Conferences

2010 COPE Endorsing Convention

May 21-23, 2010

Friday, May 21           11am Met with Resolutions Committee

We discussed and voted on resolutions submitted by members who want the Florida AFL-CIO to take official positions on issues and policies.  Some of the resolutions proposed included support of absentee Ballots; Support of vote by mail, and opposition to off shore drilling. Several resolutions were tabled for a joint meeting with the executive board. We adjourned at 12 noon and agreed to meet again at 5pm immediately after the General session.

General session began at 1pm

Mike Williams, President opened with remarks and introductions

Russell Harper, president of North Florida CLC welcomed everyone to Jacksonville

We heard from Representative Audrey Gibson

The CLC’s gave their reports

Guest speakers included:

Senator Tony Hill

Governor Charlie Crist

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice-President

Representative Ron Saunders, Democratic House Leader

We heard remarks from Brian Dempsey, Secretary-Treasurer of the Florida AFL-CIO

Dylan Sumner, Senior Vice President of Mack Crounse political Consulting group gave a presentation on Florida’s political landscape.

Closing remarks by Mike Williams who adjourned the meeting at 5pm

The resolutions committee re-convened and met with the executive board to finish discussion and voting on the remaining resolutions. Meeting adjourned at 5:45pm

Evening event celebrating and honoring Hazel Ziegler and “Dub” Fowler took place from 6pm-7:30pm

Saturday, May 22 General Session

Opening remarks and announcements by Mike Williams, President

CLC president’s reports

Guest speakers included Scott Maddox, candidate for commissioner of Agriculture

U.S. Congressman Kendrick Meek

Presentation on Good Jobs Now Campaign by Keith Maddox AFL-CIO office of the President, strategic campaigns center

Senator Nan Rich, Senate Democratic Leader

US congressman Ted Duetch

General session adjourned at 12 noon

A candidate reception was held from 6pm-8pm to honor Florida’s statewide, congressional and legislative candidates.

Sunday, May 23

Endorsing convention began at 9am with a call to order, a moment of silence, and a presentation of the colors by the boy scouts of America troop 101 and the pledge. 

A roll call of the officers was taken followed by reports from all the standing committees. 

Ballot issues were considered for votes to support or oppose.

Consideration of candidate endorsements proceeded. All of the Florida Central labor councils Stood to propose their suggestions for endorsed candidates.

West Central Florida suggested and approved 9 local candidates.

Endorsing convention adjourned at 1pm

The 2010 Broadcasting, Manufacturing and Telecommunications Conference was held from April 26^th to the 30^th in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, which is located just outside of Albuquerque.  This conference consisted of representatives from all three divisions from around the United States and Canada.  The theme of the conference was “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”.  Robert Prunn, Eric Jones, Danny Alfonso, and I represented Local 824.

         On Monday, the 26^th, we attended the TCC-2 meeting from 9am to around 4pm.  The TCC-2 is comprised of all of the Locals from around the country whose members are employed by Verizon.  During the meeting, new officers were nominated.  I am proud to report that our very own Robert Prunn is the new Vice-Chairman of the TCC-2.  This is exciting news and it ensures that Local 824 will have a strong voice on the Council.  We also heard reports, from all of the Locals that were in attendance, on the current events in their respective areas.  As you can imagine, much of the talk revolved around Frontier’s acquisition of various Verizon areas, and the fact that many of these Locals would soon be members of the TCC-4.  The TCC-4 is the council that represents Frontier Locals.  A lot of good information and ideas were exchanged and I learned quite a bit from our fellow brothers and sisters who were there.

         On Wednesday, the 28^th, the general session took place.  This session is where all of the members attending the BMT meet together.  President Hill spoke to the group about the overall political landscape.  We then heard from International Secretary/Treasurer Lee regarding changing technologies and the futures of the industries.  Next, we listened to an economist Dr. Richard Levins.  He presented his ideas about how stronger and larger Unions are the real key to the nation’s economic recovery.  Lastly, a gentleman named Chief Red Hawk addressed the conference on teamwork and leadership principles.  After the general session we attended a workshop given by Chief Red Hawk.  He went into great detail and gave us different strategies for building strong teams.

         Thursday, the 29^th, brought the Telecommunications General Session.  Martha Pultar, the Director of the IBEW Telecommunications Department, spoke about the IBEW’s Telecommunications Code of Excellence video.  The video itself is a great way to engage and revitalize the membership.  It reminds us to be proud to be a Union member as well as to give our utmost effort everyday to show our employers, as well as our customers, that Union labor and craftsmanship is second to none.  We also heard about a program that two International organizers have developed.  It is called STAND and it is designed to engage and organize satellite TV installers.  Martha then spoke about different strategies to market the IBEW and to get our good name out into the public.  Robert mentioned our Local’s membership training classes, as well as our Solidarity Committee.  Everyone agreed that these were both great ways to educate our membership and promote the IBEW.  We then attended an afternoon workshop entitled “Navigating the Political Process”.  During this we discussed national political issues as well as state-by-state political races.

         Friday, the 30^th, was the conclusion of the Telecommunications General Session.  President Hill addressed those gathered and emphasized to us that line loss has a great deal to do with the overall decline in our membership numbers.  He also stated that the IBEW needed to place a bigger emphasis on organizing those workers in the cable TV and wireless industries.  It was a very informative and frank discussion followed by a question and answer session.  My eyes were really opened when hearing of all the issues facing our membership.

         I can assure you all that I came away from the conference a better-informed and more motivated member of the IBEW.

In Solidarity,

Josh Saladino

A. Phillip Randolph (April 15, 1889-May 16, 1979) was a prominent twentieth-century African-American civil rights leader and the founder of both the March on Washington Movement and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a landmark for labor and particularly for African-American labor organizing.

I want to thank President Jones, Business Manager Robert Prunn, the Executive Board and my union brothers and sisters for making this trip possible. The conference was time well spent and a real eye opener for me.

The conference was fast paced and full of useful information. I also learned and opened my mind to things I had not thought about before.

The three main things the conference focused on where, Green Jobs, Free Choice Act and the Health Care Reform. Health care reform being at the top of that list as being most important. It is important for everyone to understand if Health Care Reform fails to pass, the Free Choice Act will also fail. We, the union, have to be involved and push for Health Care Reform. Maybe because we are already covered we forget how urgent the need is for those millions of families that are not covered.

Please pick up the flyers we are getting done, pass them out at work and in your unit meetings. Call, write, and e-mail your senators and congressmen. Try to attend some local town hall meetings. We don’t want to be taxed for the health care we now have.

The Institute is deeply rooted in the labor movement and the needs of unions. They want to " Organize, Mobilize and Educate", which what we as a union need to do, we need to get all the new hires from the last couple years involved and to understand what the union means and how important they are to the future of the union.

Again, I was honored to represent the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, this local 824 and members at this very important conference. I encourage everyone to ask questions, come to the meetings and join the caucus.

In Solidarity,

Dawn Livingston