Due to the strong response to the previous welding class put on by NEIEP, a second class has been announced. The course runs for 40 hours and will lead to a 3G and 4G certification. Classes run from June 13th through the 17th and June 20th through the 24th from 5:15 to 9:15. Any IUEC Local 17 member interested in participating must deposit a $500 check to guarantee attendance. If you are interested, then please contact Business Agent Tim Moennich.
NEIEP is offering an online training and licensing course called “Rigging and Signalperson.” The course takes three to four hours to complete online. When the student takes the exam they must score at least 70 percent. After successfully passing the online exam, a written and participation exam will be given by the NEIEP area coordinator. The student must pass the written test with an 80 percent and a 100 percent on the hand signals. The rigging and signal persons card is good for three years.
As predicted here and in the labor press from around the country, Governor Kasich is setting his sights on the private sector unions through the prevailing wage laws that keep Ohio from becoming another Right-to-Work-for-Less state. Currently, any project using government money over $78,000 must abide by the prevailing wage laws. This keeps all except the smallest of projects paying union wages. The governor wants to raise this floor to $5 million, functionally exempting all except the largest projects from prevailing wage.
Many years ago, those far wiser than anyone currently in the administration, realized that the building trades slogan of “value on display everyday” means what it says: union labor does the job right the first time so it doesn’t have to be redone. The prevailing wage law was enacted to maintain quality workmanship, strengthen local economies through construction work and prevent low wage, low skilled workers from undercutting the standard of living in our state. For the sake of a few dollars now, the conservatives are throwing the dice with our money hoping that under skilled labor will not have to have their work redone by professionals.
Here is another tidbit… where prevailing wage laws have been repealed; overall wages have declined by 15 percent. Can you take a 15 percent cut in pay?
Call your state senator and tell them to remove the prevailing wage laws from the budget and let it stand on its own.
While you’re on the phone, remind them that if they voted for SB 5, they really angered the wrong people… teachers, police, firefighters and the vast public and private-sector union members who will remember in November.
Everyone needs to take the time to do two things very soon, register to vote and sign a petition for the repeal of SB5. Tim has petitions at the hall but you must sign one specifically for your county. Please get there as soon as possible to get the repeal on the ballot.
In case you have not heard, the local’s website, iueclocal17.org, is up and running! There is a wealth of information available including links to union and signatory contractor websites, a photo gallery of past events and information on upcoming events. It is designed to be a user friendly way of keeping the local in touch with important union news from Cleveland and beyond. Please take a few minutes and check it out.
All members will be receiving a letter from the local about American Income Life Insurance. AIL is a union insurance company that offers a wide range of insurance products specifically designed for union members. Along with the letter will be a response card to have an AIL representative contact you about their services. You will also receive a packet of information covering their services and a no obligation consultation with one of their representatives. This is a valuable opportunity to help secure the financial future of you and your family.
Where are they working?
Jeff Lindell and Anthony Young at the Browns Stadium doing escalator repair work for Kone,
Mike Miller and nick Meyer at the Cleveland Clinic Avon installing five hydros for Otis,
John Brunner and Taurus Ogletree at CSU installing a four-stop hydro for Schindler,
Bob Garman, Kevin Thomas and Joe Broz Jr. at Quicken Loans Arena cabling for Thyssen,
Mark Byram and Dave Lehotan doing cab work at Rainbow Apartments for Schindler,
Dave Brunner at Scott Hicks at the Cleveland Clinic installing three 4-stop hydros for Schindler,
Todd Kemp and Scott Erison installing a two-stop freight at VA Wade Park for Edmonds,
John Goggin, Gene Liss and Jason Costa cabling at Ohio Savings Plaza for Schindler,
Neil Beechuk and Bill Dudas installing a two-stop hydro at Midtown Tech for Thyssen.
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 