At the March union meeting, Business Agent Tim Moennich reported that IBEW Local 38 member John Walczak’s son Nick was one of the shooting victims at the recent tragedy at Chardon High School. Nick had been shot several times and was at the Spine Therapy unit at Metro Hospital. He was in serious condition and it was unknown whether he would walk again.
IUEC Local 17 and all its members send their thoughts and prayers to Nick and his family for the strength to endure the long road to recovery ahead of him.
The Union Sportsman Alliance is a non-profit conservation based hunting and fishing organization exclusively for union members and their families. The USA’s primary goal is to protect wildlife habitats while guaranteeing access or hunters and anglers. They are non-partisan and do not take positions on or endorse political parties, candidates or agendas. Their membership is free and open to all union members and their families. They can be reached through their website at unionsportsmen.org.
As this issue of the Cleveland Citizen goes to press our delegates will be returning from Baltimore and the ratification vote for the new five-year contract between NEBA and the IUEC. If you were at the March meeting Tim outlined the basic structure of the agreement. There will be pay raises in each of the five years and a portion of which going to bolster NEIEP, the annuity, health and welfare and the pension. The most onerous section, Article X paragraph 6 which outlined the three-strikes policy for apprentices in sitting for the mechanics exam, was eliminated and the probationary period was extended from six months to one year. There were some other minor concessions but nothing that created the rancor associated with the last five-year deal. All-in-all it appears to be a solid deal which allows everyone to do what they do best. In the end, that is what makes for a good union contract.
IUEC Local 125A in New Foundland, Canada reported that they signed an agreement ending their two and a half month strike. They wanted to thank all of their North American brethren for the support they showed through their struggle.
There is still time to get your reservations for two upcoming events and mark your calendars for a third.
On Friday, April 20th our local will be honoring its retired members at Fran Sterle’s Slovenian Restaurant, 1401 East 55th Street. Refreshments start at 5:30 and a family style dinner will be served at 6:30. The cost to active members is $30 per person and retirees are free. If you are planning to attend please contact Mike Hogan through the hall or you can email him at m.hogan67@yahoo.com.
Second, make room on your calendar for the IUEC Local 17 Golf Outing to be held June 2nd at Mallard Creek Golf Club, 34500 Royalton Road, Columbia Station. Tee time is 9 am and the cost is $90 which includes golf, beer, pop and dinner. Please have your checks mailed to Mike Hogan by May 1st.
July 13th is Local 17’s first Classic Car and Bike Night to be held in conjunction with the monthly union meeting. We are planning a cookout and refreshments after the meeting and of course spending time sharing stories about our rides. The meeting starts at 6 pm and anyone can bring their car or bike. I know there are members with modern classics like Challengers, Chargers, Mustangs and Corvettes as well as Harleys, Indians and Hondas of all description. They are all welcome as well as those muscle cars and classic rides from the sixties and seventies. I will be there with my LBC, Bridget, taking pictures to share on the website, iueclocal17.org, and in the Constructor.
This is a real opportunity to meet other members and share some great motoring experiences.
ThyssenKrupp has agreed to pay $65 to the purchase of work shoes or boots that meet their safety standard. The footwear must be oil resistant, have leather uppers, hard toed and EH rated to be eligible. See your superintendent for more information.
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 