March ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

The February 11 union meeting was held upstairs in the office with the officers in attendance due to a power outage which blanketed the immediate area.  The meeting was illuminated by members flashlights.  At the meeting Sister Andrea Rodriguez was sworn in as Warden for IUEC Local 17.  Sister Rodriguez is the first female officer of Local 17.  

The Local’s Apprenticeship Applications closed January 31 with 302 applicants for the list.  Those who have not previously taken the EIAT exam were invited to take the test the second week of February with those passing the test with at least 70 percent invited for the oral interview with the Local JATC the week of March 21.  Good luck to all those wishing to join the best Local in the best trade in the trades.

As everyone knows, Gable Elevator was bought out by Three-Phase Elevator.  When Gable became a signatory in 2017, part of the agreement allowed their employees portability between Cleveland (Local 17), Akron (Local 45) and Columbus (Local 37) until the end of this contract with all the field personnel initiated into Akron’s Local.  

Portability allows the signatory to have any of their employees work in any of the agreed Locals.  With the close of the contract in July comes the end of the portability agreement.  

There was some controversy as to whether any Gable/Three-Phase employees have been transferred out of Local 45 to Cleveland or Columbus.  As of this writing, no members have been transferred out of Akron.  

The signatories to IUEC Local 17 are listed below.  If you see a company not listed working in the area, call Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.net.

Local 17 is planning on marching in the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade pending the parade taking place.  The parade steps off at noon from East 18th on Superior while units muster along Superior during the morning.  This is a great opportunity to meet other members and their families as well as partake in true Cleveland tradition. 

The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brother Tom Reitz who passed away January 15, Honored Retiree Don Tretera who passed away January 19 and Honored Retiree Jim Agnew who passed away January 21.

As of this writing there are two mechanics on the bench.