Brothers and Sisters:
As I sit down to write this article at the end of June 2020 for publication in the August issue it is no hyperbole to say the world has changed. George Floyd, COVID, the new civil rights movement, Russian bounties on US soldiers, the election, China arresting Hong Kong protesters, Putin changing the Russian constitution so he can retain power until 2036 and the cavalcade continues.
It is also hard to predict where we as an International and Local will be as these words reach you. NEIEP has worked to change the way it instructs the apprentices under their charge, the International has worked to keep as many members working as possible, the International organizations have attempted to make resources available to help cope with the changes and the Locals have worked to adapt to the situations to which they find their members entrenched.
It is also fruitless to report about the moves made to react to these changes because by the time you read them we will be four steps past and the world will be totally different.
Yes, this is crazy.
In crazy times, though, the only thing we have control over is how we individually respond to those events. It sounds simple, and to an extent, it is but the application is far harder to implement than that simple sentence when these events directly affect you.
My only advice is the simple maxim we teach when entering a car top or pit: stop, scan for hazards, evaluate the situation, minimize your personal risk and proceed.
Good luck and stay above the fray.
Where are they working?
DJ Spring, Deven Shields and Brandyn Alley installing three cars at the Lumen at Playhouse Square for Otis,
Joe Simcic and Al Ward running a car at The Lumen for Otis,
Craig Nolty and Dan Koprowski at Berea High School installing one traction and one hydraulic elevator for Otis,
Jim Thompson and Jack Finucan at The Carlyle in Lakewood doing a mod for Otis,
John Logue and Pat Pollock at Lutheran Hospital doing a mod for Otis,
Matt Pinchot and Andrea Rodriguez at Landmark Parking Garage doing two-car mod for Otis,
Ken Bowles and Shane Huff at Chestnut Lakes doing a mod for Otis,
Jerry Szmerekovsky and Pat Kelly at Lubrizol installing one car for Otis,
Dave Gnagy and Ernie Rodriguez at Kingspath doing a two-car mod for Schindler,
Joe Sumph and Dave Ford doing a mod at St. Clair Place for Schindler,
Felix DeJesus and Rob Timko doing a mod at Erieview for Schindler,
Shaun Yatsko and Dan Varga at the Rose Building doing a two-car mod for Schindler,
Ryan Todd, Brian Bond, Brian Siether, Gary Thompson and Jason Mays at Penton Media doing a 15 car mod for Schindler,
Mark Byram and Matt Weingart doing a mod at UH for Schindler,
Tom Peska and Jay Schaffer installing four four-stop cars at 6050 Kruse Road in Solon for Schindler,
Brendan Hyland and Russell Barrows replacing a machine at Harbor Light for Kone,
Drew Williams, Joel Reyes, Todd Ross and Morgan Armstrong doing a mod at May Company for Kone,
Bob Meyer and Joe Gauker installing three cars at Church and State for Kone,
Anthony Metcalf, Sean Canning, Bill Dudas and Andrew Daniels doing a mod at Columbus Park Apartments for Thyssen,
Tim Narowitz and Matt Harden doing a two-car mod at Huntington House for Thyssen,
Jason Fredrick and Chris Sipos doing a mod at Victoria Plaza for Thyssen,
Tony Kuhn and Matt Ramser installing a car at Village Green for Thyssen,
Scott Hicks and Tino Chaibai at 310 Lakeside doing a mod for Gable,
Jim Ehrbar and Wing Lui doing a mod at Lakewood Center North for Gable.
Congratulations go out to Brothers Marc Carollo, Chris Cook, Jacob Mullett, Chris Sipos and Rob Zadravec on passing the Mechanics Exam. Make the most of this opportunity to make a positive contribution to the trade.
As of this writing there are two mechanics, one apprentice and three probationary apprentices on furlough and two mechanics laid off.
Until next month…
Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 