News 379 - Carolina Electrical Careers

Issue
August
2016
The Foreman Development Series
class has so far
been a great success. These classes
started back in April
of 2016, and so far
we have had 2
rounds of Module 16 and now we are
moving through
modules 7-12. We
have had over 60
members take at
least one module
and are scheduled
for at least 20 to
graduate in August.
Having the FDS certification will greatly
improve your career
choices.
379 News
We are pleased to present the 2016 Outstanding Apprentices. The awards
were given to the apprentices who have grasped the training and development opportunities presented to them during the year and who made the
most significant contribution. The winners demonstrated outstanding performance and achievement within their training framework and were an
ambassador for the Apprenticeship Program and the Carolinas Electrical
Training Institute (CETI). Fifth year, representing Brooks-Berry-Hayne, Morrison Scott Cress. Fourth year, representing Miller Electric Company, Daniel
Stillwagon. Third year, representing Besco Electric Company, Brandon Bennett. Second year, representing Preferred Electric Company, Melissa Reyes.
With two first year classes, we had two representatives: James Withers
from Preferred Electric Company and Jesse Frey from Brooks-Berry-Hanie.
Sick Members or
Injured Members
to keep in your
prayers
1.James Dowell
2.Mark Russell
3.Jeff Shoemaker
4.Dwyane Thompson
5.Tom Peterson
Exec Board: Brandon Douglas
Please welcome this years IBEW Local
Union 379 Elected officers. At the July
Exec Board: Reggie Gattling
Union meeting these officers took their
Exec Board: Erin LaCoille
oaths as an officer under Old Business.
They will serve a 3 year term from 2016 to Exec Board: Gilbert McIntyre
2019. Please give these officers you full
Exec Board: Andy Ryder
support and help build our Local.
Exec Board: V.W. Stringfield
President : Scott Thrower
Exam Board: Jimmy Ballarano
V.President: Jim Schlegel
Exam Board: Stacey Ballard
Recording Secretary: Vacant
Exam Board: Eddie Byrams Jr.
BM/FS/Delegate: Tommy Hill
Exam Board: Jack Jones
Treasure: Darrin Grindstaff
Exam Board: Shoua Lor
Exec Board: Kelly Buttler
Delegate: Scott Thrower
Examining Board
New Journeyman
Wireman
1. Chad Kaylor
CETI Calling all Instructors
Part-time and substitute instructors positions are available to teach at
the Apprenticeship and Continuing Education courses offered at the
Carolinas Electrical Training Institute. Courses are offered during the
day, evenings and weekends. Instructors are need to teach courses in
a variety of subject areas. Individuals are encouraged to contact Tina
Williams, CETI Director, to express interest in teaching topics which
may be needed or of interest to the apprenticeship, IBEW membership or NECA contractors.
CETI New Look
Many great changes have been going on at CETI this summer. We are
remodeling to add two classrooms, including a computer lab. This will
allow flexibility for apprenticeship scheduling and continuing education classes. Construction is scheduled to finish by the end of July.
Future projects at CETI include the addition of an electrical room and
solar panel installation for labs.
On July 9th Local Union 379 hosted a
stewards class. This
year we had 26
Brothers and Sisters
who either want to
be a steward or want
to understand what it
takes to become a
steward. We appreciate all who attended
this class as it says a
lot for a local to have
this many interested.
Keith Rivers
IBEW Local Union 379 not only stands
up for the rights of working men and
women in its jurisdiction, we also stands
up for workers that are being mistreated and unrepresented everywhere.
That’s why when IBEW Local Union 474
(Memphis, TN) and the IBEW P&I
(Professional & Industrial) department
asked for assistance, Local 379 Business
Manager Tommy Hill was there to answer the call. Local Union 474 is engaged in what is being deemed as the
nation’s largest active organizing campaign against the Electrolux Group and
BM Hill sent IBEW 379 Membership
Development Rep. Keith Rivers to lend a
hand. Electrolux is a global appliance
manufacturer headquartered in Sweden. Although their European facilities
are organized, with employees working
under a union contract receiving great
pay, benefits and representation; the
workers at the Memphis, TN facility
aren’t so fortunate. Employees have
issued complaints and expressed concerns on a whole host of issues, from
poor working conditions to assault on a
female employee by a male supervisor,
who is still currently working in the
same building. Not only has Electrolux
been a less than ideal employer, they
have also raised concerns on their impact to the local community. In closeddoor talks with various boards, Electrolux was able to ratify $188.3 million in
tax breaks and incentives from the state
and local government, which is the
largest and most generous package in
modern Memphis history. Electrolux
Cooperate closed its plant in Canada
where the employees averaged $30hr
plus benefits and opened the Memphis
facility with the promise of 1,240 good
paying jobs averaging $31,000 a year.
Unfortunately, for tax payers and members of the community, Electrolux has
gone back on its word and currently
only employs roughly 540 fulltime workers and 400 temporary employees averaging $10hr - $12hr. Due to poor management and poor working conditions,
the facility is currently experiencing
around a 30% - 40% employee turnover
rate annually. Workers at the Memphis
facility and members of the community
have finally had enough and reached
out to the IBEW for help. A vigorous
campaign is currently underway and
gaining momentum, however, there
is still a lot of work to be done.
Hopefully, we will be hearing positive news from that part of the
District in the coming months. You
can show your support for IBEW
local union 474 and the Electrolux
employees by liking their Facebook
page or visiting allelectroluxworkersmatter.com. and opened the
Memphis facility with the promise
of 1,240 good paying jobs averaging
$31,000 a year. Unfortunately, for
tax payers and members of the
community, Electrolux has gone
back on its word and currently only
employs roughly 540 fulltime workers and 400 temporary employees
averaging $10hr - $12hr. Due to
poor management and poor working conditions, the facility is currently experiencing around a 30% - 40%
employee turnover rate annually.
Workers at the Memphis facility and
members of the community have
finally had enough and reached out
to the IBEW for help. A vigorous
campaign is currently underway and
gaining momentum, however, there
is still a lot of work to be done.
Hopefully, we will be hearing positive news from that part of the
District in the coming months. You
can show your support for IBEW
local union 474 and the Electrolux
employees by liking their Facebook
page or visiting allelectroluxworkersmatter.com.
Brothers & Sisters,
I wanted to express my appreciation to Allison Smith Company, Supervisors, and the
IBEW 379 Crew for a job well done showcasing the IBEW Professional Craftsmanship on
the Clemson Dormitory Project. We all know how frustrating it is to rework a task that has
been insufficiently installed. Imagine being called into rework the entire fire alarm system
that was installed by one of our competitors. This crew not only stepped up to the task
and got the project back on schedule, they impressed the (GC) who in return called another Union electrical contractor. Sachs is an electrical contractor from Local 1 and was
asked to come in and again rework the AC System and controls that were insufficiently
installed. We began the project with a workforce of 10, which grew to 16 for Allison Smith
and 6 for Sachs Electric. Again I want to express my appreciation to all parties involved for
showcasing us to be IBEW Professional Craftsmen.
Respectfully, Edgar Brown Assistant Business Agent
IBEW LU 379
1900 Cross Beam Dr
Charlotte NC, 28217
704.455.4595
379 News Issue 01 August 2016