President Reports

I would like to challenge every member to set a few simple goals this year.  There are so many things we can all do to help promote a stronger union and make things better for working people in America.

Here are 20 simple goals to consider:

Make it a goal to attend a union meeting every month.

Make it a goal to talk to your union steward more often.

Make it a goal to talk to your co-workers' about your union.

Make it a goal to explain the benefits of a union to your non-union friends and relatives.

Make it a goal to look for the Union-Made/Made in the USA label when you shop.

Make it your goal to shop at worker friendly establishments.

Make it your goal to educate yourself on union/labor issues.

Make it your goal to come to work on time.

Make it your goal to work safely.

Make it your goal to reduce your absenteeism.

Make it your goal to care about your union brothers and sisters.

Make it your goal to attend a Membership Training class.

Make it your goal to wear RED on Thursdays.

Make it your goal to wear BLACK on Fridays.

Make it your goal to become a member of the IBEW Committee on Political Education. (COPE)

Make it your goal to become a member of our chapter of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus. (EWMC)

Make it your goal to assist our Bargaining Committee.

Make it your goal to contact elected representatives in support of labor issues.

Make it your goal to volunteer for Union projects.

Make it your goal to improve IBEW, Local 824.

I hope you will join me in making some or all of these your goals in 2010!

In Solidarity,

Erik

Some real strides have been made with how things are done in many areas of Outside Plant and parking lot meetings and union meetings have been well attended.

Along the way we have suffered some setbacks, received bad rulings, lost members, and suffered through bumps and downgrades.  We must continue to work harder than ever to maintain our work, our customers, and our jobs.

Our task, as members, is the same as it always has been - to stick together, to work together, and to be the best at what we do.  We have to make sure our conduct, attitude, and performance are of the highest standard.

As we look to the coming year, we begin to focus on contract negotiations.  Every member needs to be well prepared and informed as to the issues that affect us all.  In January, we will announce the Union Bargaining Committee and begin working on the important issues.  Now, more than ever, is the time when we all need to come together!  We will be soliciting input from ALL members and forming sub-committees to prepare for bargaining.  Please start thinking about the important issues that need to be addressed and get with your steward, Chief Steward or Business Representative at the Hall and share your ideas.  As we get closer to negotiations, let's start doing the many things that show our solidarity.

I would also like to ask that members consider making a donation to the IBEW 824 Solidarity fund as an alternative to their favorite charity.  100 % of the proceeds go to help IBEW 824 members in need.  If you know of any members who are struggling this holiday season, remember the IBEW 824 Solidarity fund is available to help.  Just make a motion at the General or Unit meeting, under New Business.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In Solidarity,

Erik

We need to ask ourselves as Union members "Are we doing everything we can
to keep our jobs, and help turn this recession around?"

I look at being a Union member as not just something which comes with the
job, but as a lifestyle, something that affects every part of my life.
When I shop I make the effort to support good paying American jobs by
looking for the Union label or the Made in U.S.A label. I buy from
companies that I know provide good wages and benefits for their employees.
I avoid companies that have moved work overseas.

I am willing to spend a little more of my Union wages to support American
workers, because I know that the workers I support by buying American are
the same people spending their money on Verizon products to keep us
working.

Now is the time for us as IBEW824 members to do everything possible to
save our jobs. We need to live up to our commitment in Article 2  Section
1 Paragraph 1.2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"The Brotherhood agrees that the members of the Local Union will use their
best
endeavors to protect the interest of the Company, to conserve its
property, and to
furnish the highest quality of service. The Brotherhood and the Local
Union will
cooperate with the Company in promoting the welfare and advancement of the
industry."

Each and every day we need to think about the way we do our job and how it
affects every other member. Please encourage everyone you know to purchase
Verizon products. When you are at work do the best quality job you can.
Give 8 hours work for 8 hours pay. Let's show Verizon that we can do the
work better than anyone else.

With our collective power and the decisions we make every day, we can turn
this economy around.

We have to do our best each and every day despite the challenges and
roadblocks, for we are IBEW members, the best workers in the world, and
the jobs we save could be our own.

In solidarity,
Erik W. Jones

How often do you think about what it means to be a member of IBEW Local 824?  When you became a member you should have taken the oath of obligation at the first regular general meeting after signing your application.  I'm sure there are many members who have not had the opportunity to take the oath and I will be administering the oath going forward at all general meetings.

Oath of Obligation

I, (GIVE NAME), IN THE PRESENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, PROMISE AND AGREE TO CONFORM TO AND ABIDE BY THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE IBEW AND ITS LOCAL UNIONS. I WILL FURTHER THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE IBEW IS INSTITUTED. I WILL BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO IT AND WILL NOT SACRIFICE ITS INTEREST IN ANY MANNER.

What does this mean?  To put it simply it means that we all need to work together for the good of the Union.  We need to uphold the IBEW standard of quality work, and not cause harm to each other.  We should come to work each day thinking about how we can be the best IBEW member we can be.

Our local is starting membership training, if you are interested in learning more about what you can do to be the best IBEW member you can be, let your steward know you would like to be scheduled.

I hope you all will join me on Saturday, September 26, starting at Noon, to celebrate the retirement of Harrison Thornhill. See the home page for more details and don't forget to rsvp.

On another note, it is so important to remember 9-11 and the union brothers and sisters who died that day.  Did you know we lost 25 Union electricians, over 100 Union police officers, and 373 Union firefighters?  Did you know that every first responder, and every person who answered the 911 call that day was a union member?  Union workers who died just doing their jobs like union folks do every day.

I'm proud to call myself a union member alongside other union workers who made America great.  I hope you will join me with pride as we work together for a better future.

In solidarity,
Erik W. Jones

I'd like to thank all of the outgoing Officers, Executive Board and staff for their years of service to our local.  A special thanks to past President, Harrison Thornhill for so many years of leadership.

I had the privilege to serve with President Thornhill on two negotiating committees, and also as Treasurer for several years.  During this time, Harrison passed on much knowlege and wisdom about the Union and the duties of the President.  Harrison had served for so long he made the duties of President look easy and effortless. Much of the work was transparent to the general membership.

As I strive to carry on the good work, I thought I would share a little about what the President does.

The President's duties are many and varied.  The most recognized of course is the responsibility to preside at all meetings of the Local Union.  The meetings must be conducted every month in an orderly manner, must start promptly, and be adjourned no later than 11pm.  As Chairman, the President must keep order, while following parlimentary rules to allow equal opportunity for all members.

It is the President's duty to enforce the IBEW constitution, rules, and Local Union bylaws. The President appoints, and is a member of, all committees and appoints all delegates to councils and bodies which the local union is affiliated.  The President consults and cooperates with the Business Manager on all appointments.

The President is also responsible for making sure the books and accounts are audited every three months.  He makes sure no funds are withdrawn, except by check and signed by the President and Treasurer on approval from the Executive Board.

These are just a glimpse into the duties of the President.  The most important of which is "the President shall cooperate with and shall not work in conflict with the Business Manager."

I have attended most of the unit meetings last month and plan to continue as long as I'm in town.  I hope to meet and talk to as many members as I can, so if you see me please introduce yourself and tell me what is on your mind.

On a final note, to prevent interruptions and distractions our local has had a long standing rule that if your cell phone rings during a meeting you will be asked to donate five dollars to the solidarity fund.  I will be making the announcement before every meeting and I hope everyone will respect this rule.

See you at the next meeting and bring another member with you!

In solidarity,
Erik W. Jones