The Cleveland Building Trades Softball Tournament starts tomorrow night, Thursday, August 31 at James Day Park, 11828 W. Pleasant Valley Rd. Parma, OH 44130 next to Tri-C Parma. IUEC Local 17’s first game is at 7pm on field 1 vs Pipefitters 120.
Come out and support the trades and cheer on our team.Â
Brothers and Sisters:
By the time this reaches your mailbox, the Fall semester apprentice classes will be underway. Brothers Jerry Reitz will be teaching RC 600 on Monday and Tuesday with Tim Narowitz instructing RC100 on Tuesday and Wednesday. There are 39 apprentices currently enrolled in the NEIEP program with five being test eligible after this semester. Ten probationaries are expected to be joining the program in the Spring.
Apprentice pay raises are applied the first pay cycle after September 1. Business Manager John Driscoll Jr sent a letter to all signatory companies about the apprentices pay scale after that date. If there is a concern contact John at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.
Vacation checks were due July 15. If there is a discrepancy call John.
The 2023 golf outing is in the books and the foursome headed by Brother Rob Hansen again took the honors for the second straight year with a score of nine under par. 80 members and guests took part in the event held at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina. For photos from the event go to the local’s website, iueclocal17.org. A large thank you to Brothers Todd and Rich Kemp for their work in setting up and ensuring a smoothly run event.
IUEC Local 17 will be participating in the 2023 Labor Day Softball Tournament held at James Day Park in Parma. Any Local 17 member interesting in playing can contact the hall for practice locations and dates.
Elevator Industry Work Preservation (EIWP) is holding a Qualified Elevator Inspector class in Cleveland the week of January 8, 2024. The class fee is $3000. For more information on the class and to secure a position, contact John at the hall.
The big job on the square, the Sherwin-Williams headquarters, is in full swing and Schindler currently has five teams on site and is planning for a sixth. This will put the total number of constructors working on the job to 12. Work has also begun on Sherwin’s research and development facility on the former site of the VA in Brecksville. Six cars are planned for the site.
Schindler currently has ten mod jobs running with 3Phase keeping five mod teams working. Otis service work is picking up and Kone just picked up Cuyahoga County office buildings on maintenance. TKElevator just put out a temporary mechanic and picked up a probationary apprentice.
The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Honored Retiree Frank Mezak Who passed away June 17 and Honored Retiree Todd Keating and his son Steve on the passing of their mother and grand-mother respectively one July 5.
As of the writing there is one mechanic on the bench.
Brothers and Sisters:
By the time this reaches your mailbox, the 2023 Local 17 Golf Outing will be history. For photos from the event, go to the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org.
The 2023 Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner was held May 19 at Harry’s Steak House in Independence. There were 90 active and retired members in attendance with the number split evenly between the two. Honorary Retiree Tim Moennich won the retiree watch. For photos of the event, go to the Local’s website and click on Galleries.
The Spring Semester completed with finals taken the last week win May. Congratulations to all that passed RC300, RC500 and RC800. Fall Semester will have 36 apprentices enrolled. Classes and class assignments have not yet been determined.
Four apprentices will be test-eligible following the Fall semester. They require RC100 to complete their NEIEP Apprenticeship Program. Eight probationary apprentices are currently taking their New Hire course work and will be slotted into the RC schedule in the Spring ’24 semester. Watch your mailbox for Fall semester class assignments.
Any mechanics who passed their Exam after July 9, 2022 are required to complete the continuing education courses through the NEIEP website, neiep.org, prior to January 1. 2024. The link to the available courses is on the home page of the site. Any active IUEC member is eligible to take any of the CE classes and get paid 8 hours by NEIEP for their time. Local 17 currently has two members that qualify under the continuing education provision of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Schindler has begun manning the Sherwin-Williams headquarters project on Cleveland’s Public Square. The job is being pushed by a mechanic from Columbus who signed the transient paperwork at the hall last month. As of now, the project will not fall under Schindler’s Large Project Division (LPD) although that may change as the job moves forward.
The LPD is a group responsible for putting in, as the name describes, large projects around the country. In the case of Cleveland, out-of-town mechanics from Houston were responsible for the overall installation of the equipment at Progressive Field and the Glick Center at MetroHealth Medical Center to the standard set by Schindler corporate. The MIC on Sherwin-Williams is not part of the LPD.
There has been a couple of members change companies and a few layoffs over the last month. Otis may be looking for some help in the near future as TK and 3Phase are holding steady.
As of this writing there are two mechanics and two apprentices on the bench.
Until next month…
Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net
The 2023 IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing was held July 8 at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina with 80 members and guests attendance. The rainy day was won once again by the team led by Brother Rob Hansen with Chris Petersen, Jake and Rob Hansen Jr. at nine-under par. Instead of a singe champion’s jacket for the winner, the Local had four made, one for each team member.
Below is a gallery of images from the day.
Enjoy.
Brothers and Sisters:
By the time this sees print, the 2023 IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing will be in the books. The event is being held at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina with a shotgun start at 2 pm. For photos from the event and word on the winner of the Green Jacket, go to the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org.
The 2023 edition of the Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner was held at Harry’s Steak House in Independence on May 19. There were 90 retirees and active members with the number evenly split between the two groups. Honorary Retiree Tim Moennich won the watch. For photos from the event, go to the website and click on the Galleries tab.
The Spring semester ended the last week of May with apprentices completing RC300, RC500 and RC800 classes. Congratulations to all those that passed the semester.
IUEC Local 17 will have four test-eligible apprentices after the Fall 23 semester. All four of them will be taking RC100 as their last class prior to their Mechanics Exam eligibility.
There will be a total of 36 apprentices in the Fall Class lineup with eight probationaries joining them for the Spring ’24 semester after they complete their New Hire course. Classes and dates have not yet been determined.
Local 17 has two mechanics that must complete a continuing education course prior to January 1, 2024 to be eligible for a pay increase. All mechanics, no matter how many years in the business, are eligible to take one of the CE courses listed on the NEIEP website, neiep.org. They will receive eight hours of pay for their time through NEIEP. The courses are listed on the main page of the website.
Schindler has begun manning the Sherwin-Williams headquarters project on Public Square. Previously, Schindler has used members of its Large Project Division (LPD) to push jobs such as this. There is a Columbus, Ohio mechanic pushing the job who is not part of LPD. He has signed the transient paperwork with the hall.
TKElevator and 3Phase are holding steady on their manpower with rumors that Otis may be looking for some people in the near future.
There is no update on State Elevator Licensing.
As of this writing there are two mechanics and two apprentices on the bench.
Brothers and Sisters:
A reminder that the 2023 Local 17 Golf Outing is scheduled for July 8th at Bunker Hill Golf Course, 3060 Pearl Rd, Medina. Lunch will be served prior to the 2 pm shotgun start with dinner following play.
Work is currently steady with material issues subsiding at the majors. Schindler has picked up several probationaries and KONE has indicated they will be doing the same shortly. 3Phase has picked up a mechanic off the bench and has work available.
The Local is advising members to not sign any forms without first contacting Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at 216-431-8088 or emailing him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.
A big thank you to retired Brother John Taylor for finishing the Hydraulic Troubleshooting class. Brothers Don Knapik and Tim Narowitz returned from Rhode Island with certifications allowing them to teach OSHA 10 and 30 General Industry as part of recertifying instructors post-COVID. Narowitz will be returning for recertification in material handling so Local 17 can offer a forklift driver certification to interested members.
Material has been delivered to jobs preassembled in violation of Article IV of the CBA. If you suspect that you have received parts that violate this contract provision, contact John at the hall.
Where are they working?
DJ Spring, and Deven Shields doing a mod at Fairview Hospital for Otis.
Shane Huff and Luke Schnitzler doing a mod at St Patrick’s Church in Oberlin for Otis
Pat Pollock an John Logue at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood doing a two-car mod for Otis
Jerry Szmerekovsky, Scott Daugherty, Cory Oldham, Pat McHugh and Mike Janson at Apex installing seven cars for Otis
Joe Simcic and Adam Klein at Flex Jet Hangar installing a car for Schindler
Bill Sellers and Joe Walter doing a machine replacement at Painesville Prison for Schindler
Craig Nolty and Luke Schnitzler at Lubrizol doing a mod for Otis
Joe Sumph and Tito Mike starting a mod at Leader Building for Schindler
Tom Peska and Ric Supinski installing four cars at the Highland Heights Omni for Schindler
Shawn Yatsko, Rob Timko, Dan Varga and Tom Holian at the Justice Center doing a five-car mod for Schindler
Matt Weingart, Lucas Janke, Aaron Reed and Brian Bond doing mods at UH for Schindler
Mike Hogan and Aaron Sipos doing escalator clean downs at Dick’s Crocker Park
Jason Tischler and Simon Lieb doing escalator work at the airport
Joe Gauker and Jake Driscoll at Waverley Oak installing two cars for KONE
James Hirz, Russell Barrows, Mike Miller Jr and Jon Ranney at Fairfax Multiplex installing two cars for KONE
Todd Ross and Justten Kavedzic at the Casino Garage doing a two-car mod for KONE
Drew Williams and Joel Reyes doing a mod at Mentor City Hall for KONE
Tim Narowitz, Vince Smrdel, Chris Sipos and John Smith at Bratenhal II doing a four-car mod for TKElevator
Anthony Metcalf and Christian Thompson doing a mod at Judson Park for TKElevator
Bill Dudas and Dave Ford doing a mod at UH Conneaut for TKElevator
Jason Frederick and Brad Skotko doing a mod at Judson Manor for TKElevator
Kevin Thomas and Matt Ramser installing three cars at Project Visibility for TKElevator
Sean Canning and George McDonald installing a car at Providence House for TKElevator
Jim Ehrbar and Dan Quigley at CTL Real Estate doing a mod for 3Phase and,
Marc Carollo and Brian Owens at River Park Apartments doing a two-car mod for 3Phase.
The Brothers and Sisters of Local send their condolences to the families of Brother Mike Hogan, retired Brother Mike Moennich and former Local president Brian McTaggart on the passing of their father and father-in-law Bud McTaggart.
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 IUEC Local 17 Annual Golf Outing will be held Saturday, July 8 at Bunker Hill Golf Course, 3060 Pearl Rd, Medina, OH. The format will be a lunch served prior to the 2 pm shotgun start with dinner served after play, Cost is $150 per person. To sign up for the event visit iueclocal17.org and follow the links to signup your group.
On May 19, Local 17 held the Annual Retirees Dinner at Harry’s Steak House in Independence. There where approximately 90 retired and active members in attendance. Gold cards and service pins were passed out to members in attendance. Notably, there were Gold Cards presented to the father-son duo of Retired Brothers Leon and Ryan Oullette and a special posthumous Gold Card given to Brother Thomas Reitz and accepted by his brother Jerry. For more photos from the event, go to the local’s website, iueclocal17.org and click on Events.
The local and signatory companies held their first joint quarterly safety meeting. The committee, made up of representatives from the Locals 17 and 45 (Akron), has the same members as the Collective Bargaining Agreement requires be designated to handle safety concerns within a given office. The company members are Bill Scharra for Otis, Dan Schreckengost for Kone, Brian McTaggart for TKElevator, Tom Gombar representing Schindler and Scott Hicks at the table for 3Phase. Local members can submit safety concerns to Business Manager John Driscoll Jr by emailing him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org or calling the hall at 216-431-8088.
Thank you to retired Brother John Taylor for a successful Hydraulic Controller Troubleshooting class. Brothers Don Knapik and Tim Narowitz recently returned from Rhode Island after completing OSHA 10 General Industry training. This certifies them to teach General Industry 10 and 30 hour classes. Narowitz will be returning to the NEIEP Training Center as soon as the industrial truck certification class is announced in preparation for offering this to Local 17 members.
NEIEP is offering mentoring opportunities to the apprentices taking online classes. These mentoring classes are going to be offered over three times zones to those taking classes off site with the same material covered for that week. If you are working out of town, this is a way to keep up with your school work.
If you are working on a job and suspect Article IV preassembly violations, contact John. Recently, Otis was cited for violations involving its E-Glide operator. There were also violations at another job involving 13 cars with 110 doors installed prior to discovery. The company had to pay to have the violation corrected by our members.
Work at all the majors is picking up as material issues are being resolved.
The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brother Mike Hogan, retired Brother Mike Moennich and past Local 17 president Brian McTaggart on the passing of their father-in-law Bud McTaggart.
As of this writing there is one mechanic on the bench.
Brothers and Sisters:
The 2023 Local 17 Golf Outing will be held July 8 at Bunker Hill Golf Course, 3060 Pearl Rd, Medina. The format this year will be a 2 pm shotgun start with lunch served prior and dinner immediately after. The cost is $150 per person. Watch your mail for signup and payment information.
John Taylor is currently finishing with the Hydraulic Controller Troubleshooting class. All 12 students have found this to be an informative and helpful class. If there are any continuing education classes you may be interested in having Local 17 offer, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-391-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.
NEIEP offered three continuing education courses for those who are required by the contract to have CE hours as well as any member who wishes to take advantage of the opportunity. The Required Mechanic CE training must be completed annually by all mechanics who passed the Mechanic Exam on or after 7/9/2022. Mechanics who passed the Mechanic Exam before 7/9/2022 are grandfathered. The training for them is optional. For more information go to neiep.org and click on the Mechanic CE options for more information.
There will be a forklift driving certification class scheduled in the coming months. This is an important certification for those working construction and modernization to maintain our work off loading and moving material on a jobsite. Watch this space for updates.
Congratulations to the nine Local 17 members who took the welding class at Lincoln Electric and received their certification.
Congratulations also go out to Local 17’s newest members Jake Driscoll, Jassen Kavedzic, Justten Kavedzic, Mark Thomason and Tyler Whitmore for joining the best Local in the best trade in the trades.
As this issue goes to press and arrives in your mailbox, the spring semester will be drawing to a close with finals being taken the week of May 29. Good luck to all apprentices and to those who will be preparing for their Mechanics Exam.
Remember to pick up your working card by the first of the month. There is a $10 fine levied for cards left at the hall past the first of the quarter. It is also a requirement that the card be with you at all times during working hours.
Employers are offering electric vehicles to Local 17 members, mostly resident mechanics. The requirements for installation and electric cost reimbursement of the chargers and at work charging options have not been reviewed by the International. As of now, the hall is advising all members to not exercise this option.
The details of licensing by the State of Ohio are moving forward. John is in contact on a weekly basis with Work Preservation following the details of the implementation and enforcement of the law. As previously reported, the law is expected to be in full effect and force by the end of the year.
The Sherwin-Williams headquarters job is expected to be manned by Schindler in May. If Schindler is planning on bringing in their Large Projects team to run the job in accordance with them staying on the job the Local 17 bench will be clear. KONE and Otis have a lot of work now and on the books for the rest of the year. TKElevator is still having material issues and is moving employees around to keep them working.
The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the family of retired Brother Bob Charron who passed away April 11.
As of this writing there are one mechanic and one probationary apprentice on the bench.
Until next month,
Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net
The Annual IUEC Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner is always a well attended and highly anticipated Local event. The opportunity for current members to talk with retirees, retirees to catch up with old friends and the chance for both to make new friends.
There is an old saying: “when you’re young you listen to the stories told about others, when your older you tell the stories and when you’re old they tell the stories about you.”
May we all be that fortunate.
Below is a gallery of photos from the night.
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 