Work Picture
The work picture as of this writing is still slow with 143 members on Inside Book I, 2 members
on Inside Residential Book I, and 9 members on Teledata Book I.
Phase Four of the Buffalo
Schools has only let one school thus far with the second coming to bid this month. There are eleven total in this phase.
We are still waiting to see which of one our contractors will be awarded the $283 million Global Vascular Institute
Project at the medical corridor downtown.
There are a number of jobs our contractors have been
awarded but are slow getting started. These jobs should be seeing some manpower soon.
Health Care Reform
Approximately 47 million Americans are without
health insurance, with 14,000 losing coverage every day. Eight million, seven hundred thousand children are without
health care coverage.
In the past year the average family premium for employer sponsored coverage
rose to an all time high of $13,375. No country in the world pays more for health care than the United States and our
costs are expected to double by 2016. Health care costs are so far out of control that medically related debt is one
of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy in the United States.
In a recent political conference
in Washington, DC, the IBEW lobbied our Senators and Congressmen to support comprehensive health care reform. While
we recognize there are many issues to consider in reforming health care, the IBEW stands in opposition to any attempt to tax
our health care benefits.
I strongly urge all Local #41 members to handwrite a letter to your
Senators and Congressmen stating that any consideration of taxing health care benefits is totally unacceptable to you.
Brothers and Sisters, we need everyone to be united on this issue or we will pay a strong price
down the road.
Food Pantry
As in the past, Local #41 will begin collecting non-perishable food for distribution to the food pantry in Blasdell.
Beginning December 1st we will have a drop off barrel located at the Union Office. Your help in these times
of severe unemployment in Western New York would be greatly appreciated.
Local
#41 Blood Program
The Local #41 Blood Program continues to be a great
success. Simply bring in your blood donor card or certificate showing proof of donation and you are eligible to receive
a $10.00 gift certificate to Philipps Brothers Supply Co. The following Local #41 members donated in 2009:
Peter Campanella John Kiener
Richard Derrah David Liska
Richard Ehlers Vincent
Lombardo
Glenn Stuber
The officers and I would like to
thank everyone who participates in the program and Philipps Brothers Supply Co.
Helping Hand
Thank you to all our members, contractors and
vendors listed below for their great service and participation with the wiring of the Eisenhardt family home in Machias. A
special thank you goes out to Dennis Pollinger, who was instrumental in organizing this worthwhile effort. Our members and
NECA truly showed we are the Union of hearts and minds. Great job everyone!
Ramee Abdallah
Jim Dunphy
Dennis Reszka
Aaron Arnold
Dave Edwards
Dan Roberts
Tom Bensch
Mike Eustace
Todd Rosser
Bob Chilson
Roy Gritzke
David J. Stengel
John Sawicz
John Clunie
Ted Koeth
John Terpolilli Aaron Coventry
Vince Lombardo
Howard Toy
Shawn Creighton Kevin
Phelan
Ed Wesolowski
Brian Duke Garrett
Punaro
Pete Winstel
Deltex Electric
Industrial Power & Lighting Quermback Electric
Frey Electric
Metro Electric Shanor
Electric
Graybar Electric
O'Connell Electric Tunney
Electric
Weydman Electric
