PICNIC NEWS
This year’s Local Union Picnic will be on August 6 (see page 7 for details). Also, I am pleased to announce there will be a Local Union Picnic this year in Roanoke on July 30. Mark your calendars, and I’ll give you more details on this as the date approaches.
CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARDS
The Washington Building Congress held its 49th Annual Craftsmanship Awards ceremony on April 1st, and I would like to acknowledge the following who were recipients of this coveted award in the Electrical Division:
For Power Generation, Distribution and Switchgear:
John Blankenship, Lorne Cooper, Tony Fleming, Rich Ladow, John Merkel, Joe Peterson (Truland Systems Corp.); Project - FDA Consolidation at White Oak, Silver Spring, MD. The challenge faced by these craftsmen was to consolidate all electrical activities required for the final delivery of power and mechanical systems to the campus network.
Dwight Daniels, II, Michael Lazo, Ha Le, James Marx, Clifford Obier, Brian Weaver (Singleton Electric Co.); Project - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Phase I, Washington, DC. This was a design/build project for controls and instrumentation which included exposed conduit work such as RGS and PVC RGS for both interior and exterior. These craftsmen faced difficult working conditions covering four acres of land.
Victor Bernard, James Lawrence, Richard Moseley, Matthew Pauley, Edward Rhoades (Singleton Electric Co.); Project - U.S Dept. of State - Old State Renovation, Washington, DC. This project required coordination with rigging and setting two 1,650 KW, one 450 KW and one 750 KW generator, paralleling switchgear, two 750 KVA UPS systems with batteries, load banks and distribution boards. Installation of feeder conduit through the occupied space, 4” rigid steel outside for the new generators, and thousands of feet of feeder wire was accomplished in the confines of an extremely tight schedule.
Alden Adaoag, Guy Andes, James Ashley (John E. Kelly & Sons Elec. Constr.); Project - PBS Critical Power Systems Upgrade, Alexandria, VA. This project required craftsmen to upgrade the critical power system supporting the 24/7 television production and Web hosting facilities of PBS, with literally zero downtime or interruption of power.
Chuck Barber, Steve Bennett, Alan Hoffnagle, Frank Martin, Macio Singleton, Craig Timmons (Singleton Electric Co.); Project- Broadcast Origination & IT Facility, Sterling, VA. This project team faced many challenges including tight space constraints requiring equipment modifications, installation sequencing coordination, and intricate multi-tiered conduit and buss duct work. The work was also completed under a challenging schedule exacerbated by multiple and substantial design revisions and the requirement to provide uninterruptible technical power to the broadcast and IT technical core areas 45 days prior to project completion.
Edward Bihlear, Lucio Comignani, Mark Eriksson, Dwayne Henderson, Jay Jones, Jimmy Myers (Truland/Walker Seal Joint Venture); Project - WMATA Blue Line, Largo Extension, Largo, MD. Because of the design/build nature of the contract, these craftsmen had to be very involved in the planning, layout and installation of the work with only conceptual drawings in some cases. The work had to be completed in half the time a normal construction project of this size would have taken. Also, the project spread out over a 3-mile radius making it logistically more difficult to complete.
Charles Henley, Buddy McDowell, Justin McDowell, Richard McMullen, Richie Roberts, Mark Tayman (Power Solutions, LLC); Project - Amazon.com, Chantilly, VA. These craftsmen upgraded the existing emergency generator plant and built-out an additional data center. The work required a great deal of planning and coordination by field personnel due to the critical work environment and with the project’s 12-week work schedule.
For Lighting Systems:
Gary Stepler-Kreig, Jim Roberts, Gary Stone, Dan Tedric, Steve Whitehead (Truland Systems Corp.); Project-Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD. These craftsmen procured and installed the performance dimming and control system. The commissioning process was extremely extensive with constant revisions. They had to learn and perform within the stringent installation criteria of the system itself, as well as coordinate and meet the requirements of the acoustician and theater consultant.
Kevin Boseman, Frank Bryant, Yuri Cassanello, Tim Moyer, Rick Thomas, Clifton Ware (J.E. Richards Elec.); Project- Montgomery County Conference Center, Rockville, MD. This project team performed an extraordinary installation and layout of the owner-provided lighting package with dimming control.
Dan Crone, Charles Hoffman, Rob McCoy, Joe Neufell, Don Rye, Scott Sample (J.E. Richards Elec.); Project - Medimmune, Inc. Tenant Phase I, Gaithersburg, MD. The contract for this project was taken from another electrical contractor, but the completion date remained the same. This team of craftsmen installed a custom lighting package and, despite the challenges, and completed it with the highest level of quality.
Richard Baca, Victor Cabrera, Mike Connolly, Rick Curl, Joel Hileman, Doug Leggatt (Dynalectric Co.); Project - General Dynamics Corporation, Falls Church, VA. The work on this project included installing a dimming system with an AV and shade control interface into a large auditorium with high-end finishes. Other aspects of this project included a large dining room with a dimming system, as well as the general lighting, which was also high-end with non-typical ceiling systems.
For Special Systems:
Doug Bailey, Tom Bailey, David Beahm, Rick Bowers, Larry Miler, Lester Shutt (J.E. Richards Elec.); Project - Montgomery County Conference Center, Rockville, MD. This project demanded a complete redesign of the original system. The large, complicated life safety system is state-of-the-art. System pretest and final testing was 100%.
Darryl W. Braswell, James R.Lacy, Jr., James M. Pumputis, Jeffrey See, Lisa Anne Sheriff, Edward Joseph Szela (Mona Electric Group); Project - Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. This project consisted of the complete replacement of the existing fire alarm system and the interfacing of the existing smoke controls. It was particularly challenging since it was installed during the normal operation hours of the hotel with no interruption of service.
For both Lighting Systems and Special Systems:
Jeff Adams, Jerry Baker, Sean Garvey, Jim Lucas, Katha Nathana, Dan Posey (Truland Systems Corp.); Project - National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC. The highest quality of craftsmanship and ingenuity was required to integrate the lighting systems within the elaborate architectural design of the surrounding museum spaces. A combination of fiber optic lighting, theatrical lighting and dimming, cold cathode lighting, cove lighting, and gallery track lighting called for a great deal of coordination and creativity with limited installation space and access available. The audio system, visual project systems, and lighting are key examples of the special systems that make this theater an unforgettable experience. Visually these systems are remarkable, but the actual back of the house construction that enables these systems to function as one is just as impressive.
Congratulations to all of you who exemplify our motto -“Craftsmanship with Pride.”
NEW BUILDING
I am pleased to announce that our new building was purchased on March 23, so we now own the building. Presently, I am working with the architect and general contractor in order to get the building renovations underway. The demo permit won’t be issued until the drawings are completed on the inside modifications of the building.
Congratulations to those members below who received their service pins at the April General Membership Meeting! |
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Pictured above from left to right-- Gregory Coffren, 35 Yrs.; Chris Johnson, 20 Yrs.; Adam Johnson, 20 Yrs.; Chuck Graham, Bus. Mgr.; Wayne Hug, 35 Yrs.; Renee Tanner, 20 Yrs.; Dale Carpenter, 20 Yrs.; Roger Harris, 20 Yrs.; Keith Rowley, 30 Yrs.; Mark McKnew, 30 Yrs.; Paul Bowman, 30 Yrs.; Jerry Price, 30 Yrs.; Guillermo Haza, 35 Yrs.; Stephen Maddox, 25 Yrs.; Christopher Shannon, 25 Yrs.; David Ennis, 35 Yrs.; Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary |
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Safety should always be your first consideration. Hazards associated with electrical work include electrical shock, arc-flash burns, arc-blasts, falls, and fire. The focus of this year’s electrical safety is from a firefighter’s perspective: fire prevention, including electrical shocks and arc-blasts resulting in arc-flash burns. Electrical shock is one of the four leading causes of death in construction with electrocutions accounting for 17% of worker fatalities, according to OSHA. You can receive a shock when a part of your body becomes part of an electric circuit. An electric shock can cause serious injury or sometimes even death. You will get a shock if you complete an electric circuit, one wire of an energized circuit and the ground, or part of a machine which is “hot” because it is contacting an energized wire and the ground.
The first step is planning. You always want to make sure you know where you place your equipment, make sure there is enough clearance, be aware of environmental hazards, make sure there is enough light and ventilation, be sure to have a qualified helper, and make sure someone else knows where you are working. Having the proper safety equipment, tools, and assistance can be the difference between life and death.
You always want to make sure you have your personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes, from the top down: hardhat, safety glasses/goggles, face shield, double layer switching hood, earplugs, body protection/clothing (natural fiber material & fire resistant long sleeve shirts and pants/coveralls), insulated gloves/ rubber gloves, non-conductive foot wear/ protectors, and insulated tools. As the work environment and type of work become more hazardous, the need for protection increases.
Before you start working, inspect your equipment to make sure it is in good condition. Check all tools for proper insulation and inspect your meters, testers, test leads, and related equipment. Make sure meters and testers are rated and tested for the level of hazard that exists where you are working. Many testers look similar, but make sure you know what yours is designed to do. Also, be sure your tools are rated for the working environment and tested to meet the appropriate safety standards. Whenever possible, work on de-energized circuits and always follow proper lock out/ tag out procedures.
Safety-related work practices should be employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are, or may be, 
energized. There are two types of burns when dealing with electrical energy: electrical burns, burn from the inside-out, and thermal burns, burn from the outside-in.
In a recent year, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported some 1,000 electrical workers were shocked and burned. Some were fatal and at least 50% were due to arc flashes. It is estimated that five to ten arc flash accidents occur each day in the U.S. When an arc blast occurs, it can lead to a plasma fireball fueled by the energy in the electrical system, reaching temperatures of 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, pictured left. If you follow safety procedures every time you are on the job site, you will greatly reduce the risk of injury.
Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to such dangers as electrical shock, electrocution, burns, and fires. Using safe work practices while working on or near de-energized electrical parts can decrease your chances of being injured from electricity.
Pictured above is an arc-blast from the Fluke Corporation,
“Electrical Measurement Safety Video”.
© 2004 Fluke Corporation, “Electrical Measurement Safety Video”.
by Franny Olshefski
Electrical equipment safety rules:
* Maintain electrical equipment--inspect tools, cords, grounds, and accessories. Have problem equipment repaired or replaced immediately.
* Use safety features like three-pronged plugs, double-insulated tools, and safety switches. Ensure machine guards are in place and that lockout/tagout procedures are followed.
* Install or repair equipment only if you’re qualified and authorized to do so.
* Keep electric cables and cords clean and free from kinks. Never carry equipment by the cord.
* Use caution when working with electricity around water, damp surfaces, ungrounded metal, or any bare wires. Wear approved rubber gloves when working with live wires or ungrounded surfaces. Rubber-soled shoes or boots should be worn when working on damp or wet surfaces.
* Avoid wearing jewelry or metal objects when working with electricity.
Falling and flying objects:
Beware of falling objects when you are beneath suspended loads, adjacent to scaffolds, where overhead work is being performed, and other similar situations. There is a danger from flying objects when power tools, or activities like pushing, pulling, pruning or prying, may cause objects to become airborne. Injuries can range from minor abrasions to concussions, blindness, or death.
Avoid falling and flying hazards:
* Wear appropriate head protection, such as a hard hat.
* Stack materials to prevent sliding, falling, or collapse.
Overhead work:
* Secure tools and materials to prevent them from falling on people below.
* Barricade hazard areas and post warning signs.
* Use toeboards, screens, or guardrails on scaffolds to prevent falling objects, or use debris nets, catch platforms, or canopies to catch or deflect falling objects.
Power tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment:
* Use safety glasses, goggles, and face shields where machines or tools may cause flying particles.
* Inspect tools, such as saws, to insure that protective guards are in good condition.
* Make sure you are trained in the proper operation of power actuated tools.
Pictured left to right-- Credit Union Board of Directors
Al Peak; Erle W. Howard, Jr.; Bill Calhoon;
Doreen Creamer Bruder, Treasurer (front); John Marlow;
Wade Sheriff, 1st Vice President; June Creamer (front); George C. Hogan;
Richard G. Murphy; Mike Shoemaker, Assistant Treasurer;
Richard J. Warner, Secretary; Dennis Gasque, President; Ron Bryant
Our 50th Annual Meeting was a great success! We had a very nice luncheon followed by the business meeting. There were several former employees and volunteers who attended, and we reminisced about the history of the Credit Union and paid tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Creamer.
We want to thank the following Union Affiliates that made a donation for the Annual Meeting:
Bryant-Berry, Chesapeake Electrical Systems, Consolidated Engineering Services, Freestate Electric Construction Co., IBEW Local Union 26, Kelly H.V.A.C., Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 100, Sheet Metal Contractors Association of the District of Columbia;
and the following Associates:
Clarke American, Columbia Partners Investment Management, CUNA Mutual Insurance, Formost, James German and Associates, Mid Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union, Metro Graphics, Schreiner, Legge, & Company.
by Doreen Creamer Bruder
IBEW FCU Treasurer
Credit Union Members
Over the years, we have noticed a decline in lobby traffic on Tuesday late afternoons and Wednesday evenings. We have been polling members who visit the office on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening regarding our hours. Since many jobs end at 2:30 p.m., most members feel they can make it to the office if we stay open until 3:30 p.m. Therefore, we have decided to change our hours is to better serve our members’ needs.
New Office Hours:
Monday through Friday 9-12 & 1-3:30
Telephone: 202-829-5404
Audio response: 1-800-724-7573
Fax: 202-723-3190
Brothers and Sisters,
Your Retirees are STILL working for you!!
Some of you may not be aware that the retired members of Local 26 maintain a medical equipment closet at 6220 Kansas Avenue. Whatever equipment a member of your family, living in our jurisdiction, requires will be provided for you at NO COST for as long as you need it! Recently, retired Brother Rick Warner has done a great job and spent many hours inventorying the available equipment and bringing the paperwork up to date.
Some of the items we have out on loan and in the closet include crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, hospital bed, patient lift, transport chairs, potty chairs, and shower chairs. We ask that, if you or another member of your family has any of these items not currently in use, you please notify us and we will pick them up. Our items can be identified by a small red sticker with the Local 26 logo and an equipment number.
Equipment may be obtained by notifying Rick Warner (301) 422-1106 or Mike Shoemaker (202) 829-2900. We will purchase additional equipment as needed.
Fraternally yours,
Dick Bissell,President
Local 26 Retired Members Club
Local Union 26:
Simply a Better Education
The members of Local 26 have acquired two new tools they can use towards the union’s primary objective “organizing”. In the near future, the Local will have a new home at 4371 Parliament Place in Lanham, Maryland. This will increase our ability to grow as a local union and expand our training facility. One of the four main reasons contractors and workers come to the union is for the education we provide. Our members consistently do a great job talking to the non-union workers, sharing their knowledge about what a union can do to elevate their standard of living. Friends of the Local as well as our members have been able to direct people interested in the trade to our training facilities in Manassas and Washington. Soon, in addition to our school in Manassas, we will have a state-of-the-art facility at 4371 Parliament Place, along with a third new location in Southern Maryland.
Recently, the JATC has secured a training facility at North Point High School in Charles County, Maryland. The Union will be sponsoring a lab for training that reinforces Local 26’s commitment to develop young people in our communities. This new training lab will also allow us to offer continuing education courses for our members in the evenings.
The apprenticeship and skill improvement courses are instrumental for organizing. While the non-union offers training programs, they are simply skeleton programs that meet the basic standard requirements, allowing them to say they have a registered apprenticeship program. This allows the non-union shop to participate in bidding on certain jobs. Their programs task train a young person, while the Union training provides a well-rounded education that prepares an individual for a career in the electrical industry. Much, if not all, of a non-union worker’s training is paid for out of their own pocket while they are being paid substandard wages. This only confirms that the company is not interested in the advancement of the worker who, in turn, will benefit the contractor and industry. The non-union worker who is lead to our program is overwhelmed by what we offer and the fact that the contractors are investing in their companies by paying for our training. The ability for them to advance in the industry through continuing education had been an unseen opportunity.
Our future home, along with the new training lab in Southern Maryland and our school in Manassas, offer us many opportunities. These are tools you can use to help the Local’s organizing efforts. We will have the ability to invite Middle School and High School students to see what we have to offer when they are trying to choose a career path. If you need copies of the Apprenticeship or Local Union DVD to spread the Union message, contact the Membership Development Department or stop by one of the Union Hall locations.
by Joe Dabbs
Residential Upgrade
All Residential Wiremen who have a Jurisdictional License and three or more years of good standing in the IBEW may be eligible for the Residential Upgrade Program. Please contact Ms. Escolero at (202) 829-2900, extension 19, for an application. If the Examining Board has reviewed your application and placed you into the Upgrade Program, you will be notified by the JATC about attending school in September. The deadline for returning applications to the Examining Board is June 20, 2005. No one will be reviewed after this date!
Retirement Planning
I get many phone calls from members who need information regarding the Pension and Annuity Plans. Many of you are seeking the help of financial planners and need this information to plan for the future. Local 26 does not have the information necessary to figure out what your pension would be when you retire. Those needing this information for Local 26 Pension and Annuity should call the Local 26 H&W office, 301-731-1050, and talk to Laurie Cord. For the NEBF Pension, call 301-556-4300, and for the International Pension, call 202-833-7000. Members with general questions regarding these pensions can still call Local 26, but for personal, detailed information you should call the appropriate pension office.
Fidelity Investments does offer free consultations regarding your retirement planning. This can be done with forms available on their website at (www.fidelity.com/incomeplanner), or you can contact a Fidelity advisor in person. To do this online you will need your Fidelity password and pin number. The phone number for the Fidelity office at 1900 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. is 202-463-0496. Please be sure to identify yourself as a member of IBEW Local 26 and let them know that you are a participant in our Fidelity Annuity Plan.
SECOND QUARTER DUES WERE DUE APRIL 1ST
by Mike Shoemaker
