“Change”, human nature says resist. A scary term when one is so used to the status quo and the system or action that has worked in one’s favor for so long must be changed. Take our Pension for example. Local 180 has one of the finest plans in the IBEW. The financial crisis that plagued our nation crippled our Pension Fund, and forced the Trustees to make some severe decisions with respect to funding and benefit cuts. Active participants allocated $1.24 an hour from their wage increase to meet a shortfall, along with cutting benefits going forward for a total of $3.02. It has been years since the plan needed an infusion of funding to be safe and viable. Did this change cause fear, resistance from the membership or anger? All of the above. Cooler heads prevailed, the membership supported the so called changes and eventually the plan righted itself. The plan is over 100% funded at this time, but this could not have occurred without change.
I don’t have to remind anyone of the crisis with Health Care in the United States. It has been an item of discussion and battle among the politicians that wish to change the upwards spiral and the citizens that are strapped paying the costs. Once again, change must occur. I was informed by our Kaiser representative that we shall have a minimum of an 8% increase and it could hit double digits with a high experience rating. At this rate, we are looking at an increase of a $1, and likely more. I have contacted several firms asking for assistance, with no positive results. A PPO plan may be the alternative needed to lower the per hour rate. I am currently waiting for the quote from the IBEW National Health Plan. It is a significantly lower hourly contribution rate and the additional monies could be used for co-pays and/or deductibles. Once again, change, and the participants shall make the right choice. Once the information is gathered, a meeting will be called to discuss options with participants and Trustees. I will keep you posted.Dan Broadwater, Business Manager
Gerald & Cari McCormick, Michael, a son born 05/14/2010
Jared & Lindsay Ildefonzo, Jared Jr., a son born 06/16/2010
None
From the June meeting, the $20 Home Depot card went to Mike Evans and the IBEW tape measure went to Rich Mattson. The membership drawing for $25 was #666, Warren Wright, who was not present. From the July meeting, the $25 Bev Mo card went to Marty Ohlemacher. The membership drawing for $50 was #421, Charles Moyer, who was not present. The drawing will increase to $75 for the August 12th meeting.
The Check is in the Mail
Seriously! If you worked under the Inside Agreement in Local 180 fromJune 1, 2008 to June 1, 2010 you have a refund coming. The membership allocated an increase to be remitted to the LMCC. This was withheld from member’s gross pay and remitted as part of the dues. However, the required matching increase to the gross pay was inadvertently excluded (so the pass through could take place). Therefore, that amount, $.03 per hour, is being refunded to those members. Please, look for a letter from the Local around the same time as you receive this newsletter.
Almost Picnic Time
Local 180 Annual Picnic will be held at Lake Solano Park on Saturday, September 25, from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Activities are a rock climbing wall (from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.), jumpy house, snow cones, and hover t-ball. As for the food and refreshments, lunch will have chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, hot links, sausages from noon until 2:00 P.M., keg of Sierra Nevada and a beer to be named later, Coke, waters, Bud and Bud Light. There will also be dessert after lunch. The fun also includes the massage tables at $1.00 per minute and horse shoes all day. Some come and enjoy great company and great friends sharing the day.
We are still forming a committee to make this a better event and we need help pulling it all together. If you would like to be on the committee or if you just have comments or suggestions please contact Dean Lloyd at 337-0347. We will be meeting one evening in early August to brain storm ideas.
Visit ibewlu180.org and see “local events” and use the Google calendar to set a reminder!
Thank you, Dean LloydBLOOD DRIVE
Would like to invite you to help Save A Life
All Donors are invited to a Bar-B-Que after donating!
Donor Mobile parked in the Parking Lot 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Contact the office at 251-9180 or register online at www.bloodheroes.com
Click "Donate Blood" and enter Sponsor Code: obew
To schedule your life saving appointment.
Grad Night Party for high schools in Napa was a huge success. IBEW Local 180 was a big part of the construction for the party. We had volunteers helping with all their electrical needs. We set up hair styling booths with power, 21 tables and poker tables with lights, a tattoo booth with power; we also set up lights for a safe night, lights for an outdoor BBQ and so much more. I want to thank the hard working volunteers who helped with putting it all together. Justin Haley, Jon Wilson, Rick Row, Adam Grey, Alberto De La Cruz, Steve Crego, and Kerry McCard. I want to point out two apprentices who really stood out and came to help five nights in a row. These two outstanding volunteers were Andrew Wise and Fernando Chavez. The night would not have been such a big success without them. The Grad Night Organizers are in love with the I.B.E.W. Thank you again to all who helped out.
Dean Lloyd
A smart roadmap for a healthier future
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https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/redirects/healthylifestyles/index.htm
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• A "lifestyle score" you can compare to others in your age group.
You can even choose to have a summary of your results included in your electronic health record so you can discuss them with your doctor.
To get started, go to the healthy lifestyle programs page and click on “Take a total health assessment.” You’ll be asked to sign on to kp.org if you haven’t already.
Already taken your total health assessment? If it’s been a while since you last took it, you may be able to take it again. It’s a great way to review your health goals.
On June 11th 2010 my class and I were honored as graduates from the IBEW Local 180 JATC Apprenticeship program. After five long years we finally received the certificates that we had worked so hard to attain. All of this work that we put in both in the classroom and in the field is definitely worth it, as we are now able to go out into the Electrical Industry with the confidence that we have received the best training available. I know that for a lot of you out there who are in the earlier years of your training, it seems as though graduation is a distant reality. The years go by slow at first, but before you know it the end is just around the corner.
I am very appreciative of the opportunity that I received to represent the interests of all of you as the Apprentice Liaison. Over the years I have definitely enjoyed the feedback that I have received from fellow Apprentices as well as the great Journeyman that I have had the privilege to work with and learn from. I am looking forward to making the transition from Apprentice to Journeyman and having the opportunity to pass on the knowledge and skills that have been passed down to me by the skilled Craftsman that have come before me. I hope for the best for all of you. Keep up the hard work, and I hope to see you out in the field. Questions or comments are always welcome davidiloff@ymail.com
David Iloff
Greetings Retiree's,
The club had a terrific Independence Day Celebration on the 7th of July at our regular monthly meeting day. We didn’t have a large turnout for the event, but everyone present had a good time. We had stacks of good food, fried chicken, biscuits, baked beans, salads, cakes, pies and ice cream does not cover everything but you get the idea. There was enough so that everyone took extra food home for a follow up meal. Maybe next year we can get a better turnout. I know it is vacation time and many of you are on the road.
We decided to cancel the August meeting, Ken, always goes camping at Buck’s lake with his family this time of year and I make an annual visit to Hot August Nights in Reno. Ken said he would notify all the club members of the cancellation, I hope no one was missed.
I’m guessing that we will have to cancel the October meeting since October 6-21 Ken will be our tour guide on a Princess Cruise ship though the Panama Canal and other ports of call. I love Cruise ships; they really give you the royal treatment. The food is incredible and non-ending. This is very important to retired electricians who need to build up their weight for the hard winter that will come soon after the cruise.
Some of the group will not catch the flight home in Fort Lauderdale Florida, but drive up to Orlando, Florida for four days at Disney World. I have been to Disneyland and everyone tells me that Disney World is even better. In fact I have never been to the East Coast, so this is a real adventure for me.
We have a very important election coming up soon. It is most important that we get out and vote, or better yet vote absentee. Seniors are a very important part of the voting process. Only 30% of the voters are seniors but in the last primary election seniors made up 80% of the vote. That means that we seniors decide what legislation and which candidates get elected.
Our brothers and sisters of Local 180 and middleclass Americans have suffered though some real tough times since the Great Recession started and continues on. We must weed though all the false advertising that the political parties and lobby groups inundate us with. A very famous sports coach once said that “Winning is all that counts”. Politics follows the same statement. Truth can be overcome if you keep repeating the same lies over and over again.
If you want to know the truth, go to the encyclopedia and verify what is advertised, especially on TV. If you have a computer, go to FactCheck.org or Snopes.com to check out these non-ending negative e-mails that claim to have inside information on candidates and other topics such as Social Security, Medicare, Immigration, and such. Remember it is important that we vote for legislation and candidates that support the working middleclass.Bud Huss
VP Retired Electrician Club 
FUTURE TRIPS: 15-night cruise via the Panama Canal from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale on October 6-21, 2010 - four months to plan!!! Information about upcoming trips is posted on www.ibewlu180.org. (Click on “Retirees” and then “Latest News”.)
Information about upcoming trips is posted on www.ibewlu180.org—click on retirees and then latest news.
The JATC has a number of classes listed at their website, www.jatclu180.org. They also have the Solar Trainer up and running - or should we say spinning!
Call the JATC at 707-251-0315—www.jatclu180.org
IBEW Salting / Comet / Code of Excellence is the last Wednesday of every month – RSVP to the office by phone or email – richm@ibewlu180.org
Dispatching duties have been assigned to Mike Smith who offers the following report.
The Valero Refinery now stands at 177 and breaks down as follows: 146 journeymen, 19 apprentices, 12 foremen. The project completion remains December 2010 and Newtron estimates reduction in workforce during the month of October. No details on the turnaround that follows. Some skids arrived from China and the electrical work did not meet N.E.C. – so, Valero had Newtron correct the first skid. The remaining corrections are going out to bid.
The New Tech High School is on track to finish about the time we published this newsletter. The job had a huge push at the end that was challenging to both S.M. Leslie Electric and the crew. It was a pressure cooker when you add poor drawings, information, hot weather, remodel, stacking of trades, small space, long hours and looming deadline. We thank the journeymen for taking the calls and getting the job done.
The Solano County Government projects and the Vacaville Campus for the community college are complete and Del Monte’s crews have relocated to other projects. The Verizon call center is more like a switch center and after numerous redesigns the project is finally moving. Redwood City has moved their crews around and has most of the project manned. At this time Redwood City foresee no additional hiring and completion by the end of the year. Rosendin is starting the Montezuma Hills Wind Farm and has slowly started to hire and has expectations for additional hiring about September – October and completion by the end of this year. Sprig Electric has no plans for additional hiring as the Franklin Distillery in Fairfield is moving along at a good pace with their existing crew and completion remains October 2010.
Of the two hospital projects, only the Queen of the Valley has made it to the site work
phase. Rosendin has a few people out there and placed a few short calls to fill in. On the Vacaville site, Schetter has not mobilized and the job site is a field of weeds. We only have two hospital projects at this time. Another hospital project might go out to bid in Fairfield. The hospital at the Vacaville State Prison went badly for us. The two low bidding GC’s listed union electrical contractors. However, a technical problem in minority contractor outreach requirement caused the two low GC’s to be tossed out. The third low GC was awarded the project and that GC listed a non-signatory electrical contractor.
Mike Brown has the Vallejo Parking Garage and they just started moving dirt. No manpower projections at this time. Michels Construction has the SMUD wind farm in Rio Vista. Since we do not have the exact start date (perhaps March 2011), exact duration and exact number of turbines… we cannot exactly report on the typical manpower. All we can report is Michels has the job, they need to deal with some issue, so follow this and the other projects on the work picture page.
Details of where the job calls went on the books and refusals will be provided in a timely manner on both the work picture page via www.ibewlu180.org and the recorded work picture message at extension 180 on our phone system. You can access the website 24/7 and reach the recorded message after hours or by asking for extension 180 during business hours.
Newtron requires steel toed boots. If you must purchase a pair, turn in the receipt to Newtron and you will receive a reimbursement up to $150.
Please remember to verify your TWIC pin code prior to taking a call. See our help PDF for resetting your PIN; if such is needed.
At time of dispatch, you will have to present all of your documentation (Driver’s License, SSN card, TWIC card and BAT card), complete some paperwork for your badge/parking and then complete a drug test in Vallejo. You will report two days later to the Valero East Building for safety training and to complete the Newtron new-hire paperwork.
Additional information concerning TWIC is available at
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm#twic_cost
For those on the out-of-work list, please remember to re-sign. You can use the fax re-sign forms provided at the hall, or you can get one off the web site. Do not wait for the forth Wednesday - resign often!
DID YOU KNOW . . .
YOU MAY REGISTER TO VOTE IN CALIFORNIA IF –
- You are a United States Citizen,
- You are a resident of California,
- You will be at least 18 years of age by the date of the next election,
- You are not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction, and
- You have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent.
ALSO . . .
YOU NEED TO RE-REGISTER TO VOTE IF –
- You moved,
- You changed your name, or
- You changed your political party choice.
THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THE NEXT ELECTION IS OCTOBER 18, 2010.
You may apply to vote by mail (ABSENTEE), so that your vote will count even if you can’t make it to the polls.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
NAPA COUNTY |
SOLANO COUNTY |
ALL CA COUNTIES |
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Napa County Registrar of Voters |
Solano County Registrar of Voters |
CA Secretary of State |
900 Coombs St. Rm 256 |
675 Texas St. Ste 2600 |
1500 11th St |
Napa, CA 94559 |
Fairfield, CA 94533 |
Sacramento, CA 95814 |
(707) 253-4321 |
(707) 784-6675 |
(800) 345-VOTE (8683) |
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PAC – Political Action Committee
In August the political “season” will see the fledgling candidates depart the nest in search of votes. While it is true the early bird gets the worm; candidates must start schmoozing early. However, all the schmoozing cannot circumvent the process.
Candidates are interviewed and endorsed on the needs, and support, of working people. So we need to hear from you.
Join the PAC. Come join the discussion of what you feel are the issues. What is it that you, your family and your neighbors are concerned about – what do you need to see and hear in a candidate? We would like to make this an easy and open discussion amongst the members. Would it be better to hold a get together in each city over pizza or meet at the hall for hot dogs and hamburgers? Hold it on a weekday evening or on a weekend? How often?
Tell us what you think. Call the Hall or drop any of us an email.
I want to cover a key element of the COMET Program with the IBEW. COMET stands for Construction Organizing Membership Education and Training. One of the key messages from COMET is the fact that we are all organizers for the IBEW. That being said, how many of us know an unrepresented electrician? How many then take the time and talk with that person about the benefits of the IBEW?
Perhaps you might encounter a fellow electrician at a ball game or at a bar or coffee shop, Consider taking advantage of the opportunity to discuss your experiences in the field and what’s important to you both. When the IBEW comes up, share with them what you know. Chances are that the discussion will be fruitful – because, when you think about it, there are more things we have in common than there are that separate us.
After all, we’re all suffering the same increases to the cost of our healthcare and are concerned about our future. We’re also concerned with the work picture and trying to live AND work locally. And if someone says he’s had a bad experience; don’t deny that it could have happened. We all understand that no organization or person is perfect. Just remember to remind them that the advantages of IBEW membership far outweigh occasional disappointment. If the person needs more information, then give him our contact info, or tell him to google IBEW 180. You can always call me and I’ll be happy to help.
Stan Nelson
Local 180’s Impact at the Polls – It’s Up to You!
In 2008 – one of the most popular election years in our country’s history – our local union increased its percentage of registered voters from 58% to 64%. And during that election, 85% of that 64% actually voted. Since then, however, our percentage of registered voters has dwindled to a mere 61%. If Local 180 is going to be at all influential in the next election, a significant number of our members will have to register to vote and actually cast a ballot.
This year, the stakes could not be higher for Local 180 and all of organized labor in California.
In the race for California’s governor’s office, Jerry Brown, a life-long public servant who has demonstrated a true appreciation for working men and women throughout his political career, is facing Meg Whitman, a corporate executive with a net worth of over one billion dollars who derived her riches by downsizing workers, slashing benefits, outsourcing jobs, and parlaying mortgage-backed securities which economists agree were instrumental to our current economic crisis.
Whitman came out swinging against organized labor as soon she began to campaign. In fact, one of her first shots across the bow occurred within our very own jurisdiction (last September at the Silverado Resort) as she gave the keynote address at a forum held by Associated Builders and Contractors aimed at fighting project labor agreements. In a speech at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco last February, she stated it was time to take away guaranteed meal breaks for workers in California. Furthermore, she has declared California’s labor laws “burdensome” and expressed her interest in eliminating the 8-hour day.
Statewide and locally, there are several key races that will determine whether the working class is to be respected and dignified, or merely marginalized like some second rate tool. Soon, local staff will be working diligently with affiliates of the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council to interview the respective candidates and communicate our endorsements.
Union representation affords us with voice, access, effective recourse to justice, and dignity and respect in the workplace. No union member of sound mind would ever forfeit these hard earned liberties. So, why is it that the privilege of voting is not held equally sacred? Why is it that we work so hard to achieve and sustain our voice where so many aim at opposing it, yet we fail to exercise our voice during elections where it’s legally protected, literally invited of us, and as simple as filling in a few bubbles on a ballot and handing (or mailing) it in?
I genuinely fear what will happen if enough of us fail to vote in November. Imagine how different our country would be if ALL of organized labor took voting seriously?Kevin Coleman
(Phone Banking, Precinct Walking, Pounding in Campaign signs) – Call Me 707-363-0277 or drop me an email
We have voter registration forms just waiting to be filled out at the dispatch window. And remember, if your work schedule or personal obligations tend to prevent you from getting to the polls on time, you can arrange to vote by mail (absentee voting). For more information, just ask anyone in the office, or visit the California Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov. |
Solano / Napa Trust Joins the ELECTRI Council
From ELECTRI International; complete story at: http://www.electri.org/newsletter/report.cfm?articleID=11660&email=1
The Electrical Contractors Trust of Solano & Napa Counties has joined the ELECTRI Council as a $100,000 Founder.
In announcing the decision, Trust Chairman Greg Long (Long Electric, Napa, CA) explained, “A major part of our Trust’s mission is to support training programs and to help expand and develop the electrical industry. While our focus is local, it is closely related to that of ELECTRI International on a national basis.
ELECTRI International President, Russ Alessi, had the opportunity to meet with Trust Vice Chairman Jess Zuniga (ZECO Electric Company, Napa, CA) at the 2010 ELECTRI Cross-Border Meeting in Belize. When word of the Trust's commitment arrived at ELECTRI headquarters, the value of that first-hand interaction with ELECTRI International was clear. Long noted, “We have been considering joining ELECTRI International for a while. After Jess attended the Cross Border meeting and shared his positive experience, it gave us that extra push to make the commitment.”
The Solar Installer Agreement was unveiled at the premier solar industry exhibition and conference, Intersolar, in San Francisco on July 15, 2010. The event had about 700 exhibitors, business to business for deal making and networking and included key solar firms from the US, Europe, and Asia.
Northern California IBEW, NECA and CALEIA reached agreement to establish a solar installer job classification. Working together, IBEW, NECA, and CALSEIA developed an agreement establishing a new journeyman solar installer classification for commercial and residential projects with hourly wage rates based on geographic areas plus family health and dental plan benefits. Additionally, a new two-year apprenticeship program for solar is being filed with the State’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards for state recognition.
Commercial buildings can save up to 40% in energy savings by simply turning lights off in unoccupied offices, conference rooms, and restrooms during business hours.
California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP) partner utilities, which encompass over 90% of the California market, will require CALCTP-certified contractors and CALCTP-certified general electricians for installation. Bruce Gourley and Mike Smith are certified instructors for the CALCTP. The JATC will soon be offering classes for members to become CALCTP-certified.
The California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP) is a statewide initiative aimed at increasing the use of lighting controls in commercial buildings and industrial facilities.
Through proper installation, advanced lighting controls improve energy efficiency in commercial facilities and save significant dollars. CALCTP will educate, train and certify licensed electrical contractors, and state certified general electricians in the proper design, installation and commissioning of advanced lighting control systems.
What are the prerequisites? Because the lecture and lab work moves along at a challenging pace, all participants must be equally prepared prior to enrollment. The prerequisite studies are on the Lighting Controls Association website—modules EE101, EE102, EE103, and EE201 (Approximately 12 hours). These courses can be found at http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/Education_Express/accr_orgs.php. For enrollment in CALCTP, applicants must present a certificate of completion for online study to enroll in the CALCTP course.
What is covered in the course? This course is divided into seven modules consisting of both lecture and lab activities. The module content is organized to answer the following about lighting controls: what they are, what they do, where they are used, and how they are installed. Each “lecture” contains one or more interactive components, including group discussions, device demonstrations and/ or calculation exercises.The Statewide JATC has partnered with 360Training.com to bring affordable online electrical continuing education courses to IBEW members. They are pleased to announce that the site is now ready to access. Earn CEUs for State certification and recertification. Over fifty courses are available on a wide range of topics, including OSHA 10 hour and 30 hour training. Easy on-line training you can use wherever and whenever you desire. Register for individual courses or purchase a package for added savings. A link to http://ecertify.360training.com has been added to ibewlu180.org under “links”.
Yet another election is upon us. But this one may very well be the most important election in our history. Let me put some spin on the spin - how about boldly labeling this as possibly the last most important election in our history?
Discouraged about elections in general is a problem for the voter, and encouragement required for the unregistered and nonvoter is a disaster. While now is not the time to blow smoke up your skirt, it is time for blowing off steam. How many times will we get the call for donations? How much mail will arrive that will go straight to the trash? When will the recorded phone calls be outlawed?
Where is the list to join the discouraged and UN-encourage (those who never were encouraged to become discouraged) to get off this merry-go-round?
With the current trends in this experiment called democracy, we could see an end to our being targets of the candidates and the political parties. One party attempts to be everything to everyone while the other has mastered the divide and conquer technique. (Explained below.)
Campaigns have turned from making promises to marketing. Parties have honed in on our special, single issue. Then they’ve swung us right to their candidates. Sad, because we should be electing people that are supposed to do the greater good for the greatest number of people while protecting the minority from the majority… but no, we are targeted to elect them based solely on that ONE special issue. Encouragement at its best – at the expense of the working class!
No, we only hear how bad the other candidate or party is as they drill in on that one special issue. They do such a good job at this… perhaps they used to sell subprime home loans… very discouraging.
Not to worry, after this election the “union voter” may no longer be relevant, working people will have lost their voice. The mailers, phone calls and people knocking on your door will soon end. No need to get on the “do not campaign” list, with our lower and lower registered voters and voter turn-out it is automatic. Yes, the end is near and they did not even have the decency to thank us for the help!
“Union voters” have slowly voted out the people who supported worker’s issues to protect that single special issue. On our constant journey for working people, we took our eye off the big picture – the horizon – the future. We stopped dead in our tracks to look at the moment – our feet – the headlines. This election’s marketing plan worked great - the general public and many union members will vote against public employee unions, pensions and prevailing wage because the “costs are too high” for the taxpayers. A house divided cannot stand, even a union house over one hundred years that has survived two world wars and the great depression.
After very careful marketing, they finally got us. Reminds me of the line in an old Cary Grant movie, you have been taken to the cleaners and you don’t even know your pants are off. What have we done to ourselves?
Mike Smith
Upcoming Meetings Events & Holidays: REGULAR MEETING 7 P.M. SECOND THURSDAY B-B-Q - 5 P.M. ONLY ON BLOOD DRIVES RETIREES MEETING FIRST WEDNESDAY @ 12:30 P.M. E-BOARD MEETING 6 P.M. FOURTH TUESDAY EXAM BOARD MEETING 6 P.M. By appointment |
Dan Broadwater, Business Manager
UNION BUILT MEANS BETTER BUILT
You want a “ no-worry” electrical system installed in your home safe, reliable and guaranteed. Then you need an electrical system installed by a union electrical contractor. That’s right– UNION! A competent union electrical contractor who employs qualified IBEW union electricians.
Each IBEW journeyman learns the trade through a 3 to 5 year Apprenticeship program. This extensive training combines on–the-job practical experience with classroom theory and testing. And the training doesn’t stop there. Continuing education constantly up-dates the union electrician’s skills through programs sponsored by the IBEW and NECA.
| 8/13/2010 |
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