Category: Articles

Brothers and Sisters:

The IUEC Local 17 Retiree’s dinner will be held Friday, May 16 at Harry’s Steak House, 5664 Brecksville Road, Independence.  Doors open at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30.  The cost for active members is $65 with retirees attending for free. 

On March 26, the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund presented opportunities for signatory companies to receive grant money to pursue contracts currently being held by non-signatory companies operating in the Cleveland area.  Locals 17 and 45 (Akron) have been very fortunate that up until recently non-signatories have not been active in the jurisdiction.  There has been an increase in activity by Findlay’s Davis-Newcomer and Lake Erie Elevator in Painesville to penetrate the market.  

Local representatives of Kone, TKElevator, ATTA/Maximum and, new signatory to the Cleveland and Akron Local agreements, Moseley were scheduled to attend the presentation.

The grants from the EIWPF cover the partial difference between a signatory and non-signatory cost of a maintenance contract as well as a percentage of modernization and construction costs.  The Fund is a cooperative effort between the International and the National Elevator Bargaining Association (NEBA) to maintain and increase jobs serviced by signatory companies.

If you see a company that you do not know to be a signatory working in the area, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

The portal for licensing elevator mechanic in Ohio opened May 1, 2025 through the State of Ohio website Ohio.gov.  Initially there is a six-month window for all mechanics to apply for a license through the site.  The window closes November 1, 2025. The cost is $250 for a two-year license.    

Through the licensing requirements, all license holders must have eight hours of continuing education classes per year.  The classes are available through the NEIEP website, neiep.org, under the Continuing Education tab and will be accepted by the State.  NEIEP also pays the student/mechanic for their time when taking any CE class.  For more information go the NEIEP website.

This license belongs to the mechanic and not the company.  It is the individual mechanic’s responsibility to keep current.  This is not an expense to be turned in to the company for repayment. It is not a dues difference to another Local. It is, among other things, the holders ability to refuse to perform an unsafe practice at the behest of their supervisor.

Local 17 will have a run-through on the application process at a monthly union meeting.  Watch this space and the Local website for more information.

Currently work in the area is slowing down.  The elevator work at Sherwin-Williams headquarters is coming to completion as there is still several months of interior work to be completed by other trades.  The TKElevator jobs at Rocket Arena (formerly Rocket Mortgage Field House), Cleveland Police Headquarters and Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience are not yet ready to start.  

Otis is ready for the steel mill mod and is looking to pick up a team.  They are also looking for help in their maintenance department.  Gable/3Phase has three mod crews working and enough on the books for the rest of the summer.

The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Honorary retiree Chuck Lanning who passed away February 20 and Brother Matt Harden whose father passed away February 19.

As of this writing there are four mechanics and four apprentices on the bench.

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Brothers and Sisters:

The 2025 IUEC Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner is scheduled for Friday, May 16 at Harry’s Steak House, 5664 Brecksville Road, Independence.  Watch your mailbox and the Local 17 website, iueclocal17.org, for more information.

A contingent of Local 17 members and family marched in the 2025 Cleveland St.Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.  Once again Kone donated the use of their stake body truck for the event and everyone in attendance had a great time.  For photos of the event, go to the Local 17 website.

For those apprentices working out of town, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org so he can place you in roaming status to continue the NEIEP program in another Local.

Work Preservation did a presentation for our signatory companies to educate them on grant money available to recover jobs lost to non-signatory competitors.  This money will help recover jobs lost to Davis-Newcomer and Lake Erie Elevator who have become aggressive as of late in the Cleveland market.

The Ohio Department of Industrial Compliance is opening the contractor portal May 1.  This is where the companies apply for their license.  The mechanic ’s portal is expected to open June 1 with a two-year license costing $250.  The requirement is that by November 1, all mechanics in Ohio will be licensed.

There is no word as of yet as to who Governor Mike DeWine will name to the board to oversee the new governing body.

Where are they working?

Matt Pinchot and Mark Thomason at Cleveland Clinic TT doing a mod for Otis,

Craig Nolty and Mike Janzen at Cleveland Clinic CID installing cars for Otis,

DJ Spring and Mike Hassell at Margaret Wagner doing a two-car mod for Otis,

Jerry Szmerekovsky and Pat McHugh at Cleveland Clinic NC114 doing a mod for Otis,

Jim Thompson and Eric Johnson at Cleveland Clinic M doing a mod for Otis,

Dion Yatsko and Lem Hurd running cars at Metro Apex for Otis,

Brandon Light, Dan Varga, Lee Barkschat, Jeremy Sesma, Cory Oldham, Cody Dempster, Marcus Luxenburg and Adam Farhm at Sherwin-Williams Headquarters installing a lot of cars for Schindler,

Matt Harden, Andrea Rodriguez, Ed Gimmell and Dave Adrian at Sherwin-Williams running cars for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Ricky Kemp doing a mod at Progressive Field for Schindler,

Brian Bond, Mike Gallagher, Brian Seither and Jared Adams at Lakeview Campus doing a six-car mod for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Tito Mike at Public Utilities doing a two-car mod for Schindler,

Gary Thompson and Tom Holian at WO Walker doing a mod for Schindler,

Sean Canning and Jason Barnett at Van Home in Carrolton installing a car for Schindler,

Dave Gnagy and Jay Carlson at the West Side Market doing a four-car mod for Schindler,

Jack Finucan and Brandon LaFontaine at Freedom Square doing a jack for Schindler,

Mike Hogan and Aaron Sipos at RTA Triskett doing clean downs for Schindler,

Pat McCann and Mike Piela at Poor Clares doing a door mod for Schindler,

Russell Barrows and Joe Gauker at Catawba Hampton Inn installing cars for Kone,

Mike Miller and Pat Kelly at Peninsula Apartments finishing installing cars for Kone,

Brendan Hyland and Justten Kavedzic at Royalton Woods installing a car for Kone,

Todd Ross and Eric Schaffran doing a mod at Bulkley Building for Kone,

Drew Williams and Jake Driscoll finishing a mod at Lake West for Kone,

Ken Bowles and Sasha Vujkovic doing service work for Kone,

Tim Narowitz and Jack McTaggart doing a mod at Gemini Towers for TKElevator,

Bill Dudas and Vinny Smrdel at RH Myers in Beachwood doing a two-car mod for TKElevator,

Joe Broz Jr and Bill Lynsky enjoying working at Case Western Reserve University for TKElevator,

Jason Frederick and John Ranney doing a mod at Wade Park for TKElevator,

Chris Sipos and Christian Thompson at Schevchenko Manor in Parma doing a mod for TKElevator,

Anthony Metcalf and Brad Skotko at Heinen’s in Rocky River doing a mod for TKElevator,

Jim Ehrbar and Dan Quigley at Perry Pane doing a mod for Gable/3Phase,

Marc Carollo and Jack Corrigan at Kemper House doing a mod for Gable/3Phase and,

Brian Owens and Spencer Adams at Bridgeview doing a two-car mod for Gable/3Phase.

As of this writing there are three mechanics and three apprentices on the bench.

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Eric Schaffran (left) and Russell Barrows (right) celebrate passing their Tirak 2 training during a Kone all-day session while Mike Miller Jr (rear) inspects his new safety lanyard.  Photo by Brendan Hyland.

Brothers and Sisters:

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us.  Do not forget to join IUEC Local 17 at the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade Monday, March 17th.  As usual, the parade kicks off at 1 pm from East 18th and Superior.  The Local will have a truck for children and adults to ride as well as our brigade of marchers.  This is a family friendly event that draws children of all ages.  Do not miss the chance to create life long memories.  

Congratulations to the College Football National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes.  You make O-H-I-O great! 

Congratulations to Business Manager John Driscoll Jr for being elected to the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Executive Board where he will act as the Recording Secretary.

In their 1983 book Tyranny of The Status Quo, economists Milton and Rose Friedman write about the economic challenges faced by a first term  President Ronald Reagan, Britain’s Margaret Thatcher and other international conservatives in the late 1970’s and early 80’s Golden Era of conservative leadership.  There is a passage early in the book which highlights the reasoning behind much of what we actively see happening in Washington DC in the last weeks of January 2025.

The following is a paraphrase of there observations:

“In 1982 William R. Bennett was reelected to a third term as Premier of British Columbia.  Immediately after reelection he announced a sweeping program to reduce the size of government, decrease civil servant workers by 25 percent and reduce spending on a range of programs.  He also abolished outright a number of politically sensitive commissions.  There was an immediate outcry by affected civil servants and groups directly affected by his actions.

“Why didn’t he spell this out prior to the election?  Any measure that affects  concentrated group significantly—either favorably or unfavorably— tends to have effects on individual members of that group that are substantial, occur promptly and are highly visible.  The same measures the individuals of a diffuse group—again either favorable or unfavorable—tend to be trivial, longer delayed and less visible.  

“Quick, concentrated reactions is the major source of strength of special interest groups in a democracy.  It motivates politicians to make grandiose promises to such special interests before an election and to postpone any measures adversely affecting special interest groups until after the election.”

Elections have consequences and those consequences will not be realized until they affect a voter directly.  

When a 25% across the board tariff raises the price of the voters banana for their morning cereal and the price of coffee at their favorite shop goes from $2 to $3 because of a tax on Columbian beans, will they pay attention?  What about the gauges we use for our pressure tests or the cloth for the upholstery in our classic car or boat rises proportionally to cover the tax?  How about when an exclusive material source becomes too expensive for the importer to use and the plant closes?  What will these voters think about their choice?  

Who is going to pick the pumpkins for Halloween or the tomatoes for our salads and sauces?  Do you want to reshingle a roof in July?  How about changing your grandmother in the nursing home?  Have you every watched the employee gate at a meat packing plant?  Who is going to clean the CEO’s office?

Maybe it’s all just bluster and it will calm down.  Maybe it’s all just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.  Maybe it’s all a case of poor communication. 

What ever it is, I’ve seen this show before and I know how this ends.

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Retired Brother John Goggin looks forward to another generation of elevator constructors as he holds his first grandchild, William, born January 17, 2025.

Business Manager John Driscoll Jr swears-in the Local 17 2025 officers (left to right):  Tim Gibbons, Brian Chambers, Jason Fredricks, Tom Goggin, Bill Lynsky, Joe Broz Jr, John Patton, Don Knapik, Patrick Kelly, Dave Ford and Mike Hogan.

Brothers and Sisters:

The work situation in Cleveland for all the trades is very positive and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.  As elevator constructors, we hold a unique place in the trades.  Not only do we command the best wages and benefits, our work touches on aspects of all those working around us.  This unique perspective allows us to notice trends and act as leaders within the workplace.    

When a building owner selects a general contractor for a job no matter the size, the GC turns to the pool of contractors it is confident can do the job in a safe and efficient manner.  These are relationship which are developed and refined over time and represent the overall experience of that contractor with the subs they choose to select for the job.

As with all relationships, problems will arise.  The key to maintaining a positive relationship is how these issues are addressed.  As elevator constructors we need to be the example of how a union trade is supposed to work and call out those which put the trade union movement in general into disrepute.  This means Brothers and Sisters in the trades who abuse their position in the workplace and create a hostile or unsafe environment for those around them.

This means policing our own to maintain the integrity of the organized trades and minimize the opportunity for non-signatory companies to take hold and steal work which would otherwise go to an organized Brother or Sister.  

A reputation is like glass, easy to shatter and difficult to repair.  Maintaining that reputation is something all trades must make a priority.

On December 27, an era in Cleveland elevator operation ended: Greg “Chief” Schlegel retired after 45 years of running a freight car at Landmark Office Towers.  Chief had been an ambassador of good will for the buildings past and present Fortune 500 tenants and a friendly voice on a dreary day.  

Landmark opened in 1930 as part of the Cleveland Union Terminal project which includes the iconic Terminal Tower as its centerpiece.  Chief started working there in 1979 and his 45 years service represents almost half the existence of the complex.

Prior to the advent of automatic elevators, operators ran the cars at office buildings and department stores often acting as the first line of security and a directory on where to go and who to talk to once inside.  Presently, outside of cars turned over for temporary operation, Cleveland has only a handful of full-time elevator operators still working.

I first met Chief in 2000 when I came to help clean secondaries with the resident mechanic.  He was friendly, helpful and very upfront.  He was better at keeping a person up to date on the inner workings of downtown and plugged in even better than the most veteran news reporter.  I would not doubt that Chief was the source for getting some of Cleveland’s biggest news stories rolling.

On his nickname, Chief said that one day he was joking with one of the contractors when the subject of the fire department came up.  Apparently several members of his family were presently or had been members of the Cleveland Fire Department and when he brought this up the contractor gave him a hat and said “well, I guess that makes you Chief!”  And thus a legend was born.

Congratulations Chief on a retirement well earned.

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

Local 17 Photos for February ’25 Constructor

Congratulations to Sister Ellaina Harris and Brother Mike Hassell after their swearing in at the December 2024 meeting.

The children give the magician a little help during the magic show at the Local 17 2024 Children’s Christmas Party.

Santa makes his appearance at the Local 17 2024 Children’s Christmas Party.

Greg “Chief” Schlegel on his last day on the Midland freight. 

Photo 1

Congratulations to Sister Ellaina Harris and Brother Mike Hassell after their swearing in at the December 2024 meeting.

Photo 2

The children give the magician a little help during the magic show at the Local 17 2024 Children’s Christmas Party.

Photo 3

Santa makes his appearance at the Local 17 2024 Children’s Christmas Party.

Photo 4

Greg “Chief” Schlegel on his last day on the Midland freight. 

Brothers and Sisters:

For all of you that missed it, the 2024 Local 17 Children’s Christmas Party was held December 14 at the hall.  It was a very well attended event and all the children enjoyed the entertainment and the opportunity to meet Santa.  For photos of the event, go to the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org, and peruse the gallery for your favorite moment.

The Spring semester starts January 20th with the orientation taking place the week prior.  The 50 apprentices in school will be divided between RC 200, 300, 400 and either 700 or 800.  

It is the apprentices responsibility to make class a priority.  Your school night is your school night.  The only acceptable excuses for absences are illness or previously scheduled overtime.  Future make up classes will be scheduled as needed for Saturday morning from 8am to noon.

Eight members recently attended and were certified in fork lift and boom truck operation in a class taught by Brother Tim Narowitz.  This is only one of the continuing education classes offered to members through NEIEP.  If there is a class you would like to see offered, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

Elevator licensing took effect in Ohio November 1, 2024 and all contractors and mechanics have until November 1, 2025 to obtain their state license.  For more information, go to the Local’s or the State of Ohio Department of Industrial Compliance website.

Where are they working?

Jim Thompson and Eric Johnson at Cleveland Clinic TT doing a mod for Otis,

Craig Nolty, Dion Yatsko, Luke Schnitzler and Mike Janson at Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Center installing cars for Otis,

DJ Spring and Mike Hassel at Margaret Wagner doing a two-car mod for Otis,

Pat Pollock and Mark Thomason at Cleveland Clinic F doing a mod for Otis,

Ric Supinski, Joel Reyes, Joe Simcic, Lee Barkschat, Ed Gimmell, Del Gay, Jeremy Sesma, Nick Bowlen, Cory Oldham, Cody Dempster, Marcus Luxenburg, Kyle Drnak, Adam Farhm and Preston Patterson at Sherwin-Williams doing a bunch of cars for Schindler,

Matt harden, Andrea Rodriquez and Dave Adrian running cars at Sherwin For Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Ricky Kemp doing a mod at the Federal Reserve for Schindler,

Brian Bond, Mike Gallagher, Brian Seither and Jarrett Adams at Lakeview Campus doing a six-car mod for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Gary Thompson at WO Walker doing a two-car most for Schindler,

Shawn Yatsko and tom Holian at Waldorf Manor doing a one-car mod for Schindler,

Don Yoho and Adam Klein Finishing up a one-car installation at Franciscan Village,

Sean Canning and Jason Barnett at Van Horne in Carrolton installing a car for Schindler,

Dave Gnagy and Jay Carlson doing hydro mods at NASA,

rob Timko and Matt Carlton at Painesville Administration doing a one-car mod for Schindler,

Jack Finucan and Brandon LaFontaine doing a pump unit at Black And Decker for Schindler,

Pat McCann and Brandon Alley doing a door mod at the Luckman for Schindler,

Mike Hogan and Aaron Sipos at Progressive Field winterizing the escalators,

Russell Barrows and Herb Fouts at Peninsula Apartments installing cars for Kone,

Mike Miller and Ellaina Harris at Oberlin apartments installing cars for Kone,

Joe Gauker and Ryan Bissel at Breezeway installing tow hydros for Kone,

Pat Kelly and John Smith installing one car one east 125th for Kone,

Ernie Rodriguez and Bob Savnik in Ashtabula doing a two-car mod for Kone,

James Hirz and Justten Kavedzic at Post Office Plaza doing a mod for Kone,

Todd Ross and Eric Schaffran doing a mod at Bulkley Building for Kone,

Drew Williams and Jake Driscoll at Tyler Building doing a one-car mod for Kone,

Ken Bowles and Sasha Vujkovic at 11770 Berea road doing a door mod for Kone,

Tim Narowitz and Jack McTaggart doing a mod at Gemini Towers for TKElevator,

Bill Dudas and Vincent Smrdel at Randal Park Apartments doing a two-car mod for TKElevator,

Jason Frederick and Brad Skotko doing a mod at Wade Park for TKElevator,

Kevin Thomas and Matt Ramser at AMT in Brecksville installing a car for TKElevator,

Chris Sipos and Christian Thompson at Hathaway Brown doing a mod for TKElevator,

Anthony Metcalf and John Ranney at Pearl Crossing doing a mod for TKElevator,

Jim Ehrbar and Dan Quigley at Perry Payne doing a mod for 3Phase,

Marc Carollo and Brian Owens at Tudor Arms doing a mod for 3Phase,

Chris Scholle and Jack Corrigan at Kappa House doing a mod for 3Phase.

As of this writing the bench is clear.

Until next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

DKnapik@windstream.net

Retired Brother Jim Ross with Vice President Al Gore in a photo taken at the Federal Courthouse during the 2000 presidential election.  The picture has been hanging in Samsel Supply for 24 years.  Samsel closed after 66 years of service and returned the photo to Ross.