Brothers and sisters:
Two new officers were sworn in at the September meeting. Robin Eaton will fill the vacancy created when John Patton took over the president position and Tim Gibbons was named to fill Patton’s seat on the Executive Board. Good luck Brothers in your new positions.
The fall semester of NEIEP school started August 16. There are currently eight probationaries and seven apprentices in the program. This is the largest class IUEC Local 17 has had in a several years.
A notice to all assistant mechanics, please be aware of the anniversary date of your agreement with your employer and be sure any continuation is signed in a timely manner to assure your status.
In July the IUEC national leadership, representatives of Work Preservation, Benefits Office and NEIEP met with business agents and managers from around the country to update these local leaders about issues at the national level and how they affect the locals.
The Benefits Office highlighted several programs for health plan participants. One involved compounded prescriptions. A compound pharmacy custom blends prescriptions for patients based on the orders of a physician. These can be creams or salves for skin conditions or injectables for chronic illnesses. The goal is to make it easier for members or their dependents to receive these compounded medications.
Two other programs involved smoking cessation and cholesterol control for people who need help with these top causes of chronic health issues. NEIBP also introduced an outreach program to members to be sure they are receiving the proper treatment.
Finally, they presented the Member Assistance Program (MAP) which is aimed to those members who are struggling with marital, alcohol, emotional, legal, financial or work related issues. This confidential service is at no or reduced cost to members. They offer eight face-to-face sessions with a licensed therapist per problem per year and unlimited follow-up telephone sessions. On legal issues the first hour is free and then charged at a 20 percent discount after that.
This is a great opportunity for members and their dependents to get help in a time of crisis.
A signatory sub-contractor for Otis in Los Angeles (Local 18) was found dead while doing work on a modernization job. On August 15, Brother Robert Khodadadian, working for RJ Electric was performing overtime machine work on a modernization job when he was found dead by another constructor working on the job. The International’s Safety Committee as well as local union representatives were called immediately to the scene. As of this writing there is no word on the cause of the death.
The November 13, December 11 and January 8 meetings are mandatory meetings for the nomination, election and installation of officers. All members are required to attend.
The Brothers of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brothers Ken Reihs, who passed away August 10 and Frank Yako who died July 16.
As of this writing there are six mechanics and one apprentice on the bench.
Please remember to work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 