Cleveland Citizen – International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17

March ’23 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

Retired Brother John Taylor is teaching the CE 093 AC motor class with five students. He is willing to roll into the Hydraulic Controller Lab afterward if there is enough interest. The class covers all aspects of troubleshooting a hydraulic elevator and is the same lab used during the apprentice training. This is an excellent way for both new and experienced mechanics to hone their troubleshooting skills. If you are interested in this or any other Continuing Education courses contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

Those who passed the Mechanics Exam after the start of the present contract must have eight hours of Continuing Education credits through NEIEP to receive their raise. The current offering of classes is Harassment and Discrimination, Multimeter Skills and a Governor lab. NEIEP compensates the students for eight hours at their Locals scale for completion of the classes. Every mechanic is eligible to take the offerings no matter when they passed their test. For more information, go to the NEIEP website at neiep.org and click on the Mechanic CE offerings link on the main page.

At the February meeting Business Manger John Driscoll Jr reported that IUEC General President Frank Christensen attended the monthly Tri-State meeting. As has been an ongoing topic for many months, the major signatory companies have been having issues with keeping a correct payroll on a regular basis. The latest is that an Otis superintendent did not press the submit button prior to leaving on vacation. According to the report, this is not an uncommon issue across the country and the IUEC leadership is dealing with it on a case-by-case basis. Those affected by the error should have been made whole by the time of this publication.

Vacation checks should have arrived by January 15^th per the contract. If you did not receive your check or believe there is an error contact your employer and John at the hall.

Major employers in the area are still claiming supply-chain shortages for not starting jobs. Some are shuffling guys around to jobs while they wait for parts to arrive from vendors. This may prove to be a short time issue with a flood of new work after the storm clears.

Ohio Elevator is dominating Facebook with an outreach to the commercial sector. The company is the spin off of the residential division of Gable/3Phase Elevator. They have recruited a former Local 45 and 17 member to spearhead their campaign into the commercial sector. A list of Local signatories is at the bottom of this article. If you run into this company on a job or any company not listed below, contact John at the hall.

As of this writing there are two mechanics and one Assistant Mechanic in the bench.

February ’23 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

The Spring semester started the last week of January and will run for the next 18 weeks through June. Those apprentices enrolled in RC500 will be doing a Practical Exam which is part of your Mechanics Exam score. Treat the Practical with the same seriousness you would your Exam.

The welding class started February 2 and will run on Thursdays for 10 weeks at the headquarters of Lincoln Electric. The probationaries and apprentices in the welding class will be in school two days per week for the first ten weeks of the semester.

As part of the new contract, mechanics passing the Exam after July 9, 2022 must complete eight hours of Continuing Education credits through NEIEP every year in order to receive their January 1 raise. Any mechanic taking the education will be paid eight hours through NEIEP after completion. This includes any grandfathered mechanic. The portal is on the NEIEP homepage, neiep.org.

Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill making elevator licensing in Ohio a reality. This has been a multisession effort by signatory companies and the International to make this a reality. The nine-member Elevator Safety Review Board will be appointed by the Governor and is about nine months from taking effect. This places elevator constructors on the same level as other trades and professionals in the eyes of the State.

Local 17 members will be able to pay second quarter dues by credit card through Unionly, a payment processor. There will be a 4 percent surcharge on top of your dues payment to use the service. Dues will still be payable through traditional methods. Expect more information on the Locals website, iueclocal17.org, as the service rolls out.

Payroll still is an issue with the major companies. 12 Otis employees did not get their January 1 raise. The issue was apparently resolved and the employees made whole.

Business Manager John Driscoll Jr has advised members who do not receive their pay on time to contact him so each instance can be resolved in a timely and appropriate manner. This has happened a few times over the past year and the member has been paid every time. If you have any questions about your pay contact John at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the families of retired Brother Carl Metzger and City of Cleveland Inspector Andy Valek.

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

December ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

At the November meeting, Sister Andrea Rodriguez reported on her and her husband Ernesto’s attendance at the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference held in Las Vegas October 28 through 30. Sister Rodriguez talked about the common themes of union involvement, encouraging women to enter the trades and the challenges they face once there. Speakers included North American Building Trade Unions President Sean McGarvey, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler, a former IBEW electrician.

When IUEC Sisters in attendance started discussing forming a women’s group within the International, the IBEW’s Affinity Program, which offers a variety of services to all members not just women, became a better option. “Learning about the IBEW’s success with such a group was enlightening and encouraging” said Rodriguez. “Anything that helps the IUEC at any level makes it worth attending.”

IUEC Local 17 hosted the 2022 Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10 at 1 PM. While members and their families brought baked goods, soft drinks and entertainment featuring a magician as well as a visit from everyones favorite elf were supplied by the Local. This is the first party since the pandemic and, as always, will be a great time for parents and children. Photos from the event are available on the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org.

Local 17 has the largest apprentice class in years this spring with 40 students enrolled. Jerry Reitz will be teaching RC300 on Monday and Tuesday, Tim Narowitz will teach RC500 on Tuesday and Wednesday and Don Knapik will teach RC800 on Thursday. Classes are scheduled to begin the first week of February with an orientation class the last week of January.

If you have any questions about your class assignment, day or if you are new to the program and have not received your laptop, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

Local 17 is planning a welding class between the fall and spring semesters at the world headquarters of Lincoln Electric in Euclid. This is a two-week, 40 hour class which gives the participant the opportunity to earn a 3G or 4G welding certification. If you are working construction or repair and do not have this certification, regardless of your mechanic or apprentice status, you are encouraged to take this class.

Any mechanic or apprentice interested must first complete an online prep course on the NEIEP website, neiep.org, and select their size of welding gear. If you have any questions, contact John at the hall.

The December 9, 2022 and January 13, 2023 meetings are mandatory meetings for the election and installation of officers. Those without a valid reason for not attending will be fined.

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

November ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

Local 17 will hold mandatory meetings for the nomination, election and installation of officers November 18 and December 9, 2022 and January 13, 2023 at the hall starting at 6 pm. Those not in attendance without a valid excuse will be fined by the Executive Board. Please note the normal meeting date of November 11 has been changed to November 18 due to the Veterans Day holiday.

Spring semester will have 37 apprentices attending class, one of the largest classes in many years. Orientation will the the last week of January 2023 with classes starting the first week of February. Business Manager John Driscoll Jr will be mailing class assignments to each apprentice after the final make up of those classes is determined.

John Taylor will be teaching the AC motor class as well as the hydraulic valve course after the first of the year. Each class goes in-depth to the subject and are good for new and experienced mechanics to refresh their knowledge or add new perspectives to those areas of knowledge.

In order to facilitate the apprentices, Local 17 is looking into planning a welding class at Lincoln Electric between the fall and spring semester. The course offers the opportunity to test for a 3G vertical and 4G overhead welding certification and is offered in partnership between NEIEP and Lincoln Electric.

If you are interested in these or any other offerings, contact John at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

If you are an apprentice in line for a pay increase and did not receive it or have questions about when you are eligible for a raise, contact John at the hall.

Otis currently has the most steady work in our area with three out-of-town teams doing construction. Schindler is leveling off after laying off one mechanic while TK and KONE are holding steady at the moment. 3Phase has a good amount of work on the books and one Akron team working in our Local.

Congratulations to Brad Skotko on being sworn in at the October meeting.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the family of Brother Chris Boggess who passed away October 4.

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

October’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

The IUEC Local 17 Annual Children’s Christmas Party will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 1 pm a the hall located at 3250 Euclid Avenue. Children up to and including 12 years old will receive gifts. Members are asked to bring baked goods to the event. Beverages will be provided. Please reply to Entertainment Chairman Brian Chambers no later than December 1, 2022 to allow sufficient time to purchase gifts.

On September 24, Local 17 held its golf outing at Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station. The big winner this year was the group led by Brother Rich Kemp along with Brad Skotko, Ricky Kemp, and Jacob Kemp coming in at nine under and winning a long putt-off with last years wining group fronted by Brother Rob Hansen. Kemp and company not only claimed bragging rights for the year but possession of the Champion’s Green Jacket. For pictures from this event and others, go the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org.

Findlay-based non-signatory Davis-Newcomer has been spotted working in the area mostly on modernizations. They are also slated to be starting a modernization at CMHA Apthorp Tower next year. At the bottom of this article is a list of signatory companies in the Local 17 jurisdiction. If you know of a company or suspect a company that is not listed is working on a job, call Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at t 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org with the information.

In September Business Manager John Driscoll Jr was named a trustee of the International by General President Frank Christensen. Trustees are responsible for examining the books of the International assuring they conform to all Federal regulations.

Of the 23 apprentices currently enrolled in the NEIEP program, one will be test-eligible at the end of the semester. The spring semester will see 15 apprentices added to the class rolls raising our total to 37 apprentices, the largest class in decades.

Congratulations to Brother Zach Miller on passing the Mechanics Exam.

Apprentice raises go into effect the first pay period after September 1 provided the apprentice has passed two semesters of NEIEP instruction. If you have not received your raise or believe there is an error, contact John at the hall.

As of this writing there is one mechanic on the bench.

September ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

The IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing will be held September 24th at Mallard Creek Golf Club, 34500 Royalton Rd, Columbia Station. Tee off in the four-man scramble format is 9:00 AM. Food, beverages and prizes will be provided along with carts for all the participants. The event is open to all members, active or retired, and is always a great event.

Report all jobs you are on that will last longer than two days to Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

If you have moved, had a change in marital status or addition to your family, report those changes to John in order to update your information and benefit eligibility for you and your dependents. Also, if you have not established a beneficiary, now is a good time.

All apprentices are currently enrolled in either RC 200 or RC 700 courses for this semester. It is the responsibility of each apprentice to follow through on their JAC hours reporting on a weekly basis as well as all their school work. If an apprentice falls behind, they can expect to attend a JAC meeting to explain why they are behind.

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

August ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

The Cleveland Building Trades Softball Tournament will be held Labor Day weekend with the first games played Thursday, September 1 at James Day Field next to Tri-C West in Parma. Practice for those IUEC members, family or friends interested in playing will be held the last three Wednesday’s in August. For more information contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr. at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

The IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing will be held September 24th at Mallard Creek Golf Club, 34500 Royalton Rd, Columbia Station. The cost is $100 per person for the four-man scramble format. Fees must be paid to Entertainment Chairman Brian Chambers by September 1 to his PayPal account, brianchambers.cle@gmail.com.

Congratulations to the twelve apprentices sworn in at the July meeting: Jarrett Adams, Mike Bowles, Jay Carlson, Tom Holian, Adam Klein, Simon Lieb, Mike Piela, Dan Quigley, Eric Schaffran, Luke Schnitler, Brendan Teets and Joe Walters.

There are 32 apprentices in the NEIEP program with 24 enrolled in classes as 8 in the New Hire courses. Two apprentices are test eligible. On August 11 there will be a mandatory orientation class for all apprentices at 5 pm at the school located at 5145 Engle Road. NEIEP Area Coordinator Jordan Miller will be in attendance to answer any questions about the program.

All members should have received an email from John about the practice of blocking open doors for other trades. Local 17 signatories have been informed that “…that under no circumstances will they (members) be… blocking hatch doors open/altering the locking device for hoistway access by other trades while (members) are off site.” If any members are approached to take this action, call John at the hall to report the circumstances.

Work is still strong in the area. Schindler is claiming supply chain issues on delivery of parts while Otis is starting several mod and construction jobs soon as well as having a three month backlog of service work. Kone currently has four mod jobs going and 3Phase is keeping four mod crews working while TKElevator has two mod crews working in Akron.

The portability agreement between Locals 17, 45 (Akron) and Gable/3Phase has lapsed with the current contract. The agreement allowed Gable to move workers as needed between the two locals during its duration. As a result, 3Phase has transferred Richard Burton and Jim Rohwer from Akron to Cleveland.

The IRS milage rate has been increased four cents to 62.5 cents per mile for use of personal vehicles during work hours. Milage is charged after your first stop of the day and for any driving done during the day.

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

July ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

IUEC Local 17 will be participating in the Cleveland Building Trades Annual Softball Tournament held Labor Day weekend at Parma’s James Day Park. The tournament pits the best softball teams of the trades against one another for the biggest bragging rights in the trades. If you are interested in participating contact Business manager John Driscoll Jr at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org or call him at the hall at 216-431-8088.

Apprentices will have the months of June and July off until starting classes again the second week in August. Those in RC100 will advance to RC200 and Those from RC400 will take RC700. There will be a mandatory orientation night which will be announced once the date has been set.

Apprentices note that pay increases are dependent on having successfully passed two semesters and are effective September 1.

The Elevator Licensing Bill currently is headed for the Ohio Senate for a possible vote. As of now, the best chance of passage comes if a Sunset Clause is added to the bill which would allow the law to lapse once a certain time has been reached. The advantage is that if the law proves to be an encumbrance to the licensees, it will lapse and the requirement would disappear.

The IUEC Local 17 Golf outing is rescheduled for September 24th at Mallard Creek Golf Course, 34500 Royalton Rd, Columbia Station. The cost is $100 per golfer and includes golf, cart, food and refreshments. Reservations can be secured by contacting Entertainment Chairman Brian Chambers through the hall and paying through PayPal.

As of this writing there is one mechanic on the bench.

June ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

On Friday, May 20, IUEC Local 17 honored its retirees at the annual Retiree’s Dinner at Harry’s Steak House in Independence. The last dinner was held in 2019. A large part of the evening was spent catching up on awards for service pins and Gold Cards awarded since the last dinner. For photos of the event, go to the Local 17 website, iueclocal17.org.

The golf outing originally scheduled for June 11 has been cancelled. Refunds of greens fees paid are being sent out. If you have not received your refund, contact Business Manager John Driscoll Jr at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org.

At the time of printing, there are 32 apprentices in the NEIEP program with two in their final semester. Six apprentices are finishing their new hire course. The apprentices will be split between RC200 and RC700 for the fall semester starting the second week of August.

On the second week of May, the Local 17 JATC was in Providence, Rhode Island at the new NEIEP headquarters for training. NEIEP is the organization responsible for apprentice and continuing education for the IUEC. They also administer the mechanics Exam which raises apprentices to journeyman status.

Some of the conversation centered around the interview process and changes which help younger applicants score better.

NEIEP is in the middle of a total rewrite of the curriculum. Each RC unit takes approximately two years of effort by a team from across the country. The largest part of the effort is to determine the extent of the rewrite, whether a simple update is needed or the entire RC needs to be redone. Photos and graphics illustrating the concepts covered in the courses are the single hardest elements to source as many of the conventions, especially in electrical units, have changed from the source text.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to Brothers Mike Hogan and retiree Mike Moennich whose mother-in-law Madonna McTaggart passed away May 2. Also to Business Manager John Driscoll Jr whose father-in-law passed away May 1.

As of this writing there is one mechanic on the bench.

May ’22 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and Sisters:

Business Manager John Driscoll Jr and Brothers Bill Lynsky, Tim Narowitz and John Patton attended the IUEC contract ratification vote the last week of March. The new five-year deal gives percentage raises in pay and benefits through the term and, more importantly to the Labor Committee, a new Article 28 codifying safety in the contract.

According to General President Frank Christensen, the Committee walked out of the negotiations when NEBA, the organization representing the major elevator contractors, balked at including the provision in the contract. NEBA ultimately accepted the new Article into the contract.

Congratulations to Brothers Morgan Armstrong, Dan Koprowski and Jon McCuan for passing the Mechanics Exam. This is the only time in your career you will have an unbiased evaluation of your knowledge of the trade. There are currently three apprentices eligible for the exam.

The IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing will be held June 11th at Hickory Nut Golf Course, 23601 Royalton Rd, Columbia Station. The format is a four-man scramble with friends and family welcome. Tee times start at 10 am. Cost is $100 per person with food, beverages and prizes provided. To secure your foursome send a check made payable to Entertainment Chairman Brian Chambers to the hall at 3250 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115. You can also pay through Brian’s PayPal account at brianchambers.cle@gmail.com.

On Friday, May 20 Local 17 will be honoring its retired members at Harry’s Steak House, 5664 Brecksville Road, Independence. Drinks at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6:30 pm. The cost is $50 at the door for active members with retirees attending for free. Please get your reply into the hall no latter than May 10.

CMHA awarded the modernization job at Apthorp Towers to non-signatory Findlay based Davis-Newcomer Elevator. Davis previously was awarded a job at an LMHA in Lorain just prior to the pandemic. Because of Covid lockdowns, the Volunteer Organizing Committee was not able to make a showing for that job. Look for an email from John on a VOC meeting.

If you hear of a building where a non-signatory is working, call John at the hall at 216-431-8088 or email him at JEDriscoll@iueclocal17.org. A list of signatory companies is at the end of this article and listed on the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org.

The vacation reporting requirement waived under the Memorandum of Understanding by the E-Board during the pandemic is now back in effect. Don’t forget to take and report all your vacation time to the hall in a timely manner.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the family of Honored Brother Dan Wulff who passed away April 6.

As of this writing there is one mechanic on the bench.