Brothers and Sisters:
Happy New Year to everyone in the trades. We have all been working through an extraordinary time in our collective history and all have stories to tell. The trades in Cleveland have been fortunate versus those in other areas or states. Our jobs were considered essential and many of us lost no or very little time during this year. Keep in mind those of your friends, family, Brothers and Sisters who lost loved ones and were denied the opportunity to hold them before they passed. The voids left in their souls are hard to fill but, the passage of time will eventually give comfort and dull the sharp ache of loss. Peace comes in time.
Congratulations to Brothers and Sister Brian Bond, Matt Carlton, Bob Connelly, Felix DeJesus, Matt Herbold, Dave Horner, Pat Kelly, Andrea Rodriguez, Ernie Rodriguez, John Smith, and Dan Varga on passing the Mechanics Exam and receiving their journeyman card.. There are an additional eight apprentices eligible for the exam once they pass their last finals.
IUEC Local 17 has 20 apprentices still engaged in the educational program. Those apprentices who finished 700 will advance to 800 and those from 600 will now be in 200.
The December mandatory meeting featured voting for the Local delegates to the International convention scheduled for August in San Diego. Brothers Bill Lynsky, Tim Narowitz and John Patton with accompany Business Manager John Driscoll, Jr. as delegates. Due to COVID, it is unclear at this time whether the convention will be in person, virtual or some mixture of the two.
The Cleveland City Planning Commission gave approval to several projects that will keep constructors working for a long time. One is an eleven-story, 207 unit apartment building above the Cleveland Library MLK branch that is called Library lofts. The second is a 24-story, 250 foot tall apartment building planned with 289 units. The building will sit at the corner of East 106th and Chester and will dwarf One University Circle by fifteen feet.
If you are on a job that requires a flu shot prior to entry, know that receiving one is a personal preference. The situation falls under the same requirements as background checks or mandatory drug testing. The company has to first look for volunteers with no discharge, disciple or layoff due to refusal. The company may, however, layoff an employee if there is insufficient work. Check with your doctor about possible reactions to the shot if you are being asked to take one.
Those who were hired into the trade in 2015 will be receiving an increase in their vacation checks from six percent to eight percent on their industry hire date. If you have a question about this or what your amount should be contact Business manger John Driscoll Jr at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.
As of this writing there are two mechanics and one apprentice on the bench.
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 