October ’19 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and sisters:

As of this writing, IUEC Local 17 has 44 apprentices working in its jurisdiction. 35 are enrolled in RC 500, RC 600, RC 700 and RC 800 level classes for the fall semester. Two apprentices working out of town are enrolled in distance learning and seven are doing the New Hire training online and will be added to the appropriate class in the spring. This is the largest apprentice class Local 17 has had in over 10 years.

NEIEP is rolling out new online OJT forms that will be available through the Student Portal on the NEIEP website, neiep.org. Local 17’s JATC will still be requiring paper forms through September. Please take the time to acquaint yourself with the new online form and how it is to be filled out.

Apprentices should have received their raises effective in the first pay period of September based on their year status. If any apprentice has a question about what year they are considered or what their pay scale is, contact Business Manager John Driscoll, Jr. at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org or call the hall at 216-431-8088.

IUEC Local 17 in cooperation with Work Preservation and local signatory Gable Elevator hosted Ohio State Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Ohio House Representative Bride Sweeney (D-Cleveland) to explain the need for the State Licensing Bill currently making its way back through the legislature. Phil Issac from Gable hosted the law makers at the modernization the company is performing at the Caxton Building on Huron Avenue near East Ninth Street. Also attending were Kevin Sullivan from Work Preservation, Local 17 Business Manger John Driscoll and Jared Holt. The company is modernizing two passenger elevators with an old freight car still in place.

In a separate site visit, Sullivan and Holt along with Tim Moennich of Work Preservation and Andy Herf met with Representative Dick Stein (R-Hilliard) and senators Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) to emphasize the need for proper training of elevator mechanics.

Using these forums, the group was able to show the complexity of working safely on elevators in general as well as the maintenance and training needs required to keep the equipment running in a safe and reliable manner.

It is hoped these and forums like this will educate the legislators on the importance of licensing elevator constructors in Ohio.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the family of withdrawn Brother Lloyd Parks, Jr. who passed away September 3. Lloyd left the field to work as an engineer for Otis.

As of this writing the bench is clear.