IUEC Local 17 Website Administrator

Eddie Ference funeral service

EDWARD M. FERENCE, entered into eternal life May 26, 2016 after receiving prayerful support and the consolation of the Sacraments. Husband of late wife, Joan (Gulyban); brother of the late Joseph, Elizabeth and Eleanore; father of Adam (Anne) and Fr. Damian (Ecclesia); grandfather of Grace and Michael; uncle, godfather and friend to many. Eddie was a faithful Catholic, the proud son of Slovak immigrants, a WWII veteran (USN DD-536), a retired elevator mechanic (Local 17) and a lifelong fan of polka music. Wake Monday 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. at HUMENIK FUNERAL HOME, 14200 SNOW RD. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Charles Borromeo Parish Tuesday, May 31 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tolle Lege Summer Institute at Borromeo Seminary, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, 44092. (office@tollelegecamp.com)

(Reprinted from the Cleveland Plain Dealer)

May ’16 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

On March 24th the application process for Local 17’s apprenticeship list closed with 253 people requesting applications. The testing is complete and at publication time we should be deep into the interviewing. Best of luck to all those looking to join the best trade in the trades.

NEIEP is getting set to release a virtual hydraulic controller lab similar to the first person games available on gaming consoles. The purpose is to immerse the student in as close to an actual troubleshooting experience as possible. Students will be greeted by a virtual character that will explain the problem and leave it up to the students to troubleshoot the problem. The student will be able to move freely through the environment, use a meter and remove wires just as they would in a real life experience.

This virtual lab will be introduced in three phases. First as a classroom version that instructors can use as part of their classroom experience. The second will be a stand alone course that students can take at home and finally a version will be used as part of the practical assessment toward qualifying for the mechanics exam.

Please take a minute on your next work day to check that all the components of your personal fall arrest system are compatible and rated for the proper capacity. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor to obtain the proper equipment. It might just save your life.

With the 31st General Convention coming up in July and the current contract a little over a year away from negotiations, the International would like to remind everyone to start to save your money in the event there is a job action. You can never be too prepared.

On May 5th, the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund hosted a meeting for our signatory companies to learn about funds available to assist them in recovering units from non-signatory companies and the RLP program to assist them in gaining residential elevator installations.

The EIWPF is a cooperative organization of the IUEC and signatory companies to establish safe work practices for new hires, elevator code committees and standards, QEI training and programs designed to assist member companies to maintain market share. To find out more you can visit the website eiwpf.org either directly or through the link provided on the Local 17 website iueclocal17.org.

Part of being a good tradesman is doing good in your community. Honoring veterans has always been a large part of the American experience. This has never been truer than in the post 9/11 era. IUEC Local 5 (Philadelphia) established a charity called “Lift For A Veteran” to install elevators, stair lifts and wheel chair lifts in the homes of disabled veterans. The charity partnered with Federal Elevator, a Local 5 signatory, to purchase the lifts at cost and then have local members volunteer to install and maintain the equipment. As word of their mission spread they have completed jobs all over the country. For more information on the program go to the local’s website, iuec5.com, and click on the Lift For A Vet tab on the left side of the home page.

Last year the Local 17 Volunteer Organizing Committee handbilled the CMHA Riverside Apartment building when it learned that the government agency was leaning to awarding a contract for the elevator modernization to non-signatory Gable Elevator. Recently, Gable made news after Cleveland Fire responded twice to reports of people trapped in elevators at the 15-story building. To hear the report done by WEWS News Channel 5 reporter Jonathan Walsh go to newsnet5.com and search CMHA elevator problems.

The Volunteer Organizing Committee is thankful to everyone who has taken the time to talk with workers from non-signatory companies about the advantages of union membership. Organizing is an ongoing process and your efforts are appreciated. If you see a non-signatory company working on your job, please feel free to contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org. A list of IUEC Local 17 signatory companies is at the end of this article.

The Brothers and sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the family of Larry Jarrett Sr. who passed away March 10.

As of this writing the bench is clear.

May ’16 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

Happy May Day!

For years I’ve started the May article with this greeting and for years I’ve retold the stories of Germanic May Poles and the socialist coopting of the day. Even more important to labor is May 4,1886 and the events in Chicago’s Haymarket Square.

On Saturday, May 1, 60,000 Chicago area workers walked off the job in solidarity over an eight-hour work day. The event was so successful that the general strike continued on into Monday the 3rd. That afternoon Chicago police fired into the crowd of strikers in front of the McCormick Reaper Works killing several and wounding many more. That night a group of local anarchists printed leaflets calling for a rally the next afternoon in Haymarket Square to protest the massacre of the unarmed strikers.

The Haymarket rally was peaceful until the end when a bomb was tossed into the phalanx of police by “persons unknown.” In the confusion, police shot into the crowd killing and wounding many protesters including shooting other police officers.

After the police riot, the city was under martial law. Anarchist and labor halls were closed, hundreds rounded up, interrogated and held without charge and the city’s labor newspaper shut down by the Mayor. The mainstream press blamed the eight-hour movement for the bloodshed. As a result the eight-hour day did not become law until the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

Eight of the organizers were arrested and convicted of the resulting riot and bloodshed even though their indictment acknowledged that the bomb had been “thrown by an unknown person” but alleged that the thrower had been “aided, abetted and encouraged” by the anarchists. Seven were sentenced to death and one to 15 years in prison. Two later had their sentence commuted to life in prison. One died on the eve of his execution by either his own hand or was assassinated by police. The final four were hanged using ropes that were too short for the task assuring they would be slowly and excruciatingly suffocated to death.

So… all this over an eight hour work day. The next time one of your anti-labor friends spews corporate babble ask them if they like their eight hour day. Then remind them of the organized men whose blood ran the streets red.

This is our heritage. These are our heroes.

There is still time to get your reservation in for the Annual Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner to be held on May 20th at Frank Sterle’s Slovenian House Restaurant, 1401 East 55th Street. Festivities start at 5:30 with food served at 6:30. All members, active and retired, are invited to attend. The cost at the door is $30 for active members and retirees are free. Contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

Where are they working?

Joe Broz Jr. and John Connelly doing a mod at the Halle’s Parking Garage for Thyssen,

Tom Peska, Matt Weingart, Jason Tischler and Daniel Varga doing escalator work at the Hilton Hotel for Schindler,

Leon Oullette and Tim Gibbons repairing water damage at CSU for Schindler,

Greg Seaman and John Smith doing a door mod at Playhouse Square Parking for Schindler,

Kevin Thomas and Ed Gimmel installing an elevator at Halle’s Warehouse for Thyssen,

Gary Thompson and Ryan Todd doing a mod at Erieview Tower for Schindler,

Bill Yuhas and Ken Eaton installing a traction car at Bohn Tower for Thyssen,

Bob Meyer and Matt Harden installing an elevator at Case Western Reserve for Kone,

Jeff Ward and Eric Radanovich doing a jack at Columbus Park for Thyssen.
As of this writing the bench is clear and Local 17 has 24 probationary apprentices working.

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net

April ’16 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and sisters:

The recruitment for the Local is closed. As of March 9th we had 123 people request applications for the apprenticeship program. The applicants are graded on a written and tool aptitude test and an oral interview. All applicants will be slotted according to the results and offered employment in the order of their ranking. Best of luck to all that apply.

The bench is clear and IUEC Local 17 has 24 probationary apprentices working in the Cleveland area.

Instructor John Taylor is currently teaching a class on solid state motor control. The class covers the theory and application of these ubiquitous pieces of equipment and attempts to demystify their operation.

Brother Rick Myers is teaching a combined first aid and CPR class in one night. The goal is to give the student the knowledge to safely assess and react in an emergency situation. The class covers the how to do CPR and use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). If you are interested in this or any other class, contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

In February, two IUEC members lost their lives in on the job accidents. Brother Eric Martel, Local 89 (Quebec) lost his life in an escalator accident. The 28-year-old leaves behind a wife 13-weeks pregnant with their first child. Local 89 started a GoFundMe page for Martel and his family. On February 24, Brother Brent Hutchins, Local 79 (Little Rock), was killed doing preventative maintenance at the University of Arkansas Medical Center. He worked for Schindler and he leaves behind a wife, 12 year-old daughter and six year-old son.

Nothing else is known about these fatalities at this time. I encourage all those reading this piece to take a few minutes and search for the article “In the Shadow of the Super Bowl” by Lars Anderson which was reprinted in the March issues of the IUEC’s journal, The Elevator Constructor. The article covers the death during the construction of Levi Stadium, the home of the 49er’s, of Schindler mechanic Don White. The article is not about him per se but, about the affect of his death, both immediate and almost a year out, on his family and those closest to him. It is a powerful insight into the dangers that all who work in the skilled trades face and the consequences to those we leave behind. In my humble opinion, it should be required reading for all in the trades.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is rolling out a messaging tool for those who wish to vote by mail. The service, VoterNotify, is designed to keep the voter informed on events with their request to vote by mail including when the ballots are mailed out to the voter and received by the Board, alerts about possible issues with the ballot and reminders on when to have the ballot returned. For more information go to voternotify.i3ballot.net.

In case you haven’t noticed, there is an election coming up in November and Cleveland is going to be center stage in the fight over who the Republican Party will send to the ballot. As long as Governor John Kasich is in the fight, do not look for the state GOP majority to take on any controversial issues that would cast the governor is a bad light with the general public. The time to watch is going to be after the election and going forward into the new term when anti-labor legislation like Right-To-Work-For-Less and language banning project labor agreements can come to the forefront once again.

One way that labor has sought to fight this battle is through Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) that outline what the community receives relating to project development. These benefits could be local or minority employment on the job, woman or minority owned business involvement or any number of benefits. As of January there are eighteen construction projects totaling $1.8 Billion in investment embracing this CBA concept. This puts all members of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades in the mix and serves to benefit all of the organized trades.

Regardless whether your state and local representative is a D or an R, pay attention to how they vote on labor related issues. If you don’t know, find out.

There is still time to get your reservation in for the Annual Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner to be held on May 20th at Frank Sterle’s Slovenian House Restaurant, 1401 East 55th Street. Festivities start at 5:30 with food served at 6:30. All members, active and retired, are invited to attend. The cost at the door is $30 for active members and retirees are free. Contact Entertainment Chairman Bill Yuhas or Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email Tim at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

April ’16 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

Work is great here in Cleveland with almost all employers bringing on probationaries to help out with the flush of work before the Republicans arrive in July. There is also a backlog of work that will carry most of the companies deep into the winter. Needless to say, this is not a good time to be an elevator constructor… it is a GREAT time to be an elevator constructor.

As the year progresses to the November general election, pay very close attention to what the candidates you are following say about their commitment to organized labor and issues like PLA’s, right-to-work-for-less legislation and public employee bargaining rights. This is not a Democrat versus Republican argument, it is a pro-organized labor versus anti-organized labor argument. The historical context of the changing stances of both major parties would take a significant amount of space to fully explain. Suffice it to say, that many legislators at every level identify themselves as a D or R simply to be electable in the districts where they live.

If your legislator has a different party affiliation but votes pro-labor, why not support them? Conversely, if your candidate speaks in favor of anti-labor initiatives, why support someone that is going to do you and your family economic harm? I personally know that sometimes it is very hard to pull the lever for an opposing parties candidate but, given the choice between someone that will advance or retard the labor movement, I will always choose pro-labor.

On Friday, May 20th, Local 17 is honoring its retired members at Frank Sterle’s Slovenian Restaurant, 1401 East 55th Street, Cleveland at the Annual Retirees Dinner. Refreshments start at 5:30 pm and dinner is served at 6:30 pm. The cost remains at $30 per person and will include a family style dinner. For more information, please contact Entertainment Chairman Bill Yuhas or Business Manager Tim Moennich no later than May 1st to secure your spot at this always well attended event.

Any Local 17 member wishing to submit a resolution to the 31st General Convention in July must have their resolution submitted to Tim as soon as possible. The deadline for resolutions to be submitted to the International is Tuesday, April 12, 2016. You can email your resolution to Tim at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880 is asking the support of all Local 17 and Cleveland area union members to not shop at non-signatory companies such as Marc’s, Walgreen’s, BJ’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Save-A-Lot and Aldi’s. UFCW Local 880 recommends supporting organized brothers and sisters by shopping at Giant Eagle, Heinen’s, Dave’s, Acme, Zagara’s and CVS. For a list of all signatories email UFCW@ufcwlocal880.org.
Where are they working?

John Goggin and Mike Hogan cabling at the Akron Center for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Ryan Harger doing a mod at Westerly Apartments for Schindler,

Bill Yuhas and Ken Eaton installing a hydro at NGD Warehouse for Thyssen,

Don Knapik and Leon Oullette at 820 Superior doing water damage repair for Schindler,

Bob Myer and Matt Harden at Case Western Reserve University dong a one-car dos for Thyssen,

Dave Francis and Matt Carlton installing a car at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Building for Schindler,

Todd Kemp and Lemroy Hurd removing escalators at Halle’s for Thyssen,

John Larson and Greg Seaman doing a door mod at Playhouse Square Parking Garage for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Jayson Tischler working on escalators at the Hyatt Hotel for Schindler,

Shawn Yatsko and Felix DeJesus doing a mod at Sherry Park Apartments for Schindler,

John Patton and Tom Gombar doing escalator clean downs for Kone,

Gary Thompson and Ryan Todd at the State Theater doing a one-car mod for Schindler,

Matt Pinchot and Brian Bond doing a two-car mod at Willis Arena for Otis,

Steve Kemp and Tim Gibbons doing pit structure repair for Schindler.
Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net

Pictures From The Parade

Here is a gallery of photos from the 2016 Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. IUEC Local 17 was represented by several members and their family and friends. This year ThyssenKrupp donated the use of their truck. A large thank you to everyone that came out to be part of this special event. Here are the pictures…

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2016 Retiree’s Dinner set

March ’16 Labor Citizen

IUEC Local 17 from now through March 24th is accepting applications to its apprenticeship program. The process is started online by filling out an application through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) website, neiep.org, click on Careers and then the link in the Apprenticeship opportunities. There is also a link on the local’s website, iueclocal17.org.

Applicants must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent along with official transcripts or test results. All applicants must pass an examination designed to test their knowledge of reading and math skills and a tool assessment designed to asses their knowledge of basic tools and their use along with measuring skills. All applicants must be capable of performing the physical requirements of the job with posing a threat to themselves or the health and safety of others. Everyone must have a photo ID present during al phases of the process.

If you have any questions, please contact Area Coordinator Jeff Burns at JBurns@neiep.org or call Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088.

At the IUEC regional meeting, General President Frank Christensen, who along with the other general officers visited Local 17 in December, reported that the union controls 84 percent of all the elevator work in the US and one of their top priorities is to increase organizing efforts by adding six more organizers to the nine currently serving the US and Canada. Over the last three years, the IUEC organized 300 new members.

One of the main draws of the union is the fact that elevator constructors have consistently placed as the top blue collar job over the last six years.

Also at the meeting, Work Preservation Director Allen Spears talked about the lift designed in conjunction with Canton Elevator. The unit is designed for the home market and representatives of Work Preservation have been working with independent signatories to market these units at home and flower shoes to the general public. The IUEC sees this as a growing market with the greying of America and the desires of older Americans to stay in their homes as long as possible.

As of this writing all members wishing to work are working.

March ’16 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

In northeast Ohio, we have been very fortunate this winter. The weather has been unusually mild and, with the exception of a two week span, our temperatures have stayed above freezing. This offered those on construction or those of us exposed to the elements a welcome respite from the potential problems brought on by the bone-chilling cold.

I’ve been working a lot of jobs in downtown Cleveland lately and those men, women and children who call the alleys, dumpsters, parking garages and public spaces home do not have the luxury of a nightly respite in the way of a hot shower, cup of coffee or heaping plate of comfort food to warm them. Whether they are there by choice, accident or confluence of unfortunate fate, their presence is a constant reminder of the fragility of existence.

There are services available to those in need. The county offers resources through the Cuyahoga County Homeless Services. Their coordinated intake center on Lakeside Avenue is the front door to a safe place to sleep or placement in a shelter. Secondly, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless offers outreach and volunteer opportunities for those needing assistance or those offering that assistance. If neither of these resonate with you, a quick search can come up with other options.

We are very blessed to be doing what we do. It does not take a lot to make a small corner of our world just a little bit better.

The International has advised employees of signatory companies in general and ThyssenKrupp in particular to not “activate, test or use wireless remote runs stations for any employer” due to safety concerns with interference from other sources. If there are any questions or concerns about this, please contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org for clarification.

If you know of anyone that is interested in applying for a spot on the apprenticeship list, please keep your eye on the local’s website, iueclocal17.org, for updates on when the application process will begin.

At the January meeting the members voted to increase the dues to $625 per quarter. With the exception of a few apprentices that were grandfathered into the old progressive dues system, all members will be paying the same amount.

The new IRS milage rate for business use of your personal car is 54 cents per mile. Please make sure your company is paying this correctly.

The Executive Board has instructed probationary apprentices to charge the company $2 per day for the business use of their personal phones. If the company will not pay, then leave them at home.

Where are they working? Here’s where…

Jeff Lindell, Brendan Hyland, Chris Sipso and Joel Reyes working on escalators at the Terminal Tower for Kone,

Mike Miller, Matt Page, Pat Kelly and Justin Craine at American Greetings for Otis,

Bill Sellers and Chris Wyant doing a two car dos at Hill Rock for Schindler,

Shawn Yatsko and Chris DeJesus doing a mod at Sherry Park for Schindler,

Bob Brady and Dave Adrian doing a jack at Polaris Vocational Center for Otis,

Gary Thompson, Ryan Harger, Robin Eaton and Ryan Todd doing a mod at Erieview Tower for Schindler,

John Brunner and Jim Rogers installing an elevator at Crocker Park for Schindler,

Joe Simcic and Craig Nolty at the Thistledown expansion for Otis,

Scott Hicks and Mac Carollo installing six cars at the Cleveland Clinic for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Jason Tischler installing a car at Oberlin Inn for Schindler.
The Brothers of Local 17 send their condolences to the family of retired Brother Bob Lunt who passed away Christmas Day.

As of this writing the bench is clear.

Until next month

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don
DKnapik@windstream.net

IUEC Local 17 Apprenticeship Applications Being Taken Now

ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

FOR THE TRADE OF: ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTOR

NUMBER OF OPENINGS: As Needed

OPENING AND CLOSING: All applications must be completed online by visiting http://www.neiep.org/careers.aspx and clicking the link for Apprenticeship Opportunities. Select the (city/state) recruitment.

DATES FOR APPLICATION: Applications will be accepted from 3/4/2016 through 3/24/2016.

APPLY AT PROGRAM SPONSOR: International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local #17 Cleveland, Ohio Joint Apprenticeship Committee ONLINE ONLY by visiting www.neiep.org/careers.aspx and clicking the link for Apprenticeship  Opportunities. Select the (city/state) recruitment. If you have any problem with the
application process please contact the local Area Coordinator at: jburns@neiep.org.
After applying make sure to check your Spam, Clutter etc. to avoid missing emails.

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding Area

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

AGE: Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age

EDUCATION: Applicants shall be a high school graduate or provide proof of equivalent educational attainment such as completion of the General Education Development (GED) tests. Each applicant shall submit (upload), with the completed application, a high school transcript, or high school diploma, or an official report of GED test results.

APTITUDE: All applicants shall pass an examination designed to test the applicant’s reading, math skills, and aptitude for employment in the elevator industry.

TOOL ASSESSMENT: Applicants will also take a Tool Assessment designed to assess knowledge of basic tools and their use, as well as basic measuring skills.

PHYSICAL: Be capable of performing the physical requirements of the job without posing a threat to the health and safety of themselves or others.

OTHER: Upon selection, pass a drug test. (Paid by the employer) A photo ID must be presented during the application process.

FEES: $25.00 Testing Fee Required on TEST DAY (ONLY A MONEY ORDER OR BANK CERTIFIED CHECK WILL BE ACCEPTED, NO CASH, NO PERSONAL CHECKS). Fee waivers may be requested and will be approved upon showing of verifiable proof of financial need.

The Elevator Constructors are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, marital status, arrest record, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

The International Union of Elevator Constructors Local #17.