A Message from Your Business Manager
A Message from Assistant Business Manager, Dale Blank
A Message from Assistant Business Manager, Dave Loechler
A Message from Assistant Business Manager, Roger Erickson
A Message from Assistant Business Manager, Mike Priem
Don't forget to vote!
IBEW Local Union 953 Election Results
Scholarships

A Message from Your Business Manager

Let me start my newsletter article by saying "Thank you" for your continued support as your Business Manager/Financial Secretary. We had a good return on the ballots this past election and the majority of the members had the faith in me to be retained as Business Manager. I will continue to be dedicated to the position and welcome the member's thoughts and ideas on how we can improve Local 953. I believe we can never lose sight of improvement. We need to always move forward and be aggressive.

This November is election year and we need to encourage all members to get out and vote and elect "Labor Friendly" candidates to office. As I have stated many times, so many times what we fight for across the table in negotiations can be lost with a stroke of a politician's pen. We must never lose sight of this. We have already seen many laws change our work rules and there are many more that they are working on and fighting over. Stay abreast of these issues, watch who is looking at our issues and vote for that person. This year we should all make a commitment to get out voting and bringing someone to the polls with you, a friend, neighbor, relative, or all of the above. It is very important! Never give up your right as an American citizen and not vote.

By the time you receive this newsletter, the Annual Golf Outing will have occurred. I truly hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I was unable to attend this year because President Ed Hill scheduled a meeting for all Business Managers for that entire week.

I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable summer, even though it arrived late this year! Please have a safe and enjoyable fall and get those snow shovels out! We are due for a normal winter.

Until my next newsletter article..Solidarity forever and God Bless!

John Marincel
Business Manager/Financial Secretary

From Assistant Business Manager, Dale Blank

We are back to my favorite time of year, Fall! Cooler weather, hunting seasons of all kinds, and of course, football. This year we have to add one more item to this list. The right to vote. That’s right! We, as citizens of the United States actually have the right to vote, the right to pick our leaders in this country. But, if we don’t vote, we are stuck with the candidate somebody else chooses.

I will tell you the feeling in Washington is of great concern that if the existing President gets re-elected to another 4 year term, the few rights of working men and women that are currently protected by law will be in jeopardy. There are fellow brothers and sisters that actually feel that the only reason that President Bush has not made a stronger assault on the rights of working people is because of his war in Iraq . If re-elected for a 2 nd term there will be no reason for him to hold back. He can push for the rule changes that he wants, since he can’t run for President again.

Just to remind you of some of the things that he has done to working people rights, even during the course of the war in Iraq :

The current administration has gone after certain government employee’s rights to get paid overtime after 40 hours in a week, wanting to change it so that they only get overtime after 80 hours in a two week time frame. You are also familiar with the government employees that now check your baggage at the airports. The current administration has denied them the right to organize, saying this job is too important to have a “ Union .” Now you might think, so what? Doesn’t affect me! But I must remind you that these two items; the right to organize and the 40 hour work week are the heart and soul of the rights for working people in our country! Some of our forefathers had their lives ended right here on our streets in the Midwest , fighting for the rights of working men and women. It was the courage that they displayed that provided for those who follow to have these rights and it is up to us to make sure that those who follow in our footsteps continue to have the opportunity to organize, if that is their choice.

When it is time to vote this year, take a hard look at the candidates. Pick out the ones who are “worker friendly”, then make sure you and your families vote!

Until the next time, have a safe and enjoyable Fall – Good luck hunting, if that’s what you do.

Dale Blank
Asstistant Business Manager

From Assistant Business Manager, Roger Erickson

On Saturday, August 28 th, Local 953 held its 13 th Annual Golf Outing at Whitetail Golf Club in Colfax. Eighty (80) golfers entered the 18 hole best ball team event. This year’s winning team was comprised of members; James Flynn, Bob Lahti, Bill LaVicka and Roger Erickson. Congratulations! Former President Bernie Pagenkopf conducted a putting contest during the event to raise money for COPE. The weatherman gave us a rainy day but it appeared all who attended, had a great time!

On July 22-23, 2004 , I had the opportunity to attend the State IBEW Conference held in Lake Geneva . Several guest speakers spoke on hot topic issues, such as; Health Care, Apprentice Training, Political Action, as well as CDL issues. This being an election year, a strong emphasis was placed on encouraging our members to vote and hopefully for Labor Friendly candidates. The CDL changes have generated many questions, a couple of resources to get answers are:

State Questions…………(608) 266-2353
FMCSA Questions………(608) 829-7530
View the website.

Outside Line Construction has picked up. Lineman books are clear. Arrowhead/Weston will be starting in Local 160’s jurisdiction in early September. Issues in Wisconsin appear to be diminishing as counties are settling easements. No definitive start dates, as of yet, in Wisconsin .

Congratulations! To Wade Harshman and Ryan Schlapper for achieving Journeyman Lineman status.

On September 10 th, Local 953 and Xcel Energy will begin negotiations on Wisconsin Issues. The Bargaining Committee consists of Jeff Goss, Dean Steinmetz, Tim Hemenway, John Kiesling and Pat Grass.

Have a great Fall!

Roger Erickson
Asstistant Business Manager

From Assistant Business Manager, Dave Loechler

Act to protect the freedom to choose a Union.

On paper, America ’s workers have the right to form Unions, but the laws protecting that right are so broken that employers routinely block workers from exercising their own free will to form and join Unions. New Bipartisan Legislation (H.R. 3619 and S.1925) introduced in congress, will fix the broken process through which workers form Unions. This new legislation introduced, seeks to restore worker’s freedom to form Unions by ensuring that when a majority of workers decide to form a Union , they can, making Union protections and benefits more widely available to more working families and the Union movements will launch a campaign to win this legislation on December 10– International Human Rights Day.

According to Cornell University Research, one-quarter of employees illegally fire at least one worker during private-sector Union organizing campaigns.

This is wrong! The legal system for protecting workers’ rights is broken. You can help change this by sending a fax to your representative. Ask your representative to sign on as a co-sponsor of this new legislation and after you take action, please ask your friends, family and co-workers to get involved.

One other issue I’d like briefly to touch on would be the present administration push on overtime pay cuts, this could affect millions of workers unless congress acts to block them. Overtime pay makes up about one-fourth of the average weekly earnings of workers who receive it. These overtime pay cuts are like a giant new tax on working families.

In closing, work safe and for all of you hunters – have a safe and successful hunt!

Dave Loechler
Asstistant Business Manager

From Assistant Business Manager, Mike Priem

42 Million U.S. Workers say they would join a Union , if they could. However, when they attempt to organize, they are faced with intimidation, harassment, retaliation and firings. Current labor law is only remedial. If a corporation violated the law, i.e. fires someone, there is no penalty, they only have to make the person whole in back wages & fringes, less any money made anywhere else. If employees are harassed, threatened or intimidated there is no penalty.

Thus the Free Choice Act, S1925 and HR3619 sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy, D - Massachusetts and Rep George Miller, D – California. At this time 32 Senators and 207 House Members are co-sponsoring the bill. Highlights of the bills are as follows:

1. Union Certification based on a majority of signed cards.
2. Provides for mediation after 90 days of negotiation for a 1 st contract and binding arbitration after 30 days of mediation. Arbitration will provide for a 2 year contract.
3. Stronger penalties for violations of the NLRB.
4. Injunctions against Employers that violate the law, authorize the courts to issue temporary restraining orders or other relief.
5. Treble back pay for discriminates.
6. Civil penalties and fines of up to $20,000 per violation against employers who willfully violate employee’s rights to organize for a 1 st contract.

If the Free Choice Act was the law of the land, we would be negotiating a 1 s contract at St. Croix Valley Natural Gas. 100% of the cards were signed by five (5) employees, the employer spent approximately $40,000 on a union busting attorney from the cities, threatened a lay off, sale of the Company, cutting wages and benefits, etc. thereby intimidating the oldest and youngest employees to vote no!

Mike Priem
Organizer/Asstistant Business Manager

Don't Forget to Vote!

Tuesday, November 2, 2004 is Election Day!

Please remember to vote, our job depends on it! Take someone to the polls with you. Your vote is your voice!

IBEW Local Union 953 Election Results

The following are results from the locate 953 election of local union officers which was held in June, 2004.

President: Timothy J. Hemenway
Vice President: Brady L. Weiss
Recording Secretary: Keith T. Hanson
Treasurer: Scott A. Magnuson
Business Manager/Financial Secretary: John A. Marincel

Executive Board: Chad A. Bilderback, Terry R. Zich,
Michael R. Yohnk, Steven C. Burmeister, William R. Moyle

Delegates to the International Convention :
Timothy J. Hemenway, John A. Marincel, Roger J. Erickson,
Dale J. Blank, William R. Moyle

Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP FUND REGULATIONS FOR 2004

At the September 28, 1990 , Local Union 953 Bylaws meeting, a proposal was made and the Unit Chairmen recommended a scholarship fund be established for children of all members of Local 953. The language was drafted and presented to all units for vote in accordance with the provisions of the Local Union Bylaws. The Scholarship Fund then became a part of the Local Union Bylaws. The following are the rules and procedures for those interested in the Scholarship awards:

1. To be eligible all scholarship applicants shall submit, along with their Scholarship Application Form, a 500-word essay on the following subject:

“WHY DO I FEEL UNIONS ARE BENEFICIAL IN THE WORKFORCE.”

The five scholarships awarded will be randomly drawn by the Executive Board and the essay is only a obligation to apply for the scholarship. Throughout the year the essays will be published in the Local Union Newsletter.

2. In January of each year, the Local Union shall transfer from the Local Union General Fund of the Local Union into an account established as Local 953, IBEW Scholarship Fund, in the amount of $2,500.00.

3. (a) At the Annual Meeting each year, the members present decide the number of scholarships and the amount of each scholarship to be awarded.

(b) The membership shall be advised by mail or newsletter each year as to the number and dollar amount of scholarships to be awarded and the rules governing application for a scholarship.

4. All scholarship awards shall be determined by a drawing at the Executive Board Meeting, in the Fall following the Annual Meeting.

5. Each eligible applicant requesting a scholarship shall complete an official Local 953 Scholarship form, which must be returned by certified mail to the Local Union office no later than OCTOBER 31, 2004 . Applicants must list the name and address of the accredited college or university that they are enrolled at.

6. Scholarship winners will be announced at the time of the drawing. Winners' name and amount of scholarship will be published in an area newspaper or newspapers as determined by the Local Union Executive Board. Winners will be notified by the Local Union, prior to the newspaper publication. The checks of the Scholarship Awards will be made out to the accredited school or university only.

The Local Union Executive Board shall decide any disputes.

In accordance with section 2(a) above, the members present at the annual meeting on April 3, 2004 , decided there would be five (5), five hundred dollar ($500.00) scholarships awarded in 2004. Children of members interested in the scholarship must complete an official form obtained from the union office. Procedures and requirements will be listed on the form.