Remembering the Fallen

Sisters and Brothers,

Memorial Day is May 27th, so remember to pause for a moment to remember our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and your right to live free in this wonderful country.

April 28th was Workers Memorial Day. We work in a dangerous occupation, and unfortunately, injuries and death still happen. Unions have bolstered job site safety and worker protections, but accidents continue. Two of our own were injured on a job while working in a neighboring local union. The accident caused one to die and the other to be severely injured. Our safety officer is investigating this tragic incident and will give a report at the upcoming General Membership meeting on May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Commerce Auditorium. We will also be presenting years of service pins to our members who have retired and are celebrating 50 or more years in the IBEW.

For inside wiremen and apprentices, your negotiating team has had four meetings with the contractor representatives and will have two more before the General Membership meeting. We hope to be able to give an update on any progress or proposals we have tentative concurrence. Make plans to come to a ratification meeting schedule for May 29th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For those that want the sticker leading into this year’s negotiations, contact your District Business Representative or stop by the Dispatch Hall in Commerce.

Work continues to look bright for all classifications in Local 11. If you find yourself out of work, plan to take a convention call for the E3 show which will need upwards of 150 electricians. We are coordinating with the contractor to fill all their manpower needs and may need help from all classifications. The calls should come in around Memorial Day. Refer to the website for updates for this important show. As always, make sure to keep current on your certifications so you may broaden your ability to take a job. That is what separates us from our nonunion counterparts. Skills, education and professionalism. IBEW Local 11 and the NECA contractors continue to be leaders in the current electrical industry as well as the upcoming green technologies.

Fraternally,
Joel Barton
IBEW 11 Business Manager