IBEWCURRENTS High Voltage Recognition High Voltage is a one-hour History Channel documentary that tells the story of the skilled and courageous workers who for more than a century have risked their lives to erect and maintain the power lines that electrify the United States and Canada. The IBEW served as a resource for the making of the documentary, which will be aired in mid-February. Check your local listings. The program traces the creation of the IBEW and the contributions of pioneers like first President Henry Miller, who did so much to protect and develop the Brotherhood. James Dushaw, Director of the IBEW Utility Depart- ment, was interviewed on tape about the IBEW Utility Department IBEW, the tools and techniques developed to World War II; and a four-hour special on the Director Jim Dushaw (right) is deal with electric current. history of American prisons, The Big House. interviewed by Director/ The program is produced by Robert Kirk, High Voltage is part of a new series of 13 Producer Robert Kirk for High an Emmy Award-winning producer and direc- programs about dangerous occupations that Voltage, a History Channel presentation about electrical tor who is president of Digital Ranch in Sher- Digital Ranch is producing for the History line workers. man Oaks, California. Mr. Kirk’s credits include Channel. Other professions include iron work- the A&E two-hour specials Weapons at War; ers on high steel, oil well fire fighters, hazmat The Berlin Airlift: First Battle of the Cold War; teams, bomb squads, animal trainers and heli- Sink the Bismarck; Robots; Great Escapes of copter rescue teams. 1 LABOR CULTURE, Electrical Manufacturing Members LABOR HERITAGE Sign Contract with Farraz Shamut, Inc. The soul of the labor move- ment often finds its expression In the IBEW Manufacturing Branch, Massa- credited the IBEW Second District and Interna- in music and art. The Labor chusetts Local 1386 has successfully negotiated tional Representative John L. Faria for their Heritage Foundation, a non- a new three-year contract for 180 skilled mem- assistance during contract negotiations in the bers employed by Farraz Shamut, Inc., a high- midst of the acquisition. He said, “International profit organization dedicated to tech international firm that manufactures Representative Faria’s professional guidance, strengthening unions through industrial fuses (including circuit and semicon- along with his unwavering but reasonable posi- culture, produces a catalogue ductor fuses) for a world market. The company tion, [helped us] negotiate an exceptionally fair containing hard to find music, is located in Newburyport, Massachusetts. contract in these times of corporate hard lines.” books, art and videos telling Farraz Shamut was formed following the “Despite the fact that negotiations were acquisition of Gould Shawmut, Inc. by a com- with a new company,” he said, “Faria’s firm the story of labor. pany based in France, the Carbone Lorraine stance brought substantial wage increases and For a free copy, contact the Group. The new structure was finalized on improved pension and health care benefits.” Labor Heritage Foundation at August 31, 1999, and Local 1386 members rati- The business manager also commended the 1925 K Street, N.W., #400, fied the contract on September 1, 1999. dedicated hard work of the entire Local 1386 Local 1386 Business Manager Paul Hickey Negotiating Committee. 1 Washington, DC 20006; (202) 842-7810; fax (202) 842-7838.1 2 IBEW JOURNAL, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2000 Gore Tops Finally, OSHA IBEW Poll Proposes Rule The ballots are in from the IBEW On Ergonomics 2000 Presidential Preference Poll, and the winner is Vice President Albert Gore. The IBEW and other unions will be The Tennessee Democrat was the working in Congress in the next session choice of 37 percent of those who to make good on President Clinton’s mailed in the ballots that were contained long-awaited proposal for a workplace in the November 1999 issue of the IBEW ergonomics standard to curb repetitive Journal sent to members in the United stress and other job injuries. States. Former New Jersey Senator Bill Union job safety experts have pushed Jon Hughes, Business Manager, for such a standard for nine years, since Bradley (D) was second with 29 percent Local 477 (left), House Minority President Bush committed the federal of votes cast. Texas Governor George W. Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO), Bush (R) trailed with 16 percent, and Joe Baca, and Stan Stosel, Business Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- Arizona Senator John McCain (R) gar- Representative, Local 47, after pre- tration (OSHA) to devise a comprehen- nered 9 percent. No other candidate senting Baca with a $5,000 contribu- sive rule. The final form of the standard tion from the IBEW. exceeded the 3 percent mark. has been sidetracked by an extraordinary Vice President Gore led by significant attack by employers, big business groups margins in most Southern and Western Special Election and anti-union members of Congress. states, including California. The voting Typical is the opposition of the was closer in Midwestern states, but Teamwork Pays Off National Arborists Association, Gore also finished ahead of Senator In a special election, held on Novem- which lobbied against an Bradley there. Bradley gained his highest ber 16, 1999, California State Representa- ergonomics standard by levels of support from IBEW members in tive Joe Baca (D), aided by IBEW Local in effect calling IBEW the Eastern United States. 47, Diamond Bar, and Local 477, San members and other line “We believe that this poll was Bernadino, won the 42nd Congressional clearance tree trimmers extremely important in giving our mem- seat that had been held by the late “malingerers” who are only bers the opportunity to make their voices George Brown (D). after “a six-month vacation.” heard,” said IBEW International President Baca, a longtime labor supporter, was IBEW President J. J. Barry said the J. J. Barry. “If we are to succeed in elect- endorsed by Locals 47 and 477 because IBEW and other AFL-CIO unions will be ing a President and other officials in of his 97 percent voting record in sup- continuing the legislative effort because, November who will be sympathetic to port of labor issues. “Joe has been a “only with a strong final standard and the the cause of working people, it will take solid friend to workingmen and -women. force of law can we have a cooperative a strong grass roots effort. That can only In fact his nickname is ‘Workin’ Joe effort to identify and redesign hazardous happen if our members have a say in the Baca,” said Local 47 Business Represen- jobs before crippling injuries to even process. Based on the results our Inter- tative Stan Stosel. “Local 47 endorsed Joe more workers.” An estimated six million national Officers have decided to concur in his run for state senator back in 1997. more workers have suffered serious in the action of the AFL-CIO’s Conven- Some politicians get elected and then injuries during the nine years the tion last October in supporting the can- forget about those who supported them. ergonomics standard has been stalled didacy of Vice President Gore.” Not Joe. His door was always open and and, Barry said, “It is extremely short- IBEW International Secretary-Trea- he worked on our issues in Sacramento. sighted of employers not to recognize the surer Edwin D. Hill said, “We continue to I’m sure he’ll do the same in Washing- waste in lost productivity and workers’ respect the views of our individual mem- ton.” compensation and other health care costs bers. Above all, we urge all IBEW mem- Business Manager Jon Hughes, Local because of those six million cases.” bers and their families in the United 477, said, “Special elections always have As proposed by the Clinton Adminis- States to register and vote this November. low voter turnout. Labor helped Joe win tration, the new standard covers such This is simply too important an election this seat because we energized union musculoskeletel disorders as back pain, for working people to sit on the side- members and got them to the polls.” tendinitis, carpal tunnel and repetitive lines.” He urged every member to review As a state senator, Baca was a mem- stress syndrome. The standard would the voter registration deadlines and pri- ber of the State Senate Utilities and Com- apply to manufacturing and other man- mary election dates published on the merce Committee, where his influence ual handling jobs, but the AFL-CIO said inside back cover of this issue. The gen- and support helped the IBEW with many Congress would be urged to expand the eral election will be held November 7, issues related to the state’s electric utility coverage to include the construction, 2000. Be there! 1 deregulation process. 1 maritime and agricultural industries. 1 (Continued on next page) IBEW JOURNAL, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2000 3 IBEWCURRENTS continued Sparkling New Center Trains for the Future The IBEW’s determination to see members get the training necessary for the new century was on display in a 1999 joint labor-management dedication ceremony for an all-new facility in Medway, Ohio, where linemen from nine states have been trained for 40 years. Fourth District International Vice President and Wally Sickles, Third District International Paul J. Witte delivered a message from Interna- Executive Council member, stressed the new tional President J. J. Barry saluting the new facility’s improved flexibility. Witte said the training center for ALBAT, the American Line new center would make it possible to “diver- Builders Joint Apprenticeship and Training Pro- sify the types of training offered to meet the gram. It was founded in 1958 by IBEW and challenge of the electrical industry of the NECA and has graduated more than 3,000 jour- future.” ALBAT Chairman Philip Wagner and neyman linemen serving Kentucky, West Vir- Training Director Fred Pelletier also spoke at Trainees learn the lineman’s ginia, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, the open house-barbecue, as did Rick Heck- craft on the ALBAT training Ohio, Michigan and Washington, D.C.