Bothers and sisters:
Congratulations to all apprentices who passed the Fall final exams. By the time this article goes to print, you should be starting the Spring semester class. Good luck to all of you moving forward in your education in this great trade. To the mechanics working with these apprentices: remember that these youngsters are looking to you to set good examples of what it means to be a union craftsman. Much of what you exhibit will be the foundation of their career. Set a good example today and our trade will be secure tomorrow.
The microprocessor based control class being taught by retired brother John Taylor started February 2nd and will continue until March 1. Taylor will then teach a class on solid state motor control starting the following week, March 8. If you are interested in the solid state motor control class, contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or through an email to TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.
Brother Rick Myers will be teaching the CPR class on February 15th and 22nd. Those signed up for the class should have been contacted by Tim for the date of the class you are scheduled to attend. If you have not, then be sure to contact him at the hall.
The International has advised employees of signatory companies in general and ThyssenKrupp in particular to not “activate, test or use wireless remote runs stations for any employer” due to safety concerns with interference from other sources. According to a letter from Assistant General President Jim Bender, these devices have not been proven to be safe due to interference from a variety of sources including lightning, cell phones and towers and remote garage door operators. Bender continued saying “until such time as these devices are proven to be safe, they will not be allowed where “technical development to obtain better quality, reliability and cost” intrudes on the safety of our members.” Bender, along with General Officers Frank Christensen and Larry McGann attended the December general meeting of IUEC Local 17.
If there are any questions or concerns about this, please contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org for clarification.
The new IRS milage rate for business use of your personal car is 54 cents per mile. Please make sure your company is paying this correctly.
Please note that with the new year, there will be new amounts for zone pay charged when you work outside the primary. The percentages for each zone remain the same, only the dollar amount changes. If there is a question, contact Tim.
If you have had a recent change in address or marital status, please call the hall. Also, if you are on a job that will last three days or more, do not forget to call Tim with the location and who is on the job.
The Executive Board has instructed probationary apprentices to charge the company $2 per day for the business use of their personal phones. If the company will not pay, then leave them at home.
IUEC Local 38 (Salt Lake City) lost Brother Brian Sydall in an on the job accident November 30. Sydall was enroute to a job when he was killed in an automobile accident. He was a husband and father of four children.
The Bothers of IUEC Local 17 wish to extend condolences to the family of retired Brother Bob Lunt who passed away Christmas Day 2015.
As of this writing, the bench is clear.
Until nest month,
Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 