IUEC Local 17 Website Administrator

November ’23 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

The 2023 IUEC Local 17 Children’s Christmas Party will be held Saturday, December 9 at 1 pm at the Laborers 310 Hall located at 3250 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. The party will be highlighted by a magic show and visit from Santa bearing gifts for those 12 and under. Members must respond no later than DECEMBER 1 to Entertainment Chairman Todd Kemp with the name and age of the children to receive gifts.

On November 5, 2023, IUEC Local 17 celebrated the 120th anniversary of its founding. The Local was established to “encourage a higher standard of skill among its members, cultivate a feeling of friendship among the craft, obtain and maintain a fair standard wage, assist each other in securing employment, protect the jurisdiction of the craft, engage in cultural, civic, legislative, fraternal, educational, charitable, welfare, social and other activities which further the interests, directly or indirectly, of the organization and its membership.”

In commemoration, over the course of the next year, the Local 17 website, iueclocal17.org, will feature galleries of photos taken over the course of its history. The first gallery is a reimagining of the advertisement in the International book from the most recent convention. If any member, past or present, has photos they would like to share they can be emailed to webadmin@iueclocal17.org. The photos can be from union events, parties, work sites or anything that speaks to the founding objectives of the Local.

For those apprentices who are missing a class, the first makeup is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 9. If you are in need of attending, you will be contacted by Business Manager John Driscoll Jr. If you have any questions or concerns about attendance, he can be contacted at 216-391-8088 or emailed at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

John will be contacting those apprentices who missed taking the RC500 Practical due to Covid. The test will be administered November 14-16.

Those mechanics who passed their Exam after July 9, 2022 must take the continuing education courses offered on the NEIEP website in order to get their January 1 pay increase. All mechanics are eligible to take CE courses and are paid eight hours by NEIEP for their time. For more information go to the NEIEP website, neiep.org, and cursor to the Continuing Education tab on the right side of the home page.

The Local 17 By-Law Committee is in the process of creating a safety liaison for jobs with five or more constructors. Since there is no provision for a steward, the liaison would be a primary contact of a large job and report to the Business Manager to resolve safety related issues on large job sites and speak about those issues at the quarterly safety meetings with the signatory companies.

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

Happy Birthday IUEC Local 17

Thank you,

Donald W. Knapik

Correspondent

Special Called Mandatory Meetings

The General and Special called meeting of IUEC Local 17 normally scheduled for November 11 has been moved to November 17. The November 17 and December 8, 2023 and January 12, 2024 meetings are Special Called Meetings for the nomination, election and installation of officers.

Members not in attendance will be fined by the Executive Board. If you have any questions, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

November ’23 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

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

For those whose September issue of the Elevator Constructor did not have the report for Local 17, that article and all articles from 2011 through today are on the IUEC Local 17 website, iueclocal17.org. I encourage everyone to read this very special piece.

The November 10th meeting has been moved to November 17th to accommodate the observance of Veterans Day. The November 17 and December 8, 2023 and January 12, 2024 meetings are Special Called Meetings for the nomination, election and installation of officers. All members are required to attend. Those not attending without a valid excuse will be fined by the Executive Board.

Where are they working…

Jim Thompson and Matt Dinko at Cleveland Clinic M Building doing a mod for Otis,

Shane Huff and Pat Pollock at Chardon High School doing a mod for Otis,

Craig Nolty and Luke Schnitzler at McGregor Senior Living installing two cars for Otis,

Jerry Szmerekovsky, Craig Nolty, Luke Schnitzler, Pat McHugh and Mike Janson at Apex installing seven cars for Otis,

DJ Spring and Devon Shields at Fairview Hospital doing a mod for Otis,

Ric Supinski, Dave Adrian, Joel Reyes, Joe Simcic, Scott Daugherty, Lee Barkschat, Josh Lowe, Del Gay, Juan Rodriguez, Jeremy Sesma, Nick Bowlen, Cory Oldham, Paul Verga, Cody Demster, Marcus Luxenburg, Kyle Drnak and Adam Farhm at Sherwin Williams HQ installing a lot of cars for Schindler,

Andrea Rodriguez and Jason Mays at Clifton Plaza doing a mod for Schindler,

Tom Peska and Todd Ault at Space Storage on Brookpark installing a car for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Tito Mike at the Leader Building doing a mod for Schindler,

Shawn Yatsko, Lucas Janke, Jack Corrigan and Tom Holian at the Justice Center doing a mod for Schindler,

Brian Bond and Mike Gallagher doing a mod at UH for Schindler,

Brandon Light and Dan Varga at CMSD Data Center doing a freight car mod for Schindler,

Matt Carlton ad Sean Kelly doing a mod at Rockside Medical for Schindler,

Jason Yoho and Ryan Bissell installing a car at Vitalia Solon for Schindler,

Jason Barnett and Adam Klein installing car at Sherwin Williams Tech Center in Brecksville for Schindler,

Dave Gnagy and Jay Carlson doing a mod at Regency Towers for Schindler,

Gary Thompson, Rob Timko, Kyle Meyer and Herb Fouts doing a mod at Medina Hospital for Schindler,

Ryan Todd, Pat Kelly, Andy Mesko, Jarrett Adams and Nick Seaman doing a mod at 45 Erieview for Schindler,

Joe Gauker and Jake Driscoll at Avon Library installing a car for Kone,

James Hirz and Eric Schaffran at Restoration Hardware installing a car for Kone,

Todd Ross and Russell Barrows at the Bulkley Building tearing out cars for Kone,

Drew Williams and Bob Savnik at Shaker Villa doing a mod for Kone,

Kenny Bowles and Sasha Vujkovic replacing a machine at Bratenhal Place for Kone,

Dave Ford and Vince Smrdel at Westwood Meadows doing a mod for TKElevator,

Tim Narowitz and Christian Thompson doing a mod at Judson Park for TKElevator,

Bill Dudas and Jon Ranney at Lake West doing a mod for TKElevator,

Jason Fredrick and Brad Skotko doing a mod at Judson Manor for TKElevator,

Kevin Thomas and Matt Ramser installing cars at Valor Acres at TKElevator,

Sean Canning and George McDonald at Parma Self Storage installing a car for TKElevator,

Jim Ehrbar and Dan Quigley at the salt mines doing a mod for 3Phase and,

Marc Carollo and Brian Owes at Lake House Condos doing a mod for 3Phase.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brother Scott Daugherty on the passing of his mother Margaret on August 28, retired Brother Corey Sanchez on the passing of his daughter Katie on August 26 and the Hess family on the passing of their mother and grandmother Lois on September 2.

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

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

October ’23 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

All apprentices currently enrolled in the NEIEP program must accumulate 72 hours of classroom time each semester. For those missing a class there will be a makeup scheduled in November. You will be contacted by Business Manager John Driscoll Jr if you are required to attend this session. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact John at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

For those apprentices that missed the RC500 Practical, Brother Tim Narowitz will be teaching a refresher course on the tasks involved in the exam. The Practical will most likely be held near the end of October and those requiring it will be notified by John.

Apprentice pay raises were effective as of the first pay cycle after September 1. You must have two completed semesters of school in the past year to be eligible for the raise. If there are any questions or concerns, contact John at the hall.

The November 10th Special Called meeting has been moved to November 17th to accommodate the observance of Veterans Day. The November 17 and December 8, 2023 and January 12, 2024 meetings are Special Called Meetings for the nomination, election and installation of officers. All members are required to attend. Those not attending without a valid excuse will be fined by the Executive Board.

Companies are moving to replace gas and diesel powered vehicles with electric vehicles and the IUEC has reached a Memorandum of Agreement with Schindler on the charger installation, use and reimbursement for those vehicles. As of now this MOA only applies to Schindler and its organized employees. There is an expectation that the move to electric vehicles will accelerate over the coming years and this MOA may be a template for what to expect going forward. If you are approached by your company to accept an electric vehicle, contact John at the hall.

Those who install and maintain traction jobs with non-circular elastomeric coated suspension members (belts) need to pay special attention to the letter sent out by John from International General President Frank Christensen on belt monitoring and inspection. If there is a question about the integrity of the belt, then the mechanic is instructed to lock out the car until the belts can be changed. This is in response to two instances where belt failure resulted in injury and property damage.

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

October ’23 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

I would like everyone reading this to take a moment and turn back to the title page ( the page with the International officers ) for a moment and scan the names, which part of the union they work and their titles.

As you scan the names, from Frank Christensen through the other General Officers, the vice-presidents, department directors and regional directors, Organizing and Work Preservation, NEIEP, CEIEP and the finally the benefits office realize that every single person on that list has something in common: they all started their careers as probationaries.

They stacked rails, set machines, assembled jacks, cabs and counterweight frames. They pulled motors and generators as well as miles and miles of wires, travel cords and cables. They wired controllers, cars and hall fixtures. They adjusted compounding and valves for the smoothest possible ride.

They spent countless hours on call troubleshooting why the right hand car won’t answer the top floor hall call and doing so in less than secure situations. They injected barrels of grease into bearings and changed hundreds of light bulbs.

Each one went through the NEIEP program, angsting over the mechanics exam and felt the relief and celebration when they found they passed.

Every single one of them has done our job. Every single one of them knows what we do everyday as well as we do.

What is different about them is that at some point each and every one of them made a decision to become involved in their local. That decision was the spark that set them on the path to where they are today.

My moment came when I received my first issue of the Constructor. Local 17’s correspondent was John Goggin. I read his article as well as those from other locals and knew that this was a job I could do well. My background in college as the editor of the newspaper, minor in Journalism and lifelong interest in publishing gave me enough credibility to ask for members support. I won by one vote.

John is a very good writer and I hope he takes it back up in retirement.

Along the way I’ve had the honor of being a part of and documenting a lot of Local 17 history. Since 2007, parades, golf outings, Christmas parties and union events have been a constant part of my calendar. I took part in our VOC and truly enjoy my time in the classroom as a NEIEP instructor.

This trade is not just about plumb, square, straight and level to 1/64th of an inch. It’s about taking part and becoming part of the ongoing conversation we all have as a Local, International and trade union movement.

The monthly meeting is where that conversation takes place. It is where the members can ask questions of their officers and speak up when they feel there is a wrong being done. The conversation in Local 17 has been going on for almost 120 years and keeping up on what is going on and understanding why something happens comes through participation.

Your time as an elevator constructor is not defined by your company. This is not your superintendent’s career, this is not your mechanic’s career, it is not your apprentices career. This career belongs to you.

Own it and leave the Local, IUEC and the trade union movement better for you having been here.

In the August issue of the Constructor, I printed a photo I took at the NEIEP Training Center in Warwick, Rhode Island and asked if anyone could identify what it represented. The winner would get a mention in these pages. Well, we have two winners. First is Brother Ryan Foley who guessed gearless machine. The second is Charlie Reitz, the son of Brother Jerry Reitz, who wrote naming it as a synchronous motor. Good job to both of you!

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

September ’23 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

As this is being written, the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades are preparing for the 2023 edition of the Labor Day Softball Tournament at Parma’s James Day (Nike) Park on Pleasant Valley Road. IUEC Local 17’s softballs are looking forward to going deeper into the tournament this year than their four games from the 2022 effort. Visit the Local 17 website, iueclocal17.org, for photos and results from the campaign.

With NEIEP apprentice school in full swing, apprentices are reminded that it is their responsibility to keep their OJT up to date. It is also the apprentice job to keep up with assignments, homework and come to class prepared. Jerry Reitz is teaching RC600 and Tim Narowitz is instructing RC100.

As the seasons change, it is a good time to get your house in order. One thing to keep your eye on is the beneficiaries for your various insurance policies. Local 17 offers a policy for all its members. If you have had a life event (marriage, birth, death, or divorce) contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr to check on the beneficiaries for your Local policy at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org. He can also give guidance on checking on any policy or benefit packages through the International and how to change them, if needed.

When changing jobs or starting jobs that will last for three days or more, Local and International policy requires reporting those changes to the hall. This particularly applies to all modernization and construction jobs.

The November, December and January meetings are mandatory meetings for the nomination, election and installation of officers. Those not attending without a valid reason will be fined by the executive board. Due to the November meeting falling on November 11, Veterans Day, the meeting date will be changed. Watch this space for the rescheduled date.

The signatory companies to Local 17 are listed below on the Signatories page of this website. If anyone knows of a company operating in northern Ohio that is not an out of town signatory or listed elsewhere on the site, please contact the hall with all pertinent information.

2023 Softball Tournament

The following photos are from the 2023 Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Softball Tournament held Labor Day weekend at James Day Park in Parma, OH. The IUEC Local 17 team went 1-2 for the weekend.

Thank you to all the friends, family and union members who came out to support the Local team.

2023 IUEC Local 17 softball team at the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Softball Tournament

Constructors 1-2 in CBCT Softball Tourney

IUEC Local 17 went 1-2 in the 2023 Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Softball Tournament held at James Day Park in Parma over the Labor Day weekend. The two day tournament saw the Constructors loose their first game to Pipefitters 120 who then lost their next two games to the Boilermakers 744 and Glaziers 181.

Local 17 came out ahead in their game against a tough USW 979 only to fall in their third game to the other Local 17, the Ironworkers. IW 17 went on to face IBEW 38 for the championship.

Thank you to all who came out to support their friends, family and union Brothers and Sisters.

September ’23 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

The 2023 IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina was a great success. 80 members and guests took part in the event and after the rain stopped, Brother Rob Hansen led his foursome to a nine-under par to take the brand new Champion Jackets. Congratulations and a large thank you to Brothers Todd and Rich Kemp for their hard work on making the entire event a success. For photos of the event go to the Local’s website iueclocal17.org.

Labor Day weekend, the Local will once again field a team and compete in the 2023 Building Trades Softball Tournament at James Day Field in Parma. For the first time in years, the 2022 edition of the Local 17 team went four games into the tournament. The Kemp Brothers are hoping that with a little practice prior to the event, this years team can at least equal or better that result. Visit the Local’s website afterwards for a full roundup of the results.

As this issue reaches your mailbox, the 2023-24 school year will be in full swing. Brother Jerry Reitz is teaching RC600 on Monday and Tuesday while Brother Tim Narowitz has RC100 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There are currently 39 apprentices enrolled in the program, five of which will be test eligible after passing their final. In the Spring there will be ten probationaries added to the rolls.

Apprentice pay raises go into effect the first full pay period after September 1. Business Manager John Driscoll Jr has sent letters to all the companies outlining who is to be at what pay rate after that date. If you have any questions, call John at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

Work Preservation will be holding a QEI class in Cleveland the week of January 8-12, 2024. The cost will be $3000 . There are currently five spots available for the class. QEI certification is a necessity if you are looking to join the City or State as an inspector. If you are interested or have any questions, contact John at the hall.

Work in the area is strong as Schindler is finally manning the Sherwin-Williams headquarters project on Public Square. They currently have five teams (10 men) working the job and are looking to add a sixth team. Sherwin is also moving forward with their new research and development complex on the former VA-Brecksville site. There will be six cars in the R&D complex.

While Schindler currently has the bulk of the work in Cleveland and has ten mod teams working, 3Phase is keeping five mod teams active. KONE is staying steady in construction and mod and just picked up the Cuyahoga County job. Otis has picked up a Year One off the bench and TKElevator put out a temporary mechanic and picked up another Year One off the bench.

The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Honorary Retiree Frank Mezak who passed away June 17 and Honorary Retiree Todd Keating and his son Steve on the passing of their mother and grandmother respectively on July 5.

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