VIRGINIA ELECTIONS
Virginia has very important statewide elections coming up in November. In these elections, the Virginia State AFL-CIO has endorsed Tim Kaine for Governor, Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor, and R. Creigh Deeds for Attorney General. These candidates have been very supportive of Labor over the years and, in November, they will need our support.
Tim Kaine has served as Lieutenant Governor for the past four years under Mark Warner and has supported Labor in an effort to make Virginia a better place for working men and women. He is an experienced leader whose public service career focuses on strong values and expanding opportunity for families. He has a record of accomplishment that shows his ability to unite people behind common goals to get results. Tim Kaine was a City Councilman and the Mayor of Richmond. As Governor, Tim Kaine’s priority will be bringing better jobs to every part of the state.
Leslie Byrne is a long-time friend of Labor and had a great voting record when she was in the House of Representatives in the State of Virginia. Her background includes seven years of service in the Virginia House of Delegates, a term as Virginia’s first female representative to the U.S. Congress, two years as the White House Director of Consumer Affairs, and four years of service in the Virginia State Senate.
Creigh Deeds is also a friend of Labor and supports our efforts.
Please make sure you are registered to vote if you are a Virginia resident. Should you need assistance in getting registered, you may contact Bill Giusti in the Manassas office at 703-690-6126, Lorne Seay in the Charlottesville office at 434-975-4239, and Tom Miller in the Roanoke office at 540-563-0336. EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
REFERRAL PROCEDURE
Everyone should have received their new referral rules which go into effect August 1. You are required to re-register monthly to remain on the Available for Work List. You may re-register by mail, fax, email, or in person. The email addresses are:
Inside Wiremen- insidewiremanresign@ibewlocal26.org
Residential Wiremen- residentialwiremanresign@ibewlocal26.org
Teledata Technicians- teledataresign@ibewlocal26.org
These new referral rules are a mandate from our International President, Ed Hill, who is trying to get some standardization of referral procedures throughout the IBEW.
If you have any questions, or if you did not receive your new Referral Rules pamphlet, please call the Referral Office at 202-829-2900.
UPDATE ON NEW HEADQUARTERS
The drawings for our new building in Lanham should be completed by the second week of August. We should start getting demo permits by the end of August, and the drawings are anticipated to go out for bid the first week of October. We are trying to become a LEEDS certified building. LEEDS stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is something new for the area. This will make us energy efficient and cost effective for the future. LEED Certification distinguishes building projects that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability by meeting the highest performance standards.
CONGRATULATIONS!
I’d like to congratulate Brother Todd Sharp for organizing a unit at NGIC, a security facility in Charlottesville, Virginia. The election was held in June and certified by the NLRB on June 27, 2005. Negotiations will begin in the near future. (See article below, featured on the International’s website.)
Several workers in base operations and maintenance at the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, VA, chose a voice on the job with IBEW Local 26 on June 15.
IBEW targeted the unit as part of an effort to organize the increasing number of workers employed under contracts at federal military bases and installations under the Service Contract Act.
In an unanimous vote, the workers at the Army base signaled their discontent with the level of pay and benefits as well as the revolving door of contractor employers. Organizer Todd Sharp said many of the workers have been at the site nearly five years, and have had four different employers during that time.
“They finally had enough and they wanted to do something about it,” Sharp said. “I showed them what the IBEW could do for them. They were very impressed.”
Two years ago, the unit considered union representation, said lead electrician Jeff Shifflett. But the new contractor, DynCorp, made promises that swayed the workers.
Many of the workers have not had raises in years and benefits have been reduced, Sharp said. If workers complained, management threatened to revoke their security clearances, a long process that begins with a 29-page application.
“They had to take whatever was being offered by the contractors” Sharp said. “The vote shows they realize to have a say in the matter, they have to stay united.”
Sharp and Local 26 organizer, Lorne Seay, mounted the campaign from the newly opened Local 26 satellite office in Charlottesville.
Shifflett said he and his fellow workers could likely make more money at other jobs, but stay at the base for the guarantee of a 40-hour work week. “You want to be able to pay your bills and ensure you have good benefits for your family,” he said. “We’ll be excited when we actually see something on paper. I think it will be good.”
NGIC, located in central Virginia, provides scientific, technical and military intelligence on foreign ground forces in support of the war fighting commanders, the U.S. Defense Department and national decision makers.
http://www.ibew.org/stories/05daily/0506/050620_intelligence.htm
“We couldn’t have done it without your help!”
The campaign against DynCorp was a direct result of someone getting involved and volunteering his time. His initial conversation laid the ground work with the employees. He got them excited about the possibility of choosing representation from IBEW Local 26. He helped coordinate our first face-to-face meeting with the DynCorp employees. Who was this individual? His name is Bryon Vonn, an ex-Local 26 member that works at the NGIC (National Ground Intelligence Center).
I cannot stress the importance of members getting involved with organizing. Bryon is someone that had access to the employees of DynCorp. He had a working relationship with them and earned their trust. Whether it comes from a member, ex-member or a family member, I encourage everyone to get involved with organizing. In the late 1800’s, the IBEW started from grass roots campaigning, and now it has come full circle to being grass roots campaigning once again.
by Todd Sharp, Organizer, Charlottesville, VA
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I would like to thank all the Brothers and family members who joined me this year in carrying our IBEW Local 26 banner and walking in the July 4th Dale City parade. Brother Joe Dabbs with his two boys, Brother Bob Carter, Brother Mark Kramer, and Brother David Woodfin with his son and daughter joined with over 100 other trade unionists, the NVCLC (Northern Virginia Central Labor Council), and 120 various units for a day of fun, brotherhood, and solidarity. This parade is shown on cable TV and is one of the largest in the country. In the afternoon, we were treated with a cookout at the firefighter’s union hall. I’m sure everyone enjoyed the fine weather and festivities. Thanks again, Brothers. by Bill Giusti, Business Representative, Manassas, VA |
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Congratulations
to those members below who received their service pins at the
July General Membership Meeting!
Pictured above from left to right-- Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary;
Philip Pilgrim, 25 Yrs.; Cecilia Baumann, 20 Yrs.; Gregory Murphey, 30 Yrs.;
David Stone (front), 20 Yrs.; Ronald Rohrbaugh, 35 Yrs.;
Sheldon Johnson, 30 Yrs.; Eduardo Garcia (front), 20 Yrs.; Jeffrey Beth, 30 Yrs.; Michael Tangy, 25 Yrs.; Dennis Burke (far back), 30 Yrs.; Theodore Gast, 25 Yrs.; Juanita Jones (front), 25 Yrs.; Sidney Sampson (far back), 30 Yrs.;
Patrick Hall, 25 Yrs.; Steven Grube, 30 Yrs.; Susan Flashman (front), 20 Yrs.; Edward Boarman, 30 Yrs.; Jim Laddbush, 30 Yrs.; Donald Reed, 30 Yrs.;
Theo Van Hemert, 30 Yrs.; Bernard Durkin, 25 Yrs.;
Chuck Graham, Business Manager
The annual IBEW bowling tournament was held in Williamsburg, VA on June 16-18. The tournament was hosted by Local 26, and it was a wonderful opportunity to compete with and commune with brothers and sisters from other parts of the country. When you hear the problems being encountered outside of our jurisdiction, you realize how lucky we are in Local 26. Many locals, especially in the “Heartland”, are experiencing 30-40% unemployment. I urge everyone to heed the warnings of our Local and International organizations about the threats to our way of life being made in the current political climate.
I also urge all members to join us for “Bowling and Brotherhood” on Wednesday nights this fall. The league organizational meeting will be held on August 24, 6:00 p.m. at Clinton Fair Lanes, with bowling beginning on August 31.
by Bruce Ronkette
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the signing into law of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This act ensures that workers are entitled to full freedom of association and the right to designate representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment. Section 7 of the NLRA clearly reads: “Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection...”
But rather than ensuring these rights, the NLRA has become a device used by corporate criminals to avoid worker self-representation. Verizon Wireless is a perfect example. "It is one of the nation’s biggest wireless providers, serving 42 million customers; however, it is also a company that shows total disregard for labor law and the right of employees to make a free choice about union representation in the workplace.
Instead, Verizon Wireless chose litigation, endless delay and old-fashioned union-busting, complete with an anti-union website, threats of plant closings, surveillance of union supporters and an aggressive campaign against CWA, Communications Workers of America.
Over the past few years, workers at Verizon Wireless who wanted a union voice have been fired and laid off, harassed and intimidated by supervisors, required to attend “captive audience” meetings and otherwise instructed that union supporters weren’t welcome at Verizon Wireless.
Verizon Wireless has repeatedly broke the agreement it made with the CWA, to remain neutral in union campaigns in Verizon Wireless workplaces in the Northeast, and to adopt a system of card-check recognition to enable workers to freely choose union representation." 1
"By enacting the Employee Free Choice Act, it would restore the provisions the NLRA was set up to do. It would do so by strengthening protection for workers’ freedom to choose, and by requiring employers to recognize a union after a majority of workers signs cards authorizing union representation (card-check procedures). It also would provide for mediation and arbitration of first-contract disputes and authorize stronger penalties for violation of the law when workers seek to form a union." 2
This is why IBEW has teamed up coast-to-coast with CWA, to support the Employee Free Choice Act in order to hold Verizon Wireless to the standards of that legislation: neutrality, card-check recognition and a work environment for employees that is free of intimidation and harassment. They are bringing unity to Verizon and restoring workers’ rights. Together, the IBEW and CWA are “Taking a Stand for Justice”!
1. http://www.cwa-union.org/Verizon/news&info/EmployeeFreeChoice.asp
2. http://www.cwa-legislative.org/fact-sheets/page.jsp?itemID=27101072
Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican, along with his administration has shut down the Prevailing Wage Office effective July 1, 2005. This is a back door attempt by the Ehrlich administration to repeal the prevailing wage statue. Legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year attempted to keep the offices open by cutting money from another part of the department’s budget and stipulating that the funds could be spent only on the wage offices. However, Maryland’s Constitution allows the legislature to cut from the Governor’s budget proposal, not increase it or transfer funds from one program to another. This is the basis on which the Ehrlich administration argues that the budget language passed by the legislature would require the Labor Department to spend money not in the governor’s budget and is, therefore, not binding.
The Prevailing Wage Office upholds wage laws for state funded public works projects. This office enforces laws that require contractors doing business with the state to pay the prevailing wage (the union rate). In addition to the Prevailing Wage Office, the administration has shut down the Employment Standards Office. This office investigates unpaid-wage and child-labor complaints. These offices also enforce the minimum wage and help workers collect back pay owed by employers. In 2003, they collected nearly $1 million in wages owed to employees.
This type of action is clearly a pay back to organizations like the Associated Building Contractors (ABC) who helped the Republicans win the Governor’s office. It is their opinion that skilled construction workers are in demand and they don’t need the wage protections afforded by the law. In fact, they believe not enforcing the law is the next best thing to having it repealed. Union workers know that the only way to achieve a decent standard of living is through collective bargaining. Economic studies have shown no significant difference in the final cost of projects in states that have prevailing wage laws.
Union members’ participation in every level of politics is crucial. Your standard of living is being taken away by the Erlich administration’s actions. The race for the Maryland Governor’s office has already begun. Make sure you are registered to vote.
by Joe Dabbs, Organizer
Pension Seminar
There will be a Pension Seminar at the Union Hall on Kansas Ave. on Saturday, October 1st . We will discuss the Local 26 Pension, the International Pension, and the NEBF Pension. The seminar is mainly for members and spouses who are near the age to start planning for retirement, but all members are welcome to attend. We have also scheduled a representative from Social Security to be present to discuss Social Security benefits and answer any questions you may have. The seminar will start at 8:00 a.m. and should end around noon. We will have refreshments in the morning. Space is limited, so be sure to call the Finance Office at 202-829-2900 to register.
As a reminder, quarterly dues can be mailed in to the Finance Office, or you can come to the Finance Office window in person and pay by credit card. Credit card payments are not taken over the phone. Those members with a Credit Union account can call the Credit Union to have their dues paid with a Credit Union check.
THIRD QUARTER DUES WERE DUE JULY 1ST.
RETIREMENT ASSESSMENTS DUE FOR
APRIL-MAY-JUNE ARE $22
by Mike Shoemaker, Financial Secretary
Despite months of public appearances by President Bush promoting his signature domestic issue, people remain highly skeptical of the president’s plans to change Social Security.
Bush’s months-long campaign to convince Americans of the need for fundamental change has succeeded in convincing them of the necessity of addressing the retirement program’s funding shortfall. But polls have consistently shown that people do not want to trade their current guaranteed retirement benefits for the gamble of private accounts.
The IBEW and other unions are universally opposed to privatizing Social Security, arguing it would destroy the bedrock retirement program. The IBEW and the labor movement support changes that would shore up the financial viability of the program, provided they do not call for decreasing benefits or increasing the retirement age. Actuaries estimate that Social Security can meet all of its expected obligations until 2052. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office says Social Security is more financially sound today than throughout most of its 70-year history.
“There is no need to rush into a reckless scheme to divert trillions of dollars out of the Social Security trust funds and into private accounts,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Under the president’s privatization plan, Social Security’s revenue will fall below benefit payouts even earlier than projected and will mean huge cuts in benefits even for those who do not choose private accounts.”
http://www.ibew.org/stories/05daily/0507/050701_SocialSecurity.htm
by Franny Olshefski, President
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News from the
Local 26
Minority Coalition
The Local 26 Minority Coalition currently holds its monthly meeting in the boardroom of Local 26 on the third Friday of every month. Meetings are open to all dues paying members of Local 26, so come out and join us.
Our mission is to help make our Local Union better by being involved in all aspects of the Local in a positive way.
Several months ago, after the passing of Sister Pauline Best, the Coalition started a scholarship fund for her daughter affectionately called the “Jasmine Fund”. We would like to thank all members who have donated. We have not reached our goal of $2000.00, so donations are still being accepted. If you would like to contribute, please make your donation out to “Local 26 Minority Coalition” - “Jasmine Fund” and send it to: Local 26 Minority Coalition, 6220 Kansas Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20011.
Finally, I encourage you to get involved if you’re not, stay involved if you are, and when you leave (retire), leave it better than when you came.
“The character of a man is not measured by what he received from his ancestors but what he leaves his descendants.”
by Larry Greenhill, Sr., Minority Coalition President
