service locals and organize in SouthDakota and Nebraska.

Feller faced a unique situation organiz-ing public sector workers in Nebraska, wherea state agency resolves all disputes regardingwages and union representation. Unions areoften forced to spend large sums of money tofinance state-conducted surveys of prevailingwages and working conditions before theycan win bargaining unit certification.

“I was so proud of the Nebraska utilitylocals, especially Grand Island Local 1597, forbanding together with the Nebraska UtilityWorkers and the International union and put-ting their money where their mouths were,despite a ton of money being spent by theother side,” says Feller. Local 1597 started outrepresenting members at three or four utilityunits and now represents workers at four-teen, says Feller.

“What a great organization to haveworked for,” says Feller. “We’re all lucky tohave the opportunity to be a part of it and weneed to take advantage of good times.”

After years of job-related traveling,Feller looks forward to staying put before hit-ting the road again on pleasure trips with hiswife, Diane. He plans to construct a modelrailroad, while also enjoying time with histwo children and two grandchildren.

The officers and members of the IBEWwish Brother Feller much health and happi-ness for a retirement well-deserved. �

Transitions

New Jersey Members Mourn Afghanistan LossNew Brunswick, N.J. Local 456 member William Koch Jr.’s son diedMarch 3 while on patrol in the Sabari district of eastern Afghanistan.

Cpl. Steven R. Koch, 23, died from injuries sustained by the explo-sion of a car bomb. A paratrooper, he was on patrol as an assistantgunner assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.

His decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, andthe Army Commendation Medal. He was buried at the ArlingtonNational Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

He leaves behind wife Amy Bethany Koch and his daughter,17-month-old Zoe Koch. His brother, William Koch III, is also a member of Local 456.Anyone wishing to help his family is asked to contribute to the Cpl. Steven Koch Fund,c/o William Koch Jr., 8 Garden Terrace, Milltown, N.J., 08850.

Portland Members Help Build Home for War Victim’s FamilyOne Saturday morning in March, nearly 25 members of Portland, Ore., Local 48 arrivedin eight vans to help the family of Cpl. Jeremiah Johnson, who died in Iraq.

“The idea was to provide the family a mortgage-free home built entirely from dona-tions of labor and materials from the community,” said member Terry Riegle.

Members spent half a day roughing in the electric with the assistance of signatory con-tractors Diamond Electric, which helped with the permits and installed the service conduit;Capitol, ABC, McKinstry, West Side, and Stoner Electric supplied tools and ladders. �

IBEW On Duty

w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008 7

Prize Winning Parade EntryL.U. 6 (c,i,st&u), SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Our localunion participated in the annual St. Patrick’s Dayparade and received third place honors for thefloat built by our members. Local 6 took secondplace for our marching contingent and third placefor our motorized cable car entry. Each year thecommittee starts working on the float months inadvance to build a structure that captures thetheme of the parade and promotes our local’s con-tributions to our city. Everyone had a great time.

Local 6 Industry Compliance Officer SabrinaHernandez left employment at the local union topursue other opportunities in the electricalindustry. Sabrina contributed greatly to the elec-trical industry in San Francisco. Her effortsenhanced the unionized electrical contractors’success in securing work in the public works sec-tor as well as creating jobs for our members.Sabrina was instrumental in the formation of thewomen’s group at the local union, was active inthe EWMC, and served as a member of theGolden Gate Bridge Board of Directors. Sheattended the 37th International Convention inCleveland as an alternate. We wish Sabrina wellin her future endeavors.

Emily S. O’RourkeUnit 1 Chair/P.S.

Code Update ClassesL.U. 8 (as,em,i,mar,mt,rts,s&spa), TOLEDO, OH—The out-of-work book has been steadily decreas-ing, and should continue to get better, as there areprojects of decent size coming up. Thanks to themany locals that helped our traveling brothers andsisters with employment. Hopefully we can repaythe favor in the future.

Be sure to sign up for your Code Updateclasses. The state of Michigan and city of Toledowill require that you take a 15-hour and a 10-hourcourse, respectively, in order to renew your 2009licenses. We encourage you to take advantage ofother journeyman education classes available toyou as well.

We have a list of warm weather eventsplanned, starting with our annual LMCC golf out-ing on June 15. Our annual picnic is Sat., June28, at the Electrical Industry Building picnicgrounds in Rossford. The perch tourney will beheld in late August, and don’t forget the annualLabor Day parade!

Be safe at work and at play. We hope to seeyou at a union meeting!

Red Tackett, P.S.Jim Kozlowski, B.M.

Alternative Energy ClassL.U. 16 (i), EVANSVILLE, IN—The JATC isplanning an alternative energy class this fall.The journeyman training class will be multifunc-tional in that it will stress both solar and windgenerated systems while serving as a practicalworking laboratory in which the training cen-ter’s utility costs will be greatly reduced.Component costs are currently being discussedwith a knowledgeable local contractor. Bro. MikeWeinzapfel agreed to serve as the classroominstructor. He is scheduled to attend theNational Training Institute’s classes on how topresent the information most effectively. Thisproject will showcase the IBEW’s leadership ininnovative green technology, furtheringAmerica’s energy independence.

Several of the hall’s most seasoned veteransdecided to further the purposes of the IBEW byforming an active Local 16 Retirees Club. Clubfunctions have included using retirees’ skills forcommunity support projects, promoting the local’slegislative goals, and lively discussions on every-thing from the best bird dog to taxes. To attendthe monthly breakfast or for more information,call (812) 867-9670.

Donald P. Beavin, P.S.

August Picnic PlannedL.U. 26 (ees,em,es,govt,i&mt), WASHINGTON,DC—Our annual picnic in the D.C. area will beheld at Camp Letts in Edgewater, MD, on Aug. 2.Don’t miss out on the fun and brotherhood.Watch your quarterly magazine for details or goonline at www.ibewlocal26.org for informationand a ticket request form. We are excited thatthis year’s picnic will also incorporate a healthfair and 5-K run!

Congratulations to Bro./Bus. Agent RandolphScott on his recent retirement. Bro. Scott is a 36-year IBEW member and has worked in the busi-ness office since 1989. We wish him many happyyears of retirement.

Sister Violet Quick was brought on staff asa new business representative. We welcome heron board!

We are saddened by the deaths of the fol-lowing members since our last article: SistersNancy Neidert and Katrenia R. Hawkins; andBros. Benjamin D. Medley, Thomas D. Hicks, NeilM. Belt, Harry G. Ulrich, Larry L. Henley, RogerAndrew Myers, Frank Vincent Moran, Lloyd Reeves,Lawrence E. Allen and William M. Kesecker.

Congratulations to the brothers who retiredsince our last article: Robert T. Goss, Thomas A.Masinissa, Robert M. Metler, Joseph V. Pittore Jr.,William G. Enlow and Richard D. Stover.

Charles E. Graham, B.M.

‘Best of the Best’L.U. 34 (em,i,rts&spa), PEORIA, IL—The workoutlook at this writing in Local 34 is not pro-gressing as scheduled, due to the lack of buildingmaterials needed (mainly structural steel).Some projects are three months behind becauseof this shortage. The overall picture for this yearis still very bright though. Local 34 will need alot of help from our traveling brothers and sis-ters when things break loose.

Code of Excellence plays in Local 34. Wemust all show our customers that we are the bestof the best! To survive in this competitive age wemust embrace change. Local 34 is planning aHistory of the IBEW class for all newly organizedmembers. I suggest that everyone take this class.Sometimes we forget what our forefathers wentthrough, and why we have what we have today! Iencourage you to attend your union meetings andvolunteer for whatever you can. Power is in num-bers, and we can make a change if we all sticktogether.

Congratulations and best wishes to Bro.Robert Higham on his recent retirement.

Our sympathy goes to the families of Bros.Richard Towles and Tom Picton, who recentlypassed away.

Paul O’Dear, P.S.

Local Lines

San Francisco IBEW Local 6 won honors for its St. Patrick’s Day parade marching contingent, float andcable car entries.

(as) Alarm and Signal

(ars) Atomic Research Service

(bo) Bridge Operators

(cs) Cable Splicers

(catv) Cable Television

(c) Communications

(cr) Cranemen

(ees) Electrical Equipment Service

(ei) Electrical Inspection

(em) Electrical Manufacturing

(es) Electric Signs

(et) Electronic Technicians

(fm) Fixture Manufacturing

(govt) Government

(i) Inside

(it) Instrument Technicians

(lctt) Line Clearance Tree Trimming

(lpt) Lightning Protection Technicians

(mt) Maintenance

(mo) Maintenance and Operation

(mow) Manufacturing Office Workers

(mar) Marine

(mps) Motion Picture Studios

(nst) Nuclear Service Technicians

(o) Outside

(p) Powerhouse

(pet) Professional, Engineers and Technicians

(ptc) Professional, Technical and Clerical

(rr) Railroad

(rtb) Radio-Television Broadcasting

(rtm) Radio-Television Manufacturing

(rts) Radio-Television Service

(so) Service Occupations

(s) Shopmen

(se) Sign Erector

(spa) Sound and Public Address

(st) Sound Technicians

(t) Telephone

(u) Utility

(uow) Utility Office Workers

(ws) Warehouse and Supply

Trade Classifications

8 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

AFL-CIO Union-Industries ShowL.U. 58 (em,i,rtb&spa), DETROIT, MI—Detroitwas honored to host the 2008 AFL-CIO America@Work Union-Industries Show, held May 16-18.Our booth featured demonstrations such as pipebending, cable splicing and panel wiring. In addi-tion, we showcased our JATC’s photovoltaic instal-lation. We are proud of what we do and enjoy anopportunity to share it with everyone who attends.Thanks to all who participated and everyone whomade it down to the show!

Work has continued to be slow in our jurisdic-tion. Hopefully, a Democratic presidential victory inNovember will offer leadership for our nationaleconomy and a health care plan for all Americans.Is everyone in your family registered to vote?

Thanks again to all our sister locals that haveput 58’ers to work during Michigan’s long recession.We are all fortunate to have our referral system andthe ERTS. Many of our members tell great storiesabout the hospitality and brotherhood on the road.

Elaine Crawford, Pres.

Labor 2008–Election TimeL.U. 68 (i), DENVER, CO—A special ConstitutionalConvention for the Colorado AFL-CIO was held atthe Local 68 hall on March 28. At the convention,the new constitution was ratified unanimously, mov-ing the state federation into the future with an exec-utive director and a 17-member advisory council.

On March 29, the kickoff for “Labor 2008” wasalso held here. Approximately 40 politicians werejoined by over 500 labor activists—all joiningtogether to prepare for an exciting, historically sig-nificant election year. This year, history will indeedbe made as the Democratic National Convention willbe held here in Denver! As of this writing, theDemocratic presidential nominee will be either awoman or an African American. Chances are thatthe Democratic nominee will go on to win the elec-tion in November!

There is strength in numbers. By workingthrough the IBEW Committee On PoliticalEducation and with the AFL-CIO structures, wecan truly make a difference. Please contribute toIBEW COPE today.

We extend deepest sympathy to the familiesof our lost brothers: Kenneth E. Nichols, Earl V.Flint, Bobby D. Barnes, Ellsworth S. Bartlett,Anton B. Sirbin Jr., Arthur P. Murray, Lloyd T.Withrow Jr., Jack C. Anderson, Felix P. Bassignani,Donald C. Ramette Jr. and James C. Caron.

Ed Knox, Pres.

Community Service AwardL.U. 76 (c,i,rts&st), TACOMA, WA—Regional civicleaders recently recognized the dedicated commu-nity service activities of Local 76 members. TheTacoma Events Commission presented Local 76with the “2007 Volunteer of the Year” award at theFebruary meeting. Special thanks to our membersand families for helping victims of the devastatingfloods that hit Thurston, Lewis and Grays HarborCounties in December.

Also, thanks to our members who helped theMake-a-Wish Foundation bring to life the dreamof a 3-year-old girl to have her own bedroom. Inaddition, we support annual events including theDaffodil Fest, Tacoma Flower and Garden Show,Freedom Fair, Capitol Lake Fair, Ethnic Fest,Bonney Lake Days and Maritime Fest.

We’re recruiting volunteers for Tall ShipsTacoma, an international event held every threeyears. We are also recruiting volunteers for vari-ous political events.

Local 76 is proud of its active and retiredmembers for their generous dedication in mak-ing our communities better places to live.

Remember: On-the-job safety is everyone’sduty. Work safe, stay safe.

Mac McClellan, P.S.

Service Pin HonoreesL.U. 80 (i&o), NORFOLK, VA—Work was steadythrough the winter and looks to pick up in springand summer.

The local thanks Terry and MaureenMcPhillips for their hard work planning ourannual dinner dance held April 12.

Congratulations to members who recentlyreceived service pins. Recognized for 20 years ofservice are David Bass, Lucius Bennett III, SimonBettinger, David Hart, Randall Hewitt, FredKennedy, Igenter McCoy Jr., Howard Moore Jr.,Leonard Newbern, David Skahill; for 25 years—Mark Baillo, Davy Harrison, Robert Mann, TimothyPearce, James Pierce Jr., Carey Rumpf, RaymondTeller, Edmund Wellington, David Wilkerson III,Bruce Woolridge; for 30-years—James Beasley Jr.,James Burnette, Robert Glass, KennethHutcheson, Michael Jennings, Charles Lowery; for35 years—Robert Bailey, Jerry Carson, John CobbIII, Leonard Cressman, Dennis Dasher, ErvinGregory Jr., Charles Hembree, Warren Rumpf,Kenneth Taylor, Jimmy Westbrook; for 40 years—Eric Ewell, David Millard, Ernest Pacini Jr., HearlParris, Fred Smaltz Jr., William Ward; for 45years—Murray Goodwin III, Robert Hickman,William Minton Jr., Franklin Price, Theodore Sells;for 50 years—Glen Bass, Eugene Fentress,Bertram Harrell, George Harrell Jr., Marvin Tatem,Jerry Vick, Lewis Smith Jr.; for 55 years—RollinAlexander, Howard Ange, James Hollomon Jr.,Samuel Motley, Ernest Sykes, Austin Tuck; and for60 years—James Armistead and James Durham.

Dave Schaeffer, P.S.

Camp Project VolunteersL.U. 86 (ees,em,es,i,rts&spa), ROCHESTER, NY—Volunteer members and retirees lit up the faces ofthe kids at the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campin Rush, NY. Local 86 teamed up with the rest ofthe building trades to build a new wheelchair-accessible pavilion there. Our local NECA Chapterdonated electrical materials and tools for theproject. Thanks to all who helped. Check out thepictures next time you are in the union hall.

After a slow start this spring, constructionhas picked up quite a bit. Don’t forget to carryyour OSHA 10 Hour Card on any prevailing wagejobs; it is a new law and the Department of Laborwill be checking. If you don’t have a card, listento the job line for the available class. Hope all iswell with you and your families. Work safe andsee you at the next meeting.

Ron Freida, P.S.

Newly Signed ContractorsL.U. 90 (i), NEW HAVEN, CT—As we movetoward summer, Local 90 members are reapingthe benefits of projects and PLAs in the state.

We recently held a small-business start-upclass for members interested in becoming IBEWcontractors. Also in development is an estimat-ing course for these members to attend. It isanticipated that some of our members will soonstart in the electrical contracting business,always the backbone of our organization.

Local 90 also welcomes its four newest organ-ized signatory contractors: EPS Technologies, LatecLLC, Southern New England Electrical Testing andCanterbury Communications. Welcome also to ournew members employed by the newly signed con-tractors. Welcome to the IBEW and Local 90. Wewish you all the best in your endeavors.

Sean Daly, V.P.

Employment on the RiseL.U. 96 (i), WORCESTER, MA—A large-scaleconstruction project on a Bristol-Myers Squibbpharmaceutical manufacturing facility hasreached the point where it is putting members towork. Other projects in the area are also employ-ing Local 96 members. In addition, as of this writ-ing, the VDV technicians are at full employmentand are supporting traveling brothers and sisters.

Politically, Local 96, in conjunction with theMassachusetts AFL-CIO, showed strong support forthe governor’s casino bill. Although the bill wasrejected by the legislature, the fight is not over.

Planning and development of the new unionhall is still in progress. Construction will beginsoon. Visit us online at www.ibewlocal96.org.

Luke E. Carpernter, P.S.

Drug Free Alliance ProgramL.U. 100 (c,em,i,rts&st), FRESNO, CA—In January2008, IBEW Local 100 and NECA joined in a DrugFree Alliance program. As of March, two contactorshave begun pursuing full compliance with theirwork force. By summer of 2008, the local union andsignatory contractors plan to have at least six largecontractors proudly announce a drug free work

Large Contracts AwardedL.U. 38 (i), CLEVELAND, OH—Local 38 journey-men are working at Cleveland’s Steelyard Commonsfor Ullman Electric. The newly opened giant shop-ping center has produced thousands of man-hoursfor Local 38 members.

Cuyahoga County Commissioners reached anagreement with Merchandise Mart Inc. to buildthe new Medical Mart in downtown Cleveland.With Medical Mart secured, the commissionersare pushing ahead with plans to build a new $400million convention center. The site is scheduled tobe selected by June. Two front-runner sites are atTower City along the river and the existing con-vention center site.

We have several large contracts that werejust awarded. Lake Erie Electric was awarded the$12 million electrical contract for the new countyjuvenile detention center and electrical work willbegin this summer. Atlas Electric was awarded a$2.5 million contract for the Lakewood HighSchool remodel job. Ullman Electric was awardedthe site work for phase two at Crocker Park.

Upcoming events include the Stewards Stagon June 14; the Cedar Point picnic July 6; andthe Old Timers picnic Aug. 2.

We need to elect a labor-friendly candidateto the White House. If you think John McCain isa nice guy, all you need to do is check his laborvoting record to see that he is not nice to us.

Dennis Meaney, A.B.M.

Giving and RememberingL.U. 48 (c,em,i,rtb,rts&st), PORTLAND, OR—Approximately 20 stewards and their guests enjoyedfine dining at Local 48 on March 11. The dinner wasone of two scheduled appreciation dinners plannedthis year to recognize our stewards’ hard work.

IBEW Local 48 members volunteered for acommunity service project to help build a homefor the family of a military veteran killed in Iraq.[Please see “IBEW on Duty” on page 6 of thismonth’s Electrical Worker.]

To observe Workers Memorial Day, Local 48invited members to gather at the meeting hall at7:30 p.m. on April 28, to honor workers who diedor were injured while performing their work onthe job in Oregon last year. Names of those wholost their lives on the job were read and a belltolled in their honor.

Nationally, 5,703 workers were killed in 2006(the latest year data is available) and more than4.1 million workers were injured due to job hazards.Another 50,000 died of occupational diseases. Ourworkplace has improved significantly after decadesof struggles by workers and unions. However, westill have much work to do. Continue to work safely!

Hope to see everyone at the Local 48 picnicon Sunday, July 13.

Donna Hammond, P.S.

IBEW Local 100 members on the job site at a Fresno,CA, Juvenile Justice Campus project with All ServiceElectric. Lance Denton (at far left) is general foreman.

Local 38 journeymenJeremy Petro (left)and Kevin Blasko areamong the local unionmembers working atSteelyard Commonsin Cleveland.

w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008 9

force. In short, Screensafe Inc. will administer theprogram, with an outside firm to do the randomselection of individuals to be tested. The programwill test all participating members every two years,as well as randomly testing approximately 10 per-cent of the members during the year. Participatingemployers may request, as a condition of referral,persons determined to be compliant.

Congratulations to the apprentice graduat-ing class of 2008. Inside wireman graduates are:Rafael Adame, Adam Ament, Michael Bowman,John Cain, Lloyd Cannon, Eugenio Cantu, DavidDavalos, Steven De La Pena, George Edd, MarcosFierro Jr., Juan Gallardo, Daniel Garcia, GregoryHakanson, Jason Jones, Michael Miranda,Lawrence Morrison, Michael Scaduto, ThomasSchrader, Ryan Tobin, Michael Warholm andRachel Young. VDV graduates are: Richard Bowen,Scott Furrer, Michael Reyna and Heather Walker.

M.A. Caglia, P.S.

Kudos for Jobs Well-DoneL.U. 102 (c,catv,i,it,o&t), PATERSON, NJ—OnDec. 10, 2007, Local 102 held its annual children’sChristmas party. Special guests included Santaand Mrs. Clause, a magician, cartoon figure Dorathe Explorer and other friends who entertainedthe kids. The party was a big success. Mr. Clauseprovided toys and games while Mrs. Clause per-formed creative face painting for the children.Pictures were taken with Santa, lunch was pro-vided and everyone enjoyed a good, fraternal holi-day time. Thanks to our Christmas partycommittee for a job well-done!

Our Local 102 softball team won the NewJersey Men’s League championship last year.Congratulations to our team for their big win andfor gaining our local some great press, all whilehaving great fun. Good job, guys!

Ed Fredericks, P.S.

Safety Awards at RefineryL.U. 110 (em,i,rts,spa&u), ST. PAUL, MN—At thiswriting work is slow. At press time 281 membersare on Book #1, with an additional one memberout on short calls, and 111 members on Book #2.The summer outlook is uncertain.

The November general election is only monthsaway. Please be sure to support those who supportus! Then please vote!

Safety awards were given out at Flint HillsRefinery on March 25. Bros. Dave Narusiewicz, MikeBerry, Terry Fischbach, Eric Meier, Martin Wirt andMike Kaiser won $500 each for achieving 180 dayswithout a recordable incident (see photo).

John Scholes received a $500 “play of thethird quarter” Safety Incentive Award presented

by Local 110 Bus. Mgr. Mike Redlund. John foundan uninterruptible power supply (UPS) panelthat was mismarked and would have shut downall the UPS circuits, in addition to leaving atransformer energized that was supposed to beoff—thereby avoiding a potentially disastrous sit-uation. All seven Local 110 award recipients areemployed by Total Construction and Equipment.

Flint Hills Refinery has a ContractorIncentive Plan that awards workers for safe workpractices, observations, suggestions, identifyinghazards and finding ways to improve the existingsafety program by encouraging proactive partici-pation throughout the work force.

Steve White, P.S.

Tribute to MembersL.U. 124 (ees,em,i,mar,rts,se&spa), KANSAS CITY,MO—We remember the following deceased mem-bers: Frederick Algaier, John S. Baxley, Joseph M.Clark, James Fennessy, Ernest R. Hirt, Phillip E.Jack, Leonard R. James, Thomas E.. Land, Ronald W.Layton, William O. Portmann, Harold Scott, VincentJ. VanCamp Sr., Logan L. Wilson and Lloyd G. Zuck.

Congratulations to the following retiredmembers: Edward Alexander, Francis M.Clatanoff, Jack H. Feeney, Thomas W. Jeffries,Howard W. Johnston, Richard G. McElfish Jr.,Thomas M. Moran, Donald Naff, Loren R. Paden,Anthony S. Paris, Richard C. Pfeiffer, TrevorStubbs, Joseph Ray and Kenneth W. Spicer.

Jim Beem, B.M.

Update on ProjectsL.U. 146 (ei,i&rts), DECATUR, IL—In April, wereported that we were excited about Local 146landing the $1.8 billion Future Gen Project inMattoon. We are still “excited” about the project,but now it’s because the U.S. Dept. of Energydecided to scale down the project or scrap it alto-gether. Mattoon was one of two Local 146 sites inthe running for the project along with two Texassites. Local 146 will now collaborate with theIBEW Sixth District and the International Officein an effort to convince the Energy Dept. to con-tinue with the project here. We also received dis-turbing news about the Taylorville Power Houseproject; it is now on hold awaiting Illinois legisla-tive action allowing long-term contracts to sellelectricity. Also, the Secure Energy coal gasifica-tion project is awaiting legislators’ action for therelease of funds. These are prime examples of whywe need to elect labor friendly candidates. TheCoffeen Power Station work is still on schedule forthe summer and will require additional manpower.

Local 146 and the JATC thank Bro. JoeParadee for his years of service as a union repre-

sentative on the NECA-IBEW Local 146 JATCboard. Congratulations to Bro. Jason Brummitton his appointment to the board.

Congratulations to Bros. Robert K. Finleyand Jonathon Thompson on their retirement.

Rich Underwood, R.S.

Annual Steward TrainingL.U. 160 (lctt,o&u), MINNEAPOLIS, MN—On Sat.,March 1, the local hosted its annual stewardstraining. Fifty-eight brothers and sisters attendedto learn more about the roles and responsibilitiesof IBEW stewards. Joe Herbulock, from the firmHauer, Fargione, Love, Landy and McEllistrem,P.A., briefed us on Minnesota workers compensa-tion laws. He covered the important steps to take,following an injury, to protect your rights.

IBEW Sixth District Int. Rep. James S.Dahlberg gave an excellent overview of the “Guidefor IBEW Stewards.” Among topics on which Int.Rep. Dahlberg provided instruction were: Duty ofFair Representation, Basic Legal Guidance, Rightto Information, and Know Your Contract. Thetraining was followed by lunch and door prizes.Local 160 thanks our guest speakers and stewardswho attended this training. Local union stewardsare vital to the labor movement and Local 160appreciates their invaluable service.

Daniel S. Seawell, P.S.

‘Rebuilding’ VolunteersL.U. 164 (c,em,i,o&t), JERSEY CITY, NJ—OnMarch 29, Local 164 came out in record numbersto support the Rebuilding Together Jersey Cityproject. I am proud to report that 110 journey-men and apprentices volunteered and gave backto people who are less fortunate than we are.Brothers and sisters wired 10 homes and threeinstitutions that were in need of help. We wereblessed with beautiful weather and the day was ahuge success. The homeowners who received theservices of electricians, carpenters, plumbers andmany other volunteers were all extremely grate-ful. It was the 17th year for Rebuilding TogetherJersey City, formerly known as Christmas in April.Volunteerism is alive and well in Local 164.

On a sad note, I must report the passing onFeb.16, 2008, of Daniel Solleder, a president emer-itus of Local 164. Affectionately known as the“General,” Dan was a 53-year member who servedas a longtime Executive Board member and thenas president until he retired in January 1994. Hewas a decorated Korean War hero. Dan was a

leader of our local as an active member and amentor to many of us during his retirement years.He will be greatly missed. God bless you, General.

John M. DeBouter, Pres./Training Dir.

2008 Apprentice GraduatesL.U. 234 (i,rtb,rts&spa), CASTROVILLE, CA—Ourlocal proudly announces the graduating apprenticeclasses of 2008. Inside apprentice graduates are:Ismael Estrada, Valentin Ivanov, Felipe Jimenez,Rodolfo Martinez, Frank Rivera, Michael Roddaand David White. Residential apprentice graduatesare: Israel Andrade, Bronson Huerta, MichaelKulich, Michael Magana, Philippe Miccoli, JoshuaMurray, Ryan Ochinero, Mario Zamora and MoisesZuniga. The sound and communications appren-tice graduate is David Boggs. After their years ofgenerous sacrifices to complete their programs, weare pleased to present them as inside journeymen,residential journeymen, and sound and communi-cations installer, respectively. Congratulations andthanks, graduates, on your years of study andtraining. We welcome you to an industry whereyour skills and contributions will always be neededand appreciated.

We also congratulate all apprentice gradu-ates throughout the entire IBEW and look for-ward to their contributions to our industry.

Stephen Slovacek, P.S.

IBEW Habitat VolunteersL.U. 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts&st), SALEM,OR—At this writing in early spring the snow is stillfalling here. The work is slow at press time withabout 100 on Book I and few calls coming in. Thehousing bust has hit our jurisdiction hard buthopefully some jobs will start to break this summer.

Local 280 truck and trailer travels to Habitat for Humanity projects, helping local union volunteers get thejob done.

Local 164 Pres. Emeritus Daniel Sollederpassed away in February 2008.

Local 110 members received safety awards presented at Flint Hills Refinery. Shown from left are awardrecipients Dave Narusiewicz, Mike Berry, Terry Fischbach, Eric Meier, Martin Wirt and Mike Kaiser.

Our local thanks the Habitat for Humanity vol-unteers who have worked and represented Local280. These fine brothers and sisters have dedicatedso much time and effort to help hard working peo-ple in our area get a “step up” to home ownership.Our Labor Management Cooperation Committeebought a trailer, dedicated for Habitat projects,filled with tools and material to help our volunteers’get the job done. Our Public Service Fund alsodonates $1,500 toward the electrical material, butthe real difference is the outstanding IBEWmem-bers who volunteer. If you know anyone whodonates their time for this great cause, please thankthem and ask how you can help them and others.

With great sadness the local announces thepassing of Hal Cady, “Hutch” Methvin, “Jack”Lonien, Carl Robinson, and Monty Rounds.

Jerry Fletcher, Pres.

Volunteers Aid Flood VictimsL.U. 292 (em,govt,i,rtb,rts&spa), MINNEAPOLIS,MN—Local 292 put together a membership volun-teer group to help with disaster relief for the floodvictims of Rushford, MN. When over 15 inches ofrain fell in the Rushford area last August, rushingwater jumped dikes and filled much of the town.Dozens of homes were destroyed in the flood. Withthe help of union volunteers from the IBEW andother crafts, Rushford is beginning to look likehome again.

Eight Local 292 members wired a new housefor a family who lost their home to the flood andhad been displaced for eight months. These eightvolunteers were: Russ Agrimson, Philip Matson,Brandon Romann, Steve Gunhus, Andy Melander,Rodger Kretman, Scott Lundquist and JimThomas, former business manager.

The area Lutheran church is serving as atemporary mess hall for the trade workers, withother volunteers spending countless hours prepar-ing meals for the many people rushing to aid thesmall rural town in southern Minnesota. Theeffort is orchestrated by retired Local 292 memberRuss Agrimson, who owns a farm in Rushford.Russ has been diligently working and organizingvolunteers since the disaster happened.

Brandon Romann, P.S./B.R.

10 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

‘We Can Make it Happen’L.U. 294 (ees,em,i,rts,spa&u), HIBBING, MN—Wethank locals that employed our members in the lastyear. Soon we should be able to return the favor.

Hopefully, after eight years of G.W. Bush, thecountry will elect a Democrat for president. Itseems at times our members do not understandthe damage Bush has done to working families andunions. On the state level we need to gain a fewseats in the House to override Gov. Tim Pawlentyand his vetoes. U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman is up forre-election and we need to work hard to defeathim. This will be difficult with the RepublicanNational Convention in Minnesota, but we canmake it happen.

Local 294 holds its election of officers thismonth. We have a good selection of candidates,and we should thank them for running.

We can make a difference by donating a fewhours every month to support our union. With aunited effort the union will grow and prosper.

Sadly, Kimball Electronics (HibbingElectronics) is closing its plant in Hibbing. Thatfirst contract was ratified in 1995. Hard workwent into that organizing drive. It will be a sadday when the plant closes.

Ask yourself: Are you better off now thanyou were eight years ago? It is time for change.

Local 294’s annual picnic is Aug. 2 atVeteran’s Park, Ely Lake, in Eveleth, MN.

Scott Weappa, B.M.

Vermont Electricians VolunteerL.U. 300 (govt,i,mt&u), MONTPELIER, VT—TheCentral Vermont Garden Show recently welcomedelectricians from IBEW Local 300 into the mix.

Seven IBEW Local 300 members volunteerednearly five hours apiece March 12 to help set uptables, displays and brand new electrical mats forthe event. Volunteers included Kyle Brown, JohnBurditt, Tiffany Copley, Randie Dayton, SteveEdwards, Katy Ramstack and Greg Tessier.

The IBEW was proud to partner with theGarden Show. Community service dovetails withour union’s commitment to social responsibility andthe common good. The 2008 Garden Show ran atthe Barre Civic Center March 14-16. All proceedsbenefited the Friends of the Central VermontYMCA. The electrical mats—used to safely coverpower cords in pedestrian and vehicular trafficways—were later donated to the City of Barre.

“We were so thankful for the help from IBEWelectricians,” said Garden Show ChairwomanJeanne Daniele. “Their much-appreciated volun-teerism embodies what union labor is all about… and certainly helped make our first-ever pro-motion a success.”

Matthew Lash, P.S.

Economic Slowdown Affects AllL.U. 306 (i), AKRON, OH—When skilled men andwomen are without work, it’s like a cold blusteryday in March; unpleasant, but we’re confident itwon’t last! An “Equal Opportunity Annoyer,” aclogged economy affects you regardless of race,creed, color, gender, political affiliation or reli-gious preference. Kudos to all sister locals thathave work and share with those less fortunateduring these times.

As in other areas of the country, we antici-pate a number of projects but we remain at themercy of the “creative financing” industry andthe weather.

Negotiations began in April and will con-tinue with both sides searching for the prover-bial “win-win” solution.

The Social Committee had to pull theEaster Bunny out of his hole and the children allwore parkas but everyone had a good time at theannual Easter Egg Hunt! Thanks to all whoworked on this event.

Our condolences to the families of fourretired brothers, Edgar Patten, Forrest Ryan,John Skraba and Chuck Johnson, who passedaway in the spring.

Sunshine is welcome after a long winter!Remember to wear sunscreen and a hat if youdon’t want to spend your retirement hours andpension checks in a dermatologist’s office.

Robert Sallaz, P.S.

Wyoming Going StrongL.U. 322 (govt,i,it,lctt,o&u), CASPER, WY—Thework picture here in Wyoming remains good. Local322 members and the travelers who have mannedthe work deserve big thanks for giving 8 for 8, 10 for10 and sometimes 12 for 12 to keep the customershappy and our contractors profitable.

The Industrial Agreement was negotiatedearlier this year and ratified in March. The scalein Natrona and Converse Counties will be $26 anhour plus $20 a day per diem. In the other coun-ties covered by the agreement, the scale will be$28.50 an hour plus Building & Trades subsis-tence or customer negotiated rate.

The Activities Committee has been busycooking meals before the union meetings inCasper. The committee also put together a contestfor a new logo design. The committee will decideon the final five designs and then the members atthe summer picnics will vote on the winner.

Participation at the monthly meetings hasbeen good, but there is always room for improve-ment. More apprentices are attending, which is apositive thing. They are the future lifeblood ofthe IBEW.

Chris Morgan, P.S.

Register & Vote!L.U. 340 (em,i,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CA—Are you registered to vote? Are your family mem-bers registered to vote? It was a real “eye opener”last March when records showed only 39 percentof Local 340’s membership was registered to vote.I am happy to say that, due to the hard work anddedication of our voter registrars and our dedi-cated apprenticeship instructors, that figure has

grown quite a bit since then. This is not the yearto “sit out the elections”!

November elections are critical to the liveli-hood of all working families! Let’s be sure to sup-port candidates who understand and back theissues protecting worker safety laws, prevailingwages, health care for families, pension plans,Social Security, and the right to bargain collec-tively and form unions. Please register and votein November!

Work is now better in our jurisdiction thanit has been in some time. We have several largeprojects under way.

We are saddened to report the passing ofretired brothers Guy Snow (father of IBEW mem-ber Guy Snow Jr.), Robert A Phillips and JamesE. Boyce. Rest in peace, brothers!

A.C. Steelman, B.M.

Organizing in UtahL.U. 354 (i,mt,rts&spa), SALT LAKE CITY, UT—The work in Utah looks very good for the nextyear or two. We have work at the refineries, acouple of high-rises, a microchip plant, and sev-eral other projects already awarded.

Our local is in a very aggressive organizingcampaign statewide. Some of the flyers andcommercials on radio and television have beenvery successful.

We have a new Web site,www.utahsbestelectricians.com, which links tomany useful and informative sources.

Our membership development coordinator,George Halliday, is being approached by numer-ous unrepresented workers, as well as contrac-tors who want quality craftsmen doing theirprojects. The new members have been goingright to work and making our signatory contrac-tors even more successful.

We welcome all our new brothers and sis-ters to the IBEW. I wish everyone in this trade along, safe and prosperous career. Together wecan make a difference.

Manya Blackburn, R.S.

Leadership Series DinnerL.U. 364 (catv,ees,em,es,i,mt,rts&spa),ROCKFORD, IL—At this writing, our LaborManagement Cooperation Committee is prepar-ing to hold our next Leadership Series Dinnerscheduled for May 20. At press time, we are verypleased that Int. Pres. Edwin D. Hill is ourscheduled special speaker for the event. Look fora report in our next Local Lines article.

IBEW Local 322 Automation & Electronics crew members are working for Anadarko Petroleum on the RCS#2project in the town of Midwest, WY.

Retired Local 292 member Russ Agrimson helpsorganize volunteers providing flood relief assistanceto a hard hit community in southern Minnesota.

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Local 364 recently held our first annualEaster egg hunt for members’ children. It turnedout to be a snowy Easter holiday here, so the egghunt was held inside. The Student Council, ledby Apprenticeship Dir. Todd Kindred, plannedand volunteered to work the event. Fifty childrenof Local 364 members attended and huntedEaster eggs. Bro. Matt Michel donned an EasterBunny costume and passed out goodies to thekids. Thanks to all who helped with this event.

In March, the LMCC held our night with theRockford IceHogs for members. Those whoattended were treated to dinner at the new fandeck directly behind one of the hockey goals.The night was a fun-filled one held in the spiritof brotherhood. The IceHogs won an excitinggame filled with hard-hitting action.

Ray Pendzinski, P.S.

Big Oil Sands Organizing CoupL.U. 424 (as,ees,em,es,i,mo,o,ptc,rtb.rts,spa&u),EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA—In northernAlberta’s oil sands industry, words like “huge”and “gigantic” describe everything from the costof building each plant, (billions of dollars), or anelectrical work force of 2,000-plus, to equipmentsuch as the 400-ton heavy haulers.

The same words also apply to a recent organ-izing drive in which Local 424 filed the two biggest“Certification Applications” (for construction elec-tricians), ever filed with the Alberta Labor Boardor all of District 1.

The first application is on 400-plus electricianspresently with Basilian. The second is for 300 elec-tricians currently working for Berry Y&V Industrial.

Both companies are signatory to CLAC (a“convenience union”) on the Canadian NaturalResources Ltd. (CNRL) site, but were in their“open” period, a 60-day window prior to expirationdate of any agreement. Under Alberta’s draconianLabor Code, this is the only time employees canseek different representation and have a vote,held mid March on Basilian, and early April forBerry Y&V.

CLAC and site owner CNRL filed multipleobjections to the voting process. Pending a reso-lution of these objections, the Labor Board hassealed the ballots.

The Certification Applications are theresult of hard work by Local 424 Organizers EricCarpendale and Rod McVicar, with Bus. Asst. AlBrown as quarterback. A “huge” salute to allIBEW members and non-members who helpedLocal 424 bring a “real” vote to the CNRL project.

Dave Anderson, P.S.

100 Year HistoryL.U. 428 (govt,i,rts&spa), BAKERSFIELD, CA—Atour regular February union meeting, four retireeswere honored for researching and writing 100years of Local 428 history, covering 1903 to 2003.

In front of the membership, the four retireeswere presented the first packets containing thelocal’s 100 year commemorative journal. Retireeshonored were Ivan Beavan Jr., Bud Spears, JimElrod and Frank Gary (see photo). We not onlyrecognize the retirees but also Bus. Mgr. DannyKane and Bus. Agent Jim Elrod Jr. for their fin-ishing touches on the Local 428 journal.

The packet also contained a silver commemo-rative medallion, a copy of our 1931 agreementconsisting of 10 small pages and a copy of our 1934agreement. The old agreements covered everythingimaginable, probably because we had no lawyers orpoliticians involved. The old agreements were veryinteresting in the way they were written. For exam-ple the old contract specified that no benefitswould be paid for members who sustained injuriesor contracted diseases while out “on carousal.”

Ivan Beavan Jr., P.S.

Retirement Pin PartyL.U. 446 (i), MONROE, LA—We were honored tohave so many members and families present atour annual Christmas and retirement pin partylast year. Congratulations to service award recipi-ents. Bro. Rex R. Furlow received his 65-year pin;Bros. Jack T. Calvert and Simmie A. Wood—60-year pins; Bros. Walter A. Collier, Billy C.Copeland and Curtis W. Hammond—55-year pins;Bros. Lionel Antley, Robert J. Chevalier, Marvin J.Hyatt, Alfred E. Jones, Gerald S. Thorn andJames T. Vickers.—50-year pins.

Congratulations also to Bro. Roy Scroggins,who retired from the IBEW this year.

Fifth District Int. Rep. Glenn Brannenswore into membership 16 new first-year appren-tices. After all was done, everyone enjoyed goodgumbo, cake and other niceties.

J. Hopkins, B.M.

Cpl. Steven Koch MournedL.U. 456 (i&o), NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Ourlocal mourns the loss of Cpl. Steven Koch, whowas killed while serving in Afghanistan. [Pleasesee tribute to Cpl. Koch in “IBEW on Duty”on page 6 of this month’s Electrical Worker.]Cpl. Koch was the son of Local 456 memberWilliam Koch Jr. and the brother of William KochIII, also a Local 456 member. Our sincere condo-lences go out to the entire Koch family.

At this writing, many Local 456 activitiesare being planned including code classes, alter-native energy classes, fishing trips, a day at theraces, a family picnic and many other events.Check with the union hall for more informationas well as specific times and dates for events.

Attend meetings and become involved inunion activities. Support your union and buildyour future.

Wayne Martiak, P.S.

Welcome to New MembersL.U. 502 (c,em,i,it&t), ST. JOHN,NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA—Local 502 isproud to welcome new members Glen Griffin,Edward Spear, Doug Sharp, Scott Pennell, ArnoldMattson, Craig Graham, Dean Lisson, Mark Lamband Josh Francis.

The Canaport Liquefied Natural GasTerminal is now well under way with the latestcontract just awarded to IBEW contractor ICSState. The Point Lepreau Nuclear Station is nowofficially shut down for refurbishment. Local 502members are committed to do their part to bringthis project in safely and on budget and look for-ward to more positive announcements onLepreau II. Irving Oil has just partnered withinternational oil major BP for the next phase ofthe proposed Eider Rock Refinery for Saint John.BP will contribute $40 million toward engineer-ing and design work; the two companies will alsoinvestigate the possibility of forming a joint ven-ture to build the new refinery.

Local 502 members are currently receivingskills training in Industrial Electrical, Fibre

Optics, Forklift Operation, Rigging and Welding.Thanks to IBEWmembers from Local 2166,

Fredericton, NB, for their help on local projects andthanks to Locals 530 Sarnia, NB; 424 Edmonton,AB; and 120 London, ON, for the jobs on the road.

Dave Stephen, P.S.

Tribute to 60-year MembersL.U. 512 (mo), GRAND FALLS, NEWFOUNDLAND& LABRADOR, CANADA—Two of our retiredmembers, Harry T. Pinsent and Malcolm G.Locke, have reached the 60-year-member mile-stone. Both of these fine gentlemen are stillactive in our community of Grand Falls-Windsor,Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. They weretruly honoured and proud to receive their cita-tions and pins.

The accompanying photos were snapped byPres. Barry Saunders at each member’s home.Local 512 extends congratulations and best wishesto Brothers Pinsent and Locke. We thank them fortheir dedication and many years of service.

Alan Noftall, R.S.

Local 512 retired members Harry T. Pinsent (top)and Malcolm G. Locke (bottom) receive IBEW60-year membership awards.

Local 456 Pres.Michael McLaughlin(left) congratulatesthird-year insideapprentice CodyMalko. Also picturedare Cody’s father,Local 456 member AlMalko Jr. (second fromright) and grandfather,Local 456 retiredmember Al Malko Sr.

IBEW Fifth District Int. Rep.James G. Brannen (left) andLocal 446 Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec.John L. Hopkins (right) presentLocal 446 member Rex R.Furlow with his 65-year serv-ice award.

Local 428 retirees who researched and wrote the local’s 100 year history are, from left: Ivan Beavan Jr., BudSpears, Jim Elrod and Frank Gary.

Work PlentifulL.U. 538 (i), DANVILLE, IL—Local 538 membersmourn the passing of Leonard Colleen, a 61-yearIBEW member. Work in the jurisdiction remainsplentiful, with many traveling brothers and sis-ters helping complete projects in the area. DanSmith is doing well. We wish him a speedy andfull recovery. The members thank Gary Pollardfor his service as press secretary over the pastyears and wish him well in his new endeavors.Local 538 officers are: Bus. Mgr./Fin.Sec. JimBailey, Pres. Eric Bell, Vice Pres. John Butts,Sec. Schuyler Bailey, Treas. Larry Van Vickle; andExec. Board members Jeff Owen, Mike Walters,Tom Huls, Colby Rennick and Luke Modglin. Alsoserving the local are Asst. Bus. Mgr. Rex Modglinand Office Sec. Barbara Johnson.

Kathie Porter, Training Dir.

New Motor Control LabL.U. 606 (em,es,i,rtb,spa&u), ORLANDO, FL-Thenew motor control lab is finished. The two leadinstructors, Richard Merriam and Juan Santos,assembled all the parts and mounted all of thedevices to complete the lab. The JATC will usethis motor control lab to enhance the skills ofthe journeymen along with the apprentices, CWsand CEs. Walt Disney World is building an identi-cal lab on its property for their journeymanenhancement skills training also.

The Orlando Labor Management CooperativeCommittee is working diligently on promoting theimage of organized labor and union contractors.The committee is doing this through career fairs,hosting electrical-safety related classes, and par-ticipation in the JATC graduation.

Janet D. Skipper, P.S.

Western Area Power UnitsL.U. 640 (em,govt,i,mo,mt,rts,spa&u), PHOENIX,AZ—Western Area Power Administration isanother of Local 640’s fine units in Arizona. Atthe WAPA Unit, Ted Miller is the chairman stew-ard and Tim Alme is steward.

WAPA markets and transmits reliable, cost-based hydroelectric power and related services.WAPA sells power from 56 power plants operatedby the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers and the InternationalBoundary and Water Commission. Western’sservice area covers 1.3 million square miles(3.38 million square kilometers).

The Parker-Davis Project, which is theBureau of Reclamation, consists of Davis Dam,Parker Dam and corresponding power plants,

1,500 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, and32 substations. Parker Dam and Davis Dam, alsoLocal 640 units, are located on the Colorado River,downstream of Hoover Dam, and supply electricalenergy to Arizona and southern California.

WAPA is currently looking for lineman highvoltage substation electricians and meter relaycraftsmen experience. For information on how toapply go to www.wapa.gov or www.usajobs.gov.Current scale is $36.37 hr.

Frank Cissne, B.R.

Award RecipientsL.U. 684 (c,i,rts&st), MODESTO, CA—The localunion picnic was held May 31 at Hagaman Parkin Merced County. Events at the picnic includeda kid’s fair and the traditional horseshoe tourna-ment. Service pins were awarded, as follows.Receiving 50-year pins were Billy Barnes,William Dale, Stan Hicks, Alfred Rocha andRobert Thompson; 55-year pins—Warren Brown,Charlie Clem, Ed Hurley and Sam Nickerson;and 60-year pins—Ed Perry and Walter Ransdell.Congratulations and thank you to the awardrecipients for their years in service to our union.

Congratulations to our newly graduatingapprentices: Jordan Aivas, Justin Barrington,Jeremy Davis, Michael Lattin, David Pierce andJerrett Stagno. (See photo below.) Good luck, guys.

Torrey Newton, P.S.

Awards for AchievementL.U. 702 (as,c,catv,cs,em,es,et,govt,i,it,lctt,mo,mt,o,p,pet,ptc,rtb,rts,se,spa,st,t,u,uow&ws),WEST FRANKFORT, IL—A special thank-you tothe nearly 1,100 Outside Construction workers whohelped restore power during the ice storm and theheavy rainfall encountered in recent months.

The members employed by Alcoa PowerPlant in Newburgh, IN, were recently recognizedfor their productivity and reliability by a leadingindustry magazine, Reliable Plant. In addition,the members received recognition awards forhaving over 450 days without a recordable acci-dent and nine years without a lost-time accident.

Prairie State Energy Campus has brokenground at Lively Grove. We expect it to be 2009before we have manpower needs.

Marsha Steele, P.S.

Neighborhood Action PlanL.U. 716 (em,i,rts&spa), HOUSTON, TX—Thework situation is steady here with more projectsexpected soon.

Our organizing effort is moving forward withour Neighborhood Action Plan being implementedacross our jurisdiction. Local 716 held anotheropen house, earlier this spring, to recruit and edu-cate unrepresented workers about the IBEW, and

the event was a success. We are giving these work-ers an opportunity to skill assess and then pro-ceed through the steps to make membership.

With the primaries over in Texas, we havenumerous members representing us as delegatesand alternates at the state convention. We wishthem the best. We were successful in the primar-ies with our labor-endorsed candidates, even withsome disappointing losses. We will continue towork to get our candidates elected in November.

Recent successes in 716 include participa-tion in the Cesar Chavez March; the Local 716Golf Tournament; the Local 716 BrotherhoodBash picnic; and the Houston St. Patrick’s Dayparade, at which we took first place in thepickup-drawn float division.

Congratulations to apprentice DavidJoseph, who won first place in the IBEW SeventhDistrict Apprenticeship Contest. This is the sec-ond year in a row that a Local 716 apprentice hastaken first place. Thanks to all who participated.

John E. Easton Jr., B.M./F.S.

Kudos to IBEW ElectriciansL.U. 756 (es&i), DAYTONA BEACH, FL—Signatorycontractor Greenway Electric completed a renova-tion in an existing AT&T building in DaytonaBeach. The facility, which has been around sincethe 1950s, is being retooled to provide multiplemedia services to customers via regular phonelines. A crew of journeymen and apprentices fromLocal 756 installed thousands of feet of EMT con-duit ranging from 3/4-inch to 3 1/2-inch. Around2,400 feet of 2 1/2-inch conduit was installedunder a raised floor in the control room. Another4,500 feet of 3 1/2-inch conduit was installed in theceiling above and routed to adjacent rooms.

The control room houses the uninterrupt-ible power supply (UPS) system, which is tied in

12 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

Local 716 Apprentice of theYear David Joseph (secondfrom right) receives award.From left are: Asst. TrainingDir. Gene Brinkmeyer, Bus.Mgr./Fin. Sec. John E. EastonJr., Joseph and Training Dir.Gary Strouz.

Local 684 congratu-lates newly gradu-ating apprentices.From left are:Training Dir. MarkBowden andapprentice gradu-ates David Pierce,Jerrett Stagno,Jeremy Davis,Justin Barrington,Michael Lattin andJordan Aivas.

Local 640 members Scooter Godwin (left) and Kevin Trujillo test a 230-kv oil breaker.

Local 606 Bros. Richard Merriam and Juan Santos,lead instructors.

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with a basement full of batteries to insure thereis no interruption in the power supplying panelsand equipment. Supervisors from AT&T were verypleased with both the quality electrical installa-tion and that Greenway was able to complete theproject within the schedule. Kudos to the IBEWelectricians for exhibiting craftsmanship, whilealso meeting the needs of a good customer.

Daniel Hunt, Pres./P.S.

Meet & Greet LuncheonL.U. 824 (t), TAMPA, FL—Local 824 was honoredto host a “Meet & Greet” luncheon for Int. VicePres. Joseph S. Davis on Mach 27 at our unionhall. The attendees included Vice Pres. Davis,Fifth District Int. Rep. Danny L. Johnson, theLocal 824 Executive Board, officers, organizersand staff as well as business managers and stafffrom Locals 108, 199 and 915. We enjoyed a goodsouthern barbecue lunch prepared by our veryown members Robert Dixon and Robert BellottJr., and honorary member Robert Bellott Sr. Goodfood and good times were shared by all.

On a more serious note, Vice Pres. Davisdiscussed with us some of the problems facinglocals across the nation as we prepare for theupcoming contract negotiations in 2008-2010.

Local 824 was honored to host this specialoccasion. Sincere thanks to all who made itcome together.

Shauna Fulco, P.S.

Member Solidarity ProjectsL.U. 910 (i&rts), WATERTOWN, NY—At theMarch regular meeting, the Local 910 member-ship voted overwhelmingly to put the entire $1.50contractual increase from the Inside Agreementinto the paycheck. For the first time in manyyears, the increase was not split with portions

going to the local’s benefit funds. Funds ManagerJohn Love reported on the status of our funds. Hestated that increased funding to the pension planwould not help the plan at this time, and althoughit never hurts to add money to the annuity orhealth plans, there is no immediate need to do sothis year. There are still three remaining $1.50increases for the current Inside Agreement. Thelast is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2011.

The Brotherhood Committee works hard formember solidarity. Many projects have beenheld. This spring a bowling tournament was held.A buck contest took place last fall. A raffle was abig success last summer and another is plannedthis summer.

The Brotherhood Committee helps ourmembers and families at Christmas. They alsodonated $500 to the Local 910 Greg S. Maurmemorial scholarship fund.

Our Organizing Committee came up with ajobsite photo contest. The NASCAR contest washeld last summer and fall with great success.

Roger LaPlatney, P.S.

Banquet & Pin CeremonyL.U. 932 (c,i&st), COOS BAY, OR—The worksituation in Local 932 is slow at press time.

Thank you to members and their familieswho attended our winter banquet and pin cere-mony held Feb. 9, 2008, at the Mill Casino inNorth Bend, OR. Congratulations to membersawarded service pins! Receiving 60-year pins wereEugene Bradley, Robert Cook, Ernie Speaker;55-year pins—Richard Borig, Joe Gillespie, JamesGorman, H. Al Hindman, Eddie Snook; 50-yearpins—Pete Brophy, Leonard Butt, Jerome Lambe;45-year pin—David Coxford; 40-year pins—JerryEdmonton, Bill Foster, Lowell Lewallen; 35-yearpins—Ted Cherry, Bill McCaffree, Roy Snook;30-year pin—Roger Dunithan; and 20-year pins—Ed Steele and Eric Tobert.

I wish to recognize the hard work thatTraining Dir. Judy Berkley puts into our appren-ticeship program. Her efforts and commitmentensure that our apprentices become quality jour-neyman electricians. We appreciate all Judy doesfor the apprenticeship and training program.

Remember, the local union is run by thosewho participate. Attend your union meetings.

Robert Westerman, B.M./F.S.

Pole Installation:Union Linemen Answer CallL.U. 1116 (em,lctt&u), TUCSON, AZ—Who doyou call to install a 155-foot tall, 62,000-poundsteel pole when you have time constraints? If youanswered “a union lineman” you are correct.

In March, our TEP linemen successfullycompleted just that project at a new Pinal Westsubstation located between Tucson and Phoenix.While the regional line was taken out of servicefor this construction (which could have taken upto eight days), crews completed their work andreleased the line in less than five days.

Not only was new structure being put up, butold towers were simultaneously disassembled;crews also raised new fiber-optic cable to the topof new poles, energized a new transformer, andworked alongside other construction crews on-site.

This union lineman crew was a mix of old-school and up-and-coming apprentices, so ouryoung work force got some great on-the-job expe-rience for a project of this type. Working on thisproject with our linemen were our HEAT,Welding Dept., Automotive, Substations, andWarehouse union members. Just goes to showthat when you need a job to shine, shine it withunion craftsmanship and union labor.

R. Cavaletto, P.S.

Pension Settlement RatifiedL.U. 1220 (rtb), CHICAGO, IL—We are pleasedto announce that a settlement was reached withthe Tribune Company that will provide first-yearcredit on all of our members’ pensions. Contractswere extended for one year with a raise in payand no loss of jurisdiction as part of that settle-ment agreement.

Our members who work for WGN-AM Radioreceive their pension credit and raises immedi-ately. WGN-TV members will receive their pen-sion credit immediately and their raises as ofJuly 1, 2008. We worked for more than four yearsto get the first work year included in the TribuneCo. pension plan. Thanks to the stewards whogot the word out about terms and conditions ofthe settlement offer.

Local 1220 initiated a new contract forSports and Entertainment. Previously, these twodivergent types of productions were coveredunder one contract. Aesthetic Abstractions,whose contract was recently ratified by Local1220 members, has joined Program Productionsand Camera Originals as Sports andEntertainment providers.

Recent layoffs at WBBM/CBS Chicago haveaffected Local 1220 bargaining units in Chicagoand across the Midwest. Bus. Mgr. MadeleineMonaco said, “It is time to hone our skills astechnicians and as union organizers so the work-place is safe and profitable for all.”

Jim Sterne, B.R./P.S.

Cooper Industries AgreementL.U. 2084 (ees&em), SYRACUSE, NY—On March29 the membership of Local 2084 overwhelminglyapproved the terms of a new three-year laboragreement with Cooper Industries, Crouse-HindsDivision. The terms of the new agreement call forwage increases of a lump sum of $2,000 the firstyear, 3 percent the second year and 3 percent thethird year; increases in accident and sickness bene-fit; safety shoe allowance; and retirement contribu-tions. I thank the negotiation committee for theirhard work during these negotiations. The commit-tee included Sylvester Beeles, Jim Chipperfield,Jim Jackson, Harry Mosher, Dave Phillips, GuyRaymond and Bob Robinson. In addition, the com-mittee wishes to thank Dominick Macchia for hisassistance during these negotiations.

James E. Jackson Jr., B.M.

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Every plant shutdown is personal when you come from aone-time manufacturing powerhouse like westernPennsylvania. So it was good to return to my home statein April to address the Beaver County AFL-CIO and cel-

ebrate last year’s 11 percent increase in union membership inPennsylvania. It shows what the labor movement and the IBEWcan do, and that those who keep trying to assign us to the his-tory books are learning that we’re really part of current events.

Nowhere is our road more difficult than in manufactur-ing. The latest chain of shutdowns is hitting IBEW membersat General Electric’s refrigerator plant in Bloomington, Ind.Even the Hershey chocolate plant is going down in easternPennsylvania. Bad trade policy is still killing jobs and dreams.

A powerful national economy, once based upon produc-ing goods of value, has been replaced by one where states compete over legalized gambling tofill the cracks left by their declining tax bases. Meanwhile the gamblers who control WallStreet ask the American taxpayer to insure their risky bets on mortgage securities. Millionsface mortgage foreclosures.

But perhaps the most telling detail of the global economic mess caused by the subprimemortgage and credit crisis is that some nations are weathering the storm. Why? Because theyhad the good sense to develop plans for manufacturing and for training a skilled work force.They are exporting capital goods, the tools of industry. And they had the foresight to developuniversal health insurance. Industrial employers there stay competitive because they don’thave to plow their profits into the accounts of pharmaceutical and insurance companies.

Developing an effective U.S. manufacturing policy is not a pipe dream. More shining successstories like the Sharp plant featured in this issue are possible. It will take a major change inWashington, D.C. Join our union’s grassroots movement to elect leaders who won’t gamble withthe futures of working families. �

HOWTO REACH US

We welcome letters from our readers. The writer should include his or her name, address and, ifapplicable, IBEW local union number and card number. Family members should include the localunion number of the IBEW member to whom The Electrical Worker is mailed. Please keep lettersas brief as possible. The Electrical Worker reserves the right to select letters for publication and editall submissions for length.

Send letters to:Letters to the Editor, The Electrical Worker, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001Or send by e-mail to: media@ibew.org

©2008 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. on Union-made paper.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Electrical Worker, 900 Seventh Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20001.

The Electrical Worker will not be held responsible for views expressed by correspondents.

Paid advertising is not accepted.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40011756.Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:P.O. Box 503RPO West Beaver CreekRichmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6

The Electrical Worker was the name of the first official publication ofthe National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1893 (the NBEWbecame the IBEW in 1899 with the expansion of the union intoCanada). The name and format of the publication have changed overthe years. This newspaper, along with the IBEW Journal magazine,now published quarterly, now constitute the official publications ofthe IBEW and seek to capture the courage and spirit that motivatedthe founders of the Brotherhood and continue to inspire the union’smembers today. The masthead of this newspaper is an adaptation ofthat of the first edition in 1893.

14 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

There are less than two months left in the countdownto the contract expiration at Verizon, the nation’ssecond-largest telecommunications firm, and theeyes of working families from Virginia all the way up

to New England are focused on what is certain to be a diffi-cult round of negotiations.

At stake are the jobs, health care and pension benefits ofmore than 10,000 IBEW members and 50,000 CWA membersat the telecom giant. Workers at Verizon and its predecessorcompanies have historically had wage and benefit packagesthat set the pattern for the industry and brought telecommu-nications workers into the ranks of the middle class.

But management didn’t grant these benefits out of itsown generosity. Working families had to fight for every one ofthem. Sticking together on the job and on the picket line andkeeping the heat on management—like in 1989, 1998 and 2002—has kept Verizon a goodplace to work for those covered by a union contract.

Once again the company is trying to chip away at those benefits and continue to denymore than 65,000 employees at Verizon Business and Verizon Wireless their right to organize.The company has made clear it’s out to maximize its profits on the backs of its employees.

This fight is about what the workplace of the future will look like, both in the telecom-munications industry and beyond. At the company’s growing nonunion sector, workers have nojob security or pensions, high medical deductibles and a pay scale based on favoritism.

The other alternative is the workplace that generations of workers fought for: a placewhere workers have a voice at work, where their families’ health care costs are fully covered,and where they are properly compensated for a hard day’s work.

Make no mistake, corporate America is watching the Verizon fight very closely. Theresults will set the pattern for workplaces across the nation. For working families who arestruggling to defend a middle class that is increasingly under siege, this is the front line. �

EXECUTIVEOFFICERS

Edwin D. HillInternational President

Lindell K. LeeInternational Secretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONALEXECUTIVECOUNCIL

ChairmanRobert W. Pierson

First DistrictJoseph P. Calabro

Second DistrictMyles J. Calvey

Third DistrictJohn R. Clarke

Fourth DistrictJackie E. Goodwin

Fifth DistrictStephen Schoemehl

Sixth DistrictGregory A. Lucero

Seventh DistrictPatrick Lavin

Eighth DistrictRick Dowling

INTERNATIONALVICE PRESIDENTS

First DistrictPhillip J. Flemming

Second DistrictFrank J. Carroll

Third DistrictDonald C. Siegel

Fourth DistrictSalvatore J. Chilia

Fifth DistrictJoe S. Davis

Sixth DistrictJoseph F. Lohman

Seventh DistrictJonathan B. Gardner

Eighth DistrictTed C. Jensen

Ninth DistrictMichael S. Mowrey

Tenth DistrictRobert P. Klein

Eleventh DistrictCurtis E. Henke

THE ELECTRICALWORKER

EditorEdwin D. Hill

C. James Spellane

Mark Brueggenjohann

Mike Nugent

Malinda Brent

Len Shindel

Carol Fisher

Alex Hogan

Lucas Oswalt

James H. Jones

Elizabeth Pultar

Lindell K. LeeInternational Secretary-Treasurer

A Fight For Us All

Edwin D. HillInternational President

I n t e r n a t i o n a l B r o t h e r h o o d o f E l e c t r i c a l W o r k e r s

F R OM T H E O F F I C E R S

Stop Gambling withWorkers’ Futures

w w w. i b e w. o r g T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008 15

Lance Biglin cares passionatelyabout an important way ofAmerican life that he sees fad-

ing. As president of Local 688 inMansfield, Ohio, he has witnessed thedeterioration of the manufacturingsector in his native state and beyond,as countless companies have shuttheir doors to American workers andmoved operations abroad.

In times like these, workers pourtheir collective energy into ramped-uporganizing efforts spreading the mes-sage of union solidarity. But Biglin hasalso taken it one step further: hewants to reach the workers of tomor-row. In a novel burst of inspiration,Biglin recently released his first self-published book, “Bye, America,” whichhe wrote to teach children about theloss of America’s industrial base.

“This whole area has been dev-astated by closing factories,” Biglinsaid, citing the local demise of NeerManufacturing (an electrical fittings plant), Tyco(a plastics factory) and Miami Systems (a printingplant), to name a few. More than 224,000 man-ufacturing jobs have disappeared from the statesince 2001.

“I got to thinking, what happens if my kidsdon’t get into college?” Biglin said. “What willthey be doing? They’ll be making french friesbecause of the loss of good manufacturing jobs.”

“Bye, America” tells the story of youngBrady, whose father loses his job when the localvacuum cleaner factory suddenly closes its doorsand moves to China. As Brady’s father tells hisson, “It’s important to be good neighbors to othercountries, but we must stop giving away ourAmerican workers’ jobs.”

Biglin said that writing a book for childrenwould be an effective way to start a dialoguewith the next generation of American workers.His own father worked for auto glass plant PPGIndustries in Crestline for 45 years. Biglin himselflogged four years in manufacturing—doing elec-trical maintenance for Plastipak and crafting mili-tary and aircraft components at HartmanManufacturing—before beginning his appren-ticeship. He spent 13 years as an inside wire-man before taking office at the local.

The book is no work of fiction. Last year sawthe close of the Hoover plant in North Canton.Hundreds of workers—including more than 600Local 1985 members—lost their jobs. Soon after,Biglin set to work on the book to help his ownchildren understand what happens when corpo-rations give the boot to the American worker.

Local 688 member Dan Lloyd, a fifth-yearinside wireman apprentice at Lake Erie Electricand father of a two-year-old boy, said Lance’sbook offers a lesson on the importance of havingsolid jobs here for the middle class.

Biglin’s first foray into the writing worldbecame a family affair. The book’s crisp, colorfulillustrations were drawn by Biglin’s wife, Kristi.Even the characters in the story are based onBiglin’s three children: Kimberly, 3; Brady, 7; andIsabelle, 10.

The endeavor has been self-financed, with$8,000 of the family’s money generating the first1,000 issues. Books are available for purchasethrough his Web site, www.buyamerica.com.All copies of the book were published in theUnited States. He said he hopes to spread theword of the book by providing free copies tolocals and other trade unions.

“My children look at tags continuouslynow,” Biglin said. “One of them will say, ‘Daddy, Iwon this toy at school, but it’s made in China.’” �

Lettersto theEditorLettersto theEditorTragedy StrikesI have been an IBEW member of Local 1245 in Woodland, Calif., for 25 years. IBEW hasdone many great things over the years, from worldwide events, local community fund-raising, and helping with individual tragedy.

On March 4, my son Timothy Royce, age 27, was brutally murdered in an attemptedrobbery while he was on duty driving his taxi cab in Tucson, Ariz. His passing affectedmany people in the Tucson area as well as the community of Woodland where he grew upand was a part of the IBEW family. Among many friends and family, Tim is also survivedby his fiancé Melissa Bothwick, who is pregnant with Tim’s child.

Homicide Survivors Inc. has established a Timothy Royce Fund, which will be used tohelp with the birth and care of Timothy’s son. If he has touched your heart in any way,please make donations to:

Homicide Survivors Inc.32 North Stone Ave, Suite 1408Tucson, AZ 85701Memo: Timothy Royce Fund

Donald RoyceLocal 1245 member, Vacaville, Calif.

Daddy’s HelperMy husband was calledout to work one stormywinter night and awokeour son Jack. He wasonly nine months oldwhen I shot this photoin December of 2005and he loved to “help”daddy put on his boots.I was making John apot of coffee to fill histhermos when Isnapped this photo ofthe two of them. We callit the “Littlest Lineman.”It remains a favoritephoto today.

Angela ClementsSpouse of John Clements,

Local 77 member,Seattle, Wash.

A Bright IdeaAfter suggesting to my husband,Rik, that we needed a new mail-box, he provided—in miniatureand purely American made! I’msure the mailman now knowshis occupation. He loves and isproud of his job.

Misty NussmeyerSpouse of Rik Nussmeyer,

Local 702 member,West Frankfort, Ill.

If you have a story to tell about your IBEW experience, please send it tomedia@ibew.org.

Who We Are

If you would like to receive yourElectrical Worker via e-mail insteadof in your mailbox, contact us atmedia@ibew.org. Give us your name,IBEW local union number, card num-ber and e-mail address and wewill send you the link to access TheElectrical Worker electronically.

Get Connected

Mansfield, Ohio, Local 688 President Lance Biglin—picturedwith his family—wrote “Bye, America,” a book on the declineof manufacturing in the United States.

Buy America or Bye, America?

16 T h e E l e c t r i c a l Wo r k e r � June 2008

Attention Photo and Video BuffsPhotographs have the power to inspire and motivate, and that’s why we tryto capture images of the IBEW through our annual photo contest. Withimproved and cheaper technology and the rise of YouTube and other usesof video on the Web, the ability to make moving pictures is accessible tomany. That’s why we have expanded our photo contest this year to includevideo productions and will be awarding prizes in both categories.

Also new with this year’s contest is that the IBEW membership will pick thewinners on our Web site. The judges will take an American Idol-type role byselecting the finalists in the contest, which will be posted on www.ibew.org.Keep an eye on future issue of the Electrical Worker and the Web site forthe announcement of when the judging will begin.

Read on for rules and eligibility for both contests. And start shooting!

IBEW PHOTO + VIDEO CONTEST ENTRY FORM

NAME(S)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP/POSTAL CODE

PHONE NUMBER

LOCAL UNION NUMBER

IBEW CARD NUMBER OF EACH ENTRANT(S)

TITLE/POSITION OF EACH ENTRANT (I.E. PRODUCER, VIDEOGRAPHER, EDITOR, WRITER)

CATEGORY TITLE (PROFESSIONAL OR NON-PROFESSIONAL)

ENTRY TITLE

ENTRY LENGTH (MUST BE NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES) PRODUCTION DATE

Fill out this form and attach it to the back of each VIDEO or PHOTO entry and mail to:IBEW Photo and Video Contest, 900 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001

VIDEOENTRIESON

LY

PRIZES

to be awarded in each category:

1st Place — $2002nd Place — $1503rd Place — $100Honorable Mention — $50

PHOTO + VIDEO CONTEST RULES

1. This photo and video contest is open to active or retired IBEW members only. For the photo contest,the person submitting the photo must be the one who took the photograph. For the video contest,all production work must be performed by active or retired IBEW members. Members may entermore than one video production or photo.

2. International Officers and staff are not eligible.

3. Photo submissions can be in color or black and white, on slides, 300 dpi tiff file or glossy prints.The preferred print size is 8x10.

4. All submissions become the property of the IBEW Media Relations Department.

5. Photo and video entries must have an IBEW theme of some sort, with IBEW members at work,engaged in a union-related activity or subjects conveying images of the electrical industry or the union.

6. If members are featured in the photo, they should be identified. If large groups are pictured, thename of the group or the purpose of the gathering (e.g. a safety committee, a lineman’s rodeo,a union meeting) can be submitted in place of individual names.

7. Photos previously published in the IBEW Journal are not eligible for submission.

8. The video contest offers two categories: one for members working in the broadcast branch(professional) and one for everyone else (non-professional). Each video entry must beclearly marked for category.

9. Video entries must be submitted on DVD-R and only one entry per DVD-R. All DVDs must be clearlymarked in permanent marker with entry title, entry length, category name, entrant(s) name and ashort, written synopsis of the video entry and how it relates to the IBEW.

10. All photo and video entries must include a completed contest entry form below.

11. Video entries must be submitted as either a Windows Media File or full non-compressed video in theNTSC format and can be in either the 4x3 or 16x9 aspect ratio. No other video file formats will beaccepted. Entries are limited to 10 minutes in length.

12. Video entries must be produced specifically for this contest. No entry should have been previouslybroadcast, cablecast or webcast.

13. All video and still photographs (unless historical in nature) used in the video production must beoriginal video shot and edited by entrant(s). Use of video or stills (unless historical in nature) fromother sources is forbidden.

DeadlineOctober 24, 2008

Move Over, Simon!IBEW MEMBERSWILL BE THE JUDGE