February ’17 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

A large thank you to everyone who turned out for the 2016 edition of the Local 17 Children’s Christmas Party. As usual it was a great time for all who attended. If you take a minute to go to the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org, and search back to the first Christmas party covered in 2011, it is interesting to see how both the children and the adults have changed through the years.

Business Manager Tim Moennich has sign up sheets available for a scaffolding class and CPR class. The scaffolding class leads to a card which certifies the bearer as a Competent Person for the erection of frame scaffolding. The card is good for three years after which it must be renewed. If your card is due, lapsed or coming due, now is a great time to take the class. The second class offered is a CPR class. This class will give the student the confidence to handle an emergency situation and might just help save a life. Both of these classes are offered in conjunction with NEIEP. If you are interested in either class you can contact Tim at the Hall at 216-361-8088 or by email at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

Starting this semester all apprentices in the NEIEP program in Local 17 will be issued laptops pre-loaded with all of the textbooks and material needed for their four years of training. Not only will this make it easier to lookup material in the text but, the ability to play content related videos and go into NEIEP virtual courses will expand the learning opportunities for all apprentices.

In November the Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT Ohio) and the Ohio AFL-CIO were able to stop Ohio House bill 394 which would have decimated the states unemployment benefits. In short the new bill will have no impact on benefits except to freeze the weekly wage for 2018 and 2019 at the 2017 levels. This means that those receiving benefits will not see their weekly amount change.

This was accomplished with the cooperation of union organizations and the Republican dominated legislature.

There was a mailing from NEIBP to all members about the 2017 changes to the health plan. The largest change was in the drug program and the cost difference between the generic and brand name drugs prescribed by a physician. If you are receiving drugs through Plan, please take a few minutes to read and understand these changes and how they may effect you and your family.

Where are they working?

KevinThomas and Lemroy Hurd installing a freight car at NTA Coatings for Thyssen,

Ryan Todd and Felix DeJesus at Huntington Park Parking Garage doing a modernization for Schindler,

Dave Gnagy and Brian Seither doing a modernization at the Lorain Correctional Facility for Schindler,

Mark Byram and Matt Herbold doing a mod at Westbury apartments for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Sean Canning adjusting cars at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center for Schindler,

John Goggin and Brian Chambers doing generator work at Penton Media for Schindler,

Sean and Dion Yatsko doing a mod at the Leader Building for Schindler,

Joe Broz Jr. and Kevin Driscoll doing a mod at Bishop Park Apartments for Thyssen,

Tim Narowitz and Tony Kuhn doing a mod at Judson Park for Thyssen.
As of this writing there are two mechanics and two apprentices on the bench.

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