Category: Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

When I was a helper, I had a mechanic ask me if I was crazy after a heated exchange with another mechanic.  I responded that crazy was a medical diagnosis that we were not qualified to make.  It was meant to diffuse his caution but it supports the tenuous line invisibly walked by ourselves and those around us.

There is no doubt that the constant and increased monitoring by the companies of the every move of their employees through GPS and other means puts additional stress on an already stressful job.  What quality of service can you give to a paying customer during your six minute maintenance visit?  If my phone is ringing every forty minutes to check on my location, how much am I really able to get done?  If my boss has me under the gun to get a job in, what level of  craftsmanship can the contractor expect?

The added relationship distractions of our spouse, co-workers, children, adult parents, siblings and neighbors can feel like chains weighing us down.

Then we start second guessing ourselves.  Did I really tighten that adjustment?  Was that the right parameter?  Where are all my jumpers?  Did I do the right thing with my kids or my spouse?  Why did I yell at my neighbor for no good reason?  Is it really worth going on?

When someone in trouble does decide to step into the void, those left behind are fraught with questions that no one on this plane can answer.  All we as outsiders can do is offer support to the survivors.

This brings me to a serious point brought up at the April union meeting.  If you or someone you know is troubled or seems to show signs of being troubled, do not just walk away.  Screw GPS and tasking, turn off your phone and take the time to truly listen to what your coworker is saying.  They may be reaching out to you as a last handhold before the abyss.

We make a difference in our daily work.  That difference cannot always be measured in profit or the number of callbacks we take.  Sometimes the measure is in how we treat each other.  There have been many times I spent an extra half hour in the coffee shop or took a long lunch to listen when a coworker was troubled and that time was paid back to me when I needed it.

The point is, take the time now.  Take the time now to praise someone for a job well done.  Take the time now to constructively correct someone when needed.  Take the time now to let your loved ones know how much you care.  Take the time now to ask for forgiveness or extend understanding.  Take the time now because you do not know how much you will have.

The International offers mental health services through the National Elevator Industry Benefits Plan.  If you are having a hard time coping with a situation, please, please, please seek someone out and get help.

NEIEP is looking for contributors to Lift Magazine, its educational supplement available to all members.  The upcoming issue covers new elevator technology.  You do not need to be a professional quality writer to contribute, just having the desire to share your knowledge with others.  If you are interested in becoming part of the team of compensated Lift contributors, send your resume to Jon Henson at jhenson@neiep.org or call 508-699-2200 extension 6115.

Brother Jeff Ford’s brother Joe was recently promoted to Captain and is currently serving in Iraq.  Please keep him in your prayers.

The local sends its most sincere condolences to the families of Brother Ryan Faber who passed away on March 31^st and retired Brother James Horvath who passed away on March 25^th.

‘till next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

dknapik@windstream.net

Brothers and sisters:

HAPPY MAY DAY!

I would like to take ask everyone reading this to take a moment and say a prayer for those that have been affected by the ongoing disaster in Japan.  The country faces an uncertain future as it deals with the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns.

In the 1940’s when my father was getting confirmed it was typical for the presiding Bishop at the end of the interaction between him and the confirmandi to give them a small slap on the face and direct them to “be prepared to defend your faith.”  Years later, my dad said that at the moment he was slapped he fell ill for almost a week.  If you have been following the twists and turns of the union-busting bills in Ohio and other states, it is clear that we, as union brothers and sisters, need to be prepared to defend our brethren.

During the past few months I have been looking for sources to keep updated on the fluid battle in which we are engaged.  Consequently I found these two great sites.  The first is from the Ohio AFL-CIO (ohaflcio.org).  The second site, and one I added to my RSS feed, is the blog from the national AFL-CIO (blog.aflcio.org).   Both sites are packed with up to date information and other links focused on the national and Ohio battle fronts against the class warfare initiated by the right.  Because I only have 650 words to keep you up to date here in the Constructor, I have set up a blog at throughthemill.wordpress.com to add commentary and analysis.

Please educate yourself on the issues and be sure you can stand on your facts when being attacked by an uninformed or misguided anti-union antagonist.  At least that way, if you get slapped you stand a chance of not becoming ill.

Even though it is coming to the end of the school year, it is still the apprentice’s responsibility to get their OJT forms in on time.  If you have not been getting your forms in on time and are three months in arrears, the JATC will be asking for an explanation.  Be prepared to justify your actions.

There are reports that a team from Akron (Local 45) was caught working in our jurisdiction without informing the hall.  This is a reminder that if you are asked to go out of the locals jurisdiction for any reason, you are required to check in with the business agent of the local in which you are working.

Where are they working?

Roy Skinner Jr. and Jeff Lindell performing safety tests at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for Kone,

Bill Sellers and Jason Costa doing a jack at Playhouse Square Parking Garage for Schindler,

Roy Skinner Sr. and Craig Nolty doing a three-car mod at Tudor Arms for Kone,

Gerard Szemerkovsky and Tony Karovich installing two four-stop elevators at Carrington Court for Otis,

Jim Thompson and Tom Kelly doing a two-car mod at the Hyatt Hotel Rockside fro Otis,

Matt Haussler and Terry Keating doing a jack job at Surf Side Towers for Kone,

Bob Garman and Kevin Thomas doing service work for Thyssen,

Neil Beechuk and Bill Dudas installing three two-stop holeless hydraulics at CMHA Administration building for Thyssen,

Dave Brunner and Jim Archer doing a two-car mod at Campbell Court for Schindler,

Ken Bowles and Jason Sohayda doing a mod at Euclid Hospital for Otis,

Tom Gombar and Dave Drnak cabling at the Hamptons for Response,

Gary Thompson and Chris Wyatt doing a three-car mod at W.O. Walker building for Schindler,

Scott Hicks and Mark Byram finishing a punch list at UH Cancer Center for Schindler,

As of this writing there are 24 mechanics and two apprentices off work.

Till next month…

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety,

Don

dknapik@windstream.net

Brothers and sisters:

Is it clear why it is important to elect labor friendly candidates?  Cairo moved to Madison as the Republican governor tried to legislate what he could not negotiate and Governor Kasich is standing on the same precipice as his Wisconsin counterpart.  If you did not get the March issue of the Cleveland Citizen or read my article, please go to my blog at through-the-mill.com and read the post “Cairo Comes to Madison” discussing the situation as of March 1.

Please read it!

As of this writing, there are 31 members off.  How many of these brothers and sisters would be working if everyone was vigilant about protecting Article IV work?  Article IV is the part of the contract that spells out the work that is to be performed by the Elevator Constructor and it is very detailed about the work we claim.  Some of the points seem archaic, like references to steam, belt, compressed air and hand powered elevators but others, like the use of fiber optics speak to the present and future of the trade.

Every year the International wins case after case of Article IV violations by the companies and every year we in the field find reasons to let some of these blatant violations pass unchecked.

Also, do not forget Article VIII which spells out one-man and team repair work.  This is an area that the companies have exploited to our disadvantage and we need to be ever more aggressive at protecting.  Their corporate officers and our elected leadership signed the contract.  We need to be sure the companies live up to their end.  We do.

With the spring semester in full swing, here is a reminder that apprentices can only miss two classes per semester and those classes must be made up before the final exam.  Look to these pages and the Citizen for makeup dates.  Rick Myers has 16 mechanics in the hydraulic controller theory and troubleshooting class that is currently underway.  He will also be teaching an OSHA 10 class that gives you a card allowing you to work on sites that require OHSA 10 training.

The annual Retiree’s Dinner will be held on April 15^th at Frank Sterle’s, 1401 East 55^th Street.  As always, cocktails are served at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30.

The easiest thing to do is sit around and complain.  We all do it, don’t lie.  We complain about our jobs, our bosses, our customers, spouses, helpers, mechanics, blah, blah, blah.  How often do you take the initiative to make a positive change?  Honestly?  You have an opportunity to make an impact on the trade by submitting your ideas for the contract or by-laws for our delegates to take to the 30^th General Convention in Orlando this August.  This is a real opportunity for everyone to make their voice heard on the future of the trade.  The deadline for submissions to the International is May 31^st so get your ideas to Tim ASAP.

Where are they working?

Dave Hess and Joe Broz repairing water damage at the Pinnacle Building for Thyssen,

John Goggin and Ed Gimmel at EMH doing machine work for Schindler,

Jason Fredrick and Anthony Metcalf doing a mod at Villa Mars at West 70^th and Detroit for Thyssen,

Neil Beechuk and Bill Dudas at the Heritage Office Building doing a three-stop mod for Thyssen,

Matt Pinchot and Scott Villanueva doing service work for Otis,

Denny Dixon, Bob Myers, Terry Keating and Tim Narowitz at the Art Museum for Kone,

Matt Weingart, Jim Archer, John Brunner, Scott Hicks, Dave Brunner, Mark Byram and Taurus Ogletree finishing up UH Caner Center for Schindler.

Condolences go out to Mark and John Ondich whose mother, Elaine, passed away February 4^th.

As of this writing, there are 28 mechanics and three apprentices off.

‘till next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don

Dknapik@windstream.net