ORGANIZINGWIRE Nineteen Employees at Pointe Coupee Electric Co-Op in New Roads, Louisiana, Voted on May 12, 2000, for Representation by Local 2286, Beaumont, Texas

LOUISIANA VICTORIES ORGANIZINGWIRE Nineteen employees at Pointe Coupee Electric Co-op in New Roads, Louisiana, voted on May 12, 2000, for representation by Local 2286, Beaumont, Texas. New Construction Organizing Roads is located 25 miles south- Program Posts Major Gains west of Baton Rouge. The 19 linemen and right-of-way workers voted During the 1990’s, the construction organizing program initi- 100 percent in favor of the IBEW. ated by President Barry enjoyed successes that exceeded even “We began contract negotiations in the most optimistic predictions. Although the program uses June, and they seem to be going many methods, salting remains a major ingredient. well,” reported Business Manager George Crawford. Salting is the ability of a senior mem- recognition of IBEW local unions is their Local 2286 organized the out- ber to work for a non-signatory witnessing the skills and ability of IBEW employer. A component of this is orga- members who have worked as salts on side linemen at Jeff Davis Electric nizing the workers at that site. Salting their jobs. They observed a far higher Co-op in Jennings, Louisiana, about has been a major irritant to the nonunion degree of skill and productivity on the three years ago. Business Manager contractors who—some for the first part of our members than they had seen Crawford said it took the local three time—have been forced to adhere to with their own, nonunion workers. labor laws. The U.S. Although the number years to reach an agreement for Supreme Court in a of new signatory con- card check recognition for the front unanimous decision in tractors is a significant office workers at the Jeff Davis Co- 1995 upheld the use of measure of the success op. The agreement adds a total of salting as an organizing of our construction orga- tactic, but nonunion con- nizing campaign, it is not 12 new members to the existing tractor organizations the only measure. Even unit of 19 outside workers. “On have repeatedly sought where targeted contrac- July 14 this year, 100 percent of national legislation to tors have not been the front office workers signed ban the practice. signed, the fact that the IBEW’s Construction construction organizing authorization cards for Local 2286 Organizing Director Ron program has brought representation,” Crawford said. 1 Burke reports that, from many thousands of for- 1990 through 1999, the merly nonunion con- program has organized struction workers into more than 130,000 new IBEW membership, gen- IBEW members. In addi- erally through salting tion, over 3,000 new elec- and stripping (convinc- trical contractors have ing nonunion workers signed agreements with to join the union and IBEW locals. leave their nonunion Some of the new con- employers), is a major tractors signed to IBEW success. collective bargaining Referring to these tan- Baton Rouge agreements have done so following gible measures of success, President New Roads NLRB elections. Most of the signings, Barry said, “All of our International and Jennings however, have resulted from voluntary local union organizers have every reason recognition by formerly nonunion con- to be proud of their success in the last tractors. A principal reason given by our decade. Now the challenge for all of us new signatory contractors for voluntary is to keep that momentum going.” 1

2 IBEW JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 2000 Sears Technicians in Vancouver Gain a Voice

After a 2-1/2 year struggle, IBEW Local 213 has organized the Sears Canada Inc. appliance technicians in Vancou- ver, British Columbia. The Journal first reported on this drive last year [See Organizing Wire story, “Vancouver

Local to Sears: Smarten Up,” IBEW Journal, October 1999.] Working together to organize appliance technicians at Sears Canada Inc. in The struggle began in October 1997. would require renewed vigor and con- Vancouver, British Columbia, Local 213 “Through all the adversity, the techni- siderable presence. and Local 258 assistant business man- cians showed an absolute, unwavering To accomplish the goal, Local 213 agers gather to distribute leaflets at the commitment to becoming IBEW mem- asked for the help of sister Vancouver site. Pictured (left to right): Ron Dickson, bers and staying strong,” said Local 213 Local 258. John McGraw, Local 258 busi- Local 213; Greg Fanning, Local 258; Al Oliver, Local 213; Sue Longva, Local 258; Business Manager Charlie Peck. Finally, ness manager, offered his local’s full sup- Jim Greenwell, Local 258; Al Beeson, in early March this year, victory was won port—and a major blitz was underway. Local 258; Dave Thompson, Local 213; and some 80 Sears technicians and Michelle Laurie, Local 258 assistant busi- and Henry Pritchard, Local 213. helpers gained a voice at work. ness manager, and David Thompson, Sears management’s attempt to manip- Local 213 assistant business manager, this time, is largely unorganized. “In ulate unit determination snarled the spearheaded the campaign. The locals order to insure our future, we must con- process. Sears sought to include all the leafleted the Sears location and made tinue to reach out to new groups,” he workers in the Parts Department as well personal contact with the workers. added. “At this time we are in negotia- as the Office Staff, which the union In the meantime, Assistant Business tions with Sears to conclude a collective argued was not the appropriate bargain- Manager Ron Dickson, Local 213’s legal agreement.” ing unit. Sears obviously was trying to representative, maintained a strong “This success is a true display of what water down the technical group, and defense at the Labor Board. At a hearing can be accomplished when local unions used its considerable resources to fight in early March this year, his legal argu- pool their resources,” said Local 258 the organizing drive. Two certifica- ments finally brought certification for the Business Manager McGraw. “Working tion applications were thwarted by appliance technicians at Sears in Vancou- together we can overcome many obsta- unfavourable decisions issued by the ver. The card check drive for the other cles in bringing into the IBEW the unor- British Columbia Labor Board. departments is continuing. ganized. Organizing requires a great deal The Volunteer Organizing Committee Business Manger Peck praised the of effort and energy. By working subsequently decided to go for an all out efforts of both the organizers and the together, the two locals proved that a push to sign cards in all three depart- employees of Sears who have laid the joint effort has more effect than an indi- ments at the Sears location. This effort groundwork in an industry that, up to vidual one.” 1

A Triumph for Mississippi Workers Fifth District International Vice Presi- Local 2198, Mendenhall, dent Melvin W. Horton reported that 295 Mississippi, won an organizing drive to represent some 295 work- employees working for Howard Indus- ers at Howard Industries, Inc. tries, Inc. in Laurel, Mississippi, voted Pictured, from left to right, are: June 8, 2000, to be represented by Local (seated, front row) Volunteer 2198, Mendenhall, Mississippi. The vote Organizing Committee members of 162-108 came after the company com- Mary Ann Martin, Jennifer Douglas and Julia Barnett; (standing, back mitted numerous unfair labor practices. row) Fifth District International The Howard Industries employees man- Representative James J. Anderson, ufacture ballasts for the lighting industry. Local 2198 President/Business Local 2198 President/Business Manger Manager John W. Graves (tempo- John Graves, temporary organizer for the rary organizer, 5th District), and International Representative Fifth District, congratulated the employees Rickie D. Tira. for remaining focused on their goals. 1 (Organizing Wire continued on next page)

IBEW JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 2000 3 Landmark Chicago California Local Scores Museum Organized Chicago workers at the world-famous Series of Victories Museum of Science and Industry gained a IBEW Local 1245, Walnut Creek, California, has scored a union voice at work when they voted last spring for IBEW Local 134. Workers at the string of organizing successes this year. Trees Inc. employees in museum had remained nonunion for over 70 Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s San Joaquin Division in years, and in past decades other labor unions had attempted to organize the employees, but central California voted on May 11 by 27-4 for representation had failed even to reach an NLRB election. by Local 1245. The NLRB election brought the local signifi- Designated as a Chicago landmark in 1995, cantly closer to its goal to represent all line clearance tree trim- the museum was originally built as the Palace of Fine Arts for the World’s Columbian Exposition mers working in its jurisdiction. The organizing drive received of 1893. It is the largest science museum in a invaluable assistance from Local 1245 members employed by single building in the Western Hemisphere, vis- ited by over 2 million people each year. other tree trimming contractors. Volunteer organizers Bill Local 134 began its organizing drive at the Elliott and Angel Trujillio, of Asplundh Tree Expert Company, museum in 1998. On March 6, 2000, after many meetings of the Local 134 Organizing Commit- and Bill Fregoso, of Provco EPA, made house calls to employ- tee and when 65 percent of the employees had ees of Trees Inc. during the final days of the campaign. signed authorization cards, the local filed for a The three-year effort to job loss if the union pre- representation election. As the ballots were organize Trees Inc. encoun- vailed in this election, but counted on April 19, 2000, a new chapter in the tered several obstacles, they held firm in demanding history of the museum and Local 134 was writ- including the large geo- their right to be represented.” (Continued on inside back cover) graphic area covered by the The Trees Inc. election is contractor and the high rate the latest in a series of recent of employee turnover. But organizing successes by Chicago IBEW Local Trees Inc.’s service territory Local 1245. In January, 134 member Tom began to shrink, while at the employees of the Northern McCormick (left) and same time employee interest California Power Agency retired member Carl Bush rally the in the union began to grow. (NCPA) voted 53-1 for repre- employees at the “A lot of employees there sentation by Local 1245. Museum of Science requested meetings with us NCPA, which employs elec- and Technology as and made it clear they tricians, mechanics, instru- they arrive at 5:30 wanted to be represented by ment and control technicians a.m. on the day of the NLRB election. Local 1245,” said Business and other classifications, is a Representative Junior consortium of municipalities Ornelas, who spearheaded with interests in hydro facili- the organizing drive. “We ran ties, steam units and gas-fired into some company resis- turbines. tance, but these employees Shortly after this vote, a wanted a union and they second group of NCPA stuck together.” Rank-and-file employees—system dispatch- Business Manager Jack members of Local ers, system schedulers and 1245 assisted in McNally praised Trees Inc. the organizing system “preschedulers”— employees on their decision drive at Trees Inc. voted 7-3 for representation. to vote for the union. “It by making home In February, employees in takes a lot of courage for visits to employ- the Line Department at Tur- non-union tree trimmers to ees during the lock Irrigation District voted campaign. From organize in the face of top, volunteer 40-0 for representation by employer opposition,” organizers Bill Local 1245. [Information sub- McNally said. “I know many Elliott, Asplundh mitted by Local 1245 Com- of these employees were Tree; Bill Fregoso, munications Director Eric threatened with demotion or Povoco EPA; and Wolfe.] 1 Angel Trujillio, Asplundh Tree.

4 IBEW JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 2000 TRANSITIONS

ith deepest regret the DECEASED financial secretary and was a WIBEW announces the member of the Executive death of retired Seventh Dis- Board and Examining trict International Executive Board. He served on numer- Council member Thomas J. ous committees within his Sweeney on August 12, 2000. local. Brother Sweeney was His long and distinguished elected a member of the labor career included service Seventh District International as president of the Alameda Executive Council on Sep- County Building Trades Some 225 telemarketers at Telespec- tember 15, 1986, and Council. He was a delegate trum Worldwide Inc. in Cheektowaga, reelected to that post at the Thomas J. to all IBEW Conventions New York, gained a voice on the job 1991 IBEW Convention. He Sweeney from 1982 to 1996, and to all when they voted for IBEW Local 2213, retired on October 18, 1996, California State Federation Washington Mills, New York. Telespec- after more than 43 years of active, dedi- and State Building Construction Trades trum handles sales calls for Bell Atlantic cated service to the Brotherhood. Conventions since 1958. Corp. Initiated into Local 595, Oakland, The Brotherhood extends sincere California, on December 12, 1952, he sympathy to his wife, Ann, family and News photographers and editors at served his local as business manager- friends. Fox Television Station of Philadelphia voted 18-9 on March 16, 2000, for repre- ith great sadness, the DECEASED initiated into Local 1340, sentation by then-Local 1241 (which IBEW announces the Newport News, Virginia, amalgamated into Philadelphia Local 98 W death of Fourth District on September 15, 1967. on July 1). The new Fox unit includes a International Representative He served Local 1340 as total of 30 employees. Local 1241 already Steven L. Stump on August 9, business manager-financial represented some 35 broadcast engineers 2000. Age 56, he died as the secretary, president and at the station, and the engineers were result of a boating accident. treasurer. instrumental in helping to organize the Brother Stump, construc- Born in Roanoke, Virginia, photographers and editors. tion organizing coordinator on September 17, 1943, he for the Fourth District, was served in the U.S. Army 101st Twenty-four workers employed by appointed as an International Airborne Division and was a Tippah Electric Power Association Representative on February decorated Vietnam War Vet- (TEPA) voted last spring for representa- Steven Lee 1, 1987, and served in that eran. tion by IBEW Local 852, Corinth and capacity with great dedica- Stump The IBEW extends deep- Tupelo, Mississippi. Organizer Lanny tion to the Brotherhood. est condolences to his wife, Nancy, fam- Horn said the outside utility workers A 35-year IBEW member, he was ily and friends. (linemen, apprentice linemen, meter readers and right-of-way tree trimmers) voted 19-5 for IBEW representation. “This will be the first union contract When your child has a neuromuscular at Tippah Electric,” said Business Man- disease, you have a million questions. ager Jackie B. Smith. TEPA, headquar- MDA answers them all through special tered in Ripley, Mississippi, provides videos and brochures, and just by being electric power for Tippah County resi- there. It’s education for life. dencies and businesses. Call 1-800-572-1717.

Twelve employees of Synthetic Material, Inc. (SynMat) in Cumberland City, Tennessee, gained IBEW Local 429 MUSCULAR (Nashville) representation in an election DYSTROPHY held June 2, 2000. These employees ASSOCIATION manufacture synthetic gypsum for wall- board. 1

IBEW JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 2000 5 Landmark Chicago Museum Organized (Continued from page 4)

ten. The museum work force of 46 employees had finally gained a union voice at work. “We are proud and happy with our organizing team and the results of this election,” said Business Manager Michael Fitzgerald. “One can only admire the great courage displayed by our new members throughout the campaign.” Local 134 organizers for the drive were Richard Murphy, Robert Parrilli and Richard Sipple. Museum employees represent over 17 different classifications of workers. This “wall-to-wall” campaign included: electricians, carpenters, HVAC technicians, locksmiths, painters, plumbers, dispatchers, telecom- munications workers, stationary engineers, stage crew, machinists, dock workers, exhibit technicians, exhibit designers, electronic technicians and stockroom han- dlers. “This multi-faceted work force will be a wel- comed addition to Local 134’s 76-member wall-to-wall bargaining unit at Loyola Medical Center, organized in 1995,” said Business Manager Fitzgerald. 1