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Current Constructor and Citizen articles

April ’17 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and sisters:

Congratulations to the International Union of Elevator Constructors on the successful completion of the negotiations of the new Standard Agreement. The IUEC Labor Committee just concluded negotiations with the National Elevator Bargaining Association (NEBA) and the Elevator Contractors of America (ECA) on a new five-year contract. The contract gives significant increases in pay and benefits for its term and has no significant concessions. The most important changes to the Standard Agreement are the Assistant Mechanic reporting requirements, the addition of paid time off (PTO), and a shelf life of 24 months for all Article XXII warning letters. There was also a minor agreement on modernization jobs being able to work four ten-hour days Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday.

At the bottom of this article you will find a list of signatory companies working in the northern Ohio. While the signing of Gable Elevator in February closed a three year and a half year campaign, there are still several companies operating in the area that Locals 17 and 45 would like to bring into the fold. If you see a company you do not recognize from the list working on one of your jobs or in your area, please contact IUEC Local 17 Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or Akron IUEC Local 45 Business Manager Dave Morrow, Jr at 330-620-9259 to report their location and, if known, what kind of work they are doing.

If you are an apprentice in Local 17 make sure your OJT forms are up to date. There are several apprentices whose forms are not current and are flirting with a date with the JATC. This is not a date you will want to make. Get your forms signed and turned in as soon as possible.

There are still spots available for the scaffolding class as well as the CPR/First Aid class. If you are interested in either offering contact Tim at the hall or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

If you are working as a contractor at a Cleveland Clinic facility and are required to take an infection control risk assessment, complete an online badging and get a flu shot to work at a facility, be sure you are getting paid for your time. A letter was sent by the Cleveland Building Trades to the contractor associations in Cleveland about this requirement because of a concern that some contractors may not be paying employees for their compliance time. If this applies to you and you feel there is a problem, contact Tim at the hall.

Entertainment Chairman Bill Dudas is planning a walleye fishing charter for April 22nd. The charter costs $30 per person and is currently limited to the first 35 people who sign up. For more information or to sign up for this first time event you can call Tim at the hall.

The Annual IUEC Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner will be held May 19th at Frank Sterle’s Country House, 1401 East 55th Street just south of St. Clair Avenue. Refreshments start at 5:30 pm and dinner is served at 6:30 pm. The cost remains at $30 per person and will include a family style dinner. For more information contact the hall no later than May 1st to secure your spot at this always well attended event.

If anyone is into trap shooting, the IUEC will be hosting the Union Sportsman’s Alliance 7th Annual Baltimore Area Trap Shoot. The event will be held Saturday, August 5th at the Carney Rod and Gun Club in Carney, Maryland. For more information go to unionsportsmen.org.

A large IUEC Local 17 tip of the hat to Joe Broz, Jr., his wife Meg and her sister Christine for their efforts in organizing this years entry into the 2017 Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A huge thank you also goes out to ThyssenKrupp Elevator in allowing the Local to use their brand new truck and borrow their truck driver, Tony, for the day. The IUEC participation in the parade is one event that the whole local, not just those of Irish decent, look forward too all year. For photo coverage of Local 17’s participation, please visit iueclocal17.org and cursor down or click on Galleries.

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

April ’17 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

Entertainment Chairman Bill Dudas is planning a walleye fishing charter on April 22nd for 35 interested members. The cost is $30 per person. If you are interested in attending this first of its kind event, contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

The Annual IUEC Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner will be held May 19th at Frank Sterle’s Country House, 1401 East 55th Street just south of St. Clair Avenue. Refreshments start at 5:30 pm and dinner is served at 6:30 pm. The cost remains at $30 per person and will include a family style dinner. For more information contact Business Manager Tim Moennich no later than May 1st to secure your spot at this always well attended event.

There is a sign up sheet for classes in CPR and scaffolding. The CPR class is designed to give the participant an American Red Cross certificate. The scaffolding class is a Scaffold and Access Industry Association authorized program offered through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). The successful completion of the class makes the student a competent person for the erection of frame scaffolding. The certification is good for three years and must be renewed after that time. For more information on this or any other offerings, contact Tim at the Hall.

On February 8, Brothers Joe Broz Jr, Bill Lynsky, John Patton and myself attended the Local 45 (Akron) meeting to watch 21 employees of Gable Elevator be sworn in as IUEC members. In addition, four Gable employees were sworn in to Local 37 (Columbus). Gable also hired six existing IUEC members, four from Akron and two from Cleveland, to deepen the talent pool and help shepherd the new members in the ways of the union.

Since its founding, Gable has been a major force in the home elevator and lift market in northern and eastern Ohio. They started by selling home lifts and elevators out of their family pharmacy and after some initial success formed the company to develop this underserved market. This region is now the third largest organized home lift market in the International.

The signing was the culmination of a three and a half year effort by Locals 17 and 45 to organize Gable into the IUEC family.

The effort was not always easy. Anything worth accomplishing is never easy. The effort was not always nice. Tempers flared, expectations waxed and waned. This happened because we are human and passionate about our goal. Through the entire effort our regional organizer Jim Lowery lent a steadying hand. He commented several times that this was an unusual campaign but, Cleveland is an unusual city!

I believe we were successful because our goal was to organize the entire company and raise it up, not tear it down. Ultimately, the lives of 25 men are better today than they were three and a half years ago.

And that is what it is all about.
Where are they working?

Mark Byram and Felix DeJesus doing a mod at Waterford Condominiums for Schindler,

Shawn Yatsko and Matt Herbold doing a one-car mod at Moreland Courts for Schindler,

John Brunner and Jason Tischler installing five cars at the Edison Building for Schindler,

Jason Costa and John Ondich working at 200 Public Square for Schindler,

Anthony Metcalf and Ken Eaton doing a mod at Coppertop for Thyssen,

Dave Francis installing a car for Gable,

Scott Daugherty doing a mod for Gable.

As of this writing there are five mechanics and one apprentice on the bench.

Until next month….

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
Dknapik@windstream.net

March ’17 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and sisters:

There are a lot of festivities planned for the coming months. So, get out your calendars and take note….

Once again IUEC Local 17 will be marching in the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The event steps off at noon and the participating units marshal along Superior Avenue east of East 18th Street prior to the event. This is a very family friendly gathering and all members are encouraged bring their children to share in the excitement. This is a great opportunity to make a memory or begin a family tradition.

Entertainment Chairman Bill Dudas is planning a walleye fishing charter for April 22nd. The charter will cost $30 per person and is currently limited to the first 35 people who sign up. For more information or to sign up for this first time event you can call Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

The Annual IUEC Local 17 Retiree’s Dinner will be held May 19th at Frank Sterle’s Country House, 1401 East 55th Street just south of St. Clair Avenue. Refreshments start at 5:30 pm and dinner is served at 6:30 pm. The cost remains at $30 per person and will include a family style dinner. For more information contact Business Manager Tim Moennich no later than May 1st to secure your spot at this always well attended event.

There is a sign up sheet for classes in CPR and scaffolding. The CPR class is designed to give the participant an American Red Cross certificate. The scaffolding class is a Scaffold and Access Industry Association authorized program offered through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). The successful completion of the class makes the student a competent person for the erection of frame scaffolding. The certification is good for three years and must be renewed after that time. For more information on this or any other offerings, contact Tim at the Hall.

On February 8th, Brothers Joe Broz, Jr., Bill Lynsky, John Patton and myself were in attendance at the IUEC Local 45 (Akron) meeting when 21 new members were sworn in as a result of the successful organizing effort of Twinsburg’s Gable Elevator by both Local 17 and the Akron Local. Four Gable employees were sworn into Local 37 (Columbus) and they will be working in that jurisdiction. As a result of the signing onto the Standard Agreement, Gable also hired six experienced IUEC mechanics, four from Akron and two from Cleveland.

Since the beginning of Gable Elevator in 1991, they have been a significant player in the home elevator market. This single signing makes the home elevator market from Cleveland’s western suburbs south to Columbus and east to the Pennsylvania border the third largest organized region in the International. This pairs with the long term plan of the International to recapture the home market.

Gable employees have a portability agreement which allows them to work in both Cleveland and Akron but, they must report in when working in another jurisdiction.

If you see any of the new members take the time to congratulate them on becoming part of the best trade in the trades.

There are rumors of a tentative contract agreement between the IUEC, the Big Four elevator companies (NEBA) and the independents (ECA). No details will be available until all the contractors and Locals are briefed on the contents of the agreement.

As of this writing there are five mechanics and one apprentice on the bench.

March ’17 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

Local 17 is proud to announce that after a three year campaign by the Local 17 Volunteer Organizing Committee, Business Manager Tim Moennich, Akron Local 45 Business Agent Dave Morrow, Jr., regional organizer Jim Lowery and head of organizing Jim Biangini successfully signed Gable Elevator as an IUEC signatory company.

In a Facebook post dated January 25th, Morrow made the announcement saying “I look forward to working with the new members and owners Rick Gable and Phil Isaac.” He punctuated the message with “Welcome to the IUEC Brothers! Local 45 and Local 17 joint effort!”

The signing brings 21 new members into Local 45. The decision for the Gable employees to go into the Akron local was based on the company being located in the Akron territory with a large portion of their work being conducted in Local 45. They will be working in the Cleveland area and will have to follow all of the rules that every signatory employee does when working in another Local’s territory.

Well, looks like the easy part is over.

I’m hearing a lot of you reading this saying “wait? What?” Yep, the easy part is over, the hard part is going to be making these new union Brothers feel welcome. Although I was raised in a strong union household, my own personal experience with organized labor was not always positive.

I spent part of one summer working in a grocery warehouse represented by the Teamsters. When I needed help I called the Local and had the door slammed in my face. So when I was approached about going to work in this trade knowing that I would have to join the union, I took a deep breath, swallowed hard and took the plunge with a “let’s wait and see” attitude.

Two months into my probationary period, I was laid off because of money. Within a week our business agent had me working in Columbus where I met some of the best guys to I could have worked with. The work was hard but, I learned my way around an elevator and did my best to make sure that at the end of the day all my mechanic had to do was wash his hands. Eventually I came home and worked at Millar and through the merger found myself back at Schindler.

For years after my swearing in I only came to the mandatory meetings and didn’t really take part in any of the Local’s activities because I didn’t feel a part of the group. Even after I ran and won my job as the correspondent to the Constructor it still took time before I felt accepted. Eventually I got to know more guys from different companies and began to see from my unique vantage point what it meant to be called Brother. It is not just something we call each other because it sounds good, we call each other Brother or Sister because we are a family. We argue, we laugh and we console. We eat and drink together and teach each other. When we are stuck we call Brothers from other companies to help us out and return the favor without charge.

These are the things we do because we are part of one of the most exclusive clubs in the trades. We make the most, have the best benefits and retire better than most people can dream.

In the end, this organizing effort was not about breaking Gable as a company, it was about raising their employees up. It was about giving them the opportunities we take for granted: the pay, the benefits, the education. If you see one of them out and about, take the time to introduce yourself, talk to them, answer their questions and take an interest in them.

After all, who wants to be part of a club where they don’t feel welcome.

The Brothers and sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the family of Retired Brother George Prochaska who passed away January 4th.

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don
DKnapik@windstream.net

February ’17 Labor Citizen

Brothers and sisters:
The International Union of Elevator Constructors Locals 17 (Cleveland) and 45 (Akron) are proud to announce that effective February 1, 2017 Gable Elevator of Twinsburg became a signatory to the IUEC contract. This draws to a close a three year effort by the Locals to organize Gable into the union.

In a Facebook post on January 25, Local 45 Business Manager Dave Morrow Jr. announced the signing and thanked the International’s head of organizing Jim Biangini, regional organizer Jim Lowery and Local 17 Business Manager Tim Moennich for their efforts in the successful signing. He also went on to say “I look forward to working with the new members and owners Rick Gable and Phil Isaac.”

The signing adds 21 new members to the rolls of the Akron local. Those new members who were not previously part of an International Local will now be eligible for apprenticeship training through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) as well as participation in the National Elevator Industry Benefits Plan. Those previously members will also be eligible for continuing educational opportunities through NEIEP’s online and classroom instruction. The NEIEP program is the only accredited apprenticeship program recognized by the State of Ohio as meeting all the requirements for apprentice training.

Local 17 would also like to thank those that helped with the effort in this organizing campaign. Special notice goes to Brothers Joe Broz, Jr., John Patton, Mike Moennich, Bill Lynsky, Tim Gibbons, Lucas Jenke, Steve Keating and retired Brothers Buzz Gibbons and Jimmy Battiger for all the time and effort exerted in this successful campaign. There are others to thank, some of whom must remain anonymous. This was truly a group effort.

Moving forward it is important that these new members feel welcome by the Brothers and Sisters of both the Akron and Cleveland Locals as well as the Building and Construction Trades in general. If your see one of these new members, take the time to say hello and welcome them into and some of them back to the best trade in the trades.

On a personal note, I have said this before and I will say it again for all to read: I have never been prouder to be a part of anything than I am to be a member of IUEC Local 17.

Congratulations.

All apprentices should have their NEIEP issued laptops. The laptops are preloaded with digital copies of all NEIEP materials needed for the eight semester apprenticeship. They feature the ability to run the Virtual Courses from the classroom or home.

Local 17 has opening for the scaffolding and CPR classes. The scaffolding class is taught in cooperation with Scaffold and Access Industry Association Training Program and leads to a three-year certification as a Competent Person in the erection of scaffolding. The CPR class is offered to teach the student the possible life saving skill and give them the confidence to handle an emergency situation. If you are interested in either of these continuing educational opportunities contact Business Manager Tim Moennich at 216-431-8088 or email him at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

The Brothers and Sisters of IUEC Local 17 send their condolences to the family of retired Bother George Prochaska who passed away January 4th.

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

GABLE SIGNS WITH LOCAL 45

The International Union of Elevator Constructors is proud to announce it has signed an agreement with Gable Elevator, Inc. of Twinsburg, Ohio to become a signatory to its contract. Gable has 21 field employees which will become members of IUEC Local 45 (Akron).

“The organizing campaign has taken a long time and was very complex” commented IUEC International Organizer Jim Lowery. “In the end the 21 new members of the IUEC and Local 45 will be able to take advantage of the best wages, benefits and retirement package of the building trades.” He continued “this gives them a significantly better future, for themselves and their families.”

In a Facebook post dated January 25th, Local 45 Business Agent Dave Morrow Jr. made the announcement saying “I look forward to working with the new members and owners Rick Gable and Phil Isaac.” He punctuated the message with “Welcome to the IUEC Brothers! Local 45 and Local 17 joint effort!”

Based in Columbia, Maryland, the IUEC represents 23,000 unionized elevator constructors in the United States and Canada. It also has an affiliation with the Gladiadores de Elevadores of Puerto Rico and continuing partnerships with unions in Europe.

February ’17 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

A large thank you to everyone who turned out for the 2016 edition of the Local 17 Children’s Christmas Party. As usual it was a great time for all who attended. If you take a minute to go to the Local’s website, iueclocal17.org, and search back to the first Christmas party covered in 2011, it is interesting to see how both the children and the adults have changed through the years.

Business Manager Tim Moennich has sign up sheets available for a scaffolding class and CPR class. The scaffolding class leads to a card which certifies the bearer as a Competent Person for the erection of frame scaffolding. The card is good for three years after which it must be renewed. If your card is due, lapsed or coming due, now is a great time to take the class. The second class offered is a CPR class. This class will give the student the confidence to handle an emergency situation and might just help save a life. Both of these classes are offered in conjunction with NEIEP. If you are interested in either class you can contact Tim at the Hall at 216-361-8088 or by email at TMoennich@iueclocal17.org.

Starting this semester all apprentices in the NEIEP program in Local 17 will be issued laptops pre-loaded with all of the textbooks and material needed for their four years of training. Not only will this make it easier to lookup material in the text but, the ability to play content related videos and go into NEIEP virtual courses will expand the learning opportunities for all apprentices.

In November the Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT Ohio) and the Ohio AFL-CIO were able to stop Ohio House bill 394 which would have decimated the states unemployment benefits. In short the new bill will have no impact on benefits except to freeze the weekly wage for 2018 and 2019 at the 2017 levels. This means that those receiving benefits will not see their weekly amount change.

This was accomplished with the cooperation of union organizations and the Republican dominated legislature.

There was a mailing from NEIBP to all members about the 2017 changes to the health plan. The largest change was in the drug program and the cost difference between the generic and brand name drugs prescribed by a physician. If you are receiving drugs through Plan, please take a few minutes to read and understand these changes and how they may effect you and your family.

Where are they working?

KevinThomas and Lemroy Hurd installing a freight car at NTA Coatings for Thyssen,

Ryan Todd and Felix DeJesus at Huntington Park Parking Garage doing a modernization for Schindler,

Dave Gnagy and Brian Seither doing a modernization at the Lorain Correctional Facility for Schindler,

Mark Byram and Matt Herbold doing a mod at Westbury apartments for Schindler,

Matt Weingart and Sean Canning adjusting cars at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center for Schindler,

John Goggin and Brian Chambers doing generator work at Penton Media for Schindler,

Sean and Dion Yatsko doing a mod at the Leader Building for Schindler,

Joe Broz Jr. and Kevin Driscoll doing a mod at Bishop Park Apartments for Thyssen,

Tim Narowitz and Tony Kuhn doing a mod at Judson Park for Thyssen.
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

January ’17 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

I received this email from Brother Terry Horner and thought I would share it with our readers:

Don,

It is with bitter sweet emotions that I sent a letter to Tim Moennich today taking my withdrawal card as of 12/31/2016.

This being said I would like to thank the Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 for the best twenty-one year career, in the greatest trade in the world.

To the young guns, listen to that gruff old codger mechanic of yours. For he has the keys to your knowledge and safety. To the guy in the middle, good luck, work hard and prosper. For you are truly the back bone of our industry and hold our future in your capable hands. To the old guard (and you know who you are) be teachers and mentors to these young apprentices and mechanics for you’re the keepers of the knowledge and disciplines that separate us from the fray.

Also, work safely. Everyone should get to enjoy the retirement that you have worked so hard to accumulate.

In closing, I would like to hope it has been as big a pleasure working with me, my brother and sisters, as it has been for me to work with you.

Remember as one our voice is small, as a fraternity our voice rings out above the din.

Fraternally yours,

And as always SAFETY FIRST!!!

Terrence Lee Horner

The January meeting will be a Special Called Meeting to vote on raising the dues to cover the increased per capita to the International for the purpose of organizing non-signatory companies and individuals as well as a Mandatory Meeting for the installation of officers. There is a $20 fine for not calling the hall to report your absence prior to the meeting. The dues increase, if passed, would take effect the second quarter of 2017.
Where are they working?

Drew Williams and Mark Carollo at Indian Hills doing a two car mod for Thyssen,

Mike Miller and Lucas Jenke rebelting at the Cleveland Clinic for Otis,

Dave Gnagy and Brian Seither installing three cars at North Ridgeville Middle School for Schindler,

Tim Moore and Matt Carlton working on two cars at Cedar Extension for Schindler,

Ken Bowles and Shane Huff doing a mod at the Radisson for Otis,

John Brunner and Jason Tischler installing an elevator at Heritage Place for Schindler,

Steve Kemp and Erie Rodriguez doing a jack at Bloom of Lakewood for Schindler,

Bill Yuhas and Robert Connelly doing a mod at Bohn Tower for Thyssen,

John Goggin and Brian Chambers doing motor work at AT&T Lakewood for Schindler,

Gary Thompson and Robert Timko doing a mod at Erieview Tower for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Dion Yatsko doing a mod at the Wyndham Hotel for Schindler and,

John Logue and Al Ward doing a mod at Chestnut Apartments for Otis.
The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brother Joel Reyes who lost his 10 year-old daughter and Brother Ken Eaton whose father passed away.
As of this writing there are three mechanics and three apprentices on the bench.

Until next moth,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don
DKnapik@windstream.net

December ’16 Labor-Citizen

Brothers and sisters:

The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) is responsible for developing and implementing the curriculum, testing and ongoing education needs of the IUEC members covered by the Standard Agreement. The four year or eight semester cost for an apprentice to go through the program and be ready to sit for the Mechanics Exam is $32,775.

NEIEP is requiring that all apprentices sign a scholarship loan agreement which covers $6555 per year of the cost associated with their education. If the apprentice seeks or accepts employment with a non-signatory company doing work covered by the Standard Agreement they will be responsible to repay the loan amount.

NEIEP is also supplying all apprentices with laptops with the curriculum pre-installed. It will be the responsibility of the apprentice to care for the laptop.

Thyssen-Krupp is test piloting a program using the Microsoft HoloLens system to aid field techs in troubleshooting controller related issues. According to the Microsoft website HoloLens is essentially a holographic computer built into a headset that lets you see, hear, and interact with holograms within an environment such as a living room or an office space. According to the International, any field techs involved in the program must restrict their activities to wholly in front of the controller and remove the device before preforming any work. In addition the company must submit the names of jobs and employees it wishes to enroll in the test program.

At the Tri-State meeting in November, the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund reported there were one three deaths in the trade this year. That compares to four in 2011, five in 2012, six in 2013 and five last year. Safety is the most important tool in our box. Use it everyday.

Also at the meeting, locals in Akron, Baltimore and Cincinnati reported they were at full employment. Philadelphia is fighting a non-signatory and decided hire their own organizer in addition to the one International organizer already working with them. Local 5s membership has fallen from 800 in 2008 to 600 today. Indianapolis reported they organized six new members.

As reported here and in the Elevator Constructor, The delegates to the 31st International Convention voted unanimously to increase the per capita paid to the International by the locals to support the organizing efforts around the US and Canada. As part of the Mandatory Meeting for the induction of officers in January, there will also be a Special Called Meeting to vote on a dues increase to cover the per capita asked for by the International.

At the November meeting, International Organizer Jim Lowery talked to the members about the state of organizing around the country as well as updating the members about the efforts to sign Gable Elevator.

On Gable, Lowery reported that the talks to add them as a Local 17 signatory are escalating. “All of the efforts that the VOC (Volunteer Organizing Committee) has put in over the past years is starting to pay off. We are actively talking with the owners and am optimistic about the outcome.” He added that currently Gable has 28 field employees and will be looking to add to that number once they become a signatory.

“Efforts like these are why the International asked for a per capita increase at the convention.” The IUEC is looking to add eight total organizers, six in the US and two in Canada. They also hired a lobbyist to push for an elevator safety bill in the Ohio Statehouse.

The Brothers and sisters of IUEC Local 17 extend their condolences to the families of Brother Joel Reyes who unexpectedly lost his 10 year-old daughter and Brother Ken Eaton who lost his father.
As of this writing there are three mechanics and three apprentices on the bench.

December ’16 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and sisters:

By the time you read this, Thanksgiving will be over, Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be history and everyone will be looking forward to the end of the year holidays. As you go through the season, please remember those that are less fortunate than yourself. Whether you give of your time, talent or treasure, small kindnesses, like throwing a stone into a pond, have large effects.

With the contract ending in July, this is a great time to do some planning in the event of a work stoppage. As you prepare for the coming tax season look at the status of your retirement, 401(k), cash-on-hand savings as well as your long term and short term secured and unsecured debts. How much do you owe on your credit cards? Are there any you can pay off? What is the balance on your mortgage? How much are you really paying toward your principal every month? Are you able to afford that vanity purchase in the event things slow down? What about internet access and cable/satellite TV service fees on subscriptions like Apple Music or Netflix? Don’t forget about insurance policies and annuities you are paying into for future income. All these have an effect on your bottom line and ability to save towards retirement. A little pre-planning and review now will reap large rewards tomorrow.

The annual Local 17 Children’s Christmas Party will start at 1 pm on Saturday, December 10th at the hall located at 3250 Euclid Avenue. This is a great event for everyone regardless if you have children or not. As in past years, Santa Claus will make a special guest appearance and pass out gifts to children 12 and under.

The December 9th and January 13th union meetings are mandatory meetings for the election and installation of officers. Those not attending or reporting to the hall prior to the meeting will be fined $20.

The January meeting will be a Special Called Meeting for the approval of a dues increase to offset the per capita increase to the International approved at the 31st General Convention in July. The increase is slated to fund the ongoing organizing efforts of the International in the United States and Canada.

Where are they working?

Jeff Lindell and Brendan Hyland doing a mod at Sach’s 5th Avenue Beachwood for Kone,

Jeff Ward and Nick Meyer doing a jack at Parkview Commons for Thyssen,

Mike Miller and Lucas Janke re-belting at Cleveland Clinic for Otis,

John Patton doing retrofit work at 1107 Prospect for Kone,

Tom Gombar and Matt Hausler doing door operator upgrades at Rockside Park Towers for Kone,

Joe Broz Jr. and Kevin Driscoll at Bingham Building doing machine work for Thyssen,

Pat McCann and Chris Scholle doing a mod at Bishop Park Apartments for Thyssen,

Tim Moore and Matt Carlton installing and elevator at Hampton Inn for Schindler,

Jim Ehrbar and Rob Zadravec doing a mod at 645 Prospect for Thyssen,

Heath Kramer and Todd Ross doing service work at Severance for Kone,

Greg Seaman and Cory Ptak doing mod work at Richmond Park Apartments for Schindler,

Joe Sumph and Ryan Harger doing a mod at Home 2 Suites for Schindler,

Dave Gnagy and Brian Siether installing an elevator at Home Suites Hotel for Schindler,

Jeff Ford and Jean LaFontaine replacing drives at Progressive offices for Kone,

Kevin Thomas an Ed Gimmel at Parma International School installing an elevator for Thyssen,

Anthony Metcalf and Ken Eaton doing a mod at Coppertree Apartments for Thyssen.
The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the family of retired Brother Pete Nuncio who passed away September 28th.

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

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.

Don
DKnapik@windstream.net