February Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

At the December meeting the body voted to accept a $30 per quarter dues increase.  This is in accordance with the by-law passed last year giving the Trustees the authority to raise dues $10 per quarter if necessary and any additional increase voted on by the body.  This increase took affect with the first quarter 2013 dues.  If you have any questions, please contact Business Agent Tim Moennich.

Tim would also like to remind everyone to keep their contact information up to date with the local.  Local 17 also has an email list that you can be part of to receive updates as they become available.  You can email Tim at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org with your email address or use the link available on the website iueclocal17.org.

If anyone has news of an event (birth, death, engagement) or if you finally shot that big buck you coveted, please send photos and information to me at dknapik@windstream.net and I will get them into the Constructor or on to the website.

After Michigan passed Right-to-Work-For-Less, I heard from the Detroit apprentice we all knew and loved as “Kid Rock.”  He reported that although he did not pass his Mechanics Test he feels confident he will nail it the next time around.  He also wanted me to send a large thank you to everyone in Local 17 that made him feel part of our family during his stay. “What they (Michigan’s legislature) don’t realize is that union brothers took me in when I was in need and I am very grateful for that.”  Here’s to hoping that Michigan voters do to RTWFL what Ohioans did to SB5.

I have always said that the Cleveland area has a core of very talented individuals in every walk of life and Local 17 is no exception.  Retired brother Len Kessler publishes a newsletter called Northern Lights where he talks about the ups and downs of his luncheon group, tours covered bridges in Ohio and ruminates on events of the day.  He is helped along by his faithful assistant Ben who tells things from his corner of the world.  I would encourage any retiree or friend of one to subscribe to Len’s publication and support it any way possible.  You can contact Len at cyberlen@adelphia.net.

Where are they working?

Kevin Thomas and Matt Johnson are working at the hotel on the Flats East Bank for Thyssen,

Kenny Jung and Dave Adrian are doing service work for Thyssen,

Jim Archer and Ryan Todd at Southerly Sewage doing a one-car modernization for Schindler,

Tim Narowitz and Pat McCann doing a mod at Quarrytown  for Thysssen,

Gerard Szmerkovsky and Craig Nolty installing a three-stop traction at the airport for Otis,

Matt Pinchot and Jeff Ward at the Clinic Art Building doing a two-car mod for Otis,

Dave Burke and Max Desotell doing service work for Edmonds,

Jason Sohayda and Lucas Janke doing a modernization at Thisledown for Otis,

Greg Seaman and Scott Erison installing a three-stop hydro at the Residences in Hunting Valley for Otis and,

Mike Miller and Joe Gauker installing a three-stop elevator at the Ronald McDonald House for Otis.

 

Local 17 sends its condolences to the families of retired brother John Namestnik who recently passed away and retired brother George Prochaska whose wife Marie passed away.

 

Till next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety,

 

Don

Dknapik@windstream.net