This year’s IBEW Softball Tournament was held at Fort Knox in Louisville, Kentucky on July 21-22. Out of 41 teams who participated, Local 26 placed 2nd overall. On Saturday, the Local 26 team won two out of three games. On Sunday, they won three out of four games, losing their final game to New York’s Local 3 team. It’s the first time Local 26 team played in the upper division, so placing 2nd was a big accomplishment, and the team was acknowledged with the utmost respect from their competitors. Congratulations to the team members for their success, and thank you for proudly representing Local 26!

Pictured above, from left to right—
Top Row: Bryan Parker, Nick Delongis, Justin Kirchner, Chris Greinert, Paul Winner,
John Collins, David Haddad, Chuck Graham
Bottom Row: Mark Duncan, Mark Pontello, George Giggetts, Joe Masson, Greg Pritt, Mike Lilley

The Local 26 picnic held in Roanoke on July 14 was a huge success. There was a good turnout of union brothers and sisters and their families. Thanks to Thomas Miller for the great job he did coordinating the picnic again this year.

The Clarksburg picnic on August 4 was a great day of brotherhood and family fun as well, despite the intense heat! Thanks to Butch Ramos for a job well done heading up this annual event.

The Credit Union Board members had a great day visiting with picnic goers and giving away Credit Union goodies. The children enjoyed the coin holders, $1 bill and $100 bill games. The can coolers came in handy to keep beverages cold on a hot summer day! You can receive your own Credit Union promotional items. Visit the Credit Union website for details on monthly special giveaways.

The Credit Union office will have special hours on Monday October 8th (Columbus Day) for training purposes. The lobby will be open from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters! I am writing this article with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. Let me tell you why. Contrary to popular belief, the LABOR MOVEMENT is not dying! The mainstream news media would have you believe that Labor Unions will soon go the way of the dinosaur. I have one thing to say about that - Do not believe everything you read in the newspaper! The Labor movement is very much alive and well. Has the Labor movement suffered setbacks? Of course it has. But, I submit to you that the movement is far from becoming extinct. As a matter of fact, there is a very simple solution, that would not only breathe new life into the movement but also begin to strengthen, solidify and sustain it for many, many more years to come. This simple solution, brothers and sisters, is predicated on one thing -- “our efforts as an organization”. It’s just that simple. If we become passionate, if we show genuine interest and if we participate, we succeed!

Thanks to those members who came out on Saturday, July 28th to support the Local 26 Minority Coalition’s first Community Service Project at a community-based hospice. The “Christ House” is located in a section of Washington, DC called Adams Morgan. Special thanks to following: Dynalectric Company and Doug Meador for supplying materials, the Local 26 Business Office and Larry Greenhill, Jr., Vice President of the Local Union 26 Minority Coalition, for coordinating this event. Hopefully we, as dedicated labor union members, can “come together” again in the near future to support another community project.

The Retirees’ Club took their second bus trip this year on July 19th. Our first stop was at the Annapolis Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish) Market. For about an hour and a half, we shopped and browsed. After gathering the goodies and folk, we continued on to the Kentmorr Restaurant for lunch. The Kentmorr Restaurant lies on Kent Island on the Eastern shore of Maryland and overlooks the Chesapeake Bay. We enjoyed a sumptuous lunch of MD Crab soup, all-you-can-eat hard shelled crabs, and other items including fried chicken. A wonderful time was had by all!

There will also be another bus trip to Charles Town Races and Slots on Thursday, October 11th, 2007. Once again, the bus will leave the Local 26 headquarters at 10:00 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. Seats are $20.00 per person. Watch upcoming newsletters for more details!

Your $25 Membership Includes:
~:Personalized USA Membership Card
~1-Year Subscription to a Top Outdoor Magazine
~$25 Gift Certificate from Beretta Field Gear
~Chances to Win FREE gear and Fabulous Trips
~USA Auto and Hard Hat Decals
~Access to “Members Only” Section of USA Website

The Local 26/NECA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee’s Fall 2007 Journeyman Skill Improvement Classes will begin the week of September 10th. Class sizes are limited and will be filled in the order in which registrations are received. You may also register online at www.washdcjatc.org starting this month and ending on September 7th, or stop by any office to register. For further information and registration, please call the Apprenticeship and Training Office at 301-429-2575.

Watch your mail for the JATC postcard which will include information on how to apply for available classes. Please make sure your address is current by calling the Finance Office at 301-459-2900, Monday- Friday from 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

There will be a Pension Seminar at the Union Hall located at 4371 Parliament Place in Lanham, Maryland. The seminar will be held on November 3rd. We will discuss the Local 26 Pension, the International Pension, and the NEBF Pension. The seminar is mainly for those 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 please be sure to call the Finance Office at 301-459-2900 to register.

As a reminder, quarterly dues can be mailed to the Finance Office in Lanham, Maryland. You can also pay in person at the Finance Office window with cash, check, or Master Card/Visa credit card. Credit card payments are also 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.

FOURTH QUARTER DUES ARE DUE OCTOBER 1ST.