May ’11 Constructor Article

Brothers and sisters:

HAPPY MAY DAY!

I would like to take ask everyone reading this to take a moment and say a prayer for those that have been affected by the ongoing disaster in Japan.  The country faces an uncertain future as it deals with the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns.

In the 1940’s when my father was getting confirmed it was typical for the presiding Bishop at the end of the interaction between him and the confirmandi to give them a small slap on the face and direct them to “be prepared to defend your faith.”  Years later, my dad said that at the moment he was slapped he fell ill for almost a week.  If you have been following the twists and turns of the union-busting bills in Ohio and other states, it is clear that we, as union brothers and sisters, need to be prepared to defend our brethren.

During the past few months I have been looking for sources to keep updated on the fluid battle in which we are engaged.  Consequently I found these two great sites.  The first is from the Ohio AFL-CIO (ohaflcio.org).  The second site, and one I added to my RSS feed, is the blog from the national AFL-CIO (blog.aflcio.org).   Both sites are packed with up to date information and other links focused on the national and Ohio battle fronts against the class warfare initiated by the right.  Because I only have 650 words to keep you up to date here in the Constructor, I have set up a blog at throughthemill.wordpress.com to add commentary and analysis.

Please educate yourself on the issues and be sure you can stand on your facts when being attacked by an uninformed or misguided anti-union antagonist.  At least that way, if you get slapped you stand a chance of not becoming ill.

Even though it is coming to the end of the school year, it is still the apprentice’s responsibility to get their OJT forms in on time.  If you have not been getting your forms in on time and are three months in arrears, the JATC will be asking for an explanation.  Be prepared to justify your actions.

There are reports that a team from Akron (Local 45) was caught working in our jurisdiction without informing the hall.  This is a reminder that if you are asked to go out of the locals jurisdiction for any reason, you are required to check in with the business agent of the local in which you are working.

Where are they working?

Roy Skinner Jr. and Jeff Lindell performing safety tests at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for Kone,

Bill Sellers and Jason Costa doing a jack at Playhouse Square Parking Garage for Schindler,

Roy Skinner Sr. and Craig Nolty doing a three-car mod at Tudor Arms for Kone,

Gerard Szemerkovsky and Tony Karovich installing two four-stop elevators at Carrington Court for Otis,

Jim Thompson and Tom Kelly doing a two-car mod at the Hyatt Hotel Rockside fro Otis,

Matt Haussler and Terry Keating doing a jack job at Surf Side Towers for Kone,

Bob Garman and Kevin Thomas doing service work for Thyssen,

Neil Beechuk and Bill Dudas installing three two-stop holeless hydraulics at CMHA Administration building for Thyssen,

Dave Brunner and Jim Archer doing a two-car mod at Campbell Court for Schindler,

Ken Bowles and Jason Sohayda doing a mod at Euclid Hospital for Otis,

Tom Gombar and Dave Drnak cabling at the Hamptons for Response,

Gary Thompson and Chris Wyatt doing a three-car mod at W.O. Walker building for Schindler,

Scott Hicks and Mark Byram finishing a punch list at UH Cancer Center for Schindler,

As of this writing there are 24 mechanics and two apprentices off work.

Till next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety,

Don

dknapik@windstream.net