September 2024 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

The Local 17 Golf Outing was held at Bunker Hill Golf Course on July 20.  There was a change in the guard as the Champion’s Jackets were won by the team lead by former Local 17 member and current Gable Elevator superintendent Scott Hicks.  Congratulations to Scott and his team.

The other big winner was Jacob Kemp, son of Brother Todd Kemp, who walked away with a three-day, two-night trip to Las Vegas sponsored by Laborers Local 310.  Kemp won the trip by first sinking a 20-foot putt to qualify and then, in a two way putt-off lagged his 50 footer closest to the hole.  For photos from the event, go to the Local 17 website, iueclocal17.org. 

As this reaches your mailbox, the 2024 Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Labor Day Softball Tournament will be in progress.  Under the coaching of the Kemp Brothers, Local 17 has advanced in each of its last two outings past the first round.  For the results of this year’s effort, go to the Local’s website.

The 2024-25 school year is in full swing with a compliment of 49 apprentices enrolled in the NEIEP program.  Brothers Tom Goggin, Don Knapik, Jean LaFontaine, Tim Narowitz and Jerry Reitz are teaching one class of RC 100 and two classes each of RC 200, 300 and 400 for a total of seven classes.  This is the Local’s largest apprentice class in many decades.

Brother Reitz is teaching the Mechanic Exam Review to the three test-eligible apprentices.  Good luck to them as they start this new phase of their career.

Brother Rick Myers has returned to Local 17 and is working full time for NEIEP as a Subject Matter Expert.

State Licensing is moving forward.  The nine-member Elevator Safety Review Board is taking shape and Local 17 Business Manager John Driscoll Jr is expected to be named to the Board by Governor Mike DeWine.  The Board is responsible for oversight of investigations of elevator mechanics and contractors and establishing and administering appropriate disciplinary actions.  

This is the final stretch of a multi-year effort to convince a once skeptical Ohio legislature of the value in licensing elevator constructors.  Special recognition is due to Gable Elevator who early on took a lead role in demonstrating the complexity of the work we do and the value of the education received through the NEIEP program.

For those apprentices advancing in the apprentice program, pay raises are effective beginning the first pay period after September 1.  If there is an issue with or questions regarding the timing or amount of the raise, contact John at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

Work in the area is strong with Schindler holding the biggest mod and construction market share.  As the Sherwin Williams job winds down in the first quarter of 2025, TKElevator is expected to begin the Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Building project.  The job is 16 cars and 16 floors and TKElevator will also be doing a full mod at Rocket Mortgage Field House.  Otis is doing a lot of modernization work at the Cleveland Clinic and an upcoming job at the steel mill.  Kone currently has ten crews working mod and construction with Gable keeping three teams busy.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Honorary Retiree Howard Stephenson who passed away June 6 and Brother Dave Yasenchack whose father passed away July 8.

As of this writing there is one mechanic on the bench.

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

The July swearing in was a family affair with multiple initiates having their fathers in attendance.  Pictured (center) is initiate Ricky Kemp being sworn in as part of the July 2024 class by his father Rich (at the microphone).

July 2024 initiates (left to right) Cody Demster, Marcus Luxemburg, Adam Fahrm, Sean Kelly, Paul Verga, Kyle Drnak, Jack Corrigan, Mike Gallagher, Nick Seaman and Ricky Kemp.

Brother Greg Seaman with his newly sworn in son Nick at the July 2024 meeting.

Brothers Don Knapik, Kevin Krupa, retiree Ron Wolff and guest Jason Zapisek take a minute for a photo at the 2024 IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing at Bunker Hill Golf Course.  For more photos from the event go to the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org.