Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
Wow, what a month; 3 days paid holidays because your Union fought to have it in our contract!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day. It’s nice having three paid holidays in one month to give thanks and to remember.
Have a great Veteran’s Day and celebrate it with a veteran in your thoughts, a beer in your hand and a burger ready to be eaten. When I was in the Army people didn’t care much for the military. I like that people care and thank veterans for their support and for protecting every one of us. Take some time to look around and be thankful for everything you have, the people that you love and love you. It’s easy to get caught up in the busy days we all live in, so as they say, stop and smell the roses. Have a great time with friends and family and enjoy the two paid days off as well.
Remember to vote on November 8th. We must protect our way of life and that includes protecting our Union. I’ve seen postings on FB where members say they are more than the Union and will vote for whatever their beliefs. I would like to know, as an Elevator Mechanic or Apprentice how skilled would you be without the Union? How successful would you be without the Union? How happy would you be at work? Most of us cannot imagine a life without working on elevators. Most of your skill was developed and fine-tuned by NEIEP and your fellow Elevator Constructors. The wages, health, pension, all helped to pay for college, make donations for your church and for all of us to live the great life we all enjoy! The non-union make on the average of 50% to 60% less than we do. They also pay for their own health insurance, have no pension, and they certainly don’t have an annuity paying $6.25 an hour. Every benefit we take for granted was provided by previous Union Members standing up for their family and their Union family. We have been given a great gift in our Union and trade. Let’s do our part and give the Union leadership the tools (politicians) they need to be strong for another 100 years. The Union fought for us to be the highest skilled, highest paid, best benefits of any skilled trade. We need to fight for the Union!
“Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process”.
Hillary Clinton
November dates to remember:
No Union Meeting in November
November 6, 2016 Daylight Savings
November 8, 2016 Election Day, VOTE
November 11, 2016 Veteran’s Day, Paid Holiday
November 17, 2016 JAC Meeting
November 24-25, 2016 Thanksgiving, Paid Holiday
December 2, 2016 Family Union Meeting
December 7, 2016 Traverse City/Gaylord Family Union Meeting
December 8, 2016 Marquette Family Union Meeting
Big Buck Contest:
The Big Buck Contest started on October 1st and will end on January 2nd, 2017. Please send in your pictures of your Big Buck taken in Michigan this season. We need number of points and inside spread. The winner will receive a gift certificate.
NEIEP:
If you haven’t attended a Continuing Education class yet plan to sign up for one in the next semester. We are the best because we work to be the best and that includes school!
Golden Rail Club
Kalamazoo: 11.2.2016 First Wednesday at 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s
Grand Rapids: 11.15.2016 Third Tuesday at 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 11.16.2016 Third Wednesday at 9:00 am, Zeus’ Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz