April ’16 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

Work is great here in Cleveland with almost all employers bringing on probationaries to help out with the flush of work before the Republicans arrive in July. There is also a backlog of work that will carry most of the companies deep into the winter. Needless to say, this is not a good time to be an elevator constructor… it is a GREAT time to be an elevator constructor.

As the year progresses to the November general election, pay very close attention to what the candidates you are following say about their commitment to organized labor and issues like PLA’s, right-to-work-for-less legislation and public employee bargaining rights. This is not a Democrat versus Republican argument, it is a pro-organized labor versus anti-organized labor argument. The historical context of the changing stances of both major parties would take a significant amount of space to fully explain. Suffice it to say, that many legislators at every level identify themselves as a D or R simply to be electable in the districts where they live.

If your legislator has a different party affiliation but votes pro-labor, why not support them? Conversely, if your candidate speaks in favor of anti-labor initiatives, why support someone that is going to do you and your family economic harm? I personally know that sometimes it is very hard to pull the lever for an opposing parties candidate but, given the choice between someone that will advance or retard the labor movement, I will always choose pro-labor.

On Friday, May 20th, Local 17 is honoring its retired members at Frank Sterle’s Slovenian Restaurant, 1401 East 55th Street, Cleveland at the Annual Retirees Dinner. Refreshments start at 5:30 pm and dinner is served at 6:30 pm. The cost remains at $30 per person and will include a family style dinner. For more information, please contact Entertainment Chairman Bill Yuhas or Business Manager Tim Moennich no later than May 1st to secure your spot at this always well attended event.

Any Local 17 member wishing to submit a resolution to the 31st General Convention in July must have their resolution submitted to Tim as soon as possible. The deadline for resolutions to be submitted to the International is Tuesday, April 12, 2016. You can email your resolution to Tim at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880 is asking the support of all Local 17 and Cleveland area union members to not shop at non-signatory companies such as Marc’s, Walgreen’s, BJ’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Save-A-Lot and Aldi’s. UFCW Local 880 recommends supporting organized brothers and sisters by shopping at Giant Eagle, Heinen’s, Dave’s, Acme, Zagara’s and CVS. For a list of all signatories email UFCW@ufcwlocal880.org.
Where are they working?

John Goggin and Mike Hogan cabling at the Akron Center for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Ryan Harger doing a mod at Westerly Apartments for Schindler,

Bill Yuhas and Ken Eaton installing a hydro at NGD Warehouse for Thyssen,

Don Knapik and Leon Oullette at 820 Superior doing water damage repair for Schindler,

Bob Myer and Matt Harden at Case Western Reserve University dong a one-car dos for Thyssen,

Dave Francis and Matt Carlton installing a car at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Building for Schindler,

Todd Kemp and Lemroy Hurd removing escalators at Halle’s for Thyssen,

John Larson and Greg Seaman doing a door mod at Playhouse Square Parking Garage for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Jayson Tischler working on escalators at the Hyatt Hotel for Schindler,

Shawn Yatsko and Felix DeJesus doing a mod at Sherry Park Apartments for Schindler,

John Patton and Tom Gombar doing escalator clean downs for Kone,

Gary Thompson and Ryan Todd at the State Theater doing a one-car mod for Schindler,

Matt Pinchot and Brian Bond doing a two-car mod at Willis Arena for Otis,

Steve Kemp and Tim Gibbons doing pit structure repair for Schindler.
Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net