Author: IUEC Local 17 Website Administrator

Brothers and Sisters:

By the time this reaches your mailbox, it will have been one year since the World Health Organization gave a name to the novel coronavirus and declared a pandemic.  The convolutions the world has been thrown into since then need no review.  On anniversaries of major personal or societal events, it is often helpful to take stock of where you were then and your position now.  

When we look to the past it often with an emotional magnifying glass.  The events are amplified by the emotions locked into that moment. 

Painful and joyous alike are recalled in how we felt at a particular moment and this becomes the prism with which we review those events.  

Perhaps this is why it is so easy to romanticize our personal or collective past.  Whether it is a season in our life like high school or event like a vacation, wedding, birth or death these events define us as individuals as surely as the Kennedy assassination, September 11, the Challenger and Columbia loses and the Capitol Insurrection define our collective identity.

These moments define us but even the good memories become destructive when we they restrain us from moving forward with our lives.  We become like a dog tied to a stake barking at cars running by us until we wear a path in the grass, a path to nowhere.

The problem with locking into these events, moments and seasons is we live our lives forward not backward.  You cannot drive a car forward by staring into the review mirror, you must look through the windshield.  The answers to where you are going are looking forward in the windshield, not the rear view mirror.  The mirrors give you a sense of where you were and what is coming up from behind and act as a touchstone but, will not warn you of the obstacles or allow the appreciation of the beauty lying ahead.

Live life looking forward.  It is a beautiful view.  Don’t miss it.

The Local 17 apprenticeship program is remaining virtual for the Spring Semester and all apprentices registered started their studies January 18. 

Seven Local 17 apprentices are eligible for the Mechanics Exam. The Prometrics window for taking the exam runs February 8 through May 9.  Rick Myers is willing to donate his time to assist apprentices preparing for the exam along with mentoring from Jerry Reitz and Tim Narowitz.  The mentoring is available after registering for the review class on the NEIEP website.

If you hold a scaffolding certificate card and are in need of renewal, the Scaffolding and Access Industry Association (SAIA) is allowing online renewals of current certificates.  This does not apply to new certificates or instructor renewals.  For more information on this or any other continuing education opportunities access the NEIEP website (neiep.org) or contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr. at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

Work in Local 17 has been strong through the past year as all companies have sought to keep those on their payrolls working.  There is talk that there may be a slowdown coming the near future.  There are four mechanics from Houston currently working for Schindler on the MetroHealth job and several Local 45 (Akron) members in the Cleveland jurisdiction.  If there is a slow down in work, Local 17 will have to make changes to keep as many members working as possible.  Article XXII of the Standard Agreement says mechanics can stay on a job until completion.

The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 extend their condolences to the family of retiree Bob Hess, Sr who passed away December 16.

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

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Brothers and Sisters:

At the December special meeting, all officers were elected on a white ballot including Brother Chris Sipos who takes over the Conductor post from Brother Lucas Janke.  An election was held for three delegates to the 2021 International Convention currently scheduled to be hosted in San Diego.  Brothers Bill Lynsky, Tim Narowitz and John Patton will join Business Manager John Driscoll Jr in representing Local 17 at the event. 

All eleven apprentices eligible for the Mechanics Exam passed.  Congratulations to Brian Bond, Matt Carlton, Bob Connelly, Felix DeJesus, Matt Herbold, Dave Horner, Pat Kelly, Andrea Rodriguez, Ernie Rodriguez, John Smith, and Dan Varga.  There are an additional eight apprentices eligible for the exam once they pass their last finals.

There are currently 20 apprentices in the Local 17 NEIEP program.  There will be two classes with those who passed 700 moving into 800 and those from 600 moving into 200.

With the start of the new year, this is a good time to reassess your personal and financial goals.  When doing these assessments do not overlook the beneficiary of your insurance policy through the Local.  This is an important designation in the event of your passing especially if you have not made one, are recently married, divorced or had a child.  You can contact John at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org for further information. 

Where are they working?

Al Ward and Deven Shields doing a mod a the Federal Reserve for Otis,

Craig Nolty and Dan Koprowski at Lubrizol installing a four-stop for Otis,

Jim Thompson and Jack Finucan at the Carlyle in Lakewood doing a mod for Otis,

John Logue and Pat Pollock at Fairview Village apartments doing a mod for Otis,

Matt Pinchot and Andrea Rodriguez at the Federal Reserve doing a mod for Otis,

Ken Bowles and Shane Huff at Chestnut Lake Apartments doing a mod for Otis,

Jerry Szmerekovsy and Pat Kelly at Swagelock in Solon installing two cars for Otis,

Bob Meyer, Dion Yatsko, Matt Ramser and three Houston mechanics installing fourteen cars at Metro Hospital for Schindler,

Felix DeJesus and Jason Mays doing a mod at Terrace Towers for Schindler,

Matt Carlton and Chris Boggess at Metro installing two hydros for Schindler,

Pat McCann and Ric Supinski doing a door mod at UH main campus for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Lucas Janke doing a mod at UH Bishop for Schindler,

Ryan Todd and Brian Seither doing a four-car mod at Winton Place for Schindler,

Joe Simcic and Jay Schaefer at the GreatLakes Cheese Shop in Hiram installing two cars for Schindler,

Tom Peska and Brian Seither installing a car at NASA for Schindler,

Brendan Hyland and Russell Barrows installing a five-stop at Grosevnor Place in Tremont for Kone,

Todd Ross and Morgan Armstrong installing three cars at Euclid Grand for Kone,

Joe Gauker and James Hirz at the Columbus Airport installing one car for Kone,

Anthony Metcalf and Sean Canning doing a mod at Our House in Westlake for Thyssen,

Bill Dudas and Andrew Daniels doing a mod at CMHA West Boulevard for Thyssen,

Tim Narowitz and Matt Harden doing a one car mod at Bedford Hospital for Thyssen,

Jason Fredrick and Sebastian Ricco doing a mod at Orangewood for Thyssen,

Kevin Thomas and Jason Saunders installing a car at Aqua Marine for Thyssen,

Scott Hicks and Marc Carollo at 310 Lakeside doing a mod for Gable,

Jim Ehrbar and Wing Lui doing a mod at 5565 Erieview for Gable.

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

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Brothers and Sisters:

Happy New Year!  Raise your hand if you’re sad to see 2020 go?  I didn’t think so.  Here’s what’s going on in Local 17…

As of this writing work in Cleveland is strong with Schindler holding the lions share of new construction and modernization.  The other majors are holding their own and keeping as many employed as possible.  

Congratulations go out to Brothers Matt Carlton and Felix DeJesus and Sister Andrea Rodriguez for passing their Mechanics Exam.  This is that only unbiased evaluation of your knowledge as an elevator constructor you will every have.  Congratulations on your achievement and good luck to the remaining eight apprentices awaiting the exam.  

The Local 17 School Board has asked NEIEP to extend their apprentice list through September 2021.  The extension request is due to the ongoing pandemic.  During the time this list has been active, 12 new apprentices have started work in Local 17.

The Elevator Licensing Bill is once again making its way through the state legislature and is coming up for a committee vote.  If it passes out of the committee it will have to pass the State House and Senate before going to the Governor for his signature.  The bill would require the licensing of elevator constructors in the State of Ohio in a similar way that other trades are regulated by the state. 

The Children’s Christmas Party normally scheduled for the second Saturday of December was cancelled due to COVID-19.  

As of this writing the United Irish Society of Greater Cleveland, the sponsors of the annual Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade, are planning for the return of the event for 2021.  Local 17 is slated to march if the event is held

It was reported at the November meeting that the Local had as of that time five members off work for COVID or COVID-related exposure.  All members are encouraged to use masking, social distancing and hand washing as preventive measures as well as limiting exposure to others in group gatherings.

At the November nominations meeting, five members were nominated to attend the IUEC International Convention in San Diego this August.  The election will be held at the December meeting but, as of this writing it is questionable whether an in person gathering will be allowed by Laborers 310 whose hall we use for meetings.  All other officers were nominated without opposition except Conductor where Brother Al Jerson stepped aside in favor of Brother Chris Sipos.  

The 2021 wage rate sheets are out and available from Business Manager John Driscoll Jr by contacting him at the hall at 216-431-8088 or emailing him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.  A mechanic will see a $1.76 raise in the check which is a 3.28% increase in our total package.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the family of Brother Josh Mitchell who passed away November 13.

As of this writing there are one mechanic and one apprentice on the bench.

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Brothers and Sisters:

There’s a lot going on so let’s get to it…

For the first time since the announcement of the pandemic by the World Health Organization, Local 17 held a members meeting at the hall October 9.  Seating was spread out in accordance with CDC recommendations and face masks were mandatory.    This was also the first opportunity to swear in probationary apprentices and five new brothers took advantage of it.  Four of them had been previously sworn in at Executive Board meetings.

By the time the reaches your mailbox at the beginning of December the fall semester will be drawing to a close.  All apprentices should be working on the last few units of their modules and preparing for the final exams.  Do not fall behind on this work.  

Advancement in the trade depends on the timely completion of school work.  Given the special nature of the pandemic restrictions, this may be especially hard on those who learn best from in-person or hands-on instruction.  Keep working hard and ask questions of your mechanic and instructors.  There are many in the trade who are more than willing to share their knowledge.

If you are interested in taking a forklift class, NEIEP is willing to pay for online instruction since there are no plans for face-to-face instruction.  For information of how this works, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr. at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org or calling the hall at 216-431-8088.

For those taking callbacks at Thyssen, Local 17 has placed Bluestone Apartments, 25450 Euclid Ave on their list of two-man calls. 

The Trustees of the Elevator Constructors 401(k) and annuity plan have extended the COVID-19 distributions through December 15.

The December 13, 2020 and January 8, 2021 meetings are mandatory meetings for the election and installation of officers.  Fines will be levied for non-attendance.

The Children’s Christmas Party has been cancelled due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Where are they working?

Al Ward and Deven Shields doing a mod at the Federal Reserve for Otis,

Craig Nolty and Dan Koprowski at Astrup installing a four-stop for Otis,

John Logue and Pat Pollock at Fairview Village Apartments doing a mod for Otis,

Matt Pinchot and Andrea Rodriguez at the Federal Reserve doing a mod for Otis,

Bob Meyer, Dion Yatsko, Matt Ramser and three mechanics from Houston installing 14 cars at MetroGeneral Hospital for Schindler,

Shaun Yatsko and Chris Boggess at St. Clair Place doing a mod for Schindler,

Gary Thompson and Jason Mays at Penton Media finishing a 15-car mod for Schindler,

Pat McCann and Ric Supinski doing a door mod at UH Bishop for Schindler,

Ryan Todd And Brian Seither doing a four-car mod at Winton Place for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Lucas Janke doing a mod at UH Bishop for Schindler,

Joe Simcic and Jay Schaffer at Great Lakes Cheese Shop in Hiram installing two two-stops for Schindler,

Tom Peska and Brian Seither installing one car at NASA for Schindler,

Brendan Hyland and Russell Barrows installing a five-stop at Grosvenor Place in Tremont for Kone,

Drew Williams and Jakob Mullett doing escalator clean downs at Browns Stadium for Kone,

Joe Gauker and James Hirz at the Quarter on Detroit installing two five-stop cars for Kone,

Kevin Thomas and Sebastian Ricco installing one car for Thyssen,

Jim Ehrbar and Wing Lui doing a mod at 5565 Erieview for Gable,

Brian Owens and Herb Fouts at 7007 Pleasant Valley Road installing a four-stop for Schindler.

The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brother Greg Seaman who lost his son Anthony and retired Brother John Lopiccolo, Sr. who passed away.

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

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net