September 1, 2010
A reminder that book resign is this weekend, open from 4:30 pm Friday until 12 midnight Tuesday, (Monday is Labor Day) resign in person, fax, email, or the easiest way, fill out the resign form on our website and submit.

LABOR DAY...... Don't forget the Labor Day celebration at Tannehill Park Monday, Sept. 6, there will be plenty of activities, childrens play areas, guest speakers, and plenty to eat, Bar B Q, hot dogs, watermelons, much more. We will be giving out our Labor Day T-shirts to all IBEW 136 family members. Come enjoy the day with us.  

August 30, 2010
It is with deep sorrow that we report the death of Brother Myles David Reid, age 54, involved in a domestic despute with his son. Brother Reid had just taken a call to go back to work at Wilsonville today. Brother Reid had worked there before and ran a crew for a while. He was a fine IBEW Brother and will be missed. We will pass along arrangments as we find out. This Brother is death benefit #964

Visitation will be Friday September 3 at 1 PM with the funeral following at 2. It will take place at Jefferson Memorial chapel in Trussville just a couple of miles up Highway 11 from the union hall.  

August 23, 2010
We have been told that Brother Joe Minter has been admitted to the Regional Medical Center Hospital with bloodclots in his lungs. (Very serious condition) Please keep this Brother in your prayers as he fights this illness.

Also, thanks to all the Brothers that worked the short call @ Lehigh Cement and did a great job helping all the Brothers and Sisters already out there. These members have done an amazing job, putting in a job in 90 days or so that was originally scheduled for 5 or 6 months.

August 16, 2010
It is with sadness that we report the death of Brother Albert L. "Buddy" Wheeler, age 87, passed away 8/14/2010. This is death benefit #963.

August 14, 2010
We put an emergency call on the recorder this morning @ 10:15 am for Miller Electric at the Lehigh Cement job in Leeds. Call is for 10 wiremen, short call lasting 5 to 7 days, at least 10 hrs/day. Miller is trying to finish this project and could use some help.

July 30, 2010
There will be a NFPA 70E  "arc flash protection" class held @ the apprenticeship school, Wednesday, August 4th, @ 5:30 pm. Class should last about 3 hours. Everyone welcome, no cost! 

July 28, 2010
Check updates on Organizing News Page

Also, reminder that resign is next Monday, August 2nd
Resign by fax, email, resign form on web site from 4:30 Friday afternoon until 12 midnight Monday. Resign in person all day Monday.
Out of work list will be updated next week after resigns are complete.

We have been asked to remind our members and job stewards of members on our "sick and needy lists that we have been sending help to and could use some continued assistance: Brothers Joe Minter, Neil Snipes, Wes Roberts family, Terry Sweeney, Brad Randolph, Ron Ellenburg, and others. If you know of anyone that needs help, call the Hall so we can pass that info on. Thanks for everyones participation in our "sick & needy" efforts.
 
July 27, 2010
It is with sadness that we report the passing of Terry Rogers, Brother of Gerald Rogers, on Monday, July 26th. Terry was a former lineman out of Local 136 who was injured on the job around 1980 and was never able to return to work. His visitation will be Thursday, from 1 pm to 2 pm with the service following @ 2 pm at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home, 3865 US 431 North, Anniston, Al.  256-820-0024

July 23, 2010
Sad News: Brother Wesley Roberts and his wife Jolie lost their newborn baby this week. Please put the Roberts Family in your thoughts and prayers.

June 29, 2010
Building Trades Locals and their International Reps. met with Southern Company Reps. and D&Z Management this morning in an attempt to clarify the scope of work and jurisdictional questions on the Maintenance crews at the Alabama Power Plants. There has been a lot of confusion with the implementation of these new crews and the way they will work. The concencus was that these issues must come before the Power House Maint. Committee and no changes can be made until approved by the committee. We will continue to work under the present rules and agreement under the PHMA until clarifications are made and a better understanding of how work plans and work orders will be handled. The biggest concern was for the Safety and integrity of doing work within craft jurisdictions as we always have. We will update and inform of any changes to be made. We remind our Stewards and members not to sign any papers or agreements outside the scope of the PHMA until directed to do so by the Local Union.

June 29, 2010
Check out the latest Business Manager Report under Local News and the latest Political news by President Blackman on the Political News page.


June 24, 2010
Resign for July: We are extending the resign period for the month of July to Tuesday at midnight to allow everyone that might be on vacation for the Fourth of July and for other locals that might be closed that day and can't fax their member's resigns in.

Again, the resign period for July will be from 4:30pm Central Friday, July 2nd until 12:00 midnight, July 6th.

June 24, 2010
We just returned from the 5th District Progress Meeting at Savannah, Ga. This was the perfect situation in which to meet with all Business Managers and Organizers and discuss work, organizing, and other issues one on one. We were able to find out some valuable information on upcomming projects and organizing targets.

There were workshops that taught the latest info on subjects such as Davis Bacon Government work and jobs and the laws that go along with this work, NEBF, NEAP, and NEFP.  NEFP is the "new" member participation plan that is a "401k" type plan that lets a member participate in a savings/retirement plan. We also had classes that taught the latest Dept. of Labor Laws and how they apply to us.

Altogether it was a very informative and useful experience for all of us.
Many thanks should go out to the Georgia Electrical Workers association and Business Managers Gene O'Kelly (Lu 613) and Jimmy Ray (Lu 508) for their hospitality and support, they did a tremendous job! 

June 15, 2010
We will again join with the Jobs4 Alabama group in a demonstration Friday, July 9th at the new Children's Hospital in Bham. The issue raised by this group of advocates is one of Federal and Local TAX money being spent on jobs in the area that employ non-residents and ILLEGAL undocumented workers on these projects while Alabama has an 11% unemployment rate.

June 15, 2010
The BEJATC will have an OSHA-10 Safety class on June 28th, 29th, & 30th from 5:30 to 9:30, 2 and 1/2 nights, in the upstairs auditorium. The cost for this class is $30 for books and materials. Instructors are Bill Roberson and Matt Harlow. Call Matt or Heather at the BEJATC to schedule. 205-849-5522  Reminder: most all jobs require you to have an OSHA 10 card at a minimum, supervisors and foremen should have OSHA 30 training.

June 14, 2010 Flag Day
Apprentice Director Matt Dudley reports that 2nd year apprentice Stephen Thompson's house burnt completley down this weekend and has lost everything. Any help from the jobs stewards and membership would be appreciated. Call Matt Dudley at 849-5522

Update on Steven "Stomper" Thompson's family:
Steven clothes size shirt: 2x, pants 40 x 34, shoe size 13
Amy (wife) clothes size 2, shoe size 7
Victoria (girl) 12 years old, clothes size: 14 Junior, shoe size 7.5/8
Zach (boy) 10 yrs old, clothes size: slim 10-12, shoe size 3
Alex (girl) 8 yrs old, clothes 8-10, shoe size: 1-2 

June 5, 2010
Tonight was the annual BEJATC apprenticeship banquet for the class of 2010. It was a great night for our now "junior turnouts" to relax and reflect on the hard work put in the past 5 years. They were reminded that up until now, they have been under the guidance and directions of Journeymen Wireman, but now they must step up and accept the challenges of becoming a Wireman. This is a great group of new wiremen and we welcome them into the journeymen ranks. Congratulations on a job well done.




June 2, 2010
The Local welcomes Robert Humbar and Pro-Electric as our newest IBEW contractor. Pro-Electric is a small commercial shop that has some future projects in the making. We will work with Robert and any other contractors willing to go after this highly competitive commercial market.

Below is a pic of Robert Humbar with BM Jerry Keenum and Organizers Jeff "Pedro" Morris and James "Pwee" Reece. Thanks also to "Big Bill" Roberson for his help.


June 1, 2010
We have been asked to announce a rally open to all Alabama residents concerning Jobs4Alabama. This is a grassroots effort by those who believe the jobs in Alabama should go to the Alabama residents who are out of work and need a job desperately. There are estimates of anywhere between 80 to 100 thousand ILLEGAL workers and thousands more from out of state working right now in the state of Alabama while the state unemployment rate is at 11%. This is unbelievable and unacceptable is this day and age. If this makes you mad and especially if you're unemployed, join this group of fed up Alabamians Friday, June 4, at the New Childrens Hospital in Beam and make your disgust with the system known. Jobs4Alabama T-shirts will be available, a $10 donation per shirt would help defray costs. Hours will be from 10 am to 2 pm. For more info go to:  www.jobs4alabama.org  

June 1, 2010
The scheduled meeting including Building Trades, Day & Zimmerman, and Southern Co. officials has been postponed until a later date. We were hoping to get more information on the roving and base maintenance crews and how this will work. We will update as soon as we know.

May 31, 2010
Whether you're working today or off enjoying the Holiday with the Family, remember what today is and the sacrifices our service men and women have made to ensure our freedom, and especially those within our IBEW Family all across the world. Enjoy this Memorial Day and what it stands for.
 
A Reminder:
Next Monday is resign day, June 7th., first Monday of the Month. 

May 28, 2010   MSHA Class:
Miller electric will need more MSHA trained JW's and are providing a class to those interested in taking this two day class @ Bevill State in Sumiton next week, Tuesday & Wednesday, June 1st & 2nd. Anyone interested should call Eddie @ the Hall to get on the list.

More Sad News:
Brother Jim Mullinax called and reported the passing of his Brother, IBEW Brother Kenneth Mullinax, sometime yesterday, 5/24/2010, age 67, Death Benefit #962. Brother Kenneth will be laid to rest Saturday, May 29 at Patterson Forrest Grove Funeral Home & Cemetery in Pleasant Grove, Al.   Viewing and services will be from 11am til 1pm. Please put the Mullinax Family in your thoughts and prayers.

Brother Passed:
It is with sadness we report the passing of Brother Charles C. Caldwell, age 83, on (5/24/2010) Death Benefit #961
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CIR Decision:
One goal every negotiating committee goes in with from the start is to settle a contract locally, to reach an agreement on what's best for the membership and the future of the electrical industry in our jurisdiction. One reason to support that effort is so you won't have to end up submitting your case to CIR. To explain to those not familiar with the Council on Industrial Relations, we would suggest to everyone to visit the CIR website, www.thecir.org/  This explains the workings of the Council, but to give a short explanation, the Council is made up of six members from each side, NECA Contractors and IBEW Representatives. They review the briefs submitted by both parties and listen to oral arguments and rebuttals. They will then go into executive session and come to a decision on your contract. In short, they may spend as little as two hours to decide what our negotiating committee has spent months trying to do. Even though the CIR members work hard to be fair to both parties, they sometimes have to split the difference in the interest of reaching an agreement. Again, the goal should always be to come to an agreement locally.

This year, we had the following issues submitted to CIR:

1. Length of Agreement
2. Wages
3. Overtime
4. Shift Clause
5. Health & Welfare
6. Small Works Wages
7. Worker Recall

The decision came back as follows:

1. A three year agreement through May 31, 2013
2. Hourly wage increase for JWs $.25 June 1, 2010, $.25 June 1, 2011
     $.50 June 1, 2012
3. Double time after 70 hours
4. Shift pay changed to 6.5% for second shift and 13% for third shift
5. Contractors to pick up $.50 H & W increase 1/1/2011
6. No Change
7. No Change

Again, thanks to all the members of the negotiating committee for their efforts this contract.
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Update: The annual IBEW 50/50  Sick & Needy Cookout @ Cropwell was a success as usual due to the hard work of Wanda & Terry Williams and all the Brothers and Sisters who helped put on this event, along with all of those who came by and enjoyed the cookout. Thanks to everyone, over $2300 was raised for sick & needy. Great Job.
NEXT: IBEW Reunion @ Bean Blossom, Indiana. (July 11 thru 18)
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Answer to an earlier question:
The PHMA allows Contractors to call seven (7) craftsmen after the Foreman and Steward have been designated on a project. It also gives the Contractor the right to hire employees to meet work requirements and/or special skills required. (Art. II, Sect. 1, (c) PHMA

Also, when any Contractor initially goes into business, they can pick their first (5) five employees to get their business started. This will apply to any Contractor that we can organize as well.
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IBEW Sponsored BASS Pro Heath Smith @ Smith Lake
Heath Smith will be fishing in the BASS tournament at Smith Lake this weekend, May 13 thru 15, Friday through Sunday. If you're in the area, stop by the Dam parking lot and meet Heath and cheer him on.

Sad news:
It is with heavy heart we acknowledge the passing of Brother J.C. Fredrick, age 77, on 5/10/2010. Brother Fredrick will be laid to rest Wednesday, May 12th, @ 11:00 am at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Adamsville. This is Death Benefit #960
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       POWERSAFE Training

4/21/2010   Alabama Power and Southern Company has mandated that all new contractors on their jobsites have employees trained in PowerSafe, a web based safety orientation that must be completed prior to hiring in on their projects. In the case of Day & Zimmerman taking over the projects at Miller, Gorgas and Wilsonville, they have requested that we insure all potential employees have this training in hand with their referrals.
 

To accomplish this in a short period of time we will be informing our members of  different avenues to acquire this training. The link to the web training is www.powersafetraining.org   Go to this website and click on the dropdown Login and click on:  Login to Powersafe Training. This takes you to the registration page where you enter your social security number, next enter:  bhamner@ibew136.org as the administrator username, then call Bobby at 833-0909 or 283-1187 to get the password. On billing information, click the credit card button, which creates a dropdown for your credit card or debit information. Do not save your credit card info or profiles as there is no need for this. Then click on Login which takes you to the Course selection page. The two courses that we need are 12PSGEN and 12SCGEN. You must take the 12PSGEN first which costs $32 and pass it before you take the 12SCGEN which cost $2. You will be reimbursed the cost of the training by D&Z on your first pay period.
 

The training is basic safety training that is covered on every job, is divided into 17 sections and gives a question or two in each section as it progresses. At the end it will give the same 36 questions already covered as the test. You must score 80 or better to pass the test. If you fail, you must reregister to take the exam again and it will cost you again. The 12PSGEN takes about 2 ½ hours to take and the 12SCGEN takes about 5 minutes to watch.
 

You can do this at home at your leisure, the testing allows you to stop anywhere in the test and resume it later. You must enter your ID and credit card info to regain access again, but you are not billed for the test until you complete it.

We will also make this available at the hall in the referral room starting after roll call, Thursday, April 22 and available everyday after that from 8 til 2pm. 

Also, the computer labs are complete at the BEJATC, and apprenticeship Director Matt Dudley will offer training from there as well. The lab is equipped with 14 new computer stations and is something to be proud of. Brother Matt is doing a great job setting the school up for the most important thing we have to offer: Training for our apprentices and Journeymen. Call Matt @ 849-5522 to schedule an appointment.
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