June ’16 Labor Citizen

Brothers and sisters:

IUEC Local 17 recently completed the application process for the new apprenticeship list. 253 people requested applications and the Joint Apprenticeship Committee did over 130 interviews. All those who went through the process should be receiving their slotting letters shortly.

In comparison, Local 2 (Chicago) set a limit of 1000 applicants for its most recent apprenticeship list and received 1014 requests in only an hour and a half. Local 2 has 1261 members and twelve mechanics on the bench at this time.

NEIEP has a new Certified Signal Person and Rigger Level 1 and 2 course available online at neiep,org for all journeyman constructors. The prep course is eight to ten hours online and NEIEP recommends that students also enroll in the 20 hour classroom course in practical rigging. The certification test is a multiple choice exam that takes approximately an hour and a half to complete. In the practical exam, the student has to demonstrate 21 different hand signals in a variety of rigging scenarios that will take about two and a half hours to complete. This is an ANSI approved course and the certification card is good for three years.

Rick Myers is again teaching the First Aid and CPR class. If you are interested or missed the class before, contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclcal17.org.

Local 17 is also looking for NEIEP instructors for the apprenticeship program. If you are interested, contact Tim.

The Annual IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing will be held on August 20th at Emerald Woods Golf Course,12501 North Boone Road, Columbia Station. This is always a well attended event and is a great time for active and retired members and their guests. Expect a 9 AM tee time. Cost and other details will follow as soon as they are available.

Work has been strong for Local 17 and many of our neighboring Locals share that wealth. Local 10 (Washington DC) has 1169 members with 34 mechanics and four apprentices on the bench with 42 probationaries working. Local 34 (Indianapolis) has only one member out of work. Locals 44 (Toledo), 45 (Akron), 37 (Columbus) and 11 (Cincinnati) all report full employment. Local 36 (Detroit) is at full employment and recently signed Great Lakes Elevator. Great Lakes is currently at the Bradley Building in downtown Cleveland doing a one car modernization.

The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the family of retires Brother Bernie Pfriem who recently passed away.

As of this writing the bench is clear.